At the Mad Tiger Peak, Jianshi and Jianjin knelt in the head disciple\u2019s office, their heads hanging low as their Shizun slammed a stack of written complaints on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how much trouble you\u2019ve caused Elegance Peak in the past ten days. What do you have to say for yourselves?\u201d said Diao Suiyu, frowning deeply.<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun, don\u2019t send us back to Elegance Peak,\u201d begged Jianjin. \u201cAll they do is make us kneel and recite poetry. We\u2019re hot-blooded Mad Tiger disciples\u2014we act before we speak!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re kneeling here anyway, so what\u2019s the difference?\u201d said Diao Suiyu.<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun~\u201d said Jianjin, shuffling over on his knees to tug at her robes. \u201cI know you can\u2019t bear to put us in danger, but we\u2019re not kids anymore. We have to clean up after our own asses.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou brat,\u201d said Diao Suiyu, swatting his hand off her leg. \u201cI thought having your spirit aura being sealed off will tone you down a notch, but you\u2019re just as shameless as ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun,\u201d said Jianshi, shuffling over on his knees too. \u201cAh-Jin is right. We\u2019re proud disciples of the Mad Tiger Peak. We should go out there and solve our problems by ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diao Suiyu stood up, huffed in annoyance and walked out of her office, leaving her two disciples kneeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, bro, what do we do now?\u201d said Jianjin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess we\u2019ll have to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait?\u201d said Jianjin, pulling on his brother\u2019s sleeves. \u201cWe might have to live our whole lives on our knees!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve made sure the Elegance Peak seniors sent some complaints about us straight to General Ye,\u201d said Jianshi.<\/p>\n
\u201cOhhh. You\u2019re so smart, bro!\u201d<\/p>\n
Four hours later, Diao Suiyu came back into her office and smacked both of them upside the head with a scroll.<\/p>\n
She sat at her table and glared at them, her furrowed brow somehow deepening even further.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a talk with Shi\u2014Peak Lord Ye,\u201d said Diao Suiyu.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd\u2026?\u201d said Jianjin, peering up at his Shizun.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re both grown up. Your wings have hardened and are itching to fly. I admit I can\u2019t hold your hands forever,\u201d said Diao Suiyu, massaging her aching temple. \u201cLet your Di Shibo kill you both, I don\u2019t care anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jianjin smiled brightly and said, \u201cShizun, don\u2019t you worry. I\u2019m sure Di Shibo has a soft spot for us in his demon king\u2019s heart somewhere. If not, we\u2019ll just run at the first sign of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSoft spot?\u201d murmured Diao Suiyu.<\/p>\n
Her brow unfurrowed for a second as she seemed to hit upon an idea. With a swift hand that could only be honed from years of thankless paperwork, she wrote down a few lines of words.<\/p>\n
\u201cMemorise this now,\u201d she said, handing the paper to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Shizun,\u201d saluted the two juniors.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle sheep\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up,\u201d warned Diao Suiyu.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, I\u2019ll quietly memorise it,\u201d apologised Jianjin.<\/p>\n
After they were done, their Shizun took the piece of paper from them and promptly burned it.<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun,\u201d said Jianshi. \u201cWhat do we do with that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll know when the time comes,\u201d said Diao Suiyu.<\/p>\n
Just then, Ye Mingzhu strolled into Diao Suiyu\u2019s office, dropping off more paperwork.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuiyu, how\u2019s it going with your two darling disciples?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun,\u201d said Diao Suiyu, glaring at the papers on her desk. \u201cPlease sort out the documents before passing them to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ye Mingzhu promptly took a few steps away from the paperwork-laden table.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuiyu ah, my most capable disciple, you\u2019re doing a great job leading Mad Tiger Peak when I\u2019m not around. So how about becoming Peak Lord already? Tomorrow is an auspicious day, I can transfer\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait ten years, Shizun!\u201d said Diao Suiyu, throwing a scroll at Ye Mingzhu as she felt her headache coming back.<\/p>\n
\u201cHahaha!\u201d laughed Ye Mingzhu as she swatted the scroll away and strode off.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, Shizun, we\u2019ll be going now?\u201d said Jianjin, wanting to leave before Diao Suiyu changed her mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d said Diao Suiyu, halting them in their steps. \u201cYou have to repair the stuff you damaged at Elegance Peak before you can leave the Border Mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll take all week! We won\u2019t get there in time for the clan alliance meeting,\u201d said Jianjin.<\/p>\n
