Chapter 509: On the Road

Hearing the youth call him Little Uncle-in-law, Zhang Xiaohua nearly toppled off the Sibuxiang he was riding. “What kind of relative are we supposed to be? Valley Master Nie specifically told me to keep an eye on you. One slip, and you’d already have lost your life at my hands. Who has the patience to start acknowledging relatives with you now?”

With that, Zhang Xiaohua deliberately put on a baffled expression. “So your name is Qiang Shi? What kind of name is that—so overbearing? And how did you even arrive at calling me Little Uncle-in-law?” [TL_Note: Qiang = Strong/Powerful, Shi = Authority/Momentum]

Qiang Shi broke into a broad grin. “Little Uncle-in-law, you’re being muddled. I call Valley Master Nie’s second daughter, Nie Qianxiu, my aunt. Naturally, that makes Nie Qianyu my little aunt. You and my little aunt are a match made by Heaven—how could I not call you Little Uncle-in-law? As for my name, it’s just a title. Once we reach the Incense Spreading Sect, it might be changed to something else anyway. That hardly matters, don’t you think, Little Uncle-in-law?”

Seeing the sharpness in Qiang Shi’s eyes and the fawning smile on his face, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. “Everything you said earlier is fine, except for one thing. Up to now, there’s been no connection at all between me and your ‘little aunt’. So don’t call me Little Uncle-in-law. And you’re absolutely right—once we get to the Incense Spreading Sect, even our names will change. With that in mind, it’s better not to force this kind of relationship.”

Qiang Shi bowed obediently and said: “What Little Uncle-in-law says makes perfect sense. But even if your relationship with my little aunt hasn’t become reality yet, sooner or later, it’ll be a done deal. I’m only calling you that a bit early. In truth, no matter how our names change once we reach the Incense Spreading Sect, you’ll still be my Little Uncle-in-law. That’s how I’ll always see it in my heart.”

“You—” Zhang Xiaohua was helpless. This fellow was far too glib; he was no match for him at all. He could only say, “If you keep calling me that, and people from the Incense Spreading Sect hear it, they’re bound to get ideas. It’s better to change how you address me.”

“Then how should I address you? Please instruct me, Little Uncle-in-law.”

“This…” Zhang Xiaohua hesitated. Who knew how the Incense Spreading Sect handled forms of address? He said offhandedly: “If nothing else, just call me by my name. In any case, we’ll all be medicine boys once we get there.”

Qiang Shi laughed. “This medicine boy is not like ordinary medicine boys. I can’t just call Little Uncle-in-law by his given name. Better to call you Young Master Ren instead.”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and could only say: “Suit yourself. Before entering the Incense Spreading Sect, this is the only way it can be. As for what happens later, we’ll talk about it later.”

Qiang Shi replied forcefully yet respectfully: “This one will obey Young Master’s instructions.”

Then he glanced at the Sibuxiang beneath Zhang Xiaohua and laughed. “I’ve long admired the Sibuxiang of Spring Rebirth Valley. My aunt never once took me to see it. Who would’ve thought that Young Master Ren has such face that he could actually ride one out.”

After that, he turned his head to look at the carriage moving ahead and lowered his voice. “My aunt once told me that whenever the Incense Spreading Sect recruits medicine attendants from Spring Rebirth Valley, they never allow them to bring anything along—only the clothes on their backs. Yet you’re able to ride the Sibuxiang here. That means it can probably be taken into the Incense Spreading Sect as well. This kind of treatment… tsk tsk… it really is something.”

Zhang Xiaohua was startled. He hadn’t thought that far ahead; he had only felt that riding a mount was nothing special. He hadn’t expected there to be such preferential treatment hidden within it. At once, his thoughts naturally turned to his meeting the day before with Lady Kong, the envoy of the Incense Spreading Sect. Being able to ride the Sibuxiang to the sect was surely with Lady Kong’s tacit approval.

