Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Chapter 97: The Things That Follow
At the end, Bai Zhengliu took out the two tassels that had once been taken away by Ling Shuangzi and Ling Kongzi, only to make their rounds and return to his hands.
These were clearly items that had left his possession not long ago. Looking at them now, Ling Yunzi’s mood had completely changed.
She had received so much news in one day that she didn’t know how to react, only gently tracing them with her fingers one by one.
Bai and Mei watched quietly. It wasn’t just her—Ling Xiaozhi and Ling Bozi displayed the same dazed reaction.
Originally, Bai and Mei had thought to bring up the events involving Chang Yangzi and the Old Ghost as “Yunxu Daoist,” but seeing the seniors’ state, the two exchanged glances and started communicating silently through their eyes.
Bai Zhengliu: “Given how things are, I’m afraid if we say anything more, the seniors won’t hear it.”
Mei Yinghan: “Exactly.”
Bai Zhengliu: “Shall we leave it for another day?”
Mei Yinghan: “Mm…”
It could only be that way.
They had been out for a long time and had finally returned to a safe place. Their bodies and minds were exhausted—it was better to rest first.
With that decided, the swordsman and the blade master together bid farewell to the seniors. Hearing their words, the seniors suddenly realized and all nodded.
“Go rest quickly,” Ling Yunzi said with concern. “You must have suffered a lot these past days!”
Ling Bozi added, “Better to eat something before sleeping. Yinghan, take Bai Shaoxia to the kitchen. We’ve been stewing easily digestible food, thinking you might return. Other dishes might spoil if heated too long, but the porridge is fine…”
“Indeed,” Ling Xiaozhi nodded. “Though it’s not very flavorful, it’ll fill the stomach. Eat first, then sleep—don’t rush to rise tomorrow.”
Hearing their caring words, Bai Zhengliu felt a warmth in his heart. He cupped his hands to the Tianshan seniors, returning their care: “Seniors, you’ve worried for us all these days—you deserve a proper rest now.”
Mei Yinghan also said, “Exactly. If our stories caused you any concern, that would be our fault.”
Ling Yunzi gave a helpless smile. “Alright. We understand your thoughts. Let’s all go rest without saying anything further.”
Only then did smiles appear on Bai and Mei’s faces.
What followed was eating and sleeping.
The first time Bai Zhengliu came to Tianshan, he had stayed in a guest room like other visitors. Now, he was placed directly in the residence of Tianshan disciples, sleeping next to Mei Yinghan.Earlier, while walking and talking, Bai Zhengliu hadn’t noticed, but now back in the room, lying on the bed with his eyes closed, exhaustion surged over him like a tidal wave.
He didn’t even finish saying to himself, “I’m this tired,” before being pulled into a deep sleep. From that afternoon, he slept until noon the next day—truly living up to Ling Xiaozhi’s advice, “Don’t rush to get up.”
The sleep was pitch-dark and sweet, with almost no dreams.
He groggily opened his eyes, his mind not yet fully awake. Seeing the light outside the window, his first reaction was, “Oh, looks like it’s not evening yet.” Then he realized he felt fully refreshed, as if he hadn’t just slept a couple of hours.
After sensing carefully for a moment, a new thought surged in his mind.
Looking at the sun… what? Did I really sleep this long?
This is too much fatigue. No, I must get up and practice my blade!
—But…
The bed in Tianshan sect was really comfortable. Inside the quilt, it was even warmer and cozier.
Only the part of his cheek touching the outside already felt the chill.
He slowly shrank his body downward.
An inch, two inches… tucking everything below his eyes into the quilt—that felt satisfying.
He yawned slowly, and weariness returned. This time, it wasn’t that he wanted to sleep—it was that after enduring so many troubles, finding a good spot made him instinctively want to stay a little longer.
Bai Zhengliu told himself, “I’ll rest a little, then get up to greet Mei Yinghan.”
Then he thought: “If Mei doesn’t come to call me, maybe he’s still asleep? If so, going to wake him would be too reckless.”
After all, it was Mei’s territory—maybe it was better to wait for Mei Yinghan to come call him?… No, no, no, that’s too cautious.
Countless thoughts circled in Bai Zhengliu’s mind. He closed his eyes again, though his awareness was growing clearer. When he heard the sound of a door opening next door, he said to himself, “…Alright, get up!”
The night before, Mei Yinghan had already shown him the box with clean clothes. Now opening it, Bai Zhengliu took out the new clothes to change before going out to wash up.
As expected, he ran into Mei Yinghan across the way. Bai Zhengliu greeted him: “Mei Yinghan, good morning.”
Mei Yinghan smiled, still gentle and clear in appearance. “Morning.”
Bai Zhengliu studied him and noticed a difference: “Mei Yinghan, did you get up earlier?”Mei Yinghan blinked: “Hmm, I got up a little earlier than you, Bai.”
Bai Zhengliu: “Ahem, ahem!”
