Sigh, isn’t it good to be alive?
As they approached Taijing, they encountered more and more people from the martial world along the way.
Having learned from their previous encounter, Mo Li bought thick cloaks and straw hats for both himself and Meng Qi at a marketplace, urging Meng Qi to blend in with the crowd to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Mo Li couldn’t help but feel disenchanted with the martial world. He found it surprising that even the so-called high-level martial artists were subjected to being pointed at and stared at, just like street performers. His curiosity about the martial world waned considerably.
Meng Qi, on the other hand, didn’t mind being noticed since he could easily conceal his aura and appearance due to the nature of his martial skills. With the addition of the straw hat, he became even less recognizable.
However, he was slightly disappointed as Mo Li’s new attire hid his ears from view.
It was the end of the first month, and there were laborers transporting relief grain on the official road.
The grain was sent from other regions as disaster relief but had been delayed for several months due to bureaucratic procedures.
By the time it arrived in Yongzhou, there was no need to distribute it to the areas most affected by drought because the people there had already fled. Not to mention the countless deceased.
Mo Li had traveled along this road and couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of the grain carts.
Bones were exposed in the wild, and there was no sign of life for miles around.
People were as insignificant as grass, and no one could have foreseen that a little over a decade ago, this world had been in its golden age.
With their light footwork, Mo Li and Meng Qi made swift progress. When they arrived in Xiaoxing Town, they saw members of the Red Robe Gang.
They had already taken over the only inn in town and tethered their horses there. Latecomers in the martial world were discontented but didn’t dare provoke the renowned Red Robe Gang and left reluctantly.
The town had only a few shops, but fortunately, there was a medicine shop.
After purchasing the necessary items, Mo Li’s money pouch was left with only a few small pieces of silver.
This amount could sustain a family of three for a whole month, but it wouldn’t be nearly enough for their stay in Taijing. Decent rooms in town inns cost thirty copper coins, but in Taijing, they would need at least some silver to stay in a proper inn.
Mo Li’s only means of earning a living was through medicine.
In the past, when he traveled alone, he could treat people’s illnesses in exchange for food. However, with Meng Qi as a long-term patient by his side, his expenses had increased.
Mo Li bought a piece of coarse cloth and made a banner out of it. He casually carried it with him and tied a bell to it, imitating the traveling doctors. People who saw the medicine gourd painted on the banner knew what he was doing without him having to call out or advertise.
Meng Qi had originally wanted to help Mo Li carry the banner, but Mo Li refused.
Meng Qi wanted to maintain his demeanor in front of his sweetheart but was rejected.
He also offered to carry the luggage but was rejected once again.
Now, returning empty-handed and deprived of even the pleasure of eavesdropping on their conversations, Meng Qi felt quite uneasy.
“Why should a patient be the one doing the work?” Mo Li said.
Meng Qi blurted out, “I am not a patient, I am…”
“What are you?” Mo Li looked at him suspiciously.
“…What is the relationship between us? How could you not know?” Meng Qi boldly declared, feeling like he was being too conspicuous, “Walking like this, I seem like I’m trailing a wandering doctor.”
Mo Li seemed to be contemplating something.
Thinking that Mo Li had understood his intentions, Meng Qi felt relieved. However, Mo Li unexpectedly said, “You make a good point. I hadn’t thought of it before. Thanks for reminding me.”
The next day, Mo Li set off as a wandering doctor, traveling alone.
However, he now had a bamboo cup in his arms with a sand rat inside it.
Sand rat: “…”
The sand rat felt quite annoyed.
But Mo Li’s reasoning was indeed sound. Their clothes hadn’t been washed, and despite their advanced martial arts, the journey was dusty and their expenses were high. Transforming into a sand rat made a difference.
Meng Qi had no choice but to accept this and become a sand rat.
…a rat can be carried in the bosom, but what about a fish.
How should he carry a live fish with him while traveling? Would he have to carry a water tank?
Meng Qi thought depressingly, they are both mountain spirits, but why are they so different?
The sand rat’s fur had grown a little longer.
Although it hadn’t eaten anything special, its daily routine of sleeping, taking medicine, and eating hard bread still had some effect on it.
