Chapter Fifty-Six: A Chance Encounter at the Precipitous Cliff

At first glance, Xu You was momentarily stunned upon seeing Shishu. It wasn’t that she was strikingly beautiful to the point of leaving him dazed; on the contrary, Shishu’s appearance was quite ordinary—so ordinary that one might almost overlook her gender altogether. Walking down the street, even the notorious scoundrel Teddy from later times wouldn’t have noticed her presence.

Since being reborn into this era, Xu You had encountered countless beautiful women. Not to mention the distinguished Yuan Qingqi and Zhan Wenjun, nor the famed courtesans Song Shenfei and Lushuang, who were renowned for their talents and beauty. Even among the household maids—Qiufen from his own family, Baihua, Qianqin, and Wanqi from the Guo Mansion, as well as Shui Xi and Shui Yi from the Yuan household—there were rare gems of exceptional beauty.

Of course, this wasn’t to say that all women in the world were so lovely, nor that Xu You possessed a peculiar charm that attracted swarms of admirers wherever he went.

The truth was that since his rebirth, he had been surrounded by powerful and wealthy aristocratic families—be it the Xu, Yuan, Zhan, or Guo clans—all of whom ranked far above commoners. In those days, social customs placed great value on appearance and demeanor, so it was only natural that the maids chosen were mostly those blessed with beauty.

Therefore, when Xu You first saw the unremarkable Shishu in the mansion, she stood out like a husky among a pack of Labradors—utterly out of place.

Shishu wore a plain cotton garment, much thicker than the others’, and sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. Before her was a small table piled high with various ledgers. Her face looked slightly haggard, as if she had caught a chill. Covering her mouth with her hand, she coughed softly twice. Seeing Xu You did not rise to greet her, she said rather rudely, “Master Xu, do you seek something?”

Xu You paid no mind to her rudeness and cupped his hands in greeting. “Madam left in haste just now, and I forgot to inquire about Baihua’s whereabouts. Could the young lady enlighten me?”

“Baihua?” Shishu looked at Xu You intently and replied, “She has been confined to her room by Madam’s order. I’m afraid she won’t be able to come out for at least a dozen days. If you have any messages, I can pass them along.”

Xu You frowned. “That’s strange. Baihua was fine just yesterday. Why has she been confined today?”

Shishu shook her head, coughing again, her eyes growing more weary. “I don’t know the exact reason. If you’re interested, it would be best to inquire after Madam returns.”

Xu You sensed her hint to take his leave and smiled. “Very well. Since that is so, I won’t trouble you further.”

“No seeing off!” she retorted.

Watching Xu You depart, Shishu rested her cheek on her hand and pondered for a moment. Casually, she pulled a yellowed ledger from the messy pile. Opening it, she revealed pages densely filled with names, each accompanied by brief notes about their origins, backgrounds, and evaluations. Some entries were sparse, mere words, while others stretched half a page.

On the last blank page, Shishu penned two characters at the top: “Xu You.”

Everything else remained blank.

Back at his quarters, Qiufen arrived to summon Xu You. “Young Master, Sister Lushuang wishes to go out for a walk…”

Though the treatment for internal cold required avoiding wind, it was unwise to stay cooped up indoors for too long. Occasional fresh air actually aided recovery.

Xu You nodded. “Help her up then! Feng Hu, bring a folding chair!”

Lushuang’s complexion had regained much of its rosy glow; her former grace returned to her eyes and brow. She bowed respectfully to Xu You, then sat on the folding chair that Zuo Wen had brought. Raising her face to feel the gentle winter sun, she seemed momentarily intoxicated by the warmth.

Standing nearby, Xu You caught the pleasant fragrance emanating from her and asked, “Feeling better?”

“Mm. After ascending the mountain, I used the Guo family’s medicine, far purer than what’s available outside. Last night, a young lady from the Zhan family even sent a couple of doses of ginseng as a tonic. Upon waking this morning, I felt more clear-headed.”

“Ginseng?”

Qiufen’s face suddenly changed. “Young Master, you didn’t know? The one who sent the ginseng said it was with your approval; only then did I prepare it in the kitchen for Sister…”

Having grown up in a wealthy family like Xu’s, Qiufen knew the rules well. Without Xu You’s permission, accepting such a costly gift would only invite trouble.

