Chapter 81: The Exemplary Path of Lu Liao

On a lofty, cloudless afternoon, a few gentle rays of sunlight streamed through the window, casting dancing, mottled shadows across the floor. Lu Liao Liao lifted a cup of fragrant, moist green tea and took a delicate sip; the refreshing taste swept away all fatigue, leaving him invigorated.

Cherished Flower stood behind the seated Lu Liao Liao, obediently fanning him, her smiling eyes fixed on Zheng Hui and Bai Liangqi, who knelt on the floor before them. Her heart brimmed with pride.

Under her own seductive coaxing and intimidation, Lu Liao Liao finally accepted Zheng Hui as his second disciple. The seduction, of course, was aimed at Lu Liao Liao, while the intimidation was reserved for the stubborn Zheng Hui.

He leisurely set the teacup down on the table, casting a glance at Bai Liangqi, whose nose was bruised and swollen, his little head held defiantly high. Lu Liao Liao secretly relished the moment—this arrogant boy had finally suffered a major setback.

"Now, in your current state, have you figured out where you went wrong?"

Bai Liangqi snorted, unwilling to concede, and glared contemptuously at the kneeling Zheng Hui beside him. "They're shameless, ganging up on me alone."

"A hero does not provoke the authorities, nor does a warrior confront the army. Bai Liangqi, do you think yourself invincible, capable of single-handedly defying the world? Besides, among the illustrious predecessors of our Ghost Valley sect, who ever relied on numbers to awe the world?"

Lu Liao Liao glanced sideways at Bai Liangqi, speaking with confidence.

"Ghost Valley disciples—are they so remarkable?" Zheng Hui, forced to become a disciple under Cherished Flower's threats, still felt disgruntled.

"Defying your master, openly expressing dissatisfaction toward the sect—such behavior warrants punishment! Bai Liangqi, as senior disciple, you know what must be done." Lu Liao Liao didn't even look at Zheng Hui.

Bai Liangqi stood up and bowed to Lu Liao Liao, then took the disciplinary ruler from the table. He pressed Zheng Hui's head down and, aiming at the raised backside, struck hard.

Twenty strokes in all, drawing tears from young Zheng Hui—yet the stubborn boy uttered not a sound.

"Feeling better now?" Lu Liao Liao smiled at Bai Liangqi.

Bai Liangqi, satisfied, clapped his small hands, ignoring the pain on his face, and grinned brightly.

"You beat him now, and he doesn't dare retaliate—do you know why?" Lu Liao Liao asked, smiling.

"Because he made a mistake, and I am the senior disciple. How could he dare fight back?" Bai Liangqi replied smugly.

"Striking your enemy doesn’t always require immediate action. Wait for the right moment, gain a status above him, and then, with any excuse, you can deal with him as you please. That, too, is a method." Lu Liao Liao gave a sly, sinister smile.

Bai Liangqi's eyes lit up, regarding Zheng Hui as if he were a fish laid out on the chopping board, sizing him up with ill intent. Zheng Hui felt a chill in his heart and looked pitifully at Cherished Flower behind Lu Liao Liao.

Cherished Flower gazed at Lu Liao Liao with adoration, ignoring Zheng Hui altogether. She knew Lu Liao Liao was seizing the opportunity to instruct his disciples and, as a woman, she should not interfere.

"Bai Liangqi, kneel! Let us tally your mistakes from earlier." Lu Liao Liao’s face darkened.

With a thud, Bai Liangqi knelt again.

"When you mocked your junior Zheng Hui for telling the story of Mencius’ mother moving three times, did you foresee the consequences? Did you have any countermeasures ready?" Lu Liao Liao’s tone was stern as he fixed his gaze on Bai Liangqi.

"I acted on impulse, only eager to repeat the teachings you gave me, without considering the consequences," Bai Liangqi mumbled.

"Always plan before you act. Your impulsiveness brought about these results; is that not deserving of punishment? You incited unrest, failed to guide events logically, and relied merely on personal bravery to resolve matters, disgracing our Ghost Valley disciples. Should you not be punished?" Lu Liao Liao spoke coldly.

"I accept the punishment, but what should I have done at the time?" Bai Liangqi asked, tilting his small face.

"You were a newcomer, alone, while your junior had lived here long, his reputation and influence far exceeding yours. Since you opposed him, you should first observe and discern what advantages you might exploit. Use them if you can; avoid if you cannot.

Among these children, only he dresses as a scholar, aloof and proud. Some admire him, while others resent and envy him. You ought to seek opportunities to divide and win them over, expand your own influence, narrow the gap between you and your junior, and then confront him.

Consider this: those who dislike studying are mostly mischievous and dull, yet their strength far surpasses your scholarly junior. If you win them over, combined with your own bravery, who would be defeated in this battle?"

Lu Liao Liao guided patiently, then finished his tea in one gulp.

Bai Liangqi seemed to understand, nodding repeatedly, and shot a cold, sly smile at Zheng Hui.

Lu Liao Liao set down his cup and glanced, seemingly without intention, at Zheng Hui, whose body trembled slightly.

"Zheng Hui, though you entered the sect later, you are a few years older than your senior. When he acts foolish, you must remember to admonish him. Now that he has erred and deserves twenty strokes, you shall carry out the punishment."

The blows sent Bai Liangqi wailing, tears streaming down his face. Ignoring the pain, he gave Zheng Hui a few threatening gestures with his fists.

"Master! I’ve decided—not only will I learn the skills to govern and manage affairs, but I’ll also study swordsmanship and martial arts." Zheng Hui, chilled by the experience, quickly knelt before Lu Liao Liao.

After sending the two disciples away, Lu Liao Liao finally allowed himself a satisfied smile.

