\u201cSister Ye,\u201d greeted Di Mie as he walked into the hall of the Mad Tiger Peak.<\/p>\n
This ‘Sister Ye’ was a stout, middle-aged woman, dressed in red and black leathers. A generous cape embroidered with a fierce tiger emblem flowed from her shoulders. Rather than delicate jade and silver pins, she wore an intimidating bronze headdress more suited for battle than parties.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see you\u2019ve returned, Valley Lord Di,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu. \u201cI hope Jianshi and Jianjin haven\u2019t given you too much trouble on their first independent investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look like you\u2019ve just returned yourself,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust this morning, actually,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu. \u201cI\u2019ve come back to make arrangements with Cloudrest Peak.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not just send a messenger\u2014oh it\u2019s much faster to do it yourself, huh,\u201d chuckled Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu. \u201cI still hold the region\u2019s record in sword-riding.\u201d<\/p>\n
She raised a brow when she saw something a bit off about him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s your sword?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy sword?\u201d repeated Di Mie, patting Ashfire by his side.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour other one,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu.<\/p>\n
\u201cI gave it away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, forget I asked,\u201d she said. \u201cBut know that we\u2019re tight on funding right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne sword is enough for me,\u201d said Di Mie. Getting back to the topic, he continued, \u201cI take it you\u2019re not staying long. Suiyu was complaining about the paperwork you left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Diao Suiyu is already doing such a good job that no one would notice if I retired tomorrow,\u201d laughed Ye Mingzhu. \u201cWhat about your Fallen Leaves Valley? Have you thought about taking on disciples? We\u2019ve got some new candidates this year you can consider.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thanks. Babysitting your Mad Tiger brats is more than enough for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for always going out of your way to take care of these children,\u201d laughed Ye Mingzhu.<\/p>\n
She went over to her war table and tapped on the map unfurled on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyway, I\u2019ll get to the point. As you know, I just got back from Bainiao Lake City in the south.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were checking on the Rong Clan\u2019s situation, right? What\u2019s the situation there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we arrived, Phoenix Manor was overrun. The undead creatures spilled out and the guards have cordoned off whole streets.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere’s the source?\u201d asked Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems like the undead came from within the manor,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu. \u201cQing Shixiong* stayed behind to keep the creatures at bay. It\u2019s a big mess there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shixiong = senior brother<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe Rong Clan is getting aid from the Du family\u2019s manor in the same city. We offered to help but both the Rong Clan and the Du family said they do not require help from \u2018commoners\u2019. However, they were very eager to accept ‘unofficial’ help from our Spirit Emperor,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu, clicking her tongue in displeasure.<\/p>\n “Big Bro Lingfeng has always been a pushover.”<\/p>\n \u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n Ye Mingzhu took out some pieces and placed them on the map.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Rong Clan didn\u2019t care about our warnings when we informed them of the increasing incidents in the south. Still, I hadn\u2019t expected something of this scale to happen. We need to stay on guard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey hadn\u2019t even bothered with the bandits just outside the city until their own family got robbed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you swooped in to capture them for the bounty, heh,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu. \u201cThat money helped with our much-needed renovations. Please do more of that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre we that short on money?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways. By the way, the Rong Clan have invoked their right to call upon a meeting of the allied clans and we\u2019ve been asked to attend,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can just send some senior disciples from Cloudrest or Elegance.”<\/p>\n Ye Mingzhu shook her head. \u201cNo can do. They specifically asked for Qing Shixiong, you, and me to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPicking all the fighters? Sounds like they just want us to be bodyguards.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu. \u201cI told them as much. You should\u2019ve seen some of their faces turning black when I flat-out rejected them, heh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s the plan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQing Shixiong\u2019s turned them down, saying he\u2019ll be busy. Still, one of us has to go to keep those little princes happy, so it\u2019s either you or me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right. I\u2019ll go,\u201d volunteered Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was fast,\u201d said Ye Mingzhu.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I let you leave, your precious head disciple’s going to kill me,\u201d chuckled Di Mie.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n The feast was underway at Auntie Ma\u2019s inn, and Xie Li was busy bringing dishes to tables from the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels like I\u2019m in a high-class restaurant,\u201d said a man being served by a waiter dressed up in a neat blue robe.