Chapter Forty-Eight: Meeting Master Wu

Jiang Li understood that his father and mother had pinned all their hopes on him, wishing that one day he would achieve success and bring honor to the Jiang family, allowing his parents to hold their heads high. Perhaps his mother harbored an even deeper wish, one she buried in her heart: if her son could one day attain high office, might he not be able to restore the good name of her own family? Though his mother never spoke of this hope, Jiang Li could sense it. He knew little of his maternal relatives—by the time he was born, none remained, and his mother never mentioned them except in the rare, wistful recollections of the happy days she’d shared with her cousin.

Now he had made the decision not to pursue an official career, a choice that utterly defied his parents’ last wishes. He felt deeply unfilial, yet he did not regret it. If there was anyone in this world for whom he would rather go against his parents’ hopes and never look back, who else could it be but Liu Qin?

It had been nearly a year since he came to the Liu household. In that year, he and his younger sister were inseparable, together from dawn till dusk; her presence was woven into every part of his life. Though he could not claim to fully understand her, he knew her temperament well—she could not abide the slightest constraint. On the night of the Lantern Festival, he had promised her that, from then on, wherever she wished to go, he would take her. It was not the idle promise of a child but a solemn vow to his sister.

For this promise, he was willing to give up everything. Compared to the pursuit of officialdom, he would rather spend his life by her side, living freely and happily together.

Aside from Master Zhou, no one knew of Jiang Li’s decision—not even Liu Qin. Yet her mere presence had changed the course of his life.

What Liu Qin did not realize was that she, who had always led a smooth and favored life, cherished by all, was now surrounded by harmony and warmth—until an incorrigibly difficult child came and disrupted it all.

That afternoon, they were to pay respects to the martial arts master.

Since the master of the house and the eldest young master were both absent, and the matron and eldest madam were not in a position to go, it fell to Lei Hu to escort the children. Because of Lei Hu’s relationship with Master Mu, and the secrecy surrounding Master Mu’s real name, Long Tianfeng spoke vaguely, but the master of the house trusted Long Tianfeng implicitly and did not press for details. Master Mu had also instructed Lei Hu not to call him “Granduncle” in the Liu household, but to address him as “Master Mu” like everyone else.

There was good reason for this caution: Mu Qingcang’s fame in Dongli was considerable, and it was possible the Liu master had heard the name. Relations between Dongli and Han were hardly cordial, and to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings, Mu Qingcang chose to keep a low profile, using the alias Mu Qing.

Liu Qin, Jiang Li, and Haige, accompanied by Fang Nuo and a retinue of young servants, set out for the training ground.

The Liu family’s training ground lay to the northwest of the front courtyard, beside a grove of pear trees. Passing through a small path in the grove, one emerged into a broad, spacious field. There was a small courtyard at the edge, generally used for storage, seldom inhabited due to its remote and somewhat eerie location—especially at night, when even the servants avoided it.

Unexpectedly, Master Mu took a liking to this spot and specifically requested to reside there. Upon Lady Fu’s approval, the maids and matrons promptly cleaned it up, changing the curtains and drapes, and soon the courtyard looked fresh and new. After Master Mu and his son moved in, Changkang also brought his things and settled there—Master Mu in the main room, his adopted son Xiaowu in the east wing, and Changkang in the west. Changkang’s duties were limited to personal service, while the general cleaning was assigned to other staff.

When Lei Hu brought Liu Qin and the others, Master Mu was seated beneath a rest pavilion at the edge of the training ground, with Xiaowu at his left. As a martial master, Master Mu naturally exuded a different air from Master Zhou’s scholarly gentleness—a quiet authority that needed no stern expression, making it difficult for anyone to speak casually in his presence.

“Master Mu, the young masters and young lady of the house have come to pay their respects. Shall they perform the ceremony now?” Lei Hu addressed him as Master Mu, but felt awkward—his granduncle reduced to a mere master, making him hesitate to speak freely.

Only the principal children of the house were to perform the ceremony—Liu Qin, Jiang Li, Haige, and Fang Nuo. The young servants were merely observers, and the older maids, Cui Liu and Cui Yu, did not attend, as it would have been improper for them to practice martial arts alongside the young men.

Mu Qingcang—or rather, Mu Qing—raised a hand to prevent the children from kneeling. “There’s no need for formalities. I’m only teaching you for a time, not taking you as disciples. We are not bound as master and apprentice, so let’s forgo these rituals.” His voice was deep, resonant, echoing from his chest.

Since the master would not permit them to kneel, the four children clasped their hands in salute, offering a respectful greeting, which the servants behind them echoed.

Only then did Liu Qin raise her eyes to study Master Mu. He looked much like any other martial artist—a burly, rugged man. Somewhat disappointed, she thought, Hadn’t Lei Hu always praised Master Mu as a grandmaster? Where, then, was the gallant hero from the books—the ethereal, elegant swordsman she’d read about or seen in films? Clearly, such stories were mere fantasy. After all, martial artists spent their days training in the sun, building their muscles—a rough exterior was only natural. To look as presentable as Lei Hu was already an achievement; those frail, fairy-like figures in dramas had nothing to do with true martial skill.

Having finished her assessment of Master Mu, Liu Qin’s curiosity shifted to his adopted son, Xiaowu. He seemed about Jiang Li’s age, reasonably good-looking, with a sharp, well-defined face, slightly sunken eyes, and a high nose—almost reminiscent of the mixed-blood children from her previous life. The only discordant note was the utter lack of emotion in his eyes, as cold as a block of ice emitting a chilling aura.

Noticing Liu Qin’s gaze, Xiaowu stared back at her without the slightest politeness, a hint of an inscrutable smile on his lips—a smile Liu Qin was certain held not a trace of goodwill. She shivered involuntarily; the feeling was thoroughly unpleasant. What unsettled her most was her inability to understand when she had offended him. Why did he emanate such hostility?

So it was that Liu Qin, the self-proclaimed irresistibly adorable child, encountered a second person immune to her charms and utterly uninterested. The first, Mr. Zhang, had already exasperated her into retreat (or so she believed); as for this second one, when facing an enemy—or a potential adversary—one must either win them over or eliminate them (Liu Qin resolved firmly, with a wave of her hand, in her heart). There could be no third option.

As Liu Qin’s thoughts wandered, Master Mu gestured toward Xiaowu and introduced him, “This is my adopted son, Xiaowu. He will be living here with me and joining you in your studies and martial training. I hope you’ll all get along well.”

Everyone nodded in understanding, offering Xiaowu welcoming smiles. Yet he utterly disregarded his adoptive father’s goodwill, remaining seated with an air of indifference, ignoring every gesture of kindness as if they did not exist, giving not the slightest response.