Li Banfeng and Miss Chu sat facing each other at a crooked little table with a plate of bitter greens and two coarse corn buns in front of them.
"I added salt in the bitter greens," Miss Chu said earnestly. "They are quite good. Try so."
Li Banfeng was not in the mood to eat the bitter greens. And even if he had been, the portion was not enough at all.
Miss Chu's als were given once a month by Bitter Greens Manor. Carefully asured. Carefully limited. Each al looked exactly like this. No more. No less.
Even for Miss Chu, a woman, it was nowhere near enough.
"Where is my key?" That was the only thing Li Banfeng truly cared about.
Miss Chu's expression darkened. "You ca all this way. Are you here to find , or to find the key?"
Li Banfeng revealed a faint smile. "Silly girl. What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of person do you think I am? I traveled all this way to this place. Of course I am here to find the key."
Miss Chu's face turned pale with anger. "You don't have to put it so bluntly!"
"Hurry up and give
the key."
"No!"
"You are not giving it?"
"I won't. What are you going to do about it?"
Li Banfeng spread his hands in a helpless little gesture. "I can't really do anything about it."
Li Banfeng genuinely could not do a single thing to Miss Chu. He had heard from Ma Wu that Miss Chu had a thousand ways to tornt herself. Beating her and forcing an answer out of her would not work at all.
Li Banfeng fell silent and thought for a mont. Then, quite suddenly, he abandoned his previous approach. He looked at Miss Chu with such gentle, loving eyes as he said, "Saying I ca for the key was just an excuse. I truly ca to see you."
Miss Chu slowly raised her eyes and looked at him from beneath her lashes. "Are you telling the truth?"
Li Banfeng clenched his teeth, as though summoning every ounce of sincerity he possessed. "From the bottom of my heart."
"Swear it for ."
He shook his head at once. "I am not the superstitious type."
Miss Chu gave a faint smile. "Fine. I will assu you are sincere. Tell
first, how did you get to Bitter Greens Manor?"
"That's a long story," he said, already stitching together lies as neatly as a tailor at work. "When I realized the key was missing, I started searching for it. I searched everywhere. Eventually, I went to Ma Wu."
"Ma Wu told you I had gone to your place?"
"Yes. He told !"
"He told you I ca to Bitter Greens Manor?"
"That's right. He said it."
Miss Chu lowered her gaze and considered this carefully. It sounded reasonable enough.
"And then?"
AND THEN? WHAT DO YOU AN BY AND THEN? WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MANY FREAKING QUESTIONS?
Li Banfeng pressed on, building the story brick by brick. "As soon as I heard you had gone to Bitter Greens Manor, I got anxious. I couldn't stop worrying about you. So I scraped together what I could, found a way to get a train ticket, and ca straight here.
"It's my first ti in this place. I couldn't even tell east from west. The roads twist like they are trying to confuse you on purpose. It took
forever just to find your house."
Miss Chu's eyes widened. "You just arrived?"
Li Banfeng nodded at once. "Just arrived."
She hesitated, then asked carefully, "Then… when I was bathing earlier, did you see anything?"
"I didn't," Li Banfeng said with great regret. He sighed heavily and shook his head. "I missed such a rare opportunity. When are you bathing next?"
"Half a year later."
Li Banfeng blinked. "You bathe once every six months?"
Miss Chu nodded in complete seriousness. "Is that too often or too little?"
Li Banfeng blinked again. "…Are you out of your mind?"
Miss Chu answered with complete seriousness, "I am not crazy. My father took
to the hospital before. The physician said I am not crazy."
"You have been to the hospital too? I have been as well! The doctor told
the sa thing!"
Then Miss Chu burst into laughter. She laughed so hard her shoulders shook and her whole body rocked back and forth.
"See?" she said between giggles. "That's why I say we have fate."
As she swayed with laughter, sothing caught Li Banfeng's eye. Around her neck was a thin cord.
"Yes, we do!" Li Banfeng laughed loudly and imdiately lunged toward Miss Chu.
Miss Chu was startled. "Even with fate, it can't be this fast. Wait a mont, not now…"
After a fierce struggle, Li Banfeng tore the key from around Miss Chu's neck.
