Chapter 11 : Secretly Learning the Art
11: Secretly Learning the Art
The half hour passed quickly. When Yun Ruoling removed the needles, the burly Meng drifted in with a leisurely stride and handed Fu Peibai a large steamed bun. "Sister A-Ruo, do you want one?"
"No need, Brother Meng." After removing the needles, Yun Ruoling gave a few more instructions before letting Fu Peibai lower her sleeve.
"Thank you, Miss Yun."
"No need to be so formal. It's what I should do."
"Alright, let's go. I'll take you around the mountain first." Meng waved his large hand and led Fu Peibai out of the herb cottage.
The two of them, one tall and one short, one stocky and one thin, stood side by side. Each held a bun, eating in synchronized movements.
Meng gnawed on his bun while pondering the route.
Fu Peibai gnawed on hers while pondering how to live the days ahead.
"Let's go. I'll take you to get familiar with the back mountain first." Meng finished his bun and strode forward with his chest out.
"This is the kitchen. It's responsible for meals across the entire peak," he said as he pointed. From time to time, people of all ages greeted him.
"Brother Meng, good morning."
"Morning."
"Brother Meng, have you eaten?"
"Eaten, eaten. Is your leg better yet, kid? If so, start chopping wood today."
Meng smiled brilliantly and pointed to other buildings. "Over here is the latrine. Men use this one. There's another one over there for women. Remember not to go into the wrong one."
"This whole area is for housing. This open ground is for drying clothes. This is the accounting office where you pick up your monthly wages... and over there... Did you remember all that?" Meng finished in one breath.
Fu Peibai nodded.
Meng nodded with satisfaction and led her onward. After leaving the back mountain, the two passed by the white robed woman's courtyard. The bamboo forest was completely still.
Meng lightened his footsteps and lowered his voice. "This is the Peak Master's courtyard. Don't come wandering around here unless you have business, understand? The Peak Master hates noise the most. I'm bringing you here just so you recognize the place. If you need to travel, you can take that small path over there. We'll go that way when we return."
"Alright."
After leaving the bamboo forest, Meng straightened his back and resumed his vigorous, imposing stride. He led Fu Peibai to the front mountain.
Not far away, a row of buildings connected together. In front of them, a large drill ground had been cleared. At this moment, a group of young people in matching uniforms were practicing swords on the grounds. Their movements were synchronized, their sword strikes fierce.
"That's where the Chaoquan Peak disciples practice and rest. Although our peak has the fewest disciples among the four peaks, our strength is the highest. Wanting to become our Peak Master's disciple is extremely difficult." Meng spoke to himself, not noticing the sudden loneliness in Fu Peibai's expression.
"Alright, that's roughly all the places on the peak. Let's go back."
The two took a different forest path on their return. Meng walked in front, and Fu Peibai followed behind. They had been walking along just fine when Meng suddenly stopped. Fu Peibai wasn't paying attention and nearly bumped into him. Fortunately, she stopped in time. She tilted her head to look ahead.
It turned out that someone was practicing sword in the bamboo forest at the far end of the small path. Fu Peibai narrowed her eyes to see more clearly. That figure in white, moving with ethereal grace, who else could it be but the Peak Master of Chaoquan Peak?
The woman's form flowed like a dragon, drifting through the forest. In her hand, she held a slender silver flexible sword. The blade gleamed from tip to hilt. Wherever it swept, bamboo leaves fell.
Fu Peibai couldn't help but stare transfixed. Rather than saying the woman was practicing sword, it was more like she was dancing with wild abandon. Her movements were natural and free, yet the power never diminished. Her skirt and long hair swayed with her motions. Her supple waist leaned forward and back in turn. The silver flexible sword in her hand moved as soft as silk one moment, then snapped straight with a ringing sound the next. Paired with the clear breeze and green bamboo, this scene was truly beautiful.
Meng flicked Fu Peibai's forehead. "Let's go. Don't disturb the Peak Master."
Fu Peibai came back to her senses and rubbed her forehead. She vaguely recalled what Old Man Wen had said about the Peak Master of Chaoquan Peak being named Lu something. Lu... ah right, Lu Yanran. A beautiful name, and a beautiful person.
On the way back, perhaps noticing that Fu Peibai seemed lost in thought, Meng teased, "What are you thinking about? Stunned by our Peak Master's peerless beauty?"
Fu Peibai shook her head.
"Don't be embarrassed. After all, our Peak Master's appearance is renowned throughout the world. Few men can keep their composure when they see her. And you're at that age, fourteen or fifteen, full of youthful vigor. I understand, I understand." Meng finished with a mischievous smile.
Fu Peibai frowned. What was he talking about? The white robed woman was indeed extremely beautiful, but she only appreciated it as one would admire beauty. After all, being a woman herself, how could she have any other thoughts?
