Author: Slopaw (Page 1 of 11)

The Witch Nichang– Chapter 96.2

Watershed

Since she had grown up on the peak of Mount Hua, traversing these ragged mountain slopes was like walking on a flat ground for her. The wind whistled past my ears, and before long, the earthen houses scattered among the misty greenery grew from specks to something distinct. As we drew closer, a village came into view. Not a lot of folks live here as there were only a dozen or so low houses. Shrouded in mist, they looked lonely and desolate amidst the mountains.

Lian’er, never one for formalities, landed directly before the largest house, strode onto the veranda, and rapped on the door. I was shaking off the ice shards from my robe. Before I could stop her, I heard a woman called from inside, “Who’s there—?” Not wanting to make her wait, I stepped in before Lian’er could speak, “Pardon the intrusion. My sister and I are travelers on our way to Jinzhou from Liangzhou. We were caught in the storm as we were crossing the ridge and hoping to seek shelter here from the hail. Would you be so kind to let us in?”

Lian’er seemed unbothered by my interruption. The house fell into a brief silence likely because the residents were discussing. After a while, the sound of footsteps approached, and the hefty door creaked open. A middle-aged woman appeared and gave us a quick once-over before she stepped aside and said, “Well then, come on in—”

Her attitude was odd. She didn’t have the warm hospitality typical of mountain folks, yet not exactly unfriendly either, just a little indifferent. I was hesitating, but I saw Lian’er stride in unconcerned, so I could only say my thanks and follow her inside.

The sky was already overcast with clouds. It was even darker inside the house. The furnishing of the modest hall was simple and old. A layer of dust cloaked everything from furniture to the beams, looking dull and colorless. Only the embers in the central hearth were flickering, casting a faint but warm amber glow.

By the hearth sat an old woman. Out of courtesy, I cupped my fists and greeted her. “Thank you. Pardon the intrusion,” I said with respect. The old woman merely cast me a languid glance in return before letting her eyelids droop again. The middle-aged woman walked to us after shutting the door and said, “Stay here. Don’t wander around. The hail comes and goes quickly. It won’t last long.” With that, she walked to the old woman and attended to her, paying us no further heed. It didn’t bother me, but Lian’er, with her proud nature, wasn’t pleased with the indifferent attitude of this family. Thankfully, no matter how displeased she was, she had the basic courtesy. She understood these people had let us in out of kindness, so she didn’t show her feelings on her face. She merely let out a low humph, walked over to the window, and with her back to the room and sword in her hand, spaced out at the relentless patter of hailstones. I gave a perfunctory smile when I saw that the owner had no intention of making conversation and turned to join Lian’er by her side.

It wasn’t long before Old Tie caught up with us. Like Lian’er, he was never one to stand on ceremony. The moment he entered the village, he started shouting our names, unconcerned about disturbing anyone. It wasn’t until Lian’er rushed out to meet him that he finally stopped. By the time, the three of us tethered the horses under the veranda and went back inside, the hailstones had grown to nearly the size of quail eggs. Even though I kept the family informed about what we were doing with an apologetic smile, the truth was, ever since the woman had returned to the old woman’s side, neither of them had so much as glanced our way again, as if they had turned a deaf ear and treated us as if we just didn’t exist. It was hard not to grow suspicious of them.

“I’m telling you, there’s something weird about this place…”The old man stood in a corner of the room, watching the horses outside and saying to us, his voice lowered, “Did you notice?” Ever since I entered the village and started shouting, not a single soul has peeked out to see what’s going on. Even with the hail, you’d expect someone to glance out the window at least. Strange… hmm… real strange…”

“What’s the big deal?” Though Lian’er’s voice was soft, her expression was full of disdain. She flicked her sword and said, “No matter how strange this place is, you think the three of us would be afraid?”

“Alright.” Worried that other people would overhear their conversation, I quickly stopped them in a hushed voice, “We were the ones who came knocking. Just because they’re keeping to themselves doesn’t mean they’re bad people. As long as we don’t touch or drink anything, keep watch over the horses, and leave as soon as the weather clears, nothing will happen.”

And so, we stayed on our guard while waiting out the hail. What happened later seemed to prove what I had said. In less than an hour, the patter of hail began to wane, and the sky gradually cleared. As the gloom lifted, rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, chasing away some of the chill and making the scattered hailstones on the ground glisten like crystal.

Seeing that, before we could do anything, the middle-aged woman attending to the old woman spoke up. In a measured voice, she said, “The hail has passed, and it won’t return today. You’d best be on your way while there’s still light. We won’t keep you.”

Although that had been our plan, it still rankled to hear those words clearly meant to kick us out. Old Tie, bad-tempered as he was, had seen enough to keep his composure. He cupped his hands and said thanks before going out. Lian’er gave a frosty smile, said nothing, and followed him outside. I followed them to the door but couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. So, I turned back and walked over to the hearth. Cupping my hands and bowing, I said, “My companions are used to the way of jianghu. I beg your pardon for any rudeness. We’re grateful for your shelter in our time of need. Please accept this small token of gratitude.”

As I spoke, I reached for my pouch, only to realize I had no small change on me. If I showed hesitation now, it would only make things awkward, so I decided to commit to the gesture. I pulled out a silver ingot and placed it on the small wooden table beside the hearth. As I set down the silver and just about to pull my hand back, two long, withered fingers suddenly closed around my wrist!

I was on my guard when I approached them. Even so, those fingers caught me cold. Shock rippled through me. My eyes followed those two withered fingers and looked up. The one who grabbed me was the elderly woman who had sat motionless like a clay statue and never lifted her eyes!

“Old bat! What are you doing to her? Let go of her now!” A familiar shout came from behind. Lian’er must have seen what happened from the veranda. She flung open the window and jumped right in, ready to strike. I quickly extended my other hand to block her and said hastily, “Wait, Lian’er, hold on, stay calm.” That stopped her just in time. Because in that split second, I sensed that those two fingers, though holding my wrist, weren’t applying any force. They were even trembling; they were nothing like the grip of a martial artist. Even though the lightning-fast speed still baffled me.

The two women seemed to not register either Lian’er’s menace or my wariness, as if none of it concerned them. The old woman held my wrist as if reading a pulse, then slowly spoke in a hoarse voice, “We don’t have a custom of taking payment for helping people around here. But since you insist, why not let this old lady take a look at you. Consider it service for silver, and we’ll be even.”

There were a lot of eccentric people in the world, and this family did seem peculiar from the beginning. Now that I heard her say that, I thought it better to believe than to doubt, so I said respectfully, “Then I thank you for your kindness.”

