Chapter 43: The Boy and the Old Dog

(Still six chapters behind.)

Chen Ping'an didn't return directly to Liu Xianyang's residence. Instead, he went back to Mud Bottle Alley to tell Ning Yao about Liu Xianyang's plans.

Ning Yao listened without offering an opinion, only stating that it was a matter between him and Liu Xianyang. She would only concern herself with taking people's money to resolve their troubles. If Liu Xianyang could avoid disaster without her intervention, she would return the three bags of gold-refined copper coins. Chen Ping'an argued that it wasn't about the money, to which Ning Yao coldly retorted, "So, you want to talk feelings with me? Are we at that stage?" Chen Ping'an was nearly choked by her words and could only squat by the doorframe, scratching his head.

Ning Yao glanced at the pastries Chen Ping'an had brought, a mix of affordable glutinous rice cakes and relatively expensive "Rain Dew" sweets, clearly the young man's best attempt at hospitality. The girl felt a rare twinge of guilt, momentarily thinking she was being a bit unkind, eating and lodging at his expense. Even if she couldn't offer significant help, she shouldn't make things worse. So, she asked, "Could Liu Xianyang have faced real, physical threats at the blacksmith shop, forcing him to sell that dark green, warty armor? Like, perhaps the shop harbors spies from the Four Surnames and Ten Clans who gave Liu Xianyang a lesson?"

Chen Ping'an pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No, Liu Xianyang isn't the type to yield to threats. The first time I met him, even after being beaten to the point of vomiting blood by the Fortune Street gang, he didn't utter a single word of surrender. He just endured it, almost being beaten to death. Liu Xianyang's character hasn't changed over the years."

Ning Yao asked further, "Youthful vigor, impetuous courage, valuing promises over life and death, such wandering heroes are never in short supply. I've seen many myself. But when faced with great profit, a different kind of temptation, can Liu Xianyang really hold onto his original intentions?"

Chen Ping'an fell into thought again, his gaze finally hardening. "Liu Xianyang wouldn't become a spendthrift just because outsiders offered him something. He has deep feelings for his grandfather. Unless it's truly like he said, his grandfather instructed him before his death that the armor could be sold, but not cheaply, and that the sword manual must remain in the Liu family, to be passed down to future generations."

Ning Yao stated, "From what I know, that warty armor is of good quality, but not exceptionally rare. The sword manual, on the other hand, has been coveted by the Righteous Sun Mountain for a long time, and they've even sent two people here to search for it, clearly considering it theirs for the taking. So, it must be a good thing. Selling the armor and keeping the sword manual, that decision makes sense."

Chen Ping'an nodded.

Ning Yao stroked the green scabbard, her gaze turning cold. "To be safe, I'll accompany you to Liu Xianyang's residence. We'll deal with that woman first. Since Liu Xianyang explicitly said he wanted to sell it, then let her move the chest containing the armor. Afterward, I'll go with you to the Ruan family's shop to see Liu Xianyang and ask him what he's really thinking. If it's truly his grandfather's dying wish, then we don't need to interfere. Every family has its own troubles, and you shouldn't meddle in things that aren't your business. If it's not, then let him reveal his difficulties. At worst, I'll just snatch the chest back!"

Chen Ping'an asked worriedly, "Are you sure your body is up to it, Miss Ning?"

Ning Yao sneered, "If it were against the Mountain-Moving Old Ape of Righteous Sun Mountain, I'd definitely be battered and bruised. But dealing with that woman in this small town? I only need one hand."

Chen Ping'an asked curiously, "Mountain-Moving Ape?"

Ning Yao said dismissively, "A remnant of an ancient, ferocious beast left in this world, a monstrous ape whose true form is as large as a mountain peak. Legend says that once it reveals its true form, it can uproot an entire mountain and carry it away on its back. But those are just rumors, after all, no one has ever actually seen it. Righteous Sun Mountain has been patient for centuries, but its foundation is actually quite strong. Although the sect's ranking in the Eastern Treasure Continent isn't high, it's not to be underestimated. So, it's best if we can avoid conflict with them. If conflict arises..."

Chen Ping'an carefully asked, "If conflict arises, what happens?"

Ning Yao stood up, pushed her thumb to draw her blade an inch, and looked at the straw-sandaled boy with a look of utter disbelief. The girl said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "What else? We kill them, of course!"

Chen Ping'an gulped.

Afterward, the boy carried his basket and led the girl, who had re-donned her veil and wore the green blade at her waist, slowly toward Liu Xianyang's ancestral home.

Ning Yao glanced at the boy's basket. "Why so little today?"

Chen Ping'an sighed. "Ma Ku Xuan, oh, that's Ma Granny's grandson from Apricot Blossom Alley, about my age. He seems completely different now. According to him, the town's feng shui has changed, so the stones in these streams are less and less able to retain 'qi'."

Ning Yao's expression turned serious. "He's right, this town is about to change. You'd better resolve this matter as soon as possible and leave the town quickly. Even if you come back later, it's better than staying in the town."