Xu You tapped her forehead playfully. “Why worry? Lady Guo informed me earlier—I just forgot at the moment. Since it’s helping, I’ll ask for more tomorrow…”

Zhan Wenjun was truly gracious. Ginseng was precious at any time, a rare and potent remedy. She had quietly sent it over, showing remarkable generosity.

“No need. I’m not gravely ill, and I’m much better now. Young Master need not trouble himself to ask for more,” Lushuang said, turning her gaze to Xu You with heartfelt gratitude. She knew her lowly status meant that receiving ginseng from Zhan Wenjun was only possible because of Xu You’s favor. She wouldn’t dare have him plead on her behalf again.

Xu You smiled and said no more. Seeing the splendid weather, he said, “We’ve all been cooped up for days. Go and wake Qi Yi; let’s take a stroll. It’s been two or three days since we climbed the mountain, yet we haven’t properly admired the scenic beauty here.”

He Ru wasn’t used to rising early but was accustomed to staying up late. When Zuo Wen dragged him out of bed, he grumbled at Xu You, “Didn’t you go to see a beauty? Why come back so early? Were you thrown out after a quarrel?”

Xu You retorted, “You fake monk, ten years in the monastery and haven’t learned a thing about health. What kind of hour is this to still be sleeping? Don’t you know early to bed, early to rise prolongs life? I think you need a proper schedule!”

He Ru sneered, “Ignorant! Who told you the Buddha values health? Haven’t you heard Zhu Daorong’s teachings? ‘Buddhism is symbolic, vast and tranquil, continuous yet subtle, silent without words.’ The body is meaningless; living to a hundred means nothing—we all face death.”

Xu You was speechless. “You hate Zhu Daorong, so why quote him?”

He Ru said, “True, I dislike him, but if his words benefit me, I’ll use them. Call him abbot if you like; it costs me nothing!”

Xu You pointed at him and laughed, “You’ve got a sharp tongue and no shame!”

“Not quite shameless,” He Ru smiled. “Zhu Daorong is the head of the Bonwu Sect, the chief among the six or seven Buddhist schools. Now he’s the black-clad chancellor of Anzidao, wielding supreme power. Though not officially abbot, he holds the power of one. Calling him abbot is the consensus among monks.”

Xu You knew of the six or seven sects, though history had changed. To find that in this life the Bonwu Sect’s abbot was Zhu Daorong, now an important advisor to Anzidao, was surprising.

If the bodhisattva Shidaoan knew, he’d likely rise from his grave in fury!

Xu You stretched his sleeves and glanced sideways. “Since you’ve forsaken the body, I guess you’re not interested in earthly scenery. We’re off to tour the mountains; you can go back to sleep.”

“Mountains? I’m interested!” He Ru looked at Xu You’s face triumphantly. “Master Tanqian says, ‘Pure mind brings freedom and wisdom.’ Touring the mountains purifies the heart. I must go!”

Tanqian, a famed monk of this era, held a status akin to influential public intellectuals of later generations; his words became timeless and widely quoted.

Xu You laughed heartily. “You, with all your right and wrong, your thousand excuses, it’s all just talk from your mouth!”

Indeed, Mingyu Mountain was as magnificent as rumored, with exotic flowers and plants, verdant ridges layered upon one another—everywhere a breathtaking vista.

Xu You and his companions wandered aimlessly along the paths: climbing, descending, turning, winding—a feast for the eyes.

Lushuang’s folding chair was tied by Zuo Wen and slung behind her. Light as a swallow, she was no burden. Growing up in Wu, she knew many local plants and animals, explaining them with erudition equal to learned scholars. Moreover, the soft Wu dialect was a unique delight to the ear.

As they reached the mountain’s western side, a deafening roar of water reached them. Curious, Qiufen led the way around a bend and suddenly shouted.

Xu You and the others hurried over to find Qiufen pointing ahead, exclaiming joyfully, “Young Master, look! A waterfall!”

Xu You halted and gazed at the distant cascade—a vast white ribbon pouring like the Milky Way itself—his eyes brightening instantly.

The sound thundered like rolling drums, fierce and turbulent, water churning and splashing like pearls!

No wonder Baihua had invited him to see this waterfall when they first entered the mountain. Truly a spectacle to leave one breathless.

“I didn’t expect such a place in the mountains,” He Ru said with great enthusiasm. “Do you dare approach the cliff’s edge to take a closer look?”