Aside from having longer and bushier fur, making it look fatter, the only other noticeable thing about the sand rat was the strong medicinal smell emanating from it.
Mo Li approached and confirmed that the scent was indeed coming from the sand rat. He found it quite strange because Meng Qi didn’t have such a strong odor.
As Mo Li got closer to the sand rat, it stiffened and its eyes were fixed on his enlarged face – the straight nose, plump lips…
Ordinary people would have some moles or blemishes on their faces, but Mo Li had none.
Meng Qi didn’t have any either because they were not “human” in the truest sense; their human form was just an appearance, and they didn’t pay much attention to the finer details. After all, when transforming, they only needed to think of themselves as “human” for the convenience of blending in and not much beyond that.
Their hair could turn white, wrinkles could appear on their faces, and they could assume a young or elderly appearance.
However, even when he looked older, Meng Qi’s face still didn’t have any age spots.
Meng Qi remembered this clearly; his old friends used to tease him, suspecting that he practiced the legendary “Tongzi Gong (boy skill)” that would make him look younger even as he aged. Even in his old age, he appeared more youthful than them, with an air of immortality about him, despite not being a Daoist. The title of “Imperial Teacher Meng” truly suited him.
Emperor Chu Yuan had sent people to investigate Meng Qi’s lifestyle and confirmed that he hadn’t consumed any elixirs.
Meng Qi felt somewhat annoyed by this, but it was only natural for the emperor to be concerned about matters of life and death. Even Li Yuanze had aged.
Now, upon reflection, Meng Qi felt a tinge of regret.
It was because Emperor Chu Yuan appeared so ordinary in daily life, without the appearance of seeking immortality or refining elixirs, and his ministers didn’t display any overbearing ambitions. The relationship between the Chu Dynasty’s emperor and his ministers had been an exemplary tale, where the ruler was benevolent and virtuous, and the subjects knew when to advance and retreat.
It wasn’t because the more than ten founding ministers had always remained steadfast without any other intentions, but rather, it was the trend of the times.
Emperor Chu’s wise rule allowed even ambitious subjects to weigh the feasibility of their aspirations.
Even now, Meng Qi couldn’t be sure whether if another person had ascended the throne, the outcome would be any different.
Perhaps they might not even be as good as Li Yuanze. At least Li Yuanze had several decades of praise to his name, and he maintained his dignity and reputation so well that no one could find fault. It was only toward the end of his life that he changed, or perhaps he had harbored such thoughts long ago. Human hearts were unpredictable, and who could truly know?
As the sand rat pondered, it let out a yawn.
It didn’t need to walk and comfortably leaned against Mo Li in his arms. It seemed like all it could do was sleep.
Mo Li noticed that this sand rat was unusually well-behaved, not moving around or looking around aimlessly. He couldn’t help but feel concerned. After walking for a while, he took out the bamboo cup and found a fluffy white ball inside.
—Its head was buried so deep that it couldn’t even be found.
Mo Li was worried that the sand rat might suffocate if it continued sleeping like this.
He quickly took the sand rat out of the bamboo cup, which turned out to be a bit tricky.
The sand rat remained asleep and instinctively snuggled against Mo Li’s palm, stretching its body naturally.
Mo Li felt a mix of emotions as he put the bamboo cup away and let the chubby rat continue sleeping in his arms.
If Meng Qi’s true form was a slightly larger animal, Mo Li wouldn’t have to be so careful. But now, he found himself unexpectedly taking care of a sand rat, and it felt surprisingly natural. Mo Li attributed it to the habit he had developed over time. In Qimao Mountain, he raised ginseng, foxes, and pythons, and the sand rat was smaller than all of them, and also less trouble.
Ginseng required watering and weeding, and sometimes he had to catch insects for them.
On the other hand, the chubby rat would drink water on its own if it had it and gnaw on the biscuits provided, but it seemed a bit restless when dreaming.
The business of the wandering physician wasn’t doing well.
In Xiaoxing Town, Mo Li didn’t encounter any villagers seeking medical treatment, and on their journey, no one stopped him for his services.
