Unsheathed

Chen Ping’an was especially familiar with this kind of expression. Indeed, this was exactly how he had looked at Liu Xianyang when he was young. At that time, Liu Xianyang had been the leader of the young children in Apricot Blossom Alley. He was always catching snakes, hunting birds, and reeling in fish, and it was as if there were nothing in the world that he couldn’t do.

Afterward, some of the children who used to follow Liu Xianyang around went to become disciples at the dragon kiln, while more of them went on to become attendants in the small stores around the town or became accountants for their relatives. There were also those who were “good-for-nothing” in the words of Song Jixin, and these people would go to the farms to do hard labor. In the end, only Chen Ping’an still hung out with Liu Xianyang.

Chen Ping’an used a few dog tail reeds to string the rock slate fish together before handing them to the young girl. The young girl weighed them in her hands after accepting them, and she realized that they were quite light. She felt like this wasn’t enough to cook a dish of fried fish with green peppers. Thus, she cocked her head and glanced at the pit in the creek, her eyes filled with eager anticipation. Chen Ping’an understood her expression, and he said in an apologetic voice, “I have to brew some soup with the fish that I catch from now on, so I can’t give you any more.”

The young girl pointed at the bag of food nearby, signifying that she could use some of her snacks as payment. However, Chen Ping’an shook his head with a smile, saying, “Sorry, even though the snacks are tasty, and even though they’re filling, they’re still not as nutritious and nourishing as fish soup.”

The young girl nodded in understanding, not forcing Chen Ping’an to cater to her whims. She quietly returned to her spot before carefully putting down the fish. She then continued to tackle her small mountain of food.

Even though Chen Ping’an was curious about her identity, he didn’t ask her who she was. Judging by her outfit, she didn’t look like the darling daughter of some rich family in Peach Leaf Alley. Instead, she appeared more similar to the neighboring Zhi Gui. She was pretty, but she didn’t like to speak.

Chen Ping’an suddenly felt a little worried. She wasn’t a maidservant who had stolen some food and sneaked out to enjoy it, right? He had heard that those large families were extremely strict. Liu Xianyang and Song Jixin always liked to disagree with each other, but when it came to this matter, they were surprisingly united in agreement. However, Liu Xianyang’s explanation had been especially frightening. He said that inside the tall walls of those homes, the maidservants would be watched like prey by the hawk-eyed housekeepers. If their manner of walking was off by just a little, the housekeepers would immediately command someone to break their legs and toss them outside, where they would wait for death to arrive.

However, Song Jixin had accused Liu Xianyang of false information, saying that it wasn’t so extreme. Even so, he agreed that the maidservants in these large families did indeed have to tip-toe around like cats. They weren’t allowed to make any sound when they walked. Upon seeing Zhi Gui secretly chuckling in delight, Liu Xianyang’s embarrassment had immediately turned into anger, causing him to curse at Song Jixin.

In the end, Chen Ping’an caught another seven or eight rock slate fish, with their jumping and flopping causing the bamboo basket to rock back and forth. The pale-faced young boy knew that he was almost at his limit. The water was especially cold during spring, and this was a chilling cold that directly pierced into the bones. Most importantly, the wound on his left hand couldn’t take so much stress. After returning onshore for the last time, Chen Ping’an jumped off the green stone cliff in haste and hurriedly scurried into the tall grass next to the creek.

There was a lot of rustling, and after a short while, he pulled up three or four different kinds of grass, many of which still had soil hanging on their roots. Holding a bunch of grass in one hand, he then picked up an ordinary piece of rock. After returning to the stone cliff, he found a naturally formed pothole that was the size of his palm. After wiping it clean, he started to lightly crush the grass, which quickly became a blob of green paste. The unique and fresh fragrance of spring grass wafted through the air.

With his back to the young girl, Chen Ping’an took a deep breath as he gritted his teeth and started to remove the cloth wrapped around his left hand. Sweat dripped down his forehead, quickly replacing the ice-cold creek water that had been dripping down from his hair. Even though his wound had healed a little compared to before, when his bones had been visible, it was still a ghastly and bloody sight.

