Chapter 23: This Man Is Not Simple |
— The last disciple of Master Dong Guo?— Shang Chao Zong and Lan Ruo Ting froze and exchanged glances.
Although they had doubts, they were well-mannered individuals, and cupping their hands, they greeted:
— We thank you for your kindness.
And after observing the proper etiquette, Lan Ruo Ting spoke directly:
— Please forgive a certain Lan's impertinence, but Master Dong Guo and I are old friends. We have met many times, and I know many of Master Dong Guo's disciples, but this is the first I've heard of a disciple named Niu You Dao.
For Niu You Dao, this question was not unexpected. As soon as Tang Yi called him "Brother-Disciple" in front of outsiders, he understood that the Supreme Purity Sect did not want others to know his past. So, smiling, he said:
— There are some things that are inconvenient to speak of. I do not like to lie, and when the appropriate time comes, I will tell you.
Lan Ruo Ting looked at Shang Shu Qing. He knew that this young woman was far from brainless. He just didn't know why Shang Shu Qing had brought this particular person.
However, without further words, the group continued on their way. Niu You Dao felt that he was being treated with little enthusiasm and was even edged out by the cavalry. When they set off, he found himself surrounded on all sides.
Along the road, the group stretched out, and Niu You Dao fell behind. Shang Chao Zong seized the opportunity and rode up to Shu Qing:
— Shu Qing, this time, was the Supreme Purity Sect able to cleanse your face?
Shang Shu Qing was silent for a moment, then said:
— Brother, there truly is no need. Master Dong Guo spoke truly. In these turbulent times, a beauty brings no good. And in our situation, if I were a beauty, I would certainly attract attention. If I am a little uglier, it is for the best!
At such words, Lan Ruo Ting shook his head. What girl doesn't wish to be beautiful?
Shang Chao Zong said in a somber voice:
— You must marry sooner or later. But will you not have that spot forever!
Shang Shu Qing:
— Brother, I... am not a plant, and I too desire feelings, children. But we were born in such times, and the situation forces us to bare our swords. What concern is marriage now? And Brother need not pay attention to my birthmark. Ordinary people will not notice me, but I am a pearl covered in dust. And when I meet a worthy man who can discern me, then I shall brush away the dust. For now, one must simply wait patiently and not forcibly rush matters!— Shu Qing said in a melodious voice.
Though there was sense in her words, Chao Zong sighed grimly. His cheeks tightened, and in his heart, he lamented. Ordinary girls married and bore children at sixteen or seventeen. But because of his shortsightedness, he had been imprisoned for several years. Now his younger sister was nearly twenty, and she remained an old maid. With the added birthmark and the current plight of the Shang family, who would look at her now? Their father had repeatedly urged them to take care of their younger sister during his lifetime...
They rode sometimes fast, sometimes slow, occasionally allowing their horses to rest, stopping at various spots.
As evening approached, the group stopped at a pass by the riverbank. Some fetched water, some quartered the troops, some lit fires, some guarded the horses, and some set up watch.
Thus, by the riverbank, they lit many bonfires.
Niu You Dao, who had moved to sit on a rock, took out his provisions and, recalling Tu Han's words, threw them into the river.
Chao Zong, who was sitting nearby, watched Niu You Dao and noticed his antics. Unable to restrain himself, he grumbled discontentedly:
— Such good provisions, and he just throws them away. In these turbulent, unstable times, when common folk starve, this fellow discards perfectly good food. He must be accustomed to a luxurious diet...
Lan Ruo Ting, sitting nearby, was stoking the fire, and hearing Chao Zong, he smiled and nudged him with a branch. Then he instructed someone to offer Niu You Dao some good, hot food. Niu You Dao, for his part, heard that Chao Zong was displeased by his actions, but paid it no mind. And when the man offered him hot food, he immediately brightened. What matter was more important than filling one's stomach?
Chao Zong later looked at Lan Ruo Ting:
— Master, did I say something amiss?
Lan Ruo Ting smiled:
— Earlier, I feared there would be trouble with this man. Now I understand that the Supreme Purity Sect is not overly fond of him, seeing as they sent him to us. Now I am more convinced that he is indeed Master Dong Guo's disciple.
Chao Zong whispered: — Is that so?
Lan Ruo Ting:
— Young Master did not notice that all day he has been asking us for food, and poor food at that, compared to the provisions he had. And just now, he simply threw those provisions away. Is that logical? Furthermore, he was sent with us. Henceforth, there's no need to guard him so closely. We will soon understand him.
Shang Chao Zong turned his head and looked at the cheerful Niu You Dao, who was eating with the soldiers, and pondered for a moment.
Shang Shu Qing had washed her face and brushed her teeth by the river and now returned. She sat beside her brother. Shu Qing took off her bamboo hat, and the evening breeze ruffled her beautiful hair, which cascaded over her shoulders. When she sat on the folding stool, Lan Ruo Ting asked:
— Great Princess is intelligent and tactful. Could it be that the Princess did not perceive that this young man possesses no cultivation? Why then did she bring him along?
