Chapter Seventeen: Lu Liao Liao, Courtesy Name Yunyu

“Observe his words, examine his expression, listen to the sound of his voice, watch his actions, then infer his thoughts. Liao-liao, this knack of yours for reading people—must you always use it on your Master Li?”
Within the cave of Dongchang Cliff, Master Zhaobin shook his head helplessly.
Liao-liao reached out her hand, catching a falling drop of water for amusement. “Master Zhaobin, you are steadfast in both word and deed, calm as a still well, devoted solely to the study of books and philosophy. Mistress is dedicated to medicine, simple-hearted and kind. What is there to scrutinize between you two?”
She glanced around to confirm that Li Bai was not nearby, then lowered her voice conspiratorially. “But Master Taibai is different. He may be no young man, but his heart is as open as a child’s—bold, unrestrained. Yet he too once learned the art of diplomacy from you, hoping to test his ambition in the capital, only to return disheartened. The lesson of his failure is a caution to those who come after. I intend to dig into his past and understand him thoroughly.”
Zhaobin was dumbfounded, speechless for a long while.
“Even if you could see through Master Taibai completely, what would it matter? You can’t cling to him forever. The people of this world are all different in their own way.
Besides, the tides of the world shift in an instant—unpredictable, elusive, impossible to entirely grasp. You have always stayed on this mountain; how will you ever learn to judge the times and grasp the world?”
At last, the reason Zhaobin had beckoned Liao-liao over for a patient talk was revealed.
Liao-liao looked at the old man with a strange expression. “Master! Just a few days ago, Master Taibai spoke to me—do you think I didn’t understand his meaning? He wants me to travel with his precious son. And today you’re also trying to send me down the mountain? But there’s still so much I have yet to learn!”
Zhaobin smiled kindly, a trace of reluctance in his eyes as he shook his head. “To build a cart behind closed doors leads nowhere great.”
“I don’t care about greatness. I just want to stay with you and Mistress. I’m not going down the mountain!” Liao-liao shook her head stubbornly.
“A fledgling nestling must one day fly. Don’t be hasty—listen to me carefully.” Zhaobin waved his hand to halt her protests.
Seeing her master’s face grow serious, Liao-liao quickly fetched a cup of tea and sat upright, ready to listen.
“In the history of our Ghost Valley school, four ancestors stood out above all: Su Qin and Zhang Yi, Sun Bin and Pang Juan—one vertical, one horizontal, one orthodox, one unconventional. Complementing each other, invincible together. Ours is called the School of Diplomacy.
But fate played its tricks—when these four left the mountain, they became rivals. Their disciples split into two factions, fighting endlessly. Our philosophy, once transcendent and supreme, gradually faded and rarely produced any outstanding figures.
At the end of the Han, Master Water Mirror boldly proclaimed, ‘With either the Sleeping Dragon or the Young Phoenix, one could bring peace to the world,’ announcing the return of our school’s influence. United, the Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix supported the Imperial Uncle Xuande. But fate intervened: the Young Phoenix fell at the Slump of the Phoenix, and the Sleeping Dragon, though he exhausted himself, could not turn the tide—his achievements fell just short. Secretly, this invited much ridicule.
Later, it was decided that if a member of our school entered the world, one must serve in office while another remained hidden, to avoid infighting and preserve our tradition.”
At this, Zhaobin paused to sip his tea.
Liao-liao frowned, hesitating to ask, “In this flourishing Tang era, do any of our school serve at court?”
Zhaobin’s face revealed nothing. “Use your own eyes and heart to observe and infer.”
Liao-liao, having studied the classics and learned many secrets on the mountain, naturally knew that the School of Diplomacy was now regarded as troublemakers, unwelcome in the world. She nodded naively.
“Your mistress asked that you visit her when you have time. I have no particular instructions for you as you go down the mountain. Whether you act with cunning or with sincerity, that is for you to decide.” Zhaobin waved her away.

