Headache burning, runny nose streaming, cold wind pouring into her collar. Amid violent shivering, she was suddenly lifted up by someone. Her body swayed back and forth as if sleeping in a cradle. As her body was gently set down, her little feet felt relief as someone removed her shoes and socks.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed with some unease, when suddenly thick, warm cotton quilts covered her body. Blankets were spread beneath her feet. On this cold, drafty night, with warmth at her feet, her whole body became warm. Following this, something soft was placed behind her head—someone had brought a straw pillow that carried the fragrant scent of earth.

It was rare to encounter someone so considerate, who knew to come serve the young mistress. Naturally, Qiong Fang became like a lazy little kitten, simply not wanting to wake up.

She curled up her body, clutching the warm quilt tightly, sleeping truly sweetly and soundly.

Not knowing how long she had slept, in her drowsy state, the cotton quilt seemed to be pulled up higher. Qiong Fang suddenly felt something strange and slowly opened her eyes. She saw darkness all around, with a man in front of her bending over. His eyes looked toward the bed boards, his nose bridge handsome and straight. Those phoenix eyes were both gentle and dignified as he was arranging her pillow and quilt.

This scene felt so familiar. Qiong Fang had slept in confusion, and upon seeing this man’s appearance, without thinking, her little cat claws grabbed the cotton quilt and like a ghost pounced toward the man’s head, covering it while letting out a frightening cry: “Wah!”

The man in front of her lightly flicked his finger. A powerful force rebounded back, the energy surging fiercely like giant waves. The cotton quilt rolled back up, wrapping Qiong Fang into a large dumpling and sending her flying backward. The back of her head hit the ground with a thud as she crashed into the mud wall.

“Wuwawa! Bad person!” Qiong Fang waved her hands and feet, crying inside the cotton quilt.

The cotton quilt was gently pulled away, revealing a person sitting in front of her. He wore a brown cloth robe and held a soup bowl. Needless to say, this was Lu Yun, whom she had seen before fainting. Qiong Fang had searched for this person throughout the night. Seeing him sitting beside her, her heart first felt joy, then alarm. She was happy that she had finally found this person, but alarmed that she had just cried so pitifully, looking like a crying child, which would surely make him look down on her. Her face flushed red, and regardless of anything else, she first raised her chin and gave a cold snort to show that nothing in the world was greater than her ladyship.

Just as she was sneering coldly, suddenly her body felt cold again, and she sneezed with another “achoo.” Poor thing, she sat naked without any silk handkerchief to cover herself. In her haste to cover with both hands, she ended up with a palm full of snot.

When a beauty sneezes, water flows silently. When a beauty wipes her nose, she removes it secretly. Sure enough, Qiong Fang secretly extended her hand and wiped the snot on the bed boards, while her face still maintained a charming expression. Just as she was working hard to wipe it clean, she suddenly saw Lu Yun opening his eyes and looking at her. He held grass paper in his hand, his facial expression extremely surprised. Qiong Fang’s face turned bright red as she shouted: “What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen a woman before?”

The Lu Yun before her was no longer the wild man covered in hair. He had tied back his hair and shaved off his long beard. Wearing a neat brown robe, he was indeed the Lord Lu she had personally seen that evening. For some reason, whenever he stared at her, Qiong Fang felt uncomfortable all over. Even sneezing made her feel embarrassed. But the more embarrassed she became, the less her body obeyed her. Suddenly her nose itched again and was about to produce two more streams of snot, when suddenly a pungent hot vapor hit her face. Looking down, she saw the big water monster had actually brought her a bowl of hot soup. Looking at the soup’s dark brown color, it was clearly hot ginger soup boiled with brown sugar. Qiong Fang thought to herself: “This person has a good heart and actually knows how to serve women.” She snorted once, first took the grass paper and sneezed properly, then took the bowl and blew several puffs of hot air before taking a small sip.

The strong ginger was pungent to the nose, making her nasal passages clear. Qiong Fang praised it with a sound and slurped down another big mouthful, then smacked her lips with endless aftertaste.

A beauty drinking from a sea bowl, slurping and gulping. Looking at that bowl as big as a washbasin with thick, scalding soup, Qiong Fang buried her head and drank like a shrew washing her face, like an old ox drinking water. Even though her appearance was absolutely elegant like Xi Shi, she couldn’t help but display unseemly behavior. Seeing Lu Yun staring at her intensely, Qiong Fang’s face burned hot. She hastily raised her head and said coquettishly: “Go away! Go sweep the floor over there!”

The little girl in front of him was extremely concerned with face, so Lu Yun could only shake his head and get up to move away. Qiong Fang seized the opportunity. As soon as she saw Lu Yun turn around, she quickly raised the soup bowl and gulped down more than ten mouthfuls. When her tongue was scalded, indeed her runny nose stopped, her breathing became smooth, and her throat was much more moistened. She drank until the bowl was empty, then held the bowl and shook it, shouting loudly: “Waiter! Come collect the bowl!”

The young mistress commanded imperiously, and the big water monster came back to serve respectfully. Qiong Fang saw him take the bowl with one hand while his other hand held a dry cloth, which he smoothly used to wipe the bed boards. Qiong Fang was naturally very surprised: “So skilled.”

Seeing the top scholar personally washing her bowl, looking very diligent, Qiong Fang felt somewhat proud. Just as she was about to order midnight snacks, she suddenly heard distant bell sounds floating over—it was the Buddhist bell of Tianning Temple ringing. She exclaimed and thought: “So I’m still in Yangzhou.” Looking around her surroundings, she saw fine snow drifting outside the window, peaceful and serene. Looking inside the room, it was completely run-down and desolate. Except for the noodle stand by the door, there was only the broken bed she was lying on; everything else was bare. Remembering the big water monster in the waterfall who liked to eat fish, she was about to look for dead fish bones on the ground when she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said: “Hey! What about those black-clothed people?”

As soon as she asked this question, Lu Yun walked back over. He squatted by the bed and reached around, feeling about. Qiong Fang was greatly alarmed: “Are the black-clothed people hiding under the bed?” Just as she was thinking wildly, Lu Yun straightened up, holding a pair of shoes and socks in his hand, which he placed beside the bed. Qiong Fang exclaimed and looked down at her own little feet, only then noticing that her toes were exposed. It seemed Lu Yun had removed her shoes for her.

Seeing Lu Yun looking at her bare feet, not knowing whether he thought them beautiful or ugly, Qiong Fang’s face flushed red. In her panic, she quickly hid her toes under the cotton quilt. She sat up and coughed: “Was… was it you who saved me? Right?”

Tonight she had originally been captured by the black-clothed people. That she could escape this disaster was undoubtedly Lu Yun’s doing. However, Qiong Fang didn’t want Lu Yun to know that she had come looking for him at night, so she absolutely wouldn’t mention this matter. She sat on the bed bashfully, waiting for the big water monster to answer. Who knew this person would walk to the noodle stand on his own and begin washing pots and bowls. Qiong Fang was stunned for a long while. Seeing that he ignored her, she became unhappy again. The red clouds on her face faded as she shouted loudly: “Hey, I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?”

The second time she asked, the big water monster still had his back to her, as if he hadn’t heard at all. Qiong Fang secretly became angry: “Fine, can’t speak human language again?” Recalling the scene of their meeting at the waterfall, Lu Yun had been tongue-tied and unable to speak clearly, as if he had some strange illness. Seeing that he had now changed back to his handsome appearance but had become a mute, it was truly inexplicable. She snorted and said loudly: “This big brother, we met last night in the Gu family’s study. Do you still remember who I am?”