"Two reckless boys. One relies on Tang Xiaoqi's favor, acts like a little tyrant at home, and even disregards me as his master. The other is stubborn and strange, always glaring at me as if I’ve stolen his woman. I, a proud disciple of Ghost Valley, can’t handle the likes of them?"

Cherished Flower tapped Lu Liao Liao’s forehead playfully. "You even scheme against your own disciples—what little ambition you have!"

Lu Liao Liao smiled awkwardly and pulled Cherished Flower into his arms. "You tricked me into that stream, but at the critical moment, you insisted I accept Zheng Hui as a disciple. I had no choice but to agree—you schemed against me!"

Pei Wuniang and Li Sheng, who had been spying by the window for quite some time, reacted very differently. Pei Wuniang nodded with a smile, while Li Sheng felt a chill down his spine.

"Wuniang, your senior is terrifying. We should avoid dealing with him. Look at the disciples he trains; won’t they grow into monsters?"

Pei Wuniang knocked Li Sheng on the head. "What’s this? You’re already ignoring my advice. Do you know why, after five years in the army, you’re still just a Commandant of the Banner? First, you don’t know how to read people and please your superiors. Second, you don’t understand military strategy; you only charge into battle, a true brute. If you continue this way, what future could you possibly have?"

Li Sheng was silenced by her admonition, hanging his head in dejection.

Seeing the faces in the room drawing closer together, most would shy away, but Pei Wuniang paid no mind. She boldly pushed open the door and strode inside.

Lu Liao Liao and Cherished Flower quickly separated, their faces darkening as they stared at Pei Wuniang.

"Sister, I don’t even know what to say about you. You don’t realize how reckless you are—just acquainted with this soldier, and without any real understanding, you’ve already given yourself to him."

"Who said I gave myself to him? He gave himself to me!" Pei Wuniang replied brashly.

"What difference does that make?" Lu Liao Liao was exasperated.

"I obey him, and he obeys me—there’s a world of difference in that. Besides, the moment I saw him, I felt he belonged to me. You wouldn’t understand a woman’s heart." Pei Wuniang spoke with bold candor, not even blushing.

Cherished Flower giggled. "Sister, let me congratulate you on finding your ideal man."

"Enough, enough—I won’t interfere, nor can I." Lu Liao Liao waved his sleeve impatiently.

"Sister, aren’t you instructing Bai Liangqi in military strategy—the Six Secret Teachings and Three Strategies? Shouldn’t Li Sheng also be allowed to learn a bit?" Pei Wuniang grabbed Lu Liao Liao’s sleeve, pleading coquettishly.

"No, no, that boy’s too stupid. I won't teach him." Lu Liao Liao struggled, but could not break free.

"Who said he’s stupid? Didn’t he wager himself on that archery bet? And by losing, he gained me—a rare, beautiful, and generous woman. He’s actually quite cunning. He may appear simple and honest, but that’s wisdom disguised as foolishness—true wisdom, you know?" Pei Wuniang clung to Lu Liao Liao’s sleeve, refusing to let go.

"I said I won’t teach him, and I won’t!" Lu Liao Liao declared angrily.

With a loud smack, Pei Wuniang slapped the table, her beautiful eyes glaring fiercely at Lu Liao Liao. "Lu Liao Liao, will you teach or not?"

After holding Pei Wuniang’s gaze for a moment, Lu Liao Liao surrendered instantly. "Fine, fine! I’ll teach him. He can listen in when I lecture on military strategy."

Li Sheng, summoned by Pei Wuniang, bent his knees to offer the disciple’s salute. Lu Liao Liao hurriedly helped him up, waving his hand. "Just call me ‘senior’ as Wuniang does; I can’t accept the disciple’s courtesy."

Li Sheng scratched his head awkwardly, grinning at Pei Wuniang.

"The Pei family’s General Sword techniques, the Nine-Star Linked Pearl archery skill—my Six Secret Teachings, Three Strategies, and my beautiful, generous, and rare junior Pei Wuniang—all become yours in a single day. Should I say you’re deeply blessed, or truly wise beneath your simple exterior? Still, if you don’t earn the rank of General for my junior, I won’t forgive you."

Lu Liao Liao glared at Li Sheng, feeling that he’d suffered a huge loss in meeting this fellow.

"I, Li Sheng, swear here and now: I will fight in the sands and win the title of General for Wuniang. If I fail, let heaven and earth punish me." Li Sheng declared solemnly.

Seeing Pei Wuniang’s radiant smile, Lu Liao Liao sighed. It was indeed hard to bear when one’s own junior was stolen away. At last, he could understand why the monk without flowers never showed a pleasant face to him.

At dusk by the stream, Gu Ye gazed at the rippling water, lost in thought.

"What made you and Cherished Flower decide to help these orphans—not only repairing their house, but hiring a tutor for them?" Lu Liao Liao gently patted Gu Ye’s shoulder from behind.

"It’s nothing. I just feel it’s more meaningful than drinking with friends in the capital, and it fills my heart," Gu Ye replied with a smile.

"And what about Ge Shu Xiaoye, who’s been inseparable from you for so long—have you made any progress?" Lu Liao Liao asked mischievously.

Gu Ye’s face flushed crimson. "Such matters… it’s better to let them take their course naturally."

Lu Liao Liao smacked Gu Ye’s head. "Let things take their course? If you don’t take the initiative, you’ll wait forever. When the flower blossoms, seize it—don’t wait until there’s no flower and only bare branches remain. Understand? If there’s no opportunity, create one!"

"Ouch!" Lu Liao Liao cried as his rear was kicked, sending him flying into the stream.

"You shameless Lu Liao Liao, what are you teaching Gu Ye?" Ge Shu Xiaoye, her cheeks rosy with embarrassment, pointed angrily at Lu Liao Liao.