After grieving the entire night, by the next morning the heavy rain had stopped and sunlight streamed through the temple entrance. Lu Yun stared blankly outside the door and thought: “A new day has begun. I must pull myself together.”

He sighed softly. At this moment he could only put away the sadness in his heart and live his life properly. He was determined not to use a single penny of the money the young lady had given him, but to live honestly by his own abilities.

Several days later, Lu Yun passed through a small county town. He no longer sought rough, menial work, but borrowed a wood-cutting knife from neighbors to split bamboo and cut wood, making a noodle-carrying pole to sell noodles for a living. He borrowed one or two taels of silver from neighbors for business. Others, seeing his distinguished bearing and elegant speech, were willing to help him.

Lu Yun sold noodles in this place for half a month, his skills improving daily. Customers who ate his noodles all praised them – word spread from ten to a hundred, and business flourished remarkably. Though he failed at studying for examinations, selling noodles went smoothly instead – truly an example of unintentional success.

Lu Yun worked busily every day and soon repaid the silver with interest. Seeing the local residents were kind and friendly, with many loyal regular customers, he thought of settling down here.

On this day, while serving customers, he suddenly heard the sound of firecrackers in the distance, followed by loud gong sounds. Lu Yun was startled, not knowing what was happening.

A customer at the noodle stall said: “Oh my! The Zhang family on Eight Treasures Street is truly remarkable – they really produced a jieyuan!” Another person exclaimed: “Really?”

The customer said: “Would I lie? Look at that procession and ceremonial parade – how could that be fake?”

The customers eating noodles all stood up to look into the distance.

Lu Yun turned to look and indeed saw a long procession approaching from afar, crowds of people ahead with one person in red robes riding a white horse – this must be the newly successful jieyuan graduate. Firecrackers exploded deafeningly on both sides, followed by countless children jumping and running joyfully. Thinking of his own situation, Lu Yun’s heart suddenly ached and he couldn’t help turning his head away.

He heard customers praising: “This is how one should live to have true happiness!”

Another person laughed: “That requires such ability! What use is your envy? If you took the examination, could you succeed?”

The customer laughed: “If I could, why would I still be doing this barber work? Your mouth is really sharp, master!”

From the procession emerged an elderly man, probably the jieyuan’s father, laughing heartily with great joy, distributing red envelopes everywhere. Passersby all received one. Lu Yun also took one. He looked down at the red envelope in his hand, his heart filled with indescribable melancholy. He sighed softly, silently shouldered his noodle pole, and turned to leave.

A customer nearby called out in surprise: “Hey! Don’t go! We haven’t paid yet!” But Lu Yun had already gone far.

Day after day passed. Lu Yun carried his noodle pole through town after town, his expression growing increasingly calm, all sorrows hidden deep in his heart. He had no fixed dwelling, practicing qi and martial arts in his spare time, sometimes even sleeping outdoors under the open sky.

On this day Lu Yun reached the shores of Taihu Lake. Seeing tourists everywhere and beautiful scenery, it seemed a good place for business. He set up his stall, lit the fire, and took out bowls and chopsticks to wait for customers.

He sat on a stool, quietly gazing at the calm, waveless lake water, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.

Just as he was daydreaming, he heard someone call: “Shopkeeper! Two bowls of noodles!” Lu Yun saw two men – one with an explosive beard, the other pale-faced. Both looked like they had good appetites.

Lu Yun stepped forward to greet them: “Two gentlemen, please rest – I’ll cook them right away.”

Soon two bowls of noodles were ready and served. The two men pulled over stools and slurped away. The bearded customer loudly praised: “Excellent skill! These noodles really suit my taste!”

Lu Yun smiled slightly: “Sir must be from the north! I added extra sauce and heavier seasoning for you.”

The customer said: “Who would have thought you could read people’s faces, brother!”

Lu Yun quickly said: “Nothing of the sort. I just saw sir’s tall, broad build and figured you were likely a northern man, so I seasoned it accordingly.”

