Chapter 113: The Return to the Mountain

On the eighteenth day of the fifth month, beneath Mount Shenwu, the sound of rolling wheels arose. A large white goose, its wings slightly spread, waddled along the mountain path as it entered the mountains. A rope was looped around its neck, trailing behind it to a small flatbed cart. On the cart sat a wooden crate nearly the same size as the cart itself, and atop the crate sat Liu Xiaolou.

The wind chime from Gan Zhu Ling had also been taken down by Liu Xiaolou and tied to the white goose's chest, emitting a crisp, tinkling sound all the way.

It had just rained, and the mountains were shrouded in thick fog. The white goose pulled the cart out of the mist and arrived before the manor. The steward on duty stared with wide eyes at this goose, cart, and man, forgetting even to step forward to offer a greeting. He simply watched as Liu Xiaolou entered the manor and proceeded into the Qingyu Furong Garden.

"Truly lacking in manners. I am, after all, the son-in-law. They didn't even ask a question, nor did they offer a single bow. Mount Shenwu Manor... is poorly disciplined..." Liu Xiaolou muttered to himself.

Susu and Xiaohuan came out to greet them, and upon seeing the sight, they both covered their mouths, feeling both amazed and amused.

"The son-in-law has returned!"

"Ah, ah, ah, what a cute big goose! Does it peck people? Can this servant touch it?"

"Is this a spirit bird raised by the son-in-law? Our family specializes in raising spirit birds and beasts, so why have I never seen a spirit goose of this quality? It looks just like the big geese in the kitchen..."

Liu Xiaolou climbed down from the cart and patted the white goose on the head: "Come now, Dabai, don't make a fuss. Let Susu and Xiaohuan touch you... touching your head won't cost you anything!"

Amidst the joyful clamor, Dabai was touched all over by the two maids, yet it could not bring itself to act out, looking longingly at Liu Xiaolou, waiting for him to make the call. Liu Xiaolou waved a hand: "Take it to the back, living in the courtyard pond will do."

He looked up toward the second floor and cupped his hands: "Wuniang, I have returned from my maiden home. I haven't missed the hour, have I?"

A figure flashed by the small window on the second floor, and a soft "Mm" drifted down. Liu Xiaolou was thus officially cleared of his leave. He had been away for three months this time, using up all his leave for the year, and would have to work straight through until February of next year.

Passing through the front building and entering the back residence, he saw the white goose already floating in the dripping courtyard pond, its long neck curved as it stood in a standoff with a large silver carp, their four eyes staring fixedly at one another.

"What kind of fish is this? I haven't seen it before," Liu Xiaolou asked.

Susu was in the room tidying up luggage, while Xiaohuan was half-squatting by the courtyard pond, chin resting on one hand, watching with fascination. She replied: "This is a Dragon-Beard Silver Carp, the same species as the Dragon-Beard Golden Carp, but with a more irritable temperament. The Lady brought it back from the Cave Heaven, saying to raise it and see."

Liu Xiaolou warned: "Perhaps we should change the location. Take the fish away; don't let them wander in front of Dabai. Dabai doesn't tolerate them."

Xiaohuan laughed: "This is a Dragon-Beard Silver Carp, very formidable. Ordinary shrimp and crabs are all food for the silver carp; it won't be easy for Dabai to hurt them. This servant is actually worried about Dabai being bitten. Let's see who is stronger..."

Before the words had faded, Dabai lunged into the water. The two-foot-long silver carp appeared in its beak, struggling incessantly as water splashed everywhere in the pond. Dabai stretched its long neck and swallowed the silver carp in a few gulps, then suddenly let out a hiccup, its nostrils spraying two jets of water vapor, within which a silver light was faintly visible.

"Ah! It really ate it!" Xiaohuan shrieked, running to the side of the pond where Dabai was, wanting to catch it.

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Wuniang appeared behind Liu Xiaolou, not knowing when she had arrived, and said: "Let it eat."