She was waiting for Lu Yun to say her name, but who knew Scholar Lu would lower his head and look at the ground, remaining silent for a long time as if he were deaf. Qiong Fang became somewhat annoyed. She had always lived in luxury. Whether it was Su Ying or Fu Yuanying, who before her wasn’t respectful and obedient, trying every way to please her? Seeing Lu Yun’s cold silence made her very displeased, so she had to state her own name: “Hey! I’m Qiong Fang. Do you still remember?”

Lu Yun was both deaf and mute, neither acknowledging nor responding. If he didn’t still move around, one might really think they had encountered a stone statue. Qiong Fang sighed secretly and thought: “Hateful fellow, let’s see how long you can act proud.” Not caring about ladylike posture, she supported herself on the bed boards with both hands. One foot stepped on the icy floor while the other stretched far out to kick Lu Yun’s back.

Her little foot secretly kicked once, then quickly retreated like lightning back under the covers. Seeing Lu Yun turn his head around, she sat with her legs folded, looking gentle and polite, smiling: “Is there something?” Lu Yun looked desolate, his gaze turning on her face before he lowered his head to wash bowls again. Qiong Fang was in no hurry and calmly did the same thing again, supporting herself on the bed boards and raising her foot to kick him.

Just as her little foot was about to kick out, she was startled to see Lu Yun holding a chopstick in his hand. Although his back was to her, the chopstick tip pointed obliquely at the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of her foot. If it really connected, she would inevitably roll around laughing. Qiong Fang’s face reddened and she had to retreat back to the bed. This time Lu Yun didn’t turn around either, just continuing to wash bowls by himself.

Qiong Fang thought: “If this continues, he won’t go crazy but I’ll be bored to death first. I need to think of a way to make him speak.” Her big eyes rolled around and she put on a cute expression again. She rested her left hand against her cheek, tilted her head and smiled charmingly: “When I was little, I memorized a couplet that goes: ‘Heavy rain pours down, washing the great steps clean to welcome the scholar!’ What’s the second line?”

In the thirty-second year of Jingtai, Lu Yun had solved the Emperor’s absolute couplet. The first line was indeed “Heavy rain pours down, washing the great steps clean to welcome the scholar,” and the second line was “Thunder crashes, opening heaven’s eye to read literature.” This had once caused a sensation in Jinluan Hall, earning the admiration and envy of countless ministers. This was Lu Yun’s life’s glory. Qiong Fang’s tentative words indeed caused Lord Lu’s shoulders to move slightly, as if he remembered the dust of past events.

She was waiting for him to answer, but saw Lu Yun stand up, carry the large bowl back to the noodle stand. After washing the bowl, he picked up a dry cloth to wipe it.

Monster…

Three or four times she had asked questions, but this person ignored them all. Looking at her shoes and socks placed beside the bed, it seemed Lu Yun had long issued an eviction order, just not saying it directly. Qiong Fang had searched for Lu Yun all night and had finally found him, only to discover it was like dozing in a coffin shop—one person grinding teeth. Full of vexation, just as she was about to sit up, she suddenly felt severe pain in her stomach, forcing Qiong Fang to hold her abdomen with both hands and gasp: “Wo… wo…” Her mouth was full of painful gasps, unable to speak. Her body trembling, she fell off the bed.

Just as she was about to hit the floor, suddenly a pair of arms reached over and caught Qiong Fang—it was Lu Yun who had come.

Qiong Fang’s lower abdomen was in severe pain. Lying in the big water monster’s arms with teary eyes, she grabbed Lu Yun’s arms with both hands and gasped: “Wo… wo… wo…” Lu Yun had originally looked desolate, but now seeing her painful wailing as if she might die at any moment, he couldn’t help but feel alarmed and said in a deep voice: “What’s wrong with you? Is it that the remaining poison from that blade hasn’t been eliminated?” Having personally experienced the power of the magic blade, seeing Qiong Fang’s expression of such pain, Lu Yun naturally assumed the magic blade’s residual power remained. Afraid that Qiong Fang couldn’t bear it, he held her horizontally in his arms, wanting to expel the poison and heal her injuries.

Seeing Lu Yun hold her firmly in his embrace with great concern showing on his face, Qiong Fang was greatly comforted. She raised her hand and choked out: “Wo… wo guo bu…” Lu Yun’s eyebrows rose as he quickly pinched her philtrum and said in a deep voice: “What ‘wo guo bu’? What are you trying to say?”

Qiong Fang gasped softly with tears: “Wo guo bu si shi…” She blinked and sighed: “You are a big idiot.”

The big water monster had pretended to be deaf and mute, knowing nothing when asked three questions. So Qiong Fang came up with swaying and collapsing, pretending to be dying. Indeed, her strategy succeeded and she tricked him into speaking. Seeing Lu Yun’s dumbfounded expression, Qiong Fang felt proud and actually laughed coquettishly. She lay soft and pliant in Lu Yun’s arms, teasing: “Can’t understand your own monster language? ‘Wo guo bu si shi,’ woof woof, meow meow, baa baa—dog talk, goat talk, cat talk—I can speak them all.”

Lu Yun came to his senses and finally understood that Qiong Fang was making fun of him. At that time, when he was in the water cave and first saw Qiong Fang, because he hadn’t spoken for many years, his speech was naturally unclear, which led to his mouth full of “wo guo bu si shi.” He sighed, loosened his hands, and threw Qiong Fang back onto the bed. He turned around and picked up the noodle stand, saying indifferently: “Miss Qiong, it was rare to meet by chance at the waterfall, and a second fortunate encounter in Yangzhou. I hope you take care of your precious body. Farewell.” Qiong Fang, afraid he would leave, cried out in alarm: “Brother Lu, I was just playing with you! Don’t be angry!”

Lu Yun was a person of pride and forbearance. In the past when they met again in the capital, even with a heart full of longing, he would come and go in a flash. Even with Gu Qianxi’s methods, she couldn’t keep him. Now, having only met Qiong Fang by chance, his heart was even more unattached. He only needed to leave this broken room, and they would be separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, never to meet again. As they say, everything has its natural enemy. What Miss Gu had no way to handle, Miss Qiong had methods to deal with. Seeing Lord Lu about to leave with a wave of his sleeves, ready to push open the door and exit at any moment, Qiong Fang was unhurried. She first raised her two little hands to cover her face, then with a long “wuu” sound, she actually lowered her head and began to sob.

Lu Yun was about to push open the room door when he heard the young girl crying in the middle of the night. Qiong Fang was actually shedding tears on the spot. Lu Yun stopped his steps and frowned: “What’s wrong with you now?” Qiong Fang stopped her tears and shook her head: “I’m already dead.”

Qiong Fang’s words were shocking—if not startling, then deadly. Her first sentence claimed her soul had returned to paradise, naturally forcing Lu Yun to pay attention. But Lu Yun already knew this beautiful girl was always mischievous and mischief-making, talking nonsense that couldn’t be taken seriously. He shook his head and was about to raise his hand to open the door. His foot had just moved when he heard loud sorrowful wailing: “Grandfather! Fang’er is going to die! Come quickly to save Fang’er!”

Qiong Fang cried loudly with mournful elegance, low and melancholy, making people feel sympathetic. Lu Yun sighed and had to turn back around. As soon as the scholar turned back, the little girl stopped crying and pouted silently. Lu Yun was stunned for a long while, then turned toward the door again. But as soon as his head moved, the girl immediately burst into loud sorrowful crying like a great bell.

