Chapter 20 : A Turn of Fortune
20: A Turn of Fortune
Lu Qingwan lay on Fu Peibai's back. To avoid excessive physical contact, she propped her hands on the other's back so her chest wouldn't press against it.
Her mind was full of thoughts about whether Fu Peibai would take the opportunity to jostle her and take advantage of her. But Fu Peibai walked extremely steadily the entire way. Even the hands carrying her were clasped together behind her back, not directly touching her body.
The two walked like this for a long time, finally returning to the back mountain of Chaoquan Peak when it grew dark.
By now, a large crowd had gathered in the back courtyard. From far away, one could hear Lu Wencheng standing in the center of the crowd, angrily scolding his subordinates.
Lu Qingwan quickly waved her arms and called out loudly, "Father! I'm here!"
Everyone turned at the sound and saw their precious young miss being carried on the back of a servant dressed in coarse hemp clothes. They hurried over and helped Lu Qingwan down from Fu Peibai's back. Lu Wencheng strode over, his face filled with worry. "Wan'er, are you injured anywhere?"
Now that she had finally escaped danger, the panic and grievances in Lu Qingwan's heart all surged forth at once. She threw herself into Lu Wencheng's arms and cried, "Father, Wan'er was so scared. I thought I'd never see you again."
Lu Wencheng looked heartbroken. He gently stroked Lu Qingwan's back and comforted her softly.
Lu Yanran walked over at this moment. She glanced at Fu Peibai standing to the side with head bowed, then looked at Lu Qingwan's leg. She spoke up, "Father, Qingwan's leg seems injured."
Lu Wencheng looked over upon hearing this, somewhat anxious. "This, Wan'er, what happened?"
"I accidentally fell into a ravine and was bitten by a poisonous snake." Lu Qingwan paused, then pointed at Fu Peibai. "He saved me."
Everyone looked at Fu Peibai. Lu Wencheng examined her with some suspicion, feeling that this person's figure was unusually familiar. "Raise your head."
After Fu Peibai raised her head, Lu Wencheng naturally recognized her. His brow relaxed as he asked, "You're that servant from last time?"
Fu Peibai replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Yes, it is this humble one."
"Was it you who saved Wan'er?"
"I happened to encounter the Second Young Miss in distress. It was merely my duty. I wouldn't call it saving."
Lu Wencheng stroked his beard with satisfaction. "Wu Zhong, quickly take the Second Young Miss back to Qingliao Peak for treatment. I have a few words to say to this young man."
A middle-aged man in black robes stepped out from the crowd, responded respectfully, then took Lu Qingwan and departed first.
Lu Wencheng carefully sized up Fu Peibai and said, "Since you saved my daughter, I should repay this favor. What reward would you like?"
Fu Peibai's eyes flickered. She said loudly, "This humble one dares to have one wish. I hope the Sect Master will grant it."
"Oh? What is it?"
She knelt on one knee, raised her head with cupped hands, and her eyes held an unmistakable fervent longing. "I wish to enter the Heavenly Pole Sect to learn martial arts. I ask the Sect Master to give this humble one a chance."
Lu Wencheng fell silent for a moment. With a sweep of his wide sleeves, he extended his hand and pressed it on Fu Peibai's shoulder, channeling internal energy downward.
Fu Peibai felt as if a thousand pounds weighed on her shoulder, pressing her straight spine into a curve.
Lu Wencheng withdrew his hand and pointed out the key issue. "You don't have a single foundation in martial arts. How can you learn?"
"I can start training now. Ten years, twenty years, thirty years. I'll always be able to catch up to others. Everyone says that diligence can make up for clumsiness, and the early bird catches the worm, don't they?"
Lu Wencheng shook his head. "Child, learning martial arts isn't just about blind persistence. This is a matter that requires talent and timing. The disciples in my sect begin learning martial arts at five, practice the sword at eight, and by fifteen, their skills can match ten opponents. Both talent and effort are indispensable."
Fu Peibai's expression fell into dejection. "Is it really... impossible?"