However, there were more and more wandering martial artists on the road, carrying their weapons and enthusiastically sharing their experiences. They spoke of various martial stories and encounters with formidable individuals.
Mo Li even overheard stories about himself and Meng Qi.
They were described as unknown hermit experts, reaching the pinnacle of lightness skill, like specters that disappeared before anyone could blink. With such lightness skill, if they wanted someone’s life, the target would lose their head without even realizing what had happened.
The accounts were embellished with imagination.
Their unique appearances and eccentric personalities were likened to legendary ghosts and monsters of the wilderness, portraying them as mysterious and inscrutable figures.
Whenever someone saw them, they vanished without a trace, adding to their enigmatic reputation.
Mo Li: “…”
As a physician, Mo Li had never gained much fame. But now, after sharing a meal with Meng Qi and fleeing from some incidents, they unexpectedly gained such high renown that many people were eagerly talking about these two mysterious experts.
At a tea stall by the roadside, someone said they saw them at a wild inn by the well.
Others laughed and remarked, “These are just attention seekers, creating a mysterious image to attract notice. At most, they are skilled thieves with exceptional lightness techniques.”
Mo Li happened to know the person who said these words.
It was that Golden Phoenix Young Master. He held a fan and was accompanied by his followers. Even when resting at the tea stall, his entourage cleaned the table, laid soft cushions, and brought out their own tea leaves. They brewed tea and served it in fine white porcelain cups.
Not many people in the entire martial world could afford such luxurious travel arrangements.
The Golden Phoenix Villa was not only wealthy but also powerful. Those who couldn’t afford to provoke them quickly left the wild inn.
Mo Li pressed down his hat, avoiding any exposure of his identity. After all, the story of the Golden Phoenix Young Master encountering mysterious experts had spread widely.
He lowered his head and slightly hunched his back, no longer standing upright.
He thought he was being low-key, but it wasn’t even the end of the first month, and there were few travelers on the road. Occasionally, a few villagers carrying bags on their backs would see the armed martial artists and hastily keep their distance. How could a wandering physician have such courage?
The Golden Phoenix Young Master scrutinized him and sensed that something was off.
Elder Qin’s teachings had been very successful. Mo Li had the demeanor of a nobleman, and his innate elegance couldn’t be easily hidden, revealing a few hints.
In this regard, Mo Li wasn’t as proficient as Meng Qi.
With less experience, he couldn’t pretend as convincingly.
The Golden Phoenix Young Master, though a martial artist himself, was also a member of a prestigious martial family. In his eyes, Mo Li was like a pearl hidden among pebbles, standing out conspicuously.
He glanced at Mo Li and immediately had one of his followers approach respectfully.
“The physician seems suspicious; bring him over,” the Golden Phoenix Young Master whispered.
As a result, Mo Li was intercepted by the people from the Golden Phoenix Villa.
“Our Young Master invites the physician to come over,”
“…”
Mo Li felt the gaze of the Golden Phoenix Young Master fixated on his back, unsure of what to say.
He had changed his clothes, slightly hunched his back, and even donned a hat, making his appearance different from the previous encounter. Besides, they had only met once briefly, so it was normal for the Golden Phoenix Young Master not to recognize him.
“I am just a humble physician, not a martial artist, and I truly don’t know…”
Mo Li was trying to explain, but the Golden Phoenix Young Master interrupted impatiently, speaking loudly, “What’s the matter? Aren’t wandering physicians supposed to treat people? Your attitude is quite arrogant; you can’t even be persuaded by this Young Master?”
“I’m sorry, but the Young Master isn’t sick,”
Mo Li said with absolute certainty. He had checked the Young Master’s acupoints the other day.
Infuriated, the Golden Phoenix Young Master sneered, saying coldly, “Whether I am sick or not, it’s not up to you to decide! I say I’m sick, so I am. Someone, take off his hat and turn his face towards me!”
Author’s note:
Mo Li: …
Is it so difficult to just live in peace?
—
PS: “不灵” in Chinese can mean “unyielding,” which suggests someone is not willing to be persuaded or is stubborn. Here, it is interpreted as “not clever,” meaning the Young Master is not smart to trust Mo Li’s judgment.