Before coming here, Chen Ping’an hadn’t imagined that he would be getting his left hand wet. Thus, he hadn’t prepared any strips of cotton cloth. Just then, he had been completely focused on collecting snake gall pebbles to earn money, and on catching some fish to brew some soup. Only now did he realize that he had made a huge mistake. He was slightly at a loss.

However, a hand suddenly appeared before him, holding several strips of dry and clean cloth. As it turned out, the young girl had ripped a few strips of cloth from her sleeve at some time. Chen Ping’an smiled in grief, and he had no time to express gratitude to the young girl as he rubbed the grass paste onto his wound. He then used his teeth and right hand to tightly wrap the strips of cloth around his left hand before tying a knot. His movements were extremely practiced and smooth, yet they also appeared quick and dizzying like a butterfly fluttering around a flower.

After wrapping his wound, Chen Ping’an used his right arm to wipe the sweat from his face. His arms were trembling uncontrollably.

Squatting not far away from him, the young girl raised a thumb at Chen Ping’an, her expression telling him that he was very impressive.

Chen Ping’an pointed at his eyes with his right hand and said with a bitter smile, “Actually, it hurt so much that I’m shedding tears.”

The young girl was slightly puzzled as she glanced at the large basket and bamboo basket that the young boy had weaved by himself.

Chen Ping’an wore an awkward expression as he said, “Those pebbles can make me money, and those fish are also very important.”

The young girl was still a bit befuddled, but she still refused to open her mouth to speak. Her eyes appeared slightly vacant as she turned around to stare at the glistening creek in a daze.

The bubbling water made a rushing sound as it crashed against the exposed stones and pebbles.

At that moment, the stars were dazzling and the world was tranquil, and it was as if only this young boy and young girl pair existed in the world.

Chen Ping’an gradually calmed down, with his hurried breathing subconsciously starting to return to normal.

This was much like a thunderous waterfall transforming into a small and peaceful creek.

This was a gradual and subtle change that even the young boy wasn’t aware of. It occurred completely naturally.

With his body still wet, Chen Ping’an knew that he couldn’t stand in the early spring breeze for too long. He needed to hurry back home to change. The young boy naturally didn’t understand medicine, nor did he understand the methods to maintain good health.

However, being extremely afraid of falling sick, the young boy had already developed a keen sense of the changing seasons and the reactions of his body since a very young age. Thus, he quickly put on his straw sandals and tied the basket of fish to his waist. He then slung the large basket on his back and waved at the young girl in green, saying with a smile, “I’m leaving now. You should also go home soon.”

As he walked down the stone cliff, he couldn’t help but turn around and say in warning, “The water is extremely deep around the covered bridge, so you have to be especially careful not to slip. When you return home, it’s best that you walk along the paddy field side. Even if you fall, getting yourself muddy is still better than falling into the creek.”

As he said this, Chen Ping’an suddenly felt like his words were slightly ominous and ill-omened. It didn’t sound like a reminder, and it instead sounded more like the curses spoken by Gu Can’s mother. Chen Ping’an quickly shut his mouth, not waffling on anymore. He quickened his pace and ran north toward the small town.

The basket on his back was very heavy.

However, the young boy in straw sandals was also very happy.

After untying the knot in his heart, Chen Ping’an, for the first time, felt like he had to fight on and live a good life.

For example, he had to earn money!

He wanted to be able to afford the couplets that smelled like ink, and he also wanted to be able to afford the colorful door gods. At the same time, he also wanted enough money to enjoy the meat buns sold by Aunt Mao, and it would also be best if he could have some money to buy a cow. Raising some chickens like Song Jixin would also be nice.

Meanwhile, the young girl continued to tirelessly tackle the mountain of food before her. Her expression was especially solemn and serious, and each time she picked up a piece of food, it was as if she were facing a mortal enemy.

