Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2559: Chapter 2560: Passing By and Missing Each Other

The face under the man’s mask was festering with sores, with pus and blood oozing out, making his entire face look incredibly sinister and terrifying, there was even a faint smell of decay.

”What kind of disease do you have? You can’t enter the city if it’s contagious!” the guard exclaimed.

”Officer, I’ve been poisoned by villains, and I’m coming to Kyoto specifically to seek out a famous doctor for treatment. If you don’t let me in, then I can only wait to die here at the City Gate.” The man said with a smile to the guard, which caused more pus to ooze out from the scars, frightening the guard into retreating repeatedly.

”Where’s your identity document?” Another guard was much more composed.

The man took out his documents, only then did the guard let him in, though he couldn’t help but advise him to put the mask back on.

Once inside the City, the man already had a hint of a smile on his lips. He quickly slipped into an empty alley, wiped his face with a handkerchief, and the disguise quickly faded, leaving no festering sores or wounds—revealing a smooth and clean face.

Then he took out another mask from his pack and put it on his face.

Finding an Inn located in a more remote area, the man got a room and began chatting with the waiter.

”Where in Kyoto is the most famous for the Yin Yang Masters?” the man asked.

”You’re from out of town, aren’t you? Haven’t you heard of the Astrologer Family?” the waiter said with a smile. ”Every generation of their Patriarch is called an Astrologer. This generation’s Patriarch is only in his early twenties, but his Yin Yang Techniques are incredibly advanced. Not only is he the most famous in Kyoto, but he also ranks among the top three in all of Fusang.”

”Oh? Has he captured a thousand demons?” the man asked.

”How would I know? But he did defeat a great demon two years ago; it was said to be an Ancient Ferocious Beast!” the waiter replied.

The man nodded, ”Do you know where the Astrologer Family is located? I’d like to pay a visit later.”

”Are you seeking a Yin Yang Master to catch a demon?” the waiter’s eyes lit up, ”The Astrologer Family surely charges a high price. If it’s just a regular demon catching, I could recommend someone to you that would be much cheaper.”

The man paused; he wasn’t looking to have a demon caught. He just wanted to duel the renowned Yin Yang Master. But there was no need to tell the waiter this, lest it causes trouble later.

”You’ve misunderstood. I don’t need a demon catcher. I’ve simply come out of admiration to witness the brilliance of a Yin Yang Master,” the man explained.

”I see. Well, then you go this way, head south from Xinyang Town, and you’ll find it soon.” the waiter said.

The man drank some tea, then changed into a different set of clothes before heading toward the Astrologer Family.

At the entrance of the Zhanxing’s Residence, a servant heard someone wanted to duel with their Patriarch, and his jaw almost dropped in shock, glaring at the man, ”Who are you? How dare you challenge our Patriarch?”

”I’m just a passerby, don’t really have a name. Is it not possible to duel with Master Astrologer?” The man said with a smile, seemingly unconcerned with the servant’s disdain.

The servant was momentarily stunned and then said, ”Our Patriarch went out early this morning. Why don’t you wait here to see if he will agree to duel with you when he returns.”

”Did he say when he’ll be back?” the man asked.

”How would I know? I’m just a servant,” replied the servant impolitely.

The man furrowed his brows and waited for two hours, but the Astrologer never showed, so he left in frustration.

Meanwhile, the Astrologer was at the Posthouse discussing matters with others. Naturally, he hadn’t mentioned to his family where he was going, thus missing the opportunity to meet the man.

By the time the Astrologer returned home, it was already evening. The servant reported the incident to him, but he didn’t take it seriously. Throughout the year, there are always a few people who come to challenge him, it was perfectly normal.

It was Zhitian who heard of it and frowned, saying, ”Master, the other day at Fushan Residence, when we were ambushed, Master Bai also had to save Shanhu, and we almost got discovered by the Fushan Family. Just then, a masked Yin Yang Master helped us. He didn’t say anything, just seemed to do it on a whim. I wonder if this challenger is the same person as the one at Fushan Residence.”

Zhitian knew of the matter and felt disappointed since that person wasn’t Ning Yu. Now hearing Zhitian’s words, he hurriedly told the servant, ”If that person comes again, report to me immediately. If I’m not at home, make sure he leaves an address so I can visit.”

The servant secretly blamed himself for not being attentive enough. If he’d thought to ask for the person’s address, he could have gotten praise from the Patriarch.

The Astrologer, however, told Zhitian, ”If it is indeed that person, I should pay a visit to thank him. We owe him for helping you that day.”

Unfortunately, in the following days, the masked man never returned to the residence. The Astrologer asked around the City, but couldn’t find him.

Bai Ruozhu knew of this matter too and hoped that it was indeed the person who helped them that day, if only to invite him for a meal as a thank you.

Elsewhere, arrangements were made in the Palace for Princess Ya’an to visit Bai Ruozhu, delivering gifts on behalf of Empress Yazi as an apology.

”Princess Ya’an, I don’t want to make things difficult for you, but I really can’t accept these things; it would weigh on my conscience.” Bai Ruozhu refused.

”Master Bai, please don’t be angry with my mother. Her temperament isn’t very good, and she’s offended quite a few people in her time.” Princess Ya’an looked somewhat exhausted, likely feeling worn out by having such a mother.

Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, ”Getting angry isn’t worth it, but I really don’t understand. I saved the Second Prince with all my heart, yet Empress Yazi has never been friendly towards me. I just don’t get it, I have no feud with her, do I?”

Princess Ya’an gave a bitter smile, ”My mother’s just narrow-minded. She’s worried you’re too close to Empress Shangzi and fears you’ll aid the Crown Prince, so she’s always especially wary. She just overthinks things.”

Bai Ruozhu didn’t know how to respond. The Emperor is single-mindedly focused on converting to Buddhism, thinking less and less, while Empress Yazi thinks entirely too much, almost paranoid. These two really should balance each other out.

”Forget it, I won’t hold grudges, but I will avoid her. As for the Second Prince’s matters, we really cannot get further involved.” Bai Ruozhu pushed the list of gifts back, ”Take these things back with you.”

Princess Ya’an disagreed and simply left the items behind and ran away herself. Bai Ruozhu had no choice but to have someone temporarily put them aside, planning to return them when possible.

Later, she took two bottles of newly-made pills and went to Zhaoti Temple.

”Master Bai, take a look at this painting.”

When Bai Ruozhu entered Master Puru’s room, she heard him say this.

Following his gaze, she saw a simple ink painting on the wall. She didn’t have much knowledge about art but could tell the painting depicted a large ship and a sea with a vaguely visible figure in a green robe in the distance. Was this an image of a sea voyage?

On the painting, a poem was inscribed:

Fusang is now in the mysterious distance, home is further east of Fusang.

Who will accompany the Master on this journey? A boat of bright moon and a sail of wind.

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The poem borrows from Weng Zhuang, specially noted here.