Chapter 49

Speaking of that large weir beside Yingqiu City, it must have had a proper name once, but after the dynasty changed—and it being a previous dynasty’s project—the name wasn’t explicitly forbidden, it just faded from mention. Coupled with Yingqiu City’s awkward position, while under imperial control, its proximity to Fangcheng meant that Valley of Villains had killed multiple imperial officials here; the newly appointed county magistrates acted cautiously, nominally in charge but doing little beyond showing up—mere placeholders—so the weir gradually fell into neglect. Since it was rugged, remaining unscathed for centuries without oversight, later references usually just called it Yingqiu Weir.

As for the Yushui River, its widespread navigability came from numerous branches both upstream and downstream. Beyond the great river that Chen Shu’s group took—the main Yushui River channel—were many tributaries flowing from the thousands of mountains in Yunan and Yubei. Now Shen Jie brought up Yingqiu City, not only because it was upstream of the Yushui River and had an embankment near it, but for a more crucial reason:

It was close to Diancang Pass.

“If the flooding came from Mengcheng, or even Fangcheng east of Yingqiu City, after heavy rain or a sluice gate opened, the floodwaters wouldn’t reach Diancang Pass with such ferocity at all,” Shen Jie explained. “Did you notice the city walls when entering? The myth about the Yushui River splitting mountains holds some truth—the terrain is like it’s been cleaved by a sword blade. Diancang Pass hangs over an embankment dozens of zhang high; even usual mountain torrents couldn’t flood into the city, let alone this deluge. So, its source must be the nearest: Yingqiu Weir.”

This long speech, delivered with punctuated rhythm, gradually transformed Chen Shu’s astonishment into realization; by the end, she gasped, mouth agape: “I see… So, Lord Shen, you mean these floods were man-made?” “Not confirmed—we need to investigate,” Shen Jie lowered her voice, adding, “With the flood barely subdued and Yingqiu City’s unstable state, covert tensions must seethe in Diancang Pass. But regardless, due to those sheer mountains, the fastest route from Diancang Pass to Yingqiu Weir is via water. Overland travel—” “—After the flood, he sent troops to strictly guard Diancang Pass! Galloping out openly now is too risky!” Chen Shu gasped softly under her breath. “Lord Shen, while seeming like a letter run, you’re aiming to catch the culprit off guard!”

The two then held a private discussion detailing their departure plans, which need not be recounted here. Suffice it to say, after their talk, Chen Shu went back to find Yun Shen and He Yu late into the night. After a day of flooding and bustle, many had lost shelter or warm bedding; most curled up in temporary houses spared by the waters. Searching around, Chen Shu spotted Yun Shen in a small alley outside one such dwelling, gazing up as if serenely admiring the moon.

As she approached, Yun Shen turned instinctively; his usual gentle smile was absent, replaced by a cool calm, yet under moonlight, his expression seemed softly kind. Inside the house behind the wall people crowded, some sleepless, others deep in slumber, snoring loudly or with muffled, faint sobs. The cold night felt dispelled by those sounds; under the light glow, time stretched, plunging one into a prolonged, relaxed trance.

Yun Shen observed her silently while she paused unusually to halt. Gazing wordlessly, amidst the rubble and muddiness of the street, only Yun Shen stood firmly, his robes still damp and hair trailing water droplets—yet poised in the rare stillness of the post-disaster turmoil, aloof and immovably grounded. Oddly, at that instant, Chen Shu felt she could read Yun Shen: his relaxed posture, arms tucked away and vulnerable; eyes holding tender reticence; patiently composed demeanor, expectant like a softly unspoken waiting.

For the first time, she felt a spark of playful curiosity and consciously chose not to respond to him immediately. It was like a young leopard clumsily offering its prey an escape route while still learning to hunt.

After a long moment, Yun Shen finally spoke first.

“I heard you’re setting off tomorrow to deliver that letter for Lord Shen to Yingqiu City?”

“Yes,” Chen Shu responded, meeting his gaze with unabashed openness.

“…Do you even know where Yingqiu City is?” Yun Shen asked quietly.

“Of course I do!” Chen Shu beamed. “Lord Shen explained it carefully. Just cross two mountains, and I’ll be there!”

Yun Shen fell silent again. The night wind rustled softly, lifting the hem of his robe.

“Then do you know where Mijiang Slope is?”

“I know that too!” Chen Shu’s laughter grew even more genuine. “I’m a bit slow, Brother Yun. If you want to say something, you have to tell me plainly so I can understand!”

The young leopard, still inexperienced, had its fluffy thick paw accidentally land on the game’s tail, causing it to start and alert it to both her playfulness and predatory stare.

Yun Shen finally smiled again, but not the restrained, gentle smile of before. This was more unrestrained. He shook his head with a laugh, sidestepping her comment, and took two steps towards her. Leaning down slightly, though looking down at Chen Shu from above, his head involuntarily dipped with a hint of something unspoken as he countered, “And your sword? Are you just not going to look for it then?”