Shang Shu Qing adjusted her hair with a hand and said:
— Brother, Master Lan, I understand your concerns. How to put it. Firstly, something is better than nothing. Secondly, it seems to me that this fellow is not simple. In any case, when the time comes, every person will be useful to us.
Hearing her, Lan Ruo Ting asked with interest:
— Great Princess, why do you say this man is not simple?
Shang Shu Qing sat on the stool, and in the dim light of the bonfire, her beautiful features were visible. Yet, there was a feeling as if she wore a beautiful mask. Lost in thought, she said:
— Tang Yi is currently the head of the sect. And every disciple, whether from the elder or younger generation, treats her with great respect. Niu You Dao, however, while also showing respect, gives the impression that it is only external. In reality, he looks at her as an equal. Even stranger is Tang Yi's attitude toward him. I noticed that in front of him, she seems strong on the outside but weak within. One could say she feels timid around him. Whether intentionally or not, she avoids his direct gaze.
— Timid?— Chao Zong asked in surprise.
Shang Shu Qing:
— Brother, do not forget, I am also a woman. And some reactions of women, I instinctively understand.
Lan Ruo Ting spoke in surprise:
— Tang Yi is the head of the Supreme Purity Sect, and this man is very young. How can Tang Yi feel timid around him?
Shu Qing shook her head:
— Master, I too am surprised by this. At first, I thought I was mistaken. But fortunately, I was not too noticeable behind my bamboo hat. And then I confirmed it repeatedly. Tang Yi truly is timid around him.
Chao Zong and Lan Ruo Ting exchanged glances and, unable to resist, turned their heads to look at Niu You Dao, who was drinking soup and gnawing on bread. He sat carefree, laughing and talking with the other soldiers. He behaved completely at ease.
— In the village of peaches, in the peach hut, there was a peach immortal. He belonged to the peaches, exchanging leaves for tea and alcohol... Shang Shu Qing began to recite a poem, then frowned, recalling its continuation. And remembering, she continued:
— He sits before the blossoms, sobering; he falls asleep beneath them, drunk. And thus he passed his days, now drunk, now sober. The blossoms withered and unfurled. But lost in the peach-induced haze, there was no need to bend one's back when riding a horse, or, like a rich man, breathe the dust of carriages. Peach blossoms: the cause of a recluse's tranquil life. Better to be a recluse than a rich man, and enjoy serenity. Others may laugh at me, but I shall know they understand nothing. Without seeing a hero, without flowers, without alcohol, I shall plow the fields!...
She was a clever girl and could memorize everything by ear at first listen. This set her apart from the crowd. Niu You Dao had only recited this poem once. Though she had heard it only once, she had remembered it from beginning to end.
After reciting the poem, she raised her head and looked at both men.
Shang Chao Zong coughed and asked:
— Shu Qing, is this your new poem? He sits before the blossoms, sobering; he falls asleep beneath them, drunk... A good poem. Only, it speaks of a leisurely life. Shu Qing, do you yearn for such a life?
Shu Qing shook her head and looked at Lan Ruo Ting's reaction.
Ruo Ting sank into thought, then slowly said:
— I once visited Master Dong Guo's humble abode. In front of his courtyard stands a thousand-year-old peach tree. No matter if it's winter, spring, summer, or autumn, this tree constantly blossoms, and its flowers never wither. Such a wondrous sight leaves an indelible impression on one's heart. Could it be that the Princess composed this poem when she saw Niu You Dao?
Shu Qing shook her head again:
— I did not compose this poem. This poem belongs to Niu You Dao. When I followed Tang Yi to Peach Blossom Spring, I saw Niu You Dao lying lazily beneath the peach tree. He was asleep. Looking at his young face and how he was sleeping like that, I had already decided that he would be unsuitable for us and would only be a hindrance. I was about to take my sword and leave, when he stretched out his hand. Who would have thought that, without preparation, dreaming in his sleep, he would recite such a poem? Then I felt that in the poem, he referred to himself as a talented immortal. I decided to observe him further, and when I noticed Tang Yi's attitude towards him, I understood that he was not simple and might be useful. When he learned he had to come down with us, he didn't seem particularly eager. It's unknown what Tang Yi said to him, but he eventually agreed to follow us. And when he left the sect, there was no official farewell. Only one female disciple saw him off, and that was all. One could infer his position.
— Hmm!— Lan Ruo Ting stroked his beard and looked at Niu You Dao with interest:
— So, in the poem, he refers to himself. Let me think... This man possesses an extraordinary character and temperament. And he acts so freely and can compose such poems. He is indeed more interesting than the former disciples of the Supreme Purity Sect. Should the opportunity arise, I wish to test him and discover how talented he truly is...