Suspicion was written all over Lian’er’s face, but nonetheless she lowered her sword and stepped back, standing at the side, her eyes trained on the old woman.

Ignoring our attitude, the old woman squinted her eyes and said slowly, “You were born with a weak constitution, young lady. Now your yin is lacking, and heat rises within.^[1] Since you move more than you rest, your body is probably worn-out. And also, your organs suffered injury once. Though healed, you lack proper recovery. Unwise.” At that, her fingers shifted on my pulse, adjusting their position. Then she added, “Your body already shows signs of fatigue. If you don’t take proper rest, the strain will build and turn into illness. And by then, it’ll take twice the effort to recover. Troublesome indeed.”

Listening to her explain, with every point sounding convincing, Lian’er and I exchanged a glance, and when we turned back to the old woman, she had finished speaking, took her fingers off my pulse, and closed her eyes, returning to her previous state of silence. I pulled my hand back right after, cupped my fists, and said my thanks again. Then I took Lian’er by the arm and made our way out. Just as I stepped over the threshold, suddenly, I seemed to hear a voice by my ear. The voice said, “Fate and destiny flow like river. Don’t stir a river unconnected to yours, or there’ll be no escape from death.” I whipped around. A gust of wind swept through the room, and with a resounding bang, the door slammed shut before me. I turned around to look at Lian’er; she was right beside me, but she didn’t seem to have heard anything this time. A chill crept down my spine. Just as I contemplated whether I should go in and ask for an answer, Old Tie came striding over and pulled us along, saying, “Quick, let’s go. This place gives me the creeps! Best not linger!”

Seeing the old man, one rarely fazed by anything, now pale, I wanted to ask, but before I could utter a word, I was shoved onto the horse, so I swallowed the question and let it go.

After riding out of the village, though the journey went without a hitch, none of us could wipe the pallor off our face. I couldn’t share the reason behind my pale face with anyone. That wispy voice lingered in my mind. It seemed like a dream as the time passed, impossible to tell if it had been real or an illusion. As for the reason behind Old Tie’s pale face, he refused to say even after asking him several times. I could only guess that he had seen something in the veranda. What exactly it was, I had no idea, so I could only let it go. As for the reason behind Lian’er’s pale face, I had no clue. Though she didn’t say anything at that time, I would figure it out soon enough.

To say I figured it out would be an overstatement. It was Lian’er who revealed it herself at the end. After we had descended the ridge, passed the rest stop, and entered Jincheng in Lanzhou for a brief respite, just as we were preparing to set out on the long journey to the capital, she suddenly spoke, “Let’s make a little detour south to Shaanxi. I want to visit Mount Dingjun.”

Lian’er’s was based there, so when she brought that up, no one found her request unusual. Old Tie nodded and said, “Hmm, come to think of it, it’s been more than half a year since you were back. It’s good to make a detour to check in, even just to show your face, since you are the chief.” “Mm, you’re right, Godfather.”Lian’er nodded and turned to look at me; there seemed to be something more in her eyes. It was only then that I realized that something wasn’t quite right. Then, I heard her say, “Once we reach Mount Dingjun, you should stay at the stronghold. For the journey to the capital, just Godfather and I will be enough.”

---

[1] Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terminology, where health is about the balance of yin and yang energies. Yin represents cool and receptive energies, and yang represents warm and active energies. In the case of excess yang, symptoms related to heat might emerge like fever, nosebleed, and hot flushes.

The Witch Nichang– Chapter 96.1

Watershed

The following days were spent on the long journey back, passing through Khocho, then Hami, traveling along the northern route of the ancient Silk Roads. Though we were traversing the desolate, uninhabited desert most of the time, we were still able to get some supplies along the way. At times, we journeyed along merchant caravans and could even rest and refresh ourselves in the few towns we passed. It was exhausting, but it was nothing compared to our journey here. Thanks to this route, all the discomforts I had because of the harsh environment never happened again. But my body might be unscathed; it didn’t mean my heart came out unscarred. 

The main reason our conversation that night in the abandoned city had gone nowhere was that, just as we reached that point, Old Tie returned in excitement and interrupted us. We were surprised by his early return. With another person present, we couldn’t continue the conversation anymore, so I changed the subject and started talking to Old Tie. Lian’er didn’t say anything at that time; she even joined in the conversation, as if we shared a tacit understanding, but I had the feeling that she must have been relieved. It was obvious that, even if Old Tie hadn’t returned, she didn’t seem like she wanted to continue the conversation. I didn’t know what to feel about it. Only, it was no longer the matter of controlling my emotions. 

In the first few days of our journey, the atmosphere within the group felt strange. The old man rode ahead on horseback, while Lian’er and I shared a camel like before. Even though our bodies were close, our hearts felt distant. Or perhaps it was only me who felt that. It didn’t feel good. I tried to keep the feeling in check, but it still affected me, slipping out in some moments. It felt almost like a sulk—only, it had been her sulking at me not long ago, and now, it was me sulking at her. Even when we sulked, we expressed it differently. I wasn’t immature enough to give anyone silent treatment. I would still look after her and remind her when needed. I thought I was acting like I usually did, except joking and laughing less with her. But Lian’er, sharp as she was, still noticed a difference; even Old Tie seemed to pick up on it. 

Even though they noticed, neither of them pointed it out. Old Tie was a seasoned man. He probably thought we had a quarrel and he best stayed out of it. He would drop some lighthearted advice between the lines, hinting that so long as there was no bad blood between us. Lian’er more or less understood him and didn’t press on. She stopped saying I was mean to her, but grievance and confusion often flickered across her eyes. It didn’t feel great to see someone so proud and carefree, someone who never hesitated, showed such expressions, let alone it was someone for whom I had the softest spot. If I were to ask myself honestly whether I had any right to be angry with her, the answer would be no. She had tried her best. I had no right to ask for more. To ask for so much itself would be too… greedy. Or this might not be anger; I was just a little… discouraged. 

Regardless of how I felt, I had to get myself together for the rest of the journey. If I couldn’t sort out my feelings, then I had to bury them, the deeper the better. With some effort, I at least managed to clear away the strange atmosphere caused by me. Everything seemed to be back on the right track, or rather, return to normal. The normal conversation, the normal jesting, the normal caring, the normal snuggling. 

The old man aside, I didn’t know what Lian’er thought about this normalcy, but she never did show any affection again. It could be a way of avoidance or a sign of resignation—I couldn’t tell, nor did I want to guess. 

Burying my feelings and maintaining this semblance of normalcy, we traveled for half a month on a detour. I was glad that our return route was different from the one we took before, sparing me the sight of things that reminded me of the past. We entered the Jiayu Pass without a hitch via the northern route. Once we crossed into the Hexi Corridor, we returned to the way we came. 

