Chapter 12: Rectify the Heart, Settle the Mind

When Yuan Yuan Lian saw Fang Xiu again, she was genuinely surprised — where was the ragged, head-bowed, ingratiating figure from before?

This set of clothes was the standard uniform of a Peach Blossom Island Disciple; Feng Heng cared deeply for her disciples, especially her Martial Nephew Wu Mianfeng, and took great care with his daily food, clothing, housing, and travel.

Fang Xiu now wore a suit of Qing Lan Se Jin Zhuang made of cotton cloth, close-fitting and trim, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, with tightened cuffs; at his waist was a same-colored auspicious-cloud wide brocade sash, and the collar and cuffs were inlaid with silver-threaded flowing cloud patterns.

Over it all he wore an outer robe of deeper blue, made of brocade; the wide sleeves reached only to his elbows, edged with Gold Thread, and a single peach blossom was embroidered on the left shoulder.

Fang Xiu's hair was casually tied with a ribbon; his fair face now carried a heroic air, his gaze sharp — more like a noble young master; his short stature seemed straighter with the change in bearing, no longer that little Beggar.

Yuan Yuan Lian was stunned speechless at this moment; she stammered and pointed at Fang Xiu for a long while before finally blurting out a sentence.

"Little Fang Xiu, so you actually look this good."

Fang Xiu was very satisfied with his current getup; interestingly, when Wu Mianfeng lay unconscious by the roadside, Mo Laodao and A Ku passed by — normally Mo Laodao would never approach a dead body on the road, but because these clothes looked somewhat valuable, he drew near, and A Ku discovered Wu Mianfeng wasn't dead.

"Many thanks for Miss's help; this gold coin serves as my token of gratitude."

Fang Xiu still had a gold coin inlaid on his belt; when the clothes were taken by A Ku to be washed and put away, he temporarily forgot about this valuable item, and now it was just right for repaying Yuan Yuan Lian — Fang Xiu had always been a grateful person.

Yuan Yuan Lian's eyes went wide at the sight of the gold coin; she wanted to refuse yet couldn't bear to; seeing this, Fang Xiu directly stuffed it into her hand and bowed again.

"Even the kindness of a single meal deserves a spring's repayment; this is all I have on me now — if you don't accept, my heart won't be at ease."

Having spoken, Fang Xiu turned and left; after a few steps he looked back, saw Yuan Yuan Lian still staring at him stunned, and smiled faintly.

"Miss, farewell. Also, my name is actually Wu Chengyu."

Waking from a nap, Fang Xiu understood many things; in his past life he lived in Hua Guo's golden age, those peaceful days came from his motherland's protection.

In this life he arrived in the late Southern Song, a Martial World — everything must be relied on oneself; peaceful days are fought and struggled for; evade for a moment and you waste a lifetime.

If Mo Laodao were still alive now, Fang Xiu would tell him: "Is it possible that I'm actually not afraid of death."

From the moment he put on these clothes, he decided that from now on he would no longer be the 21st century's Fang Xiu, but Wu Mianfeng with an unsettled heart.

Fang Xiu left Dong Cheng and headed straight for the Fang Market; he also threw away the broken wooden stick he'd used as a cane; though every step pierced his heart with pain, he tried his best to look like a normal person.

Arriving at the Fang Market early, only a few breakfast stalls were open; Fang Xiu came to the front of a Pawnshop whose main gate was tightly shut; he wasn't in a hurry, fished out the only four Hu Bu he had left, bought two steamed buns, sat at the Pawnshop entrance and silently filled his stomach, then closed his eyes and circulated the Green Wave Heart Method.

A full two hours later, the Pawnshop's door opened from inside; a Runner came out with a broom, saw Fang Xiu, and immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Welcome, honored guest; coming so early to grace our humble shop — sorry to have kept you waiting."

Clothes make the man; Fang Xiu had passed this door many times before and crossed paths with this Runner a few times, but the Runner completely failed to recognize him as that previous little Beggar.

"Runner, is your Shopkeeper Wei here? Please trouble yourself to announce me — just say an old acquaintance has come to visit."

Hearing "old acquaintance," the Runner's smile deepened; he hurriedly ushered Fang Xiu inside, invited him to the seat of honor, then turned and went to the rear hall.

Fang Xiu observed the Pawnshop's furnishings — much like what he'd seen on TV: a high counter that his current height couldn't possibly reach.

As for the old acquaintance, of course it wasn't Fang Xiu, but Wu Mianfeng; two years ago Wu Mianfeng had a one-sided connection with this shop's Shopkeeper.