Lu Yun walked and stopped, stopped and walked. Every time he turned to push the door, it would inevitably cause Qiong Fang to cry and shout loudly, but as soon as he stopped his steps, she would stop crying—it was remarkably effective. Lu Yun finally became angry and warned in a deep voice: “Your behavior is strange. What exactly do you intend?”

Qiong Fang sat sideways on the bed and choked out: “Come sit down first, and I’ll tell you slowly.” Lu Yun didn’t want to approach her. He shook his head and was about to step away. As soon as his foot was raised, the thunderous crying of the young girl rose again: “Grandfather! Fang’er is dead! Come quickly to Yangzhou to collect the corpse!”

Among all the women in the world, temperaments and mannerisms vary greatly. Looking at the princess’s gentleness, Qing Xi’s pride, Hu Mei’er’s fierceness, Juan’er’s sweet naivety—each had their own charm. But when it came to the two words “willful and unreasonable,” not one woman could match Qiong Fang.

Qiong Fang was unreasonable in every way—both willful and cunning. When she acted coquettishly, she was like a lovely little girl, but when her temper flared, she could shake heaven and earth like thunder from a clear sky. Even with Su Ying’s cunning and agility, she could only barely fight her to a draw. How could the elderly Lu Yun deal with such a cunning beauty? He could only be played around in circles.

Indeed, Lu Yun sighed. Thinking that this girl had fallen into the waterfall and had shared life-and-death dangers with him, he couldn’t just openly ignore her. He had to walk back to hear her speak clearly. Qiong Fang had abandoned her young mistress dignity and repeatedly used pressure tactics, naturally to great effect. She saw Lu Yun frowning tightly. Although he sat on the bed’s edge, he only looked down at the ground, clearly unwilling to talk with her. Qiong Fang stopped her tears and sighed: “Don’t make that ghostly face—it’s so ugly.”

The old scholar changed his expression and closed his eyes to rest. Qiong Fang’s eyes reddened as she choked out: “That doesn’t look good either—like a fool.” Lu Yun was truly displeased and opened his eyes wide, saying in a deep voice: “What exactly do you want?” Seeing his fierce appearance, Qiong Fang couldn’t help but feel afraid and began crying again with sniffles and sobs.

What an utterly unlucky New Year’s Eve. Lu Yun felt tired and couldn’t help shaking his head. He had just left the Gu mansion last night, full of worries with no one to confide in. Who knew he would still have to accompany this naive young girl in her games? Thinking of the vexation, he could only cover his face with his hand and say in a low voice: “Miss Qiong, I still have matters to attend to. Please don’t make trouble.”

When Lu Yun spoke reproachfully, Qiong Fang only choked and shook her head, crying: “No manners.” Lu Yun was surprised: “I have no manners?”

Qiong Fang nodded with tears: “Grandfather said that when talking with others, you must first say your own name. That’s what well-bred good children do.”

Lu Yun felt displeased and immediately darkened his face. That Qiong Fang was also responsive to every demand—as soon as she saw him lower his head in homesick thoughts, she immediately started crying again. Lu Yun really couldn’t argue with this little girl, yet he couldn’t slap her to death either. He could only stiffen his old face and say coldly: “This humble one is Lu Yun. I have met Miss Qiong.”

Qiong Fang knew her scheme had succeeded, but she cried “wuu wuu” and shook her head: “Nonsense, you’re not.” Lu Yun suppressed his temper: “I am.” Qiong Fang cried loudly: “You’re lying! Then why couldn’t you answer the couplet I asked you earlier?”

Lu Yun sighed and said in a low voice: “Those are all past events. Why mention them again?”

Lu Yun was full of sorrow, and these few simple words brought out a handful of bitter tears. But Qiong Fang didn’t appreciate it. She waved her hands and kicked her feet, crying and making a fuss: “I don’t care! I don’t care! You must say it! Otherwise you’re a fake!” Qiong Fang’s delicate cherry mouth kept crying and calling, sounding like crows disturbing people. Lu Yun couldn’t stand the annoyance and had to say: “Fine, I’ll say it.”

Qiong Fang was overjoyed and stopped talking. In the silence, Lu Yun took a deep breath. Lowering his head in thought, no sound came for a long time. Just as Qiong Fang was about to make trouble again, she heard Lu Yun grit his teeth and force out: “Heavy rain pours down, washing the great street clean to welcome the scholar…” Recalling the clouds and mist of the capital, his heart ached. He could only turn his head away and say in a low voice: “Thunder crashes… opening heaven’s eye… to read literature…”

With a rumbling sound, thunder struck down on Jinluan Hall. Rain beat everything into a watery mist. On the golden platform, the Son of Heaven was benevolent and kind. Below the steps, the new top scholar was talented and proud. One垂ed with a smile, the other knelt in respectful answer. Behind them came applause. Just by looking back, one could see the smiling father-in-law beside the great hall. Upon returning home, one could see Qian Xi, who was secretly sulking… In that joyful Beijing, there were the Marquis, Zhong Hai, Ding Yuan… It was such a lively Mid-Autumn full moon…

Snow fell heavily in the lonely cold of Yangzhou’s snowy night. Lu Yun returned to the broken room, sitting alone like a stone statue with the corners of his mouth trembling slightly, as if weeping.

Very much like it, truly very much like it… Qiong Fang secretly exclaimed. That face in front of her seemed to have lost something and also seemed to be forcibly enduring something… Qiong Fang could see that Brother Lu in front of her wanted to hide his feelings, he wanted to hide away…

Ten years had passed. Heaven’s endless blows had finally hammered Lu Yun into an ancient sword with hidden edge, making his brilliance withdraw and his spirit concealed within, no longer revealing the slightest trace of his inner thoughts. But no matter how hard he tried to hide his state of mind, he still couldn’t fool the keen and sentimental gaze of a young girl… Because she had seen such a melancholy and passionate face before. And it was precisely because of this helpless and down-and-out bearing that she couldn’t control herself and came searching throughout the night…

Not knowing how much time had passed, Qiong Fang clapped her hands and laughed: “The genuine article! You really are the first-ranked top scholar of the Jingtai Dynasty, Changzhou Prefecture Magistrate Lu Yun, Brother Lu. Not a fake! See!” She became bold and took Lu Yun’s two hands, pretending to clap them.

Hearing Qiong Fang call out his background, Lu Yun wasn’t surprised, thinking that Pei Ya must have told her last night. He only showed a silent expression and gently freed himself from Qiong Fang’s small hands. Seeing Lu Yun’s reserve, Qiong Fang didn’t feel unfamiliar at all. Getting along with this man, she seemed extremely familiar—she didn’t need to think about anything and knew how to deal with him. Instantly, she raised both hands like a kitten washing its face, first making a “wuu” sound, then crying: “It’s over.”

Seeing Lu Yun completely unaware, Qiong Fang immediately waved her hands and feet, crying loudly: “It’s over! Didn’t you hear?” Lu Yun came to his senses and had to cough: “What’s over?” Qiong Fang cried: “I’ve encountered trouble.”

Finally getting to the main topic, Qiong Fang’s one thought was to treat Lu Yun as a panacea—as long as she could persuade this person to help, then everything would be worry-free. Having this rare opportunity to cry her grievances face-to-face, she naturally had to seize the moment. Hearing that trouble had arrived, Lu Yun naturally looked tired and said in a low voice: “Is someone trying to make things difficult for you?” Qiong Fang nodded vigorously and grabbed him, crying loudly: “Yes! Yes! A month ago, a mad dog rushed into the Imperial Medical Academy, barking and biting wildly, very fierce…” Qiong Fang’s words were completely off-topic, making Lu Yun somewhat puzzled. He asked: “Mad dog? A real dog or fake dog?”