Though we had different things on our mind, we were equally eager to get back. That old bandit Jin’s nephew had left half a month before us, supposedly heading to the capital to meet up with his uncle. But who knew how long they would stay or if they would stay at all once they reunited. Too many things could change as the time passed. That’s why we barely stopped in Suzhou and set out immediately after a brief respite, traveling along the borders of three commanderies, passing through Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Liangzhou. In less than ten days, we arrived at Anyuan Station. This station is situated at the northern foothill of the great mountain. Beyond it stretched the final and largest barrier between Hexi and the Central Plain—the towering Hongchi Ridge. 

The locals called it Hongchi Ridge. Old Tie and the traveling merchants called it the Watershed. Whatever the name, they all referred to the same mountain range. It was a lofty range, said to have snow capping its peaks all year round. The weather around here was fickle; it could snow even in midsummer. Last time, we had passed through during a favorable season and took the winding path in the valleys, so the journey hadn’t seemed too difficult even though the mountains had seemed barren, covered with ashen black rocks, and the temperature shifts were stark. It was already fall this time around, and the mountain’s harsh cold revealed its presence. After a night’s rest, we left the station and set out on the path upward. The air grew colder, dark clouds gathering, snow dotting the air, and mist forming between breaths. These were no signs of fall; they unmistakably signaled the onset of winter. Fortunately, we had come prepared. We had switched to studier mounts, draped in furs, and carrying wine. At the break of dawn, we set out, braving the wind and snow without stopping, hoping to cross the ridge before nightfall. Heaven didn’t disappoint; though the cold pierced to the bone, the journey went smoothly. By noon, we had crossed over the peak through a narrow trail. The wind and snow dwindled as we descended from the northern slope to the southern side. 

Seeing the sky cleared and time still ample, Old Tie slowed down. He tipped his head back and took a long swig of aged wine atop his horse, then let out a deep sigh, and his expression turned resolute. And Lian’er had never been nervous. Seeing Old Tie like that, she couldn’t help herself from teasing him. Compared to these two, I couldn’t rest easy despite having a smile on my face. 

Once we passed the southern foothill and traveled a few dozen more miles to Jincheng, Lanzhou, we had officially set foot on the ground of the Central Plain. So many people, so many things were waiting there, as if you could already see them. If I had felt like a bird soaring beneath the vast sky when we had first started out, now, I felt like a bird returning to its cage, walking willingly into the snare. What’s worse was that, after all this time spent on the road, I hadn’t managed to take the weight off my chest. On the contrary, the road ahead felt more uncertain than ever. 

Gazing at the distant folds of mountains, shaded in dark green and black, a sudden thought arose—was it time to let go? If Lian’er had fallen for a man who wasn’t in her childhood, she would have been spared all these worries. Between a man and a woman, everything followed a familiar pattern, like water flowing along its course. There would be no questioning of what love was, no fear of what the future might bring. And someone like Zhuo Yihang—blessed with a wife such as her—would surely not be plagued with worry like I was now, nor would he ask so much of her, making a carefree person like her hesitate.

The thought came unbidden, but affected by the emotions over the past few days, the more I dwelled on it, the more sense it made. As I was spiraling, suddenly, I felt a series of light taps on my head, as if someone knocked on my head with their knuckles. Those taps had snapped me out of my thoughts. Bewildered, I held my head and looked up. Before I could see what happened, I took a few more hits in the face. They didn’t hurt, but they were icy to the bone. When I looked at my hand after brushing them off, I saw tiny shards of ice. 

“Ice pellets! Ice pellets are falling from the sky! The weather on the ridge surely is unpredictable!” Up ahead, I saw Old Tie reined in his horse and shouted to the back, his voice laced with urgency though not quite panic. As soon as he shouted, the hail grew denser, clattering as they hit the ground. Fortunately, the hailstones were no larger than grains of sand. It stung when they hit, but they posed no danger. Yet the worry on Old Tie’s face didn’t ease. “This isn’t good!” He circled his horse around and, before even getting close, he said, “I’ve heard from the locals that it’s nothing unusual to see snow in summer, but when ice starts falling from the sky, hail is sure to follow! Don’t be fooled by how small they are now. They’ll grow big enough to knock us down. We have to find shelter fast!”

That being said, this stretch of land was nothing but bare plain, with sparse vegetation, and low, jagged rocks. Not even a single hollow in sight. Where could we find shelter here? Just as Old Tie and I were anxiously looking around, Lian’er, without a word, leapt from her horse and onto the tallest spruce nearby. She peered into the distance for a moment before jumping back down. Whether it was intentional or by accident, she didn’t land on her own horse but mine. She said, pointing, “I couldn’t see any good place nearby, but beyond the foothill, there seem to be a few houses. Look like mountain folks’ houses. The two of us will head there first. Godfather, you take the horses around and meet us there!” As soon as she finished, I felt a tightness around my waist, then before I knew, I was pulled into her arms, and before I could say anything, Old Tie burst into laughter, stroking his short beard, and ribbed, “You little rascal! That’s quick. You’d leave this old man behind to bring up the rear on his own at times like this? What an ungrateful daughter!” Though he scolded her, his words held no sign of anger. Undaunted, Lian’er said with a grin, “Don’t blame me, Godfather. I was just weighing the pros and cons. With your powerful neigong and sturdy body, even the fiercest hailstones couldn’t hurt you; you can take it, but someone here can’t. Are you going to find me another if anything happens to her?” Before Old Tie could utter another word, I heard a soft chuckle, and the next moment, I was several yards above ground. 

Suspended in midair, the biting wind slashed across my face like a blade. The hailstones had grown to the size of rice grains, and each one now hurt far more than before. Lian’er, rushing ahead at full speed, couldn’t pay it any mind. I knew she was doing it for me; I didn’t want to add this to her worries. After a moment’s thought, I took off my robe, spread it open with both hands, and held it over our heads—a small effort to shield some of the trouble for her.

---

The Witch Nichang– Chapter 95

Answer

Had it been back then, I would have felt a twinge in my heart the moment I heard the rejection. But I was calmer than I thought.

Perhaps it was because, since the beginning of this long journey, I had noticed and remembered every minor change in her. As these changes accumulated, they added to my confidence—in her and in our relationship. So, at this moment, even though I was a little disappointed, I didn’t despair.

Lian’er was chuckling in the firelight’s glow, as if lost in some funny imagination. While she was laughing, I took a deep breath of the night air and kneaded my brows, taking the moment to compose myself. It was then that I realized there was something off with the conversation earlier.