Others might never have seen Lady Kong’s true appearance and would assume that he and Lady Kong were old acquaintances, or at least shared some connection. But Zhang Xiaohua had seen Lady Kong clearly beneath the veil. Though she was peerlessly beautiful, she had not the slightest relationship to him. Why, then, would she look upon him with special favor? That was truly puzzling.

Still, Zhang Xiaohua merely waved his hand and said: “Isn’t this all thanks to Steward Yang’s kindness? It’s just that I’ve caused him more trouble. Had I known this earlier, I wouldn’t have ridden it.”

Qiang Shi laughed again. “Since you’ve ridden it, you’ve ridden it. It also shows how extraordinary my little uncle-in-law is. Oh right, little uncle-in-law—just now, this little nephew seemed to hear the Incense Spreading Sect disciples ask you to guard the convoy?”

“Mm. Asked or not asked, it’s just for show… hey, why are you calling me little uncle-in-law again?”

Only then did Zhang Xiaohua come to his senses.

“Little uncle-in-law, it just slips out naturally. I can’t change it all at once. This little nephew guarantees I’ll only call you that when no one else is around. If there’s a third person present, I’ll definitely call you Young Master!”

“You—” Zhang Xiaohua was so exasperated that his words caught in his throat. He muttered inwardly, This kid is only around twelve, isn’t he? How can he be so shamelessly good at cozying up to people? Compared to him, this young master was a complete idiot back then. At Huanxi Villa, I actually let someone like Ma Jing toy with me. If it were this brat in my place, he’d have had Ma Jing spinning in circles long ago.

Just then, Qiang Shi leaned in again, his expression turning mysterious. “My aunt and uncle sing your praises nonstop when it comes to your martial skills. I didn’t really believe it at first and thought they were exaggerating. But now that I see you’ve even caught the eye of the Incense Spreading Sect’s disciples, it really is impressive. This little nephew truly admires little uncle-in-law to death.”

Zhang Xiaohua was both amused and exasperated.

Qiang Shi went on: “Little uncle-in-law, my future prospects will be in your hands from now on. You absolutely mustn’t forget this little nephew. Oh right, little uncle-in-law—this nephew has trained in a fine set of massage techniques since childhood. Are you tired? Why not get into the carriage and let this nephew serve you properly?”

Qiang Shi’s ingratiating manner made goosebumps rise all over Zhang Xiaohua’s body. He waved his hands repeatedly. “Not tired, not tired. We’ve only just started the journey.”

Qiang Shi laughed. “If little uncle-in-law gets tired, just say the word. You know what they say—good things shouldn’t go to outsiders. This nephew’s idle anyway.”

Hearing that, Zhang Xiaohua nearly toppled headfirst off the Sibuxiang again. What do you mean by ‘good things shouldn’t go to outsiders’? Is that really how you’re using it?

Grabbing onto Huanhuan’s broad, solid back, Zhang Xiaohua felt a wave of relief. If this had been an ordinary fine horse, he would have fallen off several times already—how could that have been acceptable?

Putting on a stern face, Zhang Xiaohua said: “Qiang Shi, just sit properly in the carriage. We’ve only just set out, and there are many days ahead. I’ll go take a look up front.”

With that, he gave Huanhuan a light pat and urged it forward.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s almost panicked retreat, Qiang Shi couldn’t help but break into a brilliant smile. Turning around, he slipped back into the spacious carriage.

The two carriages in front carried proper young attendants. When they saw Zhang Xiaohua riding the Sibuxiang forward, they peered out through the carriage windows, faces full of envy. When Zhang Xiaohua glanced their way, the more sensible ones promptly cupped their fists in salute, while a very few hurriedly lowered their heads, as though avoiding something.

After advancing past several more carts loaded with goods, Zhang Xiaohua encountered disciples of the Incense Spreading Sect. They sat astride their horses, watching leisurely. When they saw Zhang Xiaohua approach, having already received word from the other disciples and knowing that he was also assigned to guard the carts, one of them gave him a slight nod and said: “Ren Xiaoyao, the carriages ahead carry items belonging to our Incense Spreading Sect. You don’t need to concern yourself with them. Just keep watch over your own things. There’s no need to go any farther.”

