The Youth and the Old Dog

(Still six chapters behind.)

Chen Ping'an didn't return directly to Liu Xianyang's residence. Instead, he went back to Mud Bottle Alley first and told Ning Yao about Liu Xianyang's plan.

After listening, Ning Yao didn't offer any opinion. She simply said it was their business. Her job was to take money and avert disaster. If Liu Xianyang could escape calamity without her intervention, she would return the three bags of Golden Essence copper coins. Chen Ping'an said it wasn't about the money. Ning Yao retorted coldly, "So, you want to talk feelings with me? Have we reached that point?" Chen Ping'an was almost choked to death by her words and could only squat by the threshold, scratching his head.

Ning Yao glanced at the pastries Chen Ping'an had brought. There were the affordable and delicious glutinous rice date cakes, as well as the more expensive Dewdrop Balls. It was clearly the young man's best effort at hospitality. The young woman, surprisingly, felt a pang of softness and guilt. For a moment, she felt she had been a bit ungracious. She ate his food, lived in his place, and when faced with difficulty, even if she couldn't help much, she shouldn't add fuel to the fire. So she asked, "Could it be that Liu Xianyang was threatened physically at the blacksmith shop, forcing him to sell that dark green warty armor? For example, did the shop hide agents of the Four Clans and Ten Tribes who secretly taught Liu Xianyang a lesson?"

After a moment of thought, Chen Ping'an shook his head. "No. Liu Xianyang is definitely not the type to bow his head and admit defeat when threatened. The first time I met him, even though he was beaten until he vomited blood by those people from Fulu Street, he never said a word of surrender. He just endured it, almost to the point of being beaten to death. Liu Xianyang's personality hasn't changed in all these years."

Ning Yao asked again, "Young and vigorous, full of youthful courage, valuing promises over life and death. There's never been a shortage of such alleyway chivalrous men. I've seen many with my own eyes on my journey. However, when faced with great profit, a different temptation, can Liu Xianyang hold onto his original intentions?"

Chen Ping'an fell into thought again, and finally, his eyes became firm. "Liu Xianyang won't become a prodigal son just because outsiders give him something. He has deep feelings for his grandfather. Unless, as he said, his grandfather's dying wish was that the treasure armor could be sold, but not cheaply, and that Sword Scripture must remain with their Liu Family, to be passed down to future generations."

Ning Yao said, "From what I know, that warty armor is of good quality, but not overly rare. However, that Sword Scripture, since Zhengyang Mountain has coveted it for so long and even dispatched two people to search for treasure here, it's clear they consider it theirs. Therefore, the decision to sell the treasure armor and keep the Sword Scripture is understandable."

Chen Ping'an nodded.

Ning Yao stroked the green scabbard, her eyes cold. "To be safe, I'll accompany you to Liu Xianyang's residence. We'll deal with that woman first. Since Liu Xianyang himself said he wanted to sell it, we'll move the box containing the treasure armor. After that, I'll go with you to Master Ruan's shop to see Liu Xianyang and find out what he's really thinking. If it's truly his grandfather's dying wish, then you and I don't need to interfere. Every family has its own troubles; don't meddle in what's not yours. If it's not, then let him tell us his difficulties, and at worst, I'll just snatch the box back!"

Chen Ping'an asked with concern, "Miss Ning, are you feeling well?"

Ning Yao sneered, "If it were to deal with the Mountain-Moving Old Apes from Zhengyang Mountain, I'd definitely get roughed up. But if it's that woman, in this small town, I can handle her with one hand."

Chen Ping'an asked curiously, "Mountain-Moving Ape?"

Ning Yao perfunctorily explained, "A species of ancient fierce beast left in this world. Their true form is a giant ape as large as a mountain peak. Legend has it that once they reveal their true form, they can uproot a mountain and carry it away. But these are just legends, as no one has ever truly seen them. Zhengyang Mountain has been biding its time for centuries, and their foundation is very deep. Although their sect's ranking in East Treasure Bottle Continent isn't high, they shouldn't be underestimated. So, it's best if we don't clash with them. If we do clash..."

Chen Ping'an cautiously asked, "What if we clash?"

Ning Yao stood up, pushed her thumb out of the scabbard by an inch, and looked at the straw-sandaled youth with the expression of someone looking at an idiot. The young woman said as a matter of course, "What else? We kill them!"

Chen Ping'an swallowed.

Afterward, the young man, carrying his basket and with the young woman, who had put on her veiled hat again and wore the green sword at her waist, slowly walked towards Liu Xianyang's ancestral home.

Ning Yao turned her head and glanced at the young man's basket. "Why so little today?"

Chen Ping'an sighed. "Ma Kuxuan, oh, that's Granny Ma's grandson from Apricot Blossom Alley. He's about my age, but he seems like a completely different person now. According to him, the town's feng shui has changed, so the stones in these streams are retaining less 'qi'."

Ning Yao's expression became serious, and she said gravely, "He's right. This town is about to change. You'd best resolve this matter quickly and leave the town. Even if you return later, it's better than staying in the town all the time."

