Chapter 13

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Catering to one’s preferences

“Du Zhong!” A childish voice called out.

Diao Yuliang, being at the young age that he is, had always been bold and never knew what it was to know one’s place. He straightened his light robes as he made his way towards Huo Linfeng. On his waist hung a cricket cage dangling from a jade ring. As he walked, the cage swayed along with him, leaving a trail of chirping behind him.

Huo Linfeng greeted: “Fourth Palace Lord, you’re dressed quite stylishly today.”

Diao Yuliang broke into a smile and couldn’t help but reach out to feel the jade ring on his waist, saying: “Third Brother gave it to me.” The gambling game had come to a close once the results were out. The three thousand taels Lu Zhun betted had been entirely lost, yet he still had money to spare to get him this exquisitely fine jade.

Huo Linfeng sat straight on his horse. Two bundles were strewn across the saddle. He dismounted and held onto the horse’s reins as he walked with the other. He never liked to play with children, so he hinted tactfully: “The Palace Lord does not need to bother holding up on your work because of me.”

But Diao Yuliang didn’t understand: “I don’t have anything to do anyway.” Huo Linfeng had won him money, so he looked at the other as if looking at treasure. “Ruan Ni and Zou Lin had already moved in yesterday. You’re quite late.” He led Huo Linfeng and his horse to the stables, evidently wanting to show him around the Palace.

Huo Linfeng unloaded his luggage and came to the most spacious area in the Palace. Diao Yuliang said: “This place is called the ‘Distant Gray Platform.’ It’s where all the disciples practice. In the future, you will need to train them here.”

Huo Linfeng took a quick look. Plum blossom logs [1], a Qiankun Board [2], the bricks smooth and flat. It can be seen that the disciples are expected to train hard. In the rear, there was the extravagant main hall, the Profound Jade Hall. When he snuck in that night, he had not gotten a chance to see it in detail. But now, he could see the beautiful and intricate architecture clearly.

They passed through a side garden and the mellow fragrance of wine drifted over. It was Duan Huaike’s Drunken Elegance Courtyard. Diao Yuliang said: “Just behind here is the residence for disciples: the Thousand Opportunities Hall.”

The Thousand Opportunities Hall resembled the Marquis Manor greatly. Huo Linfeng entered the hall and peeked out into the inner courtyard. After a few more twists and turns, Diao Yuliang stopped at a small courtyard, where there was a locked bamboo house with a yard full of weeds.

Diao Yuliang explained: “It’s a pretty good courtyard. It’s just a little dirty since it’s been empty for a whole year.” He called a disciple over to tidy the place up and waited for Huo Linfeng to place down his baggage. They left through the southern doors.

“For the next few days, don’t go near Hidden Gold Pavilion.” He warned kindheartedly. “Third Brother has been in a bad mood lately and would occasionally pick up his scimitars to throw a tantrum.”

Huo Linfeng wanted to ask why, but they reached a lotus pond. They walked on the wooden bridge and pushed aside the pale pink flowers and green leaves. They picked out fresh lotus seeds to snack on and boarded the small boat before rowing out.

The deeper they rowed, the fewer flowers there were and the deeper the water got. Huo Linfeng brushed his hand over the water. When he raised his eyes, he discovered that he was the only one left on the boat. The surrounding trees and plants were still and not a single ripple was present on the water’s surface. It won’t do for a child to just disappear into thin air, would it?

Splash! Water spewed all over as Diao Yuliang emerged from the water. He latched onto the side of the boat. Huo Linfeng was alarmed. He didn’t bother to wipe away the beads of water on himself, planning to grab the other’s arm and pull him up. But Diao Yuliang submerged into the water once again. Agile like a fish and fast like a jiao [3], he pushed the boat from under the water.

Huo Linfeng’s shock turned into amazement. After a cup of tea’s time [4], Diao Yuliang was still underwater. “Fourth Palace Lord?” He reached into the water and searched around. He vaguely felt out Diao Yuliang’s jade ring and fished him back out.