Sigh, isn’t it good to be alive?
As they approached Taijing, they encountered more and more people from the martial world along the way.
Having learned from their previous encounter, Mo Li bought thick cloaks and straw hats for both himself and Meng Qi at a marketplace, urging Meng Qi to blend in with the crowd to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Mo Li couldn’t help but feel disenchanted with the martial world. He found it surprising that even the so-called high-level martial artists were subjected to being pointed at and stared at, just like street performers. His curiosity about the martial world waned considerably.
Meng Qi, on the other hand, didn’t mind being noticed since he could easily conceal his aura and appearance due to the nature of his martial skills. With the addition of the straw hat, he became even less recognizable.
However, he was slightly disappointed as Mo Li’s new attire hid his ears from view.
It was the end of the first month, and there were laborers transporting relief grain on the official road.
The grain was sent from other regions as disaster relief but had been delayed for several months due to bureaucratic procedures.
By the time it arrived in Yongzhou, there was no need to distribute it to the areas most affected by drought because the people there had already fled. Not to mention the countless deceased.
Mo Li had traveled along this road and couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of the grain carts.
Bones were exposed in the wild, and there was no sign of life for miles around.
People were as insignificant as grass, and no one could have foreseen that a little over a decade ago, this world had been in its golden age.
With their light footwork, Mo Li and Meng Qi made swift progress. When they arrived in Xiaoxing Town, they saw members of the Red Robe Gang.
They had already taken over the only inn in town and tethered their horses there. Latecomers in the martial world were discontented but didn’t dare provoke the renowned Red Robe Gang and left reluctantly.
The town had only a few shops, but fortunately, there was a medicine shop.
After purchasing the necessary items, Mo Li’s money pouch was left with only a few small pieces of silver.
This amount could sustain a family of three for a whole month, but it wouldn’t be nearly enough for their stay in Taijing. Decent rooms in town inns cost thirty copper coins, but in Taijing, they would need at least some silver to stay in a proper inn.
Mo Li’s only means of earning a living was through medicine.
In the past, when he traveled alone, he could treat people’s illnesses in exchange for food. However, with Meng Qi as a long-term patient by his side, his expenses had increased.
Mo Li bought a piece of coarse cloth and made a banner out of it. He casually carried it with him and tied a bell to it, imitating the traveling doctors. People who saw the medicine gourd painted on the banner knew what he was doing without him having to call out or advertise.
Meng Qi had originally wanted to help Mo Li carry the banner, but Mo Li refused.
Meng Qi wanted to maintain his demeanor in front of his sweetheart but was rejected.
He also offered to carry the luggage but was rejected once again.
Now, returning empty-handed and deprived of even the pleasure of eavesdropping on their conversations, Meng Qi felt quite uneasy.
“Why should a patient be the one doing the work?” Mo Li said.
Meng Qi blurted out, “I am not a patient, I am…”
“What are you?” Mo Li looked at him suspiciously.
“…What is the relationship between us? How could you not know?” Meng Qi boldly declared, feeling like he was being too conspicuous, “Walking like this, I seem like I’m trailing a wandering doctor.”
Mo Li seemed to be contemplating something.
Thinking that Mo Li had understood his intentions, Meng Qi felt relieved. However, Mo Li unexpectedly said, “You make a good point. I hadn’t thought of it before. Thanks for reminding me.”
The next day, Mo Li set off as a wandering doctor, traveling alone.
However, he now had a bamboo cup in his arms with a sand rat inside it.
Sand rat: “…”
The sand rat felt quite annoyed.
But Mo Li’s reasoning was indeed sound. Their clothes hadn’t been washed, and despite their advanced martial arts, the journey was dusty and their expenses were high. Transforming into a sand rat made a difference.
Meng Qi had no choice but to accept this and become a sand rat.
…a rat can be carried in the bosom, but what about a fish.
How should he carry a live fish with him while traveling? Would he have to carry a water tank?
Meng Qi thought depressingly, they are both mountain spirits, but why are they so different?
The sand rat’s fur had grown a little longer.
Although it hadn’t eaten anything special, its daily routine of sleeping, taking medicine, and eating hard bread still had some effect on it.
