"How have you two little whelps been these past two weeks?"
"Thank you for your reward, godfather! These past two weeks had food, drink, and women—your son has been happy as an immortal! My brother A Zu too! He's a Wildman from White Mountain and Black Water, usually living like he eats raw flesh and drinks blood. He must've saved up blessings for eight lifetimes to enjoy himself like this in godfather's residence! A Zu, why aren't you kneeling to thank godfather!"
"...Yes. Thank you for your reward, godfather!"
"Ahaha! What a little monkey whelp who knows how to climb the pole the moment he sees it! Our family has many godsons, but it's not that easy to become one. Li Wenbin begged our family for years, and our family still never loosened our tongue, didn't we..."
It was still that same splendid hall, still that compassionate Buddha statue. The old man in gorgeous robes, like an old fox, leaned sideways in the grand tutor's chair, his whole body exuding languor, while a faint smile sat on his face. With a smile that was not quite a smile, he looked at the two men saluting before him, especially letting his gaze linger on Zuwaro's beardless face, and said with an amused smile, "You're called A Zu? I didn't expect it—you really are a little monkey whelp born without hair. Not much hair above or below? That truly is rare, very different from ordinary Jurchen. Even our family is hearing of it for the first time..."
"I hear you can also chant poems and recite scriptures, pray for blessings and call down spirits, that you have some little knack for communing with the numinous? The other Jurchen chieftains all feel some awe toward your magic? Our family has seen no small