The big-bearded customer grunted and opened his mouth wide, devouring most of the bowl like a whirlwind – truly eating with gusto. The other man chewed slowly and carefully, closing his eyes to savor slowly, his eating manner much more refined.

Seeing them eat happily, Lu Yun was also pleased, thinking: “Few people in this world appreciate my writing, but many enjoy eating noodles. From now on I’ll make a living selling noodles – that’s also benefiting people.”

Lu Yun was quite pedantic, always clinging to the teachings of sages. Even selling noodles, he had to find some great principle about national affairs and people’s livelihood – now he was thinking positively.

As he was thinking, another group approached. Lu Yun thought: “Business here isn’t bad. I can set up for a few more days to earn some travel money.” This group consisted of five men, all with wretched faces – he didn’t know what they did for a living.

Lu Yun went to greet them with a smile: “Gentlemen, would you like noodles? My thick sauce noodles are authentic Shandong flavor – you’ll regret not trying them!”

One person said sternly: “Don’t say so much – first serve some for us to try.”

Lu Yun agreed and quickly cooked noodles. Soon he had five large bowls ready and served them one by one.

The five men picked up their bowls and ate a few mouthfuls. Lu Yun sat nearby, stealing glances at their expressions, fearing they wouldn’t like his noodles.

Suddenly one man cursed: “Damn! There’s a dead fly in this noodle!” He threw the bowl forcefully into the lake. The other four also shouted and threw their bowls away.

Lu Yun didn’t panic. Reading their expressions, these people were clearly local ruffians and bullies. He just lowered his head to tend the fire, paying no attention.

Several rogues rushed over shouting: “Do you know there’s filth in your noodles?”

Lu Yun said “Oh” indifferently: “Is that so?”

The leading rogue shouted: “You still look like nothing’s wrong! If these noodles make us sick, how will you compensate us?”

Lu Yun squinted lazily: “What exactly do you want? Speak quickly.”

The rogues all stretched out their hands and shouted: “What do you think? Pay up! Five taels of silver each!”

Lu Yun smiled faintly. He took out five copper coins and stuffed one into each of the five men’s hands.

The five men were stunned and shouted: “Damn! Do you take us for beggars?”

Lu Yun laughed heartily and took out five taels of broken silver, throwing them at the five men. They reached out to catch them, suddenly feeling tremendous force transmitted to their hands. The five men groaned dully, as if struck by lightning, stumbled and all fell to the ground.

Lu Yun smiled: “Giving too much, I feared you couldn’t catch it. Too little and you’d cry to heaven and earth – truly puts me in a difficult position.”

He smiled as he walked forward, picked up the broken silver from the ground and put it back in his pocket.

The rogues climbed to their feet shouting: “Damn! How dare you toy with us! Watch us show you some color!” They pulled daggers from their boot sheaths and moved to attack Lu Yun. One even shouted loudly while smashing at the noodle stall.

Just as the commotion was starting, the two customers who had been eating noodles stood up, glaring angrily at the rogues. The rogues shouted: “You two get lost quickly – if you get hurt later, don’t blame us for not warning you that blades have no eyes!”

One customer stepped forward and said coldly: “Do you know what place this is?”

A rogue laughed: “Damn! Isn’t this just beside Taihu Lake? What’s so special about it?”

The customer sneered: “Since you know this is Taihu, how dare you cause trouble here?”

The leading rogue jumped out shouting: “Bullshit! You keep talking about Taihu this and Taihu that – what are you anyway? Let me tell you – do you know who your father is?” His manner was quite arrogant, as if he were some important person.

The customer said “Oh”: “Hearing your boastful tone, who exactly are you?”

The rogue laughed loudly and declared: “Let me tell you – your daddy is ‘Fire-Eyed Lion’ from Taihu Twin Dragon Stronghold! If you’re smart, get lost now!” He stepped on a stool and kept waving his dagger, looking even more vicious.