Miss Chu collapsed back, clutching her throat, coughing and gasping for air. She panted for a long while, her face flushed and her breathing ragged.
"I knew you didn't co for !" Miss Chu's eyes reddened. "You heartless man, why did you lie to ?"
"I feel awful too. I am ashad of myself."Li Banfeng stood up, put on his fedora, and walked to the door. "I have no face to see you again. Let's never et again."
For a brief, dangerous mont, Li Banfeng really wanted to kill Miss Chu. Although she did not know what the key was used for, Li Banfeng feared she might still sche for it in the future.
However, at the very instant he considered making his move, the ability Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Calamity warned him that killing her would result in great danger, though the reason was unknown.
This was Bitter Greens Manor. It was the stronghold of the Ascetic Cultivators. If he killed soone here, especially an Ascetic Cultivator with a powerful background, Li Banfeng could not begin to guess what kind of consequences it would set in motion.
Li Banfeng walked out without looking back. Miss Chu did not chase after him. She stayed where she was, picked up a strand of bitter greens, and took a slow bite. The salt crunched faintly between her teeth.
As she chewed, a vicious smile curled across her lips. "Let's see how far you can get."
Bitter Greens Manor was sparsely populated. The land was dry, cracked, and lifeless, as though even weeds found it unwelcoming.
Li Banfeng followed the dirt road straight ahead. The wind kicked up loose dust that clung to his boots. After walking more than one kiloter, he saw only a single mud house in the distance. It looked even more dilapidated than the one Miss Chu lived in. Other than that lonely structure, there was not a single building in sight.
It was truly a lifeless place. Compared to this, even the mosquito-plagued Ridges of Bottomless Stomachs felt more alive.
Li Banfeng took out his pocket watch and checked the ti. Then he lifted his head and studied the sun. After a brief calculation, he quickly determined his direction.
He was heading south. His destination was the new land.
As long as he reached the new land, he could check Old Mister Yao's map and find his way back to Blue Poplar Village. But was the south truly the right direction? Would walking straight ahead really lead him to the new land?
"Sis Gourd, have you ever been to Bitter Greens Manor?"
"Why would I co to a place like this?" Sis Gourd scoffed. "To suffer? Go ask the gramophone. She's the one who's seen the world and knows everything."
Go back into the Pocket Dwelling and ask the gramophone? Look at this place. It's nothing but yellow earth. Wide. Empty. Not even a decent spot to hide a key. What if soone picks it up again?
Even if Li Banfeng asked, it would be useless. He did not even know where he was. There were no landmarks in sight. The gramophone could hardly guide him through an endless stretch of bare earth.
Up ahead, soone stood in the road.
The figure wore a gray cotton jacket, wrapped tightly from head to toe. Not a strand of hair showed. It was impossible to tell whether the person was a man or a woman.
Li Banfeng stepped forward to ask for directions. "Sir… I an, Uncle, may I ask how to get to the new land?"
A scarf covered most of her face, but her voice carried clearly. It was the voice of a middle-aged woman.
"What do you want to go to the new land for?"
Hearing that it was the voice of a middle-aged woman, Li Banfeng hurriedly corrected himself. "Big Sis, it's my first ti in Bitter Greens Manor. I got lost. I'm trying to head to the new land to hunt."
Big Sis slowly shook her head. "Young man, do you know why you beca lost?"
Li Banfeng blinked. "It was probably… because I wasn't careful?"
The question felt far deeper than it sounded. For once, Li Banfeng truly did not know how to answer.
"It isn't carelessness. It's because you haven't thought things through. You haven't comprehended. You don't even know why you ca to this place. And if you don't know that, how could you possibly know where you are going in the future? Do not let desire cloud your sight. Do not let comfort numb your heart. Do not let indulgence erode your ambition. Do not let laziness corrupt your character."
Li Banfeng stood there, completely stunned. "I just wanted to ask for directions…"
Sothing on his body began to tremble. It was one of his enchanted artifacts. It quivered violently, as though enduring sothing unbearable. Then, gathering every last bit of its strength, it forced out two words.
"Shut up!"
My goodness. Look at how mad she made the Judge's Brush? It actually spoke two words! How could laziness possibly corrupt soone's character? This woman is clearly talking nonsense.