“I was just about to discuss that with you!” Chen Shu, magnanimous, let the previous subject drop instantly. “Guess who I saw when I was holding back the floodwaters on the city wall?”

“…Me?” Yun Shen asked hesitantly.

“Oh! You’re usually so sharp-witted, why are you so dull now?” Chen Shu gestured animatedly at him. “Such a huge flood! Did you seriously think I could hold it back all by myself? Okay, well, maybe I could have done it alone if I had to… but someone did help me that day! They used—”

“—The talisman wasn’t yours?” Yun Shen’s expression abruptly sharpened, the question bursting from him.

“No! It was a—” Chen Shu blinked, her eyes suddenly darting as she frowned. “—How did you know someone used a talisman?”

“What do you think? I was on the wall. I know a little about cultivation arts. How could I not sense someone else interfering?” Yun Shen retorted, reaching out and grasping her shoulders. He leaned closer, his gaze intense and voice stern as he stared at Chen Shu. “Think closely! What did they look like? Tall or short? Fat or thin?”

“Wh-What are you getting so frantic about?” Chen Shu was startled but didn’t pull away. Her eyes dropped to where his hand held her.

Usually, such a look from her would make Yun Shen conscious of their suddenly intimate proximity, and he’d release her awkwardly. But this time, when Chen Shu glanced down, Yun Shen misinterpreted it entirely, mistaking her look for evasion. He even lifted his other hand, cradling her face, and reiterated with a heavy, earnest, yet still stern voice, “I’m not frantic! But this matter… this is something you should have told me about immediately! Why did they even help? What’s their true strength? Their background? It’s impossible to trace! And you used your magic right in front of them! All your cultivation fully exposed! Do you even grasp how serious this is?”

“Of course I know it’s serious!” Chen Shu exclaimed, irritation flaring in response to his lecture. Even with Yun Shen practically pinching her face between his hands, she puffed her cheeks defiantly. “All I’m saying is this person had a talisman, was at Diancang Pass, and clearly knows something about cultivation – otherwise, how would they know how to use it cleverly to help me? And they were able to conceal themselves! So maybe they’re the one who took—”

“—Took your sword?” Yun Shen gave a cold laugh. He sighed, took a deep, steadying breath to regain his composure, then said, “Earlier, when you mistakenly thought He Yu had the sword, that was harmless enough. He Yu’s decent at heart, and I didn’t see the need to disabuse you. But now? One display of a talisman, and you’re captivated? Even if we take the wildest leap, assuming the sword was somewhere near Diancang Pass, why does it have to be the talisman user? You’re naturally impulsive, your thoughts flit about – that’s understandable! But in a situation like this, with the other person an unknown entity… They say they helped? Then why didn’t they show themselves?”

“Maybe they weren’t into showing themselves! Like that saying goes… ‘deeply hide both merit and name’?” Chen Shu’s voice faltered under his barrage of questions, but she quickly rallied, pushing her volume back up with a touch of bluster. “It’s just a theory! Why does it have to be such a huge deal needing total clarity? You were the one who said I couldn’t just ask everyone on the street, said my sword technique could breed fear and envy! Well, this person who used the talisman helped save me! Surely they can’t be bad! You’re always here doubting this one, doubting that one, but maybe I can see things for myself? Think for myself? If I really did meet a bad person, don’t I have people like you, Brother He, Lord Shen to help me?!”

“That’s a flawed argument!” Yun Shen’s tone grew even more grave. “When I urged you to conceal your magical cultivation, it wasn’t just to avoid the countless ordinary mortals of this world! You must understand – this world beneath the mountains is not like the mountains. Even cultivators, even those who wield a talisman to save you, once tainted by the dust of the mortal world, become radically different from the cultivators you knew. They can be more dangerous than unarmed mortals! If you go seeking them out without any precautions? What if their intentions are malicious? What would you do then?”

“I’m not bad myself! And I meet people with sincerity!” Chen Shu argued. “Why should I be so timid?”

“Yes! Sincerity! Until we part ways! He Yu returns to Cold Pine Glen. Shen Jie goes back to her capital city to be an official. I—I return—” Yun Shen inhaled sharply again, swallowing the rest of that sentence. Suppressing his agitation, he declared, “—This world is base! How could anyone understand your pure, innocent heart?!”

The words, resonant and heavy, seemed to ring out into silence through the surrounding street.

Her lips trembling, Chen Shu lifted her chin defiantly, sniffed loudly, and fell silent. She stood like that long enough for Yun Shen’s anger to cool. He looked at her, his fingers unconsciously moving to brush her flushed, warm cheek – hesitant strokes, gentle and soft. This touch stirred the inexplicable feeling inside her, causing it to swell slowly within her chest. She belatedly felt wronged, staring up at Yun Shen before finally saying:

“But my sword… it ran off taking my heart with it…”