The soaking wet little guy suddenly grew angry, “Fuck you…” Diao Yuliang wiped his face and gingerly covered his waist, “If you broke the ring, I would drown you to death.”

Huo Linfeng ignored him and looked behind Diao Yuliang. The pond was connected to a small river. By the riverside, a wooden bridge led to a cabin in the middle of said river. Next to the cabin was a pavilion, with a few pieces of children’s clothing hanging out to dry. He asked out of curiosity: “You live here?”

Diao Yuliang answered: “Yeah, I can’t do without water.”

They did not stop at the cabin and continued on their way to the rear mountains. Huo Linfeng remembered that this was where Rong Luoyun’s residence was. The boat drew closer to the river bank. When they came ashore, they walked past a grove of bamboo and arrived at the Nameless Abode. Outside the door, Huo Linfeng and the bobcat sitting under the wall had a staredown with each other.

That bobcat realized that it was him. It immediately arched its back with a loud hiss and scrambled away in a flurry. Perfectly, at this very moment, Diao Yuliang also let out a shout. It was actually Lu Zhun who had come to ambush, clutching Diao Yuliang’s braid.

Lu Zhun had lost all his precious gold. He gnashed his teeth: “Little bastard, that money you used to bet was gotten from Second Brother, wasn’t it!”

Diao Yuliang’s shouts of pain were endless: “How the fuck does this shit have anything to do with you? You betted on the wrong person yourself, who are you trying to blame!”

Huo Linfeng, fearing that he would suffer a calamity, slowly retreated into the residence. His ears twitched as he detected something odd. Two brown objects came shooting over. He turned around and rapidly intercepted them. He opened his hand and discovered that they were just two fruit pits that were still moist.

He peered at the half-opened window as the sounds of Lu Zhun and Diao Yuliang chasing after one another drew farther away. It finally grew quiet again. Huo Linfeng stepped over the gravel and cut through the veranda to come to a stop at the window. He saw a brocade blanket and light muslin bed curtains. Behind the muslin curtains appeared a hand bandaged with a handkerchief picking up a candied fruit from a small box.

After a moment, the person behind the curtain moved slightly. Black silky hair spilled forth as Rong Luoyun sat up and brushed the curtain aside. He had long since heard movements. He turned over and saw Huo Linfeng standing outside his window.

Huo Linfeng stood there tall and straight, like a soldier standing guard. His gaze was direct, like the sun in the azure sky. He stared at Rong Luoyun’s stuffed cheek and realized where those fruit pits had come from. His hands suddenly felt hot.

Rong Luoyun freed his leg and got out of bed. The hair crown held loosely on his head as he cleaned his face with cold water. He fetched a few porcelain bottles before arriving under the eaves. He sat down on a praying mat and had just undone the handkerchief when a shadow cast over him. Like when they had collided in the staircase, he stood in front of him like a wall once again.

Huo Linfeng offered: “Palace Lord, let me do it.”

Although he doesn’t know how to serve someone, he does know how to dress wounds really well. Rong Luoyun decided to be compliant and obediently stretched his hand out to him. After getting his wound cleaned, he watched the other apply medicine. Rong Luoyun sucked on the fruit pit and asked softly: “Where are you from?”

Huo Linfeng lied without batting an eye: “This subordinate had been living with Shifu [5] at Cleansing Sand Isle for as long as I can remember. I have no father nor mother. I don’t know what my family roots are.”

Rong Luoyun asked: “Where’s that Cleansing Sand Isle located?”

In the city of Saibei, there’s a restaurant called “Cleansing Sand Eatery.” It was Huo Linfeng’s favorite place to eat at. He answered: “It’s just a desolated little island. Shifu was a wandering Hero [6] and had decided to live in seclusion. At the beginning of this year, he had departed this world and I’ve been traveling south to see the world ever since.”