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d agreed the woman next to him. \u201cI really like how Auntie Ma\u2019s nephew looks with his hair down. His hair can get into my food and I will thank him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive us another two jars of Dream Wandering Immortal, Auntie Ma!\u201d yelled another man.<\/p>\n \u201cComing!\u201d yelled back Auntie Ma, handing two jars of wine to Xie Li to bring to the tables.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the young men who saved our friends,\u201d said one of the guards at the table, raising a cup of wine to toast their saviours.<\/p>\n \u201cTo them!\u201d<\/p>\n Jianshi and Jianjin quickly stood up and held out their wine cups to return the gesture.<\/p>\n \u201cWe regret we couldn\u2019t find the missing people earlier,\u201d said Jianshi. \u201cI give this wine to those departed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault. You did your best. I\u2019m grateful that all the young ones survived,\u201d said the old woodcutter who was there too. He held up his wine cup and poured the contents over the floor. \u201cOld friends, be at peace. I\u2019ll make sure you have all the proper rites done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMay their spirits find rest,\u201d said Jianjin, following the woodcutter\u2019s gesture.<\/p>\n The crowd observed a moment of silence for those who didn\u2019t make it, and the party soon resumed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou two really impressed me with how fast you found them!\u201d said the woodcutter, now heady with drink and laughing. He even started singing a song about the might of the ‘Wild’ Tiger Warriors.<\/p>\n The inn was filled with laughing and cheers, buoyed by the effects of alcohol.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep up the good work, young disciples of Mad Tiger Peak,\u201d said another one.<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t do it by ourselves,\u201d said Jianshi. \u201cMister Xie here helped us out a lot too.\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li shook his head. He didn\u2019t want to get involved.<\/p>\n The rowdy crowd in the inn laughed and yelled at him to tell the tale.<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Is that so?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like Auntie Ma\u2019s nephew is a remarkable young man himself!\u201d<\/p>\n They let loose a round of wolf whistles and cheering.<\/p>\n Xie Li narrowed his eyes, looking annoyed by the din. He set down the tray on the counter and looked away.<\/p>\n \u201cIs the noise getting to you? Go take a break in the back,\u201d said Auntie Ma, noticing his unease.<\/p>\n He nodded and walked off.<\/p>\n \u201cAww, he\u2019s so shy,\u201d said a couple of aunties. \u201cI hope he comes back and chat with us later.\u201d<\/p>\n The atmosphere was lively as the people chatted with Jianshi and Jianjin, asking them about their training at the Mad Tiger Peak.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it true there are bearded female disciples\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan General Ye really lift a cow with one arm like the rumours say\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAHHHH!\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone turned their attention to the yelling woman, who pointed to the doorway of the inn.<\/p>\n Through the opened doors, a tall, black-veiled imposing figure walked in.<\/p>\n A mysterious breeze and a wisp of moonlight seemed to trail in his footsteps. His veil fluttered, revealing his handsome jawline to those lucky enough to be sitting in the right spots.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s him! It\u2019s the Fallen Leaves Valley Lord!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my heavens, it\u2019s been six months since he was last in town!\u201d<\/p>\n Di Mie looked to Auntie Ma and said, \u201cMy two juniors here have been imposing on your inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no,\u201d said Auntie Ma, who couldn\u2019t stop beaming. \u201cThey\u2019re very welcomed, as are any disciples of the Border Mountains!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d added the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease join us if you like, Valley Lord!\u201d<\/p>\n Di Mie shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019ve been assigned to a new mission. Perhaps next time.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned to the two juniors. \u201cJianshi, Jianjin, finish up and come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019ve just started,\u201d pleaded Jianjin. \u201cAt least give us time to eat our dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right. One hour,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cI\u2019ll wait outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind,\u201d suggested Auntie Ma. \u201cYou can wait in the room upstairs away from the noisy fellows here. I\u2019ll bring up some food.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not noisy, we\u2019re lively!\u201d laughed one of the customers.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Auntie Ma,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, would you like to meet with Xie Li?\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cHe\u2019s resting in the back room. I\u2019ll go fetch him if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, right,\u201d said Di Mie. He held out a package. \u201cThis is for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Auntie Ma\u2019s eyes sparkled. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have some clothes that might suit him, so I brought them,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cHeavens, I\u2019m going to love\u2014I mean, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll appreciate this,\u201d beamed Auntie Ma.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Xie Li was sitting on a chair at the table in the backroom, fiddling with the bun in his hair, trying to undo it.