Chapter 24: A Single Sprinkle Dispels the Endless Night (Part One)
From Yu Zhen Pavilion to the Immortal Cultivation Institute, neither of them had taken a single turn; this avenue was the most expansive Celestial Canopy Street in Luyang City. Most of the buildings with connected eaves and walls housed merchants and families. At some point, the weather had turned, and by early afternoon, the sky finally released a curtain of rain.
A child running in the street was scooped up by his father, who hurried them aside to shelter from the downpour, even crouching down to wipe the wet from the boy’s clothes. The child shivered from the chill, while a nearby matron hastily packed up her stall. The people dashing through the street sent water splashing everywhere.
Outside Yu Zhen Pavilion, a few rosebushes swayed in the wind and rain, their frail bodies reminiscent of the dejected young inn attendant leaning against the door at Cloud Sojourn Inn.
He recognized Gu Yi, who was holding an umbrella, and waved from across the street, his cleaning rag in hand looking rather comical.
“Master, are we just going in like this?”
Gu Yi wondered why Ma Yuan wasn’t using an umbrella, watching the raindrops fall on his head with a moment’s fascination—it was oddly amusing.
“Yes, I have nothing else to occupy me today. It’s good to find something to do.”
The rain drowned out their footsteps, so much so that Miss Xiaoyue, who was bent over her ledger, failed to notice the guests arriving. Chin propped up in one hand, she lay across the table, looking listless. Her plump little mouth made her seem almost adorable.
Yet when she composed herself before others, she gave the impression of a composed and mature young woman.
Ma Yuan, coy as a maiden, was promptly shoved inside by Gu Yi’s foot.
“Little Sister Xiaoyue, why do you look so down? How is Lady Ye’s illness today?”
“Oh, it’s Lord Ma,” Xiaoyue straightened at once. “Thank you for your concern, my lord. The young lady is already improving. But I saw you leave in such anger yesterday—I truly feel guilty.”
Whether this was genuine kindness or a skill honed from years of dealing with people, it was hard to tell.
But Lord Ma was moved at once, hastily insisting he was fine. The craftiest men were hard to deceive, but the most beautiful women could always fool him.
Xiaoyue looked intently at Gu Yi. “My lord’s master, I haven’t yet heard your name. May I ask what brings you here today?”
“My surname is Gu, given name Yi. I am here today to await Lady Ye’s summons.”
A hint of weariness flickered in Xiaoyue’s eyes as, noticing a few tables of guests casting glances their way, she felt a headache coming on. “My lord, Master Gu—let us agree that whatever happened yesterday was my fault. I do not wish to make another mistake today.”
Sensing Ma Yuan was the more approachable, she bowed to him. “I beg your understanding for my predicament.”
“In a sweep, the long night of the mortal world is illuminated.”
Gu Yi spoke suddenly.
Xiaoyue was puzzled. “What do you mean, Master Gu?”
He repeated, “Tibetan volumes open in the garden court, in a sweep, the long night of the mortal world is illuminated.”
Hearing the lines together, she understood, a trace of hesitation in her gaze…
“Please wait a moment. I will go report.”
Gu Yi and Ma Yuan stood at the entrance to the inner courtyard. Many diners were casting interested glances—some sipping their wine and watching the scene unfold, others leaving their tables to get a closer look.
“Anyone you know?” Gu Yi asked Ma Yuan.
“Yes,” Ma Yuan said, still somewhat uneasy. “Several familiar faces are staring at me, Master. Are you sure about this?”
Gu Yi shook his head, “Actually, I’m not sure at all.”
Ma Yuan: What?!
The bald man’s heart fluttered with panic. He forced a grin at the crowd, his knuckles going red from the tension.
“Ma Yuan, your new master is so young?” someone called out.
“Brother Mingguang, don’t mock me. He truly is my master.”
Gu Yi turned to look. The speaker was a young man in fine clothes, though his face was not unkind—perhaps he just found Ma Yuan amusing. They waited together for some time, but nothing happened.
