Chapter 857: At This Moment, Just As At That Moment!

Beneath the phoenix tree, raindrops fell from the leaves with a patter.

Xu Xu Shila clung to Yang Yang Dongxiong's arm, tears pattering down.

Liang Qu opened his mouth but could not find the right words; his gaze shifted to Long Yao and Long Li.

"It's not us!" Long Yao and Long Li immediately denied it, shifting blame, "We cleaned the room clean—blame the wind and sand outside, not us!"

Liang Qu smiled.

Splash.

Wu Long stuck out its tongue, shook its fur, and flung off the water.

Yet countless droplets hovered midair, not falling into the pool, but reversing course to return to Wu Long's body; its once spiky fur smoothed back into sleekness.

"Wu~"

Wu Long whimpered and lay flat on the ground.

Its paws pressed against its nose, eyes lifting upward, black orbs fixed on Liang Qu.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Xu Xu Shila stopped crying, folded her handkerchief, and dabbed at her reddened eyes.

Yang Yang Dongxiong patted Xu Xu Shila's back and looked toward his ninth disciple.

The Azure Dragon descended, scattering the overcast clouds; the pooled water shimmered, the sunset scattering ten thousand shards of gold across its surface, blinding the eyes.

Behind the courtyard, by the riverbank.

The young man smiled broadly, lips red, teeth white, brimming with vitality like the morning sun at Chen Hour.

The river breeze stirred.

Six years?

Herbal baths, standing Zhuang, punching, memorizing sect rules, testing destiny, petitioning for office, selecting horses, choosing puppies…

The dark-skinned boy who once rejoiced at ten taels of silver is now the youngest Entering Zhen Xiang Master in all of Da Shun, in all the world.

Past events, one by one, flashed like fleeting shadows, dreamlike, ephemeral.

Not just Xu Xu Shila—even Yang Yang Dongxiong…

He drew a breath.

"A Master?"

"A Master!"

"Good!"

Yang Yang Dongxiong said one word, paused, then added, "Good, good, good…"

"Master!"

Liang Qu interrupted Yang Yang Dongxiong's muttering.

He pulled back his knee-cover, thudded to his knees, cracking the stone steps, splashing mud.

The phoenix tree leaves rustled; the young man banged three loud kowtows, then spoke firmly again.

"Master!"

Long Long Eying, Long Long Binglin, and others silently withdrew to the corner.

Yang Yang Dongxiong and Xu Xu Shila held Liang Qu's arms on either side, but he refused to rise.

He broke free, shifted his knees slightly right, and kowtowed again toward Yang Yang Dongxiong.

"Humble as the valley, modest and diligent; honor your master, respect the Dao; filial at home, fraternal abroad; do not harm fellow disciples, defy parents; do not commit evil, bully the weak."

"I was born in the sixth month; my mother passed when I was six, my father when I was fifteen. My family declined, fortune thin; no uncles or aunts to rely on, no brothers to lean on. Alone, I faced my shadow, heartbroken, liver and lungs torn."

"Back then, ruffians extorted me, wealthy merchants schemed against me; solitary and weary, I was pitiful enough—but when heaven and earth were thorns, where could I turn? Fortunately, a neighbor uncle took me in, and I entered your door—suddenly, heaven widened, earth broadened."

"Now I have seven senior brothers and one senior sister; I dare not stand out and make them uncomfortable."

Mid-sentence, Liang Qu shifted his knees slightly left and kowtowed toward Xu Xu Shila.

"Mistress, I dare to ask! From now on, I no longer wish to call you 'Mistress'—I beg to drop the first character and honor you with the second alone! I humbly beg your permission!"

"Get up first!"

Xu Xu Shila pulled hard, but Liang Qu stood like a rooted willow, a stone fixed to earth, unmoving.

"I rise only if granted."

"Get up first, then I'll agree."

"You agree first!"

Yang Yang Dongxiong's face flushed, beard stroked, smiling.

Xu Xu Shila saw boats gliding on the river, countless eyes watching; she blushed, hurriedly agreed.

The young man was finally pulled up.

"You're of age, with so many watching—aren't you ashamed?"

Xu Xu Shila reached out, plucked twigs and leaves from Liang Qu's body, straightened his clothes and ornaments, brushed aside strands of hair matted with mud, as if holding back a flood of complaints.

"They dare not shame me."

Xu Xu Shila paused, looked up at the young man before her, and gripped Liang Qu's hand tightly.

