Chapter 59: The Eccentric Yu Shan
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When Liu Shen returned to the dock hall, dusk had already fallen. He was unlike his usual self; instead of heading off to meditate, he sat quietly in a chair, eyes closed as he rested, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips. It seemed he was savoring the memory of his recent encounter with the young mistress, or perhaps he had resolved some matter in his mind.
He rose and stepped outside.
He knocked on the door of Feng Jun’s retreat and called, “Master Feng, I have something to ask of you…”
“Come in…” Feng Jun saw Liu Shen push open the door and enter, so he ended his practice, took a towel to wipe the sweat from his brow, then sat by the table and poured himself a cup of tea. He smiled, saying, “You’re the sort who never visits unless there’s business. Sit down and tell me what you need.”
“Master Feng’s insight is like a blazing torch…” Liu Shen laughed and took the offered seat without protest. He spoke directly, “I wish to protect someone, but I feel my strength insufficient, so I have come to seek your guidance.”
“To protect someone?” Feng Jun voiced his surprise, sipping his tea but not offering any opinion.
Liu Shen knew he was here to ask a favor; if he didn’t make himself clear, how could the other consider whether to help? After a moment’s thought, he relayed the gist of his situation with Pei Xueyan, and his ties to the Song family.
Feng Jun had still been playing the senior, but when Liu Shen mentioned the mutual affection between himself and the young mistress of the Song family, and even said the old master had given his blessing, Feng Jun sputtered his tea in shock.
He stared incredulously at Liu Shen, his voice distorted as he demanded, “You mean when you were just a dock laborer, you already had a thing going with the young mistress of the Song family from South City?”
“Master Feng, that’s an unpleasant way to put it.” Liu Shen awkwardly waved his hand and corrected, “What do you mean, ‘had a thing’? Between the young mistress and me, it’s a case of true affection—a meeting of hearts, mutual love.”
“Heh heh heh heh~” Feng Jun snorted with laughter, teasing, “You, a lowly laborer selling your strength at the docks, in love with the Song family’s mistress? Are you telling fairy tales?”
“Everything I said is true…” Liu Shen couldn’t help but smile, retorting, “I heard that Master Feng, already nearly forty, still hasn’t found a wife?”
“Who told you that?” Feng Jun’s smile froze, his face not matching his laughter as he sneered, “Which madam in the brothels of Heyang County doesn’t know me? Which girl doesn’t call me Second Master Feng when I pass by? You think I lack women? What a joke!”
“Oh~”
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Liu Shen feigned enlightenment, nodding with surprise, “But I heard Master Qian from the money hall say he’s been waiting for your wedding feast for years, and still hasn’t seen it. He’s worried sick.”
“That damned Qian Yousheng—I’ll skin him alive!” Feng Jun ground his teeth, slapping the table and getting ready to storm off and settle the score.
“Wait, wait…” Liu Shen hurriedly rose to stop him, pressing him back into his seat, laughing, “Master Feng, calm yourself. It was only a joke, don’t take it seriously…”
“Hmph…” Feng Jun snorted, then said with a hint of spite, “Regarding what you mentioned, I could offer you some advice, but you’ll owe me a favor.”
“Ah…” Liu Shen patted his chest, saying, “If Master Feng helps me, I will surely remember this debt.”
“No need for that…” Feng Jun waved his hand, a bit bashful. “Just teach me how to charm those wealthy ladies when you have time.”
“Mm… ha… mm…” Liu Shen nodded earnestly, holding back laughter so much that his face turned red, but promised with a straight face, “When this matter is settled, I’ll ask the young mistress of the Song family to arrange something for you.”
“That would be perfect…” Feng Jun grinned, his demeanor changing instantly. He threw his arm around Liu Shen’s shoulder, smiling, “Age doesn’t matter—ideally, someone who could save me twenty years of effort.”
“Alright, alright…” Liu Shen looked at Feng Jun with surprise, not expecting his tastes to be so advanced…
“There’s a swordsman in Heyang County named Yu Shan,” Feng Jun continued. “He’s only a few years older than you, but his martial skills are impressive; a few years ago, he was already a third realm fighter.”
“His temperament is quite eccentric… very odd.”
“Despite his abilities, he’s often too poor to eat, yet refuses to turn to banditry; though he’s a swordsman, he insists on knowing the reasons behind every job, and he sometimes refuses them…”
“A few years ago, our boss saw his talent and tried to recruit him several times, but he kept declining, saying his ambitions lay elsewhere, and that he looked down on us.”
“Why mention him?”
“Because he’s trustworthy and keeps his word. Once, for the price of a meal, he took a job he approved of and spent three months hunting down a band of horse thieves!”
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“He single-handedly wiped them out!”
“We often help him out, and he acknowledges the favor. Not long ago, during the night assault on the Redwater Gang, our boss sought his aid—he blocked the entrance to one of their halls alone, his eyes blazing, and when it was over, he simply said, ‘I owe you nothing now,’ and left…”
“……”
Liu Shen’s heart stirred upon hearing this, and he wondered, “There are such remarkable people in the world?”
“Yes…” Feng Jun nodded, clicking his tongue. “He’s quite a character, though his pride is too high. If you can persuade him to help, not only could he protect one person, he could look after both of you.”
“I ask Master Feng to help introduce me…” Liu Shen smiled and cupped his hands. “With such a person, even if I sought nothing, I would still wish to meet him.”
“Alright…” Feng Jun nodded, rising. “No time like the present—let’s go.”
“After you!”
The two left the hall, chatting and laughing…
In the west of Heyang County, there was a dark alley even the authorities ignored. Refugees without local papers, sick prostitutes driven out, pickpockets, thieves, swordsmen, and outlaws—all sorts of riffraff gathered there.
A dilapidated, abandoned house without even a proper door.
In the courtyard stood an old tree, its bark stripped but sprouting new buds. Beneath the tree lay a man dressed in patched, ragged clothes, his face covered by a battered bamboo hat as he napped…
Feng Jun entered the yard carrying a food box, while Liu Shen followed behind, holding two jars of wine.
The man under the tree, face covered by the bamboo hat, twitched his fingers slightly when they entered, then settled again…
Feng Jun looked around the yard and said, “Yu Shan, old friend, won’t you get up and greet your guests?”
Liu Shen also observed the yard, especially the old tree with new buds growing from its branches, as if someone had plucked many of them…
“What’s there to welcome?”
Under the tree, the man casually removed the bamboo hat from his face, revealing a dirty, unkempt visage…
Yu Shan’s eyes were dark. Though he looked straight at them as he spoke, he still seemed half-asleep; paired with his scruffy beard, he appeared quite shabby…