\u2018If you work day and night, you should finish with plenty of time to spare,\u2019 said Diao Suiyu.<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun~\u201d said Jianjin. \u201cMy spirit aura isn\u2019t working, I can\u2019t work without eating or sleeping!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo?\u201d said Diao Suiyu.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll work harder to cover Ah-Jin\u2019s share,\u201d sighed Jianshi.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, bro,\u201d said Jianjin, nudging his bro. \u201cI’m sure I can get a couple of senior sisters to help us out for the jars of wine I brought back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diao Suiyu raised a brow at them.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo much for solving your problems by yourselves\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re early today,\u201d said Xie Li, yawning as he pushed a pile of books to the end of the bed. He grimaced, his back hurting from his movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be going to the Du Manor later,\u201d said Di Mie, fully dressed and fixing his hair. \u201cThey want to discuss the security arrangements for the meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe meeting\u2019s in a few days, isn\u2019t it?\u201d said Xie Li, stretching out slowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed. My gut feeling tells me they might be up to something,\u201d said Di Mie as he tossed a bottle of painkillers over.<\/p>\n
\u201cShall I go with you?\u201d offered Xie Li, opening the bottle and sniffing at it before taking one.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be fine. Qing Lingfeng will be there as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anything dangerous happens, let Lingfeng help you take care of it,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun, may I remind you that I\u2019m the Border Mountains Sect\u2019s Fallen Leaves Valley Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo?\u201d said Xie Li, absently examining the patterns on the porcelain medicine bottle.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaking care of dangerous happenings is my job,\u201d said Di Mie, amused.<\/p>\n
\u201cHm,\u201d said Xie Li, not seeing the point. \u201cShall I have a word with Lingfeng then?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s leave Big Bro Lingfeng alone. I\u2019m almost feeling sorry for him now,\u201d chuckled Di Mie. \u201cCome, I\u2019ll help you dress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI should wear my working clothes. These clothes look easily dirtied,\u201d said Xie Li as Di Mie helped him tie his sash.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, these clothes can be washed easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
“But\u2014”<\/p>\n
“You can do whatever you want after I leave, be it dressing up as a waiter or a woman,” said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
Xie Li blinked, then nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cValley Lord Di, Senior Xie,\u201d came Gouzi\u2019s voice from outside the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat should be breakfast,\u201d said Di Mie, letting him in.<\/p>\n
\u201cHm?\u201d said Xie Li, noticing a generous spread on his tray that Gouzi brought in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are there so many dishes today?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have two guests from Mountainside Town next door,\u201d said Gouzi, setting the food on the table. \u201cOne of them prepared these dishes for you. She said that the roast chicken is for Valley Lord Di.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems like Auntie Ma\u2019s arrived,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll bring them to your room in a bit,\u201d said Gouzi, leaving the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came at the right time,\u201d said Di Mie, talking with a chicken drumstick in his mouth. \u201cYou should stay with them until I come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get into trouble when you\u2019re alone,\u201d said Di Mie, pushing the plate of mixed vegetables over and tapping Xie Li’s rice bowl with his chopsticks. “Eat.”<\/p>\n
Reminded, Xie Li began to eat.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure to let Gouzi stay by your side,\u201d said Di Mie, quickly finishing up his breakfast and sidling over to comb out Xie Li\u2019s hair. \u201cYou made him cry the last time when you left him behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI should\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to apologise to him. These Crystal Peak brats need to toughen up. I\u2019ll assign Jianshi and Jianjin to you once they get here,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you can take care of yourself,\u201d interrupted Di Mie, deftly braiding a ribbon into his hair. \u201cJust let your obedient disciple take care of you, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObedient disciple?\u201d repeated Xie Li. Then he hummed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re in a good mood,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cThe painkiller medicine must be working well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObedient disciple,\u201d he said once more, flapping both hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it that funny?\u201d chuckled Di Mie, taking his hands and swinging along, making Xie Li hum even more.<\/p>\n