Rong Luoyun nodded. Huo Linfeng took the opportunity to say: “Palace Lord, I also have an elder brother. He has had a weak constitution since young, so he couldn’t practice martial arts and won’t be able to serve the Extraordinary Palace. But, it won’t be too hard for him to do manual work. Is it possible for him to come here to work as a servant?”

He lifted his head as he spoke, but Rong Luoyun was not looking at him. He only answered faintly after a while: “There’s no harm, he can come.”

“My thanks to the Palace Lord.” Huo Linfeng let go of the other’s right hand after bandaging it up. He still had a piece of cotton cloth left, and upon seeing a bead of water hanging from Rong Luoyun’s face, he offered it over: “Use it to wipe your face.”

Rong Luoyun accepted it. With little care for his breathtakingly beautiful face, he rubbed it with the cloth with a few random jabs.

He quietly sat under the eaves as Huo Linfeng squatted outside the eaves, one hiding in the shade and one bathing in the sunlight. He lifted his nose slightly and caught a whiff of the honey locust scent coming from the other’s clothing. He couldn’t help but think of that handkerchief and imagined that scene of when the other picked it up and placed it safely into his bosom.

Rong Luoyun spoke without thinking: “Do you like pleasure houses?”

Huo Linfeng stared. The cold, calm demeanor of this person had made him forget that Rong Luoyun represented “lust.” This was the mad lad who would pick the flowers [7] before destroying them. He pondered quietly. If he wants to win the other’s trust, he should try to cater to his preferences. Thus, he replied: “I love going to pleasure houses the most, the rain’s traces and the cloud’s tracks [8]. The love and tenderness there comfort me to have a good night.”

This time, it was Rong Luoyun’s turn to stare. He was vexed and secretly leaned back a little. He thought mockingly, so it turns out he was the romantic type. The corners of his mouth curved up as he matched the other’s tone: “I’m assuming you’ve gone to Dusk-till-Dawn before. Is there anyone there you’ve taken a liking to?”

Huo Linfeng racked his brain for an answer. That night, he had met many beauties, but what were their names again? If he replied Rong Duanyu, he’s afraid he won’t be catering to the other’s preferences but hatred instead. He said unconfidently: “…… I like Bao Luo and am willing to devote myself wholly to her [9].”

These words were so sour that Rong Luoyun trembled. The magnificent scenery of brothels seemed to appear before him, even his ears seemed to hear the sounds of pleasure making. He waved his hand: “There’s nothing more. You may withdraw.” Just like that, he chased away the other person, as if he wasn’t the one asking random questions.

When the other left, Rong Luoyun went back to his room to read. The book was that hard-to-understand piece of advanced literature. In one sitting, he read for a whole shichen. Only when he was starving did he finally willingly leave the Nameless Abode to the Profound Jade Hall.

The hall had not a single person. Rong Luoyun grabbed a box of milk pastries and strolled to the hall doors and spotted the grand occasion on the Distant Gray Platform. All the Palace’s disciples crammed themselves on the spacious field, each grasping their own weapons and following the Great Disciples in their training. Perhaps it was the feeling of having the ability to cover the sky that Du Zhong possessed that disturbed the other Great Disciples to the point where it became like a competition of strength.

He searched around and spotted Huo Linfeng with a group of disciples squeezed in a corner.

Huo Linfeng leaned against a tree, thinking back to his absolute authority when he had commanded thousands of troops. But now, he even had to fight for a good spot to train. Whatever. He pointed towards the southwest wing of the platform: “There’s little space left on flat ground, go on the plum blossom logs.”

The plum blossom logs were used to train a strong lower body and were typically used for the basics of martial arts. All the disciples looked at each other in dismay and seemed unwilling. Upon seeing this, Huo Linfeng leaped on a log and said: “If you can withstand five of my blows without falling to the ground, I will permit you to not practice. Who wants to try?”

A disciple came up on the log opposite to him. Huo Linfeng swiped him off in just two moves. Another disciple. It was still two moves. His anger soared. Even when the night fell and the lanterns were extinguished, his soldiers had still spent time training the basics diligently every day. These Jianghu people are truly too pompous.