Qiong Fang’s face reddened as she shouted: “A mad dog is a mad dog! How can you distinguish between real and fake? This mad dog wore black clothes and a black hood, biting people on sight. His martial arts were very powerful, and he injured many people along the way. Brother Lu, they want to make trouble for me! You must help me! Help me!” Just as she was crying fiercely, Lu Yun’s heart trembled slightly. Thinking of the black-clothed ghostly crowd he encountered tonight, he pondered and said: “Black-clothed people? Are they related to tonight’s group?”

Qiong Fang had nearly been violated tonight. Mentioning these black-clothed evil spirits, she naturally felt both hatred and fear. She covered her face with both hands, holding back tears: “I don’t know if they’re the same group… but I know they’re all…” Speaking of her resentment, she couldn’t help but clench her fists and scream: “Zhenguo Iron Guards!”

The great bird spread its wings fully, looking down on all things in heaven and earth. This was the emblem she had personally seen just a few hours ago, already deeply burned into her mind. Speaking this ghostly name now, the room seemed to fill with waves of cold air, making people inevitably afraid. Lu Yun had long been out of touch with worldly affairs and naturally didn’t know the great name of “Zhenguo Iron Guards,” nor whether they were newly established court secret police or some underworld gang. He patted Qiong Fang’s back to comfort her slightly and asked: “Zhenguo Iron Guards… are they subordinates of the court?”

In the past, the Jingtai Dynasty specifically used secret police to monitor ministers. Jiang Chong controlled the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Liu Jing managed the Eastern Depot. If this “Zhenguo Iron Guard” was assassins secretly raised by the court, it wouldn’t be surprising either. Qiong Fang hesitated for a long while and stammered: “I… I also can’t figure it out clearly… Anyway, at the beginning of the month, a black-clothed mad dog first broke into the Imperial Medical Academy. He barked and bit, injuring fifty-eight skilled fighters in one breath, very fierce. After that, he also injured Zhe’er Dan, broke into the Huimin Pharmacy, and also injured my… my…” Speaking to this point, her face reddened and she actually didn’t finish her words. Lu Yun asked strangely: “And injured whom? Why didn’t you finish?”

Qiong Fang lowered her gaze and changed the subject, saying softly: “Brother Lu, do you know the current head of Mount Hua?”

Lu Yun recalled past events and pondered: “The current head of Mount Hua… you mean that kid Su Ying?” Qiong Fang nodded repeatedly: “That’s right, exactly that little…” Her face flew red as she quickly said: “Hey, he’s not young anymore, don’t call him that.”

In the past, when Ning Bufan sealed his sword and retired, Lu Yun had seen Su Ying at Mount Hua. At that time, seeing his handsome appearance and excellent comprehension, he had marveled in admiration. Hearing Qiong Fang’s tone of complaint, he glanced over and saw the little girl’s face carrying a touch of shy red. Lu Yun understood in his heart that this Master Su’s status was different—he must be the little jade maiden’s sweetheart.

Seeing his gaze drift over, Qiong Fang couldn’t help but feel shy and quickly said: “Well… he… he is my… my good friend. Don’t think wrongly.” The golden boy and jade maiden were a match made in heaven—the more Qiong Fang spoke this way, the more Lu Yun thought so. He smiled slightly and said: “Where is this Master Su? Could he also be in Jiangnan?” Qiong Fang sighed: “Don’t mention it. He’s been bedridden with serious illness until now. How could he come to Jiangnan? If it weren’t for finding his master… I… I wouldn’t have gone to Guizhou either…”

Lu Yun nodded. At that time, when Qiong Fang fell into the waterfall, her first words were asking if he was the “Number One Under Heaven.” So Ning Bufan—she had traveled a thousand li seeking a master for her beloved. He stared at Qiong Fang and asked: “Was this Master Su also harmed by the black-clothed people?”

Qiong Fang was usually bright and bold, but now she stammered and said in a low voice: “That’s not it either. He developed a heart ailment… Master Fu Fan said if he can’t resolve his inner demons, he won’t be able to use a sword for the rest of his life.” This wasn’t the first time Qiong Fang had covered for her beloved, but now she spoke with trembling fear. She lowered her head and took out a piece of paper from her bosom, handing it backward to Lu Yun.

This piece of paper had great significance—it was the life-saving treasure that Ning Bufan had personally hidden in a mud pill and passed to Su Ying. Although this belonged to her beloved, at this moment Qiong Fang had great confidence in the big water monster, so she handed the paper to him, thinking that Lu Yun’s keen insight might discern the mysteries within.

Lu Yun examined the paper closely and saw the brushstrokes were bold and powerful, each stroke like waterfalls cascading down, as if he were seeing the great white waterfall again. He understood in his heart and nodded: “So this thing led you to the waterfall, didn’t it?” Qiong Fang smiled bitterly and nodded.

If not for this paper depicting a great waterfall, everyone wouldn’t have mistakenly thought Ning Bufan was hiding in the waterfall, and Qiong Fang wouldn’t have fallen into the waterfall for no reason, thus meeting Lu Yun. Thinking of these series of coincidences, Qiong Fang sighed repeatedly and asked: “Brother Lu, why did Hero Ning leave this paper behind? Could he have known early on that you lived in the waterfall and thus led us to find you?”

Lu Yun shook his head. Ning Bufan had retired in the thirty-second year of Jingtai. It was two years later that he himself fell into the waterfall. No matter how brilliant this “Number One Expert Under Heaven” might be, it was impossible for him to know his whereabouts when retiring. Moreover, their friendship was ordinary—even if Ning Bufan knew the news, at most he would send someone to notify his relatives and friends. He would never lead his disciple’s beloved to the waterfall to take risks. Thinking of this, Lu Yun was also puzzled. He looked down at the paper again and suddenly his palm trembled as he saw something unusual.

Lu Yun’s heart stirred. He immediately steadied his hand and looked down again. He saw the waterfall’s ink was vast and mixed, the brush strokes sometimes light, sometimes heavy, sometimes going from shallow to deep, sometimes from deep to shallow. Every stroke left blank spaces everywhere, mysteries everywhere, as if following some principle.

Lu Yun became interested and suddenly said: “Where did this paper come from?” Qiong Fang said blankly: “Master Ning passed it down.”

Lu Yun waved his hand: “I’m not asking about that. I mean, where was this paper taken from?” Qiong Fang murmured: “From a mud pill. Is this very important?” Hearing the words “mud pill,” Lu Yun immediately had a definite opinion. He instructed: “Yes. This paper depicts absolutely not a waterfall curtain. There’s something else inside.” Qiong Fang said in surprise: “Something else? What is it?”

Lu Yun looked carefully at the paper and shook his head: “I can’t explain clearly at the moment. In any case, this piece of paper can’t be viewed with the naked eye alone, otherwise you’ll be deceived by the paper diagram and never find the truth.” Qiong Fang was confused and stammered: “Brother Lu, you… can you explain more clearly?”

Lu Yun shook his head and returned the paper to Qiong Fang, saying: “I’m not a member of Mount Hua sect and shouldn’t say much about other sects’ affairs. However, you can tell Young Hero Su that where it breaks is where it begins, only after complete severance can spring be encountered. This way, he might be able to penetrate the secret location.”