Chen Ping'an wasn't a stubborn fool who wouldn't turn back until he hit a wall. Having grown up alone, he understood the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the importance of priorities even better. He nodded and smiled. "I will. As soon as I see Liu Xianyang and Master Ruan drink the apprenticeship tea, I'll leave immediately. Hopefully, at that time, Master Ruan will also agree to forge a sword for you."

Looking at the overjoyed fellow, Ning Yao wondered, "Why are you so happy about something that has nothing to do with you? Why do you object when I call you a do-gooder?"

Perhaps feeling that they were somewhat acquainted now, Chen Ping'an spoke without as much reservation as before, stating with a firm conviction, "Liu Xianyang, Gu Can, plus Miss Ning, think about it, there are so many people in the world, but I only care about the well-being of three people. How am I a do-gooder?"

Ning Yao asked with a smile, "In that list of three people, where do I rank?"

Chen Ping'an said both sincerely and shyly, "Third for now."

Ning Yao drew her blade and casually held it in her hand, lightly tapping the boy's shoulder with the scabbard. Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Chen Ping'an, you should thank me for not killing you."

Chen Ping'an asked, bewildered, "Doesn't boiling medicine bother you?"

Ning Yao was taken aback, then understood his meaning. "Chen Ping'an, I suddenly realized that even if you go out there, you'll be able to live well."

Chen Ping'an wasn't greedy at all, saying sincerely, "Just as good as it is now is enough."

Ning Yao remained noncommittal, gently swaying the green blade in her hand, like a village girl swaying a flower branch.At the corner of the alley leading to Liu Xianyang's house, a dark shadow suddenly darted out. Ning Yao almost drew her blade but managed to stop herself in time. It turned out to be a yellow dog, circling Chen Ping'an affectionately. Chen Ping'an bent down and rubbed the dog's head, then straightened up and smiled, "It belongs to the family next door to Liu Xianyang's. They call him Laifu. He's been around for years, but he's very timid. Liu Xianyang and I used to take him up the mountain, but he'd just follow us, tagging along for the fun. Liu Xianyang always complained that he couldn't catch any rabbits or pheasants, saying Laifu was worse than a cat. Like the cat Ma Kuxuan's family has, people often see it bringing home wild chickens and snakes. But Laifu is old now, over ten years old. He's very old."

As he spoke, the straw-sandaled youth couldn't help but bend down again, stroking Laifu's head, and said softly, "You're getting old, you have to accept it, right? Don't worry, once I earn big money, I'll make sure you don't go hungry."

Ning Yao shook her head. She couldn't empathize with this.

Even though she had seen many people and many things on her journey, from high and mighty immortals to ordinary commoners, from the luxurious carriages of wealthy young masters to the divine figures soaring through the air, she had witnessed countless joys and sorrows.

There were Buddhist monks, walking barefoot with alms bowls on stormy nights, chanting sutras with unwavering steps. There were poor scholars on their way to the capital for the imperial examinations, gently applying makeup to the eyebrows of a fox spirit disguised as a human in a dilapidated temple, and setting off again with no regrets, even though they knew their temples were already tinged with frost.

There was a young Daoist priest with the title of Celestial Master, traversing ancient battlefields and mass burial grounds alone, silently reciting the Infinite Life Celestial Venerable, sacrificing his own cultivation to guide lost souls on a path to transcendence. There was a middle-aged civil official who, upon taking office, personally banned licentious shrines and dragon king temples, his lips cracked and bleeding, setting up an incense altar on a dry riverbed, hoarsely reciting "A Prayer to the Dragon King," and finally kneeling before the Dragon King Temple to beg forgiveness for the sake of the people in his jurisdiction.

There was an elderly former dynasty loyalist, unwilling to take his son, who had agreed to serve the new dynasty, only taking his young grandson, climbing to a high place to compose poetry, and facing the broken mountains and rivers of the lost country, tears streaming down his face as he told his beloved grandson the original names of the renamed prefectures and counties. There was a small boat going down a thousand-mile gorge, a scholar reciting with high spirits amidst the cries of monkeys on both banks, laughing loudly to the sky when he reached a satisfying passage. There was a captivating woman covered in armor, drinking wine on horseback after the smoke of battle had cleared.

All the way, she had seen, heard, and felt. Ning Yao's heart for the Dao remained as firm as a rock, without any hesitation.

And now, Ning Yao saw another scene.

A lonely and poor youth from a humble alley, carrying a basket and a fish creel, stroking the head of an old dog, his heart filled with hope for the future.

They had barely returned to Liu Xianyang's house when someone knocked on the courtyard door. Chen Ping'an and Ning Yao exchanged a glance, then Chen Ping'an went to open the door. Ning Yao simply stood at the doorway, but she glanced back at the long sword lying quietly on the counter.

The knocker was Lu Zhengchun, naturally led by the madam, accompanied by two loyal servants of the Lu family.

