Chapter Fifty-One: So Be It

After being unconscious for a long time, his head still spun. Taiyi held a steamed bun in one hand and rubbed his forehead with the other, smiling, “Brother Sansi really went all out—I’m still dizzy now.”

Nian’er covered her mouth, giggling. “Young Master Ye’s insight far surpasses mine. Think of it, Ling Shuang and I have practiced for so long, yet our realm can’t compare to his. Even that precious gourd—he knows how to use it. Looks like we’re no match for him.”

Ling Shuang waved her hand. “Don’t mention the gourd. If Second Grandfather finds out, he’ll be angry. And if Grand Elder learns of it, he’ll punish Sansi—he might even expel him from the fortress…”

“How could that be?” Taiyi finished eating and began tidying the dishes. “Brother Sansi is my father’s sworn brother. No matter how angry the Grand Elder gets, he wouldn’t expel him.”

“Taiyi, you don’t understand. Grand Elder values propriety above all. The Treasure Pavilion strictly forbids disciples from entering, and Sansi sneaked out his favorite gourd. He won’t tolerate that, so I hope he comes back after Sansi.”

After a brief conversation, the Second Elder entered the room and looked at Taiyi. “Disciple, you’re finally awake. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Master. Let me explain about Brother Sansi first.”

“No rush, no rush. Wait till you’re better, then speak with the fortress master and your uncle in the hall.”

Ling Shuang was taken aback. She asked Liu Mu, “Uncle? Father and Grand Elder have returned?”

“Yes, just now. After dinner, they’re discussing matters in the reception hall. I came to fetch Taiyi. And since your elder brother and Zhen’er are back, the fortress won’t lack for stewards. It’s still early, so I’ll leave the city to find Sansi.”

Ling Shuang hurried over, hugging Liu Mu’s arm, smiling. “Second Grandfather, there’s no need. I’ll secretly tell you—I actually know where Sansi went. He just borrowed Grand Elder’s gourd to go home for a bit; he’ll be back in a few days.”

“Shuang’er, you’ve always had the same look when lying. If you knew, you wouldn’t have fainted with worry last night. If Sansi really went home for a few days, I’ll cover for you.”

Ling Shuang leaned her head on Liu Mu’s shoulder, laughing coyly. “Mm, Second Grandfather treats Shuang’er best.”

Liu Mu led the three to the reception hall. Ling Shuang ran to the Grand Elder, hugged him, and said, “Grand Elder, you’re finally back. Shuang’er missed you so much.”

Liu Jin smiled, stroked her head, and laughed. “What’s there to worry about? You know your Grand Elder’s skills. Mere little monsters are nothing to me. Alas, it’s a pity—we searched for days but found no trace of the demon. After all this toil, I am truly weary. I’ve returned to the fortress to recuperate.” Ling Shuang laughed and found a seat.

Taiyi stepped forward and bowed. “Disciple Li Taiyi greets Grand Uncle.”

“Very good, rise. Second brother, is this the fine disciple you mentioned?”

“Yes, elder brother. What do you think?”

“I find him superior to Zhen’er—sensible. But your disciple is yours to judge; I won’t interfere. Hmm? Who is this young lady? She has an air of immortality—has she learned some celestial arts?”

Nian’er stepped forward and bowed. “Grand Elder, my name is Lin Nian’er, daughter of Lin Youzhi, the governor of Qingyang. I have studied the Universe Lock of Celestial Island and the seventy-two swords of the Liu school; that’s all.”

Liu Jin stroked his beard and said slowly, “Impossible. This aura is like an immortal’s, yet not quite the same. How could mere Celestial Island arts be so powerful? Hahaha, no more guessing. Young lady, you must be one with a great immortal fate—your future knows no bounds.”

“Hey, elder brother, your eye for people is sharp. Then tell me, does Shuang’er have great prospects?”

Liu Jin looked at Ling Shuang and laughed, “Hahaha, my Shuang’er…”

Ling Shuang sat beside Liu Jin, hands on her hips, lips pouting, eyes sharp. “Grand Elder, you must say it well!”

Liu Jin laughed heartily. “Shuang’er, her future is boundless, boundless. Right, isn’t there another young man? Why isn’t he here?”

Liu Zhen chimed in, “Yes, Shuang’er, why didn’t Sansi come?”

Ling Shuang scratched her head and muttered, “Sansi, well…”

“Sansi missed his home, so I escorted him out of Lingzhou,” Liu Mu said, cutting her off.

Liu Jin slapped the table. “Second brother, you’re confused! How can you escort a junior out of the city just because he’s homesick? What if he catches the demon plague? What if Lingzhou falls? Who will handle the fortress affairs? Also, leaving Lingzhou requires opening the barrier—if even a trace of demon plague leaks out then, what will happen? If Lingzhou suffers, do you want the whole world to be in peril?”

Liu Mu just then remembered the barrier. Ling Shuang, hearing Liu Jin’s words, was stunned, then softly said, “Grandfathers, father, Shuang’er feels unwell and will leave now.”

Taiyi and Nian’er followed and left to chase her. In the reception hall, Liu Jin continued to grumble about the absurdity of the matter, chastising Liu Mu, while Liu Zhen explained, trying to defuse the situation.

Ling Shuang ran to her room, Taiyi and Nian’er followed. Ling Shuang sat down, back to them, and asked Taiyi, “Taiyi, tell me honestly—why did Sansi leave the city?”

“Haven’t I said? He went back to Buyun Mountain.”

