Chapter Fourteen: The Grace of Master Li Taibai

The mountain forest at dawn was shrouded in solemn silence. On the open ground by the woods, a young man held a sword posture, motionless, as if he had merged with the surrounding world.

Autumn wind stirred, and dead leaves fell.

The youth moved. Afterimages danced among the trees. In the blink of an eye, he steadied himself, satisfied as he gazed at a few dead leaves suspended upright before him. He gently blew, and the leaves split in two, twisting and curling as they drifted to the ground.

Lu Liao carefully wiped the invisible blade with his sleeve, gave a light wave of his hand, and stowed away the intangible sword, his expression tinged with pride.

The sword was named Chengying, a famous blade recorded in the annals of history, now his own.

“When you first began learning swordplay, I told you: there is the gentleman’s sword—sword as instrument, sword as ritual. It may be dazzling and grand when wielded, but it’s merely a symbol of status. There is also the sword of killing: once drawn, there is no return, invincible and unstoppable. Look at what you just practiced—is it a dance for spectators like some woman?” Li Bai took a swig from his wine jug, speaking lazily.

“Second Master, I was only facing a few dead leaves—where was I to find unstoppable momentum?” Lu Liao muttered, clearly dissatisfied.

With a metallic ring, Li Bai drew his long sword. A flash of azure light, and a stone block was cleaved in two with a soft sound. He drank again.

“No matter what stands before me, I have but one sword.”

Lu Liao gaped in astonishment, unable to close his mouth for a long while, but Li Bai showed no sign of pride. “You’re lucky—you began studying the first three chapters of the ‘Original Canon of Yin Symbols’ from childhood, laying a solid foundation. You’ve also undergone the cleansing of the Qingling Elixir, strengthening your internal energy. If you study the last four chapters well, you’ll easily achieve the same.”

“Lucky? My father traded a golden pill for that! Grandmaster taught me the ‘Twenty-One Chapters of Ghost Valley’ and never asked for any disciple’s tribute. But you—learning swordplay requires trading chess games and golden pills. Other masters gift swords to disciples, but you took two golden pills from me,” Lu Liao grumbled.

Li Bai was embarrassed, angered as he pointed at Lu Liao. “That’s Chengying, a renowned sword since the Spring and Autumn period! For two pills, you complain?”

“That golden pill was crafted with my father’s painstaking efforts! Whoever takes it always praises it—restoring vigor, cleansing the meridians like a gentle stream. It’s a holy medicine for strengthening the foundation and nourishing the spirit,” Lu Liao retorted, refusing to yield.

“Your father’s pills aren’t so extraordinary. The ones he gave me—before taking, fierce as a dragon; after, sore waist and aching back. Truly, they’ve caused me misery,” Li Bai said with a hint of grievance.

“Master, were you always unmatched in poetry and invincible with the sword?” Lu Liao replied, unimpressed.

Li Bai’s face shone, but he remained silent.

Lu Liao treated Grandmaster Tai Bin with utmost respect, but with Second Master Tai Bai, he was utterly uninhibited. One could only blame Li Bai for never acting like a master.

What master argues and cheats at chess with his disciple? What master lures his disciple to brothels, trading golden pills for such escapades? If Grandmaster Tai Bin hadn’t discovered and stopped them, Lu Liao would have become a regular at brothels while still a child.

Li Bai stole a glance at Lu Liao’s sullen face, forcing a smile. “Ah, Liao! Last time I went down the mountain, I heard the Golden Phoenix House recently welcomed a pair of twin sisters, both eighteen, and identical in every way.”

“What’s that to me?” Lu Liao immediately sensed his master’s dubious intentions.

“Foreign maidens as lovely as flowers, smiling at the spring breeze at the bar. Dancing in silk robes, how can you not be intoxicated? Liao, you’re sixteen now—it’s time for such experiences!” Li Bai launched into poetry, trying to tempt him again.

Lu Liao teased with a smile, “Wasn’t it you last time who couldn’t lift your head after Grandmaster’s wife scolded you? Some people never learn.”

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Li Bai was annoyed. “Fine, forget it. Give me a golden pill, let me embrace beauties on both sides—do you think I couldn’t handle it?”

Lu Liao eyed Li Bai’s sword enviously. “One pill, and you let me have the Zhanlu Sword for two days?”

“Five-flowered horse, thousand-gold cloak—call my boy to trade them for fine wine. I, Li Taibai, would barter anything for wine, but this sword will never leave my side,” Li Bai turned away with determination.

“Your poetry collection then. Surely I can borrow Master’s poems for study?” Lu Liao sighed, settling for less.

“Take them as you please.” Li Bai took the pill and strode away.