The customer couldn’t help laughing: “Good, you little fellow! If you’re Fire-Eyed Lion, then who am I?”

The rogue angrily said: “I don’t care who you are!” He charged forward, ready to fight.

The customer looked at the big-bearded man and shook his head: “Rogues daring to impersonate others – truly disgraceful.” He reached out and grabbed the rogue, then threw him forcefully. With a splash, the rogue fell into the lake.

The other big-bearded customer laughed heartily: “Someone’s impersonating you – you must be secretly pleased, right?” He grabbed another rogue with one hand and threw him into the water.

The customer spat and used both hands to throw the remaining men all into the lake.

In less than a moment, all five rogues were floundering in the water, looking utterly miserable.

Lu Yun, seeing these two men’s superior martial arts and swift actions, felt only joy and smiled: “Thank you both for your righteous assistance. May I ask your honored names?” Having traveled the jianghu for months, his knowledge had greatly expanded and his speech already carried the flavor of the martial world.

The two customers smiled at each other. The bearded man stepped forward and declared loudly: “Little brother! Have you forgotten me from our meeting in Shandong prison?”

Lu Yun was stunned and looked carefully at the man before him, his mind racing. He suddenly cried “Ah!” as he remembered the prison robber from those days. He said tremblingly: “So it’s you! After that hurried parting in prison, I never expected to meet here.”

Seeing Lu Yun recognize him, the man immediately laughed loudly: “Good lad, your memory’s not bad! You still remember me, ‘Nine Lives Madman’ Chang Xuehen.” He pointed to the other man: “This is ‘Fire-Eyed Lion’ Jie Tao, Brother Jie. That weakling was impersonating him just now.”

Lu Yun saw Jie Tao had electric eyes and a quite experienced manner – clearly a famous hero. He quickly cupped his hands: “Young Lu Yun pays respects to Master Jie.”

Jie Tao smiled slightly and was about to speak when they heard shouts from the rogues in the lake. The group had good swimming skills and were swimming toward shore.

Jie Tao smiled: “These fools dare cause trouble by Taihu and disturb our Brother Lu – we must teach them a lesson.” He pointed to distant willow branches: “Let’s hang these turtles on those branches one by one and let them sway in the wind – most amusing.”

Lu Yun smiled. He saw the willow branches were several hundred steps away and didn’t know how Jie Tao planned to hang people there. But Jie Tao took a large bow from his bundle, nocked an arrow, and smiled: “Watch this, you two.” With a whoosh, the arrow flew through the air.

A rogue was swimming when suddenly seeing the arrow coming, cried: “Oh no!” He closed his eyes awaiting death, but the arrow only pierced his collar without touching his skin. The arrow’s force carried the rogue involuntarily flying out. With a thwack, the arrow embedded in the willow branch with the rogue hanging high, swaying in the wind while screaming continuously.

Chang Xuehen laughed: “Exhilarating! Exhilarating!”

Lu Yun saw the true power attached to the arrow was extraordinary and secretly marveled.

Jie Tao smiled: “That’s the first one – watch the others!”

With several whooshes, four consecutive arrows flew out in rapid succession. The remaining four rogues were terrified and tried to dive underwater to escape, but it was too late. They were immediately hit by Jie Tao’s flying arrows. The four arrows flew with tremendous force and speed, carrying the four men’s screams and shouts. In an instant, all four were embedded in the willow branches. Looking from afar, the five rogues were arranged in a perfectly straight line, as if measured with a chalk line – not off by a fraction.

Seeing Lu Yun’s amazement, “Nine Lives Madman” laughed: “This Brother Jie shows off his archery daily – quite inappropriate. Brother, pay no attention.”

Jie Tao smiled: “Even if I show off archery, it’s not as bad as you constantly picking fights. If you hadn’t gone to Jinan Prefecture seeking revenge that time, how would you have fallen into official hands? I had to go rescue you.”

