Annoying Bamboo Stick

LUO FAN

“My name is Huang Wen. I’ve come on behalf of my master to get Priest Luo.”

I turned away from the stove the moment I heard my name mentioned by a young man that Jinjing was speaking to. The sun had just risen and I was just about to kindle a fire. I wasn’t sure what that young man wanted and I had no idea which master he was talking about.

I headed for the door and saw a silhouette of a tall and slender man standing before Jinjing.

“I’m Luo Fan,” I said as I approached. “What can I do for you?”

Jinjing stepped aside to give way.

“I’m Huang Wen.” He cupped his hands and bowed. “My master has sent me to get you.”

“May I inquire who your master is?”

“It’s Lord Lan,” he replied. “He said you’ve made a deal with him yesterday. He’s waiting for you along the road as we speak.”

I found myself speechless. Jinjing and I had already decided about that last night, but I did not expect it to be this sudden.

Jinjing touched my arm. “Should I prepare your things?”

I took a deep breath. “Alright.”

She immediately started packing up an extra set of clothes for me, some snacks and water.

“Don’t forget your stick,” she said as she handed me my things.

I reached for the stick that was leaning against the wall. “Will you be alright by yourself here?”

“I’ve been living alone for years even before you arrived.”

Although that was true, I still could not stop myself from worrying about her. I mostly feared that she might be harrassed at night again on her way home.

“I’ll walk you out,” she said.

She was about to reach for my hand when I saw the shadow of a man suddenly entering the door as if it were his own house. It did not look like Huang Wen. Huang Wen was a little shorter and slimmer compared to this man.

But I knew that frame too well.

“Lord Lan,” I greeted with cupped hands. “I was about to leave—”

“How long has Priest Luo been staying here?” he asked Jinjing, interrupting and ignoring me.

“For over two months now, my lord,” Jinjing replied in a high-pitched, trembling voice.

He sighed and looked around again, his eyes halting in the direction of the bed. “Is that the bed he’s been sleeping in?”

“Y-yes, when he was still unable to get up. But recently, he’s been sleeping on the floor.”

He looked at the floor. “This filthy floor?”

She lowered her head. Even if I could not see her reaction, I knew she was embarrassed. “I always try to keep it clean, but the wood is old and I can’t afford to replace it.”

He sighed again. “This man you’re living with is not an ordinary man. He is a world-renowned alchemist. He is called the Divine Mage. He is an esteemed priest of the Frost Mountain Temple, a senior disciple of the famous Ethereal Frost Sect, and a grandmaster in martial arts cultivation. He deserves a better place than this.”

“Lord Lan,” I had to interrupt. I had come all the way to Xianru to keep my identity hidden, and now this man had just blurted out all my secrets without any care about its consequences. “I am no longer that person that you refer to. I’m just an ordinary man now, with no title, no martial arts, and no status. Miss Jinjing has given me so much. If she had not offered me her place, I would have ended up sleeping on the streets.”

“I have a residence not too far away from here. Why don’t you come and stay there? I’ll provide you with your own servants. You may take your so-called wife along with you if you wish.”

Jinjing was speechless as we glanced at each other.

I cupped my hands and bowed before him. “I am grateful for the offer, my lord, but we are not worthy to stay in such a prestigious place. I’m afraid we will only compromise your reputation.”

He sighed again. “Huang Wen,” he called. “Find someone to do some repairs in this house. Tell him to replace all the rotten wood and fix all those broken windows, as well. He should also make an extension for a receiving area and buy some dividing screens to give this bedroom some privacy.”

“Yes, Master.”

I looked at Lord Lan with mouth agape. Even Jinjing could not utter a word.

He had the audacity to order some work done on someone else’s property as if he were an authority, without even consulting the owner if she was willing.

“Lord Lan,” I said. “You need not bother yourself with the house. We’re fine with it.”

“That is exactly the problem. I am so bothered that you have to live in this garbage. Since you refused my offer to stay in my residence, for your safety and for your health, I need to make some improvements around here to make this house at least livable.”

“Lord Lan, we don’t deserve your generosity.”

“And who says I’m being generous? It’s not for free.”

“But we cannot afford to pay for those—”

“You don’t have to pay either. I’ll shoulder the expenses as advance payment for your service. If you succeed in finding a cure, I’ll give you more.”

I breathed in relief. Jinjing did the same.

“My gratitude then. But if I failed to find a cure?”

“Then you’ll have to pay me back.”

I was dumbfounded.

He laughed deeply. “Now don’t concern yourself about that. Someone as talented as the Divine Mage cannot possibly fail.”

“Here.” Huang Wen handed something to Jinjing which sounded like a pouch filled with coins. “That should be enough to support yourself during Priest Luo’s absence.”

The only sound I heard from Jinjing was a surprised gasp.

 Before I could say a word, Lord Lan spoke ahead. “I’ll also deduct that from your salary.”

I swallowed back the cordial words that I was about to recite with full sincerity and instead simply said, “Thank you.”