“Double song, twin maidens, playing for the distant dawn…” Li Bai’s voice echoed in the distance. Lu Liao shook his head in resignation.

In the mountains, time flowed unnoticed; spring passed and autumn returned. In the blink of an eye, it was the ninth year of the Tang dynasty’s Tianbao era.

Gu Ye, a young Taoist, sat on a mountain stone, pulling a white bun from his bag. Before he could take a bite, a “gurgling” sound came from nearby.

Since entering the mountain path through the Qinling toward Shu, he had been followed, without knowing when, by a ragged, wild-haired girl about fifteen or sixteen.

Gu Ye considered himself somewhat accomplished in cultivating his temperament and paid little mind. But as time passed, wherever he went, she followed. When he rested, she rested. It unsettled his heart.

Even highway robbers rarely target monks; what was the meaning of this beggar girl trailing him?

No matter. Should trouble arise, his sword skills honed over ten years would be more than a match for ordinary folk. Gu Ye raised the bun to his lips.

“Gurgle, gurgle!” The sound came again.

Unable to resist, Gu Ye walked over to the girl and handed her the bun.

She lifted her head, her dirty face showing traces of beauty. Yet a pungent fox odor assaulted him, nearly making him gag.

“Thank you for your kindness, little Taoist. Though I am rough and hungry, I am not a beggar who asks for food.”

She clutched a small bundle to her chest, blushing deeply and lowering her head.

Her polite, measured reply won Gu Ye’s favor. Ignoring the unpleasant smell, he said chivalrously, “We’ve met on our journey, which is fate. Helping each other through hardship is only right, not charity.”

She was clearly starving, and faced with Gu Ye’s determined offer, she finally relented, taking the bun awkwardly and hesitating to eat.

Gu Ye sensibly withdrew, eager to escape the unbearable scent.

After a rest, he got up to leave, only to have the girl hurry after him.

“Benefactor, benefactor! I didn’t mean to follow you. I’m just afraid of mountain monsters. Seeing you, a Taoist capable of subduing demons, I sought your protection. Please don’t be offended.”

The “benefactor” repeated by the girl made Gu Ye uncomfortable, though somewhat pleased. Seeing her frightened face, he spoke grandly, “Don’t be afraid, miss. This mountain road is well-traveled, hardly haunted by monsters. Even if there were any, they’d be ashes before me.”

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The girl edged closer, still shaken. “There are monsters, truly! I met a fox spirit.”

Gu Ye, curious but skeptical, asked, “Did you really encounter a fox spirit?”

She nodded vigorously, blushing as she recounted her tale.

“My name is Tang Xiaoqi, a common girl from Sichuan. I journeyed with my elder sister to Luoyang in search of relatives. We found none, and my sister died of illness on the way home. Left alone, I carried her ashes back.

Two days ago, needing relief, I entered the forest for privacy. Lost, I wandered through fog and found myself in a valley full of flowers.

I was frightened, but saw a white-robed gentleman sitting by a waterfall, eyes closed and still—he was terrifying.

Afraid to approach, I tossed a stone to see his reaction. Suddenly, a stunning young woman appeared, enchanting and beautiful.

Without asking why, she ordered a white fox to bite my arm.

I fainted in terror and awoke back on the road. The fox-like woman appeared and threatened to kill me if she saw me again.

Fearful, I said nothing, but soon everyone on the road avoided me, murmuring about the unbearable fox odor I carried.

Benefactor, isn’t that a fox spirit?”

Gu Ye was taken aback, shaking his head repeatedly. The girl had wandered into the Qinling’s Flowery Valley and happened upon someone practicing cultivation. She hadn’t considered the danger of disturbing someone’s meditation with her stone—being bitten by the white fox and marked with a fox odor was simply a punishment. From her description, the two people in the valley were clearly acquaintances of his.

Gu Ye smiled wryly, explaining to the naïve Tang Xiaoqi. “Those two you met are friends of mine. I’ll take you to see them—you must apologize and ask for forgiveness. Maybe we can get you an antidote.”

Tang Xiaoqi’s face changed, refusing firmly, “That fox spirit wasn’t bluffing! If I go back, she’ll kill me!”

Gu Ye was helpless. “You’re a young lady—do you really wish to live reeking of fox odor? Can you bear it?”

Tang Xiaoqi burst into tears, weeping bitterly.

Seventeen-year-old Gu Ye had never witnessed such a scene and immediately surrendered.

“Alright, alright! I’ll take you somewhere else. There’s a remarkable healer there, whose skills may cure your strange poison.”

The girl instantly stopped crying, her lips curving into a quiet smile.

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