Chapter 3 : Hope is Born
3: Hope is Born
Xingyang City was one of the larger and more prosperous cities in the northwest region. Merchant caravans came and went in an endless stream. Hu and Han peoples lived together within its walls, creating a flourishing, vibrant atmosphere.
Fu Peibai had traveled for over half a month, braving wind and dew, sleeping rough and never resting day or night as she followed the hoofprints of the white robed woman's carriage. She had finally arrived at Xingyang City. This was her first time venturing so far from home. In the past, the farthest she had traveled was the county town, a hundred li away.
The bustling sights of Xingyang City now left her overwhelmed. She stood in the middle of the main road, unsure which way to go.
A wealthy man bumped into her and scolded, "Get lost, little beggar. Standing in the middle of the road like a fence post." After saying this, he tossed a copper coin at her. It struck her arm and fell to the ground.
He was right. How was she any different from a beggar now? Her coarse hemp clothes had long since become filthy from days and nights of relentless travel. Her cloth shoes had worn through the soles, exposing her blackened toes. Even more striking was her face. What was once full of life and laughter now appeared dead and hollow. Her hair was a tangled mess, and though she had washed away the blood, her face was so grimy that her features were barely visible.
Fu Peibai stared at the copper coin lying on the ground. After a long while, she hunched over and picked it up. The bones of her spine were clearly visible through her thin clothing.
After picking up the coin, she dusted it off and tucked it into her sleeve. Then she walked forward with heavy, aimless steps.
As she walked, the sky gradually darkened. But Xingyang City only grew more lively. Lanterns were strung up everywhere along the streets. She saw a vendor in the distance hawking candied hawthorn and found herself walking toward him without realizing it.
The vendor stared at the little beggar before him, who was motionlessly fixed on his candied hawthorn sticks. Fearing she might snatch one, he quickly moved them behind his back and asked warily, "What do you want, little beggar?"
Fu Peibai's eyes remained glued to the glossy red candied hawthorn. Her voice came out hoarse. "I want to buy one."
The vendor thought he had misheard. A beggar buying candied hawthorn? Unheard of. He said, "These are ten copper coins each. Do you have money?"
The light in Fu Peibai's eyes dimmed. She shook her head and walked aside. After days of constant travel, her body was utterly exhausted. She sat down by the street and leaned against a wall, wanting to rest for a moment. But just as she closed her eyes, a vicious voice sounded by her ear.
"Hey, why are you begging here, little beggar? No begging allowed here. Go somewhere else. Get going, get going."
Fu Peibai opened her eyes and looked at the broad shouldered, thick waisted man before her. She remained seated. The man, facing what was just a half grown child, didn't feel right using force to drive her away. So he pulled a few copper coins from his chest and threw them at her. One of them unfortunately struck her eyebrow ridge. Fortunately, she closed her eyes in time. Though her eye wasn't injured, the skin above her eyelid now burned hot.
"Bad luck. Take the money and get lost. Don't dirty my doorstep."
This time Fu Peibai moved. She crawled on the ground and picked up the copper coins one by one, stuffing them into her chest. Then she dragged her sluggish steps toward a small alley to the side.
This alley was narrow and sinister. Pitch black, without a single person in sight. Fu Peibai sat down leaning against the wall, thinking that surely no one would chase her away here. She relaxed and closed her eyes. But then an impolite "Hey" suddenly sounded from beside her.
Her eyelids jumped. She opened her eyes and looked. It turned out the alley was so dark she hadn't noticed a beggar was already lying there.
She didn't want any pointless conflict. She stood up and was about to leave when she was stopped.
"Hey, stop."
Fu Peibai stood still and turned her head, looking at the other person without expression.
The beggar shook off the tattered cloth mat on his body and stood up. He was a full head taller than Fu Peibai. After walking around her and examining her carefully for several rounds, he stroked his chin and asked suspiciously, "Where did you come from? I haven't seen you before."
