Xiang Yuan passed by Yulin Academy and subconsciously glanced over, only to make eye contact with a young student.
The other man's eyes were like torches, fierce as a wolf and tiger, hungry and thirsty as if he had been starving for days. He stared fixedly at Xiang Yuan... or rather, at the oil-paper umbrella in his hand.
Xiang Yuan secretly said that things were bad. The young man had no umbrella while he did, and after that glance, the other party would surely misunderstand it as, “It’s raining when we meet; why don’t we walk together?”
Remembering that the Thousand-Year Snake Demon was waiting ahead, he quickly withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, pressed down on the umbrella, and suddenly quickened his pace.
“Brother, brother... slow down. Wait for me.”
The young man invited himself along, squeezed in beside Xiang Yuan with a grin, and, after bumping him with his buttocks to claim most of the umbrella, shamelessly said, “Thank you, brother, for inviting me to share your umbrella. I am deeply grateful and will remember this kindness. I will certainly repay you in the future.”
Xiang Yuan felt as though a mosquito were buzzing noisily beside his ear. Even the drizzle seemed to grow heavier. He said sullenly, “Your Excellency has misunderstood. I didn’t...”
“That is not so. A person should know how to be grateful. The fact that you have no intention of demanding repayment does not affect my desire to repay you.”
“...”
Xiang Yuan was rendered speechless. With such a shameless chatterbox around, even the Snake Demon would see him and avoid him from afar... Wait a moment, could he be the Destined Person?
No way. This development doesn’t follow the usual pattern at all.
Xiang Yuan looked at the young man in disbelief. The young man had handsome facial features and a fine face, but he was unquestionably male. There was absolutely no possibility that he was a woman disguised as a man, and Xiang Yuan’s last glimmer of hope died on the spot.
As Xiang Yuan looked at the young man, the young man was also sizing him up, smiling with narrowed eyes and looking rather irritating.
The young man said with the familiarity of an old acquaintance, “Brother, judging by your Constable attire, could you be the Newcomer Constable of Fengxian County? There was a case last night, wasn’t there? Was it serious? How serious? A hero emerges from the young! How old are you? I have yet to ask—what are your Full Names, brother?”
Did you come from Dunhuang or something? Why do you have so many murals!
The Destined Person had changed from a Thousand-Year Snake Demon into a chatterbox—and a male chatterbox at that. The difference was enormous. Xiang Yuan did not want to Pay attention to him, so he said nothing and simply continued walking.
The less Xiang Yuan spoke, the more energetic the young man became. He rattled on, “I am Xiao He, a native of the Divine Capital. I admire the Esteemed Teacher and have come to Fengxian County to seek knowledge.”
Xiao He?
Then I’m Han... No, I’m Zhang Liang!
Xiang Yuan complained inwardly. What a fine name—one that clearly belonged to the same class as Twin Dragons and Phoenix Chicks. What a pity he had been born with a mouth.
Suddenly, Xiang Yuan Thought of something. He looked at Xiao He in surprise. “The Divine Capital Xiao Clan?”
The Divine Capital Xiao Clan was the Western Chu Imperial Family. Even if Xiao He was not a prince or imperial grandson, he was still a member of the imperial family. He had no shortage of food or drink and could have as many good teachers as he wanted. Yet he had left Glory and Riches behind and traveled all the way to Fengxian County to study. Could it be that his head had been caught in a door?
The Destined Person came from the Royal Family. Would my future path be connected to the Royal Family?
“Brother, you have a sharp eye. It is indeed the Divine Capital Xiao Clan!”
The young man raised his Chin, the haughtiness of noble birth written all over the space between his eyebrows. Then he said in a Low-key manner, “Do not tell anyone, and you need not take it to heart. I never regard myself by the identity of an imperial relative. Just call me Young Master Xiao. We all walk on two legs in this world; there is no such thing as noble or lowly. Heh heh, no one has an extra leg, right? That is the Reason, isn’t it?”
He was Exuberant, making Xiang Yuan feel as though some car had driven past.
He seemed rather Unreliable. Hopefully, he was merely a transitional-stage Destined Person.
Xiang Yuan silently made his assessment. Having an umbrella or not led to different circumstances, like a butterfly’s wings: a slight flap could create a different Future. If only Daoist Quexin had offered even one more bit of Guidance, Xiang Yuan would certainly have brought a saber instead of an umbrella when he left home last night.
As for a Destined Person this hopeless, his True heart was refusing him.
“Brother, I’ve been the only one speaking this whole time. Why aren’t you saying anything? Were you born silent, or do you dislike speaking?”