Chen Ping'an wasn't stubborn to the point of not turning back until he hit a wall. Having lived alone since childhood, he understood human warmth and coldness, as well as priorities, better. He nodded and smiled, "I will. As soon as I see Liu Xianyang have tea with Master Ruan to formally become his disciple, I'll leave immediately. Preferably, by then, Master Ruan will have also agreed to forge a sword for you."

Looking at the delighted young man, Ning Yao was puzzled. "Something that has nothing to do with you makes you so happy? Call you a soft-hearted good person, and you won't be convinced?"

Perhaps feeling they had become more familiar, Chen Ping'an spoke less guardedly than before, "Liu Xianyang, Gu Can, and you, Miss Ning. Think about it, out of so many people in the world, I only care about the well-being of these three. How am I a soft-hearted good person?"

Ning Yao asked with a smile, "Among those three, what's my rank?"

Chen Ping'an replied both sincerely and shyly, "Third, for now."

Ning Yao took off her sword and held it casually, patting the young man's shoulder lightly with the scabbard, smiling without warmth. "Chen Ping'an, you should thank me for not killing you."

Chen Ping'an asked inexplicably, "Don't you find it annoying to boil medicine?"

Ning Yao paused, understanding his thoughts. "Chen Ping'an, I suddenly realize you'll be able to live quite well even when you go out."

Chen Ping'an wasn't greedy at all, and said sincerely, "As long as it's as good as it is now, that's enough."

Ning Yao didn't commit, gently swinging the green sword in her hand, like a country girl swinging a flower branch.

As they reached the corner of Liu Xianyang's alley, a dark shadow suddenly darted out. Ning Yao almost drew her sword, but managed to restrain herself just in time. It turned out to be a yellow dog, circling Chen Ping'an affectionately. Chen Ping'an bent down and rubbed the yellow dog's head, then stood up and smiled, "It belongs to the family next door to Liu Xianyang's. Its name is Lai Fu. It's been here for many years. It's very timid. Liu Xianyang and I used to take it up the mountain, and it would only follow behind us, joining in the fun. Liu Xianyang always complained that Lai Fu couldn't catch rabbits or pheasants, saying Lai Fu was worse than a cat. Like the cat from Ma Kuxuan's house, some people saw it frequently bringing home wild chickens and snakes. But Lai Fu is old now, over ten years old, very old."

Saying this, the straw-sandaled youth couldn't help but bend down again, stroking Lai Fu's head, and said softly, "You're old now, you should accept it, right? Don't worry, when I make a lot of money in the future, I definitely won't let you go hungry."

Ning Yao shook her head. She couldn't empathize with this.

Even though she had seen many people and many things on her journey, from the high and mighty immortal masters to the ordinary people in the marketplace, from the rich young masters in brocade robes and warhorses to the divine demeanor of immortals soaring through the air, she had witnessed countless joys and sorrows.

Ning Yao

There were ascetics of Buddhism, walking barefoot with alms bowls in the howling wind and rain, chanting Buddhist names with steady steps. There were poor scholars rushing to the capital for exams, who gently painted eyebrows for fox spirits wearing human skin in dilapidated ancient temples. When they set off again, even though they knew their hair was already streaked with white, they had no regrets.

There was a young Daoist priest with the title of Celestial Master, walking alone in ancient battlefields and mass graves, silently chanting "Fu Sheng Wu Liang Tian Zun" (May blessings be boundless, Heavenly Venerable), expending his own cultivation to guide solitary souls on a path of transcendence. There was a middle-aged official who, upon taking office, personally banned idolatrous temples and Dragon King shrines. With cracked lips bleeding, he set up an incense table by a dry riverbed and hoarsely recited the "Dragon King Rain Prayer," finally kneeling and begging for forgiveness before the Dragon King temple for the sake of the people in his jurisdiction.

There was an old man in his seventies, a remnant of the previous dynasty, who refused to bring his son, who had served the new dynasty, and only brought his young grandson, who was in preparatory education, to ascend a height and compose an essay. Facing the broken mountains and rivers of his homeland, tears streamed down his face as he told his beloved grandson the original names of the now renamed prefectures and counties. There was a lone boat drifting down a thousand-mile long gorge, with a scholar full of spirit amidst the cries of apes on both banks. Reading to a point of understanding and joy, he let out a long roar towards the sky. There was a woman of unparalleled beauty, her face covered by armor, drinking wine on horseback after the smoke of battle had cleared.

The journey, the sights, the insights – Ning Yao's heart for the Dao remained as firm as a rock, without any hesitation.

Now, Ning Yao saw one more scene.

A lonely, impoverished boy from a back alley, carrying a basket with a fish creel tied to it, petting the head of an old dog, his eyes full of hope for the future.

Not long after they returned to Liu Xianyang's house, someone knocked on the courtyard gate. Chen Ping'an and Ning Yao exchanged a glance. Then Chen Ping'an went to open the door, while Ning Yao stood by the doorway, though she glanced back at the long sword lying quietly on the counter.

