Chapter 211: Heading North

Sha sha sha… 

The cypress trees swayed gently in the courtyard. As Chen Jing stepped inside, a faint, delicate fragrance drifted through the air. Beyond the fallen leaves crossing his line of sight, the open lattice window revealed a small pot bubbling away with soft pu pu sounds. The toad he had seen before was there, clutching a wooden ladle and stirring something inside the pot. 

‘The fragrance must be coming from that pot…’ 

Though curious, Chen Jing didn’t dare ask further at this moment. Watching the figure of Mister Lu ahead of him, he silently rehearsed in his mind the speech he had prepared on the way here, repeating it quickly under his breath. 

Seeing the figure ahead come to a stop, the youth hurriedly spoke:  “Lu…”

Over there, Lu Liangsheng raised a hand, cutting him off. He took up a kettle, poured a cup of tea, and motioned for Chen Jing to come sit opposite him. 

“Come, sit and speak.” 

The sound of pouring water ceased. With a light flick of his palm, the teacup standing on the table slid across to the youth. Lu Liangsheng set down the kettle and continued: 

“I know why you’ve come. Originally, I had no intention of seeing you. But since you kept watch outside all night, thinking I was testing you, I let you in. Whatever you have to say, it’s better said face to face.” 

Chen Jing, who had just reached for the tea, froze mid-motion. He looked at Mister Lu across from him as withered cypress leaves drifted down from time to time, landing upon the table. 

“Mister Lu…” 

After all, he was still young. Chen Jing was clearly shaken, his mood somewhat low. Yet he clenched his hand hard against his thigh, then spoke again: 

“Mister Lu knows why Chen Jing has come, so you must also know that the Northern Zhou has already fallen. The Sui army will soon march south. When that time comes, the Chen dynasty will be destroyed, and the people here will all be in mortal danger.” 

As Lu Liangsheng listened to the youth, he poured himself a cup of tea, lifted it to his lips, and took a sip. When Chen Jing finished speaking, he nodded, agreeing with part of what was said. 

“I do know of the Sui army’s southern advance. I also know that the Chen Dynasty cannot withstand the fierce armies of the north. Unfortunately, I cannot help you.” 

Chen Jing could no longer hold himself back and rose from the stone stool. 

“Mister Lu—why?!” 

“Heh…” Across from him, Lu Liangsheng let out a soft chuckle. He set down the teacup in his hand, rose, and walked a couple of steps away. Tilting his face upward, he gazed at the cypress tree above for a long while before finally laying his words bare: 

“…My ties with the Chen have already come to an end.” 

Only then did he turn back, looking at Chen Jing, whose mouth hung slightly open, unable to speak. For a moment, even Lu Liangsheng didn’t know what more to say. 

“Chen Jing, you should go back. Don’t waste the time meant for turning the tide upon me.” 

“Sir.” 

At this moment, Chen Jing’s eyes reddened slightly. “…If Sir refuses, I bear no resentment. But could you at least tell me the reason?” 

“There are some things that, if spoken, you may not like to hear. The realm has been divided north and south for far too long. If it can now be unified, it may instead be a good thing. The common people would enjoy lasting peace and suffer less hardship.” 

Lu Liangsheng sighed, then suddenly turned toward the rooftop and called out: “Old Sun, you’ve listened long enough. Lend me something.” 

From atop the roof, amid the faint sounds of shifting tiles, Sun Yingxian poked his head out for a glance. He flipped down from above and landed on the ground, sidling up beside the scholar as he asked in a low voice: “Lend what?” 

“A talisman of invisibility.” 

“You can use invisibility arts—why are you borrowing from me?!” 

“I don’t know how to draw talismans…” 

Seeing the scholar extend his hand, the Daoist curled his lips, then rummaged around in the yellow cloth pouch at his waist for a while before finally pulling out several crumpled talismans and slapping them into Lu Liangsheng’s palm. 

“That’s all I’ve got. Just eavesdropping for a bit cost me my profit…” 

Over there, Lu Liangsheng smoothed out the wrinkled parts of the talisman papers with a touch of spiritual energy, then walked over and placed them into Chen Jing’s hand. 

“These talismans—take them back with you. If the battle turns unfavorable, paste them onto yourself and your mother. They may help you evade danger and escape the city. If you have nowhere to go in the future, you may come to Qixia Mountain to settle down. This teacher will ensure you a lifetime of peace.” 

The youth looked at the yellow talismans in his hand, drew in a deep breath, and slowly stepped backward. Standing at the courtyard entrance, he gazed at Lu Liangsheng, lips pressed tightly together, then gave a firm nod. 

Afterward, he cupped his hands in salute. “Many thanks, Sir. I take my leave!” 

He was not someone who failed to grasp priorities. Since Mister Lu was unwilling to come out of seclusion to help, he couldn’t very well drag the man off to the capital by force… well, even with more people, they might not be able to defeat him. If they truly angered the gentleman, there would be no benefit at all. 

