Nine-Life Thief

The Zhen Estate, Listening Water Pavilion.

After recounting everything to Mr. Yu without leaving anything out, Ding Songyan, Xu Chang'an, and Ding Daniu were told to wait here for further news.

There were no great tubs of ice here, nor a Water-Driven Fan, but nearby, water cascaded from the top of an artificial hill. Its ceaseless splashing spread a refreshing coolness.

Xu Chang'an sat, then walked, then paced back and forth, restless with anxiety.

Looking up, he saw Ding Daniu beaming as he stuffed dried meat into his mouth and chewed with gusto, while Ding Songyan leisurely sipped tea and sampled the Mung Bean Cake, Sesame Crunch Candy, and other refreshments offered by the Zhen Estate.

"Second Brother Ding, aren't you nervous or worried?" Xu Chang'an couldn't help asking.

Ding Songyan swept aside the floating tea leaves with his cup lid and said with a faint smile:

"Being nervous won't help."

Besides, he's your master, not mine.

"I heard in an opera that a man with thunder raging in his chest and a face as calm as a still lake could be appointed supreme general. Second Brother Ding, you'll surely be more than a storyteller someday," Xu Chang'an said enviously.

Ding Songyan pointed at his elder brother:

"Then what does that make him?"

Ding Daniu was wholly absorbed in eating the Zhen Estate's refreshments. He paid neither of them any attention and showed no trace of nervousness or worry.

Not right in the head, probably... Xu Chang'an didn't dare say it aloud. Brother Ding's bare arms alone were as thick as his thighs.

Over an hour later, Mr. Yu returned to Hanshui Pavilion.

He said to Old Master Zhen:

"The deceased was Zhang Rui, a well-known thief in the prefectural capital. We found this book on him."

Zhen Qianfan, who had long since set down his Iron Guts, took the book. The paper felt tough and somewhat water-resistant, though it was covered in creases. Several large characters adorned the cover:

"Mystic Art of Ten Bodies and Hundred Hands"

Inside, there was a plum-blossom-shaped secret mark and a name, written in a different hand from the cultivation art itself-"Jia Yushu."

Zhen Qianfan flipped through it quickly. The last page read "Steal Heavenly Secrets," but contained only a few sparse lines, with nothing following them.

"Though incomplete, it's enough to cultivate to the perfection of the Dayan Realm.

"Jia Yushu-the 'Nine-Life Thief,' Jia Yushu?"

Mr. Yu replied:

"Not far from Zhang Rui's body, we dug up another corpse, already reduced to bones. Its physical characteristics matched this cultivation art. It should be Jia Yushu, the Nine-Life Thief.

"He was very likely the one who stole the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas from the estate."

One of Old Master Zhen's four ears suddenly twitched. He nodded slightly and said:

"So it was him."

"Doctor Shao has examined the remains. He believes Jia Yushu died roughly nine months ago," Mr. Yu continued.

Old Master Zhen's expression shifted several times, and a brilliant light flared in his eyes:

"He stole the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas nine months ago, only to turn around and die in Potter's Field?

"Useless!"

What... Mr. Yu was taken aback.

He had spent many years at the Zhen Estate and knew the old master never let joy or anger show on his face. Why was he displaying such obvious emotion today?

And calling Jia Yushu "useless," at that?

In the unfathomable silence, Zhen Qianfan murmured to himself:

"Why didn't the person who killed Jia Yushu take the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas or this Mystic Art of No Blame?

"Heh. Nine-Life Thief-even nine lives couldn't spare him from death in the end."

Mr. Yu reported truthfully:

"Doctor Shao believes Jia Yushu wasn't murdered. He took his own life."

"Took his own life..." Zhen Qianfan raised his eyelids, unable to conceal his shock.

A moment later, his gaze grew extraordinarily complicated. There was no telling what had occurred to him.

Listening Water Pavilion.

Seeing Mr. Yu enter, Xu Chang'an hurried over to meet him. Ding Songyan set down his teacup and followed close behind.

Ding Daniu reluctantly licked his fingers and slowly stood.

"You mustn't tell anyone about this. To outsiders, say only that Zhang Rui offended the Zhen Estate and fled far away to seek refuge." Mr. Yu's gaze swept across their faces before settling on Xu Chang'an. "The things found on your master can't be given to you. They weren't his, either. As for the courtyard and money he left behind, you fellow disciples can discuss how to divide them yourselves."

Xu Chang'an's heart settled back into place, and he repeatedly agreed with immense gratitude.

Mr. Yu gestured for him and Ding Daniu to leave first, keeping only Ding Songyan behind.

Then he said to Ding Songyan in a low voice:

"The old master greatly appreciates your conduct over these past few days. You have a keen eye for circumstances, make decisive judgments when matters arise, and show composure far beyond your years.

"Aunt Qin previously asked about martial training on your behalf. The old master said just now that if you wish to join the Xiaoming Sect, the Zhen Estate can find you a good martial school so you can begin Body Tempering and Qi Training beforehand, without spending any money yourself. If you wish to enter the Zhen Estate, anything other than the estate's secret teachings is open to consideration."

Ding Songyan listened intently, but showed no obvious delight. Experience told him that whenever such promises and good fortune appeared, a "but" was bound to follow. If none came, he would instead be frightened and scramble to steer clear.

"But you must do one thing," Mr. Yu said, changing tack.

"What is it? Is it dangerous?" Ding Songyan asked, having expected this.

"Not dangerous. You simply need to keep your lips sealed. You mustn't tell anyone, including Aunt Qin or your parents and siblings," Mr. Yu said, staring into Ding Songyan's eyes.

