Old Letter
“Hahaha!” The fact that the man attired in clean white garments could laugh so sonorously meant that they ensured no unwanted people were within range. As well, it meant the masked man was standing guard someone outside. “It’s pleasing to know you still know how to respect your elders. Have a seat.”
Before Huang Yuzao could sit down, the sluggish man tugged the seated man’s clothes. The man Huang Yuzao addressed as an elder lowered his head and asked, “What’s the matter, Shitou?”
Shitou, eyes on a random spot, shook his head. “Laugh… Laugh…”
“Haha, you want to know why I laughed? In my lifetime, I’ve lost count of how many people are called elder, Supreme Daoist, Venerable Monk, Sword Deity, Brilliant Broadsworder, other insincere titles, and I’ve met my fair share of people who want to start fighting before a conversation can be had. Only the leader of Confucianism started with formalities and then proceeded to reason. Think about it: he tried to reason with me, someone from an unorthodox faction.”
A popular belief was that people who lived long lives developed quirky or profound personalities. This man, in contrast, embodied a fickle personality. Hence, it was safe to assume he didn’t prolong his lifespan using any normal means.
Shitou resembled a rock, but he was dressed and groom tidily. He reminded Huang Yuzao of someone he had once met; it reminded him of a terrified visage he once espied.
“He’s… Is he Shang Bieshi’s closed-door disciple, Wan Shi?”
Before Shang Bieshi was forced to concede his leadership of Fiends’ Genesis, he had a few disciples who were feared for their talent. Unfortunately, only one of them survived the war. The thirty year old man Huang Yuzao felt was familiar was the very survivor. Brilliant Broadsworder erased Shitou’s courage during the war when they engaged each other in a grotto.
“That’s him.” The man in white gently caressed Shitou’s head while the latter dozed off. “Shitou is that young boy from back then.” Once Shitou once sound asleep, the man continued in a soft voice, “He was the most highly regarded disciple. Although I can’t find him, taking care of this boy sustains the flame of hope.”
Huang Yuzao raised his hands in salute. “Elder Gongsun…”
“I now go by the name Jiang Chen. Let us not use old names.”
“I beg your pardon. Please tell me where Xie Jizhi is now.”
Xia Jizhi, student of Huang Yuzao and tutor at Daren Academy, was a star hailing from Xie Clan. Unfortunately, despite possessing the knack for both scholastic subjects and martial arts, he never excelled enough to establish himself in either, which was the reason he was never highly regarded. He went missing for a while yesterday – before Huang Yuzao received the letter.
Jiang Chen eyed Huang Yuzao as if the latter was a new toy he was examining. “I would’ve mistaken Xie Jizhi for your illegitimate son if you didn’t tell me otherwise. You’re coming to his rescue instead of his actual family. He must really be like a son to you.”
As a matter of fact, Xie Clan didn’t even feel losing Xie Jizhi put as little as a dent in their clan. Huang Yuzao didn’t mention Xie Jizhi’s disappearance to anyone just as his family didn’t. The difference was, Huang Yuzao went to his rescue, while his family didn’t even bother acknowledging him.
Huang Yuzao bowed. “Despite his ancestry, he exhibits no boastful traits. He wholeheartedly devotes himself to everything he does, strives to teach the next generation and contribute his part to the country. In the future, this country will have plenty to thank him for. Please spare his life.”
Huang Yuzao advanced one step. To some, a step was but a mere step that needed no thought. Huang Yuzao, in contrast, stepped forward as though he floated to his new spot, yet it was solid, measured and taken with conviction. “Please accept my gratitude in advance.”
“Hmm…” Jiang Chen deliberately drawled on his hum to create the impression he was musing deeply. “As one would expect of Confucianism’s leader, a man able to leave the past out if he gives his word to. Let us discuss the present, then. Have you brought what was requested in the letter?” It was impossible to get a read on Jiang Chen’s thoughts from his tone.
“I have.” Huang Yuzao reached into his pouch that was glowing red.
Jiang Chen reclined onto the tiger-fur backrest. “We complete the exchange simultaneously, deal?”
Huang Yuzao shook his head and, in an indifferent voice, replied, “Nine Dragons Fire Jade is a precious treasure of Confucianism. We only just found it again recently following its disappearance twenty years ago. How can I face my predecessors if I hand it over?”
“I know. I know.” Jiang Chen flapped his hand. “Everyone knows you won’t let anyone threaten you. If I kill Xie Jizhi, not only will I not get my hands on the jade, but you’ll also attack me, correct?”
If Jiang Chen did kill Xie Jiuzhi, he wouldn’t even get a glimpse of Nine Dragons Fire Jade.
Following a silence contest, Jiang Chen stated, “Xie Jizhi isn’t in my hands.”
This time, Jiang Chen tried to get a reaction out of Huang Yuzao. Scrutinise as he may, he couldn’t detect any signs of fluctuation at the mental level. Even though they were on opposing sides, Jiang Chen admired Huang Yuzao’s ability to keep a level head.
“Xie Jizhi is currently at a pub close to the south doors. I drugged him to capture him, and he forgot all about it by the time he came to; he just thought he was drunk. He will return to the academy of his own volition without any memory of the events. Likewise, he won’t have any clue what his teacher did for him.” Jiang Chen smiled, but his smile was full of intimidation rather than joy. “I didn’t kidnap him for the seal. Someone as useless as him isn’t worthy of the seal. I’m not a tasteless hooligan, either. I won’t expect a treasure in exchange for rubbish.”
Huang Yuzao performed a hand salute. “I am listening.”
“For instance, what would Confucianism’s leader come to a barren place in the city outskirts for? Isn’t that interesting?”
“…” Huang Yuzao held up the letter he had pinched between his fingers. Unlike ordinary paper letters, this particular one had several bamboo components. “I did come here with questions to ask, indeed.” He subsequently took out a yellow letter from his shirt and held them side by side. The two stamps on them were practically identical. “Twenty years ago, did you visit Six Principles Hall by East China Sea.”
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