Chapter 1  (1/2)

The secret to longevity is to know one’s limits according to w.a.n.g Yun’s beliefs.

Her case is a cla.s.sic case of name and personality mismatch.  The ‘Yun’ (澐) in her name refers to the big waves on the river, but she is only of average smarts, average charisma, average kongfu, and possess zero guts to boot.  It is ironical that she lives in Bai Ming Sect where people say things like “fight!” or “kill!” every other day. Thankfully, there are only small waves and no big waves so far….

No, she should be honest and acknowledge that there were times when there were big waves.  Luckily, she managed to tide through each crisis time after time, almost as if the heavens have no eyes or that it is blind.  Since she will be turning twenty this year, it seems that her luck is not too bad and she should be able to live till a ripe old age… As long as she did not walk into a snakepit called the Central Plains. And right into the heart of the enemy camp no less….

Speaking of the Central Plains… wow, this place is so prosperous, so amazing.  She looked around her and finally turned to the young man behind her “He Zai, are they looking at you?”

The young man in question looks around twenty-five or twenty-six.  He is a big man and has a pair of clear brows, full lips, and long hair which he let fall freely on his shoulders, giving him a wild look.  He wears heavy, exotic make-up like her with a snake painted on one side.  Without batting a lid, he answered: “They should be looking at both of us.”

She did not sound pleased at his answer and continued strolling with her hands folded behind her back.  The Sky Slave bell on her wrist matched the Sky Slave bell at his ankle and gave off a pleasant tinkling sound.  However, the people of the Central Plains did not seem to recognize good stuff when they hear or see one for she noticed they were the recipients of many unfriendly stares.

“They are looking at us because... we are Sky Slaves?”

“Miss is clever”

She continued to probe: “So the people in Central Plains are all aware that the bells and snake emblem are the mark of Sky Slaves?”

“Miss is very clever”

She gave the matter more thought, paused, and suddenly skirted behind him: “I am a timid person and am not used to people staring at me. You shall walk in front.”

The young man’s brow puckered before he concurred: “Miss indeed has a timid disposition.”

With that, he continued to stride confidently ahead while she followed suit.  It is really fortunate that he is big and tall so that he can block out most of the unfriendly stares thrown their way.  “Ay, we are akin to “walking towards a mountain when knowing full well that a tiger lives in it”.  He Zai, you must protect me.  I still wish to live and be able see the green mountains and charming streams.”

“That is but of course, Miss” and he added: “Miss can just say she wishes to live till a hundred.”

“Yes, I do wish to live till a hundred, so you must remember to protect me especially if a sword suddenly come swinging towards me.”

He gave up and kept silent.

After a while, they reached a house with the words “Tian He Manor” hung prominently above the door.  Two white lanterns were hanging on either side of the door and there were numerous people in mourning clothes milling around.  At their appearance, everyone paused and looked at them warily.  Some even shifted their hands nearer to the hilt of their swords, disgust clearly showing on their faces.

One of the servants in mourning clothes scrambled through the door and shouted: “Young Master!  There are Sky Slaves!  The Sky Slaves from the Evil Sect are here!”

Does he really need to act so alarmed?  She fingered the snake emblem on her face and looked at her red robes.  Although she is dressed in male garb, she has styled her hair in the same way as a woman would from the Central Plains, so it should be obvious she is a woman.  To avoid unnecessary clashes, she has also plastered a friendly smile on her face so it is be unlikely that the people of Tian He Manor would start banishing their weapons.

While she is lost in her thoughts, a young man dashed out from the manor.  He recovered his composure when he saw them and graciously raised his fist in greeting. “I am the current Master of Tian He Manor, He Rong Hua.  May I enquire what you are doing at Tian He Manor?”

Seeing that He Zai is keeping mum, she has no choice by to reply “My name is w.a.n.g Yun, and he is He Zai.  We are pa.s.sing by when we heard that the esteemed former Master of Tian He Manor has pa.s.sed away.  We are here especially to pay our last respects.”

At her reply, He Rong Hua’s face softened: “I see…”

One pugilist stepped forward: “Young Master, they are Sky Slaves who have brought disgrace to our wulin[i].  If we let them pay their respects, it will be like a slap across the face for the Old Master.” 