\u201cObedient\u2014\u201d Xie Li stopped himself before he could say it again, but his hands kept moving up and down.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m so obedient that you can\u2019t stop laughing,\u201d said Di Mie as he stuffed some heat pouches in hidden pockets under Xie Li\u2019s robes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, not there,\u201d squirmed Xie Li as Di Mie reached around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLower.\u201d<\/p>\n
Di Mie adjusted the heat pouches, his hands lingering on Xie Li\u2019s lower back, smiling as he heard a contented hum.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm,\u201d said Di Mie, a slow smirk growing on his face. \u201cYou like that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gouzi knocked on the door again.<\/p>\n
Xie Li demeanour changed in an instant, stilling his hands and body.<\/p>\n
Di Mie rolled his eyes at the interruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you find them too noisy, just tell them to go next door,\u201d reminded Di Mie.<\/p>\n
They could hear excited chatting from the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels like a new year celebration; I can\u2019t wait to see how Ah-Li’s doing,\u201d came Auntie Ma\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cHahah,” came Old Niu\u2019s voice. \u201cThanks to your good nephew, I can tour the inside of this famous Juxian inn. You\u2019re never too old to see new things!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d said Di Mie to the door, flipping his veiled hat on.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow,\u201d said Old Niu as he walked in. \u201cWhat a beautiful and spacious room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cBig city inns are just different. I have so many ideas after seeing this!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAuntie Ma, Uncle Niu,\u201d greeted Xie Li, standing next to Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, Ah-Li, you look every bit like an immortal from the heavens in these clothes,\u201d gasped Auntie Ma, looking him up and down. \u201cThese pieces of jade are so exquisite! Heavens, are these all real silk?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA bolt of his robe’s fabric is worth ten bolts of silk,\u201d mumbled Gouzi, recalling the numbers he had seen on the invoices.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour outfit looks really familiar,\u201d said Old Niu when he followed Auntie Ma to look at Xie Li.<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun, I\u2019ll take my leave now,\u201d said Di Mie, warming Xie Li\u2019s hands with his own.<\/p>\n
\u201cMn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cWait for this obedient disciple\u2019s return.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObedient\u2014\u201d repeated Xie Li, catching himself before he finished the phrase.<\/p>\n
\u201cMn,\u201d chuckled Di Mie, repeating with him. \u201cYes, I\u2019m very obedient.\u201d<\/p>\n
This made Xie Li hum in amusement again.<\/p>\n
Di Mie turned to Gouzi, giving him a pat on the shoulder on his way out.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep everyone here safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d said Gouzi, closing the door behind them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels like I just saw a painting,\u201d sighed Auntie Ma.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis room is pretty warm,\u201d noted Old Niu. \u201cThere\u2019s already floor heating but I see jars of hot water around the room as well. Hm? Is that a coffin? Oh, there are clothes in it. I guess even the laundry boxes in big city inns are extra fancy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUhh\u2026\u201d said Gouzi, pretty sure it was a coffin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t think even big inns provided so many hot water jars as a service,\u201d said Auntie Ma.<\/p>\n
\u201cValley Lord Di added those for Senior Xie himself,\u201d said Gouzi as he started cleaning up the bowls and plates from the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my heavens,\u201d gushed Auntie Ma. \u201cHe\u2019s so considerate!\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li took two steps away from the table and sat on the bed, giving himself a bit of space.<\/p>\n
The bells on his ankle chimed softly.<\/p>\n
Old Niu stared at them and frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the way, I heard you could use a cook, so I told Sect Leader Qing I\u2019ll make everyone\u2019s meals while I\u2019m here,\u201d said Auntie Ma, sitting down on a chair at the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour help is much appreciated, Madam Ma,\u201d said Gouzi.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust call me Auntie Ma like everyone else!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXie Li ah\u2026how do I even begin to ask?\u201d said Old Niu, looking concerned. \u201cThose silver bells on your leg…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm?\u201d said Xie Li, looking at his ankle. \u201cWhat about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m concerned that Valley Lord Di is dressing you up in the image of the Dream-Wandering Immortal,\u201d said Old Niu, taking out his card album and flipping to the card, showing it to the others.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my,\u201d said Auntie Ma, seeing the resemblance. \u201cThis is the famous Dream-Wandering Immortal whom the wine is named after?\u201d<\/p>\n