At the very least, he now had something to preserve his life. 

On his way out, he came across three youths and an old man chattering endlessly. When he caught the word “senior brother”, his pace slowed slightly. 

One of the youths shouted, “Why should you be the senior disciple?!” 

“Heh.” The old man in the middle, eyes unfocused, clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the sky. “Naturally, because this old man arrived at Lu Family Village first. And I do possess some learning. Besides… I’m several generations older than all of you. If I don’t take the position, who will?” 

“Hmph.” 

“No way! Then let’s just decide with rock-paper-scissors!” 

Chen Jing brushed past them, roughly guessing these were Mister Lu’s disciples. He cast them a few envious glances. Only after they turned toward the fenced courtyard did he leave the village entrance. Tucking the yellow talismans into his robe, he took the reins from a guard and vaulted onto his horse. 

“Let’s go. We return to Tianzhi.” 

Seated atop the horse, he turned his head for one last look at the mountain village fading into the distance. Since Mister Lu refused to come out of seclusion to help, then he could only rely on himself. 

Back in the fenced courtyard, Lu Liangsheng put away the tea set and returned inside. He saw his master with an apron tied around his waist, holding a wooden ladle and stirring the pot, occasionally scooping a bit to his mouth to taste. 

The Daoist followed him in. “You won’t help him, yet you still give away my talismans. I really don’t know what to say about you.” 

Over there, Lu Liangsheng took several robes from the wardrobe and placed them into a compartment on the bookshelf. Rising again, he went to the desk and pulled out an inkstone from beneath his master’s feet. The Toad Daoist, who had been tasting the soup, suddenly lost his balance—his pale belly pressing against the edge of the pot as he flailed wildly. The disciple’s hand shot out, grabbing him by the back of the collar, barely preventing him from toppling into the boiling broth. 

After setting the toad down, Lu Liangsheng gathered the “Four Treasures of the Study” and placed them beneath the robes. Only then did he reply: 

“If a dynasty falls, then it falls. I’ve at least crossed paths with that mother and son—if they can survive, that will be their own fortune.” 

“You’ve always got a reason for everything. Suit yourself. Hey, why are you packing?” 

“I’m heading out for a while. To the cave dwelling at Qishan.” 

On the desk, the Toad Daoist picked up the wooden ladle again and tilted his head. “Your master just finished cooking this soup, and you’re leaving without even drinking it?” 

Lu Liangsheng brushed the dust off several books. 

“I’ll go early and return early. It’ll also give Sui’an and the others a chance to get familiar with the place and build the houses—consider it a test of their patience.” 

At the side, the Daoist shook his head. “This time I’m not going with you. Every time you go out, your cultivation jumps another step—it’s too discouraging. I’ll stay here and cultivate in peace, reach the Golden Core first. That book you gave me—I haven’t even opened it yet.” 

As he spoke, he went over to help pack, reaching for the scroll hanging on the wall—when a voice rang out. Hongliang said: “Take your hand off. I’ll come myself.” 

“I just wanted to…” 

“You can’t even think about it!” 

Honglian gave a cold snort. The scroll hanging on the wall rustled as it rolled itself upward, slipping free and flying over to the bookshelf, where it neatly slid into place. 

Lu Liangsheng smiled faintly and said nothing. In truth, going to Qishan was only one of his purposes—along the way, he also intended to pay a visit to Yang Jian, or perhaps the commanding general, to persuade them to spare as many lives as possible. 

Walking to the doorway, he turned back to remind the Daoist to look after the home. His gaze then fell on his master, who was still sitting atop the desk, arms wrapped around himself, sulking. 

“Master, time to depart.” 

“Hmph!” 

The toad Daoist turned in place. “Wait till this old man finishes the soup—” 

Turning his head again, the doorway was already empty—his disciple had vanished. From the courtyard came the sound of a whistle. The old donkey, reins in its mouth, burst out of the shed and ran to its master, wagging its tail wildly. 

After arranging the bookshelf, Lu Liangsheng raised a hand toward the sky. Then, holding the reins, he led the donkey toward the courtyard gate. From the distant slopes of Qixia Mountain, a streak of sword-light shot through the air with a shua, flying straight in. 

It plunged directly into the bookshelf, letting out a faint, almost inaudible groan—“ah…”—which immediately provoked the nearby scroll of Honglian to fly up and smack it hard. 

“Wait for your master—! The soup… the soup’s not finished yet!!” 

Inside the courtyard, came the rapid patter patter of webbed feet slapping against the ground. The Toad Daoist came rushing out, clutching a steaming pot, sprinting wildly on his splayed limbs, while a speckled old hen flapped its wings and chased after him along the fence. 

Panting heavily, the toad shouted: 

“Liangsheng! Your master hasn’t even gotten on the donkey yet!!” 

Running at full tilt, he dashed across the drying yard and out of the village entrance.