“It’s come to this, and you still lie to me. Grand Elder said there’s a barrier in Lingzhou—I just remembered. If Sansi really went home, why didn’t he turn back at the barrier?”

“Ling Shuang, the barrier slipped our minds too. Think about it—Sansi was using the gourd for the first time, surely not quick. It’d take three to five days to reach the barrier, then another seven or eight to return. You’re just worried, so it feels long. Counting now, Sansi’s been gone only a day—it’s still early.”

“Is that really so?”

Nian’er came to Ling Shuang, knelt beside her, held her arms gently, and said softly, “Ling Shuang, Young Master Li makes sense. It’s only been a day—he may not even have finished a tenth of the journey. Besides, Young Master Ye is mortal; he’ll need to rest at night. A round trip would take ten days. Don’t worry, you know Ye does things carefully; nothing will happen.”

“Really? Alright, I’ll wait ten days. If he doesn’t return, I’ll ignore the demon plague and search all of Lingzhou to find him.”

Taiyi wiped cold sweat from his forehead, thinking, Sansi, Sansi, your cold words—how can I bear to speak them? If you don’t return in ten days, should I tell or keep silent?

Taiyi said, “I was a bit rude in the reception hall—came to greet Grand Uncle, but left before he spoke. It’s improper. I’ll go back to help Master out.”

Taiyi left Ling Shuang’s room, heading outside. Nian’er caught up, saying she had something to discuss.

When Nian’er left, she closed the door and exited the western courtyard, then asked, “Young Master Li, be honest with me—what is Ye really doing?”

“Well…”

“I can see through lies. Ling Shuang is pure, but she won’t be fooled long. Tell me the truth—it’ll help if things drag on.”

“Alright. Since you know, I’ll tell you. But you mustn’t let Ling Shuang know.”

Nian’er agreed. Taiyi looked around, then whispered, “Brother Sansi went to rid Lingzhou of the demon plague.”

Nian’er frowned, anxiously. “How could Young Master Ye risk himself alone? Even five elders can’t resolve it—why does he try to prove himself? The city outside Lingzhou is extremely dangerous.”

“Ah, I said so too, but Sansi was determined. I wanted to go with him, but he used the Universe Lock to fix me in place.”

“This won’t stay hidden for long. It won’t end well for Ling Shuang or the elders. I think you should confess to the elders, so they know Ye’s action is righteous, and don’t punish him by mistake. Maybe they can bring him back.”

“Brother Sansi insisted no one should know. I must honor his wish. Only you and I know—no third person.”

“Sigh, since Young Master Ye arranged it, I won’t say more. My lips are sealed, rest assured. I’ll go back now—I’ve been out too long; Ling Shuang may get suspicious.”

Nian’er returned to her room; Taiyi entered the reception hall. The elders were still arguing. Taiyi approached, bowed, and broke the impasse. “Taiyi was rude, now returns to beg forgiveness from Master, Grand Uncle, and Fortress Master.”

Liu Jin sat upright, stroked his beard. “Oh—beg forgiveness? What’s your crime?”

“First, I left after greeting Grand Uncle, without waiting for the elders to speak.”

“Hm… you bowed and left—I wouldn’t mind. What’s the second?”

“The second… I deceived Grand Uncle. Brother Sansi was not sent off by Master, but accompanied by me… accompanied to the Treasure Pavilion to steal your gourd…”

Liu Jin slammed the table, stood, and shouted, “What… Well! This disciple is bold—dared trespass my Treasure Pavilion and take my gourd. Zhen’er, this disciple mustn’t stay. Such disregard for propriety—if he’s not expelled from Liu Fortress, how can we uphold authority?”

Liu Zhen rose, bowed to Liu Jin. “But Sansi is extraordinary—not only is his talent remarkable, but he is Ling Shuang’s friend and sworn brother of Qi Fei. Our Liu family must look after him especially.”

Liu Jin snorted, flicked his sleeves. “Ha, what does that matter? With such talent but no propriety, he’ll be trouble. I’ve always treated everyone equally—no exceptions. If Ling Shuang’s friends number thousands, Qi Fei’s sworn brothers number thousands, and all get special treatment, the fortress would be chaos.”

Taiyi knelt, loudly. “Grand Elder, please forgive me. My brother Ye Sansi is from Unknown Peak of Buyun Mountain, just arrived days ago. He knows nothing of the world or propriety. If there’s a crime, let me bear it for him.”

Liu Jin, hearing Taiyi’s words, was moved. He sat heavily, sighed deeply, and after a moment, said, “Let it go, let it go. Young people, mistakes are inevitable. My gourd isn’t a treasure; it’s useless in the Pavilion. Giving it to him is fine. Taiyi, you may rise.”

Liu Jin’s change surprised Liu Mu and Liu Zhen, but Taiyi had expected it. Taiyi rose, bowed. “Thank you, Grand Elder. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Liu Jin, lost in thought, nodded and waved his sleeve to dismiss Taiyi.

After Taiyi left, Liu Mu curiously asked Liu Jin, “Elder brother, why the sudden change? You’re not even angry—so unlike you.”

“What style? He’s a junior—why fuss? Besides, he’s Ling Shuang’s friend and Qi Fei’s sworn brother. If I make things too hard, it doesn’t sit right. When he returns, let him offer me a cup of tea, and all is well. I’m tired—off to rest.” He rose and departed.

Liu Mu asked Liu Zhen, “Zhen’er, what’s with your father? He seems bewitched.”

“Second Father, don’t overthink. Isn’t this good? Father isn’t fussing over Sansi, so we get some peace—no lectures.”