Showing Loyalty

The spring rain had stopped, and apricot blossoms peeked from the branches.

Riding in a donkey cart back to the Medicine Manor, Nie Yannian first had someone carry Wolf One's corpse into an empty room. Then he went to check on Black Mian and White Mian. Only after seeing that they were unharmed did he relax.

Hot water had already been prepared at the Medicine Manor. Nie Yannian and Meng Yuan each soaked in a bathing tub, both letting out sounds of contentment.

"I don't have any great wishes in this life. If I can eat meat every day and soak in hot baths, I'll be satisfied." Nie Yannian rarely spoke so sentimentally.

Meng Yuan said nothing. He merely soaked with his eyes closed, replaying his battle with Wolf One.

Though he had a bow, arrows, and a long blade, his methods of fighting an enemy were still too limited.

He had won this battle because he had dared to risk his life, certainly, but also because Wolf One had been born a monster. His mind turned somewhat slowly, and he did not know how to hold back his strength, so he had been worn to death.

But if his opponent had been an enemy of the same rank, the outcome would have been hard to say.

Moreover, before they had set out, Master Nie had said that a Two-Stone Bow would be enough. Yet Meng Yuan felt Master Nie had been too complacent. During this great battle, he had struck Wolf One with an arrow but caused no injury. Had he brought the Five-Stone Bow, it surely would have produced remarkable results.

After bathing, they changed into clean clothes prepared by the manor steward.

His inner garment was torn with holes and stained with much blood. Meng Yuan could not bear to throw it away, so he wrapped it up and put it aside, intending to wash and mend it when he returned.

As for the tattered outer garment, he threw it away directly.

When Nie Yannian saw it, he had no kind words for him. "It's ripped to pieces, and you still treat it like treasure. Look at how miserly you are!"

"My family stitched this clothing for me, stitch by stitch," Meng Yuan said.

After hearing that, Nie Yannian said no more.

After bathing, they felt even hungrier, so the two hurried off to eat.

The mutton had been stewed until it was tender and falling apart, without the slightest gamey odor. Smooth and rich as it went down, paired with fresh wild chives, it immediately washed away the chill after the spring rain. Their whole bodies warmed, and all their strength returned.

"Master Nie," Meng Yuan asked as he slurped down mutton, his body and heart thoroughly satisfied, "where does one find Spiritual Herbs and Precious Medicines?"

"Mostly deep in the mountains. You'll know in time." Nie Yannian was clearly too lazy to explain further.

They had just finished eating and washed their hands when they heard the clatter of hooves outside.

Ren Debiao had arrived with three men. The leader was an elegant middle-aged man in his forties, followed by two young men.

"Old Zhang!"

"Old Nie!"

This middle-aged man was exceedingly familiar with Nie Yannian. The moment they met, they exchanged no pleasantries and headed straight for the room where Black Mian and White Mian were being held.

White Mian's wounds had not been bandaged, and by now he was already at death's door.

The middle-aged man picked up the bundle recovered from the tunnel, then carefully inspected the scattered prayer beads and bodhi bracelet before asking Nie Yannian how everything had happened.

Nie Yannian did not answer. He merely raised his chin toward Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan knew that Nie Yannian was giving him an opportunity to grow, so he spoke in Nie Yannian's stead about how the Medicine Manor had been robbed of medicine and dogs. Then he described how they had devised a plan to capture Black Mian and White Mian, and how they had followed that thread to take the lives of Great Tail Venerable and Wolf One.

Naturally, most importantly, he recounted Great Tail Venerable's method for severing greed, as well as his deathbed gatha, word for word.

"It was the Demon Monk!" The middle-aged man reached his conclusion without the least panic. He looked to Nie Yannian again and asked, "Great Tail Venerable was a seventh-rank Buddha Demon. How capable was he?"

"He should have only recently broken through. He hadn't even comprehended all Six Supernatural Powers yet, though his Vajra Seal was fairly decent." Nie Yannian curled his lip and shook his head. "Truth be told, both his learning and martial skill were half-baked."

"You were still too complacent. You shouldn't have taken the children with you." The middle-aged man smiled, then looked at Meng Yuan. "You killed Wolf One alone?"

"Yes," Meng Yuan replied.

"How did you kill him? Tell me in detail."

Meng Yuan did not hide anything. He told him everything from beginning to end, including how he had finally taken the risk of a Forceful Kill.

"Well done." The middle-aged man praised him, patted Meng Yuan's shoulder, and said, "You have both courage and strategy. When did you enter the ranks? How long did it take?"

Meng Yuan did not answer, instead looking at Nie Yannian.

