“For a renowned Confucian Sword Immortal, you’re quite fond of cursing people behind their backs,” a playful voice suddenly rang out from outside the room.
Without hesitation, Xie Xuan swept his hand through the air, and the Ten Thousand Scrolls sword beside his book chest flew into his grasp. He smiled, “It’s been many years, and now when I see that annoying mustache of yours, I must address you as Family Head.”
Su Changhe pushed open the door and entered. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, and a Sleeping Dragon sword hung at his waist. Half his face was covered by a silver armor mask. “The Confucian Sword Immortal is too polite. You can just call me Little Changhe—it’s more intimate!”
“Hmph.” Xie Xuan gave a cold laugh. “It seems I’ll have to stay in Qiantang City a while longer.”
“Oh? You felt at ease when Su Muyu was here, but as soon as I arrived, you sensed trouble brewing?” Su Changhe sighed helplessly. “It seems my reputation in the martial world is truly quite poor!”
“Your code name is your reputation in the martial world. ‘Funeral Master’—does that sound like an auspicious title to you?” Xie Xuan retorted.
“Well then, Su Muyu and I will leave tonight,” Su Changhe stretched lazily. “How’s that?”
Su Muyu started. “Leave tonight?”
Su Changhe shook his head and sighed. “It seems our Su Family Head has fallen in love with Qiantang City, or perhaps can’t bear to part with our Physician Bai? Such reluctance in your voice!”
“That’s better,” Xie Xuan withdrew his sword, his sword energy dissipating simultaneously. “Otherwise, having to face both of you in battle would be rather troublesome.”
“Hahaha! There’s still a century-old academy in Qiantang City with several hidden masters. I’ve just become Family Head—I’m not that reckless.” Su Changhe glanced at the wooden table, his eyes brightening. “Wine?” With a wave of his hand, the wine flask flew into his grasp. Upon closer inspection, however, his disappointment was complete—the flask was empty. He raised it overhead and shook it vigorously, managing only to catch a few remaining drops.
“Give it back.” Xie Xuan raised his hand and snatched the flask back.
Su Changhe savored the aftertaste. “This wine is full of peach blossom fragrance. Who brewed it? I’d like to buy a jar.”
“Brewed by Zhao Yuzhen, the Head of Mount Qingcheng. If you want some, it depends on whether he’s willing to give you any.” Xie Xuan shouldered his book chest, preparing to leave.
Su Changhe smiled. “Ah, the famous Daoist Sword Immortal. If I have the chance, I’ll visit him.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. If all goes well tomorrow, I too shall depart from Qiantang City.” Before leaving, Xie Xuan glanced at Su Muyu and smiled. “I always felt you two walked entirely different paths, yet always travel together. I couldn’t understand it, but then I recalled a passage from a book that gave me some insight.”
Su Muyu asked quietly, “What passage?”
Xie Xuan adjusted his book chest and walked past Su Changhe: “Through the window, one hears endless snow; though within arm’s reach, it feels worlds apart.”
Su Changhe smiled. “Are you saying that though we’re close in proximity, we’re far apart?”
“No, I’m saying the distance between arm’s reach and worlds apart lies in but a single thought.” Xie Xuan walked out the door. “Take care.”
After Xie Xuan left the medical compound, Su Changhe let out a light breath, though his lips still held a faint smile. “It seems that being a member of the Dark River, even in seclusion, isn’t an easy task. You’ve barely been in Qiantang City for a few days, yet you’ve already attracted a Sword Immortal?”
Su Muyu replied, “I never intended to hide my identity. Some things are better made clear. What about you? Why did you suddenly come here? I just received your pigeon message the day before yesterday. Have all the matters within the Dark River been resolved?”
“The Three Officials of the Soul-Summoning Palace have vanished without a trace, and the remaining remnants are of no concern. Let Mu Qingyang and the others handle them.” Su Changhe sat down on a stool. “I came here because I need you to accompany me somewhere.”
“Where?” Su Muyu asked.
Instead of answering directly, Su Changhe took out the Sleeping Dragon sword from his waist. He lightly brushed his finger across it, and the dragon’s eyes slowly opened. “Do you know why the previous Family Heads completely disregarded the rules of the Dark River, yet still insisted on obtaining this Sleeping Dragon sword before daring to claim the position of Family Head?”
Su Muyu frowned slightly. “Is there something peculiar about the Sleeping Dragon sword?”
Su Changhe nodded, pressing his finger against the dragon’s eye, then lifting it forward slightly. The entire sword hilt came loose in his hand. A golden light flashed from within the hilt, which Su Changhe quickly grasped before reattaching the hilt with a wave of his left hand.
“There’s something hidden within the sword hilt,” Su Muyu said gravely.
Su Changhe opened his palm, revealing a pure gold key of exquisite beauty. Four characters were inscribed upon it: Yellow Springs Pawnshop.
“Yellow Springs Pawnshop.” Su Muyu pronounced each word deliberately.
“The world’s most mysterious bank and the world’s most mysterious assassin organization—what secrets lie between them?” Su Changhe returned the key to the sword hilt. “Perhaps what’s hidden is the secret of the Dark River that the Family Head spoke of.”
“Let’s go,” Su Muyu said, lowering his head.
“Your days in Qiantang City will end tonight,” Su Changhe said with an ambiguous smile.
“It was but a dream, and dreams must end.” Su Muyu looked at Bai Hehuai, who was sleeping at the table and said to Su Changhe, “Let me first carry Physician Bai back to his room to sleep. The spring nights are cool; sleeping like this might cause him to catch a cold.” Su Muyu approached Bai Hehuai, but just as he was about to lift him, Bai Hehuai suddenly sat up and made a face at Su Muyu: “Boo! Scared you!”
Su Muyu stepped back with a helpless smile. “So Physician Bai was pretending to sleep all along.”
Bai Hehuai shrugged. “I was asleep at first, but then something stinky came in and woke me up.”
Su Changhe turned his head and started whistling while looking at the sky.
“Physician Bai, I have to leave,” Su Muyu said softly.
“Go on then, you still have unfinished business, and this day was bound to come. But this isn’t a dream—it’s the destination of your journey. When you return successfully, the Hehuai Medical Manor will still be here waiting for you, and all the beautiful ladies of Qiantang City will be waiting for you too!” Bai Hehuai patted Su Muyu’s shoulder encouragingly.
“Thank you, Physician.” Su Muyu turned to look at Su Changhe.
Su Changhe raised his hand and leaped over the courtyard wall in a single bound. Su Muyu didn’t look back, slowly walking out. Bai Hehuai sat on the long bench, watching Su Muyu’s departing figure in silence for a long while. Just as Su Muyu’s silhouette was about to disappear, he said softly, “Come back soon, and make me a bowl of your delicious beef noodles.”
Su Muyu had heard him and smiled without turning back. “I will.”