Chapter 77: Fate, Subtle Beyond Words

In the days that followed...

Liu Shen lay quietly in his room, recuperating from his injuries.

At first, he rather fancied the idea of being waited on hand and foot, even imagining that, if a beautiful and enchanting woman were to come in, carrying his medicine and calling softly, "Darang, time to take your medicine," he’d know exactly how to respond...

But reality was harsh.

When he saw a few grizzled old men carrying his medicine to help him sit up and drink, or trying to spoon-feed him his meals, Liu Shen immediately wondered what crime he had committed to deserve this.

Especially when those old fellows looked at him with what could only be described as fond, uncle-like smiles, his lips curled in bitter dismay as though he had swallowed a dose of the most bitter herbs.

Still, Liu Shen understood that there were few women in the Qingsha Gang, and at the docks, apart from the old women who cooked in the canteen, there were no women to be seen. Those old fellows were, after all, only helping out of kindness, so he never mustered the courage to voice his desire for a woman’s care.

It was only on the third day, when he could get out of bed and eat on his own, that he felt he'd escaped his misery.

Whether it was Ning Hongwu or Yuan Xiaofei, who came on behalf of Pei Xueyan to visit him, each time they brought bundles of rare medicines for treating internal and external injuries. There were endless tonics to replenish energy and blood, promote circulation, or nourish yin and strengthen yang...

Liu Shen even discovered among them a few remedies that, for men, promised virility, and for women, gentleness—truly remarkable.

Over these days, Ning Sanniang often came to see him, using her inner energy to help regulate his qi, aiding his recovery. Yet she showed no urgency in taking him as her apprentice, instead gently probing into his background and experiences...

She asked whether he had always been so robust since childhood; when he began practicing martial arts; which school’s inner cultivation he followed; and how he had met the young madam of the Song family.

Liu Shen, unable to guess her intentions, answered honestly: he had always been sturdy since childhood, which was why, during the famine years, someone had pointed him toward the dockworkers’ guild and the chance for a meal.

He did not hide that he had only practiced martial arts for about half a year in total. As for his inner cultivation, he could hardly mention the rather embarrassing "Art of the Pure Youth" by name, so he simply said he had borrowed a health-preserving manual from the young madam of the Song family.

The "Art of the Pure Youth" was not a killing art, but lay somewhere between inner cultivation and health preservation, so his explanation was not entirely untrue.

As for his relationship with Pei Xueyan, considering that Old Master Song had just passed away, and that Ning Sanniang, being a woman, was not like Feng Jun with whom he could boast and jest freely, he did not mention the three-year promise between him and Pei Xueyan, only saying they were the closest of friends.

Having gathered this ‘intelligence’, Ning Sanniang became all the more kindly disposed toward Liu Shen.

In the martial world, taking an apprentice on behalf of one’s master was a significant affair, especially since the Huayang Mountain lineage had its own unique traditions. The apprentice she chose for her master would be bound to her by great fate, so she had to be cautious.

Hearing Liu Shen was robust since childhood, had only begun practicing with a health manual half a year ago yet had already reached the second realm, and considering the observations of the physician as well as what she herself had witnessed, she was certain that Liu Shen was the ‘innately pure yang body’ her master had spoken of.

Moreover, Liu Shen had worked at the docks for five years; his character and reputation could easily be verified. He was, in every sense, a known quantity...

Most importantly, Liu Shen was only eighteen. Though he had a ‘widow friend’ with whom his relationship seemed unusual, he had not yet married.

In those times, propriety mattered. As long as one was unmarried, all those entanglements amounted to nothing.

In the room...

Liu Shen finished recounting his connection with Pei Xueyan and Old Master Song, and now stared wide-eyed at the deputy leader beside him.

Ning Sanniang, though she met his gaze, seemed absent-minded, her thoughts clearly wandering far away...

"Decent looks, strong constitution, a well-known background, fated connection, youth, intelligence, good character, fits all my master’s criteria for an apprentice—and crucially, still unmarried!"

"Aside from lacking any emotional foundation, isn’t this practically the junior brother of my dreams..."

At this, Ning Sanniang’s heart gave a strange little jump, and she felt more than ever that the ‘fate’ her master spoke of was truly mysterious...