Fu Peibai didn't want to talk. She lifted her leg to leave, but the beggar blocked her way. In the faint light, Fu Peibai could now see this beggar's face clearly. It was a young face with thick brows and large eyes. His features could be considered handsome, but a large dark birthmark on the right side completely ruined his face.
"You're new here. Probably don't have anywhere to sleep. The territory in Xingyang City has long been divided up by those old beggars. You talk with me, and I'll let you sleep at my spot."
Fu Peibai looked at the beggar's bright pupils. Finally, she lowered her guard and sat back down against the wall to rest.
"Tell me, where did you come from?"
"Huailiu Village." Fu Peibai hesitated, then spit out these three words.
The beggar also sat down against the wall and habitually stroked his chin. "Never heard of it. Is it in the west?"
"Mn."
The beggar thought for a moment. Without asking further, he could roughly guess what disaster Fu Peibai had suffered. So he patted her shoulder and said, "Don't worry. That Demonic Sect wouldn't dare enter Xingyang City. Recently, many famous righteous sect members have gathered here, all here to crusade against the Demonic Sect. So you can rest easy staying in the city."
Fu Peibai's eyes shifted. She turned her head and asked, "You said many martial world people came recently. Where are they?"
"The east side of the city, I think. That area is a wealthy district with quite a few bustling inns. They're probably staying there."
Fu Peibai's eyes brightened. She suddenly grabbed the beggar's arm with frightening force. "You, take me there."
The beggar's arm hurt. He tried to pull it back several times but couldn't. He was surprised that someone with such a small frame could have such strength. The pain made him cry out, "Ow, ow, it hurts, it hurts! Let go, let go first."
Fu Peibai released her hand. Her gaze burned intensely. "Take me there."
The beggar rubbed the meager flesh on his arm and mumbled, "Can't go there. That's the wealthy district with lots of rich families. The government has posted official notices that beggars aren't allowed in the east city. If you're caught, you'll be beaten with planks."
Fu Peibai didn't want to make things difficult for him. So she said, "Then tell me how to get there. I'll go myself."
The beggar was in a difficult position. "Looking like that, you won't even get in. You'll be chased away as soon as you get close."
"Is there another way to get in?"
Seeing Fu Peibai so determined to go to the east city, the beggar's curiosity was piqued. "There is a way, but why do you have to go in there? You can't beg inside. There are lots of guards. Can't steal anything. Why take such a risk?"
Fu Peibai didn't want to explain, so she chose to remain silent.
The beggar clicked his tongue. Perhaps he was moved by Fu Peibai's burning and sincere gaze, or perhaps for some other reason. His heart softened and he said, "Fine. Since we've met, I'll take you there. But once you're inside, you're on your own. If the government catches you, you absolutely cannot reveal me. Just say you were a blind cat that stumbled upon a dead rat and found a hole to crawl through. Got it?"
Fu Peibai nodded heavily.
So when night fell and the moon grew hazy, two furtive figures appeared outside a decorative archway on one side of the east city district. They were Fu Peibai and that beggar. By the archway, the government guards were drowsily leaning against stone pillars.
"This is the main road into the east district. I've heard that if you go all the way in, it's all glittering gold and jade. Even the floor tiles are paved with fine stone." The beggar's tone was full of envy. After saying this, he led Fu Peibai around to the other side. Here stood a low fence wall, not much taller than the two of them. If one person boosted the other, they could barely climb over.
"There, that's the spot. After you climb in, don't wander around on the main streets. Hide from the patrolling soldiers. Once you're done, get out quickly. Being caught and beaten by the government is no joke. They'll flay the skin off your backside. You won't be able to walk for days." Saying this, the beggar shrank his neck as if he knew the experience of being beaten all too well.
"Thank you." Fu Peibai offered her thanks with solemn sincerity. After saying this, she didn't ask the beggar for help. She placed both hands on the wall edge, kicked against the wall, and climbed over. In an instant, she was gone.