Aside from having longer and bushier fur, making it look fatter, the only other noticeable thing about the sand rat was the strong medicinal smell emanating from it.
Mo Li approached and confirmed that the scent was indeed coming from the sand rat. He found it quite strange because Meng Qi didn’t have such a strong odor.
As Mo Li got closer to the sand rat, it stiffened and its eyes were fixed on his enlarged face – the straight nose, plump lips…
Ordinary people would have some moles or blemishes on their faces, but Mo Li had none.
Meng Qi didn’t have any either because they were not “human” in the truest sense; their human form was just an appearance, and they didn’t pay much attention to the finer details. After all, when transforming, they only needed to think of themselves as “human” for the convenience of blending in and not much beyond that.
Their hair could turn white, wrinkles could appear on their faces, and they could assume a young or elderly appearance.
However, even when he looked older, Meng Qi’s face still didn’t have any age spots.
Meng Qi remembered this clearly; his old friends used to tease him, suspecting that he practiced the legendary “Tongzi Gong (boy skill)” that would make him look younger even as he aged. Even in his old age, he appeared more youthful than them, with an air of immortality about him, despite not being a Daoist. The title of “Imperial Teacher Meng” truly suited him.
Emperor Chu Yuan had sent people to investigate Meng Qi’s lifestyle and confirmed that he hadn’t consumed any elixirs.
Meng Qi felt somewhat annoyed by this, but it was only natural for the emperor to be concerned about matters of life and death. Even Li Yuanze had aged.
Now, upon reflection, Meng Qi felt a tinge of regret.
It was because Emperor Chu Yuan appeared so ordinary in daily life, without the appearance of seeking immortality or refining elixirs, and his ministers didn’t display any overbearing ambitions. The relationship between the Chu Dynasty’s emperor and his ministers had been an exemplary tale, where the ruler was benevolent and virtuous, and the subjects knew when to advance and retreat.
It wasn’t because the more than ten founding ministers had always remained steadfast without any other intentions, but rather, it was the trend of the times.
Emperor Chu’s wise rule allowed even ambitious subjects to weigh the feasibility of their aspirations.
Even now, Meng Qi couldn’t be sure whether if another person had ascended the throne, the outcome would be any different.
Perhaps they might not even be as good as Li Yuanze. At least Li Yuanze had several decades of praise to his name, and he maintained his dignity and reputation so well that no one could find fault. It was only toward the end of his life that he changed, or perhaps he had harbored such thoughts long ago. Human hearts were unpredictable, and who could truly know?
As the sand rat pondered, it let out a yawn.
It didn’t need to walk and comfortably leaned against Mo Li in his arms. It seemed like all it could do was sleep.
Mo Li noticed that this sand rat was unusually well-behaved, not moving around or looking around aimlessly. He couldn’t help but feel concerned. After walking for a while, he took out the bamboo cup and found a fluffy white ball inside.
—Its head was buried so deep that it couldn’t even be found.
Mo Li was worried that the sand rat might suffocate if it continued sleeping like this.
He quickly took the sand rat out of the bamboo cup, which turned out to be a bit tricky.
The sand rat remained asleep and instinctively snuggled against Mo Li’s palm, stretching its body naturally.
Mo Li felt a mix of emotions as he put the bamboo cup away and let the chubby rat continue sleeping in his arms.
If Meng Qi’s true form was a slightly larger animal, Mo Li wouldn’t have to be so careful. But now, he found himself unexpectedly taking care of a sand rat, and it felt surprisingly natural. Mo Li attributed it to the habit he had developed over time. In Qimao Mountain, he raised ginseng, foxes, and pythons, and the sand rat was smaller than all of them, and also less trouble.
Ginseng required watering and weeding, and sometimes he had to catch insects for them.
On the other hand, the chubby rat would drink water on its own if it had it and gnaw on the biscuits provided, but it seemed a bit restless when dreaming.
The business of the wandering physician wasn’t doing well.
In Xiaoxing Town, Mo Li didn’t encounter any villagers seeking medical treatment, and on their journey, no one stopped him for his services.