Before long, a thin middle-aged man in a fur jacket and small cap emerged from the rear hall; seeing Fang Xiu, his eyes showed puzzlement, yet not the slightest hesitation, and no neglect because Fang Xiu was still a child — he clasped hands and said:

"I wonder which old acquaintance of Wei has come to visit; this young master looks unfamiliar to me."

The other party being so polite — worthy of a lifelong merchant, harmony brings wealth; Fang Xiu was no less courteous, rose and clasped hands in return.

"Two years ago this junior accompanied my Eldest Senior Brother on a visit and had the fortune to meet the Shopkeeper; at the time I was not yet eight, just a snot-nosed kid — it's normal that Shopkeeper Wei doesn't remember me. My Eldest Senior Brother is named Qu Lingfeng; this junior is Peach Blossom Island Disciple Wu Mianfeng — greetings."

Although Fang Xiu had decided to no longer use the name Wu Mianfeng, before rescuing A Ku this alias still needed to be used for a few more days.

Shopkeeper Wei's eyes brightened at this; he hurriedly invited Fang Xiu to sit, then called for the Runner to serve tea — it had to be top-grade West Lake Longjing.

Fang Xiu didn't stand on ceremony either; coming here today was precisely to borrow the tiger's skin as a banner.

Peach Blossom Island lies far from the mainland; the daily needs of the whole household on the island don't come from thin air; the island's mute servants only handle daily Sweep and Sprinkle, and Peach Blossom Island Disciples can't possibly go farm — so on the mainland they've always had their own procurement channels.

This Shopkeeper Wei doesn't run just a single Pawnshop; he also owns the largest Gui Hang in Gushan County.

Years ago Shopkeeper Wei encountered trouble while trading; Huang Yaoshi happened to save him; out of gratitude and with an eye to currying favor with Peach Blossom Island as a backer, he took on supplying all manner of living resources to Peach Blossom Island, and the one responsible for liaising with Shopkeeper Wei was Qu Lingfeng.

Shopkeeper Wei delivers a batch of supplies to Peach Blossom Island every three months; the last delivery was just two months past, while Wu Mianfeng and his fellow disciples were expelled from Peach Blossom Island only a little over a month ago — at this moment Shopkeeper Wei doesn't know of the Juxiang on Peach Blossom Island.

Two years ago Qu Lingfeng once brought Feng Mofeng and Wu Mianfeng ashore to sightsee; thus Fang Xiu found these connections in Wu Mianfeng's Memory.

Given Fang Xiu's character and Wu Mianfeng's hatred for Peach Blossom Island, he originally would never Dajiao with anyone connected to Peach Blossom Island again; but to save A Ku, he must first find backing from Shopkeeper Wei, and also plant a Back-up Plan.

Once the tea was on the table, Shopkeeper Wei smiled at Fang Xiu: "I remember now — you're Island Master Huang's youngest, the sixth disciple; though two years have passed, Sixth Young Master's appearance was extraordinary, Wei's memory remains fresh — failing to recognize you at first glance was Wei's discourtesy. Let tea stand for wine, and allow me to apologize to Sixth Young Master.

What a pity — Sixth Young Master's timing isn't right; this tea is from last year; now it's early spring of the third month; if you waited another month, you could drink the finest Pre-Qingming Longjing."

Shopkeeper Wei truly leaves no opening; his words made Fang Xiu feel comfortable as well.

Fang Xiu hurriedly raised his teacup and drank together with Shopkeeper Wei.

"I wonder, where is Mister Qu now? Last time Wei went to Peach Blossom Island to deliver goods, I only saw Lu Si Gongzi, and missed Mister Qu by a hair."

"Shopkeeper Wei is too polite; my Eldest Senior Brother went to Bei Di on the Master's orders to handle a matter, and likely won't return for several years."

Shopkeeper Wei exclaimed "what a pity" repeatedly, but a merchant is ultimately too polite; Shopkeeper Wei was also clearly currying favor with Fang Xiu; Fang Xiu didn't want to drag it out further and got straight to the point.

"No hiding it from Shopkeeper Wei — this junior's visit today has nothing to do with Peach Blossom Island; it's a private matter that I rashly intrude upon — please, Shopkeeper, lend your aid."

The words barely fell when Fang Xiu produced a Jade Pendant from his sleeve and placed it before Shopkeeper Wei.

Posted a few days ago, and the Basic Data still isn't good — this book is in a precarious spot, mainly because it's hard to be seen on the site; no Sign Contract means no recommendations at all; difficult, difficult, difficult.

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(Chapter End)