Lu Yun saw the two spoke quite boldly. Though knowing they came from bandit backgrounds, he didn’t dare show any disrespect. He brewed tea and served it: “Please sit, you two!”

Chang Xuehen sat down, picked up the tea bowl and smiled: “Brother, after that prison parting, how did you fall to selling noodles?”

Jie Tao saw his words were harsh and quickly made a gesture.

But Chang Xuehen pretended not to notice and just smiled: “I’m not wrong! How can such a talented person make a living selling noodles here? Isn’t this wasting his fine literary skills?”

Lu Yun smiled slightly: “Selling noodles is a small business, naturally incomparable to heroic enterprises, but I’m happy and carefree – nothing wrong with that.” He sipped his tea and said no more.

Jie Tao smiled slightly: “Brother speaks truly, but this time we came down the mountain following our Master Lu’s instructions to seek you out to join us.”

Lu Yun’s heart trembled as he asked: “I’ve never known your esteemed stronghold – what do you mean by this?”

Just then someone lightly patted his shoulder. With Lu Yun’s current martial arts skills, how could someone approach silently behind him? He was greatly shocked and quickly turned around to see a man smiling at him.

Lu Yun saw he had a beard reaching his chest, wore purple robes, was about fifty years old, with compelling heroic spirit in his eyes – but his face was unfamiliar. Lu Yun hesitated and frowned: “Sir, you are…”

The man smiled without answering and pulled over a stool to sit down. Lu Yun saw he wore a jade ring and had a horsewhip at his waist – clearly a princely young master, but of unknown background.

As soon as the man sat down, Jie Tao and Chang Xuehen both stood up and loudly said: “We pay respects to Master Lu!”

The man made no comment but took the tea bowl. Jie Tao quickly rushed to pour water for him.

Lu Yun’s heart was shocked, realizing this was the leader of the Taihu bandits. He stepped back and became very guarded.

Master Lu, seeing Lu Yun staring at him intently, smiled: “Don’t you recognize me?”

Lu Yun heard his accent was very familiar but couldn’t remember. He frowned in deep thought.

Master Lu lightly sipped the hot tea and said casually: “How’s your ‘Unparalleled Consecutive Punches’ practice? Any difficulties?”

Lu Yun cried out “Ah!”: “Elder! So it’s you!”

This Master Lu was none other than the old beggar who had taught Lu Yun martial arts that day. Only now did Lu Yun understand why the old beggar had never been willing to reveal his identity and background – he turned out to be the famous leader of Taihu Twin Dragon Stronghold.

Thinking of his kindness in teaching martial arts, Lu Yun’s eyes couldn’t help but moisten as he said tremblingly: “Elder, have you been well lately?”

Master Lu smiled: “I’m in the bandit business – as long as I don’t get caught by officials, all is well.”

Lu Yun immediately remembered his bandit background and didn’t know what to say.

Master Lu pointed at Lu Yun and said to Jie and Chang: “Brother Lu was originally a good scholar. If we hadn’t been in a hurry to rescue people that day, Brother Lu wouldn’t have been implicated or fallen to today’s circumstances. All told, we owe him.”

His words seemed quite apologetic toward Lu Yun.

Lu Yun was shocked to hear this and was about to speak when Jie Tao waved his hand and said to Lu Yun: “When we heard someone at the civil academy had solved Master Lu’s riddle, we were very surprised and went into the city that night to ask people at the academy. When we learned this riddle was solved by a page boy from the Gu family, Brother Chang and I were curious and secretly went to Yangzhou to investigate. What a coincidence – this talented young page boy turned out to be Old Chang’s prison mate from Shandong!”

Chang Xuehen laughed heartily: “See how good my judgment was in prison – I picked a formidable character as my cellmate!”

Everyone laughed at this.

Lu Yun suddenly understood why Master Lu had come to teach him martial arts. First, because he had solved that riddle, his literary talent was extraordinary, attracting this master to personally visit; second, Twin Dragon Stronghold felt guilty about him being implicated, so they made an exception to teach him martial arts as compensation.

