Chapter 111: The Five Heroes of Jiannan
Chapter 111: The Five Heroes of Jiannan
After some conversation, the guests were very happy. The three of them talked about various topics while enjoying tea with the bamboo grove and lake in view, finding it quite enjoyable. Before they knew it, more than half an hour had passed.
“Wen Layperson, the ancients said, ‘The Way that can be spoken is not the eternal Way. All things under heaven follow the Way.’ Mu Feng is untalented and has shallow knowledge, but may I ask what exactly is the Way?”
Mu Feng seized the chance to ask Tranquil Recluse, speaking while performing a formal salute with cupped fists.
When three people walk together, one must be my teacher. The ancients valued learning, advocating not quiet reading behind closed doors but traveling the world to study. Especially after reading many books and gaining some knowledge, it was essential to tour various states. They hoped to truly grasp the knowledge and principles described in books while experiencing local customs and cultures.
From childhood, Mu Feng had never left Jianning. Rarely going out and encountering a great scholar like Tranquil Recluse, he naturally wouldn’t easily miss this opportunity.
All along, his understanding and insight into the Way had been constantly changing and adjusting. Even after breaking through to the Late Mortal Realm, he still seemed to understand yet not quite, unsure what the true Way really was!
“What is the Way?”
Tranquil Recluse looked profound, gazing at Mu Feng in thoughtful silence. After a long while, he picked up a small stone and tossed it into the calm lake. Watching the splashing water and ripples, he said, “Young Master Mu, look, when a stone falls into the lake, it must cause splashes and ripples—that is the Way. That you and I meet here is also the Way. With a clear heart and few desires, one is naturally peaceful—that is the Path of Tranquility. ‘The Way that can be spoken is not the eternal Way.’ What exactly is the Way can only be understood, not explained.”
“Hmm, the Path of Tranquility…”
Mu Feng nodded, lost in thought.
Tranquil Recluse’s words almost said nothing at all, but upon careful reflection, they contained hidden truths. Everyone has their own Way in their heart. Differences in background, family, age, knowledge, and even gender naturally lead to different understandings and views of the world’s myriad things. To enter the Way and attain it requires one’s unremitting efforts, using one’s own heart to experience and ponder.
Looking up and seeing the sky was about right, Mu Feng stood up to take his leave. “Wen Layperson, it’s getting late, so it’s time for us to be on our way. Meeting by chance, we’ve bothered you rudely. Please forgive any shortcomings!”
“No, Young Master Mu, that’s too polite. It’s rare to meet once; why leave so soon?”
Tranquil Recluse was a bit surprised and stood up to warmly persuade them to stay. “I’ve already informed my brothers. Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon. They’ve also long heard of your reputation and hold you in high regard. It’s rare to have such a good opportunity to gather together, Young Master Mu, please leave a bit later!”
“Wen Layperson, this…”
Mu Feng and Jing Wushuang beside him exchanged a look, finding it hard to refuse such kindness. Just as they were about to continue declining, a long whistle came from afar, at least ten li away. The next moment, the sound was already five li away, astonishingly fast—far surpassing even Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie. Soon, a tall figure flew directly over the wall and landed before them.
He had white beard, was tall and large, almost as big as elder brother Sky Splitting Tiger. His long hair flowed over his shoulders, and he had a square face that commanded respect at a glance. He leaned on a pitch-black, shiny crutch, his right pant leg empty and fluttering in the wind—clearly a cripple with only one leg!
A cripple!
A cripple with only one leg, yet his speed was so astonishing!
Mu Feng was greatly shocked, looking at the tall old man before him with deep respect.
“Young Master Mu, this is my elder brother Yan Liren, known as Flying Sky Bat. His temper is just this impatient; he’s hated evil all his life and hasn’t changed even in old age. Every time he enters, he doesn’t use the main gate but flies directly over the wall!”
Tranquil Recluse shook his head and smiled, then turned to introduce the tall old man. “Elder brother, this is the famous talented scholar Mu Feng. He said he wanted to leave not long after sitting down, but I told him you all were coming, so he stayed. You’ve come just in time—persuade him to stay here properly for a few days, so we can have a good gathering!”
