Chapter 10

By the time the three returned the horses and the money to the inn, the night had already passed. The sprawling mountains were bathed in brilliant morning light, a magnificent sight.

The innkeeper was effusive with thanks. Not only did he waive most of the room fee, but he also unearthed a token from somewhere. He earnestly instructed them that they only needed to go to the Mengcheng pier not far away, find a boatman surnamed Qin, and hand over this token. He guaranteed they would be taken safely and punctually to Diancang Pass.

With their destination known, everything seemed straightforward.

He Yu had his little horse and didn’t need to worry about a mount again. But Chen Shu and Yun Shen were empty-handed. Chen Shu had initially thought of using her Daoist method to travel, but after Yun Shen’s warning and her own response—though she felt she hadn’t said anything wrong—the atmosphere between the two had grown subtly tense. Not daring to bring it up again at this moment, she took the pouch containing the money gotten from the jade pledge and planned to simply buy two horses at the inn, only to be stopped by He Yu.

This He Yu, despite his robust appearance, possessed surprisingly dexterous hands. He casually found a timber shop, hammering and nailing, directing Chen Shu to assemble some planks. Within just two hours, a bare, simple little wooden cart was crafted. Adding some straw bedding and spreading a quilt on top, it became a serviceable vehicle fit to carry people.

As he worked, Chen Shu watched from the side, filled with astonishment and exclaiming in disbelief.

Yun Shen couldn’t quite bear it any longer. He quietly reminded her, “Doesn’t your own mountain sect have such carts and wooden things? Why act like you’ve never seen anything like this?”

“I’ve never seen one made before!” Chen Shu whispered conspiratorially to him, sighing. “My senior brother… my senior brother always just uses hand seals and spiritual power. This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone make woodwork by hand!”

The ramshackle wooden cart, pulled slowly by the little horse, jolted and bounced its way through the mountains. Having shared their “backgrounds” and bonded through the events of the previous night, the trio’s camaraderie exceeded that of ordinary travel companions. They even debated seniority, formally addressing each other as “siblings”. Adding to it all, He Yu truly had a splendid singing voice. He sang as he went, making the mountain path feel less arduous. On the evening of the third day, they finally arrived at Mengcheng.

Perhaps accustomed to oddities, the guards at the city gate merely gave them a few extra glances—mostly at the little wooden cart plastered with the word “crude”—before waving them through and letting them enter the city without hindrance.

Mengcheng was far more bustling than Zhanglin Village. Upon entering the gates, they were greeted by numerous street vendors hawking their wares. Their calls immediately captivated Chen Shu. She stared here and there, her attention glued to the stalls and shops, as if unwilling to miss a single item.

Now it was Yun Shen’s turn to struggle. Not only did he have to handle the cart, but he also kept a firm grip on Chen Shu with one hand, for fear she might catch sight of some interesting object and unexpectedly launch herself off the flimsy cart at any moment. It was exhausting.

He Yu observed their antics and commented, “Brother Yun, there’s no need for such concern. Miss Chen understands her limits.”

Yun Shen shook his head and said wryly, “What limits could she possibly have?”

Unexpectedly, while Chen Shu’s eyes were firmly locked on the stalls, her ears were alert. Swinging her ponytail so its tail brushed against Yun Shen’s arm, she leaned her head far back towards him and protested defiantly, “Tsk! Saying bad things behind my back!”

“Where’s the bad thing?” Yun Shen replied, using his hand to steady her. “Simply concerned you might fall.”

“Fine!” Chen Shu immediately forgave him and turned her head back, sitting properly. But then she seemed to remember something, twisting back again to face him. “Brother Yun, you really don’t need to worry about me. I can protect myself!”

Yun Shen gave a light scoff. “Who’s worrying about you getting hurt? I’m worried you’ll wreck someone’s stall. We only got a bit of money from pawning that jade. Don’t end up having to pay it all out in compensation!”

—

They found an inn in Mengcheng for some rest. Among the three, only He Yu, having traveled the jianghu, had visited Mengcheng several times before. He was familiar not just with the city’s streets but could even call the innkeeper by name.

Once rooms were secured and after dinner, he had a few small sips of wine. But only those few sips were enough to leave him thoroughly drunk. Chen Shu, stirring things up during the meal, announced she wanted to go out exploring. He Yu mumbled agreement. This time, even Yun Shen couldn’t dissuade the pair, one big, one small. By the time the moon hung high in the night sky, all three of them were out experiencing the liveliness of the night market.

It was baffling how Chen Shu’s mouth grew so sweet. As they strolled, she kept peppering He Yu with cries of “Big Brother!” Her flattery not only further muddled his wine-soaked head but sent him floating cloudward on waves of praise. He swept his hand grandly and bought her several different animal-shaped sugary candies to eat.

Chen Shu was naturally ecstatic. She finished a peacock-shaped one and then nibbled on a tiger. She even generously shared a rabbit candy with Yun Shen, evidently hoping it would silence him.

He Yu looked on, unable to suppress a smile. The dazzling streetlights softened his angular features. As he grinned, revealing neat white teeth, the fierceness melted away, replaced instead by a somewhat endearing gentleness.

“Has Miss Chen never tasted these snacks in her sect?” he asked, helping Chen Shu hold the extraordinarily long dragon-shaped candy.

“Probably once or twice?” Chen Shu tilted her head thoughtfully. “But it was so long ago. Our master was strict and didn’t allow us to eat such things.”

He Yu seemed to recall something and chuckled. “Well, you can indulge more now that you’re down the mountain.”

“Impossible,” Chen Shu whispered gravely. “You don’t realize—Yun Shen behind you is even stricter than my master!”

