“Your limbs are still growing, and so nimble too!” The stranger laughed. “Straighten your back or you’ll be hunched like that forev—”
Instantly, their eyes grew large. They evaded the young man’s hand as he swiped toward them, and joined the fight
Every stance was deliberate and swift, flowing from one form to another. Each exchange of moves resembled a collision of forces splitting through the Mortal Realm and up into the heavens like a sword. Whenever each strike arrived, it scorched into raging fire!
The energy of Qi could be felt, flowing through the young man’s veins from his meridians. This young man was no ordinary ruffian—he was a trained cultivator!
Wind grazed the stranger’s cheek. Immediately, their other hand clamped over the bamboo hat. That brat almost knocked it off! The veil was still needed!
Upon seeing their reaction, the young man’s eyes glowed like embers.
The stranger thought: Damn, does the Dìdì also have a Jīn Dān from his years of cultivation?! He’s so young, and it’s such a waste for him to become a runaway prodigy! It’s rare for someone to train under a shīfù, even more rare to cultivate a complete Jīn Dān of Qi energy in under eighteen years!
Soon, the stranger scrunched their brows. Not only that, it’s a naughty cultivator who practiced mixed martial arts!
Swiftly, the two people ran around the tables. Here to there, the stranger dodged blows from fists and more kicks. Tables flipped. Food crashed to the floor. Chairs were crushed flat.
“Dìdì!” the stranger shouted, with a smile. “Why are you causing so much trouble over a child’s fairy tale, ah?”
“It’s entertainment for you, but not for ME!”
“Oh? Are you in need of help?! Is there anyone here a doctor?! Hello? Help this Dìdì!”
The young man shouted, “You don’t understand!!”
“Right, right! I don’t understand how delusional you can get!”
Another chair exploded into a mess of wooden chunks and splinters.
Seeing this, everyone else in the teahouse sighed. Aiya! It was clear that the righteous hero didn’t wish to solve the problem! Instead, they hoped to scare the troublemaker away. When they failed, the ‘hero’ wanted someone else to take responsibility, ah!
The two didn’t need to say anything else. Everyone still in the teahouse thought that the situation was bad! The ‘hero’ and the troublemaker needed to be gotten rid of!
With everyone’s help, the front screen doors were opened. Out went a boy chasing after the white-clad stranger! The two hopped over outdoor tables and zig-zagged through the crowd in the street! Over and over again, the young man failed to grab the other’s white robe.
“Aiyo, aiyo!” Dashing around the bystanders, the stranger found these people to be perfect obstacles. Moreso when they clumped together, watching the bizarre spectacle in front of the Chuánqí Teahouse. “Shouldn’t you be rolling in pain? What’s wrong with you?”
“But what is pain…” The young man didn’t relent, seizing hold of the stranger’s slim arm. “...when the grief still grows?”
For a moment, the stranger watched how those bright irises blazed with relentless fire. The young man’s long lashes fluttered as red autumn leaves blew into the air. The way he gazed upon the stranger was familiar, almost as if they had met somewhere before.
“Li Zhi Yi.” A gentle smile spread over the stranger’s lips. “You’re also familiar with his poem, Song of Divination. Not just
Unexpectedly, the stranger leaned toward the young man. Between them, there lingered a faint floral aroma like tranquil rivers and sweet maple. Light but alluring. The young man’s eyes grew larger when the hat’s veil brushed against his cheek. Behind the hazy fabric, the young man could make out a rather delicate face.
Only then did the other snatch the young man’s wrist. Shit! The other had already wiggled free. A white boot threw the young man off balance. His world rolled up to the blue skies overhead. Darkness fell over his mind.
“You lost,” said a soft, melodious voice.
Instantly, the young man awoke with a start. All around him, dozens of eyes scrutinized his dirty clothes and messy ponytail. He sat up, only to have a folded fan smack his head. He turned around and saw the stranger standing over him from behind.
For a moment, the two only stared at one another. A light breeze swept through the stranger’s long white veil. As the sun beamed against their white robe, the billowing cloth continued to obscure their gentle features. It hung from the wide bamboo hat like a secret, teasing all those who were curious.