The woman let out a long, patient sigh. "Young man, since you have co here, you must first calm your heart. Only when your heart is calm can you steady yourself. And only then will you understand where you truly wish to go, and what the aning of this life is."
"Big Sis, you speak wisely," Li Banfeng nodded and stepped away. There was no point arguing with soone like this. She had clearly gone off the rails.
"Stop!" The woman's voice snapped out sharply. "Where are you going?"
This woman would not let him leave.
"To the place I should go," Li Banfeng replied, putting on an air of deliberate profundity.
"Your heart is too restless," the woman said as she reached out and caught hold of his sleeve. "You don't even know where you truly want to go. Listen to . Stay."
Li Banfeng shook her hand off and smoothed down his clothes. "I know where I'm going. You don't need to worry about ."
The woman looked at him with deep disappointnt. "You don't wish to stay? After everything you have gone through, you still haven't comprehended?"
"Whether I have comprehended anything is my own business. It has nothing to do with you." His tone sharpened. Irritation crept in despite himself.
The woman lifted her head. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at Li Banfeng. "Why can't you stay? Why must you leave? If you truly walk away, won't everything you have struggled for turn to dust?
"You still don't understand. You don't know why you are here. But I do. The very first ti I saw you, I already knew why you ca here."
The first ti you saw ? Isn't this our first eting? Why is this Big Sis speaking with no logic at all? Li Banfeng had no intention of getting entangled with her. Without another word, he turned and ran.
The woman followed behind him at an unhurried pace, as though she were out for a casual stroll.
"Do you really have to leave?" she called out.
How is she running so fast? I am a level-three Wanderlust Cultivator, and I can't outrun her? Is her cultivation level that high? Li Banfeng thought.
Li Banfeng slowed, then ca to a stop. There was no point running. He couldn't shake her off. "Big Sis, I truly ended up at Bitter Greens Manor by accident. I don't even know this place. Please, just let
go. Once I'm out of Bitter Greens Manor, I won't forget your kindness. Another day, I will head to Greenwater City, buy sothing nice, and co back to visit you."
The woman froze for a mont. "You are going to Greenwater City? You just want to leave Bitter Greens Manor?"
Li Banfeng was confused. "What else would I an? Where else would I be leaving?"
Hearing that, the woman nodded slightly.
"It's not impossible to leave Bitter Greens Manor," she said. "But you will have to follow my rules. If you can defeat , I will let you go."
Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead, looking utterly helpless.
"Big Sis, you have to be joking. We have never even t. Why would I fight you?"
The woman rolled her shoulders and loosened her limbs as if preparing for exercise. "I won't use techniques or weapons. That would be bullying you. We will fight with fists and kicks only. If you can beat , not only will I let you leave, I will escort you part of the way."
"What are you talking about?" Li Banfeng shook his head and let out a long sigh. "I am a man and you are a woman. How could I raise my hand against a woman?"
The woman laughed softly. "That almost sounds gentlemanly of you…"
Bang!
Li Banfeng slamd his fist into the woman's face.
The woman fell silent.
Li Banfeng spoke with utmost seriousness. "Big Sis, I hit you first. That counts as my victory. We agreed on it."
The woman let out a long sigh. "Fine, I will let you go."
Li Banfeng's face lit up with delight. "Then I will just…"
Bang! The woman suddenly lifted her leg and kicked Li Banfeng.
The kick was vicious and Li Banfeng nearly fell to the ground.
"Big Sis, that's vicious!"
"You were unguarded because your tempering isn't enough. When your tempering is enough, I will let you leave."
***
The sun was drooping low in the sky, saring the courtyard with a tired wash of amber light.
Miss Chu was crouched by the little clay stove, coaxing a stubborn fla to life, when the gate creaked open behind her.
Li Banfeng stepped inside. His face was mottled purple and blue, and his walk had a slightly lopsided wobble to it.
Miss Chu sprang to her feet, brushing ash from her palms. "Master Qi! What on earth happened to you? Weren't you leaving? Why are you back?"
Li Banfeng attempted a laugh, though it ca out more like a wheeze. "I ran into this big sis on the way. She was really kind. Insisted on keeping
a few more days. I said I wouldn't stay. She said I had to beat her before I could leave. I fought her. I lost.