Lu Yun was moved and said: “Actually, if your stronghold hadn’t come to break out of prison that day, I would have been framed by that corrupt official long ago and would still be doing hard labor somewhere. Heroes, please don’t think this way – it truly embarrasses me.”

Chang Xuehen laughed heartily: “The wanted poster clearly states you escaped prison in collusion with us – how can Twin Dragon Stronghold stay out of it?”

Jie Tao also smiled: “Exactly. Since Brother Lu was misunderstood by officials, you’re not an outsider. Don’t say such formal words anymore!” He raised his tea cup, using tea as wine, and toasted Lu Yun.

Lu Yun quickly raised his tea bowl in return and sighed: “How can I repay such regard from you heroes?”

Since leaving the Gu family, he had only seen country folk and hadn’t talked and laughed with anyone. Meeting old friends now truly excited him.

Master Lu smiled slightly: “Little brother, since we have such fate, why not return to the mountain with us?”

Lu Yun cried “Ah!” and stepped back: “Master Lu wants me to join the stronghold and engage in robbery?”

Chang Xuehen smiled: “Exactly! We’ve always lacked someone who can write. When New Year comes and we need to write spring couplets, we won’t worry about having no one!”

Jie Tao spat: “What nonsense! Our Brother Lu is meant for great things – how can you have him do such trivial work?”

Chang Xuehen laughed: “Right! Let the boss write them in the future! Though he loves showing off those crooked scribbles – who knows if they’re any good.”

Everyone laughed heartily. Master Lu wasn’t angry either, just smiled as he watched Lu Yun.

After a while, Master Lu smiled: “Little brother, what do you think? Will you come with us?”

Lu Yun hesitated. This Master Lu had considerable connection with him – drinking water, one thinks of its source; this person could be called his half-teacher and clearly valued and loved him. In reason and emotion, he truly found it hard to refuse. But if he really went up the mountain to become a bandit, engaging in such business, how sad Gu Siyuan and Gu Qianxi would be when they learned of it. Then he would truly be a jianghu bandit, probably unable to clear his name for life. He sighed, not knowing how to decline Master Lu’s good intentions.

Seeing his expression, Jie Tao guessed he must have concerns and said: “Brother Lu, you’re already a fugitive – to put it harshly, you’re living day to day with no guarantee of tomorrow. Living like this, how will you establish yourself, marry and have children in the future? If you don’t come up the mountain with us, sooner or later someone will discover your background and you’ll regret it too late.”

Chang Xuehen was quite impatient and shouted: “Damn! What’s there to think about! Come with us quickly and drink three large bowls first!”

Everyone looked at Lu Yun to see what he would decide.

After a long while, Lu Yun sighed deeply: “Master Lu’s kind intentions I appreciate with all my heart. But I cannot join.”

Everyone exclaimed “Ah!” in disappointment. Master Lu gently shook his head, looking quite dejected.

Chang Xuehen grabbed Lu Yun’s collar and cursed: “Damn you! You don’t know what’s good for you – shameless!”

Jie Tao quickly restrained him, whispering: “Have some tolerance – you’ll frighten him.”

Master Lu sighed lightly: “Do you despise our background?”

Lu Yun said quietly: “How could I mean that? It’s just that remembering my parents’ nurturing grace and my ancestors’ pure reputation, I truly cannot comply.”

Master Lu sighed: “Do you think I’m just a bandit? Twenty years ago I too was loyal and virtuous…”

Chang Xuehen jumped up cursing: “Boss! No need to say more to such a pedantic person! Damn this confused boy – I’ll kill him with one blade!” He drew his sword and charged at Lu Yun.

Jie Tao, seeing his real impulsiveness, grabbed him and said anxiously: “You’re always so rash – let’s listen to Master Lu’s instructions.”