Lu Wencheng pondered for a long time before speaking again. "If you insist on this, I will give you a chance. Next year, the Heavenly Pole Sect will hold a celebration for the hundredth year since its founding. If you can learn martial arts on your own before the celebration, cultivate both internally and externally, and finally withstand three moves from me, I will make an exception and take you in as my disciple."
Fu Peibai raised her head again, unable to contain her excitement. "Good! I, I will definitely work hard. Thank you, Sect Master! Thank you, Sect Master!"
"Then I hope you will be diligent and encourage yourself during this time, and seize this opportunity."
Fu Peibai nodded repeatedly, watching Lu Wencheng leave. Actually, when she made the request, she hadn't dared to hold too much hope. The events of last time were still fresh in her memory. She had thought Lu Wencheng was like that crowd of so-called "noble gentlemen." But now it seemed he was different.
After Lu Wencheng led most of the people away from Chaoquan Peak, only the residents of the back courtyard remained at the back mountain, along with Lu Yanran.
Yun Ruoling looked over Fu Peibai from head to toe. "Little Bai, are you injured anywhere?"
Fu Peibai was currently happy. Her brows and eyes were filled with obvious joy, and the corners of her mouth were lifted. "No."
Yun Ruoling also smiled faintly in return. "That's good then."
Anyone who saw the two of them like this would think they were unusually close.
Just as Fu Peibai was about to greet Lu Yanran, Lu Yanran had already turned and walked away.
Fu Peibai stood there in a daze, scratching her head in confusion. She murmured, "Is the Peak Master still in a bad mood?"
Meng Yan swung his arm and hooked it around her shoulders. "Come on, come on. There's still meat roasting by the creek. Let's continue."
Everyone cheered in unison. In groups of two and three, they made their way to the creek. Although Fu Peibai was somewhat physically tired, her heart was happy, so she went along.
By the creek at the back mountain, four or five bonfires had been lit. Iron pots and wooden racks were set up over the fires, giving off enticing aromas of food.
As soon as Fu Peibai sat down, Meng Yan pulled out a jug of wine and handed it over. "Come, let us brothers have a good drink today."
Fu Peibai waved her hands repeatedly in refusal. The miserable feeling after drinking last time was still fresh in her memory. "No, Brother Meng. You drink."
"You kid, don't be a killjoy. This wine isn't something I hid away. It was rewarded by the Sect Master. Tomorrow the whole sect rests for half a day. No need to wake up early. Drink."
Fu Peibai was still hesitating, but Yun Ruoling straightforwardly accepted it. "Since it's wine rewarded by the Sect Master, then I must have a taste too."
Meng Yan smiled until fine lines appeared at the corners of his eyes. "Look at that. Even a young lady is this straightforward. And you, a man, being so coy. Aren't you embarrassed?"
Truth be told, the provocation method was quite effective on Fu Peibai. Upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow, took the wine jug, and drank straight from the spout. The taste was rich and mellow. Not only did it not sting the throat, but the texture was smooth and crisp. After swallowing, the aftertaste was long-lasting with a lingering sweetness. Surprisingly good to drink. Truly fine wine.
The three gathered around one bonfire, chatting happily, raising their cups to drink, and eating meat in large bites. The fire crackled as it burned the wood, mingled with the three's hearty laughter.
By a bonfire in the distance, some people began to sing and dance. Simple, honest men and women, young and old, held hands and formed a large circle, singing unknown folk songs. Nightingales and cicadas accompanied them. The scene was lively indeed.
Fu Peibai watched this scene before her, where old and young enjoyed themselves together, lively and warm. A smile hung on her face, but an indescribable melancholy rose in her heart. She fell backward, the slightly prickly grass beneath her back, the star-filled night sky before her eyes.
Meng Yan also lay down beside her, joining her in gazing at the clear breeze and bright moon, the sky full of stars. He sighed comfortably.
Yun Ruoling, being a woman after all, couldn't lie down as uninhibitedly as the men. She simply sat quietly to the side, watching the moonlight.
The three fell silent for a time, until Meng Yan spoke to break the quiet. "Little Bai, if you fail again next year, what will you do?"