Zhang Xiaohua cupped his fists. “Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I’ll turn back at once.”

The moment the words “Senior Brother” left his mouth, he knew something was wrong. Sure enough, the disciple frowned. Fortunately, the man’s temperament was still decent. He waved his hand and said: “Go on. But don’t call people that casually in the future.”

Zhang Xiaohua was thoroughly embarrassed. He muttered inwardly, Are the outer disciples of the Incense Spreading Sect really this overbearing? It’s just calling someone ‘Senior Brother’—is that really such a big deal? Back then, the disciples of the Piaomiao Sect didn’t seem this particular.

On an ordinary day, Zhang Xiaohua might have asked what he should call him instead if not “Senior Brother.” But seeing that man’s smug, self-satisfied air, he couldn’t be bothered to speak further. He cupped his fists again, turned around, and left.

After Zhang Xiaohua had gone some distance, the man snorted coldly through his nose and muttered under his breath: “He’s nothing more than a mere medicine attendant. Even if he’s the Spring Rebirth Valley’s son-in-law, what right does he have to put on airs in front of us? If it weren’t for the decent hospitality Spring Rebirth Valley showed us these past two days, I would’ve stripped him of his face long ago.”

Since he already knew he was nothing but a decorative presence, and that the Incense Spreading Sect’s carriages had no desire for him to go ahead, Zhang Xiaohua stayed by his own six carts. Just as before, he sat cross-legged, eyes half-closed, quietly contemplating his cultivation incantations.

When the Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy left Spring Rebirth Valley, it did not head toward Mochou City. Instead, at a fork in the road, it turned and went straight west.

The convoy of more than twenty carriages was not something Zhang Xiaohua had personally seen before, but such formations were hardly rare among traveling merchants. Even back when Zhang Xiaohu escorted goods, the caravans were not much smaller than this. Thus, although many people stopped along the road to watch, it did not draw any extraordinary attention.

At the same time, the very last rider in the convoy looked completely drowsy, perched atop a strange mule, which drew even more attention. Fortunately, the disciples of the Incense Spreading Sect were experienced enough not to treat Zhang Xiaohua the same way as everyone else. They simply indulged in a bit of curiosity, focusing instead on their own duties.

And Zhang Xiaohua? He paid even less attention. From Danhe City to Mochou City, countless strangers’ curious eyes had passed over him, yet he was long accustomed to it.

Thus, two full days passed, and the convoy had already traveled a great distance along the Incense Spreading Sect’s route.

Speaking of their route, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but admire it. Truly the posture of a major sect. Their path selection did not always follow official roads; many were winding trails, and they did not avoid deep mountains or old forests. Thinking back to when he had traveled with Nie Qianyu and Little Orange, they would have never dared to take such narrow, risky paths.

At first, Zhang Xiaohua had been anxious about his habit of sleeping soundly, but over the past two days, he realized that the Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy moved with precise order. Whenever night fell, they would arrive at a place to rest—and these resting spots were never just any inn. Meals and accommodations were always ready-made, as if these were places belonging to the sect itself.

Naturally, Zhang Xiaohua still shared a room with Qiang Shi. Though Qiang Shi immediately tried to cozy up to him upon entering the room, Zhang Xiaohua paid him no mind. He simply said he needed to cultivate his inner energy and that he could not be disturbed. After a few instances, Qiang Shi had learned to behave, serving him cautiously—bringing tea and water, but speaking no more than necessary.

Nighttime cultivation was even simpler. A single flick of Zhang Xiaohua’s finger sent Qiang Shi obediently off to sleep until dawn. This had delighted Qiang Shi immensely over the past two days, making him think his own insomnia might finally be improving. Every morning, he would chatter on at length, nearly driving Zhang Xiaohua to the point of using an acupoint strike out of irritation.

One day, while traveling along a rugged mountain trail, Zhang Xiaohua closed his eyes in cultivation as usual, when suddenly a stir ran through his mind. His divine sense immediately extended forward, tinged with a sudden alertness.