Hearing the secret was so obscure, Qiong Fang felt somewhat disappointed. But thinking again, the Wisdom Sword was famous throughout the world with extraordinary power. With Su Ying’s pride and arrogance, he probably wouldn’t like outsiders teaching him. She sighed and said softly: “If he can understand it, that would be good. He loves practicing swordwork the most.” She had originally always smiled, but now her brows were deeply furrowed as if lost in thought.

Just as she was thinking, she suddenly saw Lu Yun stand up and arrange his clothes. Qiong Fang asked strangely: “You… what are you going to do?” Lu Yun bent down and said gently: “This humble one has already listened to the young lady’s troubles as agreed. Although I can’t help much, I’ve at least fulfilled some human kindness. I should go.” Saying this, he turned around, picked up the noodle stand, pushed open the door, and was about to leave again.

Qiong Fang cried out in alarm: “Wait! You… aren’t you going back to the inn with me?” Lu Yun shook his head: “My purpose for this Yangzhou trip has been fulfilled. I want to return home early to organize my old residence. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Your companions will surely be concerned about you. Young lady, return to the inn early.” A towering tree of a thousand zhang—fallen leaves return to their roots. Having survived great calamity, Lu Yun indeed intended to return home. Seeing the big water monster about to drift away, Qiong Fang screamed: “No! No! I won’t let you go!” She immediately waved her hands and kicked her feet vigorously, absolutely refusing to comply. Lu Yun paid no attention and immediately pushed the door and stepped out, saying softly: “Farewell, Miss Qiong.”

The door closed and the big water monster escaped. Qiong Fang screamed: “Lu Yun! Wait for me! I’ll go with you!” In her panic, she hurriedly put on her shoes and socks and chased after him.

It was near midnight. As soon as she opened the door, the street scene came into view. With New Year approaching, the streets were still extremely bustling, with many men and women still crowding the streets for nighttime strolls. Qiong Fang looked around in all directions but didn’t see Lu Yun’s figure. Her heart panicked, running east and west. In her vexation and annoyance, she couldn’t help but stamp her foot hard and actually started crying.

This southern journey to Guizhou was all for finding Ning Bufan’s whereabouts. After great difficulties and many twists and turns, she had finally brought back a peerless expert, only to let this person escape without a trace in the end, resulting in returning empty-handed? Thinking of this sadness, she naturally cried like pear blossoms in spring rain—this time it was real crying.

Just as she was crying pitifully, looking back at a corner of the street, she was startled to see under the dim lights a cold shadow bent over passing by—if not Lu Yun’s silhouette, whose could it be!

The broken thread connected again. Qiong Fang was struck as if by lightning and hurriedly chased forward, shouting loudly: “Brother Lu, don’t go!” As soon as she called out, the silhouette seemed blown by wind, floating even faster, about to turn around the street corner where she could never catch up. Qiong Fang knew her lightness skill was far inferior to this person. She immediately stopped, clenched her fists, and screamed: “Righteousness! That is doing the right thing!”

The call of past aspirations indeed worked. The cold shadow in the street stopped moving, then turned back to gaze at Qiong Fang running anxiously toward him.

Last night in the conversation with Pei Ya, when Lu Yun personally spoke these two sentences, tears rolled down his frosty cheeks—it was truly endless desolation. Qiong Fang was deeply moved and from then on remembered it in her heart. Now in her urgency, it burst forth and indeed achieved miraculous effect.

Qiong Fang ran breathlessly, also afraid the big water monster would retreat. Her arms reached out first to block the road, shouting: “Brother Lu! You’re not allowed to leave! You must stay!”Lu Yun shook his head and asked back: “Stay? For what?”

Qiong Fang grabbed his arms and shouted: “Brother Lu! The common people suffer hardship, the court and Nu Cang fight indecisively—you’ve seen all this with your own eyes! You must stay! You must help us, help the people of the world!”

Lu Yun carried the noodle stand on his shoulder, his face sullen, only gazing at the crowds filling the street. His face showed little joy, as if his mind was heavy with concerns. Qiong Fang, afraid he would suddenly escape, desperately held onto him. After a long while, Lu Yun suddenly sighed and said in a low voice: “Miss Qiong, do the people of the world really want my help?”

Lu Yun was a Confucian scholar whose youthful aspiration had been for all generations and all people. Now past forty, how could he say such words? Qiong Fang was shocked and confused, screaming: “Of course they need help! Because you are a Confucian scholar! Your heavenly duty is to serve country and people, to love the people of the world! Of course you should help them!”

Lu Yun looked up at the snowy night covering the sky, the corners of his mouth forming bitter lines. He said ethereally: “Miss Qiong, all people under heaven are equal. Regardless of gender or age, everyone is born with a sword. Whether emperor or beggar, unless they willingly abandon their sword and submit, who can control their destiny?” Qiong Fang murmured: “You… what do you mean by these words?”

Lu Yun squinted his eyes and said darkly: “Washing caps and feet are all self-chosen… The current state of the world may not be unwelcome in everyone’s hearts. Why should anyone feel heartbroken and sorrowful, why should anyone cry out loudly?” Hearing Scholar Lu so dejected, Qiong Fang was already stupefied. She had searched for this person throughout the night precisely because of that word “righteousness,” but unexpectedly Brother Lu had become like this? Seeing the little girl’s eyes redden as if she would cry at any moment, Lu Yun lowered his head and gently stroked her cheek, saying softly: “Miss Qiong, this Lu has been away from home for thirteen years. I gained fame, held office, and nearly lost my life. Life is like a dream—I only hope the latter half of my life can love those who should be loved and do what should be done. This is my last wish. I hope you understand.”

Qiong Fang’s heart turned cold. If she hadn’t heard these words with her own ears, she truly wouldn’t believe them even if beaten to death. She threw herself into Lu Yun’s arms, hitting him forcefully while crying: “False Confucian! Liar! Only caring for yourself, not caring whether others live or die—selfish and self-serving! All that talk about doing the right thing is fake! All lies!”

These words rang true. At this moment, Lu Yun was no longer weak. In terms of martial arts, he had cultivated both internal and external skills to great achievement. In the martial world, there were few opponents. Who knew he had thousands of knots in his heart that could never be untied, finally making him waste away like a useless person. Qiong Fang saying he didn’t care about the world’s life and death wasn’t entirely wrong.

Qiong Fang lay in Lu Yun’s arms, only crying and cursing with grief and indignation. Lu Yun didn’t push her away either. He gazed at the crowds filling the street, reflecting on the ups and downs of many years, naturally feeling endless emotion in his heart.

No one understood that long, long ago, his final battle had already ended. When his firm beliefs collapsed, his long sword had already broken, his flame had already been extinguished. Now facing the disappointing human world, he was merely a passerby.

Not knowing how much time passed, Lu Yun remained silent throughout. He heard Qiong Fang crying pitifully, just lying in his arms unwilling to leave. Lu Yun’s nature wasn’t cold-hearted. Seeing the little girl’s expression like this, he couldn’t help but feel some pity. He gently stroked Qiong Fang’s hair and said softly: “Miss Qiong, over these ten years, I’ve always had a doubt in my heart that I can’t resolve clearly. If you can help me solve it, perhaps I can still do something for you.” Qiong Fang’s heart filled with hope as she quickly raised her head and nodded vigorously: “Alright! Whatever difficult question you want to ask, anything at all!”She didn’t know what strange question Lu Yun would pose. Just as she was anxiously pondering, she saw Lu Yun raise his hand and point toward a preserved meat shop in the street, saying in a low voice: “Look there.”