<\/p>\n \u201cCome, let me fix it for you,\u201d said Auntie Ma. She deftly undid the bun and absently combed his hair out with her fingers.<\/p>\n Xie Li flinched.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, sorry,\u201d said Auntie Ma, quickly taking away her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, the Valley Lord asked me to pass this to you,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cShall we open it?\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li nodded.<\/p>\n She pulled out a fine robe with silver embroidery.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my, this is beautiful,\u201d gasped Auntie Ma. \u201cWhy would he give you something this expensive-looking? Goodness\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li raised a brow at the robe.<\/p>\n \u201cWill you wear it?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n Xie Li shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to wear it and will only dirty it. Give it back to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut he brought this specially for you,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cAuntie Ma will help you wear it. You can wear a layer beneath this if you are scared of dirtying it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Please return this to him,\u201d said Xie Li, his eyes narrowing.<\/p>\n \u201cAww,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cBut wouldn\u2019t that be a bit rude\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll return it to him myself,\u201d said Xie Li, gathering the clothes into his arms. \u201cWhere is he now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn one of the guest rooms upstairs,\u201d sighed Auntie Ma. \u201cHow about you do it tomorrow? Your illness looks like it\u2019s acting up\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li stormed out of the room.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm?\u201d said Jianshi as he spotted Xie Li making his way across the counter and upstairs to the rooms.<\/p>\n \u201cNo time for idle staring, bro,\u201d said Jianjin. \u201cWe\u2019ve got less than an hour to eat all this roast duck!\u201d<\/p>\n Jianshi whacked the back of Jianjin\u2019s head. \u201cDon\u2019t be greedy!\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li knocked on the door and waited.<\/p>\n Di Mie opened the door.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s you? Come in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis. Return,\u201d said Xie Li, holding out the clothes. The narrowed eyes and mild pinch of his brows made him seem displeased with the clothes.<\/p>\n Di Mie frowned, but his demeanor suddenly became gentler.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Just come in and rest a while,\u201d said Di Mie, softly.<\/p>\n \u201cMn,\u201d said Xie Li. He walked in and placed the clothes on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n Xie Li stared at the table.<\/p>\n Di Mie swiftly drew out a talisman and stuck it on the door. A warm spirit barrier extended around them. The noise from the tavern downstairs faded away and the room became quiet and dimmer.<\/p>\n After a while, Xie Li slowed his breathing and sat down.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me your hand and let me take your pulse,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n Xie Li obliged.<\/p>\n After a while, he let go and did not comment.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry,\u201d mumbled Xie Li, drawing his arms into himself and slightly rocking in his seat.<\/p>\n A knock came on the door and Xie Li stopped his movement and stiffened up in attention. His face was blank and cold.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Auntie Ma,\u201d came the voice from outside. \u201cI brought some roast duck for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Di Mie opened the door, and Auntie Ma tried to peek around his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cIs our Ah-Li here?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s here. We were just idle chatting,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n Auntie Ma brightened up at his reply.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to hear,\u201d she said. \u201cI hope I didn\u2019t interrupt you two, then!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no. Thank you for bringing the food. I\u2019ll take it from here,\u201d came Di Mie\u2019s charming voice, taking the tray of food from her.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, then,\u201d said Auntie Ma, scooting back downstairs to tend to the customers.<\/p>\n After he closed the door and stuck the talisman back on, he took off his veiled hat and placed it on the table, covering the pile of clothes.<\/p>\n \u201cDid I go too far?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n Xie Li shook his head, muttering out half-words. \u201cJust. Noisy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d said Di Mie, huffing amusedly. \u201cLet me know when you can speak again.\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li slowly raised his head, his gaze moving from Di Mie\u2019s unveiled face to the elaborate accessories in his hair. Di Mie tilted his head, giving him a better look.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm,\u201d said Xie Li, his eyes following the side braids on Di Mie\u2019s hair like a cat.<\/p>\n After a while, Xie Li yawned. Now the tension was gone from his muscles, he felt the exhaustion sink in like a ton of bricks.<\/p>\n \u201dSleep here,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cIt\u2019s quieter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kick me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not tonight,\u201d chuckled Di Mie.<\/p>\n Xie Li narrowed his eyes and nodded cautiously. He settled into the bed and curled up against the wall, glaring in the direction of the door. The moon light from the window caught onto the silver beads on Di Mie\u2019s hair pieces and he followed it again. It calmed him and he found himself drowsing off.