The beggar was somewhat dazed by this sudden thanks. He touched his nose awkwardly and saw that Fu Peibai had already climbed over. He was about to leave when something occurred to him. He lowered his voice and urgently asked, "Hey, I haven't asked your name yet?"
A faint voice soon came from the other side of the fence. "Fu Peibai."
"I'm Ding Yi. Remember that."
There was no response from the other side of the wall. She had probably already walked far away. Ding Yi smiled, whistled, and also disappeared into the night.
......
In the east district of Xingyang City, Fu Peibai mostly stuck close to walls, using the cover of night, afraid of being discovered. Fortunately, it was nearly the hour of the rat. The streets were empty, with only the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps in the distance.
She summoned her courage, took a deep breath, and suddenly dashed to the other side of the street. After running across, she hid in the shadows and looked around. Only after confirming no one was nearby did she breathe a sigh of relief. She looked up and found herself at the outer edge of an inn. The inn had long since closed for the night.
She clearly remembered those people's horses. Completely black with glossy coats, they were fine steeds of the highest quality. She nimbly climbed into the inn's stables and examined each horse one by one. Unfortunately, none were the ones she sought. So she climbed out and went to find the next inn. Fortunately, the east district wasn't very large, and most of the inns were clustered together. When Fu Peibai checked the fifth inn, she found those tall black horses.
Their coats were smooth and gleaming black. She couldn't resist placing her hand on one. But this horse turned out to be particular about its master. The moment a stranger touched it, its temper flared. It snorted heavily and paced restlessly in the stable, pulling at the reins tethered to the rail.
Fu Peibai stood panic stricken to the side, not knowing how to calm the horse. The other horses that had been standing peacefully seemed to be stirred up as well and started making a commotion together. The originally quiet stable instantly filled with the sound of hooves. Lights lit up in the dark inn. Someone was already walking toward the stable as they spoke.
"What's wrong with these horses?"
Fu Peibai had nowhere to hide. She stood plainly visible before the servant who had come with a lamp.
The servant's eyes went wide with anger. One look at this person's attire and he immediately shouted, "Someone come! Someone! A thief got in! A thief!"
Fu Peibai raised her hands to explain. "I'm not..." Her voice was quickly drowned out by the servant's shouting.
A short while later, two sturdy men and a pot bellied middle aged man came out of the inn.
Fu Peibai was seized by one arm and forced to her knees. Someone pressed heavily on her head so she couldn't look up.
The servant fawned around the middle aged man and said, "Boss, this little thief must have broken in and accidentally startled the horses, disturbing everyone's sleep. Look, how should we handle this?"
The inn owner looked sleepy and irritated. Seeing this little beggar made him even angrier. He stepped forward, grabbed Fu Peibai by the hair, and yanked her head up. "Let me see which blind little thief dares to steal from me."
Fu Peibai's dark eyes stared at the man. She showed no panic at being caught. Seeing this, the man's anger grew even hotter. He slapped her with a backhanded blow that turned her face to the side. His jade ring scraped the flesh near the corner of her eye.
Blood seeped from the corner of Fu Peibai's eye. Her entire right eye swelled up so she couldn't open it. She still didn't make a sound. She didn't beg for mercy, didn't explain, didn't cry out.
The inn owner felt like he had punched cotton. Completely unsatisfied. So he rolled up his sleeves, preparing to thoroughly teach this blind little beggar a lesson. But at that moment, an indifferent female voice came from behind him. "What are you doing?"
The man looked back and saw it was one of the black robed women staying as a guest on the third floor. He quickly put on a fawning smile and explained, "The horses started making a commotion for no reason. The servant came to check and found a thief had broken in. I was just interrogating this thief. Did we disturb you, miss?"
The black robed woman nodded. She had been sent down by the Peak Master to see what had happened. The Peak Master was a light sleeper and had woken the moment she heard the noise.
"Just hand the thief over to the authorities. Don't make any more noise." After saying this, the woman prepared to return upstairs.