It was midnight, the night market bustling and the busy street crowded with common people. Qiong Fang looked in the direction of Lu Yun’s finger and saw a young man crouched by the preserved meat stall, about twenty years old. She watched him acting sneakily, tucking several pieces of preserved meat into his bosom—he was stealing. The shop owner was busy greeting customers and remained unaware. Qiong Fang had always hated evil like an enemy. Seeing injustice, she wanted to shout a warning, but Lu Yun reached out to stop her, shaking his head: “Miss Qiong, before you shout, Lu Yun would like to ask you something. What is the ‘right thing’ in your heart?”

Qiong Fang didn’t hesitate. A thief gains without labor, stealing others’ hard-earned possessions—how could he not be severely punished? She said sternly: “Brother Lu, stealing is wrong, harboring is criminal. If I don’t expose him today, who knows how many people will suffer tomorrow. Is my answer appropriate?” Lu Yun lowered his head and sighed softly: “That you can act righteously is absolutely correct.”

Hearing his praise, Qiong Fang was overjoyed and quickly took out her folding fan, rushed into the street center, and shouted: “Stop! Thief!” The Beijing heroine arrived. The young man, his activities exposed, was greatly alarmed. He grabbed the preserved meat and fled. The people on the street all awakened and angrily shouted: “It’s him again! It’s this kid again! Everyone, chase him!”

Hearing that word “again,” Qiong Fang knew the person was a habitual thief. Seeing the young man quick-eyed and nimble, he escaped in an instant, heading straight for a narrow alley. Looking back at the townspeople running about, still searching through the crowd, they had already been shaken off.

Qiong Fang possessed martial arts and considerable experience in the martial world—how could a young thief challenge her? She calmly looked toward the street and saw Lu Yun had put down his noodle stand and was walking toward her. Qiong Fang was overjoyed, thinking Lu Yun wanted to act chivalrously with her. Smiling, she thought: “Excellent! Yangzhou’s public security is about to greatly improve.” She immediately followed the young man into the alley without hesitation.

Just entering the alley, she saw the young man running quickly, still looking back anxiously. Qiong Fang used her lightness skill to leap over his head, turned around, patted his shoulder, and smiled: “Little thief, where are you going?” The young thief was greatly startled and threw a punch toward Qiong Fang’s face. How could Qiong Fang, with her martial arts skills, compare to ordinary people? She tripped him with her foot, and the young man fell face-first to the ground. She pulled the young man up and smiled: “Come on, follow me to the yamen.”

Hearing the word “yamen,” the young man seemed stabbed by a knife and desperately struggled, shouting: “Let me go! I don’t want to go to the yamen! Cheap goods! Rotten whore! Let me go quickly!” Hearing his vicious curses, Qiong Fang’s face flushed with anger. She was about to seal his mute acupoint when, before her finger could touch him, the young man actually became hoarse and didn’t dare curse anymore. Qiong Fang was slightly surprised: “What? Has Brother Lu arrived?”

Looking around, she didn’t see Lu Yun’s figure. Looking back at the young man, she saw him facing the interior of the alley, waving his hands frantically with a panicked expression, as if making some hand signals. Qiong Fang exclaimed and thought: “This little thief has accomplices!”

Following the young man’s gaze, she saw a group of small children hiding by the wall. The children were in ragged clothes—the oldest no more than seven or eight, the youngest only four or five. Although it was the depths of winter, not one of them wore shoes. Looking at the tears in the children’s eyes, all gazing at that young man, they seemed to want to save him but didn’t dare approach.

Qiong Fang was greatly shocked, never expecting the criminals to be so young and weak. She moved her steps lightly, about to go over and ask clearly. But as soon as she moved, a pile of stones was thrown over. The children cried and threw stones, shouting: “Bad person! Bad person!” Qiong Fang hurriedly dodged the flying stones. In her lifetime of chivalrous acts, she had never been called a bad person. She shouted: “Stop! I’m not a bad person! Stop it!”

Just then, footsteps sounded behind her as a man angrily shouted: “Here they are! Finally found the little thief!”

The preserved meat shop owner arrived, leading more than ten strong men, following Qiong Fang’s trail into the alley. He rushed forward first, stepped on the little thief, and punched him repeatedly. The children screamed: “Big brother! Don’t hit big brother!” Crying and wailing, they all rushed out to rescue him. The strong men were delighted and shouted in unison: “Got the big one, now the little ones have all come out! Everyone quickly catch them!”

The strong men shouted together, chasing and beating in the narrow alley. The poor children scattered and fled—some crawling into dog holes, some climbing over walls to escape. But no matter where they fled desperately, they kept crying and wailing, seemingly not knowing where to go. The young man lay on the ground, still screaming: “Don’t touch them! Anyone who dares touch a hair on their heads, I’ll kill your whole family!” The shop owner angrily said: “Nonsense! You still dare act fierce?” He picked up a carrying pole and viciously struck the young man’s back, beating him until he spat blood and couldn’t get up for a long time.

The street was in complete chaos. Qiong Fang remembered Tun Gui’s Little White Dragon and felt pity in her heart. She quickly stopped the shop owner and advised: “Enough, don’t beat him like this.” The shop owner angrily said: “You pity him? Who will pity me? If I don’t beat this criminal to death today, should I just let him steal and rob?” Hearing his reasonable words, Qiong Fang was at a loss for words. The shop owner was righteous and immediately turned back to shout to the townspeople: “Everyone, tell her how many times we’ve been robbed!” Everyone shouted: “Day and night stealing—endless stealing!”

The shop owner grabbed the young man and threw more than ten punches, beating until he was covered in sweat, shouting: “Bastard! Others pity you, but who pities me? Just trying to make a living, yet I have to support you bunch of little thieves. If you can’t survive, tell grandpa early!” He raised the carrying pole and with a roar swung it down toward the young man’s head. Just as he was about to execute him on the spot, suddenly his wrist was grabbed. Behind him came a sigh, saying ethereally: “Friend, you have no right to kill him.”

Hearing this voice, everyone turned to look. They saw a man standing among the crowd. He wore a coarse cloth robe, about eight feet tall. His gaze moved slightly, naturally emanating an air of dignity. Seeing Lu Yun arrive, Qiong Fang was naturally overjoyed. Lu Yun made a hand signal to her, indicating she should step aside—he wanted to personally intervene and mediate.

The shop owner looked Lu Yun up and down and angrily shouted: “Who are you? You also want to meddle in others’ business?” Lu Yun shook his head: “I am neither an official nor a bandit, without power or influence. How dare I meddle in any business?” The shop owner sneered: “If you don’t dare meddle, then stop talking nonsense! Come on! Let’s report to the officials! Let’s go!”

The government prison was hell on earth. Once tainted by it, it was difficult to wash clean for a lifetime. The young man was frightened and desperate, only struggling frantically. Lu Yun walked before the townspeople, his sleeves flowing out with gentle force, making everyone step back. The shop owner was shocked and angry, shouting: “So he’s a martial artist! Everyone attack together!” Lu Yun had no intention of hurting anyone. He stepped back, bent down to lift the young man, brought him before the shop owner, and said gently: “This sir, this humble one has no other intention, only hoping to ask you to look at this child carefully before sending him to the authorities.”

The shop owner said coldly: “Look at what? Afraid I’ve mistaken a thief? Bah.” He glared at the young man, thinking of how the neighborhood was constantly disturbed by this group of little rascals. In great anger, he shouted: “Thief!” Upon hearing this word “thief,” the young man immediately roared and howled in rage. Watching him desperately claw at the shop owner, his eyes full of grief, anger, and hateful fire, he suddenly seemed possessed. At this moment, the children in the scene were affected and all let out sharp, sorrowful cries.