He Rong Hua looked troubled and said regretfully: “Miss w.a.n.g, we appreciate your thoughts but it is not convenient now…”

The same pugilist mocked “Why be so polite to them Young Master?  They are Sky Slaves! Everyone knows that Sky Slaves are useless dogs who have deflected to the Evil Sect.  Since they were no match for their opponents, they should have chosen an honorable death instead of a cowardly existence.  If such people are allowed into the manor, it will only sully Old Master’s reputation!“

He Rong Hua has turned rigid but w.a.n.g Yun was not too concerned: “Since it is not convenient, we shall not impose and will bade our leave now.”

He Rong Hua lowerd his eyes and kept silent.

He Zai finally spoke: “Miss, please wait. It was said that the Old Master of Tian He Manor has agreed to record all the things he did in the last sixty years after he died, regardless of right or wrong, and for the records to be given to Cloud Manor.  In doing so, he has hope that future generation will have a chance to read about and avoid the same mistakes he did. I admire a man of such high spirit from the bottom of my heart. If the Old Master is looking down from the heavens above, an admirable man such as him would surely not mind to see Sky Slaves among the mourners.”

He Rong Hua raised his head and stared at him with his eyes bright.  “You are right, my late father would not have minded your status.  Had he been alive, he would have welcomed you into the manor himself.  Men! Make the necessary preparations for we do not wish to slight our two friends here.”

The righteous-sounding pugilist from just now was unhappy over the turn of events.  He Rong Hua said to him “Brother Shao De, Gentleman Xian Yun will be arriving soon.  If he thinks that Tian He Manor is acting petty over this and record it in the wulin annals, young brother me would have no face left to see my late father in the neither world.”

Gu Shao De shifted his feet. “Even if that is the case, they should not be allowed to enter through the main door.”

He Rong Hua looked troubled again and glanced at He Zai.

w.a.n.g Yun smiled.  “No problem. Main door, side door, both are doors.  We are fine with whatever is convenient.”

So w.a.n.g Yun and He Zai entered the manor through a small side door while He Rong Hua waited for them inside.  w.a.n.g Yun shot He Zai a look, and with a familiarity borne from years of companionship, both started towards the hall with He Zai in front and w.a.n.g Yun following closely behind, the sounds of their bells tinkling with every step they took.

She looked at the back view of He Rong Hua and thought to herself that here is someone from the orthodox sect.  He does not have a devilish glint in his eyes and he is not tall or big as He Zai. Even if he is a Manor Master, she does not find him pleasing to the eyes…

No, it is not merely unpleasing. It is actually bad. Very bad in fact.  Is this fellow suffering from an unknown illness?  Why are his hands trembling so badly?

After she paid her most respects in the inner hall, she walked out to the main hall and waited for He Zai to come out.  After a while, she started to play with the jade flute which she always carried around to while away the time.  She can hear someone calling her “Demoness!” but she ignored it.  Smile, she thought, may peace be with you…

“Shameless!” said another voice but she knows she is not, so she sees no reason why she should think the word is being used on her.  Seeing that she has turned her back to them, someone walked up to her.  She raised her eyes when she saw a pair of boots in front of her, and when she saw who it was, she smiled: “h.e.l.lo Young Master Gu, I was just angsting over the fact that I have no chance to speak with you.”

Gu Shao De swallowed the insult at the edge of his lips “Are you looking for me?” he asked suspiciously.

“Yes” she said with her eyes bright. “I heard that all those who are here to pay their respects to the Old Master are prominent figures of the wulin.  But when compared with the people here, you look so young and dashing. Why, the wind seems to billow behind you when you walk! If I have to guess, you must have made a name for yourself a long time ago in order to have become a big shot now.”

Gu Shao De gave a slightly embarra.s.sed cough.  “Miss is mistaken.  I am but someone who took up a few pages of the wulin annals.  It is really nothing.”  At her quizzical look, he continued “Or has Miss never heard of Cloud Manor?”

“Er, is Cloud Manor famous?”

Now it was Gu Shao De turn to look quizzical.  “Is Miss not from the Central Plains?”

She smiled and shook her head: “This is my first visit to the Central Plains.”

“I see. So I am mistaken.”  He softened his tone.  Although the majority of Sky Slaves were the disgrace of the Central Plains, there were also some who willing became slaves of the Evil Sec due to poverty.  “People from Cloud Manor are scholars who record all the matters that are happening in the wulin.  They are a neutral party and hold the respect of all major sects.  In particular, Gentleman Xian Yun is especially knowledgeable.  He has attained the t.i.tle of ‘Gentleman’ at the young age of thirteen and has built up a strong rapport with the other sects in the past decade.  Do you think he is impressive?”

