Chapter 56
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The skirts of her dress stirred up a chilling wind, and amidst the chaos of overturned horses and fallen riders, a chorus of high-pitched cries echoed among the tiny figures. They quickly regrouped, and the figure on the pony drew a weapon.
With focused intent, it locked its gaze on the moving figure by the desk.
Lifting its arm, the tip of its sword pointed menacingly: “Ying, ying, ying…”
The sound resembled the buzzing of mosquitoes, resonating in the air. The pony charged forward, followed closely by several war chariots shaking their reins, and hundreds of tiny soldiers brandishing weapons and flags sprinted in a frenzy.
They burst through the folding screen and crossed over the bed, like a scattering of peas rolling across the smooth floor.
…Ying, ying!
Ying, Ying…
“Are there mosquitoes this early?”
In front of the desk, Lu Liangsheng set down the book, glanced around, and turned to the bookshelf. A little figure rushing toward him looked up, and as he stepped down, it was like a mountain looming overhead, obscuring his view.
All that could be heard was a final “Ying…” before the massive shoe descended.
There was a barely audible ‘pop’ sound.
Moments later, the shoe lifted, walking to the bookshelf not far away, revealing a puddle of crushed remnants on the floor. The group of charging tiny figures gazed at the mess, their spirits shattered. They quickly turned to call for their companions to retreat.
In the direction of their retreat, sunlight streamed across the mottled floor, where a dark purple figure lay curled up, eyes closed, savoring this rare moment of leisure.
“This old man is really getting lazier by the day… Looking back on the years, how majestic I used to be…”
However, the Renzhi here can promote one’s cultivation; it’s no wonder someone has their eyes on this place.
[TL_Note: Renzhi = Sesame People, a type of spiritual herb]
It’s a pity that my demon core hasn’t yet recovered, so it’s not of much use now, but the taste isn’t bad…
In his occasional dreams, fragments of his past would return, standing atop a mountain as if on clouds, surveying the scene with a disdainful gaze, watching the cultivators below who dared not approach. A smirk involuntarily tugged at the corners of his mouth as he chuckled softly.
Then, he opened his mouth and yawned.
Ying, ying, ying, ying…
A swarm of figures the size of peas scurried across the ground, retreating in a panic. A sudden gust of fishy wind wafted over, and the tiny people turned to see a gaping black maw appear suddenly, as if a bite had been taken out of them, leaving a thousand little figures in disarray.
The toad in the sunlight opened its bulging eyes and smacked its lips.
“It seems like I’ve eaten something… hmm?!”
Its eyes darted around, spotting the frightened little figures dashing about like mice unable to find a hole, crashing into things all around. The Toad Daoist’s mouth curled into a smile. “Haha… there are still so many here!”
Immediately, it stretched out its long tongue and wrapped it around a gourd hanging at the foot of the bed, pulling it close with delight. It then scampered on its short legs, laughing as it flicked out its tongue to catch the tiny figures, drawing them into its webbed embrace and stuffing them into the gourd.
Lu Liangsheng had just picked up an ink block, preparing to grind it, when he turned to see the Toad Daoist happily clutching the large gourd, its mouth wide open, its long tongue dangling out and swaying behind it. In the blink of an eye, it had slipped under the bed.
“Where is Master going, so happy?”
Lu Liangsheng set down the ink block, curious, and bent down to take a look. Just then, a respectful voice called from the courtyard: “Young Master Lu, it’s time for dinner. The master is waiting for you in the front courtyard.”
“Young Master, you go eat. I’ll tidy up the room.” Nie Honglian said from the side, folding a few of the scholar’s robes and placing them in the wardrobe. Turning back, Lu Liangsheng lit three sticks of incense and inserted them before her painting, smiling as he said: “Let’s eat together.”
Honglian smiled faintly and performed a courteous bow, standing in the shadows to see the scholar off.
The servant waiting in the courtyard was the same little fellow who had guided Lu Liangsheng the night before. Despite the scorching heat of the day, a chill lingered in the side courtyard, and the occasional breeze carried an eerie coldness. Remembering that he was standing on the spot where the water-spouting old woman had turned into a puddle, he couldn’t help but shiver.
