Chapter 12 | Return to the Martial World

Li Jing traveled swiftly under the moonlight. Bypassing Chang'an, he headed straight for Mount Taibai, reaching the mountainside by afternoon. He entrusted his horse to a farmer and continued on foot. The mountains were covered in yellow leaves, and the autumn water was as clear as a mirror. As dusk approached, he arrived at Xinde Cottage.

"Spotted Cat" was still there. Upon seeing Li Jing, the tiger ran up and nuzzled him with its head. Li Jing hugged the tiger's neck, showing affection. Inside, Sun Simiao had already lit a lamp and was writing the final lines of a scroll. "Third Nephew, come in. Let me finish these last few words."

Li Jing entered the room. Everything was as it had been. Sun Simiao was fully absorbed in writing on bamboo slips. Li Jing stood quietly and watched, noticing that each character Sun wrote was strong and precise. When he finished, Sun looked up and smiled. "Three years have passed, and your breath is steady, your focus has greatly improved. You are no longer the same boy from Wu."

Li Jing bowed respectfully. "Li Jing pays his respects to Master Sun."

Sun Simiao said, "Did you see Spotted Cat? Did you notice any changes?"

Li Jing replied, "Spotted Cat's fur is glossy, and its body is robust. These three years with you, Master, have made it even stronger."

Sun Simiao smiled. "Spotted Cat doesn't stay here all the time. It often goes down the mountain to hunt. Now it's pregnant. You couldn't wait—it will give birth to cubs in a month."

Li Jing was delighted. "How did you know I couldn't wait?"

Sun Simiao said, "Judging by your demeanor, you're likely heading south. Why did you come up the mountain? Speak your mind."

Li Jing said, "Although you haven't formally accepted me as your disciple, I regard you as my mentor. This trip south has three purposes: first, to search for the 'Secret Manual of Tunnel Warfare'; second, to make a contribution in the upcoming southern campaign; and third... there's a young girl in danger, and I want to try to save her." He then told Sun about A Yue.

After listening, Sun Simiao stroked his beard and pondered for a long time before saying, "With the war approaching, chaos will reign. Whether A Yue can be saved depends on her fate. As for finding the secret manual, it's a shot in the dark, and there will surely be twists and turns. Now that you've grown up, your martial skills and intelligence are far beyond what they were. I'm not worried about you. However, traveling alone with a horse and a sword is like announcing your presence to the world. Spies from both Sui and Chen are everywhere, and it won't be easy to move unnoticed."

Li Jing quickly sought advice.

Sun Simiao said, "In my early years, when my medical skills weren't yet sufficient to treat people, I lived in poverty and learned the art of mirror polishing from an old man. Noble families, wealthy merchants, and even well-off households all have bronze mirrors for women to use when dressing up. Over time, the mirror surface becomes blurry and no longer reflects clearly, so there is a craft of mirror polishing in the folk. Actually, the technique isn't complicated, but the secret formula is hard to prepare. It requires deer antler ash, dried alum, silver sand, mercury, and the gallbladders of pigs, sheep, dogs, turtles, and bears, ground and mixed into a powder. Wrapped in silk, it is used to polish the mirror from light to heavy and then back to light, restoring the mirror's surface to its original clarity."

Li Jing sighed, "Such complexity! This formula is even harder to prepare than a medical prescription. It would take months to gather all the ingredients."

Sun Simiao smiled. "Over the past three years, I've gone down the mountain several times and have prepared enough powder for you to use for two years." He stood up, went into the inner room, and brought out a cloth bag, handing it to Li Jing. Inside was an iron mirror-polishing kit, along with various tools for grinding and polishing. The mirror-polishing powder emitted a faint fragrance.

Li Jing was overjoyed and immediately bowed in gratitude. Sun Simiao then explained the art of mirror polishing in detail, including how to call out to customers and how to interact with households. He also gave Li Jing three sets of coarse clothing and taught him how to disguise himself. After a night of instruction, Li Jing transformed into a mirror-polishing youth. The Lone Star Sword he carried was left in Sun Simiao's care.

The next day, Li Jing descended the mountain, thanked the farmer with a few coins, and rode south. The farmer was astonished to see a wealthy young man suddenly turn into a rough, simple youth.

When Li Jing arrived at the foot of Baidicheng, he was stunned by the scene before him. The river was bustling with ships, their keels raised on scaffolds. Thousands of soldiers and laborers were building vessels. It was easy to inquire about Gu Shuisheng, who, due to his advanced shipbuilding skills, had become a master overseeing carpenters and shipbuilders. He was supervising the construction of a massive five-story ship capable of carrying 1,500 soldiers. Li Jing listened as Gu Shuisheng boasted about the project, though it was merely following the designs from Xie Kangtu's "Wang Family Ship Manual." Not wanting to attract official attention, Li Jing only asked about Gu Musheng's condition. Gu Shuisheng expressed dissatisfaction that his brother had refused to join him in shipbuilding after recovering from his injuries and had returned alone to Mount Wu.