“Brother?”
“You still haven’t told me your name.”
“...”
Zhu Ziqing: Hundreds and thousands of bees buzzed noisily beneath the flowers（×）
Sun Wukong: Chattering and grumbling, like a swarm of flies flying into your ears（√）
Xiang Yuan was unbearably annoyed. He had never known that one person could be so long-winded. He stared coldly at Xiao He. “If you say one more word, I’ll shove the entire umbrella into your buttocks.”
“Huh?”
“And open the umbrella from inside.”
“...”
Xiao He fell silent at once. After a long while, he said, “That is such a Fresh and unconventional expression. I have never heard it before. You are truly interesting, brother. I have learned something. Speaking of which, I still don’t know what your name is.”
“Xiang Yuan.”
“So you are Constable Xiang. My apologies, my apologies. I have Long heard of Little Yuan Ge’s great name, and have only regretted never having met you. Seeing you in person, you truly possess the bearing of a Divine Constable.”
“...”
Xiang Yuan’s eyelid twitched. He saw his own Appearance in Xiao He. When he bragged about Old Daoist Que Xin, he acted the same way, though his Acting skills were nowhere near as effortlessly masterful as Xiao He’s. He simply lacked a few ounces of shamelessness.
Xiao He seemed lively by nature, and his mouth simply could not rest. “Little Yuan Ge, you’re covered in mud. Was there a major case last night? Can you tell me about it? The road is still long, and we have nothing else to do. If you can talk about it, tell me all about it.”
Seeing that Xiang Yuan gave him no response, he continued, “It rained last night. I rode in a Carriage this morning, so I didn’t bring an umbrella. How did Little Yuan Ge think to bring one? There was no sign of rain when the city gates closed last night.”
“I brought an umbrella To prevent the unexpected.”
“Little Yuan Ge truly has foresight.”
Once Xiang Yuan responded, Xiao He became even more spirited. He rambled about this and that without stopping. Over the short distance of five li, Xiang Yuan became mentally exhausted—more tired than after practicing Saber technique for two Shichen.
Master, even one sentence would have been enough. If only you had said one more thing!
Upon reaching the western gate, Xiang Yuan Head straight for the Yamen. Using the excuse that they were going the same way, Xiao He continued his forceful Output.
“We hit it off at first sight today, and you and I are of one heart. Why don’t we become Sworn Brothers, sharing blessings and hardships from now on?”
“Then treat me to a meal. How about Hongyun Garden? It’s the best canteen in Fengxian County. I’ve eaten there a few times, and their chef’s skills are truly excellent—almost as good as those in the Divine Capital.”
“Then call over a few young ladies from Yusheng Workshop. You and I, as brothers, can embrace beauties on both sides while enjoying music and singing. Wouldn’t that be delightful?”
“Do you know Miss Baoqin from Yusheng Workshop? Heh, she’s unbelievably beautiful!”
After finally reaching the Yamen Entrance, Xiang Yuan felt as though he had been granted an amnesty. He handed the umbrella to Xiao He and charged inside.
“Hey, Little Yuan Ge, I’ll borrow your umbrella for now...”
“Remember to come find me at Xiao Mansion on Liuxi Street. I’ll return the umbrella to you.”
You’re not a snake. Why would I go looking for you!
At his first meeting with the so-called Destined Person, Xiang Yuan had rejected him in every way. From the bottom of his heart, he refused to acknowledge this ill-fated bond. He pondered his True heart. Since his True heart was unwilling, then so be it if he did not take this imperial path.
It seemed that this Change in his thoughts was also within Daoist Quexin’s Divination.
Xiang Yuan entered the Yamen, Head straight for the canteen, and ate greedily until he had a Full stomach.
The Yamen was unusually Quiet and undisturbed today. Xiang Yuan heard the cook say that the search of the mountains had descended into chaos last night. Several Constables who had gotten Lost were still returning from time to time. Everyone else was either tending to their wounds or resting, and hardly anyone remained at the Yamen.
Xiang Yuan asked around and learned that Old Liu had returned early that morning. He had come Specially to the canteen to eat both breakfast and lunch, so Xiang Yuan finally relaxed.
Two work meals, not one missing. It seemed the man was fine.
He went to the roll-call office to report his safe Return, then walked straight to the small room, shut the door, and began to Cultivate.
What Hongyun Garden? What Yusheng Workshop? Fine food and beautiful women were all unimportant. For a lifetime, he would follow the Martial Path to Dao, become an immortal and an ancestor, climb to the highest point, and travel the farthest road.
Cultivate!