A name? He hadn’t mentioned the name of any Confucian scholar or literatus!
Along the way, Huang Liu vaguely heard others refer to this elder as Qixing. He had never heard this name before, so how could he have mentioned it even slightly?
“Do you want to die? The fight’s broken out, and instead of running, you’re blocking my way?” Huang Liu cursed angrily. Anyone being stopped while fleeing for their life would lose patience.
Dragging his injured leg, Huang Liu supported himself on a pillar, trying to stand up, just as a stray projectile brushed past his hair and embedded itself in the wall. Huang Liu shivered in fear, wishing he could hide behind the pillar.
“Get lost.” His face twisted with a vicious expression, and he roared fiercely at Mo Li.
Such a deliberately malevolent display might have intimidated ordinary folk.
But alas, in this inn tonight, aside from the grandfather and grandson hiding inside, there wasn’t an ordinary person in sight.
When Huang Liu crawled over, Mo Li instinctively rolled up the defensive map and tucked it into his sleeve. “Caught red-handed” wasn’t something he wanted, especially after Huang Liu had just falsely accused Meng Qi of being the mastermind and framed him for stealing the map. Holding the object would only make things more awkward.
But… Meng Qi’s people?
Mo Li belatedly realized this and felt immediately uncomfortable.
How strange, Mo Li thought.
Six months ago, even if someone said something like that to his face, Mo Li wouldn’t have felt embarrassed at all. After all, mutual affection is a natural human inclination, nothing shameful about it. Even if it was a teasing remark that hit home, it would have just been the truth. What’s there to be embarrassed about in having the truth revealed?
Now, Mo Li vaguely understood something— the feeling after growing fond of someone and being together for some time was entirely different from the beginning. This change was unfamiliar and stirred a subtle emotion within him.
Mo Li pondered deeply. It seemed he still hadn’t fully grasped “human nature” or the reason behind it.
Not being human, Mo Li had to learn what everyone else inherently understood. Meng Qi didn’t have such concerns. He had “lived” in this world for decades longer than Mo Li, witnessed many people and events, and even without firsthand experience, had learned simply by observing.
Mo Li continued mulling over the defensive map hidden in his sleeve.
From Huang Liu’s perspective, the two elders stood there motionless, clearly determined not to let him pass.
He glared with fury, drawing the short knife he had hidden behind his knee for self-defense, preparing to strike.
At that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind him.
“My humble shop is certainly lively tonight.”
Mistress Tao’s enchanting eyes sparkled, glancing around casually with a smile that seemed to hold a trace of affection.
This sight had deceived many into thinking Mistress Tao favored them, Huang Liu being one such person. Of course, he no longer thought so. To him, her peach-blossom face now resembled a venomous beauty or a red serpent.
Mistress Tao stood to the left, while the masked leader stood to the right.
It wasn’t that they had resolved their conflict, but rather that there was an unknown expert lurking in the shadows. If they fought to the death, only to be taken down together by someone else, it would be laughable.
Mistress Tao deeply resented the masked men, but she wished she could cripple or kill a few of them first. However, her supply of hidden weapons was limited; she couldn’t keep throwing them indefinitely. Once she ran out, how would she deal with the mysterious “Meng Qi”?
Huang Liu might be foolish, but the others were not.
“My little shop is impoverished and has nothing to offer. Usually, the only patrons are street vendors and porters. I never imagined we’d host such distinguished guests today.” Mistress Tao smiled charmingly, but behind her back, she was discreetly signaling her staff.
Meng Qi, seeing that someone had finally joined his act, immediately abandoned the idiot Huang Liu.
Stroking his long beard, he said proudly, “It seems the lady innkeeper has heard of this old man’s name. Your background must not be simple either!”
“The State Preceptor jests. How could I have any knowledge? I’ve only heard travelers gossiping from north to south. Until today, I hadn’t known of the State Preceptor’s name at all,” Mistress Tao rolled her eyes slyly and said, “But I trust that someone with your impressive presence wouldn’t speak carelessly. What you say is certainly more credible than what Huang Liu claims.”