Suddenly being told she was to descend the mountain, Liao-liao’s heart was thrown into turmoil. At times excited, at times lost, she could not settle herself. As she neared Mistress’s quarters, she failed to notice a beautiful young girl in fine clothes waving at her enthusiastically.
“Hey! Hey, hey!” Tang Xiaoqi called out, waving her arms at Liao-liao.
Liao-liao was unmoved, glancing at her coolly and saying with a hint of sourness, “You certainly know how to win Mistress’s favor—not only did she give you her clothes from her youth, she even gave you jewelry.”
Tang Xiaoqi spun around smugly. “Looks nice, doesn’t it? I thought something was wrong with you! Mistress gave it to me because I help her tend the herb and vegetable gardens every day. If anyone’s good at currying favor, it’s you, Liao-liao. Mistress herself said so, and she even warned me to be careful around you.”
Liao-liao pursed her lips. “Who would bother with a little fox spirit like you? Go away.”
Tang Xiaoqi made a face at her and ignored her.
Inside, Liao-liao bowed to the kindly old woman, whose hair was white but whose face bore few wrinkles. “Mistress, why did you summon me? I was planning to water the garden these days anyway.”
The old woman smiled. “That Xiaoqi is an obedient, polite, and diligent girl—she’s been helping out, so you needn’t come specially. When you met her just now, did you notice anything?”
Truth be told, this little fox spirit was even more attractive in her new clothes, but Liao-liao would never say as much. She frowned. “Her scent is less pungent than before, but up close, it’s still faintly there. Mistress, is her poison so difficult to remove?”
The old woman secretly felt pleased but kept a solemn face. “The fox poison has entered her blood—how could it be so easily purged? I’ve noticed your remarkable talent in detoxification; your unique insights even astonish me. I’m entrusting the task of clearing her remaining poison to you.”
Having spent a year with the Five Poisons Sect, Liao-liao indeed had a different understanding of toxins, but not from any innate talent. She did not argue, only hurriedly declined, “Mistress, did you not know? Master and the others plan to send me down the mountain soon—I fear I won’t have time to help her.”
The old woman waved it off. “Just let Xiaoqi accompany you. Then you’ll have plenty of time.”
Liao-liao had no desire for this mysterious girl to follow her—who knew when disaster might erupt, and she’d be caught up in it? She quickly protested,
“Mistress! That won’t do—men and women should keep a respectable distance. It would be inconvenient.”
The old woman’s face hardened, her tone severe. “What! You refuse to obey? Since when did Tang society become so prudish?”
Liao-liao was at a loss and left gloomily.
A few days later, in the cave, Liao-liao knelt before the seated elders, her face dark with dismay. Anyone receiving those parting gifts from the three elders would be in a foul mood.
Her first master bestowed upon her a courtesy name: Yuyun—Cloud and Rain. How could she possibly accept that?
Master’s words: “With a turn of the hand, clouds; with a flip, rain. As students of diplomacy, we must have such spirit.”
Liao-liao wanted to weep, but could only kneel and thank him.
Her second master, Li Bai, gave her a collection of his poems—she nearly jumped up. She could already recite most of his poems; what about his fine horses, his priceless furs, his treasures worth ten thousand coins? What about scattering gold by the thousands?
Mistress did not move from her seat, merely saying that her gift had already been given days ago—those who understood would know.

Liao-liao was inwardly exasperated. Mistress, did you think I wouldn’t see through your little schemes? You’re fond of Tang Xiaoqi and find her pleasing—but does that mean I should too? That girl may be lovely, but she’s poisonous! And the poison is of unknown origin—who knows when it might flare up?
As for the “remaining poison” that can only be cleared after a year—only that silly girl would believe it, not with Mistress’s skills.
Sitting there for a long time, Liao-liao did not rise. The three elders sipped their tea calmly, as if all was settled.
Finally, Liao-liao could bear it no longer and looked up at them. “Masters, Mistress! Sending me down the mountain is one thing, but do you realize you’ve forgotten something important? Travel funds—expenses!”
Zhaobin set his teacup down, expressionless. “From ancient times, disciples of the Ghost Valley have never been given travel money upon leaving the mountain. Besides, look at your mistress and me, living secluded here on Dongchang Cliff—do we seem like the sort to keep such worldly things?”
Liao-liao blinked at Li Bai.
Li Bai spread his hands. “Even if I once possessed a fortune, it has long since been scattered.”
Looking left and right, now thoroughly annoyed, Liao-liao stood. “Then I’m not leaving! You’re both old, Master and Mistress—I’ll stay and serve you in your twilight years.”
Zhaobin smiled at her. “Look at us—do we seem close to death? There’s no need for you to stay. Besides, our school has its own methods for acquiring wealth. It’s right before your eyes—yet you cannot see it.”
Following Zhaobin’s gaze, Liao-liao understood at last and grumbled, “So even you’re no good, Master.”
Zhaobin was unperturbed. “Our Ghost Valley scholars are renowned, but I’ve never heard any called ‘good people.’”
At dusk, Gu Ye, his arrogance greatly diminished, was summoned by Liao-liao to a secluded clearing.
Sensing Liao-liao’s unfriendly demeanor, Gu Ye felt uneasy. “Liao-liao, brother, why have you called me here?”
Liao-liao hacked down two branches, stripped them, and tossed one to the young priest with a fierce look. “I think it’s time we changed the rules between us. We’ll have a fair contest—winner is senior, loser is junior. Swords are too dangerous, but these branches will sting without causing real harm. Do you dare?”
Gu Ye refused—seniority is determined by order of entry, how could that be changed?
Liao-liao gave him a contemptuous look. “Cowardly brat.”
Gu Ye was indignant. “Who are you calling a brat? Liao-liao, if you won’t respect your senior, at least don’t call me a coward!”
Liao-liao said nothing, simply pointed the branch at him.
“I only lost last time because I was careless. Do you really think I’m afraid of you?” Gu Ye picked up his branch.
Wiser now, he attacked first, the branch whipping through the air as he charged at Liao-liao.