Chapter 90
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The phoenix tree leaves rustled as they swayed. Lu Liangsheng let the withered leaf in his hand fall and clasped his hands in salute toward the elder before him, bowing deeply.
“Liangsheng greets his Mentor.”
“What’s with all the formality? Hurry and sit down.”
Wang Shuhua rose, supporting Lu Liangsheng as he looked him over from head to toe. His beard and hair moved slightly as he nodded with a smile, repeating several times:
“Good, good, good…”
Lu Liangsheng felt a little embarrassed. He placed the gift he had brought onto the table and sat down on a stone stool to the side. The elder before him seemed somewhat less spirited than he had been a few months ago.
On the stone table lay a book titled [Fei Cui Annotations]. Lu Liangsheng had read part of it before at Zhou Zhen’s residence. Originally, there had been three books—one was [Travel Notes of Guangnan], the second was [Ling San], and the third was [Roadside Gatherings], all written by sages of the past.
“Mentor, you are reading this book as well?”
Finding it difficult to start a conversation, Lu Liangsheng used the book on the table as an opening.
The elder poured a cup of tea and handed it over with a smile.
“I had originally planned to leave the city, but when I returned last night, Steward Li told me that you had arrived in the capital. So, I put off my trip and waited idly for you, passing the time by flipping through this book.”
Wang Shuhua paused briefly, then set down the purple clay teapot, shook out his sleeve, and clasped his hands together. “As Liangsheng’s teacher, I have yet to offer my congratulations.”
“Teacher!”
Lu Liangsheng quickly rose to avoid the gesture and waved his hands. “How could I accept such a thing?!”
“Sit, sit. Why are you standing up again? Though we are teacher and student, there is no need to be overly formal.” The elder waved his hand, signaling for the scholar to sit back down. He then picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
“I had thought you wouldn’t arrive in Tianzhi until the winter months, but to my surprise…”
At this point, Wang Shuhua blinked and suddenly looked at the scholar with a grin. “Liangsheng, did you use magic to hasten your journey?”
Lu Liangsheng also smiled.
“Indeed, this student used magic. But along the way, I encountered injustice and rescued two men, a woman, and a child. After that, I refrained from using magic and traveled the rest of the way on foot.”
He had no intention of hiding such matters from the teacher who had imparted knowledge to him—especially since it was nothing shameful. The elder across from him, stroking his white beard, burst into hearty laughter upon hearing this.
“Hahaha!!”
The elder nodded as he looked at the scholar.
“Good. We scholars inherit the teachings of the sages and should also possess a heart for aiding the world. You did the right thing.”
“That child’s surname is Chen, with the given name Jing. After arriving in the capital, he was received by some rather mysterious figures. Teacher, do you know which household in the city he might belong to?”
Lu Liangsheng’s smile did not fade as he poured a bit of hot tea for his teacher. Truthfully, he was also curious about whom he had saved.
“Surname Chen?”
The elder furrowed his brow in thought, then shook his head with a smile. “I do not know. But if someone wanted to kill a child, it likely has to do with struggles over succession and power.”
His smile gradually disappeared, and his tone became solemn.
“Liangsheng, now that you achieved fame and honor, you must not recklessly involve yourself in such matters. In fact, Teacher almost wishes you had come later—or better yet, that you would leave now. The capital is not as peaceful as I had expected before returning.”
“Is it because of the Guardian of the Nation Venerable Master?” Lu Liangsheng’s smile faded as well.
The elder was momentarily taken aback. “You know about it too?”
“Mm.”
The scholar responded softly but hesitated on whether he should reveal the true identity of Pudu Cihang. Whether he spoke or remained silent, the consequences would be vastly different.
With his teacher’s character, if he were to expose the Venerable Master’s monstrous nature in front of everyone, the outcome would not merely be death…
…Meanwhile, Pudu Cihang, relying on the imperial dragon qi for cultivation, still had ample time to proceed at his own pace.
Within the small courtyard, the elder and the young scholar both fell silent. The morning wind stirred the phoenix tree, and fallen leaves scattered across the ground, covering the moss beneath them.
The rustling of the leaves filled the air for a long while until the elder finally broke the silence. He slapped his knee and cursed aloud.