Just as she was tackling a peach cake, her body suddenly froze. When she realized she was in trouble, her first reaction wasn’t to turn around and flee. Instead, it was to open her mouth and gobble down the piece of cake. She then wiped her hands clean and quietly waited for calamity to befall her.

At some unknown time, a man had already appeared beside her. He wasn’t especially tall, yet he gave others a feeling that he was extremely solidly built. However, others definitely wouldn’t mistake him for being a villager or farmer. This was because his gaze was far too intense, so much so that others wouldn’t dare to look him in the eyes.

Looking at the remaining corner of the “mountain” in the bag that was decorated with patterns of flowers, an expression of utter helplessness spread across his face. He wanted to open his mouth to scold her, yet he couldn’t bring himself to do this either. Silently looking at the stubborn expression of his daughter who was resigned to a scolding, he more so felt a sense of doting that made him feel like it was actually him who was in the wrong.

The man really wanted to say some gentle words to lighten the atmosphere. For example, telling his daughter that she could eat near the forge if she became hungry, and that he would head to town to buy more snacks for her if she finished them all.

However, when these words reached the tip of his tongue, the introverted man couldn’t spit them out no matter what. It was as if his tongue would freeze at this critical moment, rendering him unable to comfort his daughter.

At this moment, the man felt like he was even less capable than the young boy in straw sandals. At the very least, his daughter wouldn’t need to be so tense around him.

The young girl in green suddenly looked up and asked, “Father, why didn’t you accept him as a disciple?”

With his daughter breaking the ice, the man suddenly felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulder.

Even though he wore a stern expression, the man had already taken a seat next to his daughter, explaining, “That child has a fairly good personality. However, his aptitude is far too poor, so even if your father takes him as a disciple, he’ll still be quickly left in the dust by his other senior brothers. Regardless of how hard he works, he can only watch on helplessly as the gulf between them grows larger and larger. What should we do if another Senior Brother Liu appears at that time? What’s the need?”

A dejected expression washed across the face of the young girl in green. It was hard to say whether this was because of “Senior Brother Liu”, or whether this was because the young boy in straw sandals had brushed shoulders with this opportunity.

The man hesitated for a moment before deciding not to hide any information, lest his daughter did something wrong or ruined the Sage’s plans. “Moreover, that young child is far too ordinary. In some sense, this makes him appear even more extraordinary in the small town. Xiu’er, perhaps you aren’t aware, but this child’s bonded porcelain was smashed by someone when he was only very young. Thus, he’s something like a wandering ghost with no links and nothing to rely on. He’s not protected by the blessings of his ancestors. At the same time, all kinds of subtle but strange things occur around him. This is also the reason why Song Jixin and that female chose to become his neighbors. Otherwise, with Song Jixin’s status, could he not live on Fortune Street? This naturally isn’t the case.”

The young girl carefully pondered for a moment before replying, “Father, are you saying that he’s something like bait?”

The man stroked her head and said, “Something like that.”

He then smiled and continued, “If the two of us weren’t swordsmen who are the least particular about external matters, fated opportunities, and so on, perhaps I might have kept him by my side. Maybe I would have been able to help him a little.”

The young girl in green was in low spirits at this moment.

The man sighed with emotion and said, “Xiu’er, my words might be crude, but my reasoning certainly isn’t. Don’t be annoyed that my words don’t sound nice.”

However, the young girl in green still appeared dejected, unable to lift her spirits no matter what.

The man pondered for a moment before pointing at the covered bridge that looked like a black dragon lying across a river. “The Great Li Empire exhausted a huge amount of money and effort to construct that covered bridge. The only reason was to suppress that seemingly inconspicuous iron sword. Just think about it. This is a 3000-year-old sword with a damaged soul and no owner. However, in order to suppress its remnant might, an entire empire still needed to pay such a huge price, their goal nothing more than to suppress it for a brief moment.”

The young girl nodded in response. However, her head was still hanging, and as she glanced at the remaining corner of food, she absent-mindedly replied, “Oh, how impressive.”

The man didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry as he pinched his forehead.