However, there were more and more wandering martial artists on the road, carrying their weapons and enthusiastically sharing their experiences. They spoke of various martial stories and encounters with formidable individuals.
Mo Li even overheard stories about himself and Meng Qi.
They were described as unknown hermit experts, reaching the pinnacle of lightness skill, like specters that disappeared before anyone could blink. With such lightness skill, if they wanted someone’s life, the target would lose their head without even realizing what had happened.
The accounts were embellished with imagination.
Their unique appearances and eccentric personalities were likened to legendary ghosts and monsters of the wilderness, portraying them as mysterious and inscrutable figures.
Whenever someone saw them, they vanished without a trace, adding to their enigmatic reputation.
Mo Li: “…”
As a physician, Mo Li had never gained much fame. But now, after sharing a meal with Meng Qi and fleeing from some incidents, they unexpectedly gained such high renown that many people were eagerly talking about these two mysterious experts.
At a tea stall by the roadside, someone said they saw them at a wild inn by the well.
Others laughed and remarked, “These are just attention seekers, creating a mysterious image to attract notice. At most, they are skilled thieves with exceptional lightness techniques.”
Mo Li happened to know the person who said these words.
It was that Golden Phoenix Young Master. He held a fan and was accompanied by his followers. Even when resting at the tea stall, his entourage cleaned the table, laid soft cushions, and brought out their own tea leaves. They brewed tea and served it in fine white porcelain cups.
Not many people in the entire martial world could afford such luxurious travel arrangements.
The Golden Phoenix Villa was not only wealthy but also powerful. Those who couldn’t afford to provoke them quickly left the wild inn.
Mo Li pressed down his hat, avoiding any exposure of his identity. After all, the story of the Golden Phoenix Young Master encountering mysterious experts had spread widely.
He lowered his head and slightly hunched his back, no longer standing upright.
He thought he was being low-key, but it wasn’t even the end of the first month, and there were few travelers on the road. Occasionally, a few villagers carrying bags on their backs would see the armed martial artists and hastily keep their distance. How could a wandering physician have such courage?
The Golden Phoenix Young Master scrutinized him and sensed that something was off.
Elder Qin’s teachings had been very successful. Mo Li had the demeanor of a nobleman, and his innate elegance couldn’t be easily hidden, revealing a few hints.
In this regard, Mo Li wasn’t as proficient as Meng Qi.
With less experience, he couldn’t pretend as convincingly.
The Golden Phoenix Young Master, though a martial artist himself, was also a member of a prestigious martial family. In his eyes, Mo Li was like a pearl hidden among pebbles, standing out conspicuously.
He glanced at Mo Li and immediately had one of his followers approach respectfully.
“The physician seems suspicious; bring him over,” the Golden Phoenix Young Master whispered.
As a result, Mo Li was intercepted by the people from the Golden Phoenix Villa.
“Our Young Master invites the physician to come over,”
“…”
Mo Li felt the gaze of the Golden Phoenix Young Master fixated on his back, unsure of what to say.
He had changed his clothes, slightly hunched his back, and even donned a hat, making his appearance different from the previous encounter. Besides, they had only met once briefly, so it was normal for the Golden Phoenix Young Master not to recognize him.
“I am just a humble physician, not a martial artist, and I truly don’t know…”
Mo Li was trying to explain, but the Golden Phoenix Young Master interrupted impatiently, speaking loudly, “What’s the matter? Aren’t wandering physicians supposed to treat people? Your attitude is quite arrogant; you can’t even be persuaded by this Young Master?”
“I’m sorry, but the Young Master isn’t sick,”
Mo Li said with absolute certainty. He had checked the Young Master’s acupoints the other day.
Infuriated, the Golden Phoenix Young Master sneered, saying coldly, “Whether I am sick or not, it’s not up to you to decide! I say I’m sick, so I am. Someone, take off his hat and turn his face towards me!”
Author’s note:
Mo Li: …
Is it so difficult to just live in peace?
—
PS: “不灵” in Chinese can mean “unyielding,” which suggests someone is not willing to be persuaded or is stubborn. Here, it is interpreted as “not clever,” meaning the Young Master is not smart to trust Mo Li’s judgment.