Old Niu sat at the table next to Auntie Ma and looked straight at Xie Li, who averted his gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a little worried this \u2018roleplaying\u2019 might be going too far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean, Old Niu?\u201d asked Auntie Ma, pouring them some tea.<\/p>\n
Old Niu took a sip and sighed, \u201cI don\u2019t know what the Valley Lord is thinking, dressing you up like someone else. This is beyond just simple roleplaying, if you get what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh dear,\u201d said Auntie Ma, realising what he meant. \u201cAh-Li, if you aren\u2019t comfortable with things here, you let me know, okay? We\u2019ll get you out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s comfortable here,\u201d said Xie Li, absently running his hand over the books at the end of the bed. \u201cIt\u2019s warm and I have books to read.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think he understands the situation,\u201d said Old Niu to Auntie Ma.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see you\u2019re well-taken care of,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cBut this\u2026young master Di might be expecting too much from you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExpecting too much?\u201d Xie Li tilted his head and blinked.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh dear, you\u2019re confused,\u201d said Auntie Ma. She looked over to Old Niu. \u201cHow can we explain this clearly to him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXie Li ah,\u201d said Old Niu. \u201cDid Valley Lord Di do anything against your will?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what if he asked you to do something you don\u2019t want to do?\u201d asked Auntie Ma.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I\u2019ll do it,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cSince I owe him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it money? Did he put you in his debt?\u201d asked Auntie Ma, concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cHm\u2026 I do owe him a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my heavens,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cMy poor nephew, did I unintentionally push you into the jaws of a tiger? Oh dear…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you both worried about me?\u201d realised Xie Li belatedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d said Old Niu.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can take care of myself. You shouldn\u2019t worry about me,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Ah-Li, no matter your past, I took care of you for a whole half-year while you were unconscious. I might be calling you my nephew, but in my heart, you\u2019re like a son to me,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cOf course I\u2019m worried about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Old Niu and Gouzi looked at Auntie Ma with an ‘awww’ look on their faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d added Old Niu. \u201cWhen you dressed up as a woman and got taken to the bandit\u2019s lair the other day, Auntie Ma was telling me every fifteen minutes that she\u2019d go rescue you herself if you didn\u2019t come back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou exaggerate,\u201d Auntie Ma slapped Old Niu\u2019s arm. \u201cI was just concerned about everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li just stared and blinked, not knowing how to react. Gouzi was doing the same, hearing all that new information.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyway,\u201d said Old Niu. \u201cSince you\u2019re now dressed up as the Dream-Wandering Immortal, you ought to know the story of what happened to that person years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStory?\u201d asked Xie Li.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t heard this before,\u201d said Gouzi.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuick, tell us the story,\u201d said Auntie Ma.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, this one is a tale that was written by one of the Resting Cloud senior sisters not long after the Calamity\u2014\u201d Old Niu cleared his throat and changed to his storytelling voice, starting with a beat by tapping his crutches against his wooden leg.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf the Dream-Wandering Immortal there\u2019s a story to be told<\/em> The moment their paths and fates entwined<\/em> The Hermit Moon disciple, neglected and lonely<\/em> Enjoying the wind on his unveiled face one night<\/em> The Dream-Wandering Immortal lingered there<\/em> They chatted and viewed the moon together<\/em> Every night they spent together; so precious<\/em> To everyone around them, it was plain to see<\/em> But good things never last under the Hermit Moon<\/em> The Hermit Moon Peak Lord destroyed the gates<\/em> Finally the jealous Lord had his disciple banished<\/em> The lonely disciple has gone, the Immortal does not appear<\/em> To this Dream-Wandering Immortal who loved and paid the toll<\/em> \u201cAnd hence ends the tale of the Dream-Wandering Immortal,\u201d finished Old Niu. \u201cMost of us believe the Immortal was killed by the Hermit Moon Peak Lord shortly after the Peak Lord banished his disciple.