Lu Zhengchun had a kind expression and asked softly, "You are Liu Xianyang's friend, called Chen Ping'an, right? We are here to move the boxes. Liu Xianyang should have told you about it. So you can rest assured about this bag of money. Besides, the conditions that our madam promised Liu Xianyang will be delivered to him without any shortfall in the future."

Chen Ping'an took the bag of money and stepped aside. The dignified and generous madam was the first to enter the courtyard. Lu Zhengchun led the two servants behind her. The madam personally opened the red-lacquered wooden boxes that had already been placed in the main hall, squatted down, reached out, and stroked the ugly armor. A moment of confusion appeared in her eyes, followed by an undisguised heat and desire, but this emotion was quickly contained by the madam, returning to her normal expression. She stood up and signaled Lu Zhengchun to start moving the boxes. The items were not heavy, after all, there was only one suit of armor inside.

The madam was the last to leave the house. When she reached the threshold, she turned back and looked at the straw-sandaled youth, smiling slightly, "Liu Xianyang really regards you as a friend."

Not understanding her deeper meaning, Chen Ping'an could only remain silent, simply seeing them off as they left the courtyard.

Finally, Chen Ping'an stood outside the door, unwilling to move for a long time. Ning Yao came to his side.

The madam walked behind Lu Zhengchun and the other two. After reaching the end of the alley, she turned her head to look and saw the young man and woman standing side by side, smiling playfully, "Youth is good, but you have to be alive to enjoy it."

In the covered bridge spanning the stream, a tall youth lay in a pool of blood, his body twitching, constantly spitting out blood.

But this time, this tall youth could no longer hear the dark and skinny guy shouting "Someone's dead" over and over again, tearing his heart out.

At the steps at the north end of the covered bridge, people were gathered, discussing the matter, watching the excitement from afar, but daring not to approach the youth, afraid of getting into trouble.

Two people quickly walked into the covered bridge. The man squatted down and took the youth's wrist to check his pulse, his face becoming heavier.

The girl in green was extremely angry, gnashing her teeth, "He smashed his chest with one punch. What ruthless means!"

The man did not speak.

The girl in green with a ponytail angrily said, "Dad! Are you just going to watch Liu Xianyang get beaten to death like this? Liu Xianyang is half your disciple!"

The man never let go of the youth's wrist, expressionless, and said calmly, "How would I know that the dignified Zhengyang Mountain would be so unreasonable this time?"

The girl suddenly stood up, "If you don't care, I will!"

The man slowly raised his head and asked, "Ruan Xiu, do you want Dad to collect your corpse?"

The girl strode forward, fearlessly, and said in a deep voice, "I, Ruan Xiu, am not only good at eating! I also know how to kill!"

Anger flashed between the man's eyebrows.

Partly because of his daughter's impetuousness, but more because of the venomous action of the old ape from Zhengyang Mountain.

The man thought about it. Since he had not officially taken over Qi Jingchun's position, did that mean he did not have to be so reasonable?

The girl in green suddenly stopped.

The girl suddenly saw a thin youth running madly towards her from the other end of the covered bridge.

She saw the familiar figure, wearing a pair of straw sandals, expressionless, as calm as an ancient well.In a fleeting instant, the two brushed past each other. The maiden longed to speak, but the words caught in her throat. An unbidden sorrow washed over her, and tears streamed down her face.

As the barefoot boy sat beside him, gently taking his hand, Liu Xianyang, his vision blurred, seemed to gather a sliver of strength. He forced a weak smile and stammered, "That hag said if I didn't hand over the treasure armor, she'd kill you… she also said that since she and her son came to our town together, she could afford to be banished alone. I was afraid, truly afraid, that she'd actually kill you… What I told you before wasn't entirely a lie. My grandfather did say those things, so I thought selling it wasn't a big deal… But just now, she sent someone to find me, saying that old man went mad. Upon hearing I didn't have the Sword Sutra, he insisted on killing you first, then me. I was so worried about you, I wanted to warn you… so I ran all the way here, and then that old bastard punched me. It stings a little…"

The barefoot boy lowered his head, gently wiping away the blood from Liu Xianyang's lips. His dark, gaunt face was etched with pain. He whispered, "Don't be afraid, it's alright. Trust me. Don't talk, I'll take you home…"

The high-spirited facade of the tall youth gradually faded, his gaze wandering. He murmured, "I don't regret it. Don't blame yourself either, really… It's just… I'm a little afraid. Turns out, I'm afraid to die too."

Finally, the tall youth clutched the hand of his only friend, sobbing, "Chen Ping'an, I'm really afraid to die."

The barefoot boy sat on the ground, one hand gripping Liu Xianyang's hand tightly, the other clenched into a fist, supporting himself on his knee.

He gasped for breath, struggling to breathe.

The young boy, in that moment, resembled an old dog.

The barefoot boy's eyes were bloodshot.

As he desperately sought justice from the heavens, he resembled a dog even more.

Chen Ping'an didn't want this. He never wanted to be like this again!