The shrill, miserable cries in the dark alley sounded like ghosts wailing and spirits howling, terrifying to hear. The townspeople swallowed their saliva and couldn’t help but step back. The shop owner’s face also changed color. Lu Yun quietly asked: “Shop owner, why do you think he cries and wails in grief and anger?” The shop owner cursed: “He knows he’s going to die! How can he not cry?”

Lu Yun shook his head and said: “If death is death, there’s no need to hate like this. Everyone, the reason this young man cries and wails in grief and anger is precisely because we treat him as…” He reached out and gently stroked the child’s head, saying pitifully: “A rat.”

Hearing this, everyone fell silent, while the child bit his gums and sobbed. Lu Yun stroked the young man’s head and said softly again: “Only toward rats do we use killing and poison to get them out of sight and out of mind. But the house is already dirty—no matter how many rats we poison and kill, new ones will always emerge… Everyone, what should we do?”

The shop owner angrily said: “That’s easy—kill them all!” Lu Yun shook his head: “Kill a hundred, kill a thousand, kill ten thousand—there will always be one that escapes. Do you know what this escaped one is called?” The crowd angrily said: “Rats have names? Stop your storytelling!” Lu Yun neither responded nor answered, only turning his gaze to the young man and saying in a low voice: “Everyone, he is called Sa Mau.”

The nine-foot giant who roared at heaven, killing men and raping women, filling the fields with corpses without regard for shame or morality—a thousand times more ferocious than lions and tigers. Everyone present didn’t know who Sa Mau was and all sneered coldly, even Qiong Fang looked completely bewildered. Lu Yun paid no attention to the crowd. He stared at the young man and said softly again: “He is a criminal, that’s right, but he’s still a person. If we use cheap methods to deal with him, exterminating him like a rat, when he grows taller and stronger than us someday, he will come back for us! Regardless of gender or age, good or evil, he will kill and devour them all, repaying in full… Everyone, when that day comes, what shall we do?”

“Kill him!” With a loud bang, the carrying pole struck down. Lu Yun actually took a heavy blow.

The force rebounded, the carrying pole broke and flew away. Blood flowed down his face, rolling from Lu Yun’s nose bridge to his cheeks. Although he had internal energy protecting his body, he hadn’t practiced external hard skills like Iron Shirt. Though he shattered the carrying pole, he inevitably suffered flesh wounds.

Qiong Fang was shocked and alarmed. Seeing Lu Yun clearly possessed martial arts yet didn’t retaliate at all, she was about to rush forward when she saw Lu Yun raise his hand, signaling her not to interfere. He looked up and endured, taking silver coins from his bosom and saying in a suppressed voice: “Today you are strong and he is weak, you are right and he is wrong, so you should treat him even more fairly! Just like…” He looked around at everyone, saying word by word: “Treating yourself.”

At these words, the whole scene fell silent. Only the young thief lowered his head and wept, the preserved meat shop owner looked astonished, and everyone’s lips murmured as they pondered Lu Yun’s words. Lu Yun took the young man’s hand and placed the copper coins in his palm, wanting him to personally hand them to the shop owner.

Snowflakes drifted down piece by piece. The young man, face covered in tears, quietly handed out the coins under everyone’s gaze, placing them in the shop owner’s hand.

Clang, clang… copper coins bloomed like flowers all over the ground.

“Damn madman! They’re in cahoots!” The shop owner came to his senses and viciously threw the coins at Lu Yun. The crowd surged forward, carrying poles and wooden sticks flying together, all greeting Lu Yun and the young man. The young man screamed: “Let me go! Let me go!” Lu Yun wouldn’t let go, only raising his palm to protect him. The young man was desperate to escape. Seeing the scene in great chaos, yet Lu Yun wouldn’t let him leave, in his desperation he grabbed Lu Yun’s hand and bit down hard with both rows of teeth.

Fresh blood spurted out. Lu Yun’s hand was bitten and bleeding, and his forehead took another blow from a staff. Copper coins scattered everywhere amid fire and water attacks, a cacophony of shouting and cursing. In the distance, footsteps mixed together as officers arrived with knives, shouting loudly: “Stop fighting! Where’s the little thief?”

The people who handled things by the book had arrived. Once delivered into the court’s hands, everything would be handled conveniently. The poor young man’s life was about to become “for country and people,” becoming the chicken in “killing the chicken to warn the monkeys,” the “one” in “killing one to warn a hundred.”

In silent wordlessness, Lu Yun’s five fingers finally released. The young man, gaining freedom, immediately led his street brothers in escape. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to shout: “Pigs! Just for stealing a pound of your meat, you dare treat me like this! Watch this young master burn down your shop tomorrow! Burn your whole family to death!” Those who fled fled, those who chased chased. People shouted and fought, the scene in great chaos, leaving Lu Yun with his blood-covered face behind.

Lu Yun lowered his head and stood alone quietly in the alley. He raised his palm, drops of green blood falling onto the snowy ground, drawing a line of blood before him that separated him from the great dusty world.

What the Confucian knight-errant wholeheartedly protected was not state criminal law, not local customs, but the humanity within the Three Bonds and Five Constants. Yet after they bled and stained their clothes, exhausting their hearts and efforts, in the end they could only collapse here like this, gently weeping and smiling bitterly.

A lost life, a disappointing world. Pitiful that famine kills people and wild beasts eat people, yet what kills people most in the world is still people themselves.

“Washing caps and feet are all self-chosen. The current state of the world may not be unwelcome in everyone’s hearts. Why should anyone feel heartbroken and sorrowful, why should anyone cry out loudly?”

Great winds arose, and snow filled the sky, falling to cover the bloodstains Lu Yun left behind. The final boundary vanished. The young Brother Lu from thirteen years ago and Uncle Lu from thirteen years later both knelt on the ground together, hot tears melting the winter frost and snow.

“Life is like a dream—what more is there to say?” Lu Yun raised his sleeve and gently wiped his tears. Just as he was about to get up and leave, he suddenly heard a clang as a copper coin fell before him. Lu Yun was slightly surprised, and before he could look, another copper coin dropped to the ground.

Lu Yun was greatly astonished and quickly looked up. He was shocked to see children in the alley walking about bent over. This group of children in ragged clothes were exactly the vagrant beggars from before. He saw them all searching everywhere for copper coins, and after finding them, throwing them back one by one.

Lu Yun was greatly shocked, not knowing how this group of children had changed their nature and no longer fled. Looking at the other common people and officers, they also no longer chased the children, only quietly watching from the side. Lu Yun looked bewildered, about to ask questions when he suddenly heard melodious singing. He heard a young girl sing:

“Worship the Water God, seek benevolence and virtue,

When the Water God is angry, heaven sends no rain,

Every household eats their seed grain.

Sacrifice to the Water God, redeem sins and transgressions,

When the Water God is angry, heaven sends great rain,

Flooding into common people’s homes.”

The bizarre, superstitious ballad sounded remarkably clear and pleasant from that bright voice. Lu Yun turned back to look and saw his noodle stand placed at the alley entrance. A young lady sat on top, her left hand tossing up and down a token, her right hand gently shaking a folding fan. Her beautiful legs crossed, her toes swaying back and forth. Needless to say, it was the Young Pavilion Master who had arrived.

Only Qiong Fang, only with her power and methods, could easily control the scene and make both sides of the dispute bow in submission.