Rong Luoyun watched this scene unfold from the Profound Jade Hall. Unknowingly, he had finished his box of milk pastries. He stepped out of the hall and made his way to the platform. A string of disciples greeted with a “Palace Lord.” He shook his sleeves and nodded to them in acknowledgment and arrived at the southeast corner.

Rong Luoyun leaped onto a tree branch with his left leg folded and his right leg lightly swaying. He plucked a fresh green leaf and held it in his mouth before continuing to watch the battle on the plum blossom logs.

Huo Linfeng stood alone in the center of the cluster of plum blossom logs: “All of you, come up.”

With each person who came, they would be beaten. They could not use weapons nor their internal energies but purely relied on sparring and their sense of balance. The disciples landed on the ground one after the other, not too different from the way raindrops tap on windows, and were already as silent as cicadas in the winter [10]. Only then did Huo Linfeng drop down: “Two logs per person, horse stance [11].”

Rong Luoyun thought to himself, there are fewer logs than there are people.

Huo Linfeng ordered: “Form a human pyramid.” As if this wasn’t enough, he strolled to the weapons rack and grabbed a bamboo basket. He came back and scattered the basketful of sharp metal weapons onto the ground. The astonished crowd trembled in fear. He said darkly: “You may only get off the logs when the Second Palace Lord comes by.”

All the disciples had an unspeakable grievance. That Second Palace Lord was the one who disliked going out for random strolls the most. It was clearly to set them straight.

Within the cover of the leaves, Rong Luoyun would have never thought that Huo Linfeng would use him as an excuse. He remained silent for a while and decided that he might as well just stay here. He closed his eyes, back leaning on the tree, and fell into a doze.

After a shichen, Huo Linfeng still stood tall and straight without moving the slightest, accompanying the disciples.

Another shichen passed. Someone swayed, but Huo Linfeng was quicker. He reached out a hand and held them steady.

He did not move an inch. Under his tormenting iron heart was hidden an unspoken tenderness and care. The group of disciples pursed their lips and clenched their teeth, determined to succeed. And just like that, they held on until sunset. The plum blossom logs were dyed a golden red color. He asked: “Are you able to persist until nightfall?”

The disciples with blue veins protruding all gave him a nod.

Huo Linfeng nodded in satisfaction and went to pick up all the scattered iron weapons. Afterward, he retreated to shelter under a tree and lightly leaned against its trunk. The sun dipped into the horizon inch by inch. Its warm, red rays were like phoenixes devouring the sky.

He lifted his head and sprang up onto the branches, wanting to avoid this beautiful scenery.

Yet, unexpectedly, Rong Luoyun was woken from his nap. He was still slightly drowsy, causing the look he gave to be soft and gentle.

Huo Linfeng stared at him, slightly blank. Rong Luoyun quickly grew clear-headed. The multiple layers of his clothing rubbed against the other’s sleeves. When he lowered his eyes, he could only see the other’s chest. When lifted his eyes, he saw the other’s eyes. There was nowhere he could hide.

And, of course, that person just had to ask first: “Palace Lord, why are you sleeping up in a tree?”

Rong Luoyun frowned: “Wasn’t it you who said that they can get off the logs once I show my face?”

Huo Linfeng felt distracted again but soon recovered. He couldn’t hold back a smile and turned around to shout: “Let’s call it a day here. You all may return to Thousand Opportunities Hall.”

All the disciples supported each other as they left. Like a turtledove occupying a magpie’s nest and two falcons fighting over a branch to perch on, there were only the two of them left facing each other in the trees. Underneath Rong Luoyun’s cold expression hid awkwardness: “In the future, don’t keep using me to gamble like that.” He brushed aside the other’s arm and leaped away with a light twist of his body. With his qinggong, he looked like a swallow flying afar.

The extra warmth still lingered. Huo Linfeng stayed there alone, watching the sunset submerge into the night.

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Notes

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