Maybe the conversation came too soon, and I started getting nervous. I got swept along by her train of thought and started talking about men and women. I understood why it made her laugh. If I were to imagine Lian’er as a man, I would find it just as absurd and uncomfortable. Though what she said about not wanting to be married to me still bothered me a little.

I hugged my knees, staying silent as I collected myself, waiting for Lian’er to finish laughing and continue the conversation. Her laughter was infectious, and it seemed even more vibrant in the flickering firelight. I couldn’t help but smile watching her. Looking at her laugh, my heart slowly settled until it returned to tranquility. Perhaps she could sense that I was looking, her laughter died down. Even though she had stopped, her face still glowed with delight. She turned to look at me, her brows relaxed and her eyes bright. I wanted to speak, but the moment our eyes met, I chose not to because she obviously had something to say.

“I’m neither a man, nor do I wish to be one. And you couldn’t be a dude either. Since it’s all nonsense, what’s the point of talking about it?” She opened her mouth and said with a dismissive smile, “Let’s just drop this conversation, shall we?” Her suggestion happened to be what I had thought earlier. There was no reason to say no. I gave her a brisk nod, but in my mind, I was wondering what she would say next. This time, no matter what she said, I wouldn’t panic.

“So…” Lian’er didn’t know what was going on in my mind. Perhaps this had been bothering her for a while, she was unusually talkative. She went on, “since the truth is neither of us can be a man, where does this love between a man and a woman come in? Isn’t that strange? You keep telling me to think it through, but every time I reach this point, I can’t go any further. So, I’ve only figured out a little. Do you understand?” She added the last part as if she was explaining something complicated, afraid I might not get it. I nodded with a smile to show I understood. This world was nothing like the world I used to live in. It was difficult enough for the average person to understand this kind of love, let alone for Lian’er who had grown up in the woods, unbound by the worldly ways. The fact that she had come this far by herself spoke to her intelligence.

Or I have been too selfish. I’m just being a coward with all these excuses.

I saw the confusion on her face as these thoughts went through my mind, so I spoke, determined, “Lian’er, have you…” Even though I had decided to make it clear, when I opened my mouth, trying to speak, it was as though something lodged in my throat. I hesitated when the words were about to come out of my mouth, and they turned into, “Have you… have you forgotten? I never said it’s love between a man and a woman. Do you remember? I said the third kind of love for me is romantic love.”

After the words came out, I felt deflated. As they said, old habits die hard. It wasn’t easy to get rid of decades of bad habits. Yet beneath the dismay, there was hope.

In the glow of the blazing fire, the girl sitting beside me didn’t immediately answer my question but tilted her head to look at the fire, her brows knitted ever so slightly, her eyes gleaming with thoughts. Even though she had never been fond of studying, Lian’er learned astoundingly fast. Seeing her deep in her thoughts, I chose not to disturb her, leaving her alone in her thoughts and waiting in silence.

The atmosphere fell still once more. There was no laughter or conversation. The desolation and silence of this place returned. Although the wind wasn’t strong, blocked by the ruin structures, its howling echoed through the night. Every time when I heard its howl, I tossed two more pieces of useless furniture into the bonfire that had piled to the height of a person. The dry woods cracked and hissed as they joined the fire.

There is nothing to see about the blazing fire. No matter how pleasant it was to look at Lian’er, watching her with my head turned for too long made my neck sore. I looked away and up at the starry sky as I leaned back on my elbows.

The stars were just as brilliant as they had been the other nights, and the last time we sat together by a fire under the starry sky had been… the night when we were searching for water. As my thoughts wandered, something came into my mind, and I found myself biting my lips.

As I was spacing out, I heard a rustling sound. By the time I noticed, Lian’er had done the same as me, leaning down and resting on her elbows. The difference was she was leaning forward and resting slightly taller than me. As we were close to each other, she was within my sight, blocking a corner of the sky.

Too close. It was so close that I felt a little shy. I wanted to turn away, but before I could, her hand reached out and cupped my face.

“Lian’er!” This gesture was anything but proper. I had no idea where she had learned it from. Aside from being surprised, a torrent of emotions swirled within me as I called her in exasperation. I was about to ask her to let go, but she said with a grin, “You really are terrible. You made me fuss over this, but you lie here enjoying the stars instead. That’s not fair.”

Although Lian’er said that with a grin on her face, her words struck me. In some ways, she was right. I knew the answer, and I could have told her, but I wanted her to think instead. I was terrible for… sitting by and watching, right?

A wave of guilt washed over me. My reluctance from earlier dissipated, and I stopped resisting, letting her hold my chin as she pleased. But Lian’er was competitive and liked to fight. When she saw me give in, she lost interest, and her grip slackened. Her eyes moved, as if something had occurred to her, and her grin widened. Before I could react, she leaned in, and warmth brushed my lips. The touch was fleeting, but it was the first time she had been so close to me since the time she had fed me water. In contrast to the distance between us over the past few days, I found myself liking this kind of intimacy despite knowing I shouldn’t. But because of what I had said earlier, I cleared my throat and leaned back after that peck, protesting as my eyes wandered, “Lian’er, have you forgotten what I said…”

“Yes, of course I remember. You said that before I figured it out and found an answer, we can’t do this.” Lian’er interrupted me, drawling. She rolled her eyes, looking dismissive. Then she got serious. She lowered her head and looked at me with a soft smile, “What if I’ve already found my answer?” she asked.

The distance between us was small. She was talking while she was leaning forward. Over her shoulders, I could see the glow of firelight and the distant expanse of the starry sky. As she was facing against the light, I couldn’t see her expression, leaving me uncertain with no way to read her face. The uncertainty left me adrift and untethered. But the girl didn’t realize and went on, “So from the very start, you’ve hidden the true meaning within your words, and yet, you had me racking my brain over it. I was wondering why you are making a simple thing like the love between a man and a woman so complicated. Could it be that you were trying to say that the third kind of love can exist even if it’s not between a man and a woman?”

Right on the mark!

It was right on the mark, but my heart remained suspended. My face was so stiff that it hurt, and my expression remained blank, neither surprised nor elated. None of the emotions I expected to feel came.

I didn’t know how Lian’er might interpret my reaction, but she seemed to be in a good mood or still relishing in her revelation. She continued along her train of thought, musing, “If that’s the case, even though we are both women, we can still love each other romantically. That doesn’t sound so bad. We already like each other anyway. We promised to stay together through life and death. You shouldn’t get married anyway. Just stay by my side.”

While she was thinking out loud, I felt my heart sinking as it grew heavier and heavier. But it wasn’t too bad because at least it would end up on the ground when it sank far enough.