She agreed: “Impressive, impressive indeed….” Isn’t He Zai taking a bit too long?

“With his outstanding temperament, admirable morals, unparalleled talents, it is such a waste that he iives in the messy pugilist world and taint his halo...”

“Yes, such level of talent is rare in both heaven and earth, very rare indeed.”  It is not without regret when she says this.  People who are very pure are usually quick to move on to the Western Paradise.  Amitabha…

“He is also one of the most handsome man in the pugilist world. Refined and elegant, flawless like a beautiful piece of jade.  Be it young or old in the pugilist world, the feeling you get from him is as if he came from the nine heavens. With him around, it is as if a piece of free-floating cloud has floated from the sky to grace our mundane world.”

“… wow, great!” She nearly clapped to complement his admiration.  Where did this nincomp.o.o.p come from to have such blind devotion? or could it be that Gentleman Xian Yun knew black magic that can beguile people?

Before Gu Shao De could carry on more about Gentleman Xian Yun this and Gentleman Xian Yun that, they heard a commotion at the entrance. “Gentleman Xian Yun is here!” as he rushed out “Open the main doors wide and welcome the gentleman into the Manor!”

The servants rushed obey.  From her corner at the hall, she noted that the side door was so small, it was almost like a pet entrance.  So she came in through the small door like a dog while another waltzed through the main door like a king…. these people in Tian He Manor were indeed a bias lot. 

She decided to stop looking and took a cup of tea from a nearby servant. A good listener who can say the right things at the right time must take good care of her voice …

The commotion got louder as everyone present seemed to swarm around the new arrivals. Are these people really here to mourn, or are they waiting for Gentleman Xian Yun?

“Gentleman Xian Yun, this way please.”

“We are like family Brother Shao De, please do not stand on ceremony.”

The voice sounded like warm jade with a hint of coolness in it.  The voice is much more pleasant-sounding then He Zai’s and if the owner has a beautiful face to match, how great would that be?  Although she was wary of beautiful things, she appreciated eye-candy and so it is with great antic.i.p.ation when she tried to locate the owner of the voice.

When she saw a dashing figure in white, she froze.  This is the like-a-flawless-jade Gentleman Xian Yun?

Gentleman Xian Yun gave her a cursory glance before his eyes was drawn to the Sky Slave bangle on her wrist.  She noticed his split-second pause but she gave nothing away as she nodded at him.  He did not lift his eyes from her and returned with an equally polite nod.

“She is a Sky Slave.” said Gu Shao De in low tones.

“I see, she is a Sky Slave…” muttered Gentleman Xian Yun, and finally looked away to light a joss stick. 

w.a.n.g Yun looked at the crowd in the hall and asked Gu Shao De. “Young Master Gu, those dogs (狗) outlside … I mean who is the rather dashing  (夠帥) young master outside?” [note: ‘rather dashing’ sounds similar to ‘dog’] No matter from which angle, the scene before her was exactly like a pack of dogs fighting over a bone.  If her guess was correct, the man arrived together with Gentleman Xian Yun.

“That is Fifth Gentlemen as he is ranked fifth among the numeric scholars.  He is Gentleman Xian Yun’s a.s.sistant”

“Oh I see.”  What a clever move!  The next time there is a crisis, she could take a leaf from Gentleman Xian Yun’s book, and throw He Zai to the wolves while she escape. Seamless collaboration – that has always been the best word to describe her relation with He Zai.

When Gentleman Xian Yun has finished paying his respects, Gu Shao De informed him that the young master of the manor has brought a Sky Slave to see the body, and that he should will be back soon. A fleeting look crossed Gentleman Xian Yun eyes but he was expressionless as he replied: “Old Master is indeed a man of high standing, that even Sky Slaves would come pay their respects to him.”

He turned to her: “I am Gong Sun Xian Yun (閒雲) [meaning: free-floating cloud].”

“Young missy here is w.a.n.g Yun (王澐)” she replied.  So much etiquette! She suspects a normal person in the Central Plains would probably spend half of his life on such polite exchanges.

He repeated her name slowly “w.a.n.g Yun (王雲)?”