Qiufen was about to nod but turned to Xu You for permission. Xu You smiled. “Go ahead, but be careful.” He signaled He Ru to watch over her, lest she slip down the cliff.

No matter how talented, He Ru was still an ordinary man.

He Ru stepped forward, lifting his robe, and peered over the edge. The drop was over a hundred zhang deep. Below lay a deep, clear pool that seemed bottomless, exerting an inexplicable pressure.

Qiufen stood beside him, chilled by the mist despite her mastery of the White Tiger Qi. She shivered to the bone, while He Ru remained calm and indifferent.

Qiufen found it strange but said nothing. She bravely looked down again but suddenly felt dizzy and staggered back two steps with a startled cry.

He Ru turned and smiled gently. “Don’t be afraid.”

Qiufen, calmed by his smile, asked, “Master He, aren’t you afraid?”

He Ru replied softly, “Mountains, no matter how high, are lifeless. What’s there to fear? As long as no one pushes you, standing at the cliff’s edge is actually safe.”

Qiufen half-understood and tried to look again, but her feet felt glued to the ground, unable to move.

From behind came Xu You’s laughter. Qiufen’s cheeks flushed pink. “I’m useless, too timid…”

“It’s not uselessness but acrophobia—fear of heights. It’s an instinct, not a matter of bravery,” Xu You said.

He stepped forward, standing beside He Ru, took a deep breath, and pointed at the waterfall. “Is there such magnificent scenery in the north?”

“A frog in a well cannot speak of the sea!” He Ru mocked. “Not to mention mountain scenery, just the nine-story pagoda in Yongning Temple stands over ninety zhang tall. Even a hundred miles from the capital, it’s visible—a truly unparalleled marvel.”

“Ah? Ninety zhang tall? Wouldn’t that reach the heavens?” Qiufen exclaimed. Lushuang, arriving just behind, was set down by Zuo Wen and added, “Buddhism seeks the supreme and marvelous; naturally, it must rise above common beings. The closer to heaven, the better!”

He Ru’s eyes flicked to Lushuang’s face. Suddenly he asked, “Lady, have you read Buddhist scriptures?”

Lushuang, hindered by her condition, bowed slightly as a courtesy. “No, only skimmed them a few times.”

He Ru studied her for a moment before turning back to the waterfall. “Pity. You have some innate wisdom…”

Lushuang looked puzzled and glanced at Xu You. He shook his head slightly, about to speak when Zuo Wen suddenly moved to the other side of the cliff with a serious expression. “Young Master, come see this!”

Xu You followed and looked down where Zuo Wen pointed. Their eyes narrowed sharply.

Along the cliff by the waterfall, thick moss covered the rocks, but some protruding stones were unusually smooth, as if frequently traversed.

Yet the cliff was sheer and vertical, constantly wet from mist, the surface as slick as polished bronze—impossible for any animal to climb.

Xu You and Zuo Wen exchanged glances, their minds converging on a possibility.

He Ru’s face grew grave. “Feng Hu, with your skills, could you traverse this cliff back and forth?”

Zuo Wen shook his head. “If the area were larger, with spots to rest and less slippery, perhaps. But here? Not a chance. Absolutely impossible.”

At that moment, a figure suddenly flashed behind the waterfall, leaving behind faint afterimages. He leapt onto the lowest smooth rock, lightly touching down. Without a sound, he strolled elegantly to another rock, repeating effortlessly, ascending swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, he had climbed over thirty zhang, displaying terrifying skill.

Xu You, unsure if he was friend or foe and wary of his strange behavior, acted decisively. “Fall back!”

Zuo Wen took the lead, sword raised defensively. Qiufen lightly embraced Lushuang’s slender waist, carrying her as they retreated with Xu You and He Ru.

They had barely taken a dozen steps when the man flipped up the cliff and stood with his hands behind his back.

Knowing escape was impossible, they froze in place. Zuo Wen’s sword remained poised.

The man had white hair, appearing about sixty, yet his complexion was rosy and youthful. His clothes were exquisitely made and richly adorned—garments so luxurious that even Xu You’s previous status rarely afforded such finery.

His eyes gleamed with restrained sharpness, deep and calm as he appraised Xu You and the others. “You are the ones who brought today’s lunch? Where is that wretched servant who used to handle it?”