At last, I could blink again. When I closed my eyes, it stung a little, but the stiffness in my face eased because of the movement. I let out a puff of laughter, masking a sigh, sat up, and said, “Lian’er, romantic love is not something that you’d have because you say so, nor something that would just happen by doing what’ve you said.”

“No?” She sat up too when she saw me doing the same. Sitting face-to-face, she asked, puzzled, “Then what else is there? People say the point of getting into a relationship is to get married, to have each other by their side and grow old together. We’ve agreed on this before. I’ve done the things that only those in love can do with you, and you’re fine with them. So, what else could there be?”

Lian’er spoke without thinking, not knowing what she was saying. I squirmed at that, but I didn’t want to dwell on it. I shifted from sitting to being on my knees, straightened up, and grabbed her shoulders. Solemnly, I said, “Listen, Lian’er. This third kind of love is different from the other two. A person can have many relatives and friends, but there’s only one whom they love that way, and only one. Once that choice is made, you give all of you to them, and they become the most important person to you.”

“Yeah.” She listened earnestly while I was being serious. Then she nodded and said, “That’s not a problem. You’re the most important person to me. I don’t like anyone else as much as I like you. Maybe Master if she’s still around, but she has passed. The dead don’t count, right?”

There was no reason for her to lie. It warmed my heart to hear that. But it wasn’t the right time. I didn’t have time to savor it. The words were on the tip of my tongue, like a nocked arrow. I had no time to think about the consequences, whatever they might be. I wanted to guide her slowly, waiting for her to come to the realization on her own. But I realized she understood the concept but not the feelings, so I could only confirm it in the most direct way. Was this the right thing to do? I didn’t know. Perhaps I had been holding back for so long, I could no longer wait.

“Lian’er, you know being the most important one is not just about liking them the most.” Locking my eyes with hers, I said with my teeth clenched, “When I said, ‘to give all of you’ and when you said, ‘to have each other.’ Do you truly understand what that means?” That means giving yourself over entirely. If we were to pledge our love, I’ll give all of me to you, and from then on, I would be only yours.”

“Wouldn’t that be great? You’re supposed to listen to me anyway when we are together.” The girl laughed light-heartedly. She seemed to only care about the last part, not truly understanding the weight of the words. And what she hadn’t understood was what I worried about the most.

“But Lian’er, let me ask you…” No matter how worried I was, I had to ask, “Then in return, would you be willing to give all of you to me? Would you be willing to, from now on, be only mine? Hmm?” Slowly, I spoke word by word, my eyes fixed on her, unwavering.

In that instant, in the firelight, I thought I saw from her face—the flicker of uncertainty and hesitation.

That night, she never gave me an answer.

---

The Witch Nichang– Chapter 94

Late Night Talk

Soon, Old Tie galloped off with the horse. 

After he left, I went to gather the things scattered around the courtyard, picking out those that were useful and tying them together, preparing the supplies for the return journey.

It’s said that the northern route was the safest and most established route of the Silk Road. Old Tie himself had experience traveling this route, and he was confident about it. Still, we would pass through many desolate areas. With just the three of us, it wouldn’t hurt to spend more time preparing. Better be careful than sorry.

I couldn’t help much with the important matters, so I put more effort into these menial tasks. With that in mind, I got down to business. I didn’t know how much time had passed. All I knew was that the sky was getting darker. I worked until it got so dark that I could no longer focus on the tasks. I stood up and let out a long breath, feeling a sense of relief as I looked at my hard work. But as soon as my focus faded, relief was quickly replaced by a sense of unease. 

I turned around and looked at the girl sitting by the blazing bonfire, who hadn’t moved since earlier. I frowned, realizing where this creeping unease came from.

Perhaps it was because we had grown up together. There usually wasn’t much of a conversation going on between us. After all, what was there to talk about with someone you saw all day, every day? Besides, Lian’er was never one for chit-chat. Most of the time, as long as I was with her and could sense her presence, I could do other things without worrying about neglecting her, like how you would spend time with family.

But the air now felt… as if something wasn’t quite as it should be.

Looking at the girl by the fire, her lips pursed as she stared ahead without even glancing over once, clearly radiating an air of discontent, a sinking feeling hit me—had I accidentally ignored her and made her upset? Or had the silent treatment that started at the inn never actually ended?

Guessing wouldn’t get me anywhere, so I calmed down and thought for a moment. I took out some food from the packed supplies and quietly walked over to sit beside her by the fire. I said nothing, just wrapped some jerky in flatbread and roasted it over the fire. Once it warmed through, filling the air with its aroma, I held it out to Lian’er and said softly, “I’m sorry, I got caught up packing. It’s already dark, and you haven’t had anything since noon, right? Just eat something first, okay?”

Lian’er was a practical person from a survival perspective. She turned around when I spoke and gave me a sidelong glance before shifting her gaze to the food in front of her, seeming to consider it for a moment. Then without a word, she took it with a straight face, tore it in half, stuffed one half into her mouth, and shoved the other half back into my hand. 

My heart warmed at her action. I unbuckled the waterskin from my waist and placed it between us. Then we shared the meal together in silence. For a while, neither of us spoke; the only sound was the crackling and popping of the burning wood. 

After swallowing the last bit of food, Lian’er pulled the stopper of the waterskin and took a big gulp from it, then brushed the crumbs off her hands. Her eyes darted around. As if she had made up her mind, she spoke, “Let me ask you—since we’re leaving tomorrow and might not see certain people again, be honest, will you miss them?”

I had been waiting for her to speak, even thinking about how to make her say something. Now that she said something, it caught me slightly off guard. But when I thought about it, it made sense. If my guess was correct, she could only mean one person when she mentioned “certain people,” the source of her recent trouble. 

And for me, this question felt more like a double-edged sword that could be a blessing or a curse.

“Ever since we arrived here, I’ve spent most of my time in a room, barely getting any chance to see much of what’s outside before we’re leaving. To say I don’t feel a little regret would be a lie, but…”

Since it was a double-edged sword, I had to treat it with care. I lowered my gaze and chuckled. Weighing my words, I said, “But what is there to miss? There aren’t a lot of things I would miss. At least nothing from here.”

Despite my sincerity, Lian’er didn’t seem entirely convinced.  She narrowed her eyes and glanced at me. Skeptically, she said, “Oh, how nice. Then why did you make the message you asked Godfather to pass on sound so poetic? All that ‘parting with regrets’ and ‘gratitude remains’—it sounded just like what people would say for farewell in the theater. If not because you miss him, then what was it for?”

Her words always managed to catch me off guard in the most unexpected ways, though I was used to it by now. I chuckled and explained calmly, “How could you compare this to the theater? It’s only polite to leave a few words since he’s helped us so much, not that I miss him. Since we’re about to part ways, it’s only polite to say goodbye with a few words, don’t you think?”

