The night wind was chilling. We stopped the carriage on the far side of the mountain and, using the darkness as cover, the three of us started a fire by the roadside.
Liu Shi Nian asked me and A Li, "Do you have anything to eat?"
I shook my head. We had left in such a hurry that I hadn't thought to buy more food.
Liu Shi Nian lowered his head in disappointment. His restless stomach began to rumble. He covered his belly and chuckled awkwardly, "I didn't even eat enough to catch up with you guys. I'm a bit hungry now. Are you sure you didn't bring any food?"
He still didn't believe me and wanted to ask again.
I shook my head firmly.
He was on the verge of tears, unable to believe it was true. A Li patted himself down and suddenly said, "I brought something to eat."
His words instantly filled Liu Shi Nian with hope. He slowly moved closer to A Li, his eyes filled with eager anticipation as he looked towards A Li's embrace.
A Li took out three steamed buns from his embrace and gave one to each of us. Liu Shi Nian looked at the bun in his hand and expressed his disappointment, "Don't you have any wine or meat?"
I chided him, "It's good enough that we have something to eat. Why are you so demanding? If you don't want to eat it, I'll eat it for you."
As I spoke, I reached out to snatch his bun. Liu Shi Nian grabbed my hand and teased me with a lecherous grin, "You're so fair and plump, you must eat a lot usually. If you starve me, I'll kill you and eat you first, then eat A Li."
I quickly pulled my hand back and moved further away before retorting, "Don't try to scare me. If anyone's eating, it'll be me eating you first."
"Even if you two team up, you're no match for me."
"Don't get cocky. If you talk big, you'll be struck by lightning."
"Do you want to try?" As he spoke, he unbuckled his sword, took it in his hand, opened and closed it repeatedly. The bright sword light, reflected by the firelight, fell onto my face.
I stood up and pulled A Li closer to me, putting him out of Liu Shi Nian's reach.
Liu Shi Nian said triumphantly, "What do you think? Scared?"
I snorted coldly and reprimanded him, "I shouldn't have given you that bun."
"If there was anything else to eat, I wouldn't bother with a bun."
A Li, watching our bickering, was quite speechless. He changed the subject and asked him, "Young Master Liu, how much longer until we reach Wanxue Mountain?"
"Not far. We'll be there tomorrow afternoon."
Hearing him say that, I became overjoyed and clapped my hands in celebration, "Great, great! I can finally get rid of you."
Liu Shi Nian pouted dismissively, "I'm not just anyone. No one can get rid of me. And also..." He changed the subject and looked at A Li, "A Li, call me Brother Liu. I prefer that title."
A Li thought about it and felt it was acceptable, so he agreed, "Okay, I'll call you Brother Liu."
I thought for a moment and then said, "Since A Li calls you Brother Liu, then I'll call you Big Scoundrel Liu."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shi Nian didn't get angry. Instead, he chuckled and came up with another mischievous idea, "Big Scoundrel Liu, you can even say such an unpleasant name. I think you could try calling me Husband Liu." He winked at me as he said this.
I turned my face away and gagged in disgust, "Ugh, this is the first time I've seen someone so shameless. 'Stinky Scoundrel' suits you better."
"If you insist on calling me Stinky Scoundrel, then I'll call you Stinky Pighead."
I was utterly speechless and shouted at him, "Stinky Scoundrel, Stinky Scoundrel, Stinky Scoundrel!"
He retorted without mercy, "Stinky Pighead, Stinky Pighead, Stinky Pighead!"
"Stinky Scoundrel, Stinky Scoundrel, Stinky Scoundrel!"
"Stinky Pighead, Stinky Pighead, Stinky Pighead!"
A Li, annoyed by our quarreling, waved his hands and called for a halt, "Stop! Everyone just stay put. You're arguing so much it's giving me a headache."
I snorted coldly and stopped arguing with Liu Shi Nian. Liu Shi Nian, however, found it quite amusing and burst into laughter.
I suspected he was doing it all on purpose. I could tell from his mischievous laughter.
We heeded A Li's words and stopped arguing, sitting quietly by the campfire, listening to the branches crackle as they burned.
In the midst of this quiet, a dark shadow suddenly flew across the sky. We immediately became alert. I looked up at the sky in confusion, "How is there still someone in this place?"
A Li comforted me, "It might be a bandit."
His guess was correct; it was indeed a bandit.
A dark figure flew out rapidly from the forest, sword in hand. Liu Shi Nian immediately drew his sword and sprang up, engaging him in battle. Their swords clashed dozens of times. The black-clothed man then flipped to the ground, kicking up sand. Liu Shi Nian quickly shielded his face with his hand, then moved swiftly, flicking away the man's veil with his sword.
Under the flickering firelight, his appearance was clearly visible. He was fair-skinned and handsome, with a demeanor that hinted at chivalry.
However, the man showed no concern. Instead, he naturally brought his sword to Liu Shi Nian's neck and uttered his belated line, "Halt!"
I suddenly felt that the person before me was very familiar. I felt like I had heard those words somewhere before.
Liu Shi Nian lowered his sword and asked him, "What do you want to rob?"