Fu Peibai gritted her teeth. She knew if she didn't speak now, she would miss her chance. So she shouted loudly, "Miss, please wait!"
The black robed woman stopped at the sound and turned her head to look doubtfully at Fu Peibai. In the darkness, looking at that faintly visible face, she felt a trace of familiarity. She walked over, and only when she got close did she recognize this person as the young survivor from Huailiu Village.
"How is it you?"
Fu Peibai breathed a sigh of relief and panted slightly. "Yes, it's me. I followed your carriage's hoofprints all the way here."
The black robed woman was slightly shocked. Their carriage's traveling speed wasn't particularly fast, but it was still hundreds of li of road. This person had walked the entire way on just two legs? She was somewhat moved by this determination, yet also somewhat helpless. "What my comrade said that day, though not pleasant to hear, was the truth. Don't be so fixated on this. I know you want to learn martial arts for revenge. Rest assured, the Heavenly Pole Sect will definitely flatten the Falling Shadow Sect and avenge the innocent people who lost their lives."
Fu Peibai's eyes suddenly reddened. She shook her head, stubborn and obstinate. "I know, I know. I know everything you said. But, I beg you, can you give me a chance? I want to learn martial arts and avenge my family with my own hands. No matter how hard it is, I'm not afraid. No matter how difficult it is, I'll persist. Please give me a chance. I'm begging you."
The black robed woman's eyes flickered. She couldn't deny being somewhat moved by this young person's persistence. But she didn't have the authority to grant this request. Only the Peak Master could make an exception. But last month in the village, the Peak Master's attitude had already been made clear. And no one could change the Peak Master's mind once it was made up.
Fu Peibai saw the hesitation in the black robed woman's expression and knew there was hope. Without caring about anything else, she forcefully wrenched her captured arm free. A crisp sound came from her joint, and her arm went limp and dangled. But she seemed to feel no pain at all. She used her other hand to support herself on the ground and began kowtowing, repeatedly crying out, "Please, give me a chance! Please, please!"
Again and again, tirelessly. Each time, her forehead genuinely struck the bluestone tiles, making thumping sounds in the quiet night.
Everyone present was somewhat stunned by this scene. The black robed woman especially didn't know what to do. She was still struggling with whether to overstep her bounds and put in a good word for this person with the Peak Master when a cool voice sounded from behind her. "A-Fu?"
Hearing this, the black robed woman immediately turned and bowed. "Peak Master."
The white robed woman walked toward the stable and finally stopped at the threshold. She looked down at the young person tirelessly kowtowing and murmuring.
"Stop."
At these words, Fu Peibai stopped her movements. She looked up and saw the white robed woman. Her eyes were somewhat dazed, but she still stammered, "Please, give me a chance."
The white robed woman's expression was as placid as water, her voice cold. "On what grounds?"
This question stunned Fu Peibai. Her eyes went blank. But the woman didn't wait for her to answer and answered for her. "On the grounds that your family was destroyed and you have a blood debt? Or that you survived a great disaster and have a tough fate? Or that you chased after us barefoot with sincere devotion?"
The woman stepped over the threshold. Her pure white skirt hem landed on the muddy, filthy ground of the stable. She walked over step by step and finally stopped before Fu Peibai. Looking down from above, with an air of superiority, she continued speaking cold words that showed no mercy.
"Everyone in this world has things they seek. Those who bow at my gates do so to chase fame and profit, or to pursue martial attainment. And then there are countless others like you who seek to avenge their families. Tell me, why should I specially favor you and give you a chance? If you can give a reasonable explanation, I will make an exception and accept you into the sect."
Fu Peibai raised her head and looked at this woman with the bearing of an immortal. Her mind went completely blank.
As she remained silent, the woman spoke again. "Even if I make an exception and give you a chance today, can you guarantee that you'll be able to seize that opportunity?"
Fu Peibai's throat seemed blocked by something. She couldn't say a single word.