Li Jing spent the night on the ship, entrusted his horse to Shuisheng, and set sail east the next day. By evening, he had reached Mount Wu. Before arriving at Gu Musheng's residence, he heard the sound of a zither, like a bubbling stream flowing over rocks or a graceful crane descending into a dense forest. Although Li Jing was not skilled in the art of the zither, he could tell the music was serene and lofty. In the twilight, the green mountains stood tall, and the vegetation was lush. The previously damaged houses had been rebuilt, as if the earthquake three years ago had never happened.

Gu Musheng came out to greet him, overjoyed to see Li Jing. The zither music stopped, and the Fisherwoman of Mount Wu called from inside, "Young Master Li, please come in and talk."

Li Jing followed Gu Musheng inside and saw a man in his thirties sitting in the main hall, dressed in white, with a handsome face and slender fingers. The Fisherwoman, still clad in black, stood beside him. Li Jing guessed that this man was Zhang Xian's son, Zhang Yu, and immediately bowed. "Li Jing pays his respects to the Lady and Master Zhang."

The man stood up and returned the bow, his body slightly unsteady. "Young Master Li, you are too kind. My health is poor, so I couldn't come out to greet you. Please, sit down."

The Fisherwoman, who had been smiling all along, gently helped Zhang Yu sit down. While Zhang Yu spoke, she remained silent, like a virtuous wife showing respect to her husband.

Li Jing remembered how Zhang Xian had fought desperately to protect Little A Yue, and his heart ached. He gazed at the familiar zither and remained silent for a long time. Zhang Yu clasped his hands and said, "I heard that when my father passed away, you were by his side... Could you recount what happened?"

Li Jing composed himself and told the story. After listening, Zhang Yu knelt facing south and bowed three times. Turning back to Li Jing, he said, "Back then, you and General Lai buried my father. I will never forget that. I only wish I could visit his grave in the south someday to pay my respects."

The Fisherwoman said softly, "Senior Brother, don't worry. Wherever you want to go in this world, I will accompany you."

Zhang Yu's eyes showed tenderness. It turned out that the Fisherwoman, following Nie Yunfeng's information, had gone north to Chang'an and found Zhang Yu. After reconciling, they lived in Chang'an for half a year, then spent three months at Xie Kangtu's estate in Mayi, and later traveled to the northern deserts, reaching as far as the North Sea (Lake Baikal). The Fisherwoman had never been interested in worldly affairs, caring only for Zhang Yu. When Zhang Yu had left back then, she had been heartbroken. Zhang Yu had always harbored feelings for her, but since the Zhang family, though living on Mount Wu, had never formally joined the sect, he had buried his emotions deep in his heart. After many misunderstandings and twists of fate, the two finally confessed their feelings during their time together and became husband and wife. Later, they returned to Mount Wu, where Gu Musheng had rebuilt their home. Now, master and servant lived here in peace, spending their days playing the zither and practicing martial arts.

That night, Li Jing stayed on Mount Wu. Zhang Yu, a zither enthusiast, took the opportunity to teach Li Jing some zither techniques. The Fisherwoman praised Li Jing highly, believing he would surpass Gu Musheng in a few years. Zhang Yu, however, was deeply concerned about A Yue, whom he had never met. "If you find A Yue, Young Master Li, bring her to Mount Wu. Since my father left the zither to her before he died, we can keep it safe for her."

As for whether Hua Qingfeng and Yueqing and Yuehua were still alive, the Fisherwoman said, "I also doubt whether they survived. Beyond the Wu Gorge, along the Yangtze River, the most influential family is the Wen family, who have always been loyal to the Liang Kingdom. Back then, when Xiao Qiong escaped from Mount Wu, she must have gone to Jiangling as a royal princess. Now that Western Liang has fallen, Xiao Qiong has likely sought refuge with the Wen family. Given Hua Qingfeng's actions, he must have some connection with that wretch Xiao Qiong. If you want to find the ancient secret manual, Young Master Li, you'll probably have to start with the Wen family."

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The next day, Li Jing descended the mountain and sailed to Yidu, then took the Qingjiang waterway. After passing Changyang, he inquired about Wen Zhongyuan's residence, but locals all shook their heads in ignorance. When the boat docked at a ferry, a dozen burly men suddenly converged on shore. Brandishing blades, they boarded and surrounded Li Jing.

The swarthy leader roared, "Where's this bastard from? Asking about Lord Wen everywhere! Explain yourself or become fish food!"