"Deputy Leader?"

Liu Shen, seeing her distracted, waved his hand before her eyes, frowning. "Deputy Leader, are you alright?"

"No, no, I’m fine..."

Ning Sanniang came back to herself, and seeing Liu Shen’s concern, found him more pleasing to the eye than ever, a faint smile unconsciously lingering on her lips.

"Deputy Leader must have something on her mind!"

Liu Shen shook his head, quite convinced. "I can’t speak for elsewhere, but these past few days, whenever you visit, you seem preoccupied. I wonder what troubles you?"

He paused, his expression earnest. "You’ve saved me from danger more than once, Deputy Leader. If there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask."

"Heh..."

Ning Sanniang smiled enigmatically, arching an eyebrow. "Funny you should say that. As it happens, there is something weighing on me that only you can help resolve."

Liu Shen was momentarily taken aback, but quickly straightened his posture and cupped his hands. "Deputy Leader, please speak plainly. If it is within my power, I will do it without hesitation!"

"No need for such formality..."

Ning Sanniang waved him off with a smile, pulled over a stool for him to sit, and teased, "With that expression, anyone would think I was sending you to your death!"

Liu Shen sat awkwardly, unsure how to respond, and simply asked, "May I ask what you require of me?"

"It’s hardly a command..."

Ning Sanniang mused for a moment before continuing, "As you may know, in my youth I was taken in by an extraordinary master to learn martial arts. Our lineage is called Huayang Mountain, and tradition dictates that each generation must accept two disciples..."

"Yet in my generation, I am the only disciple so far, which goes against custom..."

"My master intended to take another, but has been traveling these past years due to certain matters, delaying the search for a suitable candidate."

"Not long ago, my master passed through here, visited me, and instructed me to choose a disciple on his behalf—a young man talented in the martial path, and of good character."

"I have thought it over these past few days, but found no one suitable. Then I happened upon you..."

"You’re gifted both in constitution and martial arts, you match exactly what my master is seeking, and you are also one of our own in the Qingsha Gang—a known and trusted man."

Ning Sanniang observed his uncertain expression and smiled. "I wish to take you as my junior brother in the Huayang Mountain lineage, passing on our secrets to you. What do you think?"

"Ah, this..."

Liu Shen pointed at himself, incredulity written all over his face. "The Huayang Mountain lineage only accepts two disciples per generation. You, Deputy Leader, are one, and now you wish to take me as the other?"

"Exactly!"

"And teach me the secret arts?"

"Indeed!"

Ning Sanniang nodded solemnly, "Our methods in the Huayang Mountain line are quite unique. Whether in choosing disciples or forming bonds, fate is paramount."

She paused, her words bearing significance. "I heard from Feng Jun that five years ago, while fleeing here, you stole a red-skinned duck prepared by a servant at the Drunken Breeze Pavilion, and it was that very duck that led you to join the dockworkers’ guild. Is that right?"

"That’s right!"

Though reminded of a humiliating episode, Liu Shen showed no embarrassment, only replying calmly, "Feng Hall Master said that banquet was, in fact, in your honor, Deputy Leader?"

"Correct!"

Ning Sanniang nodded, "The red-skinned duck is the first sign of fate; the night the Qingsha Gang raided the Chishui Gang is the second; and a few days ago, when you were grievously injured and needed innate martial protection, I, troubled over the search for a disciple, happened to be here—this is the third."

She smiled radiantly, "You not only match my master’s criteria perfectly, but fate has also brought you and me together, has it not?"

Liu Shen’s mind went blank for a moment.

Indeed, his life had changed because of that red-skinned duck, then the desperate struggles at the docks, and now, his recovery from grave wounds...

Thinking it over, he realized that both his life’s turning points and brushes with death had all been closely tied to Ning Sanniang.

Fate, indeed...

"Since we’ve come to this point," Ning Sanniang said, seeing him deep in thought, "do you have any remaining concerns?"

"No, not at all..."

"Then, will you accept this offer of brotherhood?"

Liu Shen blinked, feigning confusion. "What offer of brotherhood? Accept or not accept? Senior Sister, your way of speaking is far too distant..."