The young man, despite partaking in the picturesque scene, also bore a secret.
He wanted to rip the veil off. It was a wicked thought. Why?
“Run! The guards are coming this way!” The panicked voices of people were so obscenely loud, it dismantled the dream. Right away, the young man and the stranger were yanked out of it. Crowds scattered like leaves in the wind. “Run!”
“Dìdì!” A small pale hand reached out to him.
The young man felt his own breath quaver. Without thinking, he grabbed the hand that belonged to the gentle stranger. He was soon back on his feet.
Endless curses flooded his mind. Why was it that he would scheme to never let go of their hand? His mind drowned with such swirling, intense emotions… But his hand scorched just as hot as his own ears. Reprimanding him.
Of his losses. His sins.
Still, the young man held the stranger’s hand. So warm.
Guards, clanking with metal armor and spears, ventured toward them.
Then, the two had fled, disappearing altogether.
“That was too close,” the stranger whispered.
With backs against the wall, the two hid from view as guards ran past the wooden buildings and papered windows. On the lush grass and earth, their standing shadows had stretched. Overhead, the skies waned to lavender, painted with streaks of blush and rose. Birds cried out as they flew through the skies.
Silence followed. The stranger peeked around the corner. They hid next to the young man again. Shoulders bumped. It was then that the young man’s hand released the other’s.
“Dìdì...” the stranger began softly, “I must ask. Have…we met before?”
Their face tilted toward the young man’s. The veil danced with the cool breeze, with the faint fragrance of flowers and maple.
“What?” The young man breathed out, watching the stranger’s dark eyes crinkled up again. So bright like stars. And their fragrance was so particular. Familiar almost.
The young man noticed that the stranger’s skin was smooth as jade. At a closer look past the veil, there was an irresistible enigma with their smiling eyes and long lashes. This peerless and beautiful person exuded a quiet confidence and a warm, yet mischievous aura like none other.
But he turned away, saying, “No, you must’ve mistaken me for someone else.” The top of his ears bloomed pink.
The stranger blinked a few times and tilted their head. They studied the young man’s soft nose and his red lips. Even the way his side bangs fell short of his bright, rebellious eyes. Despite the dirt and grime against his skin, the young man was rather handsome.
The stranger laughed. “Is that so?”
The other nodded. “Mm.”
“Still, don’t go back just yet. Since you stirred such a storm at the Chuánqí Teahouse, I’d suggest that you lay low for a few days and go back during the peak business hours from now on. Oh! How about this? Why don’t you go over and check out that Lán Huā Tavern down the stree–”
The young man gritted his teeth. “You…!”
“Are you drunk? Your face is bright red, ah!” Though the stranger expressed disappointment, their eyes reflected the golden sunset. Then, they asked, “One would think that you’ve undergone Qi deviation, a demon’s curse.”
The young man tried to retort, but clamped his mouth shut.
Qi deviation can occur through various events. A cultivator might rush too fast into cultivation, entangle too long with dark arts of Qi, suffer from a backlash of Qi due to reckless cultivation methods, or has an unresolved well of negative emotions and therefore manifests negative Qi, also called Yin. As a result, the cultivator suffers symptoms from painful headaches
Silence lingered. The two people stood and watched their shadows.
The stranger asked, “By the way, how old are you?”
There was a sigh, then the young man replied, “Eighteen.”
“If they had known that you were drunk in there, someone would’ve tried to take advanta—”
“Whether I’m drunk or not, it’s none of your business! Who are you to get between me and that annoying Lǎorén at the teahouse? What happens to me is none of your damned business!”
Ah, that outburst was unexpected.
Aiya, to be so young and stupid! the stranger thought. There was no use lecturing one who isn’t ready to receive and is too stubborn with arrogance.
Then, the stranger recalled the poor Yéye and his granddaughter with the lute. And the tale of an unlucky chrysanthemum fairy named Mei Ying. They watched the young man, who now sat on the ground, with his head bowed. He was quiet.
It was the stranger’s turn to sigh. They asked, “Do you believe in celestial fairies?”
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