"What is begged for is often not an opportunity. It may well be another trick of fate. Whether what heaven throws before you is an opportunity or a trap ultimately depends on what you do."
A white light flashed through Fu Peibai's mind. That was it. What the heart desires does not come from asking others. She prostrated herself, pressing her forehead against the hard tiles, and spoke with firm strength. "I want to join the Heavenly Pole Sect on my own merits. Please, miss, show me the way!"
A clear ringing sound. Something fell to the ground. She looked up and saw a crystal clear, fine quality oval jade pendant in her field of vision.
She didn't know what this meant, so naturally she didn't dare reach out to take it.
A-Fu said urgently, "Peak Master, this..."
The white robed woman raised her hand, signaling her not to say more. Then she turned and left the stable. Her figure paused for a moment, and her tone remained indifferent as she spoke. "On the fifteenth of the sixth month, at Jinyun Mountain in Jiangnan, you may use this item to register for the Heavenly Pole Sect's entrance examination." After saying this, she went upstairs with the black robed woman.
On the stairs, A-Fu was still somewhat puzzled. "Peak Master, that jade pendant is so precious. How could you just give it away so easily? And letting him take the entrance examination? He has no martial arts foundation at all. A little over a month is only enough for him to learn some superficial forms. He won't even pass the first round."
The white robed woman listened to this quiet chatter but didn't answer. She only said softly, "I'm tired."
A-Fu could only fall silent.
Back at the stable, Fu Peibai picked up the jade pendant. She carefully wiped away the mud stains on it and rubbed it repeatedly with the relatively clean inner lining of her clothes. Only when the jade pendant was once again translucent and flawless did she carefully tuck it into her chest.
The inn owner, seeing what just happened, naturally knew he couldn't punish this kid anymore. With a dark expression, he ordered the servant to throw this person out of the inn.
Before long, Fu Peibai was hoisted up high and thrown solidly onto the stone tiles outside the inn. The fall made her see stars, but her face showed a relaxed expression rarely seen in the past month.
She looked at the clear night sky and just lay there for a while. Finally, she struggled to her feet using only one arm.
Only then did the intense pain from her arm hit her. She grimaced and limped her way back to the fence where she had entered. Climbing a wall with one arm was difficult. She had to find an empty jar from a pile of debris in the distance, drag it over, and use it as a stepping stone to climb over.
Just as she landed, she heard a voice.
"Hey, back so soon?" The speaker was Ding Yi.
Fu Peibai stood still and looked at him doubtfully. "You didn't leave?"
"I did. Turned back halfway. I was worried about you. Don't know why, I just felt a special connection with you. How about we beg together from now on? Where there's a bite for me, there's a bite for you. What do you say?"
Fu Peibai shook her head and said, "My ambitions lie elsewhere. I have more important things to do."
Ambitions lie elsewhere. Good gracious, what a big talk. Ding Yi stroked his chin and asked, "Then what do you want to do?"
Fu Peibai thought for a moment and felt there was nothing to hide. So she said earnestly, "I want to go to the Heavenly Pole Sect and learn martial arts."
As soon as the words fell, Ding Yi snorted with laughter, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.
Fu Peibai didn't care. She dragged her exhausted body forward.
She walked out of the shadows by the wall. Only then did Ding Yi see her arm hanging limp. He stopped laughing and asked, "Hey, how did your arm break? Did the officials catch you and break it?"
"No, it's nothing serious. Just dislocated, not broken."
Ding Yi winced just looking at it. He touched his own arm, then raised his eyes and saw Fu Peibai's injured face. He immediately sighed, "Still saying you weren't caught by officials. Your little face is all beaten up like that. Really, how hard did they hit you?"
Fu Peibai was utterly exhausted and didn't have the energy to respond to Ding Yi. She could only hunch over and prepare to return to the small alley for a good sleep. For a month, she had traveled day and night, afraid that sleeping too long would mean losing their trail. She hadn't had a single moment of peaceful rest. Now that her wish was granted, she could finally sleep with ease.