Chapter 31: Collapse
Fu Tingyun's eyes brightened upon hearing this: "So Third Master Feng is giving us one night to leave Lintong?" Her expression quickly turned worried, "But can we really get out of Lintong in just one night?" Her delicate, feather-like brows knitted together.
Ninth Master Zhao smiled faintly at her: "If we head straight for Xi'an Prefecture, of course not." A hint of cunning flashed across his face, "But we can go south!"
"South?" Fu Tingyun's eyes widened.
"Yes, south!" Ninth Master Zhao's demeanor radiated confidence, "Just over fifty li south from here lies Xialuyu in Lantian County. We'll go to Xi'an Prefecture via Lantian."
Fu Tingyun immediately understood: "Third Master Feng only said we must leave Lintong overnight—he never specified we had to go to Xi'an Prefecture!" Her large eyes curved into crescents, "Ninth Master, you're so sly!"
Ninth Master Zhao's smiling face seemed to stiffen momentarily.
Fu Tingyun froze, suddenly realizing that "sly" wasn't exactly a complimentary term... she should have said "clever"... but correcting herself now would only make it more obvious!
She gave an awkward laugh and quickly changed the subject: "Ninth Master, will going through Lantian add many extra li to our journey to Xi'an? Should we redistribute our water and provisions?"
"No need!" Ninth Master Zhao's expression softened slightly, "Xi'an Prefecture has four city gates. We're merely changing our route from Yongning Gate to Changle Gate—at most, we'll lose just this one night's time!"
Thank goodness!
She wasn't sure whether she was more relieved that Ninth Master Zhao wasn't angry or that she'd successfully changed the subject.
Fu Tingyun exhaled deeply and asked with a smile: "Ninth Master, shall we set off now?"
"Hmm." Ninth Master Zhao nodded but didn't immediately head toward the temple. Instead, he gave her a once-over: "Where's the dagger I gave you?"
"Oh!" Realizing, Fu Tingyun hurried to the small cart, retrieved the dagger, and handed it to Ninth Master Zhao, "Here it is!"
Ninth Master Zhao didn't take it, his gaze fixed on the dagger: "Why aren't you carrying it with you?"
Fu Tingyun looked somewhat embarrassed: "I don't know how to use it..."
Ninth Master Zhao slowly took the dagger, pressed his thumb against the sheath's opening, and the blade silently extended slightly—its gleaming steel reflecting the blazing sunlight so brightly it was nearly blinding.
"Watch carefully," he said slowly, sheathing the dagger again.
The dazzling light still lingered in her vision, making everything she saw appear with two bright spots: "I saw it clearly!"
Ninth Master Zhao handed her the dagger: "Keep it safe."
Fu Tingyun was stunned.
What would she need this for?
It was heavy and she had nowhere to put it!
If she lost it, that would be troublesome.
Her hesitation made Ninth Master Zhao's expression darken slightly. He took the dagger back and casually tossed it into the cart: "I'll go carry A Sen out."
Huh?
Fu Tingyun watched Ninth Master Zhao's retreating back suspiciously.
Was he actually trying to give her the dagger...?
The thought made her break out in a cold sweat.
If that were the case, her earlier reaction must have hurt his feelings...
She quickly retrieved the dagger and followed him inside: "Ninth Master, it's too valuable—I'm afraid I might lose it."Ninth Master Zhao, who was bending down to pick up A Sen, paused slightly before slowly lifting the child and turning to face Fu Tingyun standing before him.
"Ninth Master!" She met his gaze directly without avoidance. "I noticed the cloth wrapping on the dagger's hilt is frayed from years of use, and you never drew it even in dangerous situations earlier—it must be a cherished item that's accompanied you for years. As we're constantly moving from place to place now, I'd never forgive myself if it got lost while in my care." She extended the dagger toward him. "Please keep it safe yourself."
Her clear almond-shaped eyes, dark and limpid like a babbling brook, revealed nothing but earnest sincerity.
Ninth Master Zhao chuckled.
She had always been frank and guileless—it was his own prejudice that had made him repeatedly misjudge her motives. Clearly, while age had advanced him in years, it hadn't broadened his mind.
Accepting the dagger with an open, relaxed demeanor, he admitted, "That was thoughtless of me. I'll keep it hidden beneath the handcart's plank—use it if you ever face danger." With a teasing smile, he added, "Though I worry you might lack the strength, ending up harming yourself rather than any assailant."
In the past, Fu Tingyun would have taken such words as mockery. But now, his laughter rang genuine, laced with playful banter reminiscent of her favorite cousin from childhood—who'd never let any meeting pass without good-natured teasing. The familiarity warmed her heart.
She couldn't help smiling.
The air between them lightened with shared mirth.
Fu Tingyun took a deep breath.
This was so much better!
Why had they always been so stiff, weighing each other down with tension?
"I'll help A Sen lay out the straw mat," she said cheerfully, stepping outside.
The corners of Ninth Master Zhao's mouth lifted in a pleased curve.
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They traveled south through the night, stars their constant companions.
"Don't push yourself if you can't walk anymore," Ninth Master Zhao repeatedly reminded her.
Fu Tingyun agreed readily, but after about two hours, her legs grew leaden, each step an effort as her soles began aching.
She climbed onto the handcart.
Ninth Master Zhao pushed onward, his breathing growing labored.
"Perhaps I should walk again," Fu Tingyun offered, struggling to rise.