“Hmph…” Lian’er let out a soft scoff, as if she was reluctantly accepting my answer, and didn’t argue back immediately. She tossed two more pieces of firewood into the fire before muttering, “If that’s the case, why didn’t you let me know when we left the inn instead of trying to make an excuse now? Don’t think you can fool me about  being polite.”

Her tone was still sharp, but the edge of discontent had faded, and a faint smile had appeared on her face. I had already started smiling along with her when the memory of the young man’s last expression as we left the inn surfaced in my mind. I sighed and said, “Didn’t you see how terrified he was? How could I have said anything? And also, Old Tie was rushing me. Now that I think about it, I don’t even have to say those words. After witnessing what happened, I doubt he has any lingering feelings for me.”

I thought this would cheer Lian’er up since it had been troubling her, whatever her reasons. Now that the source of her trouble was gone, she should have been relieved. 

As soon as I said that, her brows slowly furrowed in the firelight. She tilted her head skeptically, pondering for a moment before leaning in and asking, puzzled, “When? Do you mean when you killed that bandit during the fight? How would that change anything? Didn’t he just say he liked you and wanted to protect you? How could he change his mind just because you killed someone who deserved it?”

She seemed genuinely puzzled, a childlike innocence flitting her face. I held back the urge to pat her head. Just as I was about to explain, smiling, realization hit me, and I hesitated before asking, “Did you overhear everything…”

It was an unnecessary question, of course—she must have overheard. Otherwise, no matter how clever Lian’er was, she wasn’t clairvoyant. How else could she have known about the conversation between the guide and me in the inn before the incident? 

“Hm, I heard it. When I got there, the fight hadn’t started yet, and you were just finishing your conversation,” she replied frankly, without trying to hide anything. When I asked, she just nodded and admitted it, as if there was nothing wrong. Then she added, “I wanted to step in, but you seemed like you wanted to handle it yourself. And since the ones who barged in were just a bunch of two-bit goons, I figured it’d be good for you to stretch your legs. That’s why I stayed outside.”

I had wanted to tell her it wasn’t right to eavesdrop, but her frank attitude left me unsure of where to begin. Then again, I didn’t care, and neither did she. Since neither of us cared, did it matter whether it was right or wrong? The rules and etiquettes of this world had never been something I cared for, nor something she had ever held in regard. Besides, there was something that mattered far more right now. 

If Lian’er had done something reckless because of what she heard, it would no doubt bother me. At the same time, it wasn’t necessarily reassuring that she hadn’t done anything either. Didn’t this prove that she didn’t care at all? 

A tightness gripped my chest. It didn’t feel good to scare myself like this. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to throw the question out. 

“Lian, um, Lian’er…” I mimicked her actions, breaking a few pieces of dry wood and tossing them into the fire, using it to mask my nerves. Yet, I still couldn’t summon the courage to ask her directly. I stole a quick sidelong glance at her and murmured, “Since you heard everything back then… what do you think?”

The girl beside me wasn’t looking at me. She seemed lost in thought, staring into the flames. At that moment, I couldn’t read her. 

“What I think, huh…” It was a while before Lian’er finally spoke, “He said he liked you a lot. I wasn’t happy when I heard that, but if his feelings for you could change just because you killed a bandit during a fight, then that kind of like isn’t worth much, is it?”

She turned her head then, her eyes meeting mine. I could clearly see the reflection of the flickering flames in her eyes. Then, I heard her say, “If it were me, liking someone means liking them. I wouldn’t stop liking you just because you killed a few people. As long as you treat me well, and I do the same for you, why does it matter what other people think? That guy doesn’t like you as much as I do. You don’t need that kind of affection.”

There was no doubt she meant every word. 

All I could offer in response was a nod and a simple, “Mm, right.”

I thought that would bring the conversation to an end, but Lian’er didn’t stop there. It was as if she had found her momentum, or perhaps she had given a lot of thought to it. After a brief pause, she continued without hesitation, “Actually, earlier, when I said I wanted to tell you something I had figured out, it had to do with this. So I might as well just say it now.”

When she brought up that topic, my heart that had just settled was thrown back in the air. 

Her gaze hadn’t shifted from me since a while ago, her eyes fixed on me as she spoke, unwavering. I had no idea, in that instant, what expression of mine was reflected in her eyes. 

“Seriously, you always leave things unsaid and then tell me to think, really think about them. I have been burning my brain cells these days.”

No matter how I looked right then, it didn’t seem to affect her mood. Lian’er spoke like she always did, even with a hint of complaint, as if she were talking about something completely ordinary, “I finally figured it out later. All that beating around the bush of yours was just your way of telling me that even though we’re not a man and a woman, the things I do to you are something only people in the third kind of love would do. So, what we share is more like the love between a man and a woman. Isn’t that right?”

My heart skipped a beat. This time, there were no misunderstandings, no absurd answers—she stayed on point!

A chill ran down my back, my palms damp with sweat. I was stunned, unable to respond, merely observing her; even my nod was barely noticeable.

Lian’er didn’t seem to care about my staring. Seeing me nod, she frowned and went on, “But how does that make sense? If I were a man, then it would make sense, whether it’s loving you like a man loves a woman or taking you as my wife. But I’m obviously not, and I don’t want to be one either. There aren’t many men in this world who are better than me, and I like who I am. I have no desire to become a man.”

I understood what she meant, but I didn’t know how to respond. 

“Then…” In the end, I could only follow her train of thought, carefully gauging her feelings. “If I were a man, Lian’er, would you be willing to marry me?”

“You?” Her eyes flickered with surprise at first, then the corners of her lips curled up, as if she had just heard something amusing. The curve of her lips widened until she threw her head back and burst into laughter. Still laughing, she said, “No, there’s nothing in this world more absurd than that. It’s ridiculous, absolutely not. And besides, I wouldn’t want to be married to you.”

---

The Witch Nichang– Chapter 93

Ghost Town

Earlier, I heard from Lian’er that they had found their lair. I thought we would hurry there, but she didn’t seem to be in a rush as we walked down the street. Instead, she took me to the busy market to get some stuff, looking as if she had everything under control. 

Though it was different from what I had expected, I didn’t usually meddle with little things and let her be. Besides, we hadn’t spent a lot of time together lately, and there was even some tension between us a few days ago. Now that we were walking together, a smile on her face, our fingers laced together, I didn’t want to think about anything else. I would just keep an eye on whatever she wanted to buy. 

We had been in this region for a while now, but this was the first time I had been on this foreign street. It was strange, feeling both unfamiliar and yet familiar at the same time. Meanwhile, Lian’er seemed very familiar with this place, even more so than I was. I guess it was because she had been going about in this area these past few days. Thinking about that made me feel a little ashamed of myself. 