 “Gentleman is a free-floating cloud high up in the skies, while I am but a puff of cloud above the water.”  For some reason, she felt her skin crawl when he repeated her name, although his voice sounded somewhat familiar….

He looked at her for a while before continuing: “So Miss is the waves above the river (澐). It is indeed a good name. Would Miss be so kind to enlighten me on who you work for?”

She smiled and replied without missing a beat “I work for the Huang Fu family, but it is all menial tasks I do.”

“Oh I see, the Huang Fu family of Bai Ming sect…” he circled her and his eyes landed on her hair “It is indeed true that a strong general has no weak troops.  Xian Yun deeply admires Miss w.a.n.g’s courage to tour the Central Plains with your fellow companion.”

He Rong Hua finally walked into the hall with He Zai behind him. “Huang Fu family? Are you referring to the Left Protector of the Evil Sect?  Over the past few decades, the Huang Fu family has lost its standing within Bai Ming sect.  Xian Yun, do you have any records of them in your library”

"Ever since Huang Fu pa.s.sed his t.i.tle to his three-year old daughter seventeen years ago, there have been no more reports on them.” Gentleman Xian Yun paused and added meaningfully “Until today, Cloud Manor has no idea on how she looks like, her whereabouts, her interests, or how many men she has under her.”

He Rong Hua gave a cold snort: ”It does sound quite mysterious.  Historically, the Left and Right Protectors are potential successors to the Master of the Evil Sect.  The current Left Protector is Huang Fu Yun and Right Protector is Che Yan Yan.  The latter loves to acquire Sky Slaves and has provoked us on multiple occasions.  It is likely she would become the next Master…. Miss w.a.n.g, since you work in the Huang Fu family, do you know the Left Protector thoughts on this?”

w.a.n.g Yun waited until He Zai has reached her side and that she is within his protection zone before replying: “Ay, how am I supposed to answer when Young Master put it like that?  Afterall, I do work for them.”  She pretended to look torn, and sighed when Gong Sun Xian Yun did not lift his eyes off her still. “Actually there is nothing much to hide. The Huang Fu family is not mysterious, it is just that they have declined.  Miss Huang Fu is weak in intellect and is incapable of fulfilling the duties of a Protector, much less become the next Master.  I think in another two years, someone else will be taking over her position, and there will be no further need for Gentleman Xian Yun to record anything about the Huang Fu family.”

Gong Sun Yun did not speak, and continued to stare unwavering at her.  She ignored him and turned to He Zai: “Let us not stay here and trouble Young Master further.”

He Zai nodded “It is indeed time to leave.”

She noted once again that He Rong Hua’s hands were shaking.  Disease.  Confirm he must be suffering from a disease!

“Are you leaving so soon?” He Rong Hua summoned a maid to serve tea.  “Brother He, Miss w.a.n.g, if you leave so hastily without even drinking some tea, it will really be too remiss of me.”

“The fact that Young Master allowed us to pay our respects already spoke volumes on your magnanimity. Old Master must be smiling from the heavens to know that he has such a worthy successor.”  She saw a maid pa.s.sing a tray of tea to Gu Shao De, which He Rong Hua then took a cup from the tray for He Zai.  He Zai pa.s.sed the first cup to her before taking another cup for himself.

Gong Sun Yun said “It may not be safe for Sky Slaves to travel in the Central Plains so Miss w.a.n.g and company must remain vigilant.  If you encounter trouble, you must look for people to help you out.”

“Of course, of course.”  She sipped her tea and found it to her liking.  If she has the chance, she must find a way to bring some tea home.

He Zai, Gu Shao De finished their drink in one gulp.  Gong Sun Yun waited until all have finished before turning to He Rong Hua: “I have written an extra copy of the chronicles of Old Master last night which you can place in his coffin at a later time.”

He Rong Hua was full of grat.i.tude: “Xian Yun, thank you so much!”

Seeing that they have changed the topic, w.a.n.g Yun was about to signal He Zai to leave when she suddenly felt dizzy and a sharp pain in her abdomen.   “Miss w.a.n.g!” Gong Sun Yun was the first to notice something was wrong and reached out to catch her as she fainted.

He Zai was a step faster as he caught her and nestled her to his chest “Miss!"

That sc.u.mbag! She just knew the better tasting something is, the more likely it is to bring trouble. The stench of blood has already risen her throat and w.a.n.g Yun did not bother to hold back as she threw up all over He Zai’s as an outlet for her anger.