The man replied, "Money for money, beauty for beauty."
Liu Shi Nian casually pointed at me and said, "We have no money, but there's a woman over there you can take for her beauty."
Upon hearing this, I was instantly enraged and roared at him, "Liu Shi Nian, you scoundrel!"
The man turned to look at me and couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Hahaha." The three of us were bewildered, not knowing what was happening.
"Miss Liu, Young Master A Li, I trust you are both well."
Hearing him say that, I immediately guessed and exclaimed in surprise, "You, you, you are Big Hero Brother!"
A Li was also surprised, "You're that beggar from Beishen Capital!"
Big Hero Brother nodded and lowered his sword, his eyes filled with emotion, "I didn't expect us to meet again. I think you two shouldn't go anywhere else. Come and rob with me."
Liu Shi Nian thought his suggestion was good and agreed, "This brother's suggestion is excellent. Robbery is quite promising these days, you can meet many wealthy people."
I was speechless, why did I keep encountering these people who weren't doing proper jobs?
Big Hero Brother, finding a kindred spirit, patted his shoulder, "Young master, your martial arts are good, and you understand me so well. I think you should follow me."
Liu Shi Nian waved his hand, "I won't. I think they two are capable."
He was digging a pit for us again.
Seeing that he was unwilling, Big Hero Brother didn't insist and only asked him, "May I know your esteemed name?"
"I am Liu Shi Nian."
"Liu Shi Nian!" He had heard this name before and asked in astonishment, "Are you that devoted man Liu Shi Nian who is famous in Nanhai City?"
"Indeed."
Big Hero Brother excitedly shook his hand, "A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure! I've heard your name for a long time but never had the chance to meet you. Today, I am fortunate enough to see you in person."
Liu Shi Nian was very pleased. He hadn't expected to be so famous.
I curiously asked Big Hero Brother, "Big Hero Brother, why are you here?"
Big Hero Brother smiled slightly and explained, "I was tired of staying in Beishen Capital, so I decided to travel around and see things. Why are you here as well?"
"We're going to Wanxue Mountain, and it got dark when we reached here."
"Wanxue Mountain is not a good place. Hardly anyone goes there. Why are you going there?"
"We're looking for someone."
"Looking for a friend?"
I thought I could tell him. He probably knew about Celestial Master Zhang. "We're looking for Celestial Master Zhang."
"Celestial Master Zhang, I did hear that he went to Wanxue Mountain."
It seemed we were going to the right place.
He changed the subject and advised, "I don't recommend you go. Wanxue Mountain is guarded by the Wanxue Spider, and it's extremely dangerous. I think you should just go back and wait for Celestial Master Zhang to return."
I shook my head, "No, we have some urgent matters and must find him."
"If that's the case, then I can only wish you safe travels."
A Li asked him, "Big Hero Brother, where are you going next?"
"Just wandering around and seeing things. If I can meet one or two wealthy people, I'll be rich."
He was truly persistent. But could one really meet wealthy people in such a desolate place?
Although I thought this, I still reminded him, "If you can't find any wealthy people, then you'll have to work harder yourself."
He nodded, having taken my words to heart, "Okay, I will. Then I'll be going now."
"Mm."
With that, he leaped into the air and disappeared into the night.
After he left, Liu Shi Nian's restless gaze turned back to me, praising, "I didn't expect you to know so many people."
"Are you being sarcastic?"
"No, I'm praising you."
A Li looked up at the pitch-black sky and heard the wind blowing through the trees, realizing it was late.
"Let's go back and sleep. It's late."
I nodded and naturally followed A Li towards the carriage. Liu Shi Nian also followed behind us, intending to get into the carriage to sleep. I blocked the carriage door, preventing him from entering.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
I pointed to the carriage roof, "You'll sleep on the roof tonight."
"You'll accompany me?"
"Who's accompanying you? Sleep by yourself."
"Then I'm not going."
As he spoke, he tried to squeeze into the carriage. I grabbed him and stopped him from entering.
"Why won't you let me in?"
"I'm afraid you'll have ulterior motives towards me."
Liu Shi Nian was very helpless. He simply pulled me towards him and pushed me into the carriage, then swaggered in and sat on the long bench, saying, "It's cold outside, I'm not going out."
Still somewhat unwilling, I got up and went to him, pushing and shoving him. Liu Shi Nian took the opportunity to embrace me and chuckled, "If you want to do something to me, I can take you to the roof."
I angrily rebuked him, "Scoundrel!"
"Who told you to be so forward? Tell me, do you have feelings for me?"
I broke free from him and sat to the side, "Who has feelings for you? You can sleep in the carriage if you want, but you have to behave yourself and not touch me."
Liu Shi Nian nodded obediently.
I leaned my head on A Li's shoulder and stopped paying attention to him, closing my eyes to sleep. A Li also leaned against the wooden board and slowly fell asleep.
Liu Shi Nian closed his eyes slightly and also fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, he slowly woke up. He touched his neck, feeling uncomfortable. Seeing us sleeping soundly, he went to my side and slept with his head on my lap.