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n After a while, Xie Li could hear quiet voices from the door\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cDi Shibo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m tired and am going to sleep. Both of you can report to me tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Eyes half-closed, he watched as a comforting figure sat down next to him, pulling a blanket over the both of them.<\/p>\n Familiar scent, familiar warmth.<\/p>\n \u201cI just have one question for you\u2014\u201d came the voice that seemed familiar yet new. \u201cDo you remember what you promised me before you sent me away?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn. Remember, \u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n The night was silent, the sounds from outside the room blocked off by the ward. The moonlight shadows gently danced on the floor as they slept.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Morning came and there was a knock on the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWoah, I can sense that there\u2019s a seal on the door,\u201d came a whisper from the outside. \u201cI wonder what Di Shibo\u2019s doing in there that needs that much privacy\u2026heheh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShhh. He\u2019ll hear you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUrp.\u201d<\/p>\n The talisman was deactivated and the door cracked open.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in quickly,\u201d said Di Mie, sitting up on the bed in only his inner robes.<\/p>\n The two juniors quickly stepped into the room and shut the door behind them. Just in case, Jianjin took the initiative to reactivate the talisman.<\/p>\n \u201cDi Shibo,\u201d greeted the two of them.<\/p>\n Looking at him up close, the two could see their Shibo wore a dudou*<\/em> underneath his loosely fastened undertunic.<\/p>\n *dudou = belly warmer, refer to T\/N<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOh my heavens, he wears a dudou\u2026\u201d whispered Jianjin.<\/p>\n Di Mie raised a brow.<\/p>\n Jianjin slapped a hand over his own mouth lest he let slip more of his thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cMn,\u201d came a groan from behind Di Mie on the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just Jianshi and Jianjin, you don\u2019t have to mind them. Go back to sleep,\u201d said Di Mie to the man on the bed behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d came the monotone voice. \u201cIt’s late. I should be getting up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c…Mister Xie?\u201d said Jianshi and Jianjin.<\/p>\n \u201cHm?\u201d said Xie Li, rubbing his eyes and looking comfortable hiding behind Di Mie\u2019s broad shoulders.<\/p>\n Both juniors looked like they could turn to stone.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go down and bring up some breakfast,\u201d offered Xie Li. His clothes were rumpled and his hair dishevelled from sleep.<\/p>\n Once he left the room, Jianjin \u2018de-petrified\u2019 and stared wide-eyed at Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cDi Shibo\u2026are you and him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Di Mie gave him a look, challenging him to finish his sentence.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Xie Li returned to a heated discussion at the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI know General Ye said you should bring a few people with you, but why us??\u201d complained Jianjin.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d agreed Jianshi. \u201cShouldn\u2019t you be bringing the senior disciples?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe recent incident is no coincidence,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cThe more capable the disciples we leave behind, the better. Ye Mingzhu should be able to hold the fort if anything happens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you saying you\u2019re bringing us along because we\u2019re not capable?\u201d said Jianjin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou both lack experience, so this is an opportunity to go see the world,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Di Shibo supervising us?\u201d said Jianjin. \u201cWe\u2019re as good as dead\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah,\u201d chuckled Di Mie. \u201cYou little brat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, that\u2019s good and all,\u201d ventured Jianshi. \u201cI wonder though, why Di Shibo is bringing Mister Xie with us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it because last night you two mmph\u2014!\u201d<\/p>\n Jianshi slapped a hand over Jianjin’s mouth before he could finish his sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cHm?\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cAm I going somewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cI\u2019m bringing you with me to Bainiao Lake City.\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li looked away for a moment, as if in thought.<\/p>\n \u201cDi Shibo,\u201d said Jianshi. \u201cIf Mister Xie isn\u2019t currently affiliated with the Border Mountains Sect, there\u2019s paperwork to process\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to worry about that,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cI\u2019ll take responsibility for this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, there might be a small problem,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you not willing?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n Xie Li shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s not that. It\u2019s just that if I\u2019m leaving town, there might be complications.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cHow did it come to this?\u201d said Jianjin, staring in disbelief at Old Niu loading up the wagon with supplies while Auntie Ma and Xie Li closed up the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cI promised someone that I\u2019ll keep an eye on him,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cI\u2019m keeping my promise even if I have to close the inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy daughters don\u2019t need me around, so I\u2019m here to tag along,\u201d grinned Old Niu. \u201cI\u2019m sure Ma Erniang* wouldn\u2019t mind an extra hand.