Mei Yinghan smiled: “Bai, you’ve worked harder than me recently, so sleeping a bit longer is only natural—I’ll go get some food. Hmm, do you want hot water?”
Bai Zhengliu: “Hmm.”
The swordsman felt his heart stir.
While thinking to himself, “It’s hard to go from luxury to simplicity,” he carefully felt the cold wind on his cheek, a bit embarrassed, yet said: “Hot water… where is it? I can fetch it myself.”
Mei Yinghan smiled: “Also in the kitchen. You needn’t worry, Bai. It’s winter, and Tianshan’s climate is like this—our disciples often crowd into the kitchen early for hot water to wash. Before, someone wanted to carry water back, but if it gets back, the hot water cools down, so it’s better to use it right there. Even our master does this.”
Bai Zhengliu knew he was being comforted, and indeed, he felt reassured.
A smile slowly spread across the swordsman’s face. Mei Yinghan noticed and felt a subtle stir in his heart but spoke naturally, recounting the other events that happened before he got up that morning.
“I also mentioned matters about the Grandmaster,” he began. “The master said we should carefully recall what the Grandmaster said before leaving—there may still be things we misunderstood before.”
Bai Zhengliu nodded.
Mei Yinghan continued: “And those lotus pickers earlier. Most of them were only hungry and exhausted, like us; some food and a rest restored their energy. The only difficult case was Uncle Zhao—he survived, but what comes after is uncertain.”
Bai Zhengliu nodded again, his mood once more turning heavy.
Mei Yinghan said: “Junior Sister Ling Yunzi thought of a solution. She asked Uncle Zhao if he would like to learn some weaving and tailoring skills. After all, he only injured one finger; the rest are usable. As for his legs, tailoring can be done sitting down… Our sect has many disciples, and a lot of clothes are made every year. In the future, not all must be purchased at Uncle Zhao’s. If someone occasionally tends the business, they won’t become rich, but at least can live reasonably.”
Bai Zhengliu was surprised, then slowly smiled: “Did Uncle Zhao agree?”
Mei Yinghan smiled slightly: “Of course he did. Junior Sister Ling Yunzi made arrangements: first, send Uncle Zhao home to reunite with his family. After some time, teach him the skills. Later, perhaps he’ll come to Tianshan, or Junior Sister Ling Yunzi will go down the mountain—then we’ll decide.”
Bai Zhengliu: “This is good.”
As they had said before, if Zhao’s future depended entirely on others, he couldn’t survive. They weren’t wealthy—how could they pull out resources to feed others when barely enough for themselves?
But if “buying is for a more difficult business,” the situation is different. Bai Zhengliu thought, at least he was willing to support Zhao’s business.
Mei Yinghan also smiled: “Of course. I think Junior Sister Ling Yunzi also wanted, through this, to atone a little for Senior Uncles Ling Shuangzi and Ling Kongzi…” He pressed his lips together, his expression tightening, and told Bai Zhengliu: “They built a small tomb for the two senior uncles. Nameless, only two tassels were buried.”
Bai Zhengliu blinked slowly, silent.
Mei Yinghan said: “Those senior uncles caused countless injuries and harm… We’d rather not dwell on it. But to say they were innocent—there’s no chance of that.”Bai Zhengliu looked at him with some concern.
Mei Yinghan exhaled and said: “In the end, they helped us slay the old ghost, so they did a good deed—but merit and demerit can’t be so simply offset. Unlike the townsfolk who lost their families, we have no right to speak of these things. The actions of the masters are just a simple way to remember.”
Bai Zhengliu sighed: “Mei, I understand.”
Mei Yinghan closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were in the kitchen.
A usual gentle and courteous smile returned to his face as he said: “Enough of this, Bai. Let’s go inside.”
Bai Zhengliu nodded.
…
…
After that day, life was fairly uneventful.
Bai Zhengliu went in and out daily with Mei Yinghan, sometimes accompanied by the masters to search for spirit stone mines and practice martial arts. During this period, the Tianshan masters’ martial skills progressed rapidly, and they began planning to bring more disciples in.
As these days passed, the New Year gradually approached. Although many disciples went out to deliver messages and didn’t return, the Tianshan sect still grew festive day by day. Lanterns were hung, couplets were written, “Fu” characters and paper-cut decorations appeared everywhere—the whole sect looked lively and joyous.
But there was one problem.
In the intervals of practicing martial arts, writing couplets, and cutting paper flowers… Bai Zhengliu always felt Mei’s gaze occasionally lingering on him.
When he turned to look, half the time, Mei would not avoid it and would simply smile at him. The other half, Mei would calmly turn away and continue speaking with others.
Bai Zhengliu rubbed his chin, letting his eyes scan the slightly tense lines of the swordsman’s shoulders, and came to a conclusion in his heart.
Mei has a secret.
Author’s note:
Detective Xiao Bai