Thankfully, Yun Shen didn’t hear this—or perhaps he did but chose not to respond.

They reveled in the night market well into the evening. True enough, by the next day, they struggled to rise from their beds well after the sun was high. After gathering provisions, they hurried to the riverside.

Dock after dock swarmed with stranded travelers who had failed to secure passage. Long queues snaked between piers, yet few boats remained open to passengers.

After over half an hour of frantic inquiries and searching, they finally found a boatman named Qin at a larger dock, just as the innkeeper had described. The dock was spacious, yet the boatman’s attitude was grander still. A throng stood encircling his vessel; all had been refused passage unless they possessed substantial wealth or influence. Without either—and at times even with—the boatman could hardly be bothered to acknowledge them.

Even when they produced the token given by the innkeeper—with whom the boatman had supposedly had good rapport—a stark contrast unfolded. The Qin boatman took the token only to mutter profanities about the innkeeper under his breath. Reluctantly, he stepped aside to allow them to board. He lowered the small wooden ladder.

Amidst stares layered with resentment and envy, the three collected their token, took their key, and climbed aboard.

Indeed, this boat was unlike others: not only for its ornate embellishments resembling a lavished manor, but also for its remarkable steadiness. They boarded as if walking on solid ground. Inside the luxurious cabin—luxuriant beyond most expectations—only half of the seats were occupied despite the scores waiting dockside. They spent yet more time locating their cabin, storing their luggage, and sitting a while in silence.

Footsteps intermittently brushed past outside their door.

This period of waiting stretched to hours, with no sign of departure.

Sunset in Mengcheng bore little resemblance to evenings back in Zhanglin Village—both had sunsets, yes, but here, with hills rolling waterwards, dusk poured a splendor over glimmering Yushui River as if washing the shore in radiance. Brighter than noon, the land almost became a pure fairyland.

Yun Shen emerged from the cabin, taking time for his eyes to adjust to blazing light. Chen Shu and He Yu had already gathered near the boatman’s stern.

By that afternoon, the once-sparsely filled cabins had indeed taken on a crowded hum. Some doors were sealed tight, movements within only hinted by faint shadows; others who had secured quarters early lounged leisurely on deck, gazing riverward. As the three squeezed through fellow passengers to reach the boatman—they found him on a small stool blocking the ladder—fan in hand with slow, languorous strokes—eyes shut as if in deep slumber—without notice to depart.

“Master boatman, when might we set sail?” He Yu leaned over the railing to ask.

Without opening his eyes, still fanning unhurriedly with the cattail fan, the boatman said, “Why the hurry? Aren’t you aboard already? We must wait until all passengers are present to depart.”

“Every passenger aboard has waited all afternoon,” argued He Yu, gesturing at fellow travelers. “Look—even the last group of ferries have begun leaving the docks. Wait any longer and darkness might fall. For whom exactly are we holding?”

“What’s your concern?” The boatman finally cracked one eye to cast a skewed glance at them. “If I say wait, you wait. The one we’re waiting for is noble, wealthy—far above the likes of you. If your impatience burns so fierce, perhaps you’d care to pay the noble’s deposit? Then I’d set sail at once. How’s that?”

He Yu, having met many shrewd opportunists like this man all too often, knew pressing further was fruitless. He began stepping back just as Chen Shu piped up, too quick-tongued to restrain her tongue:

“Even if it’s someone grand,” she demanded, “you should at least say when! Even if you see time as cheap—surely not every traveler here has the same freedom!”

“If you’re desperate—ride another boat! Save your breath—O worthy Hero Li! You’ve finally arrived!”

He had been berating halfway when his squint caught disturbance at the dockside. He abruptly silenced himself. Scrambling off the stool, he rushed to receive a group approaching.

Encircled by people like an idol stood an upright, wealthy swordsman whose robes dripped gold and jade. Behind walked several followers, all strutting haughtily toward the vessel.

In moments, the boatman had the ladder ready again. He led them up personally, murmuring flatteries: “Ah, allow me—I’ll carry that luggage; this way, if you please!—You three! Still blocking the way? Move aside!”

Chen Shu, witnessing the novelty of it all, had not found a word to retort when the swordsman amid the group raised a hand. Then He Yu pushed forward, shielding the other two behind.

“Oh? Isn’t that Brother He? Years haven’t met us kindly, have they! Didn’t you lose an eye?—No, more than that…” The hero and his entourage snickered. “And your ever-present Junior Sister—don’t tell me you lost her too! What? So Cold Pine Glen truly scrapes barrel’s bottom—hiring a wet-behind-the-ears girl for the Grand Contest?”

“Wet-behind-the-ears girl?” Chen Shu looked left and right. Hearing the group explode in laughter again, she said, “…You don’t mean me, do you?”

“It seems they do,” said Yun Shen.

He Yu kept silent. The hero laughed sharply: “What, Brother He? Not pleased to find an old friend? Right, I forgot—your poor excuse for a sect has decayed. Can’t foster successors, barely scraps of food on its plate! Hear me—abandon shadow and find light! Join Biyang Valley instead! With our history—I could get you a sweeping disciple post. A humble job—though it feeds. Won’t you?”

Bawling laughter erupted once more. Still, He Yu made no reply—

Thud.

A blast deafened out laughter as if the heavens had cracked open. The mighty ship swayed violently under the tremor. Several who leaned on the edge looked downward screaming into the water.

“The boat!—Why is the boat moving?!”

“Oh Heaven, some of us are still ashore! Senior Brother! What do we do?!”

In the confusion, Yun Shen suddenly snapped alert. He whipped his head around and met eyes with Chen Shu, whose guilt was plastered all over her face.