Fu Peibai closed her eyes. Her hearing had become much sharper. The wind whistled in her ears. "What would I do? Opportunities will always come. As long as I firmly seize each one, eventually one will succeed."
"Is it really worth spending your entire life on this endless hatred?" Meng Yan's voice sounded somewhat heavy.
Fu Peibai answered without even thinking. "It's worth it. Fu Peibai's life ended long ago when her family was killed. The reason I'm still alive is for revenge, nothing else. The rest of my life, I live only for this."
Meng Yan sighed deeply and said nothing more.
Lively joy always comes to an end. As the night deepened, the bonfire feast by the creek gradually died down. People extinguished the fires and trickled back to the back courtyard. A portion of the men jumped into the river to bathe.
Fu Peibai had drunk roughly two jugs of wine in total. The wine didn't taste strong going down, but its aftereffect was potent. Meng Yan had drunk even more than her and was ultimately carried away by two large men. She, meanwhile, stumbled back to her room with Yun Ruoling's support.
Yun Ruoling helped her onto the bed, went to the table, and poured a cup of sobering tea. By the time she returned to the bedside with it, Fu Peibai was already fast asleep. Moonlight spilled across her face, softening her features. Only now could one vaguely make out a hint of feminine appearance.
Yun Ruoling chuckled softly, covered her with the quilt, and left the room.
When Fu Peibai groggily awoke, the moonlight was at its deepest. She had been woken by thirst. Cold tea sat on the low table beside the bed. She drank it in one go, and her dry throat felt somewhat better, but her head was still groggy. She shook her head and smelled the sweat on her body. Her stomach immediately felt nauseous. She quickly grabbed clean clothes to change into and went out.
She didn't go to the upstream part of the creek as usual. Instead, she walked toward the distant woods.
When building the new rooms, she had accidentally discovered a hidden spring in the woods. It was safer than the original spot. After moving here, she had changed her bathing location.
Passing through the woods, a small cold spring suddenly appeared before her eyes. The sound of a waterfall rushed and crashed, while a faint chill rose from the water's surface.
It was only after being on the peak for some time that she learned why this place was called Chaoquan Peak. Because the peak was covered with dozens of cold springs, large and small. Although the spring water was icy cold, it was greatly beneficial to the body.
Fu Peibai removed her outer clothes and walked into the spring step by step. The cold made her shiver. She washed hastily, then cleaned her dirty clothes as well. Only then did she prepare to leave. But the moment her foot moved, she heard a splash not far away. It was obscured by the sound of the waterfall and not very obvious, but her hearing was much sharper than ordinary people, and she still heard it.
Curious about what could have made such a sudden sound in the middle of the night, she hesitated for a moment, then walked toward it.
After walking a short while, she pushed aside the waist-high weeds before her. Another, larger cold spring appeared in her view, along with a patch of pristine white, flawless female back.
Her eyes flew open. The clothes in her hands fell without her even realizing. The woman's back was like white jade. Even from this distance, one could see under the moonlight those butterfly bones that looked ready to take flight, and the translucent, slender back of the neck revealed as the woman bowed her head to wash her black hair.
Her heartbeat suddenly accelerated. She even felt her face grow hot. A strange sensation stirred in her heart.
After the first glance at this bathing woman, she realized who it was. Who else but the Peak Master could be bathing here in the deep of night, with such graceful bearing?
She didn't dare look any longer. Quickly crouching low, she turned to leave.
With a whoosh, a pebble flew over and embedded itself directly into the trunk of a tree behind her, sinking several inches into the wood. If it had been a person, they would now be a corpse.
She didn't dare move again. She closed her eyes, raised her hands high, and slowly turned around. Her voice trembled slightly. "Peak Master, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to peek!"
There was no movement from the spring for a long time. After a while, the sound of water splashing reached her ears as someone emerged. Then came the rustle of clothing, followed by that familiar cool voice. "Open your eyes."
Fu Peibai thought to herself that she was done for. She opened her eyes, and sure enough, before her stood a woman with black hair draped over her shoulders, wearing only a thin outer garment, emanating mist from her body. Who else could it be but the Peak Master?