Chapter 258

Jingyun City.

In a teahouse.

Yu Lin and Liu Zhuang sat facing each other, and he said:

"You also want to take back Chi Xiao?"

"No." Liu Zhuang shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Our ancestors once said that Chi Xiao possesses a spirit and will naturally choose its master."

"We descendants lack the ability to keep it, which is also our shortcoming."

"I naturally would not seek to reclaim Chi Xiao."

"Furthermore, I also lack the ability to forcibly keep Chi Xiao."

He spoke with great sincerity, as if he truly thought so.

Yu Lin nodded and then asked:

"Then, what else?"

Liu Zhuang did not answer immediately, but instead asked, "May I dare ask your esteemed name, sir?"

"Yu Lin."

".......... Are you a member of the Yu clan?"

"I bear the surname Yu; you may consider me as part of the Yu clan."

"Then, sir, when did you enter the path of cultivation?"

"Let me be frank with you: back then, Liu Bang took me as his teacher."

"........."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhuang's face showed no trace of surprise; rather, he wore an expression of "as I expected."

He immediately rose, straightened his robes, and performed a deep bow before Yu Lin with solemn respect, his tone filled with unprecedented reverence: "Descendant Liu Zhuang of later generations pays his respects to the Teacher of Gaozu!"

Yu Lin raised his hand slightly: "No need for much ceremony, please sit."

He watched Liu Zhuang reseat himself, then asked with interest:

"From your reaction, it seems you had already guessed this beforehand?"

Liu Zhuang sat upright, nodded, and said, "I dare not conceal anything from you, sir."

"Gaozu once left a brief remark, saying that you were an immortal who descended to the world, deliberately coming to transmit your techniques to him and guide him onto the path of contending for imperial supremacy."

"It stated that his later inability to find you was due to your accomplishment and retreat, returning to the Immortal Rank, not… not because your lifespan was exhausted and you died."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, this time Chi Xiao's abnormal movement—it flew away on its own to acknowledge a master."

"After much thought, I do not believe any other member of the Yu clan in the world possesses the qualification to cause Chi Xiao to behave thus."

"Thus I feel… perhaps it is you who have personally appeared."

After hearing his explanation, Yu Lin smiled: "Your thinking is meticulous, your inference reasonable."

"No wonder you are an emperor; you are naturally wise."

Liu Zhuang humbly lowered his head slightly: "You overpraise me; I merely made a bold guess based on the clues."

His expression turned serious as he spoke his true purpose: "I have presumptuously come to see you, sir, actually to ask… how should this state be governed so that it may long endure in prosperity and the people live in peace?"

His eyes held a sincere thirst for knowledge: "Back then, Gaozu once said that many of his governing principles when he first pacified the realm were entirely transmitted by you…"

"In his later years he often murmured, saying that if he could see you again and consult you on some matters, perhaps… perhaps his old age would not have ended in estrangement among brothers and suspicion among his ministers."

"Huh? Liu Bang's governing methods were taught by me? Liu Bang, you little rascal… you really know how to flatter me, but hearing this is quite pleasant."

"Taking you as my first disciple was indeed not a mistake."

Yu Lin felt a surge of emotion, his face showing a trace of reminiscence and longing, his gaze seeming to pierce through time.

Faintly he saw the figure of Liu Bang who once diligently practiced the basic techniques I taught him in a small courtyard in Pei County, was cherished and supported by his brothers on Mangdang Mountain, and drew his sword to slash at the White Snake in Fengxi Ze—full of rustic heroic spirit and the bearing of a hidden dragon.

He gathered his thoughts, looked at the Han Ming Emperor before him who likewise bore the weight of the realm, and said: "As for governing principles… times change, worlds shift, seas turn to fields."

"What I told Liu Bang back then was tailored to his specific circumstances."

"Now the Han Empire has existed for over a hundred years; the state of the nation, the people, and the world have all changed greatly, so even if I were inclined to say something, you might not be able to hear it."

"Ultimately, for a ruler, to act with all one's heart and effort, to be without shame before heaven, earth, and ancestors, and without shame before one's own conscience and the common people, is already rare."

"To hold this heart and walk this path is the best way of governing."

Seeing that Yu Lin was unwilling to elaborate on specific measures, Liu Zhuang felt a slight regret but also understood the reasoning, and did not feel compelled to press further.

After all, he is not Yu Lin's direct disciple; to receive even this pointer is already a fortunate opportunity.

He solemnly nodded, keeping Yu Lin's words in mind: "Zhuang, I have been instructed."

"I will keep the teacher's instructions in mind."

"If you have any needs in the future, sir, please feel free to come to Luoyang; I will certainly do my utmost!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Lin actually had a few thoughts, raised his hand and said:

"Come over here, I have some things to tell you."

Liu Zhuang immediately stepped forward, lowered his body and turned his ear: "Sir, please speak."

"Listen well; in a few days I will have you…………"

Evening.

After Dong Yong finished his work at Dong Fu's place and returned, he did not rest.

Upon hearing that the Seventh Fairy Maiden wished to stay temporarily, he bargained with the steward of the Dong residence, exchanging his remaining copper coins for a set of clean coarse-hemp clothing and a fairly thick hemp-blanket.

The Dong residence provided meals, which although merely enough to fill the stomach, were still better than nothing.

Old Master Dong Fu is truly kind-hearted.

He carefully cleared out the empty room used for storing miscellaneous items; though it was bare walls, he also strove to keep it tidy.

After carefully spreading that hard-won thick blanket, he then straightened up, wiped the fine sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and turned to the Seventh Fairy Maiden who had been quietly following behind him, saying:

Qimei, for these days you can stay here temporarily. The conditions are modest; I've wronged you.

He paused, then pondered and said: "Wait until tomorrow, I'll go to the manor and ask if there's any work in starching, washing, and mending; if I can find some, you'll also have some income."

His tone carried a sense of consultation: "You see... would this work?"

The Seventh Fairy Maiden stood silently to the side, taking in every detail of his busyness inside and out, even how he spent his last money to replace her bedding.

His words were plain, yet his actions showed genuine concern, unrelated to her appearance or character, simply because this person is inherently good.

The faint goodwill she felt toward him for his kindness quietly grew a bit more at this moment.

She nodded, a light and sincere smile spreading on her lips: "Elder Brother Dong has arranged things wonderfully; I don't feel wronged."

She hesitated slightly, then spoke softly: "Actually... I know a little weaving. I wonder... does the manor need it?"

"You can weave?!" Dong Yong heard this, his eyes suddenly brightening, his face instantly breaking into an undisguised joy, as if dispelling some of the gloom of recent days:

"That's wonderful!"

His tone grew a bit lighter: "What a coincidence—this year's hemp harvest is abundant, and Lord Dong had just been lamenting the lack of enough hands for weaving; your skill comes at just the right time!"

He felt happy for her, and his words flowed more: "Do a good job; Lord Dong never skimps on wages."

"By then, saving some money and cloth will also let me ask people about my family's whereabouts."

He looked at her, eyes earnest: "Even... even if we can't find your family for now, having some money on hand will always be good, a reliance..."

He chattered on, planning with his limited knowledge a future that seemed slim yet full of hope for her.

The Seventh Fairy Maiden did not interrupt, merely listening quietly, gazing at his profile, hearing his unadorned concern, and actually felt...

Such human worldly life, chatting about everyday matters, is actually... quite enjoyable, quite peaceful.