Before Ding Songyan could reply, he suddenly changed the subject:

"The Legend of the White Snake you've been telling outside Dangkang Temple these past few days is good. People are already discussing it in the streets and alleys. But some are displeased. They think you've broken the rules by abruptly switching from historical tales to romances and legends. If they didn't know you had ties to the Zhen Estate, they would already have complained to the Storytellers' Association and put obstacles in your way, openly and in secret."

Those in the same trade are natural enemies... Ding Songyan wasn't surprised.

He had already prepared an explanation for any fellow storytellers who might come looking for trouble:

He was young and fond of pretty women, and wanted to win Miss Xiaoqing's favor. He would tell fewer stories in the future and devote most of his energy to martial training.

Seeing that Ding Songyan showed neither surprise, anger, nor fear, Mr. Yu nodded slightly and said:

"We have an honored guest at the estate who enjoys romances and legends, but doesn't want anyone to know he's staying here.

"In the past, we had members of our own household gather storybooks and teach themselves storytelling to preserve the secret. By now, our honored guest has grown tired of all the common tales. Your Legend of the White Snake has arrived at just the right time.

"If you agree to tell it to him and keep this matter secret, you'll count as a member of our household and naturally receive the benefits I just mentioned."

"With Sister Nuansheng here, I'm already half a member of the Zhen Estate." Ding Songyan established their connection first, then asked carefully, "Does this honored guest have any other preferences?"

I sell my skills, not my body!

It took Mr. Yu several breaths to grasp Ding Songyan's hidden meaning. His expression shifted slightly:

"Our honored guest's only interest is listening to romances and legends.

"If he wanted something else, would the Zhen Estate be unable to find it? Would we need to come to you?"

That's good, then... Ding Songyan inwardly murmured his assent.

Mr. Yu looked at him and said:

"You don't need to answer right away. Give me your reply tomorrow."

Ding Songyan breathed a sigh of relief and took the opportunity to thank Mr. Yu for his help with the earlier matter.

Chengyu Lane, the Ding Family courtyard.

After dinner, once the table, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks had been put away, Ding Songyan took a bowl of water and a boar-bristle toothbrush, squatted in front of the elm tree, and began cleaning his mouth.

His father, Ding Shengyi, was doing much the same beside him.

After gargling and spitting, Ding Songyan turned to his father and asked thoughtfully:

"Father, are the Yi clan's cultivation arts never taught to people with other surnames?"

From what he had learned over the past two days, the Yi clan was one of the Three Clans in Great Zhao's Two Religions and Three Clans. It was a powerful aristocratic clan, a top-tier force with a Great Grandmaster, considerably stronger than the Xiaoming Sect, whose influence was limited to Dingjiang Prefecture. Yi Qincang, the County Yamen's county lieutenant, was a member of its direct line.

Ding Shengyi spat out his rinsing water, turned to study Ding Songyan, and only after a while said:

"You'd have to marry into the family.

"Besides, County Lieutenant Yi has no daughters, so don't get any ideas, boy."

The corner of Ding Songyan's mouth twitched:

"Father, you don't seem particularly bothered by that sort of thing?"

Ding Shengyi, whose bearing was somewhat soft and feminine, chuckled:

"When your father was down on his luck, I ate one full meal and went hungry for the next three. If the Liu Family hadn't taken a liking to me, I might have frozen to death at home or starved by the roadside. I didn't see our ancestors protecting me then."

"Perhaps the Liu Family taking a liking to you was our ancestors protecting you," Ding Songyan countered mildly.

From the sound of it, Mother's family in Yuejiang Prefecture had quite a bit of money?

Ding Shengyi fell silent.

After a while, he sighed and said:

"The Yi clan is actually quite accommodating. If you truly earn merit, they'll allow your descendants to reclaim their old surname. They would still have to become a branch of the Yi Family, though, and pass down their cultivation arts according to the Yi clan's rules."

Ding Songyan murmured his acknowledgment, then asked:

"Father, why did we have to leave our home behind and come to Dingjiang Prefecture to seek refuge with Sister Nuansheng?"

This had always puzzled him, especially now that he had discovered the Liu Family's circumstances apparently hadn't been poor.

Ding Shengyi's hands suddenly trembled. Only after a long while did he pat Ding Songyan's shoulder:

"It's a good thing you've forgotten..."

He paused, then said with a despondent expression:

"When your father was down on his luck, I did some things that weighed on my conscience. After the Liu Family fell on hard times, someone started looking into those matters again, so we had no choice but to come to Dingjiang Prefecture and seek refuge with Nuansheng. Don't ask about the details. Rest assured, what happened to you had nothing to do with this. If it had, your father would already be in prison."

With that, he stood and returned to the main house.

That night, lying in bed, Ding Songyan spoke through the screen:

"Little Sister, why did our family leave Yuejiang Prefecture?"

Ding Qingyan laughed:

"Only you, Father, and Mother know about that. I begged you to tell me before, but your lips were sealed tight and you refused to say a word. Now you're asking me!"

As she spoke, her voice grew wistful:

"Back then, we lived in a big house with three courtyards. Although the other branches of the Liu Family lived there too, and we only had half a courtyard, it was still better than here. There were clay pipes that drew water from the well and brought it to us, and toilets with water tanks..."

Ding Songyan wasn't deeply moved by this. He merely felt that his elder brother's nature was frightening, while his father harbored hidden dangers of his own. The Ding Family seemed secure for the moment, but storms could descend on it at any time.

At last, he decided to accept the task from the Zhen Estate.

His worries put to rest, Ding Songyan was about to close his eyes and sleep when a sudden gust of cold wind swept over him, making his whole body shiver.

"You haven't even written what you're going to tell tomorrow. How can you sleep?" A soft, sweet voice whispered gently beside his ear.