Impatient, the young man named Mingguang said, “Forget it, let’s go back and eat. Ma Yuan, will you join us? You won’t get in anyway.”
“No, but thank you, Brother Mingguang.”
Ma Yuan leaned closer to Gu Yi, speaking softly. “That is Chen Mingguang, one of my juniors.”
“A junior who calls you by name? Seems you’re not much respected.”
Ma Yuan shrugged like a bear. “It’s just a formality. They don’t hit or scold me.”
“What nonsense! You coward!” Gu Yi, growing impatient after a quarter of an hour, stomped his foot and called out, “Is anyone there? If no one comes out, I’m taking down your signboard and leaving with it!”
His shout elicited a wave of discontent from the diners.
“You impudent brat, how dare you be so insolent?”
“Ma Yuan, did you bring troublemakers today? You’re bold—this is Yu Zhen Pavilion!”
…
Moments later, a whiff of fragrance arrived. Xiaoyue hurried over, “Please don’t be upset, sir—the young lady will see you now.”
Ma Yuan was ecstatic. “Master! Master!”
Gu Yi remained impassive. This fellow understood nothing of the art of the transmigrator. Just look at how the others were reacting—wasn’t calm composure more effective right now?
Chen Mingguang was intrigued. What was that line again?
Tibetan volumes open in the garden court, in a sweep, the long night of the mortal world is illuminated.
So that’s the next line.
He returned and shouted after them, “Ma Yuan, what is your master’s name? Is he related to the young lady?”
“Tell him he’s not worthy of knowing. Say it!”
Xiaoyue’s eyes darted, “Master Gu, Young Master Chen is one who comprehended the talisman in three steps before the main residence of the Seventeenth Floor.”
“Brother Mingguang, forgive us—we’re not causing trouble,” Ma Yuan protested.
Gu Yi was exasperated. He told you to say he’s not worthy, and you say you’re not making trouble?!
“Master, we’re in Luyang City—keeping a low profile has its advantages.”
“It’s too late for that now.”
Yu Zhen Pavilion was in an uproar. That seemingly ordinary line—“in a sweep, the long night of the mortal world is illuminated”—spread like an immortal verse, everyone savoring it, yet finding nothing especially profound.
As for Ma Yuan, those around Chen Mingguang joked that perhaps he was about to have a stroke of great fortune.
People drifted out from Yu Zhen Pavilion in all directions.
Outside the Third Princess’s residence, a scholar in green cloth shoes received a summons from the house steward, who led him through gardens and artificial hills to a lakeside pavilion.
“Your Highness, today at Yu Zhen Pavilion, a master and apprentice arrived. The verse about the Tibetan scrolls in the garden court was completed.”
The third princess wore a man’s attire, her hair bound up and pinned with a jade hairpin. Her face was long, lips thin, and single-lidded eyes lessened her beauty—yet her bearing was commanding. A golden brush floated by her wrist, a jade sash at her waist, her robe embroidered with dragons. Were it not for her identity, she might have been taken for a spirited youth.
At the scholar’s words, she raised her pleasant voice in curiosity, “Oh? That line was answered? Then the young lady must be overjoyed.”
“To find one’s kin is indeed a joy, and the pavilion is already abuzz.”
“How interesting! Tell me, what is the next line?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The next line is: ‘In a sweep, the long night of the mortal world is illuminated.’”
The princess pondered it. “Tibetan volumes open in the garden court, in a sweep, the long night of the mortal world is illuminated. There’s nothing especially remarkable here. Did anyone discern the hidden meaning?”
“No, Your Highness. I asked several learned friends, but none knew.”
“Bring me paper.”
A maid immediately spread rice paper on the desk. The princess’s slender fingers wielded the brush and wrote out the poem.
“Take this letter to my sixth sister.”
“Of course, Your Highness. I take my leave.”
“One moment.” The princess fixed him with a thoughtful gaze. “Who was it that completed the verse?”
He turned and bowed his head. “The identity is not yet known. He only gave his name: Gu Yi.”
Gu Yi…Gu Yi?