"I then declared that I would not be fighting anymore and she said that I needed more tempering. So she kindly proceeded to temper . With her fists. Repeatedly. Until just now. [1]"
Miss Chu gave a faint smile. "Master Qi, you must have run into Granny Bitter."
"Granny Bitter? Who's that?"
"Granny Bitter is Granny Bitter," Miss Chu replied simply. "It's easy enough to enter Bitter Greens Manor. But to leave, you need her permission."
Li Banfeng stared at her blankly. "You can't get out either?"
"I can't." Miss Chu shook her head. "I have to wait until Granny Bitter leaves before I can leave Bitter Greens Manor."
"When does she leave?"
"She ca here in February and will leave in May. She usually stays for three months," Miss Chu said. "I an the lunar calendar."
"The fifth lunar month?"
It's not even the third lunar month. Does this an I will have to stay here for another two months? Li Banfeng thought."What exactly is Granny Bitter's background?" Li Banfeng asked.
Miss Chu shook her head. "I don't know either. Just stay here quietly with . Otherwise, every ti Granny Bitter sees you, she will beat you."
Dinner was the sa as always: bitter greens and coarse corn buns.
Miss Chu gazed at Li Banfeng with what looked suspiciously like devotion. "Master Qi, eat. I can't bear to eat it myself. I saved it all for you."
Li Banfeng lowered his head and took a bite of the bitter greens, then chewed on the rough bun. The dry, gritty taste dragged him straight back to his days in the Outer Provinces.
When she saw that he had eaten a fair amount, Miss Chu let out a soft sigh.. "When you and Ma Wu fell into hardship, did you get through it like this too?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "Ever since Ma Wu t , he's never had to suffer. He's my brother. As long as I can think of a way, I won't let my brother suffer."
Miss Chu gave a cold snort. "Suffering a little isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"There are plenty of drawbacks to suffering," Li Banfeng replied flatly. "I have yet to see the benefits."
"Hey! Don't you know how to say so nice things? I am an Ascetic Cultivator! How can you tell , an Ascetic Cultivator, that suffering has no benefits?"
"Then keep the suffering for yourself." Li Banfeng glanced around the room. "There's only one bed here. Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?"
Miss Chu's voice turned soft and gentle. "Don't stand on ceremony. The two of us can squeeze together."
Li Banfeng let out a cold laugh. "Are you serious?"
"Obviously not." Miss Chu shook her head. "Not now. Granny Bitter is here. If we sleep together, she will beat
half to death, and you along with ."
"She even controls that?"
"She does!" Miss Chu huffed. "Anything that counts as enjoynt, she forbids. Not just this. She even controls bathing. While she's at Bitter Greens Manor, no one is allowed to bathe. Do you think I really wash only once every six months?
"I was just avoiding her. Today I felt too filthy to endure, so I secretly wiped myself down with so water. If she had seen
do this, she would have beaten
half to death!"
That's more than two months of suffering. How am I going to survive this? Li Banfeng thought. No! I must run!
In the dead of night, Li Banfeng slipped out of Miss Chu's house without a sound.
Relying on his Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Calamity ability, he paused at the gate and focused. A direction surfaced in his mind.
North. The north is greatly auspicious.
Without hesitation, he took off. He sprinted for ten kiloters in one breath and not once did he run into Granny Bitter. Indeed, the Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Calamity ability was the most useful of all.
In his delight, Li Banfeng stumbled over a stone. The Judge's Brush slipped from his hand and clattered onto the ground.
"How careless."
A familiar voice drifted down from above him. Granny Bitter bent at the waist and picked up the Judge's Brush.
Li Banfeng straightened at once and took it back with both hands. "I will be more careful next ti."
Granny Bitter shook her head slowly. "I see you still haven't comprehended."
Li Banfeng nodded. "Then I will go back and try to comprehend so more."
"You can't rely on yourself alone," she said calmly. "Soone needs to temper you."
Li Banfeng clutched his head in despair. "Can we change the person doing the tempering?"
Author's Note:PS: Who exactly is Granny Bitter?
1. 锤炼 (Chui Lian) literally carries the sense of "hamring" or "forging," and 锤 (Chui) implies striking, hamring, pounding ??
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