Nie Yannian stepped forward, smiling proudly. "He only began learning martial arts before the New Year. Before the first lunar month was out, he had already entered the ranks."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man looked Meng Yuan up and down once more. The other two young men also showed surprise.

"I say, Old Nie, this is a fine seedling!" The middle-aged man was deeply interested in Meng Yuan. "You've taught another good disciple!"

"Ah, it's the boy himself who has promise. I hardly taught him anything!" Though Nie Yannian spoke thus, he could no longer suppress his pride. Laughing loudly, he pressed down on Meng Yuan's neck and said, "This is Zhang Guinian, a Hundred-Household Commander. Call him Uncle Zhang!"

"Uncle Zhang!" Meng Yuan immediately said.

"Good child." Zhang Guinian nodded faintly, then asked curiously, "Old Nie, this boy speaks with clarity and has drive. His looks and aptitude are both excellent. Were you preparing him for your Qingqing?"

At those words, Nie Yannian's hand, which had been pressing Meng Yuan's neck, seemed to release him with some distaste. "He already has a young wife!"

"Isn't that perfect?" Zhang Guinian clapped his hands and said solemnly, "Have Qingqing become the second wife!"

Nie Yannian flew into a rage. "Why don't you let your daughter become the second wife?"

Zhang Guinian spread his hands and laughed. "My daughter hasn't consecutively brought three husbands to their deaths."

Nie Yannian seemed to have been stabbed in a sore spot. His face turned iron-blue, and he did not say a word.

Zhang Guinian grew even more pleased with himself. He raised his chin at Meng Yuan as though encouraging him.

Meng Yuan recalled the beautiful woman at the Drunken Moon Pavilion and could not help secretly glancing at Master Nie. Yet he saw that Master Nie, who had just been guiding him moments ago, was glaring at him instead. He hurriedly lowered his head and said nothing.

"Enough. Leave this matter to us. We won't delay you, Old Nie, from being a wealthy gentleman. Come find me in a couple of days and record the case files." Zhang Guinian called over the two young men who had come with him. They loaded Black Mian, White Mian, and Wolf One's corpse onto the carriage, covered them with black cloth, and then took their leave.

"We should go too." Nie Yannian was somewhat listless. Pointing at Ren Debiao, he said, "Monsters do not change their wild nature. They love revenge most of all. Stay here and guard the place for a few days. Keep up the patrols at night; don't let anything go wrong. When we return, I'll petition for merit on your behalf!"

"Yes!" Ren Debiao glanced at Meng Yuan. Seeing that Nie Yannian had not mentioned Meng Yuan's name, it was clear that he alone was being ordered to remain.

Nie Yannian said no more. Together with Meng Yuan, he mounted a horse and headed back toward the city.

"Master Nie, Uncle Zhang was joking. I don't have any such thoughts," Meng Yuan declared his innocence.

"I was young once too, damn it. Do you think I don't know what people your age think about all day?" Nie Yannian snapped.

Seeing that he had been taken for some lowly fellow who knew only lust after women, Meng Yuan's expression did not change. He pretended not to understand and merely said, "Master Nie, I've shared in a bit of merit by following you. This time, can I bring my family into the city?"

"You can. Go talk to Xun Mei when we get back. There's also three hundred taels of reward silver," Nie Yannian said.

At the sight of money, Meng Yuan's eyes lit up. He immediately smiled and cupped his hands. "It is all thanks to Master Nie's support!"

"But if you want to receive that silver, you'll need to keep your wits about you." Nie Yannian glanced at Meng Yuan.

"How so?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

Nie Yannian smiled but said no more.

Meng Yuan thought it over and asked quietly, "Do I need to show some loyalty?"

"You really are a talent, damn it!" Nie Yannian could not help laughing. "Remember this: right now, you belong only to the Princess Consort."

Meng Yuan understood. He was weak now and needed the Princess Consort's protection. But if his cultivation rose in the future, the situation between attack and defense would reverse.

But was the Princess Consort truly so capable? Meng Yuan had castrated men and fought monsters for this mistress, yet he still knew little about her.

"I can spend a lifetime learning from Master Nie and still never finish!" Meng Yuan flattered him, then asked softly, "Master Nie, I noticed that the Princess Consort's Quiet Garden lies to the southwest, while the Prince's residence is in the northeast. It seems as though they have divided the household. Do our Princess Consort and Prince not get along very well?"

"You only need remember that you are the Princess Consort's man. Ask less about other matters!" Nie Yannian snorted twice and said no more.

The spring rain had only just stopped, and the earth was moist as pastry. Riding on horseback, Meng Yuan kept making conversation and asking questions, but Nie Yannian remained cold and indifferent, not much inclined to speak.

The two were like a son-in-law meeting his father-in-law for the first time.