As I was walking, hand in hand with her, deep in thoughts, the things we brought gradually piled up. It wasn’t until she tried to purchase a steed from a vendor that I stepped in and said, “Lian’er, we’re not staying here for long. This animal is not suited for long journeys. Why are you buying it?”

She turned around and raised an eyebrow, her smile undiminished, and said, “There will be several miles ahead of us later. It’s to ride it, of course, so you can be comfortable.”

“Don’t worry,” I replied without hesitation. “After all this rest, I’m feeling better. I don’t need it.”

I really thought I didn’t need it, or maybe it was the desire to prove myself speaking. 

But Lian’er wasn’t buying it. She huffed, “I’ll still buy it to carry our stuff even if you don’t want to ride it. We can’t be carrying all these things by ourselves for several miles. That would be too much.”

Although we had quite a few things, it wasn’t so many that it would become a burden. But since I wasn’t familiar with the road, and since she had said so, there was not much I could say. I smiled and let it go. 

When we left the street and were ready to set out, I was heaved onto the horse. I couldn’t even say no even if I wanted to because Lian’er was already on the horse. I was surprised because I thought we would go with qinggong as she didn’t really like to ride. But because of that, I couldn’t refuse. 

After bumping along the road for over two hours on the same horse, and seeing the desolate surroundings, I realized she was right. The farther we went, the more I had to admit that if we had relied solely on qinggong, the journey would have been tough in my current state. 

Wait a minute—could it be that she had thought of that, and that was why she…

I glanced back. She was focused on steering the horse under the sun. Even while she was riding, her vibrant smile remained on her face, and her eyes sparkled with her usual pride. Could it be possible for her to show that she cared in such a subtle way? Or was I reading too much into it? And what could she mean earlier when she said, “I think I’ve understood something”?

A sudden wave of anxiety surged, but I quickly quashed it.

We kept our eyes on the road, not exchanging a word. She was taking the lead, heading in a single direction for some time. As the sun began to dip westward, something started to emerge in the barren landscape ahead. I could see structures standing in the distance. Despite their distorted shapes weathered by the wind, you could still see their frames. As we drew closer, I realized that these were man-made structures—abandoned buildings made of rammed earth, one after another, forming a vast and irregular expanse of ruins. It was… a ghost town.

The sight was so unexpected that I called, “Lian’er?” I turned back, surprised and confused. Seemingly anticipated my question, she removed her veil and explained, “Quite a nice hiding spot, right? I heard this used to be a city a thousand years ago, but for some reason, it was abandoned and became a ghost town. It’s turned into a perfect hideout for bandits. Those guys were hiding here like rats. It took me and Godfather quite some time to track them down.”

As she spoke, she slowed the horse to a trot and began steering the horse into the ruins. The intact walls were next to us. As my initial shock faded, I vaguely recalled that there was an ancient site like this in this place, only that the structures before me were far more intact and alive than it would be centuries later. The narrow, winding streets were lined with rammed earth houses of various shapes, their dark, hollow doors and windows giving off an eerie and lifeless feeling.

Perhaps it was because of this deathly silence. A tinge of fear began to crawl up in me. I didn’t know where it came from, making it impossible to express. It wasn’t until I saw smoke billowing in the distance that I felt a little relieved.

The smoke was black, clearly from burning something. Spurring the horse in that direction, I soon saw that the smoke was coming from a courtyard. The courtyard was no different from the surrounding buildings, all made of rammed earth. It was no longer whole, being eroded by wind and sun, but its structure still held. The only thing that was different was there were many things around—barrels, jars, household tools, and clothes. These things, put together, added a touch of life to the otherwise desolate ghost town. Of course, the most lively thing was the blazing bonfire in the center of the courtyard and the tall figure standing beside it.

“You’re here!” Perhaps he had heard the hoofbeats earlier, as Old Tie didn’t seem surprised by our arrival. He stroked his beard and turned around, chuckling, “The streets of this ghost town are a maze, so I figured you might get lost in them again. That’s why I thought of starting some smoke as a beacon. Sure enough, as soon as I lit it, you showed up. Smart, right?”

“Godfather, don’t flatter yourself.” Lian’er entered the courtyard and dismounted, firing back with a teasing smile, “You were the one who lost your way this morning, and I had to lead the way to get us here. Now you’re saying it was me who got turned around? How shameless. And starting a fire before sunset? Were you scared to be alone and needed it for courage?”

“Hey! What are you saying? I, Tie Feilong, am not a coward. Even if you don’t need the help, the sun was setting. It’s better to start the fire earlier rather than later.” He didn’t get angry at the remark and just laughed it off, waving his hand dismissively, “Besides, this wicked stuff is an eyesore to me. The sooner they burn, the better I’ll feel.”

While the two of them bantered, I had gotten down from the horse, helping Lian’er with hitching the horse and looking around the courtyard. When I heard what Old Tie said, I looked over at the fire without thinking. It was then I noticed the few large objects among the messy pile of burning things. Though they were now engulfed in flames, the bloodstains on them were still visible as they burned.

“These are…” I took a sharp breath, a vague realization dawning on me. I looked over at Old Tie, and he nodded knowingly and said, “Mm, these are torture devices. This is the hideout of those bandits we’ve been searching for. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior. There’s something far more sinister inside that house. These scoundrels didn’t just rob people; they took pleasure in torturing them to death. What a bunch of savages!”

Following Old Tie’s gaze, I looked at the nearby rammed earth house. The black, gaping doorway looked especially eerie. Just moments ago, I had thought about going inside to take a look, but now, a sense of dread began to creep in me.

I didn’t know what came over me—could it be that today’s bloodshed was affecting me more than I thought? I thought I wouldn’t care, but maybe I did after all.

Caught between unease and doubt, I felt someone pull at me. Before I could look away from the house, Lian’er had already dragged me to the fire. Still confused, I heard her laugh and say, “What’s the big deal? It brought us here, didn’t it? That’s what they call karma, right? Today’s fight was exhilarating. If not for these utterly wicked scoundrels, where else would I get a satisfying fight like that? What’s funny is that the ones who got away still thought they could sneak into the inn and get you. Don’t they know themselves?”

“Hah, easy to say now, but I haven’t forgotten how frantic you were when we wormed out of them that some of them had slipped away to the inn. Haha—” Old Tie chimed in at just the right moment, earning a fierce glare from her in return. As the girl’s laughter and Old Tie’s teasing filled the air, the inexplicable unease that had arisen gradually faded away. I smiled and allowed myself to relax. 