"Quick, get inside! The day before yesterday you said you'd leave the city—your master already secured you a full floor of Tianbo Tower! On September 8th, an auspicious day. Isn't there a friend of yours named Lu Jia? He gave us a fifty percent discount! And your colleague at the River Office, Xiang Fang Su's father, said he'll cover all the beef and mutton."

"Why secure Tianbo Tower?"

"For the banquet!"

"A banquet in the capital—what about Pingyang Prefecture?"

"Another one! Capital, Pingyang Prefecture, Huangzhou—your senior master is your teacher, the Hanging Temple in Datong… we'll hold them all!"

Dong~

Dong~

Dong~

The solemn bell echoed, startling birds into flight.

The boat pulled ripples across the water; the frozen streets stirred once more.

On the luxury vessel, noble youths who had watched Liang Qu's group enter the house since the Azure Dragon's appearance finally looked away, marveling with envy.

Liang Qu faced away from the crowd, too far to hear what was said—but his kowtowing on the ground was seen by all.

"Lord Baron Xingyi, Lord Baron Xingyi—the title fits perfectly."

"Who knows what he's putting on for us, for His Majesty—just came out of Wangyue Tower and pulls this stunt…"

"A favored upstart, is he?"

"I didn't say that—don't come crying to me if trouble comes."

"Hey! You shameless thing!"

"A true man should be like this—accomplish merit, possess talent; the Southern Directly Ruled Province truly is a land of auspicious winds… why not find a day, let's go play in the Jianghu Wetlands?"

…

The Azure Dragon emerged, clouds gathered.

This spectacle stirred more commotion than Liang Qu's breakthrough's Dragon-Tiger omen; news surged like a tide, spreading rapidly in all directions.

Envoys from small states cried out in awe of the Celestial Dynasty's grandeur.

The people of Da Shun took pride in it.

"Two years ago, when I came to the capital, those Daoists boasted how the Louchuantai Daozi entered the Dao in three years, unlocked Xuanlight before even hunting the Tiger—was that more impressive than Lord Baron Xingyi?"

"Before that, the top disciple of the Cave Heaven Sect, who pierced clouds with one sword—was that more impressive than Lord Baron Xingyi?"

"All those northern barbarians, southern holy sons—they're all hot air, none compare to our Great Shun!"

The commotion was beyond count.

Liang Qu ate dinner at home, first dispatched Chishan to undergo transformation, then ordered Te Te to pilot the imperial treasure ship to bring his senior brothers, senior sister, and disciple Wen Wen Shi Yun to the capital for the feast.

As for the Prince of Xu Yue…

The Martial Saint's ties were too vast—he could wander within the Southern Directly Ruled Province, but could not possibly come straight to the capital.

The old monk was the same.

Liang Qu planned to travel upstream; Huangzhou and Datong Prefecture would lie along the way.

With over a month until September 8th, the treasure ship's speed made a round trip more than sufficient.

All matters arranged.

Moonlight flowed like water.

Liang Qu took Long Long Eying's hand.

"The Emperor granted me extra time in the meditation chamber to consolidate—perfect for Bing Fire Day, when solar radiance and lunar essence are abundant; I mustn't miss it. When I emerge, we'll register our union!"

"Mm!"

"I'm off!"

Long Long Eying stood in the courtyard, cheeks flushed, silently watching Liang Qu vanish at the end of the long street, then turned back inside.

Outside Liang Zhai stretched a broad, level road, running north-south.

Moonlight fell upon the worn blue stone pavement, trodden smooth by countless footsteps, a scene of quiet beauty.

The hour was not late; Liang Qu must enter Wangyue Tower before the palace curfew.

To depart Wangyue Tower riding the Dragon through the heavens was an impulse he could not resist—but returning by flying straight in on the Dragon would be a grave breach of etiquette; tomorrow morning, a pile of impeachment memorials would surely arrive.

He walked along the riverbank.

Colorful lanterns glowed brilliantly.

The pleasure barge was noisy.

"Good news! Good news! The Twenty-Second Son of the Marquis of Baron Xingyi has reached the Xiang Realm, opening a precedent for the Da Shun martial path—how glorious is our Great Shun! All under heaven rejoice! By His Majesty's edict, the empire shall celebrate with public feasting for two days! This announcement takes effect upon receipt!"

A mighty clamor rolled down the street, accompanied by the thunder of galloping hooves, drowning out the noise of the pleasure barge.

Liang Qu watched the imperial cavalry ride away, recalling how, in days past, he had broken through the Four Passes and celebrated with his senior brother in a tavern, hearing the name of the Marquis of Marquis Weining for the first time.

Back then, five days; now, only two.

He laughed without end.

(End of Chapter)