Chapter 20 : Gold and Title
For Li Yongyi, the only fugitive warranting the guards'posters was Yue Qingfeng. Seeing the proclamation, his thoughts turned to his old ally, heart stirring as he slipped closer, unnoticed amid the bustling crowd.
Chen, prosperous and cultured, granted free speech, drawing scholars worldwide. Past noon, sated citizens, idle before work, gathered eagerly. Li glanced at the poster, relieved. The figure was a gaunt giant, face broad as a sack, speckled eyes fierce, brows slanted in menace. The guard bellowed, "This villain, Qian Gou, once a border sergeant, turned deserter, leads a band of marauders, cruel and bloodstained, slaying dozens and defiling women. Travel not alone in city or village!"
"True intelligence earns ten silver taels; his head, a hundred!"
A sergeant, per Yue Qingfeng, was an entry-level martial adept, honed in border combat. Chen bordered Ying and Tuyuhun; Qian Gou likely fled Ying's frontier. Intelligence must lead to capture for reward. Not Yue Qingfeng—Li Yongyi eased.
As he turned to leave, the guards unfurled a larger poster, revealing a man with fierce tiger eyes, disheveled hair, exuding a godly aura, far beyond QianGou. Li froze—it was Yue Qingfeng.
The guard, grave, declared, "The outlaw Yue Qingfeng! For precise intelligence… a thousand gold and a noble title!" Li Yongyi's gaze locked, stunned. A thousand gold? A title? He muttered inwardly, "Good heavens, Old Yue, what have you done? Another grand heist—or more?"
Titles were grave matters, Chen's laws strict, yet this reward defied reason, signaling desperation. Yue Qingfeng must have wrought a deed to terrify Chen's elite. Blending with the awestruck crowd, Li watched the guards depart, clutching a tome—likely Chen's fugitive ledger. He wondered: were he and his auntie listed? If so, where?
The thought rippled and faded like water. Today's events were a mere interlude. En route to the Xue estate, he mused: why post notices in Guanwing City if Yue was abroad? Was he returning? If so, where? Glancing toward the old Mountain God Temple, he touched his chest, where the Crimson Wyrm's head and claw emerged from the Cauldron of Ancients. "Perhaps," he whispered, "the day the Wyrm fully rises nears."
At the Xue estate, before his arithmetic lessons, he roamed freely, exploring the vast grounds for an hour, then sat by the training field's stone bench, watching men lift stone weights or spar with heavy blades. Eyes lowered, he sought the White Tiger Manifestation in vain. The Cauldron's jade elixir, a third full from yesterday's encounter with the Elder Xue, stalled without further contact.
"Master Li, early today!" a bright voice called. It was Qur, a comely, full-figured clothier manager. Li Yongyi rose, smiling warmly, "Sister Qur, first day teaching—best arrive early." She giggled, "Such diligence!" Sitting opposite, she teased, "Lost in the martial display? Tempted to try?" He demurred, "No, I marvel at these masters. How mighty are guest warriors?"
Qur sighed dreamily, "Guest warriors have private courtyards, far above outer managers. Only entry-level adepts qualify, outmatching common fighters. Those graced by the Elder Xue's guidance soar higher." Li seized on "The Elder," asking innocently, "How does one earn the Elder's guidance?" Qur smiled, "Hard, you become a guest warrior, admired for skill. Easier, excel in teaching—monthly, The Elder meets outstanding tutors of the Six Arts, sharing his own tea and gold rewards."
Qur, charmed by his naivety, chatted until summoned, parting with, "Master Li, ask me anything at Xue's." He nodded, "I shall." Her graceful exit drew glares from the training field. A guide led Li Yongyito an inner pavilion, then left.
He pondered: to meet the Elder Xue, he must excel in teaching. A shout broke his thoughts: "No arithmetic!" A seven-year-old, fair as carved jade, barreled into him. Li Yongyi's
Guessing this was Xue Ling's brother, fleeing his lesson, Li grinned, "Let's hide." They crouched behind lush blossoms. The boy peered out, tense; Li wondered who the "tigress" was—surely not gentle Xue Ling. The child hissed, "She's here!"
In the soft evening light, a maiden in martial garb approached, leather belt cinched, gauntlet on one hand, an ancient bow in the other, hair bound in a golden ring. Her gaze was sharp, unlike the soft heiress. "Come out, no lessons—I got sweets for you," she said. The boy yelled, "You'll trick me into arithmetic!" Li Yongyi pitied him—tricked still.
Xue Ling, eyes bright, strode closer, "Stop this mischief!" The boy retorted, "Tigress!" She snapped, "Xue Changfok, out!" Her full name froze him. She spun, kicking to scare him, unaware of another behind. As foliage parted, Li Yongyi sensed her foot nearing his brow, blocked it, and seized her ankle.
**(End of Chapter)**