“Oh?”
Meng Qi smiled faintly, watching as Mistress Tao carefully dug a pit for Huang Liu.
Sure enough, the lady innkeeper hesitated, then asked softly, as if surprised, “Huang Liu claimed the State Preceptor instructed him to secretly transport something across the river. How come he no longer recognizes the State Preceptor now?”
Everyone turned in unison to look at Huang Liu.
Huang Liu stood frozen in place, sweating profusely.
“…And then, he also said the State Preceptor is a very young-looking person,” Mistress Tao feigned great confusion, tilting her head as she asked, “I’ve been meaning to ask—King Jing, King Ning, or King Wu don’t seem to have appointed a State Preceptor. If it’s from the time of Emperor Chu Yuan or Emperor Chu Ling, how could the State Preceptor possibly be a young person?”
The scout camp leader stared intently at Meng Qi, his heart churning with unease, like a stormy sea.
Could it be that the false pretender had grown too brazen and provoked the real, long-hidden master?
Meng Qi obligingly sighed deeply and nodded with a sense of weariness, saying, “Finally, someone with sense! I’ve spent half my life on the battlefield, witnessed the rise and fall of three dynasties, and now, in my old age, I can barely walk. Yet there are still those bold enough to impersonate me without even drawing a single wrinkle?”
Everyone: “…”
“The world’s changed. Even the sneaky and dishonest deeds get pinned on this old man.” Meng Qi put on a heartbroken expression, clearly getting into the role.
Mo Li was momentarily unsure whether to play along with Meng Qi or feign ignorance.
If he acted, he didn’t know how to follow through.
—Mostly because his skin wasn’t thick enough to hold it together.
While Mo Li was caught in a dilemma, Meng Qi continued the act smoothly on his own.
Suddenly, as if by magic, a white cloth appeared in the hands of the otherwise simply dressed but dignified old man before them.
Mo Li, who had just watched Meng Qi pull the defensive map out of his sleeve: “…”
It really was sleight of hand.
Though it happened so fast that most people couldn’t see clearly, when his fingers hooked onto the cloth, Meng Qi’s thumb even brushed lightly against Mo Li’s wrist.
Mo Li almost laughed in exasperation. It didn’t matter if Meng Qi took advantage, but under these circumstances? They both looked like they were in their eighties! Didn’t he mind the roughness?
Meng Qi remained unruffled. Roughness? His hands weren’t in much better shape either.
Just appearances—after all, they were both connected to the dragon veins and such things didn’t matter.
“Ahem, perhaps even Heaven couldn’t bear to watch, and today, you all just happened to run into me!” Meng Qi held the white cloth as if about to unfold it.
“Wait!”
The scout camp leader hastily called out.
On any other day, if an unrelated person saw the Qi Dynasty’s naval defense map, they’d be silenced on the spot. But this inn’s owner, its staff, and Meng Qi, whose stance remained unclear, were all not to be trifled with, making the usual approach of silencing witnesses less feasible.
“Teacher Meng, this item belongs to my lord. A true gentleman does not view what is inappropriate…”
“I’ve already seen it. Isn’t it just the Qi Dynasty’s naval defense map?”
The scout camp leader’s eyes widened, shocked. He thought: He said it! Meng Qi actually said it outright! What is going on? Aren’t officials supposed to speak in circles, implying one thing while meaning three others? What kind of tactic is this, just tearing away the veil?
Mistress Tao was equally astonished.
She had assumed that someone as cowardly as Huang Liu might, at most, steal a ledger or some sort of treasure map from the martial world. She never expected him to dare steal a naval defense map. Was he planning to sell it to the Jingzhou Army? But now that the former State Preceptor was involved, it all made sense—Qi and Chu harbored deep grudges over the fall of their kingdoms!
Mistress Tao had just started to look at Huang Liu with newfound respect, only to turn her head and see him pale-faced, trembling like a leaf.