The person knocking was Lu Zhengchun, naturally led by the woman, accompanied by two loyal servants of the Lu family.

Lu Zhengchun's face was kind, and he asked softly, "You are Liu Xianyang's friend, named Chen Ping'an, right? We're here to move the box. Liu Xianyang should have informed you. So, please accept this bag of money. In addition, the conditions our madam promised Liu Xianyang will be fulfilled without fail in the future."

Chen Ping'an took the bag of money and stepped aside. The dignified and generous woman walked into the courtyard first, followed by Lu Zhengchun and the two servants. The woman personally opened the red lacquered wooden box that had already been placed in the main hall. She squatted down and reached out to touch the ugly-looking treasure armor. Her eyes showed a moment of daze, followed by unconcealed heat and desire. However, this emotion was quickly suppressed by the woman, and she regained her normal composure. She stood up and signaled Lu Zhengchun to move the box. The item was not heavy, as it only contained a suit of armor.

The woman was the last to leave the room. As she reached the threshold, she looked back at the straw-sandaled youth and smiled, "Liu Xianyang truly considers you a friend."

Chen Ping'an, not understanding the hidden meaning, could only remain silent, watching them leave the courtyard.

Finally, Chen Ping'an stood outside the door, reluctant to move for a long time. Ning Yao came to his side.

The woman walked behind Lu Zhengchun and the other two. When she reached the end of the alley, she turned her head and saw the young man and woman standing side by side. She said playfully, "Youth is wonderful, but you have to be alive to enjoy it."

In the covered bridge spanning the creek, a tall youth lay in a pool of blood, his body convulsing and spitting up blood.

But this time, the tall youth wouldn't hear a certain thin, dark guy shouting himself hoarse, "Someone's dead!" over and over.

At the steps leading up to the north end of the covered bridge, a crowd had gathered, murmuring amongst themselves. They watched the commotion from afar, but no one dared approach the youth, fearing trouble.

Two people walked briskly into the covered bridge. The man knelt down, took the youth's wrist, and his expression grew heavier.

The green-clothed girl seethed with hatred, gritting her teeth, "He smashed his chest in with one punch! What a brutal method!"

The man remained silent.

The green-clothed girl, her hair tied in a ponytail, snapped angrily, "Dad! You're just going to watch Liu Xianyang get beaten to death like this? Liu Xianyang is practically your disciple!"

The man hadn't let go of the youth's wrist. His face was expressionless as he calmly said, "How was I to know that the esteemed Zhengyang Mountain would be so undisciplined this time?"

The girl abruptly stood up, "If you won't, I will!"

The man looked up and slowly asked, "Ruan Xiu, do you want your father to collect your corpse?"

The girl strode forward, resolute, her voice deep, "I, Ruan Xiu, am not just good at eating! I can also kill!"

A hint of thunderous rage flickered in the man's brow.

Part of it was due to his daughter's recklessness, but more so, it was the viciousness of that old ape from Zhengyang Mountain.

The man pondered. Since he hadn't officially taken over Qi Jingchun's position, did that mean he didn't have to play by the rules?

The green-clothed girl suddenly stopped.

She suddenly saw a thin youth running frantically towards her from the other end of the covered bridge.

She recognized the familiar figure, wearing straw sandals, his face expressionless, as calm as a still pond.

They passed each other in an instant. The girl wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. For no reason, she felt wronged and tears welled up.

As the straw-sandaled youth sat beside him and took one of the tall youth's hands, Liu Xianyang, his vision blurred, seemed to gain a bit of spirit. He tried to force a smile and said haltingly, "That old hag said if I didn't hand over the Treasure Armor, she'd kill you... She also said she and her son came to our small town alone, so being expelled was a price she could afford. I was scared, really scared she'd go kill you... What I told you before wasn't entirely a lie. My grandfather did tell me those things, so I figured selling it was no big deal... But just now, she sent someone to find me again, saying the old woman had gone mad. Upon hearing I didn't have the Sword Scripture, she insisted on killing you first, then me. I was really worried about you, wanted to give you a heads-up... So I ran all the way here, and then that old bastard punched me. It hurts a bit..."

The straw-sandaled youth lowered his head, gently wiping the blood from the corner of Liu Xianyang's mouth. His dark, thin face was deeply furrowed as he softly said, "Don't be afraid, it'll be alright. Trust me, stop talking, I'll take you home..."

The tall youth's forced spirit gradually faded, his gaze drifting. He mumbled, "I don't regret it, and don't blame yourself, really... It's just... I'm a little scared. Turns out I was afraid of dying too."

Finally, the tall youth tightly gripped his only friend's hand and sobbed, "Chen Ping'an, I'm really afraid of dying."

The straw-sandaled youth sat on the ground, one hand tightly gripping Liu Xianyang's, the other clenched into a fist on his knee.

He gasped for air, breathing desperately.

The young man, at this moment, looked like an old dog.

The straw-sandaled youth's eyes were red.

When he wanted to demand justice from heaven, he looked even more like a dog.

Chen Ping'an didn't want this, he never wanted this again in his life!