Liu Xiaolou turned around. After three months of absence, Wuniang seemed even more beautiful. He asked: "Wuniang, you returned from the Cave Heaven; were the matters settled? I didn't see a great war between the Qingyu Sect and the Dongyang Sect during my return to Wulong Mountain this time..."

Wuniang turned and left, saying coldly: "It has nothing to do with you."

Liu Xiaolou felt helpless and turned to ask Susu.

Wuniang was unwilling to discuss this matter further, but Susu could still be questioned. She told Liu Xiaolou that the Danxia Sect had already stepped in to mediate. It was finally agreed that a ring would be set up at the Sect Ceremony the day after tomorrow. The Qingyu Sect and the three sects would each choose a young disciple to fight, and the winner would be eligible to participate in the Danxia Sect's triennial Cave Heaven Trial.

"What is the Cave Heaven Trial?" This was the first time Liu Xiaolou had heard of such a thing.

"Our sect is located in the Danxia Cave Heaven. The Cave Heaven is a small world, very different from the outside. It is unstable inside, and every three to five years, void rifts appear. Within these rifts are all sorts of wondrous realms; after training there, one often gains great rewards," Susu said. "Of course, this servant has only heard of it and has never seen it. We maids are not qualified to participate in the trial."

Liu Xiaolou understood: "In other words, in the end, it is our Danxia Sect providing the benefits to quell this dispute?"

Susu thought for a moment and said: "It seems that is indeed the case."

Liu Xiaolou asked: "What benefits did the Dongyang Sect give our Mount Shenwu?"

Susu said: "That is not for this servant to know. But the Dongyang Sect Master and the Old Master have deep ties; helping them once seems only natural... The son-in-law hasn't had dinner yet, has he? I will have the kitchen prepare some."

Liu Xiaolou opened the crate and took out a bag of silver fragments, mostly three or five taels, with some one or two taels, and handed them to Susu: "This is one hundred taels of silver; you take it and use it first. I brought back a brother from Wulong Mountain this time, who is temporarily staying in that Daoist temple at the mountain pass. Help me see if he can move into the manor. If not, take the money and hire someone to renovate that temple for him; it is truly too dilapidated to live in for long."

Susu immediately said: "Inviting him to stay in the guest courtyard for a few days is fine, but he cannot stay for long. Is the son-in-law talking about the General's Temple? The location of the General's Temple is excellent, and it is close to the manor. It was the temple of an old benefactor of the manor; after he passed away, no one took care of it. This servant will go find someone to repair it."

Liu Xiaolou instructed her: "Have the food sent directly to that temple once it's ready. If there is Dan Gui Xiang, it would be best to get a pot as well. Let me know once it's done; I'll be going over there to drink later."

Susu left happily, and Liu Xiaolou stayed by the courtyard pond with Xiaohuan to watch the white goose. The beast seemed to have been stuffed by that Dragon-Beard Silver Carp; its neck hadn't straightened up yet, and it was leaning against the side of the pond to catch its breath. The remaining few Dragon-Beard Silver Carp hid in the corner diagonally opposite, terrified and not daring to move.

Xiaohuan was still staring fixedly at the pond. She hadn't seen clearly how the white goose had snatched the fish just now and wanted to see it again. Just then, a servant from outside came in a hurry to report: "Xiaohuan, Xiaohuan, Susu is crying loudly in the kitchen, go take a look... Ah, the son-in-law is here too..."

Xiaohuan was startled and immediately got up to run upstairs: "Lady, Lady..." She then ran back down from upstairs: "The Lady has gone to the back mountain again. Son-in-law, I'll go take a look... Ah? Son-in-law, wait for me..."

Liu Xiaolou had already left the door, asking the servant as he walked: "Why is she crying?"

The servant said: "Cook Wang said Susu is always thinking of taking advantage of the public funds. Susu argued with her a few times, and she started cursing. Cook Wang has such a fiery temper..."

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