Master Lu gazed at the lake water, seeing vast blue waves and finding the lake and mountain scenery especially poignant. He watched quietly for a while and said: “Little brother, what are your plans for the future? Will you sell noodles for life?”

Lu Yun thought of Gu Qianxi and suddenly felt heartache. He shook his head and sighed: “I don’t know either, but people must live, mustn’t they?”

Master Lu heard the dejection in his words and said gently: “If you encounter difficulties in the future, feel free to come here to find me. The gates of Taihu Twin Dragon Stronghold will always be open for you alone.”

Lu Yun was moved and knelt down to bow several times: “Great kindness needs no words – I only hope to repay it someday.”

Master Lu calmly accepted his bows and said: “Everything depends on fate – why be rigid?” He then helped Lu Yun up. The two looked at each other wordlessly.

Lu Yun felt terrible and suddenly sighed deeply, shouldered his noodle pole, and turned to leave.

Jie Tao chased after him calling: “Brother Lu, since you’ve come here, why not stay in the stronghold a few more days so we can show you proper hospitality?”

Master Lu stopped him and shook his head.

Lu Yun walked away carrying his load, going farther and farther until he felt extremely depressed. He wasn’t trying to disappoint Master Lu’s good intentions, but having read extensively in the classics of sages, how could he become a bandit? He couldn’t stay in Yangzhou, couldn’t return to Shandong, and even Twin Dragon Stronghold wasn’t his destination. Lu Yun didn’t know where to go, feeling that despite the vastness of heaven and earth, there was no place for him. He felt great grief and couldn’t help crying. The setting sun shone on his hunched figure – indescribably lonely and desolate.

Several months passed quickly. Lu Yun knew his fist and foot skills were still insufficient and practiced daily without rest. Without this, how could he endure those long years? Only by immersing himself in martial arts could he forget all suffering.

On this day Lu Yun was practicing martial arts. He struck a tree with one palm, shaking the branches violently and sending leaves fluttering down like snow. His power seemed deep – further practice wouldn’t yield much improvement.

It was now autumn and the weather was gradually turning cool. Lu Yun sat on a hill looking up at the floating clouds, thinking of various sorrows from childhood to now. His heart became melancholy and suddenly thoughts of suicide flashed through his mind.

His heart shook as he thought: “So I’ve become so dejected. If Miss Gu saw me like this, how sad she would be.”

Then he thought again: “Sigh! Why do I still think of her? Our backgrounds and family situations are so different – what use is thinking of her?”

In his ears rang the words she had urged upon him at parting. His heart couldn’t help aching and tears fell again.

Lu Yun couldn’t contain his melancholy and suddenly went wild, shouting loudly to the mountains: “So what if Lu Yun sells noodles for life? So what if I’m poor and destitute? From today on, the scholar Lu Yun is dead. You people want to torment me again – impossible in this lifetime! Though Lu may never succeed in imperial examinations, what I’ve learned surpasses you ten thousand times!”

The mountains echoed with his voice endlessly. Lu Yun looked up to the sky and laughed, determined to carve out his own path with this noodle pole. For a moment he felt that despite heaven and earth’s vastness, everywhere could be home.

He looked up at the floating clouds and suddenly felt inspired. As summer ended and autumn arrived, Lu Yun shouldered his noodle pole and drifted northward.

Next Episode Preview:

The two male protagonists of “Xiliang Storm” and “Troubled Times Literature” are finally about to meet!

A fugitive constable wrongly accused, a talented scholar with endless sorrows – what kind of story will these two characters’ meeting unfold? What sparks will that bowl of noodles create?

The vicious and brutal Kunlun Mountain now faces opponents who are Lu Yun plus Wu Dingyuan! How will this pair of fellow sufferers fight bloody battles?

Beijing, ah Beijing – how many romantic figures and heroes have emerged from there? The rolling yellow sands of Xiliang, the prosperous Yangzhou – now comes the stern Forbidden City…

For everything, please look forward to the upcoming serialization of “Capital Meeting”!