So she replied coolly, "What about you? Did you keep your composure?"
Meng froze. He hadn't expected this kid to turn the teasing back on him. He waved his hand dismissively. "Go on, go on. What nonsense, you brat. Our Peak Master just turned twenty this year. I'm from a completely different generation."
"Your face is red."
Meng unconsciously touched his rough face and glared. "You're spouting nonsense!"
Actually, Meng's face was darker than Fu Peibai's. Even if it was red, you couldn't tell. Fu Peibai had indeed just said it casually.
"Your ears are red too."
Meng paused and touched his ears. He didn't know if they had been red before, but now they were certainly flushed, though that was from being angered by Fu Peibai.
"You stop making things up! Why would I blush? My feelings for our Peak Master are admiration, admiration, do you understand?!"
"I don't understand."
"Hey, you kid. Yesterday you were all wilted and listless, and today you have the energy to bicker with me? I see your arm is fine now. This afternoon, go haul water. No dinner until you fill the tank!"
Fu Peibai gave Meng a cool glance and said expressionlessly, "I'm going to tell Miss A-Fu."
"What?!"
"That you're bullying the younger ones, exploiting me, oppressing me, enslaving me."
Meng looked like he had swallowed something bitter. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Meanwhile, Fu Peibai had already walked past him and gone ahead. He quickly strode to catch up, still grumbling angrily, "You, you, you! Say that clearly! How am I exploiting you? How am I oppressing you? Enslaving you..."
Their figures gradually disappeared along the forest path.
When they returned to the back courtyard, Fu Peibai suddenly remembered the task Old Man Wen had entrusted to her. She turned around and said "Wait" to Meng, who was still talking nonstop.
Meng had been mid-sentence, his mouth still half open. Being ordered around by some kid annoyed him greatly. Just as he was about to lose his temper, the other party spoke politely, "Brother Meng, I want to ask you something."
This was the first time Fu Peibai had addressed him so politely, and with such a serious manner. Getting angry now would make him seem petty. So he touched his nose and calmed down. "Ask away."
"Do you know everyone in the Heavenly Pole Sect?"
"Six peaks combined, there are at least several thousand people. How could I possibly know them all? But I do know several hundred people on our peak."
"Then do you know someone named Meng Yan?"
Meng's eyebrow twitched. "Which Yan?"
Fu Peibai shook her head.
"I am Meng Yan. Yan as in rock."
"Wait a moment." Fu Peibai ran into the room and took out the iron token from her pack. She came back out and handed it to Meng Yan. "Then do you recognize this thing?"
Meng Yan saw the large character "Wen" on the iron token and quickly accepted it. "I recognize it, I recognize it. This token belongs to my senior brother. Where did you get this?"
It seemed she had found the right person. So Fu Peibai briefly explained how she had met Old Man Wen.
Meng Yan chuckled after listening. "The world really is small. By the way, how is my senior brother's health?"
"Still fairly hale and hearty."
"Right, he also asked me to pass on a message. He said that after a long separation, he hopes to meet again."
Meng Yan paused for a moment and said in a deep voice, "I understand."
Fu Peibai keenly sensed the shift in Meng Yan's emotions, but having known him for only a day, she didn't feel it was appropriate to ask. So she said, "See what work you can arrange for me. My arm is fine."
"No rush. Wait another two days until you've recovered a bit more."
Fu Peibai nodded. Just like that, she settled into the back mountain of Chaoquan Peak. She went for acupuncture every three days. Once her arm improved a little, she gradually began doing odd jobs. Sometimes chopping wood and hauling water, sometimes gathering herbs, sometimes hunting wild game in the mountains.
As the days passed one by one, she slowly became familiar with everyone in the back mountain. She gradually discovered that the people here were simple and honest. She gradually relaxed her guard in dealing with others and recovered her naturally cheerful disposition.
For these past two weeks or so, although the daily routine of carrying firewood and water made her feel relaxed and comfortable, the thing she looked forward to most and enjoyed most every day was sneaking off in the morning to that bamboo grove where the Peak Master practiced sword. After hiding herself well, she would pull out a small notebook and, while intently stealing glances at the woman practicing, carefully sketch down every movement and every form.
Early this morning, she sneaked into the bamboo forest as usual. She crouched in the weeds where she typically hid, pulled some green leaves over her head, and looked toward the nearby forest with shining eyes.
A moment later, the white robed woman arrived gracefully. The flexible sword slid from her waist, and soon she performed a set of sword forms with fluid grace.
Fu Peibai watched, dazzled. Today it was a new set of forms. She hurriedly opened her booklet and began sketching rapidly. Just as she was concentrating intensely, someone gently patted her shoulder. She jumped in fright and whipped around to see A-Fu staring at her with a puzzled expression.