The next day, as dawn broke, I slowly opened my eyes and didn't see Liu Shi Nian. I secretly rejoiced that he had left, but then I felt a weight on my leg. Looking down, I saw it was Liu Shi Nian.
Just as I was about to shake him off, I remembered he had also had a tiring day and decided not to wake him. He had been quite well-behaved, so I gently lifted his head and placed it on the long bench.
A Li stirred slightly, saw that it was bright daylight, and stretched. "It's morning."
"Yes, it's morning."
He looked back and saw Liu Shi Nian still asleep, so he didn't disturb him. He just said to me, "Then let's continue our journey."
I nodded, "Okay."
And so, the carriage, which had been parked by the roadside all night, began to creak and move again, heading towards the rising sun.
After a long while, Liu Shi Nian slowly woke up. He slightly lifted the curtain and saw us driving the horses. He didn't disturb us but sat quietly inside the carriage.
By the afternoon, we finally arrived at Wanxue Mountain. Just as he had said, from a distance, we saw a snow-capped mountain soaring into the clouds. The summit was adorned with what looked like flowing white clouds clinging to the peaks. That must be Wanxue Mountain.
Below Wanxue Mountain were two villages, one named "Wanxue Village" and the other "Fengxue Village." Liu Shi Nian told us that these villages had been inhabited by the Feihu (Flying Fox) tribe and the Xueha (Snow Toad) tribe for generations.
A Li and I got out of the carriage and looked up, noticing people busy in the fields by the roadside.
Liu Shi Nian, seated in the driver's seat, watched A Li and me and said, "You've arrived. It's time for me to leave."
"Where are you going?" I asked him curiously.
"To Nanhai City."
I guessed immediately why he was going, "To see Xue Ji?"
"Something like that. See you again if fate allows." As he spoke, he suddenly shouted, "Giddy up!" and then drove the carriage away from us at full speed.
I stood there stunned for a moment before remembering it was our carriage, and then roared, "Hey! Give us back our carriage, it's very expensive!"
A Li smiled and stopped me, "Forget it, forget it. Let him go. Let's hurry and find Celestial Master Zhang."
Looking at A Li's smile, as sweet as honey and snow, my restless heart gradually calmed down. I agreed to let Liu Shi Nian go and went to find Celestial Master Zhang.
The avenue leading into the village was lined with lush green wheat fields on both sides. I didn't know what was planted in them, but I guessed it was something like rice.
Upon entering the village, we saw a sign hanging on a large tree at the village entrance, simply stating "Wanxue Village."
We asked many villagers, but no one knew Celestial Master Zhang. I felt a pang of disappointment. Just then, an old woman with white hair approached. A Li immediately went forward to ask, "Elderly lady, do you know of someone called Celestial Master Zhang? That person looks a bit disheveled, and his clothes are worn out."
Unexpectedly, the old woman did know, "That person, hahaha, that person looks like a joke. Every time he comes, he talks about eliminating harm for the people and getting rid of the Wanxue Spider, but every time he just eats a few free meals, and then leaves after he's full."
He left? Did I miss him again? I hurriedly pressed, "Do you know where he went?"
"The last time he was here was a few days ago. This time, he seemed like a changed person. He really went up Wanxue Mountain, and I haven't seen him come down."
So I hadn't missed him yet. "Where can one go to the summit?"
The old woman calmly took out a bag of tobacco, lit it, and exhaled a cloud of smoke that resembled sweet bubbles. She said with a serious expression, "It's very dangerous up there. There's a Wanxue Spider living there, and it's extremely powerful. Fortunately, it doesn't actively harm people. I advise you not to go up."
"That person is too important to me. I must find him."
Seeing my anxious look, the old woman teased, "Are you his newly married wife?"
I was momentarily speechless but patiently explained, "No, he's a friend of mine. I have something very important to find him for."
"He doesn't seem like someone who would have girls liking him. However, you and this young gentleman look quite a good match."
Looking at A Li, I couldn't help but smile shyly.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. I'll tell you. Go straight along the road on the edge of the village until you see a large tree. Beside the large tree, there's a small path that leads directly to the summit."
Having obtained the important information, I quickly thanked the old woman and pulled A Li along to find the path.
However, to our surprise, as we left the village, we saw two paths, one to the left and one to the right. I asked in confusion, "Which path did that old woman say to take?"
"I don't think she said."
I was almost numb. I looked up at the sky, the sun was blazing. Thinking there was still time, I quickly grabbed a villager, asked for directions, and continued on our way.
The higher we went up the mountain, the colder it became. The cold wind blew against us, carrying a hint of icy chill. I sneezed and looked back at A Li. He seemed unaffected.
So I curiously asked, "It's so cold, how come you don't feel it?"
"I'm a tanuki, you know. My fur is thicker."
"That's true."
Seeing me shivering from the cold, he couldn't help but reach out and cup my hands in his. Looking at him, a strange shyness welled up in my heart, and I lowered my head and smiled secretly.
As he rubbed my ice-cold hands, he said, "It's already this cold, and we're still far from the top. We should go back and think of a plan first."
"Okay."
So, we shamefacedly descended the mountain and ran back to the village. After much searching, we shamelessly went to the old woman's house.