Chapter 99 — Old Friends

Beyond the Dead Mire, on the ancient road that led west from D awang Village, Zhou Yixuan and little Wan walked slowly along.

Little Wan cast her bright eyes about her. The old road was overgrown with weeds and utterly desolate. They had been walking since they left Dawang Village, and she had not seen a single soul.

Looking far into the distance, she saw that they were in a wild, open country, with no mountains anywhere about, the sky high and the grass tall. Now and then the wind swept across the fields, and the green wild grass rolled in waves—a fine sight, one that widened the heart.

Zhou Yixuan's voice drifted over lazily from beside her. "What are you looking at?"

Little Wan smiled. "Grandfather, when we came this way some days ago, we were in such a hurry that I never really took in the surroundings. Today the weather is fine—look, the scenery here is really quite lovely!"

Zhou Yixuan glanced at the open country beyond the old road and felt his spirits lift as well, though a moment later he muttered to himself, "It's nothing but a patch of wild grass. What's so fine about it? If it were made of gold, now that would be..."

"Grandfather!" Little Wan cut him off, glaring at him in exasperation. "Why is money all you ever think about, day in and day out? And you have the nerve to call yourself Xuan—an immortal! You're so vulgar!"

"Vulgar?" Zhou Yixuan was furious. "You dare call me vulgar? I am a master above this world, renowned throughout the land, a living Buddha to the myriad families, a benefactor of the common people, a savior of all living..."

Little Wan fixed her eyes on him. Under his granddaughter's bright gaze, Zhou Yixuan somehow found his voice growing smaller and smaller, his words more and more hollow, until at last he simply lifted his head, gave a snort, and said, "What would a little girl like you know of your grandfather's prowess?"

Little Wan burst out laughing. Shaking her head, she turned her gaze away. Mocked by his own granddaughter, Zhou Yixuan felt a wave of gloom. He heaved a long sigh. "Why did I ever have to run into you? If I'd known, I'd have left you there by the roadside to cry yourself to death!"

Little Wan stuck out her tongue, her fair face all innocence and charm. "Wasn't it because Grandfather is kindhearted?" she said with a smile.

Zhou Yixuan glared at her. "Kindhearted, my foot! I raise you to this size, and all you do is vex me day in and day out!"

Little Wan was neither frightened nor angry; she seemed long since used to such talk. She stepped closer to Zhou Yixuan, rolled her eyes, and suddenly said, "Oh—Grandfather! What made you take me away in the first place, way back then?"

Zhou Yixuan paused. In truth, he and little Wan had always been easy and informal with each other, and he was never truly angry. But her question stirred a few old memories, and his face grew wistful. He gave a soft sigh. "That year, in He yin City, I saw a little girl no more than two or three years old lying by the roadside, starving and barely breathing, her cries gone hoarse. My heart softened, and I picked her up."

Here he suddenly shot little Wan a glare. "At that age you were clever enough, I'll grant you—you stopped crying at once, and made this old man think the two of us were truly fated. Once that thought took root, I could never bring myself to let you go."

Little Wan made a face at him and caught hold of his sleeve, coaxing, "But isn't that just Grandfather being kindhearted? You're sure to be repaid for it someday. Oh! Think about it—all these years, I've done physiognomy readings for people, and how much money have I earned for you?"

Zhou Yixuan nodded unconsciously, his face breaking into a smile. "Mm, that's true enough..." Then he snapped to attention and turned on her angrily. "True enough what? Nonsense!"

Little Wan covered her mouth and giggled. After a moment, as if something had occurred to her, she said, "Hmm, Grandfather—so what were you doing in He yin City back then? Isn't it right at the foot of Mount Canglan? I remember you never wanted to go near that place. In all these years, it seems the only time was ten years ago, when we were curious about that Qingyun disciple named Zhang Qingyue and followed along to have a look—though we never got close."

Zhou Yixuan's expression dimmed slightly. He sighed. "It's where the remains and spirit tablet of your father—whom you never met—are laid, there in He yin City. That year, on the anniversary of his death, I stayed a long while at his grave. When I came out, I saw you there in the street. My heart was already heavy with grief, and you looked so pitiful that I took you in."

Little Wan fell silent at that, and for a while said nothing. Only after a long moment did she speak. "Grandfather... come to think of it, it's been another ten years since we last went to see Father."

Zhou Yixuan made a quick reckoning in his heart and nodded. "You're right. Ten years have slipped by in the blink of an eye." At this he gave a bitter laugh. "Well, we've nowhere in particular to go anyway. We may as well head into He yin City and see your father."

Little Wan nodded at once. "Yes!"

Zhou Yixuan waved a hand. "Let's go, then. This empty wilderness is enough to stifle a person."

The two walked on. As they went, little Wan—being young, and with all that grief a matter of old years, and with her lively disposition besides—soon shook off her melancholy and began gazing at the scenery on every side. All at once she turned and gave a start. "Grandfather, look behind us."

Zhou Yixuan blinked. "What is it?" He turned to look back.

Little Wan said, "That Daoist Wild Dog seems to be following us still?"

Zhou Yixuan looked carefully. Sure enough, he spotted Daoist Wild Wolf—for reasons unknown—trailing far behind them, walking slowly, always keeping his distance. And now, seeing them stop suddenly and look back, Wild Dog seemed to start a little too, and actually came to a halt as well, a look of hesitation and a touch of embarrassment on his face, before he stepped to the side and gazed up at the sky.

Zhou Yixuan's face was full of suspicion. He stared at the man for a moment, then turned and pulled little Wan onward, saying in a low voice, "What's that fellow following us for?"

Little Wan said in surprise, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"

Zhou Yixuan was momentarily speechless. Then he fixed his eyes on little Wan. "Could the fellow have got some lecherous notion into his head and mean you harm?"

Little Wan was startled, and her face flushed red at once. "Grandfather! How can you say such a thing!"

Zhou Yixuan snorted. "Why shouldn't I say it? In times like these, villains run rampant, and you're a pretty girl. Anything could happen!"

Little Wan rolled her eyes at him. "The way I see it, Daoist Wild Dog spent his days in the demon cult. His reputation may not have been good, but I've never heard of him harming a woman. Robbery and murder and daylight banditry—those I've heard plenty of."

Zhou Yixuan's face went pale, and he grew nervous at once. "You don't suppose the wretch means to rob the two of us poor beggars?"

Little Wan snorted. "Hard to say. And besides, Grandfather, the silver on you is likely a good deal more than a poor beggar's, I'd wager!"

Zhou Yixuan hastily lowered his voice. "Shh! Don't talk so loud." He glanced around and knit his brows. "This is bad. There's not a soul about—the perfect place for a robbery. Shouldn't we run for it?"

Little Wan was taken aback, but then she saw Zhou Yixuan reach into his robes and draw out a yellow paper talisman. Plainly he meant to use his "patriarch's secret transmission"—that earth-burrowing art—to slip away, and she was caught between annoyance and laughter. She hurriedly caught hold of him. "Grandfather, wait a moment."

Zhou Yixuan glanced behind him. "That fellow's coming after us again. Wait for what?"