"Little Bai, what are you doing crouched here?"
Fu Peibai's eyes went wide. Terrified of being discovered by the Peak Master, she quickly made a silencing gesture, her expression tense.
A-Fu looked at the Peak Master practicing sword in the distance, then at the paper booklet in Fu Peibai's hand. She roughly understood what was going on. Smiling, she crouched down and reached over to brush away the green leaves on Fu Peibai's head. "You're secretly watching the Peak Master practice sword?"
Fu Peibai swallowed. Being caught secretly learning from a master, and by someone close to the Peak Master no less, made her feel extremely guilty.
After struggling with it for a moment, she said, "Sister A-Fu, can you... not tell the Peak Master? I won't secretly watch anymore."
A-Fu's eyes curved into a smile. "You really are silly. With the Peak Master's hearing, she knew someone was here long ago. If she really wanted to drive you away, she would have done it already. How could she let you secretly learn here for so long?"
Fu Peibai was startled and plopped down on the ground. Unfortunately, she sat right on a dry branch. With a snap, a flock of forest birds flew out from the woods.
Making such a loud noise, Lu Yanran couldn't pretend she hadn't heard even if she wanted to. She sheathed her sword and called toward the thicket where Fu Peibai was hiding, "Come out."
Fu Peibai's heart tightened. She steeled herself and stood up.
"Let's go. The Peak Master won't blame you."
So A-Fu walked in front, and Fu Peibai followed timidly behind. When they arrived, she stopped in her tracks, not daring to raise her head. She only heard the woman's cool voice. "What are you hiding behind your back?"
Fu Peibai's heart cried out in despair.
"Take it out."
Lu Yanran's voice wasn't loud, but it carried considerable authority. Fu Peibai could only take out the booklet and slowly hand it over, lowering her head even further.
Lu Yanran looked at the two large, crooked characters "Secret Manual" on the booklet's cover and remained silent. She opened the booklet. On every page were drawings of little figures. Sometimes the heads were big and bodies small, sometimes the arms were long and legs short. In short, the drawings were difficult to describe.
Her pale fingertip stopped on a figure in a strange posture. After a moment, she spoke. "Raise your head."
Fu Peibai felt utterly miserable. She slowly raised her head and met Lu Yanran's cold, clear eyes.
The two stared at each other. Fu Peibai's eyes widened slightly. She just stood there stiff and straight. The forest should have been refreshing, but she was so nervous that cold sweat broke out on her.
Lu Yanran frowned as she studied the youth before her. The person was tall and thin with somewhat dark skin, but very bright eyes, the kind of translucent pupils rarely seen in this world. The bridge of the nose was high, the features well defined. If dressed up a bit, the youth would be considered handsome.
Then her gaze moved downward and landed on Fu Peibai's hand, which was tightly clutching the seam of her trousers. She asked softly, "Are you afraid of me?"
Fu Peibai psyched herself up internally. She couldn't show fear. So she quickly raised her head and chest, looked straight ahead, and declared loudly, "No!"
Lu Yanran stared at her and slowly took a step forward. Fu Peibai's pupils shifted, and her rigid posture softened a fraction.
The other took another step forward, and her straight shoulders collapsed as well.
Finally, Lu Yanran was mere inches from her. They were of similar height, eyes meeting eyes.
She smelled that familiar fragrance again. Her nose tickled slightly for some reason, but she certainly couldn't scratch it now. She slowly shifted her gaze away from eye contact and swallowed unconsciously.
That gaze, heavy with scrutiny, remained fixed on her face. She felt prickly all over from being stared at. Finally, she could only plead, "Peak Master... I was wrong..."
Lu Yanran withdrew her gaze and stepped back twice. Her voice had no fluctuation whatsoever. "What were you wrong about?"
"I shouldn't have secretly watched the Peak Master practice sword, and I certainly shouldn't have drawn down the Peak Master's sword forms."
At the mention of the booklet, Lu Yanran began flipping through it in front of Fu Peibai. Her slender finger pointed to one of the drawings and asked, "In your eyes, I look like this, with a head as big as an ox and bizarre limbs?"
Fu Peibai glanced at her drawing and hurriedly explained, "Of course not. My drawing skills are lacking. I have offended the Peak Master. I admit my mistake. Please punish me."
"Then I'll fine you one month's wages. Any objections?"
"None."
Lu Yanran nodded and prepared to leave.
Fu Peibai couldn't let it go. "Peak Master, I... my booklet."
Lu Yanran turned to look at her and said lightly, "Confiscated."
Fu Peibai could only shut her mouth, watching with reluctance as the woman's figure, carrying the secret manual, gradually walked away.
A-Fu couldn't help but laugh. She patted Fu Peibai's shoulder in comfort, then left as well.