Chapter Twenty-Nine: Journey

Guan Yuan did not keep the two waiting long. Cui Xiu and Wu Yu had barely spent any time in the courtyard when Wu Xiu arrived, bringing word from Guan Yuan.

“Master, Young Master Cui, Captain Guan has arrived.”

“Brother Cui, after you, please!”

With the news, Wu Yu offered a slight smile, rising to accompany Cui Xiu to the main hall.

Cui Xiu had nothing further to add; the two entered to find Guan Yuan already awaiting them.

Before long, Master Wu himself also entered the hall.

“Captain Guan, I must trouble you with this matter concerning my son.”

It seemed Master Wu was acquainted with Guan Yuan’s temperament; he dispensed with pleasantries and got straight to the heart of the matter.

“Entrusted by the people, I shall act in good faith. Master Wu, you may rest assured—since I have promised, I will do my utmost.”

Guan Yuan’s expression remained unchanged, his demeanor grave. He was not one for many words.

He continued, “However, your son must be present to lead the way and to lure out that wild spirit. Otherwise, even if I wish to take action, it would prove quite troublesome.”

Master Wu had not expected this. To be honest, he was loath to let his son take such a risk.

He hesitated, preparing to ask further, but Wu Yu spoke first: “Father, with Captain Guan here, I doubt there will be any real danger. If my presence can resolve the matter of the wild spirit swiftly, it is for the best—better to avoid further complications.”

That Wu Yu could speak so showed a marked increase in maturity.

Though Master Wu was still somewhat anxious, he also felt gratified. He could not reasonably object further; to do so would risk offending Guan Yuan.

The Wu family’s situation was poor enough as it was—otherwise, Wu Yu’s predicament would not have become so troublesome. All those in the clan with any influence had long since left to tend to the family’s holdings elsewhere. That was why, since Cui Xiu’s arrival, he had seen so few members of the Wu household.

Naturally, the womenfolk were not counted among them.

To offend Guan Yuan now, and have him abandon the matter in a fit of pique, would be nothing short of absurd.

“In that case, we must trouble you, Captain Guan.”

Guan Yuan gave a faint nod, evidently satisfied with Wu Yu’s attitude. The reason he insisted on Wu Yu’s presence was to spare himself needless trouble; for all his abilities, if the wild spirit did not appear, it would require much greater effort to hunt it down.

“In that case, let us set out at once. There is no time to lose; if the wild spirit learns of our intentions and flees, it will only make things more difficult.”

Guan Yuan’s suggestion met with no objection from the Wu father and son. The sooner this was resolved, the better for them.

The Wu family had seen no shortage of trouble of late, and Master Wu needed to focus on managing the household—he could ill afford to be further distracted by his son’s affairs.

Moreover, once Wu Yu was free of this entanglement, his status as a newly appointed scholar would allow him to support the family in various ways.

Thus, the resolution of this matter would be a great boon to the Wu family.

Cui Xiu, who had been quietly observing, did not interject. This was not the occasion for him to speak. Still, he could not help but entertain certain thoughts of his own. Compared with Wu Yu’s predicament, he was far more curious about the origins of the short staff.

It was not selfishness; it was human nature.

Wu Yu, recalling what Cui Xiu had mentioned the previous day, was about to ask Guan Yuan about it. But Guan Yuan was a direct man; without waiting for further conversation, he rose at once, ready to depart.

Seeing this, Wu Yu could only shake his head at Cui Xiu.

Cui Xiu, realizing this approach would not do, entertained a different idea, but did not voice it immediately.

When Master Wu had ordered the servants to prepare the carriage and horses, and Wu Yu was following Guan Yuan to the front courtyard, Cui Xiu said quietly beside him, “Brother Wu, you know I have a certain curiosity about such uncanny affairs. Moreover, you and I both saw that strange old woman the other day. I worry there may be further trouble. Might I accompany you on this errand? If I can learn something about these supernatural arts, I may avoid some future danger.”

Wu Yu was taken aback. He knew Cui Xiu had long wished to discover the origins of the short staff, and he could understand that. After all, even Guan Yuan coveted the item, and the wild spirit that had harmed him desired it as well—perhaps it was truly some rare treasure.