Li Jing hurriedly produced a jade token from his robes. "Elder brother, I'm an old acquaintance of Lord Wen."

The leader examined the token and immediately sheathed his blade, clasping fists in salute. "This lowly one failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please follow me." Dispatching his men with a wave, he sent a runner ahead with the token before guiding Li Jing along cliffside paths. The terrain proved precipitous, a single defensible trail winding through mountains. After two miles, they reached a mountain stronghold where eight black-turbaned guards stood watch over a cave.

Emerging from the cavern, Wen Zhongyuan's voice boomed from within: "Brother Li arrives! How this old man has longed for this day!" The towering figure appeared at the entrance. Though weariness lined Wen Zhongyuan's face, his voice retained vigor. To Wen's eyes, Li Jing's coarse garments couldn't conceal his heroic bearing, his features now matured.

Remembering Wen's past救命之恩, Li Jing bowed deeply. "Li Jing pays respects to Lord Wen."

Wen raised him up, leading him to the hall where river delicacies were served - Qingjiang's famed fish and mountain game. Though abstemious, Li Jing accepted two cups of aged wine under persistent urging.

"What brings you south, Brother Li?" Wen inquired.

"To find A-Yue, and pay respects to Imperial Uncle Zhang."

Wen sighed. "Since Emperor Xuan's passing, the weak crown prince ignored all counsel to strengthen our military. When Sui's Emperor summoned our new ruler to Chang'an, all knew it meant lambs to slaughter. Yet he went, taking most royals and ministers - Imperial Uncle Zhang, the Seventh Prince... Prince Xiao Yan and Third Prince Xiao Huan defected to Chen. A-Yue remained in Xiao Huan's household, now in Chen territory."

"Lord Wen, though my vision is limited, Sui's southern conquest seems inevitable. From Xinzhou, I witnessed Grand General Yang Su building warships below White Emperor City. Northern garrisons muster forces. How can tiny Liang resist?"

"Through history, he who wins hearts rules. Size matters less than unity. Emperor Wen of Sui understands this, while Chen's ruler hoards beauties and treasures, hastening his doom. But Liang once commanded hundreds of thousands, wealthy and strong! After retreating to Jiangling, we grew complacent, losing people's hearts." Wen drained his cup bitterly.

"Liang's fall wasn't your failing. With your talents, you could achieve greatness in Sui."

Wen's eyes flashed. "My family served Liang for generations! Though the state falls, Xiao's bloodline remains, as does Wen loyalty! We bide our time. So long as descendants endure, opportunity will come. You're my friend - I'll speak plainly. Our riverside forces won't aid Sui against Chen nor vice versa. We endure humiliation until the day to rise!"

Li Jing felt awed by the steel in Wen's gaze. These riverfolk - fishermen and boatmen - needed only weapons to become an army.

Their talk turned to current affairs. Li Jing sought information about Xiao Qiong and Hua Qingfeng but found no opening. He retired in the stronghold.

At midnight, whispers pierced the dark. Through three years practicing Sun Simiao's breathing techniques, Li Jing's heightened senses caught fragments: "...father, this lone Li Jing must be a spy. Detain him..." He recalled Wen Shihong - Wen's son, disciple of Master Puzhao.

Wen chided: "Nonsense! Li holds no office, not even military rank. Why spy?"

"To probe our loyalties? What else brings him here?"

"Surely he has purpose, but we can't interrogate guests."

The son sneered: "He wants the Secret Tunneling Canon-"

"Enough!" Wen cut him off. Voices faded. Li Jing feigned sleep, realizing this might be intentional. Comforted by the thought, he drifted off.

At dawn, Wen introduced his son Shihong - now leader of tens of thousands, superficially polite but dismissive. Li Jing bid farewell. Surprised, Wen had Shihong escort him out with a boat.

After Li's departure, a stunning woman emerged from shadows, eyes frosty despite her beauty. "He must be my senior sister's pawn, seeking Hua and the maids. Kill him on the river."

Wen turned coldly. "Does Princess command me?"

The woman forced a smile. "This ruined princess dares not command. Without your protection, I'd be a wandering ghost. I bear Li no grudge, but his life endangers you."

Wen softened. "Princess, Li surely has mission. His father's disgraced, but uncles command Sui armies. I suspect he seeks the Canon."

"Preposterous! How could this whelp obtain what Master Puzhao and Hua haven't in a year? Remember your promise - when we get the Canon, help me reclaim our sect's secrets from Wu Mountains."

"Wen keeps his word. Master and Hua's silence worries me. Perhaps Li's arrival is opportunity. If his goal aligns with ours, guide him to Lingnan."

Suddenly a guard rushed in: "Chieftain! The youth returns! Young Master can't stop him..."