"No need," he panted. "I want to reach Shangluyu by dawn to make up for today's delay."
His companions awaited him in Xi'an Prefecture. Every mile closer meant greater safety—a truth they both understood too well for empty reassurances to hold meaning.
She stayed silent, tending to A Sen instead.
As dawn tinged the sky fish-belly white, they passed Shangluyu.
Unable to contain her relief, Fu Tingyun offered the waterskin: "Have some water and rest, Ninth Master."
Without protest, he parked the cart roadside and gulped several hearty swallows—unlike his usual measured sips.
How uncharacteristically bold today, she mused, handing him a sweatcloth with a smile. "To wipe your brow—" Her words caught when she noticed his pallor.
Walking should bring flushed cheeks and sweat, never this ghastly paleness... Unless he was ill.
The thought alarmed her. "Ninth Master, are you unwell?" Her searching gaze swept over him, suspicion dawning."I'm a bit tired!" Ninth Master Zhao wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and smiled. "It's been a long time since I traveled through the night like this!"
Really?
The suspicion in Fu Tingyun's eyes deepened.
A Sen suddenly let out a few groans.
Fu Tingyun turned in pleasant surprise. "A Sen!"
A Sen opened his eyes. "I... I want water!"
"Alright, alright!" Fu Tingyun responded repeatedly, feeding him water and peeling the only boiled egg they had. "I saved this for you. If you don't eat it soon, it'll spoil."
A Sen grinned with half his mouth and took small bites of the egg.
After a few mouthfuls, as if suddenly remembering something, he pushed Fu Tingyun's hand away and looked around. "Where's Master?"
"I'm right here!" Ninth Master Zhao approached. "Save your breath and focus on recovering quickly, unless you want me to push both Miss Fu and you on this cart!"
Honestly, couldn't he even say something comforting?
Fu Tingyun didn't even glance at him, continuing to feed A Sen the egg. "Eat up! Once you're done, you can help Ninth Master keep watch—he's been pushing us all night and deserves some rest!"
"Ah!" A Sen's mouth fell open. "Ninth Master, your injury..."
What injury?
Fu Tingyun turned in shock to look at Ninth Master Zhao.
"It's nothing," he said indifferently. "Feng Laosi's blade didn't touch me. Otherwise, I'd have collapsed long ago."
Both of them stared at him in silence, clearly unconvinced.
Ninth Master Zhao suddenly pulled open the left side of his robe.
Fu Tingyun hurriedly covered her eyes. "Is he injured?" she asked A Sen.
"No!" A Sen replied cheerfully.
"Finish eating," Ninth Master Zhao said gruffly. "I need to rest."
The two exchanged a smile.
After Ninth Master Zhao fell asleep beside the cart, they whispered to each other. Learning they would pass through Lantian County on their way to Xi'an Prefecture, A Sen echoed Ninth Master Zhao's words: "It's just changing from Yongning Gate to Changle Gate. We'll reach Xi'an Prefecture in two or three days!"
Fu Tingyun's heart stirred, and she fell into deep thought, not speaking to A Sen for a long while.
The next evening, they rested at a place called Changxing.
"We'll reach Shaolin tomorrow!" Ninth Master Zhao seemed unusually excited, a rare display of emotion for him. "The day after, we'll arrive in Xi'an Prefecture!"
A Sen was even able to walk again!
Fu Tingyun felt the future looked bright.
Her mind wandered—wondering if Ninth Master Zhao would take her to stay at Yongfu Inn in Ping An Ward once they reached Xi'an Prefecture, who he would send to deliver a letter to her mother, how her mother would arrange for her after receiving the letter, how her life would unfold after breaking off the engagement with the Yu Family, and what Ninth Master Zhao's plans would be once they arrived in Xi'an Prefecture. Tossing and turning, she barely slept, and when A Sen woke her in the morning, dark circles shadowed her eyes.
Ninth Master Zhao merely glanced at her before sitting down to eat breakfast.
His expression was calm, his demeanor composed.
Yet for some reason, Fu Tingyun couldn't shake the feeling that Ninth Master Zhao also seemed preoccupied.
Was he troubled over her affairs?
If something troubled him, it must be serious indeed!
Fu Tingyun's mood sank as she speculated.
A Sen, sitting between them, looked utterly bewildered.They were almost at Xi'an Prefecture, so everyone should be happy. Why was there not a trace of a smile in Ninth Master and Miss Fu's eyes?
With the two adults silent, the child didn't dare speak either.
The three of them traveled in silence.
The sun burned as if on fire, its scorching glare making it hard to keep one's eyes open.
Fu Tingyun, sitting on the small cart, was drenched in sweat, constantly wiping her forehead, chin, and neck with a handkerchief.
"Would you like some water?" she turned to ask Ninth Master Zhao.
Under the midday sun, Ninth Master Zhao's sweat-covered face was as pale as paper.
"No need!" His voice was hoarse. Before the words had fully left his mouth, his body began swaying unsteadily.
"What's wrong with you!" Fu Tingyun screamed as she leapt off the cart.
With a loud thud, Ninth Master Zhao collapsed onto the dirt road, sending up a cloud of yellow dust.
"Ninth Master!" A Sen cried out as he threw himself forward.
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Yesterday I spent three hours searching for sensitive words, and only managed to post Chapter 29 with the editor's help...
PS: Tomorrow I have to go to Wuhan for a parent-teacher meeting, so I can't post an extra chapter today.
O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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