I spent the rest of the time around the fire, chatting with them and asking about the whole story. It turned out this bandit’s hideout was the place Old Tie and Lian’er had been looking for. Almost all the inhabitants were disciples of Jin Duyi. Unfortunately, they didn’t find the trusted nephew of Jin Duyi, whom they had once mentioned. Upon interrogation, they learned that he had stayed here for some time but had left in a hurry a few days ago after receiving some news, saying that he was heading to the capital to meet up with Jin Duyi for some business.

After getting all the information they needed, Old Tie dealt with the remaining bandits accordingly, killing those who deserved death and crippling the rest, leaving no one unpunished. He then waited for Lian’er to bring me over to join him. 

“The capital, huh… If the information was correct, this long journey wouldn’t have been in vain. In that case, there’s no reason to stay here any longer. Let’s not waste any more time. Should we start preparing for the return trip?” After sorting through my thoughts, I looked up from my contemplation and asked.  

“No need to worry about that. Everything’s been taken care of. This bandit’s hideout is well-stocked, so we can just take whatever we need. Anything that’s lacking, I’ve told Jadey to get it. Besides, hehe…” Old Tie grinned mysteriously as he got up and strode to the back. After a short while, he came back with a tall camel. “Look! They even left us this. Plus the horse Jadey bought, we’ve got enough mounts for the journey back.”

I was taken aback when I heard what he said. After a moment of stunned silence, I said in surprise, “Wait a minute, Old Tie, are you saying we’re setting off just the three of us with a camel and a horse? Isn’t that a bit…” I almost thought I got it wrong. The memories of the dangers we faced coming here were still fresh in my mind. How could Old Tie be so reckless?

“Don’t worry. There’s a reason for it.” The girl beside me chimed in at that moment, and she explained with a chuckle, “But to understand the reason, we have to start with another mistake Godfather made. Do you remember what he said when we passed the gate? He was so sure that the northern route through Hami was caught up in war, and we might not pass through it for three to five months. But when we interrogated those bandits, we found out that the northern route had been clear half a month ago. So, don’t you think he made us go through an unnecessary tough journey, hmm?”

Hearing Lian’er teasing, Old Tie’s face seemed to flush red and then white, though it was hard to tell with his dark complexion. He awkwardly stroked his short beard and said, “Well, these…these things are hard to predict. You can’t make guarantees. Back then, you’d both agreed, so how can that be my fault? Ahem… besides, it’s a good thing that we’re able to take that route on our way back, isn’t it? Better than crossing the desert again.”

Lian’er was being petty. It seemed this bit of teasing was she getting back at Old Tie for calling her frantic earlier. Seeing a commanding old hero unable to fight back after being mocked by his own goddaughter, I figured it wouldn’t be right to add insult to injury. So, I cleared my throat and changed the subject when I spoke again, “It doesn’t matter anymore as long as we can take the northern route. We’ve learned a lot on this journey, and since we’re ready, are we leaving right away?”

Even though the sun was already setting, it seemed more appealing to hit the road than to spend the night in this ghost town. As I thought about it, a wave of melancholy swept through me. Despite my reluctance to admit it, it did seem that I had been more of a burden on this journey. Especially after arriving here, I hadn’t helped much, nor did I play any part in their search. I simply waited until everything was settled and listened to what they had done, and now, we were heading back. It really was…

About that…. Zhu’er…” As I was quietly brooding over my frustrations, I heard Old Tie say, “How are you holding up? The northern route might be safer, but it can still be tough. How are you doing now? Can you handle the journey?”

“No problem!” I raised my head almost reflexively and responded, “I’m feeling much better. Besides, I think it might be because of the climate that I wasn’t feeling good. Rather than staying here, it’s better to leave.”

It would be one thing if I couldn’t help, but if I were to delay our return and cause any unwanted changes in the capital, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. So, I said that with unwavering resolve, my tone firm and decisive. Perhaps because I rarely spoke in a tone like that, as soon as I said that, they cast curious glances at me.

Though they looked, Lian’er said nothing, while Old Tie seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking, “Hmm, let’s decide after tonight. You two stay here. I plan to head into town tonight and take care of this…” As he spoke, he stood up and walked over to the small wooden chest, giving it a pat. “This is the dirty money I found after Jadey left. Earlier, when we were asking around, we met a few victims of the bandits who gave us leads. Some of this might belong to them. I’ll go find out, and if it does, I’ll return it. Whatever’s left, I’ll give it out to the poor folk nearby. Consider doing a good deed.”

Old Tie was a man of action. As he said that, he had already picked up the wooden chest, untying the horse reins, and mounting it. “You two wait here,” he said, “I’ll be back by midnight, or at the latest, by dawn.” With that, he tugged on the reins and was about to leave.

“Hold on a second.” Suddenly recalling something, I called out to stop him.

The old man halted and looked up at me. Without thinking much, I hurried over in a few steps and looked up. “Old Tie, if you’re planning to give out the money, could you let me take a small portion to give to that young guide as a token of my gratitude?”

Honestly, I did feel a bit guilty toward him. After shedding blood, I just left with Lian’er without a word, leaving him to deal with the aftermath. I still remembered the shocked, frozen look on his face, and I felt a little guilty about that. I couldn’t think of a way to make up for it. Now that I saw what Old Tie wanted to do, this idea suddenly came to me. 

I saw nothing wrong with the idea, but when I said that, I felt eyes on my back. I turned around, puzzled. By the campfire, Lian’er wasn’t looking this way; she was focused on adding dry wood to the fire, her expression calm, with the usual hint of a smile at the corner of her lips. 

“Oh? Oh, that’s fair enough. That young man did save your life before and had been diligently taking care of us at the inn these past days. Perfectly reasonable.”

I didn’t notice anything wrong, so I turned back around at Old Tie’s words. Old Tie sat on his horse, stroking his beard with a smile, and said, “But, is just giving some money enough? Do you have anything else you want to say to him? I’ll do you one better. If you have something you want to say, just let me know. I’ll pass it along, wrapping things up for you.”

I hadn’t considered it before, but I felt I should say something at his reminder. I looked and thought for a moment, and I said, “All right then, it’s just a few words. Please tell him—‘We walk different paths, parting with regret; your kindness repaid, my gratitude remains.’” 

A sharp crack sounded behind me. When I turned around again, it was just Lian’er snapping a thick piece of dry wood, nonchalantly tossing it into the fire.

---

Slopaw’s note:
Hey everyone, since I can’t guarantee regular updates, I’ve decided to post all the chapters I’ve translated so far. There won’t be any more early chapters on Patreon from now on. Thank you to everyone who has supported me before, it really means a lot!