\u201d<\/p>\n *Auntie Ma\u2019s name<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou just wanted to join in the fun, you big kid,\u201d chuckled Auntie Ma. \u201cYou\u2019d better make yourself useful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d said Old Niu. He nimbly lifted a bundle of supplies onto the wagon using the tip of his crutches. He was moving pretty fast despite his prosthetic leg.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did it come to this??\u201d repeated Jianjin again as he hitched the horses to the wagon.<\/p>\n Jianshi patted the back of his younger brother\u2019s head and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cJust accept that as long as our Shibo is around, everything is random and unpredictable,\u201d said his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cHow can you just pretend that everything\u2019s normal?\u201d said Jianjin.<\/p>\n \u201cOur lives have been anything but normal ever since we met Di Shibo,\u201d said Jianshi. \u201cIt\u2019s our fate, just accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome here, you two,\u201d said Auntie Ma, beckoning the two juniors over. She held out two small packages. \u201cI made some almond biscuits for you two this morning. Take it as a little thank-you for letting us tag along.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Auntie Ma!\u201d said Jianjin, recovering immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m more surprised at how fast you bounce back with just a treat,\u201d sighed Jianshi.<\/p>\n Xie Li finished handing the last box of the perishables packed from the inn to be moved, and took out a piece of paper from behind the counter.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need a notice to put on the door,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cShall I write it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead,\u201d said Old Niu, picking up the box to be loaded onto the wagon. And he immediately regretted it.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my, I can\u2019t read it at all,\u201d said Auntie Ma, looking at the paper filled with illegible scribbles.<\/p>\n \u201cWow, I didn\u2019t expect his handwriting to be so\u2026cursive,\u201d said Old Niu.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s still a crate of wine at the back,\u201d said Auntie Ma, sighing. \u201cI don\u2019t know what to do with those.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can leave the rest to my daughters,\u201d said Old Niu. \u201cJust leave them a note on what to do. They\u2019ll come around later and take care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuch reliable daughters you have,\u201d said Auntie Ma. \u201cYou should be proud of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish they\u2019d get married, though,\u201d sighed Old Niu. \u201cWith husbands to nag at, maybe they\u2019ll nag at me less. Now with your inn closed, there\u2019s nowhere for me to escape to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAha,\u201d laughed Auntie Ma. \u201cThat\u2019s the real reason you\u2019re tagging along, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you suppose your Xie Li will be interested in one of them? They\u2019re independent and strong. He won\u2019t want for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh please,\u201d chuckled Auntie Ma, slapping Old Niu’s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s bad, huh,\u201d said Xie Li. He pulled out a second piece of paper to try again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Ah-Li,\u201d said Auntie Ma, quickly taking the brush away from his hand and writing the notice herself. \u201cYou know you can\u2019t write properly when you\u2019re tired. Go sit in the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li looked a little disappointed but obediently walked over to the wagon. He stood there in a plain blue robe, some of his hair gathered in a loose bun and the rest flowing down to his waist. He watched the people in the street and caught a familiar figure.<\/p>\n A young man looking around seventeen or eighteen stopped at the stall opposite the inn, viewing the wares.<\/p>\n He was dressed as a disciple of the Border Mountain Sect, and instead of sporting any of the Peaks\u2019 colours, his robe was a plain black. His dark, slightly wavy hair was in a high ponytail with meticulous braids on the side.<\/p>\n Without hesitation or care for the busy street, Xie Li ran over to the young man.<\/p>\n \u201cMie\u2019er!\u201d he called out.<\/p>\n Ye Mingzhu \u591c\u9e23\u86db (Night Cry Spider) Bainiao Lake City and Phoenix Manor: Bainiao means ‘Hundred Birds’. This is a play on the story of \u767e\u9e1f\u671d\u51e4, meaning that ‘Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’. It’s a story of how the phoenix earned its respect and became the king of birds. You can look up the story if you like, it’s quite interesting!<\/p>\n Her head disciple Diao Suiyu \u8c82\u968f\u9047 is mentioned in passing here, so I’ll just include the Chinese characters for anyone interested.<\/p>\n Dudou: \u809a\u515c a traditional \u2018belly warmer\u2019 that covers the chest and stomach area, sort of an ancient Chinese underwear. Can be worn by anyone, especially for children. Usually depicted in media as cute undergarment for children or (sexy) women.<\/p>\n Ma Erniang (Auntie Ma\u2019s full name) is written as \u9a6c\u4e8c\u5a18 (Erniang meaning ‘second-daughter’)<\/p>\n Mie\u2019er is written as \u201c\u54a9\u513f\u201d, \u2018mie\u2019 being the sound of a sheep and \u2018er\u2019 meaning \u2018child\u2019. Basically means \u2018little sheepie\u2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cSister Ye,\u201d greeted Di Mie as he walked into the hall of the Mad Tiger Peak.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-99","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-my-hermit-master"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n
\nTranslator\u2019s Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe Lord of the Mad Tiger Peak. Her name sounds like it should be a generic name such as \u53f6\u660e\u73e0 (Leaf Bright Pearl), but the characters used in her name are unexpectedly dramatic\u2026kinda chuunibyou.<\/p>\n