It was only natural that Cui Xiu would be fixated on the matter.

Yet, though Guan Yuan would be present, this errand was not without risk. Wu Yu had not expected Cui Xiu to be so determined.

But, reminded of the old woman, he grew thoughtful.

He remembered the events of that day well; the old woman had indeed been peculiar. Though he could not be sure, and had no proof, the fact that there was a wild spirit in Liu Village made it impossible to dismiss the possibility of some other supernatural being in the wilderness.

He could thus understand Cui Xiu’s reasoning.

Perhaps, he thought, Cui Xiu hoped that after Guan Yuan dealt with the wild spirit, he would help with the matter of the short staff.

Wu Yu doubted that Guan Yuan would be of much help, but as Cui Xiu said, should he accompany Guan Yuan, he might at least witness some supernatural arts and be better prepared for the future—truly, a rare opportunity.

Having spent the last few days with Cui Xiu, Wu Yu had come to hold him in some regard, so he did not refuse. “Very well, I’ll ask on your behalf. But whether Captain Guan agrees is not up to me.”

“Thank you, Brother Wu.”

Wu Yu’s guess as to Cui Xiu’s intentions was not entirely correct, but in part, it was true. Apart from anything else, Cui Xiu was genuinely curious about spirits and deities, as well as the techniques of those so-called officials of the Underworld. He very much wished to witness such things for himself.

For this world was undeniably full of strange phenomena. Though he now possessed some supernatural talent and could improve himself through martial arts, his understanding of these extraordinary matters was meager. There was no telling what dangers he might one day face, or whether he could handle them alone.

Hence, this was an opportunity not to be missed. Even if it was not for the short staff, he felt compelled to seize the chance.

With the departure imminent, Wu Yu did not delay. He put Cui Xiu’s request directly to Guan Yuan.

Guan Yuan frowned at once.

He did not wish to bring any more people than necessary. Indeed, were it not for the need to lure out the wild spirit, he would not have brought Wu Yu at all. In matters such as these, anyone not of his kind was simply another burden.

“Young Master Wu, this is no pleasure outing, as you well know. The wild spirit is no ordinary foe—who knows what dangers await? It’s truly unwise for me to bring your friend along.”

Wu Yu was about to explain further on Cui Xiu’s behalf, but Cui Xiu, having overheard, would not let the opportunity slip away. He stepped forward, offered a respectful bow, and said, “Rest assured, Captain Guan—should I be allowed to accompany you, I will not cause you any trouble. Though I am a scholar, I have trained in the martial arts. While I dare not compare myself to your prowess, I am quick of reflex. Moreover, Brother Wu is untrained in combat; should anything arise, I may be of some assistance.”

Cui Xiu humbled himself, knowing full well his request was bold. After all, they were about to confront a spirit, not some common bandit.

Martial skills, in truth, would avail him little.

Guan Yuan was unimpressed by his claim to martial ability and was about to refuse outright when he recognized Cui Xiu's face. He remembered that it was Cui Xiu who had brought him the short staff the previous day.

His thoughts shifted. For the sake of the short staff, he had already made inquiries into Wu Yu’s affairs. With his connections, he had learned much about both men. An Yuan County was not a large place; with a little investigation, one could soon uncover all one wished to know of Cui Xiu’s association with Wu Yu.

Especially since, upon returning to the county, Cui Xiu had been accompanied by Wu Yu’s servant, Wu Xiu.

And given Cui Xiu’s involvement with the short staff, the matter was far from trivial.

Considering the item’s significance and the potential benefits, Guan Yuan held back his refusal and instead said, “Very well. If Young Master Cui wishes to come, so be it. But you must stay close to Young Master Wu, and I trust you will not act rashly.”

Though he agreed, his words were blunt.

The implication was clear: Cui Xiu was not to cause any trouble.

Cui Xiu was prepared for this and cared nothing for Guan Yuan’s tone. With a smile, he nodded his thanks. “Thank you, Captain Guan.”