“An expert is indeed an expert… being able to stay in a place like this with such ease.”
Muttering to himself, the door from the stone steps opened, and upon seeing the familiar figure of the scholar emerge, he hurried forward, bowing and following closely behind.
“Young Master Lu, lunch is ready, and the Madam has come over as well.”
Lu Liangsheng lightly waved his robe sleeve, walking ahead with a smile, as if he understood the underlying meaning of the servant’s words.
“It was just a simple task, no need to make such a fuss.”
“How could it be just a simple task? Last night, when Young Master casually sketched, the ink lines flew up. If I hadn’t seen more of the world and had some courage, I might have been paralyzed with fear…”
Don’t hit someone with a smiling face. Flattering words always make people feel more comfortable, and the little servant’s words were naturally pleasing and not annoying.
As they passed through the front courtyard and into the reception hall, they indeed found a lavish spread of dishes laid out on a table. An elderly woman stood beside an old man, accompanying him. Though it was generally inappropriate for a woman to make an appearance, she had come out to express her gratitude, having received her husband’s consent.
Without discussing the life-saving favor in detail, simply having banished the water-spouting old woman from outside her daughter’s room was a great kindness in her eyes. Naturally, Lu Liangsheng wouldn’t let her bow in thanks; he offered soothing words while gesturing with his hands to reassure her, allowing Madam Zhou to leave contentedly.
Once the two were alone, their conversation was somewhat limited. There was an age gap and, on top of that, Lu Liangsheng’s proficiency in mystical techniques made the old man more cautious in his speech. Eventually, he turned the topic to his daughter Zhou Rong’s condition.
“Elder Zhou, your daughter’s affliction is actually due to a persistent and nagging spirit that had drilling into her ears, speaking incessantly day and night…”
“A tiny person?”
Zhou Zhen lowered his chopsticks, suddenly recalling the book he had given Lu Liangsheng: “This type of creature is mentioned in the [Illustrated Records of the Mountains and Seas] I sent to Liangsheng yesterday. I thought they were just fantastical tales written by idle scholars… I didn’t expect that such a creature actually exists.”
The book had such a record?
The scholar sitting opposite the old man felt a surge of excitement. His experience in this area was still limited; having just come out to take the imperial exams, he was eager to read more books to accumulate more knowledge. Though he maintained calm as he chatted with the old man, he was unable to hide his growing anticipation.
“It seems Liangsheng hasn’t read that book yet.”
Despite his curiosity about the young scholar’s mystical arts, the other party was still an eighteen-year-old young man with little experience. Even if he didn’t show it on his face, the glimmer of emotion in his eyes was unavoidable under the older man’s scrutiny.
After observing the scholar for a while, Zhou Zhen finally spoke: “Liangsheng, while your mystical arts are fascinating, you shouldn’t neglect your studies. Once this matter is settled, you must apply yourself diligently.”
On the opposite side, Lu Liangsheng didn’t shy away and nodded without hesitation.
“Okay, the person behind this should come tonight. After dealing with this matter, Liangsheng will certainly devote himself to his studies.”
The meal continued with further discussions, and after finishing, Lu Liangsheng walked briskly through the dappled shade of the trees back to the side courtyard. He found the [Illustrated Records of the Mountains and Seas] and smiled as he tapped it in his hands, then stepped outside beneath the eaves.
Turning to the room, he waved his wide sleeves, causing a chair and low table to fly out, landing perfectly in a sunlit spot. He brought out a cup of tea.
Zhi… zhi…
Zhi…
A cool breeze stirred the leaves hanging over the courtyard wall, and cicadas perched on the swaying treetops chirped rhythmically. In the distance, a large black dog lay in its kennel, squinting its eyes, lazily yawning.
Dressed in a blue robe, the scholar held the book, savoring the bizarre sceneries, pellicular spirits, and fierce beasts described within. Soon, he set up a painting canvas, ground the ink, and, inspired by the descriptions in the book, lowered his brush to the paper, occasionally reaching for the cup of tea beside him to take a sip.
It was like a painting scroll.