“That evil monk has bewitched the emperor, throwing the court into turmoil! The people of the capital live in fear while grand temples and altars are being constructed everywhere—truly damnable!”
He spat another curse and rose from the stone stool.
“When I left the capital, Tianzhi was prosperous, and the people lived in peace. Yet upon returning, I find it in such a state! That wretched monk deserves death!”
Lu Liangsheng furrowed his brows and stepped forward. “Teacher, did you and Minister Min return to the capital this time to deal with the Venerable Master?”
“Not entirely,” the elder let out a breath and waved his hand. “…These matters are not for you to worry about, Liangsheng. You need only focus on your studies and prepare well for this spring’s imperial examination. Now, go back, pack your things, and leave as soon as possible. Return in January next year—since you have your techniques, you should be able to make it in time.”
Hearing this, an uneasy feeling stirred in Lu Liangsheng’s heart.
“Teacher, why don’t… you leave with me instead? It just so happens that I want to visit the northwest as well. That region has suffered drought for nearly a year…”
Before he could finish, Wang Shuhua turned his head slightly, waved his hand, but instead smiled.
“Teacher cannot leave with you.”
Lu Liangsheng grew anxious. “Why not?”
The elder shook his head, clasped his hands behind his back, and took a couple of steps forward, gazing toward the courtyard beyond the crescent moon gate.
“I have built my life and reputation upon my knowledge. I have also been close friends with Minister Min for many years, sharing the same aspirations. Now that he is deeply entangled in this mire, how could I simply walk away? If I do not step forward and raise my voice against this havoc caused by the evil monk, then all these years of reading the sages’ teachings would have been in vain, wouldn’t they?”
“Liangsheng… The words of the sages are not merely for one’s own benefit, but also to serve as a model for others. If, at the first sign of adversity, one withdraws for personal ease and comfort, then what of home and country? What of trust among kin and friends? This time, with the chaos stirred by the evil monk, I cannot leave. But you need not worry—throughout history, there have always been those who bring calamity upon the nation. Sooner or later, they are dealt with.”
The morning light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling upon the elder’s silver hair. His aged figure turned back to face Lu Liangsheng, still wearing a smile.
“You mentioned the northwest earlier. That place indeed needs people. It would be good for you to go, to stay far away from all this, and avoid getting caught up in it. You could also gain some experience there. When the spring examination arrives next year, and you pass the Ministry of Rites’ assessment, you will have officially entered the path of governance. By then, if you still wish to assist your teacher, it will be much more meaningful.”
Sigh…
Lu Liangsheng sighed inwardly. Faced with a mentor of such knowledge and experience, he knew he could not persuade him. After a brief moment of hesitation, he could only let out a soft sigh, spend some more time conversing in the courtyard, and then rise to take his leave.
“I had originally mentioned in my letter that I would host a banquet to welcome you back, but it seems that won’t be possible. After the spring examinations, I will make it up to you!”
“Teacher, you jest.”
Not long after, Lu Liangsheng left through the side courtyard. The small courtyard fell into silence once more. Wang Shuhua returned to his spot beneath the tree. A figure emerged from the inner room and sat down beside him, gazing at the now-empty crescent moon gate.
It was none other than Min Changwen, who should have been attending the morning court session.
“Having a teacher like you is truly a blessing for him.”
The elder said nothing, only smiled and took a slow sip of tea.
Leaving the Minister’s residence, Lu Liangsheng rubbed his face, glanced back once, then quickly walked away.
The streets were cold and quiet as he made his way back to the inn. The innkeeper’s assistant greeted him with enthusiasm, but the scholar, in low spirits, politely declined and headed upstairs to his room. Inside, the Daoist sat at the round table, cradling the Veiled Moon Sword, running his fingers over it with admiration.
By the small wardrobe, the Toad was rummaging through a pile of tiny garments, occasionally holding one up for the female ghost, Nie Honglian, to judge which fit him best.
Hearing the door open, they turned to see Lu Liangsheng lying on the bed, resting his head against his hands.
The three exchanged glances.
Before they could ask anything, the scholar, staring at the ceiling, suddenly blinked, sat up, and looked at the toad, Sun Yingxian, and Nie Honglian.
“Pack your things—we’re heading to the northwest.”