…Forget it, he’s still just a useless coward.
Setting Huang Liu aside, Mistress Tao had someone else she truly wanted to mock.
“Oh my, so all you brave heroes are from the Qi Dynasty’s military?” Mistress Tao deliberately emphasized the words “brave heroes,” her voice dripping with sarcasm. “No wonder you’re all so eager to kill—crossing the river makes you think no one can catch you, so you’re fearless!”
The scout camp leader wanted nothing more than to chop off Mistress Tao’s head, but the situation, with his identity now exposed, was far too precarious.
“Since the State Preceptor knows what’s depicted on the map, then whoever impersonated the Preceptor and orchestrated the theft of the defense map must be executed. It’s highly likely they intend to provoke a war between the two armies, bringing suffering to the common people,” the scout camp leader racked his brain, trying to shift the blame onto Huang Liu. “This person is undoubtedly a schemer, likely one of the small-time crooks under King Wu or King Ning.”
Huang Liu, thoroughly terrified, cried out, “No, I sold the map to some local outlaws here! They wanted to cross the river but didn’t want to pay for boat fare, so they decided to row across themselves. They paid a hundred taels of silver for the map. I just drew… It only shows the camp’s positions, nothing else!”
“What a joke! These outlaws can cough up a hundred taels for a map but won’t pay a few coins for a boat?” the scout camp leader roared angrily.
Huang Liu collapsed to the ground, crying pitifully, tears and snot streaming down his face. “They said they wanted to trade goods and planned to control this waterway for the long haul, making deals with other outlaws. Mentioning the State Preceptor was their idea! They told me if we got caught, I should insist it was Meng Qi’s doing. I’ve never heard of this name before today, and I don’t even know who the State Preceptor is!”
Meng Qi clicked his tongue softly. He had expected a grand conspiracy, yet the accusation against him seemed almost like a joke.
“Nonsense! We’ve already captured the person you met with. Under torture, he only revealed a few details before he managed to kill himself when my subordinate wasn’t paying attention,” the scout camp leader questioned sternly. “And now you’re telling me this was just some trick from local outlaws?”
Huang Liu’s face was filled with despair, and he wailed, “I was just doing my job for money! Those people were always coming and going, covering their faces like the officials… I couldn’t possibly know who they were!”
At this moment, Mo Li finally spoke for the first time, surprised as he asked, “You didn’t know anything, and you still dared to trade with them?”
“I… I…” Huang Liu was at a loss for words.
Mistress Tao sneered, “You only had your eyes on the silver, didn’t you? As long as the money was real, what difference did it make who you sold it to? As the saying goes, ‘Fortune favors the bold.’ Do one big deal and live off it for a lifetime, no need to run around in the wind and rain anymore.”
The scout camp leader didn’t believe a word.
Meng Qi leisurely commented, “Since you’ve captured their contact and they haven’t received the goods, they’re sure to come looking in a few days. Don’t tell me you don’t even know how to lie in wait and catch them?”
The scout camp leader’s eyes lit up, but Mistress Tao’s face darkened.
These scoundrels—was she really supposed to tolerate them for another three to five days?
“However—”
Meng Qi stroked his long beard, looking every bit the wise elder who had seen countless storms.
“You all barged into this inn, tried to set it on fire, and disturbed this old man, forcing me to get up in the middle of the night. Surely you won’t leave without some explanation?”
As he spoke, Mo Li’s figure moved. Amidst a series of shouts, several masked men who had been trying to sneak out by hugging the walls were thrown back into the inn. Mo Li, bathed in moonlight, strolled leisurely back inside.
This display of skill left everyone stunned—so the person by Meng Qi’s side was also a martial arts expert…
The scout camp leader was astonished, but suddenly a thought struck him.
It was said that Meng Qi had resigned from his official post and retired. Now Mo Li also looked every bit the hermit. But why did modern-day hermits no longer compose poetry or raise their status, waiting for officials to invite them back into service? Instead, they all seemed to be secretly training in unbeatable martial arts?
