“This is celestial dew, it can heal internal injuries,” the scholar said, holding the reins in one hand and tossing a bottle of medicine into the carriage with the other. “Your wounds are not light; if you hasten to Yunmeng Prefecture like this, I fear you’re rushing towards your demise.”
Xie Yuling took the vial of celestial dew, removed the cork to smell it, then asked in bewilderment, “This celestial dew ranks among the apothecary’s most expensive remedies. Just this small bottle costs hundreds of taels of silver. Why would you help us so generously?”
“Consider it a travel expense,” the scholar said with a dismissive wave of his hand, appearing unconcerned. Though he now held the reins, driving the carriage so diligently, it should be Xie Yuling and his companion paying him, as if he were their coachman.
“It’s just a few hundred taels of silver. You’re also a son of a noble family, so why are you so surprised?” Zuo Feng snatched the celestial dew from Xie Yuling’s grasp, tilted his head back, downed it in one swift motion, and after a satisfying smack of his lips, he declared, “Delicious, bring another bottle.”
“I only have two bottles, and if you drink it all at once, there’ll be none left,” the scholar said as he pulled out another bottle and tossed it to Xie Yuling. “The owner of the Medicine Master’s Workshop is a friend of mine; it’s just celestial dew, there’s no need for you to pay me back.”
Feng Zuojun and Xie Yuling exchanged a glance. If they had not seen the scholar’s incredible martial arts skills just now, they would have thought he was bragging. The owner of the Medicine Master’s Workshop was a mysterious figure, and no one knew if he even existed. So where did this friend come from? But now, Feng Zuojun and Xie Yuling had no choice but to believe him.
“Young Master,” Xie Yuling sighed softly. “To be honest, with your martial arts skills, it would have been child’s play for you to kill us. Yet you saved us, and now you are even helping us go to the Yunmeng Prefecture. We don’t seem to have the right to ask too many questions, but we are still puzzled, and we hope that you can answer us.”
“Answer what? I said we are like the clear wind and the bright moon, chance acquaintances, and you don’t believe it.” The scholar picked up the wine gourd at his waist and took a sip. “Alright then. I am a Confucian sage from the Academy, and I am here to rescue my disciples. Isn’t that right and proper?”
“How could that be possible? The Sage of Confucius has been renowned in the martial world for a long time, and those gentlemen are all nearing forty years of age. Although we have not yet met Mr. Confucius, his portrait hangs in the academy, and he must be over sixty by now…” After drinking the heavenly dew, Feng Zuojun felt his whole body was full of qi and blood, his voice becoming bold and spirited, “Young Master, you appear to be only three or four years older than us at most. How could you possibly be the Sage of Confucius?”
“Look, you don’t believe this, nor that, so what’s the use of anything I say?” The scholar said with a radiant smile, “How about this? I’ll drive our carriage, you tend to your wounds, and once we reach Yunmeng Prefecture, we’ll go our separate ways, as you suggested—each to his own path under the heavens.”
“No matter what, thank you.” Xie Yuling lowered his head and said. The Falling Blossom Swordplay that the scholar had performed, though it lasted no longer than the burning of half an incense stick, surpassed the teachings of the Xie family’s martial arts elders over the past decade. For this, he was profoundly grateful.
“What do you mean by ‘each to his own path under the heavens’? Brother, don’t listen to Xie Yuling’s nonsense. When you go to Yunmeng Prefecture, you will be our honored guest in Tianxiao Cloud Realm. Your skill with the blade is impressive; my father will surely take a liking to you, so you should stay with us for a few days!” Feng Zuojun chimed in.
“Feng Yuhuan, he does not like me,” the scholar said somberly.
Feng Zuojun was stunned, “Why? My father is always hospitable and has a good reputation in the Jianghu. I have never heard of him having any trouble with anyone.”
“Your father once fell in love with a woman, but that woman didn’t like him, she liked me.” The scholar laughed loudly. “No wonder your father hates to see me…”
Feng Zuojun patted his thigh. “I knew it! My father would only get angry with someone because of a woman! It’s been more than ten years, and he hasn’t changed? But did that woman later marry you, brother?”
“No, that woman liked me, but I didn’t like her. Hmm… I can’t say that either.” The scholar thought for a moment and continued, “I like this world, and this world includes that woman. So in that sense, I do like her.”
“That woman must be so angry.” Feng Zuojun said helplessly, “Brother, you really don’t know how to talk to women.”
“Hahahaha.” The scholar nodded and said, “Yes, she was so angry that she said she never wanted to see me again.”
“Since the young master is unwilling to reveal his identity, we shall not insist.” Xie Yuling interjected, stopping Feng Zuojun who was still about to speak, and signaled him to shut up immediately.
“What is there to be unwilling to reveal? I uphold my name and lineage with pride; my surname is Dongfang, given name Xiaoyue.” The scholar hung the wine gourd back on his waist. “Dongfang Xiaoyue.”
Feng Zuojun burst out laughing. “That sounds like the name of a little girl.”
“A woman is a woman. There is no such thing as a ‘great woman’ or a ‘little woman’.” The scholar pulled on the reins violently. “Let’s go to Yunmeng Prefecture. The clouds at dawn there are said to be breathtaking.”
The sun set and the moon rose, the stars changed, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.
At first, Dongfang Xiaoyue drove the carriage day and night, with Xie Yuling occasionally taking his place. Later, when Xie Yuling and Feng Zuojun’s injuries were mostly healed, the three of them took turns driving. Dongfang Xiaoyue would occasionally leave the carriage and walk alone. When he came back, he would bring back some wild fruits, wildflowers, or small wounded animals. Compared to the other two, Dongfang Xiaoyue seemed to be really enjoying the journey.
But slowly, Xie Yuling discovered that when Dongfang Xiaoyue was driving the carriage, it was significantly faster than when the other two were driving. He secretly observed for a long time but could not find the reason for this. He thought to himself, “This handsome scholar is really a strange person. However, after thinking about all the masters in the world, there is no one who can match this scholar’s appearance.” In the end, he gave up and let him be.
And the day when the Golden Wind would finally reach shore was also drawing near.
“Tomorrow morning is your last chance,” the masked man said slowly.
The manager, holding a pure gold abacus, let out a soft sigh. He flicked the beads back and forth countless times, but in the end, he reset it to zero.
Nangong Xier sat cross-legged on the bed. In an instant, she suddenly opened her eyes, and the long sword beside her began to vibrate.
In the lowest chamber of the ship’s cabin, Su Baiyi lay sprawled on the floor, drenched in sweat. The Junyu Sword was thrust into the iron plate on the left side. He said helplessly, “Master, oh Master, I’m afraid I can’t make it this time.”
On the deck, Mu Nianhua held a sword in his hand. It was the sword that Shanglin Heavenly Palace had left for them that day. As long as they hung it on the mast, the Mu family would leave this storm. Yet, Mu Nianhua looked up at the mast, smiled, and walked to the railing, sword in hand. He then reached out beyond the railing, opening his grasp.
The sword then fell into the turbulent river and disappeared instantly.
“This is the Mu family’s answer.” Mu Nianhua smiled.