“What, leaving as soon as you’ve arrived? Isn’t this clearly looking down on us, the Five Heroes of Jiannan?”
The old man calling himself Flying Sky Bat flared his beard and glared, his temper indeed not ordinary fiery. With both hands, he forcibly pressed Mu Feng back into his seat. “Come, come, meeting is fate; once you enter the door, we’re brothers. Today, we won’t stop until we’re drunk. Third brother, you damned fellow, hurry up and tell someone to bring the wine! Who wants your plain tea? Drinking this all day makes my mouth feel bland and dry.”
“Elder brother, at your age, when will you ever be a bit more refined? Being so rough on the first meeting, you’ll scare the guests!”
Before Tranquil Recluse could speak, the gate creaked open from outside. A short, plump middle-aged man walked in while speaking with a smile, casually tossing aside the small twig he used to lift the latch. Behind him followed a charming, still-beautiful woman. Seeing Flying Sky Bat forcefully pressing Mu Feng into his seat, she covered her mouth with a chuckle and walked over with dainty steps.
“The one in front is second brother Feng Qianjin, known as the Thousand Mirage Thief, with vast wealth. Elder brother always flies over the wall, but he’s not that rough—he always opens the door and walks in himself. His hands are more nimble than the green snakes in the bamboo grove—be careful not to let him get too close. Following behind is fourth sister Mei Xue, known as Fourth Lady Mei, skilled in the art of shifting flowers and trees, her home filled with plum blossoms. If it’s convenient later, Young Master Mu, why not stay at her place for a few days? The scenery there is much prettier than my small bamboo grove!”
Tranquil Recluse smiled, introducing them one by one to Mu Feng. After clapping his hands, prepared maids swiftly came forward, laying out a full table of wine and meat. Seeing it impossible to refuse, Mu Feng and Jing Wushuang had to sit down, planning to leave later.
“What about fifth brother, why hasn’t he arrived yet?”
Seeing the wine and dishes already on the table but fifth brother still not present, the charming Fourth Lady Mei asked Tranquil Recluse beside her.
“Why call him?”
Before Tranquil Recluse could answer, Flying Sky Bat’s face darkened.
Seeing his displeased expression, Fourth Lady Mei and Tranquil Recluse exchanged a look, shaking their heads with a bitter smile and saying no more to avoid spoiling the mood.
After three rounds of wine, Flying Sky Bat looked up at Mu Feng and nodded repeatedly. “Full of righteousness, unyielding integrity, and extraordinary talent—indeed, like father, like son. Mu Feng, over a dozen years ago, I once met your father Lord Mu by chance in the Capital City. Back then, I joked that the child in Lady Situ’s womb would surely be no ordinary person someday. Looking now, I wasn’t wrong. Sadly, more than ten years have passed swiftly, and I can no longer see your father.”
Lord Mu?
Mu Feng was surprised, not expecting the old man Flying Sky Bat to know his father. Thinking of the father he never met, he felt somewhat excited. “Old Yan, I have some urgent business to attend to and need to head to Jianshui City quickly, so I’ll continue my journey soon. Before I leave, could you tell me what kind of person my father really was and who killed him?”
“Your mother never told you?”
Flying Sky Bat was startled, realizing he had slipped up, and laughed it off. “Sorry, I only met your father once, so I don’t know the specifics. Come, come, let’s drink. Today, let’s not talk about unpleasant matters. We won’t stop until we’re drunk. Third brother, come, play a tune for our scholar who’s come from afar to liven things up!”
“Very well.”
Tranquil Recluse smiled faintly, took the long flute hanging at his waist, and soon, melodious flute notes drifted far away. A few lively notes made people feel refreshed, like sweet spring water descending from heaven, calming their hearts. Though Mu Feng had countless questions, seeing Flying Sky Bat unwilling to say more, he had to stop pressing and focused on appreciating the soothing flute music.