Shen Molan followed Chen Shaoqing back to Gusu.
It’s often said that Gusu homes all rest by rivers, with waterways and bridges crisscrossing, white walls, and black tiles. The soft Wu dialect flows through the air, making one feel as though they’ve stepped into a refined Jiangnan painting. The Chen family, renowned in the martial world, resided in the busiest part of Gusu City. Though the mansion was large, its rooftop eaves and facade were elegantly designed. Unlike the grandeur of Beijing’s courtyards, Gusu exuded a unique, delicate elegance characteristic of the Jiangnan region.
Despite recovering from a serious illness, Chen Shaoqing was full of energy, making it hard to believe that just a few months ago, he had been as frail as a dying candle. As soon as he arrived home, Chen Shaoqing was greeted by his father and his many wives in the main hall. Chen Shaoqing was the youngest son of the Chen family, with one older brother and two older sisters, but he was the only child born to the legitimate wife—his father’s first and only marriage. His endearing personality had always made him the favorite among the elders, and he had been doted on and cherished by his father his whole life.
Chen Shaoqing enthusiastically introduced Shen Molan to his family, describing how much he trusted “Shen-dage” in recent years. His eyes gleamed as he recounted how Shen Molan had helped clean up his messes and gone to great lengths to save his life. This story of bravery moved Mr. Chen to tears, and he began to regard the renowned hero “Black Swordsman” with newfound respect.
“Hero Shen, please stay with the Chen family for a while longer. Let me properly repay your kindness,” Mr. Chen sincerely invited him. “I’m not sure how to properly thank you for all you’ve done for my son these past years…”
Shen Molan smiled gently and said, “It was nothing. Shaoqing and I simply became close friends at first sight.” After a pause, he added, “In fact, the one who truly saved Shaoqing’s life was Feng Manor’s master, Feng Wuhen.”
“…Feng Wuhen? The son of Feng Shiyi?” Mr. Chen showed a curious expression, about to say more, but Chen Shaoqing cut him off brusquely: “He’s just a merchant with no martial skills. We should just send him a few chests of gold and jewels—no need to go to the trouble of offering swords or weapons.”
The Chen family wasn’t particularly familiar with Feng Manor, but Feng Shiyi had been a famous martial artist despite running a tea estate, making the two families somewhat similar. The Chen family were also merchants, though they were renowned for crafting weapons. Feng Shiyi had faded from the martial world after his involvement with a sorceress, and over time, his name had been forgotten. Mr. Chen had heard that Feng Manor now had a new master, but this was the first time he had heard the name of Feng Shiyi’s only son, and he couldn’t help but be surprised.
Could it be that this son was born of that sorceress? Who would’ve thought that Feng Shiyi protected his son so well that even someone as well-connected as himself didn’t know who was running Feng Manor now, let alone the new master’s name…
Shen Molan stayed with the Chen family for a short while before leaving. Although both father and son treated him with great warmth, he never liked staying in one place for too long, preferring the freedom of life on the road. He returned to his usual routine—taking commissions, collecting bounties, and sometimes acting as a hero, robbing the rich to help the poor. He found this life quite fulfilling.
Days passed like water, busy and content. In the rush, he felt as if he’d forgotten something. But whenever a certain person’s image began to surface in his mind, he would deliberately push it aside and stop thinking about it.
Until one day in September, when he encountered someone at an inn.
Or rather, someone came looking for him.
It was already evening, and he was just about to return to his room to rest when someone tapped him lightly on the shoulder from behind.
Shen Molan was startled—not because of the unexpected tap but because the person’s martial arts were so advanced that they had approached him without him noticing.
“Hero Shen, may I have a word with you?” The man was dressed in a black outfit, his appearance utterly ordinary—so plain that he would not be noticed in a crowd. Shen Molan thought carefully but couldn’t figure out the man’s identity.
Having roamed the martial world for so long, Shen Molan immediately sensed that the man meant no harm, so he said, “Come into my room.”
However, as soon as they entered the room, before Shen Molan could speak, the man knelt on one knee.
“—Please, Hero Shen, return to Feng Manor with me.”
Shen Molan froze.
He suddenly knew who this person was. The man’s exceptional martial skills, ordinary appearance, and ability to disappear into the crowd.
He was one of Feng Manor’s shadow guards.
And with that realization, all the memories Shen Molan had buried under the busyness of recent days came flooding back.
“You’ll come, won’t you? I’ll send someone to fetch you.”
“Feng Manor is beautiful in September. You wouldn’t want to miss it.”
That person had repeatedly reminded him, over and over. Each time, Shen Molan had avoided meeting his gaze, never giving a clear reply.
It seemed like he had been waiting for this moment, but now that the invitation had been spoken aloud, he felt a strange sense of confusion. Had he deliberately forgotten because he was busy, or had he kept himself busy to forget and erase the uncertainty in his heart?
But what was this, really? Why couldn’t that person come to find him directly? Why send someone else to invite him? What exactly did he want to show him?
He’d been like this since they were young, never speaking his thoughts clearly, only revealing half of his true feelings, leaving Shen Molan unsure of how to respond.
How frustrating…
After a long silence, Shen Molan finally found his voice and asked calmly, “What does he want?”
However, he quickly regained his composure and slowed his speech. “Master wishes to show Hero Shen the autumn scenery of Feng Manor, and he has something very urgent and important to tell you. Please, don’t miss this.”
Urgent.
Important.
What could it be…?
Shen Molan stood dazed for a moment, something stirring in his heart, like the touch of a willow leaf, or perhaps a red current flowing through his veins, slowly seeping into his bones.
“…I understand.”
Fine, let’s see what he wants. After all these months, if there’s still something unresolved between them, it might be worth finding out what it is.
“Hero Shen is willing to come?” The shadow guard’s eyes lit up, and in his excitement, he could hardly form coherent sentences. “Shall we go now?”
Shen Molan frowned at this.
He had always lived by the principle of preparation. He was meticulous, never acting on impulse. In a few days, it would be Shaoqing’s wedding, and no matter which way he traveled to Feng Manor, he would have to pass through Gusu. Everything was falling into place. His original plan had been to visit Feng Manor after attending Shaoqing’s wedding.
“I have other matters to attend to these next few days. Tell him I’ll arrive at Feng Manor after that,” Shen Molan said.
The shadow guard was startled. “That’s too long… Can you please delay your other matters and visit the manor first? He… has been waiting for a long time.”
He doesn’t have much time left.
Shen Molan, seeing the guard’s anxious expression, lowered his gaze and began to think.
“…I understand. Let me think about it.”
The shadow guard fell silent.
His hands clenched and then loosened. After waiting and still receiving no clear answer, he finally asked, unwilling to leave without knowing, “May I ask, does Hero Shen… not feel care or liking towards Master at all?”