v5c12: As the Bird Flies

“And my boy was useful to you, miss?” Zhang Fei, the Leader of the Eighth Correct Place and father of Zhang Fei the Torrent Rider, asked Xiulan as they sat outside his house. His crutches were beside him, and his face was serious.

After speaking with the Lord Magistrate, Xiulan and Tigu had picked up Yin and left to visit the Torrent Rider, while the others had other business to attend to: Xianghua was hunting with Bowu, Gou Ren and Ten Ren, while Jin and Meiling were spending the day with the Zhuge family.

They had come to see how their youngest member was holding up, having been back at home for nearly a week. Some of Xiulan’s sect, those from mortal families, mentioned they had difficulty fitting in when they returned home.

They needn’t have worried for the young man. He had slotted back into his village like he had never left, already a hero from his time fending off the wolves. To Xiulan’s surprise, Shaggy Two had been accepted just as easily. Silver Shepherds, the dogs that the people of the Gutter raised, were already very intelligent animals—Shaggy Two was just an even smarter version.

She wasn’t certain they saw him as a person yet, but Shaggy Two wasn’t exactly helping his case with his adoration of playing fetch and begging for belly rubs—as he was currently doing with Tigu while the Torrent Rider and Yin sparred.

“Yes, Zhang Fei was indispensable in taking down the slavery ring. He hunted them day and night and caught many who would have otherwise escaped,” Xiulan assured the man, taking a sip of tea. “He acquitted himself well, and I am glad he was by my side.”

Zhang Fei’s father looked at his son. Zhang Fei must have been a blur to him, fending off Yin—until she managed to grapple the smaller boy and put him in a headlock. Her knuckle dug into his head as he squirmed, and Yin laughed.

“I didn’t know what to think when he said he was going with you. Honestly… I thought you cultivators might take him into your sects, and I might never see him again,” the man admitted. “I’d made my peace with it. Who am I to keep my boy from bigger and better things?”

Xiulan smiled at the man. “Do you want to know what his biggest desire was, for when we came back north?” The village chief paused and turned to her. “He wanted to ride the torrent, together with the rest of us. He seems quite convinced he’s still going to be the village chief when he’s older.”

Zhang Fei the Elder barked out a laugh and shook his head. “Of course, why would I think differently?! We have the best Torrent Riding spot here.”

Xiulan chuckled. “I must admit, I’m looking forward to it as well. It was an immensely enjoyable activity—and several other cultivators seem to think the same.”

“Really?” the silversmith asked. “Cultivators Torrent Riding. And I thought the strangest thing was the talking chicken!”

They both sat back to watch the younger ones play—Tigu had her face buried in Shaggy Two’s fur, and was humming with delight. The dog looked just as pleased, his tongue lolling out.

They stayed for a few hours, and Xiulan had a light spar with the young man, his chicken mask firmly affixed, before calling it a day and heading back to Verdant Hill. The Torrent Rider promised to come and play Ha Qi at Jin’s place.

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Upon returning to Verdant Hill, Tigu made a beeline to an old shack against the town wall, while Yin headed back home to spend time with her Master. Xiulan recognized it as the place where Bi De said the crone who gave him the map of the Azure Hills lived.

She knocked politely on the door—and an old, bald man opened it.

“Who are ya to darken my doorstep?” the old man demanded.

Tigu blinked. “Grandfather? Is Grandmother in?”

“Who the hells is at the door, you old goat?” an angry voice sounded from further in the house, accompanied by stomping feet, until an old woman appeared. She was blind in one eye, and the other rolled. “Brat. It’s you. What are you doing standing in the doorway and letting my hot air out! Let ‘em in, Shu!”

The old man squinted at them, huffed, and walked away from the doorway to the cramped house—made doubly cramped by the actual goat standing in the corner, placidly chewing its cud.

Tigu entered without fear, and Xiulan followed, as the old woman picked up a bunch of animal carvings from a bench and deposited them in a corner. There were many carvings of animals—though some were of humans—and a few had strange characters carved into them.

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“So, back are ya?” the Crone demanded. “Did you get a bloody nose from getting all your heroic nonsense chucked back in your face?”

To Xiulan’s amusement, they were served hot water instead of tea—Tigu clearly expected this, as she pulled out a small bundle of tea leaves. The crone snorted with laughter.

“No! We succeeded!” Tigu said cheerfully, but her eyes darted around the room, looking for something—until she startled, as an old, three-legged tomcat hopped from the rafters and landed on Tigu’s shoulder. He rubbed against her face, before hopping down further to land in her lap.

The crone raised an eyebrow.

“Well. You’ve obviously been dying to tell me about it—and I need something to fall asleep to, I guess,” the old woman harrumphed.

Her abrasiveness was quite amusing, Xiulan mused. Tigu launched into her tale—and contrary to the crone’s words, she didn’t fall asleep, instead listening to every word, as Tigu stroked the cat on her lap.

Xiulan just let the story wash over her. Tigu told most of the tale this time, as Xiulan dozed in the warm shack.

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“C’mon, you can do it!” I said, as Jinhai stood on unsteady feet. Meihua and Tingfeng’s son had his little face screwed up with determination as he wobbled, reaching his hands out towards me.

I was just out of reach, however, and Jinhai found this state of affairs unsatisfactory. The little man grunted, and with obvious, if ponderous, deliberation, lifted a pudgy leg and took a step forward.

“That’s it!” Meimei encouraged from where she was sitting behind me. Zhuye was in her arms, staring curiously at the toddling boy. Meihua and Tingfeng were behind their son, ready to catch him if he fell backward.

Jinhai let out another little grunt, and then lifted his other leg. He managed another step before he started to tip forward, and a fourth before his balance gave up completely and he pitched forward into my waiting hands.

All four of us cheered at the accomplishment, and I lifted the little man above my head, to his giggling delight.

“Great job, Jinhai!” Meihua said enthusiastically. “You gotta show Zhuye how it’s done, like a good Big Brother. Show him the ropes, and help him along, like I had to help Meimei!”

Meiling rolled her eyes at her friend’s boasts. “Yes, of course, Big Sis Meihua taught me everything,” she jabbed sarcastically.

“I’m glad you finally agree.” Meihua returned with her tongue stuck out. Meimei’s eyes narrowed.

“Oho? Then who was the one who gave you that scroll on how to give your husband—” Meihua’s hands clamped over Meiling’s mouth.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Oh, I’ll definitely dare!” Meimei shot back.

I caught Tingfeng’s eye as the women started to bicker, and he shook his head with amusement. Neither woman meant anything by it, and it was pretty funny watching them squabble. I took his son over to him and he took the lad with a smile, as we both sat down and watched the fireworks.