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a sad tale,\u201d sighed Auntie Ma. \u201cAnd you tell it so well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is so sad,\u201d said Gouzi, feeling a wave of sympathy welling up for the ill-fated pair.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is interesting. Tell this story to Mie\u2014Di Mie when he comes back,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if I dare,\u201d laughed Old Niu. \u201cHe might think of it as an embarrassing story about his past and hate me for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my heavens,\u201d said Gouzi, the fact finally sinking in. \u201cValley Lord Di is the disciple in this story\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHahaha,\u201d said Old Niu. \u201cSeeing how Valley Lord Di confidently carries himself, it\u2019s a little hard to imagine him as the lonely disciple of Hermit Moon Peak, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s been through a lot,\u201d sighed Auntie Ma. \u201cDuring the Calamity, our Mountainside Town was as chaotic as everywhere else back then\u2014lots of orphans and desperate people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d nodded Old Niu. \u201cIt\u2019s thanks to the foresight of the previous sect leader, Qing Wangyue, that our town is now safe and peaceful.\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li narrowed his eyes and looked away.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes,\u201d said Old Niu, changing the topic. \u201cI saw a poster saying there\u2019ll be a new set of cards for sale at the White Crane publishing house. I wonder how early I should start queueing up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou big kid,\u201d chuckled Auntie Ma. \u201cYou\u2019ve been asking to go there even before we crossed the city gates and settled the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Niu,\u201d said Gouzi, mustering his courage. \u201cI need you to teach me about these trading cards.\u201d<\/p>\n Old Niu\u2019s eyes sparkled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re asking the right uncle,\u201d said Old Niu, taking out his card album. \u201cCome, I will tell you everything I know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the old man has found his disciple,\u201d chuckled Auntie Ma. \u201cI\u2019ll go to the kitchen and make some food while you two enjoy yourselves. Oh, Ah-Li, I brought the luggage you left behind on the wagon as well. It’s in the room next door.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go next door,\u201d said Xie Li, excusing himself. It seemed his current dress was getting him a lot of unwanted attention, so he decided to retrieve his belongings from Lingfeng’s room and find something less conspicuous to change into.<\/p>\n A dark shadow followed him.<\/p>\n As he rested in Qing Lingfeng\u2019s room, he <\/span>heard a lot of movement from the neighbouring courtyard where some of the disciples of the Phoenix Manor were stationed. He climbed a tree near the wall between the two courtyards and sat there, watching them from a better vantage point.<\/p>\n “Good thing I’m not wearing those nice clothes,” muttered Xie Li to himself as he got some dirt on his sleeves.<\/p>\n He felt more relaxed now he was dressed in some common working clothes with his jade bangle and silver anklet wrapped up and out of sight. It was colder and the fabric was a little coarse on his skin, but he thought it was worth it if he could save Di Mie a bit of money. He didn’t know how to tie up his hair so he just stuffed it in a hat as best as he could.<\/p>\n A little shadow surfaced, looking no different from a tiny boarlet, and climbed the tree after him.<\/p>\n \u201cHm? Why did you come here?\u201d<\/p>\n The boarlet squeaked, sounding panicked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too high for you too, isn\u2019t it?\u201d said Xie Li, trying not to look down either. He watched the happenings next door for a while, then decided to check things out himself.<\/p>\n He took the boarlet into his arms firmly, took a deep breath, and stepped off the tree branches nimbly, safely making his way down.<\/p>\n \u201cThere, solid ground,\u201d said Xie Li, setting it back down onto the floor. \u201cGo home. You shouldn\u2019t be following me.\u201d<\/p>\n The boarlet gave a little defiant squeal.<\/p>\n Sometime later, Auntie Ma came back into the room with some ginkgo soup and looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Ah-Li? I don’t see him next door,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Gouzi jumped to his feet and dashed out of the room.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n At the Du Manor\u2019s main hall, Qing Lingfeng and Di Mie found the doorway blocked by a dozen disciples sporting the colours of both the Rong Clan and the Du Manor.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess the show\u2019s starting,\u201d said Di Mie, raising a brow at the disciples.