Chapter 40:
Two Grandmasters
ACROSS THE STREET FROM HIM, the clamor of cries from buyers and sellers receded like the ebbing tide until he could no longer hear anything.
Shen Qiao didn’t need to open his eyes to know that he was still standing in the same place, that he hadn’t switched locations all of a sudden.
But around him, faintly felt, was an invisible force, and its incessant interference whispered to him, trying to impart upon him the false perception that he was somewhere else.
It was a profoundly enigmatic experience. When one’s internal energy grew powerful enough, they could influence the ambiance of their surroundings, disorienting others and confusing their senses.
Obviously, they’d chosen to announce their presence like this in order to put psychological pressure on Shen Qiao. But he sensed no hostility from them, so he didn’t move.
There came the delicate tinkling of jade pendants. At times, the sound seemed distant, as if drifting in from five kilometers over, and at other times near, as if only a few steps away. It reached him from all directions, omnipresent and pervasive, clung to him like a shadow to its master, or rot to a bone.
The sound of jade striking jade was crisp and musical, but even such a lovely sound, given enough time, would unsettle and disturb its listeners. Shen Qiao clutched his bamboo cane and remained motionless, his head lowered and eyes closed, as if he’d fallen asleep.
Then, without warning, he moved.
His cane thrust forward with lightning speed, too swift to parry.
His body swept forward with the thrust, like an arrow springing from a bow, cutting a figure completely different from his normal, sickly one. Like a leopard that had spotted its chance, he pounced at his target with unerring precision.
The bamboo cane seemed to lunge at empty space. There was clearly nothing there, but when the cane, charged with internal energy and transformed into an arc of light, struck that point, an invisible barrier around the area shattered and collapsed, and the noise that had been cut off came cascading back, all at once.
“And which esteemed master is this? Why not show yourself?” said Shen Qiao.
“I have waited a long time at Linchuan Academy for an honored guest, but he never appeared. So I had to come here and personally invite him myself. Please forgive my rudeness just now.” The voice, warm and kindly, approached from afar.
The person in question didn’t try to conceal the sound of their footfalls. They came step by step, clear as a bell, and each one sounded brightly, ringing right against Shen Qiao’s heart.
Shen Qiao knew that this was the result of internal energy combined with an illusory technique. Just like how they’d muted all the noise, this, too, was meant to intimidate him from the start.
“So, it was Academy Master Ruyan,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot about you. This humble Daoist is fortunate to finally meet you today.”
He was the head of the Confucian sects, as well as one of the top three martial artists in the world, and so Ruyan Kehui’s reputation resounded throughout the land. But his dress was very simple: cloth robes and shoes, his hair also bound with a cloth ribbon. His appearance was plain and unassuming as well—in a crowd, he’d look like any other ordinary, middle-aged man. He wouldn’t draw any attention at all.
But at this moment, walking across the street, his pace even, languid, and full of confidence, no one could doubt his identity.
For very few people in the world had bearing as magnificent as his.
“When word of the Daoist Grandmaster Qi’s departure arrived, I was also in secluded cultivation and unable to send my condolences. Only after I left seclusion did I hear the shocking news. Sect Leader Qi was a man of great talent, his martial arts peerless. The entire world admired him, and his sudden passing was truly unexpected. My heart was filled with sorrow and regret beyond words. I hope that Daoist Master Shen did not lose himself to grief.”
It was only natural that a martial artist on par with Ruyan Kehui would develop a sense of kinship with Qi Fengge—a kind of bond between martial experts. His words weren’t simply overdone flattery but almost certainly sincere.
Shen Qiao courteously cupped his hands at him. “On behalf of my master, this humble Daoist thanks Academy Master Ruyan for your kindness. My master once said that though the age he’d lived to might not be very old for Xiantian experts, he felt that if he could die in his pursuit of the ultimate martial arts, that would be well worth it. So please, I ask Academy Master Ruyan to not grieve too much for my late master, for ‘we do not walk our Dao alone, but as one with heaven and earth.’”
Ruyan Kehui sighed. “What a wonderful saying, ‘we do not walk our Dao alone, but as one with heaven and earth.’ Daoist Grandmaster Qi truly was an extraordinary man!” He gazed at Shen Qiao. “When I left, the tea house was boiling some water. I trust that by now the tea is ready. Would Daoist Master Shen be interested in a tour of Linchuan Academy?”
“This humble Daoist has been in the north for too long,” said Shen Qiao. “I’m afraid that I haven’t yet grown accustomed to southern tea.”
Few people in all the land could dream of receiving a personal invitation from Ruyan Kehui—to most, it would have been an incomparable honor. Yet Shen Qiao politely refused.
Ruyan Kehui smiled minutely and didn’t grow angry. “Southern tea has its own wonderful charm. It’s open and all-encompassing, like a boundless sea that accepts the waters of a hundred rivers.”
Shen Qiao, too, smiled. “I only fear that I will be unable to return the courtesy. It would be terribly rude to refuse Academy Master Ruyan’s requests after drinking your tea. It’d create a ruinous dilemma.”
“The northern kingdoms are vast and abundant, but the southern kingdom is no less so. Once he’s tasted Linchuan Academy’s tea, perhaps this honored guest will find it unbearable to leave, even without his host imploring him to stay?”
With a claim like that, did the Linchuan Academy drug all their visitors, and that’s why they couldn’t bear to leave? Shen Qiao couldn’t help it and burst out with a chuckle.
“What is Daoist Master Shen laughing about?” asked Ruyan Kehui curiously. “Do you find my words laughable?”
Shen Qiao waved his hand. “I apologize for my sudden lack of manners. It has nothing to do with the Academy Master—I ask your forgiveness.”
If Yan Wushi were there, he would have spoken his mind, taunting, but obviously, that wasn’t Shen Qiao’s style.
Until today, Ruyan Kehui had never imagined that Shen Qiao would be so stubborn. Logically speaking, a former sect leader who’d lost his position would never cozy up to someone from the demonic sects, regardless of his reasons. Rumor had it that Yan Wushi saved Shen Qiao’s life and used that to extort him into staying, and that Shen Qiao relied on Yan Wushi for protection. Ruyan Kehui hadn’t believed such unfounded hearsay. But Shen Qiao’s behavior was beginning to force him to reconsider.