Chapter Thirteen: The Bai Family of East Lin

Qingyuan was momentarily taken aback, then nodded and said, “Sir, you truly see through all things.”

“Earlier, I saw that you possessed an air of transcendence—certainly not of the ordinary sort. That is why I trusted you so deeply and entrusted Little Yu’s affairs to you,” Old Master Ge said slowly. “You used to be a calm and steady person, but now your brow is clear and bright—clearly your wishes have been fulfilled. How could this small mountain village hold you any longer?”

Qingyuan smiled, but gave no reply.

Old Master Ge chuckled, “But the students you taught—the section of ancient history, it seems you haven’t finished yet?”

He recited, “The sound of wind, the sound of rain, the sound of reading; family matters, state affairs, world affairs.”

Qingyuan said, “Now that flames of war are rising everywhere, studying ancient history is not as pressing as discerning the current situation. I have already taught them about today’s circumstances; from here on, it should be you who teaches them ancient history.”

“But I too must leave,” Old Master Ge sighed. “Though it’s often said that all things are low except for reading, in times of chaos, literature is light and martial prowess is heavy. The villagers don’t value these studies so much. And as for the offerings made to teachers—apart from you and me, others who are literate may not see them lightly. If the fees are too high, these children’s studies may come to an end.”

“Literature is light, martial strength is heavy,” Qingyuan sighed, lifting his head. “You have taught many students in these years, all of considerable learning. Perhaps they can help.”

Old Master Ge shook his head, “I never compel others, nor do I seek repayment for any favor.”

Qingyuan paused, no longer urging, and instead asked, “Sir, you have lived here for many years—why leave now?”

“I have no great ambitions—I came here to escape war. But this little girl—she shouldn’t spend her whole life hidden away in the mountain village,” Old Master Ge gently rubbed the girl’s head, affection in his expression. “Besides, after being taken into the mountains by that monster, there will be much gossip. She may not take it well. And furthermore…”

He paused, then lowered his voice, “Little Yu is twelve now.”

Qingyuan glanced at Little Yu, then at Old Master Ge, and nodded, “You are a man of the world. Your thoughts are wise. Let Little Yu see the world—she’ll gain more understanding and perhaps find a good family.”

Ge Yu’er’s cheeks flushed; she glared at him, her face puffed with indignation.

Qingyuan smiled gently, “You’ve been worried these days. You two should spend some time together. I’ll take my leave…”

Old Master Ge asked, “When will you depart?”

No sooner had the words been spoken than Little Yu’s hand tightened.

Old Master Ge patted her hand, smiling but saying nothing.

Qingyuan thought for a moment, “Tomorrow morning.”

Old Master Ge asked, “Why so hurried?”

Qingyuan smiled, “It concerns my life—I have no choice.”

“I wish you a smooth journey and that all goes as you wish,” Old Master Ge said, “Tomorrow at dawn, before you leave, come see me.”

Qingyuan nodded.

“Sir, where are you going?” Little Yu suddenly spoke, her voice gentle and delicate, her clear eyes shining.

“I do not know yet…” Qingyuan pondered a long while, then said, “I am searching for something. Before that, I must find certain people. For now, I have no clues.”

Little Yu uttered a soft “oh,” a hint of disappointment in her expression.

Qingyuan smiled and asked, “Where will you go, Old Master Ge? If I have the chance, perhaps I can visit…”

Old Master Ge hesitated, seeming uncertain, but finally spoke honestly, “I will take Little Yu, skirt around Li City, and head for Yuanjing City. There, I have old acquaintances.”

Qingyuan was a bit surprised.

The village belonged to Li City’s jurisdiction, which was a county under Li.

But Yuanjing City was quite far from Li County.

“In that case, I wish you and Little Yu a safe journey and smooth travels.”

Qingyuan bowed then took his leave.

…

“That is…”

Just as Qingyuan turned to go, Old Master Ge, by candlelight, saw three tokens at his belt and was immediately astonished.

Qingyuan paused, turned back, and asked, “Do you recognize these three tokens, sir?”

“I don’t know the two on the left, but the one on the right…”

Old Master Ge’s expression changed slightly. “That is… the Bai clan’s emblem.”

Qingyuan’s gaze grew solemn. “The Bai clan of Lindong?”

Old Master Ge nodded, “Precisely.”

Lindong was in the eastern part of Shu, bordering the capital.

If the emperor of Shu ruled from the capital, then the Bai clan were the rulers of Lindong.

The Bai clan of Lindong—an ancient family of a thousand years, enduring countless dynastic changes, yet never vanquished.

“Lindong Bai clan…”

The joy from his recent achievements in cultivation faded somewhat.

Seeing Qingyuan’s grave look, Old Master Ge pondered for a long time, then asked, “Are you searching for the origins of these three tokens?”

Qingyuan was silent a moment, then nodded. “It concerns something crucial—I must investigate.”

“I see those other two emblems, though I don’t know them, they are surely not as refined as the Bai clan’s. I doubt they are as significant as Lindong Bai,” Old Master Ge mused. “As for the Bai clan, I recall their main house is in Lindong, but there is a branch in Yuanjing City.”

Qingyuan asked, “A branch of the Bai clan?”

Old Master Ge nodded, “It’s said that a direct heir of the main house once vied for the position of clan head. When he declined to compete, he left with his closest relatives and settled in Yuanjing City. Over the years, with support from the main house, they became Yuanjing’s foremost family.”

Qingyuan nodded, then suddenly looked at Little Yu and smiled, “Seems we may travel together?”

Ge Yu’er giggled, her eyes squinting into crescents.

Old Master Ge glanced at him, smiling, “Along this journey, I must ask you to care for us.”

Looking at the old man’s smile, Qingyuan wondered if Old Master Ge had invented this story just to ensure he would accompany them as a protector.

Thinking thus, he shook his head, made a respectful gesture, and withdrew from the room.

…

“Grandfather…”

Little Yu blinked and asked, “What is the Bai clan of Lindong?”

Old Master Ge was moved, saying, “They are Shu’s first family, powerful enough to rival the state.”

Little Yu bit her lip and asked, “Is sir friend or foe to them?”

Old Master Ge thought a moment. “I don’t know. But right now, it seems they are more foe than friend—more bad than good.”

Little Yu asked, “Can sir defeat them?”

Old Master Ge replied, “Probably not…”

“I hate them,” Little Yu clenched her fists, puffed her cheeks, and declared, “Someday I’ll help sir defeat them—I won’t let them hurt him.”

Old Master Ge smiled, “Good.”

As he spoke, memories from long ago surfaced, and his expression grew somber, worry deepening in his eyes.