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease leave your swords behind and come with us to the guest rooms,\u201d said one of the disciples. The disciple next to him held out a case to contain the swords.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is Manor Lord Du?\u201d asked Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is busy at the moment,\u201d said the disciple flatly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is obviously a trap but you lot aren\u2019t even trying to hide it,\u201d said Di Mie out aloud. The disciples behind the first one shuddered at his accusation.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease,\u201d said the disciple, gesturing at the sword case.<\/p>\n \u201cYour call, Sect Leader,\u201d said Di Mie, looking at Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n Qing Lingfeng sighed and placed his sword, Prayer, in the offered case. Di Mie shrugged and followed him, leaving Ashfire behind.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Rong is waiting for you in the guest room,\u201d said the disciples, ushering them deeper into the Du Manor. \u201cThis way.\u201d<\/p>\n Right after they entered the guest room, the doors slammed shut behind them and a barrier shot up.<\/p>\n \u201cOne, two, three\u2026\u201d counted Di Mie. \u201cSixteen people outside in formation keeping the barrier up. They\u2019re really underestimating us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi there, both of you,\u201d said a man already sitting at the table in the spacious guest room.<\/p>\n \u201cWaited long, Brother Rong?\u201d chuckled Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cBrother Di, I\u2019ve been stuck here since last night,\u201d said Rong Zhong, pouring himself another cup of tea. \u201cThey don\u2019t even have wine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs this Du Yichen\u2019s doing?\u201d asked Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid my brother involved Lord Du into this somehow,\u201d said Rong Zhong. \u201cHe probably did this to keep me away from the Phoenix Manor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo why us too?\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cThe Border Mountains Sect doesn\u2019t have anything to do with the Rong Clan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably a precaution. He didn\u2019t agree with my decision to request for your help in the first place after all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery family has its problems, but I\u2019m sorry yours especially sucks,\u201d said Di Mie, raising a cup of tea as if it was wine.<\/p>\n \u201cI wished I didn\u2019t have to trouble you both like this,\u201d said Rong Zhong, giving a resigned smile as he raised his cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I should ask for an explanation, but at the same time, I just want to go home,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, sitting down with them.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll let us go soon,\u201d\u00a0said Rong Zhong, looking at the door with an easy smile.<\/p>\n Translator\u2019s Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n Names of their swords!<\/p>\n Qing Lingfeng\u2019s sword: Prayer \u7948\u7075 Qiling (pronounced \u2018chi-ling\u2019) Fun fact about Chinese names : in a typical name, the first character is the surname\/family name, the second character is the generation name, and the last character is their own name.<\/p>\n An example would be the two brothers, Chen Jianshi and Chen Jianjin. (doesn\u2019t apply if different gender though) This doesn\u2019t apply to every character, of course, due to different circumstances\/status\/etc.<\/p>\n In this case of the lord of the Du Manor mentioned here – Du Yichen\u2019s name is written as \u675c\u4ea6\u8fb0, and from the first two characters of his name, we can tell he\u2019s either a brother or cousin of Du Yiwen \u675c\u4ea6\u6587, the Elegance Peak Lord.<\/p>\n My understanding of Chinese culture\/tradition\/language is limited and might not be accurate, so take it with a pinch of salt! ^^;;;<\/p>\n
\nBetween him and his disciple he could not formally behold<\/em><\/p>\n
\nTo death and desolation were they assigned<\/em><\/p>\n
\nCame down the mountain wishing for company only<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHe came to the gates, ah, the moon was bright<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDressed in white and green with flowing hair<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBut it only made the disciple sadder<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEvery day without each other; like a curse<\/em><\/p>\n
\nShizun and Disciple they were fated to be<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe lonely disciple was found out all too soon<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSeven times till winter, his rage unabates<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe disciple knelt at the gates, three days, then vanished<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe worst may have happened to him, as many do fear<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWe raise a cup of Dream-Wandering Immortal to bless his soul<\/em><\/p>\n
\n
\nDi Mie\u2019s sword: Ashfire \u7070\u706b Huihuo (pronounced \u2018hoo-ey hoo-aw\u2019)<\/p>\n