Seeing Lu Yun’s surprised expression, Qiong Fang jumped down from the noodle stand and came over with a smile. She gathered up the copper coins from the ground and placed them in Lu Yun’s palm, laughing: “Water God Master, does the way I handled this count as the ‘right thing’ in your heart?” Lu Yun held the copper coins in both hands but didn’t know what to say. He only lowered his head, the corners of his mouth moving slightly as if somewhat shy.

There were many onlooking common people, each watching from the side. Qiong Fang had been accustomed to grand scenes since childhood and was naturally without embarrassment. She raised her handkerchief and wiped the blood from Lu Yun’s face. Seeing him lower his head, she suddenly felt tender emotions stir in her heart. She raised herself on her toes and kissed his cheek.

The common people and children were greatly amazed, discussing among themselves. Lu Yun hadn’t expected her to kiss him. In his panic, he raised his sleeve to wipe his face, creating a large bloodstain that looked just like rouge. Seeing his shyness, Qiong Fang immediately laughed: “Brother Lu, don’t look so bitter. We should set off.”

Lu Yun said anxiously: “Go… go where?”

Qiong Fang looked up and stared at him, saying sternly: “To pacify the world.”

Lu Yun was greatly shocked, not knowing why Qiong Fang would make such bold statements. Before he could ask, he saw this Young Pavilion Master automatically sit on the noodle stand, just waiting for the top scholar to carry the load and leave. Lu Yun said in surprise: “You’re not returning to the inn?” Qiong Fang looked displeased and shook her head: “Of course I’m not going back. I just received news that Her Majesty the Empress urgently wants to see me. I need to borrow your leg power to take me part of the way.”

The onlooking common people and officers, hearing the words “Her Majesty the Empress,” couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, each discussing among themselves. However, while Qiong Fang could frighten the common people, she couldn’t budge Lu Yun. Seeing him lower his face, he presumably was unwilling to agree. Qiong Fang snorted: “With the crazy snow so heavy, water and land transportation are all cut off. If even you won’t help me, I’ll have to collect my debt from you.” The first few sentences were reasonable, but the last was a surprising twist. Lu Yun was quite surprised and asked back: “Collect debt? When did this Lu ever borrow from you?” Qiong Fang stroked her hair and looked sideways with charming eyes, smiling coquettishly: “You forget quickly. Let me ask Lord Lu here—where did the money to buy your noodle stand come from?”

Lu Yun lowered his head in thought. That day on Yangzhou’s main street, he had reached into his tattered pocket and surprisingly pulled out a gold leaf, using it without thinking where it came from. He pondered for a long while and said: “I don’t know. Maybe it grew there by itself?” Qiong Fang snorted angrily: “Nonsense! You think your pocket is a treasure bowl that grows money by itself? Dream on!” She looked at the townspeople and said loudly: “Gold leaves growing in pockets by themselves—everyone, have you ever encountered such good fortune?”

Hearing this, everyone shook their heads vigorously. The preserved meat shop owner laughed: “Holes in pockets losing money—that happens daily. But pockets growing money by themselves is unheard of!” Qiong Fang smiled slightly. She took out a gold leaf from her bosom and asked coldly: “Surname Lu! Was the gold leaf you used that day of this shape and style?” Lu Yun looked left and right and nodded: “It seems so.” Qiong Fang said coquettishly: “What ‘seems so’! It is! That was what this lady stuffed into your pocket at the Jingzhou temple! Where did you think it came from?” She threw the gold leaf to the preserved meat shop owner as a reward.

At that time, business mostly used silver. Except for wealthy merchants, great traders, and high officials, few people carried gold with them. Seeing the shining gold leaf, the common people were all greatly amazed, knowing that the young lady before them was genuine gold, unmistakably an official family’s young mistress of noble birth. The shop owner picked up the gold, bit it with his mouth, then raised both hands high and cried wildly: “Divine spirits!”

Lu Yun was speechless, while Qiong Fang remained composed. She sat on Lu Yun’s noodle stand and smiled faintly: “Fortunately Lord Lu doesn’t renege on debts and still knows the gold leaf was mine. Come, come…” She tilted her neck toward the sky, spread her palm, and said irritably: “Pay… back… the money.”

The dignified Young Pavilion Master of the Jade Maiden Pavilion was now just like a street ruffian, but debts must be repaid—this was natural law. Lu Yun had no choice and could only state honestly: “I don’t have any now. Could you give me a few days’ credit?” Qiong Fang said coldly: “Fellow townspeople, a gold leaf is worth twenty taels of silver. Tell me, can I trust him?” The young thief rushed forward, pointing angrily and shouting: “Fairy sister, don’t trust him! Noodle sellers are all paupers, worse than me! Once they disappear, where can you collect from!”

Qiong Fang giggled and said: “Thank you, little brother. What you said is absolutely right.” She casually threw another gold leaf as a reward to the young man. Receiving such a big bonus, the young man actually knelt on both knees in gratitude. The other poor children also cheered and jumped, screaming: “We have money for New Year!”

Seeing such generous rewards, the onlooking common people all rubbed their fists and glared angrily at Lu Yun as if they had formed a mortal enmity with him. With everyone’s anger focused on him, Lu Yun frowned tightly and shook his head: “Young lady, if you want money, I have none. If you want life, there’s only one. How do you want to settle this? Speak clearly.” Qiong Fang’s eyes flowed with waves as she glanced sideways at Lu Yun and smiled: “Who wants your stinking life? Didn’t I say that as long as you’re willing to escort me back to the capital, once we reach the Ziyun Pavilion’s door, the debt will be written off.” She looked back at Lu Yun with a smile: “Lord Lu, what are your true intentions…”

Before she finished speaking, her body suddenly rose from the ground. Lu Yun had already picked up the noodle stand. Qiong Fang was overjoyed: “You’ve agreed?”

While speaking, a long robe suddenly covered her shoulders—it was removed from Lu Yun’s body. She heard him sigh and say in a low voice: “Anyway, I’m heading north to Shandong. I’ll escort you a few li along the way.” Qiong Fang was overjoyed beyond measure. She wrapped the long robe tightly and smiled: “There’s a quilt now!” Afraid of falling off, she quickly crossed her powder-white legs and sat, her left hand hooking around Lu Yun’s waist, repeatedly patting: “Horsey, go fast, go fast!”

Seeing her cheering with joy like a little girl going on a long journey, Lu Yun heard her repeated urging but only walked steadily like an old ox pulling a cart. Qiong Fang spat: “You’re slacking! If this lady got down and rolled on the ground, I’d probably be faster than you…”

Amid the common people’s exclamations, that “ah” was drawn out into a long scream. When the contemporary Sword God set off in flight, how could his momentum be ordinary? Soaring through clouds and riding mist, in an instant they could see the stars filling the sky. Lu Yun had actually leaped over the residential buildings, heading straight north.

The Sword God as a steed, swift as a flying horse. Qiong Fang scattered a handful of gold leaves and called out sweetly: “Dear uncles and little brothers, farewell!”

Snowflakes danced and gold leaves floated down. Below them, the common people cheered and scrambled for them. From the distance came the sound of firecrackers—it was now New Year’s Eve.

The lights gradually grew distant. Qiong Fang sat on the noodle stand, feeling Lu Yun’s body heat. She wrapped herself in Lu Yun’s outer robe, completely satisfied. In this moment, she forgot about the black-clothed people, forgot about Ziyun Pavilion, forgot about her companions at the Yangzhou inn… Even her beloved’s appearance gradually blurred, just like the Yangzhou city below her feet—all had vanished from sight…