The heaven was important and the earth was important, but above them both, eating was the most important.

However, his daughter’s mother wasn’t such a glutton either! So, just who in the world was she taking after?

The man patted his daughter’s shoulder and said in a gentle voice, “Your father’s going to visit someone. You can stay here, but make sure to eat slowly. No one’s going to steal your food.”

The young girl suddenly looked up and grabbed onto the man’s arm, with the crimson bracelet on her hand shining brightly and appearing much like a curled-up flood dragon.

It was like a lively flood dragon that was composed of flames.

“So you do still have some heart. Alright, don’t worry now, your father’s going to visit Mr. Qi,” the man said with a gratified smile.

The young girl let go and immediately turned her attention back to the snacks, starting to scoff them down again.

The man was immediately filled with frustration, and he was unable to suppress the words in his stomach any longer, mumbling, “Eat, eat, eat! That brat Liu Xianyang indeed deserves a beating. However, his words genuinely weren’t wrong. There’ll eventually come a day when you eat so much that you become a fat and chubby girl! At that time, who will dare to marry you?! Or did you want me to kidnap a husband for you?”

The young girl stopped eating, with a dessert resting in her hands as tears brimmed in her eyes.

The man hurriedly fled, not forgetting to slap himself when his back was to his daughter.

It was like this every single time. He would always screw up at the final moment.

It was past midnight, and when Chen Ping’an arrived back at Liu Xianyang’s house and opened the door, all he could hear was his friend’s thunderous snores.

How relaxed.

If it were Chen Ping’an, he definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep so peacefully tonight.

He placed the large basket and the bamboo basket in the kitchen in the courtyard first. He then went to the right-side wing room that Liu Xianyang had cleared out for him and hurriedly changed into some fresh clothes. Only then did he return to the kitchen in the courtyard to clean and prepare the rock slate fish. After doing this, he placed them in a clean porcelain dish. He then used another dish to cover them up. This was to keep out any insects and vermin.

Afterward, Chen Ping’an retrieved his favorite five or six snake gall pebbles from the large basket and took them to the wing room where he was staying.

Just then, he had also taken a glance at the sword that Ning Yao had placed on the cabinet. It was still quietly resting there.

After doing all this, Chen Ping’an finally crawled into bed, with his body slowly warming up. However, his eyes were still wide open.

Part of this was because of the stabbing pain in his left hand, and part of this was because he didn’t feel tired at all.

However, the true reason was because Chen Ping’an knew better than Liu Xianyang just how “unreasonable” those outsiders were.

The young boy didn’t dare to sleep too soundly.

And thus, Chen Ping’an remained awake for the entire night, keeping his ears pricked for any sound in the courtyard or near the doors.

When dawn arrived, Chen Ping’an got up and went to the kitchen, picking up a pole with buckets and preparing to go to the Iron Lock Well in Apricot Blossom Alley to draw two buckets of water.

The sleepy-eyed Liu Xianyang was still hiding inside his blankets, with only his head visible. When he heard the soft footsteps, he mumbled, “Chen Ping’an, you’re up so early? Where are you heading to?”

“I’m going to draw water!” Chen Ping’an huffed.

“If you see Zhi Gui, don’t forget to greet her for me!” Liu Xianyang shouted.

Chen Ping’an couldn’t be bothered replying.

Just as he was about to leave the courtyard, Chen Ping’an suddenly heard Liu Xianyang say, “Chen Ping’an, as long as you help me, I’ll also help you dive for pebbles in the pit!”

A radiant smile spread across Chen Ping’an’s face. “Sure thing!”

Liu Xianyang rolled his eyes as he pulled his blanket over his head. “Disloyal brat. I knew this would work.”

On the covered bridge, a middle-aged scholar was sitting alone. He would remain here until first light.

When the first ray of light peeked over the horizon, he looked up and said with a faint smile, “A dark room for a thousand years, a room illuminated with a single light[1].”

1. This is an allusion to the Buddhist concept of avidya and vidya. ☜