Song of Everlasting Regret - Chapter 4

The next day, Lou Yan went to his elder brother Lou Xuanzhi’s study. Upon entering, he found someone already speaking with Lou Xuanzhi. Hearing the footsteps, both turned to look at him.

“Senior Brother Lu,” Lou Yan greeted.

Lu Yuanding was holding a sword and was lightly dressed. A servant stood beside him with a travel bag, indicating he was about to embark on a long journey.

Lou Yan asked curiously, “Senior Brother Lu has just returned. Where are you off to now?”

“Some Beggar Gang disciples have gone missing in the Jiangnan area. The regions north and south of the Yangtze River are the main operating territories of the Feihua Alliance, so the Beggar Gang suspects the Alliance is involved. The Chief sent an urgent letter asking me to assist him in investigating the matter thoroughly.” Lu Yuanding and the Beggar Gang Chief had a deep friendship, so this trip was reasonable. However, Lu Yuanding had another major unspoken reason for leaving the sect: to find a renowned doctor for Lou Xuanzhi’s old injury. If he could find the legendary Peach Blossom Medical Valley, which had been hidden for a hundred years, Lou Xuanzhi’s old injury would not be so worrisome.

The recurrence of Lou Xuanzhi’s old injury was currently only known to him. Keeping it secret for now was to prevent panic within the sect.

Lou Xuanzhi said, “You never visit my study without a reason. What wind blew you here today?”

Lou Yan smiled. “It’s all for Jing’er.”

Lou Xuanzhi sighed. “You know about it already.”

“It’s just a small mistake.”

“A small mistake that isn’t corrected will eventually lead to a major one.”

“I think so too. Jing’er acts rashly, and in the end, it’s because she hasn’t experienced enough.”

Lou Yan paused, and Lou Xuanzhi raised an eyebrow, saying, “Go on.”

“She grew up on Tiger Roar Mountain, sheltered by the sect, without worry about food or clothing, living a peaceful life. She naturally acts on impulse, without needing to look before she leaps. She is grown up now. Eldest Brother might not be able to fully manage her, so why not let her go down the mountain? Let the martial world grind down her sharp edges and blunt her arrogance.”

Lu Yuanding frowned. “That won’t do. She is still young and has never been down the mountain. These are troubled times. What if she runs into trouble?”

Lou Yan tapped his folding fan. “Running into one or two troubles is exactly what she needs. She will then know what is important for herself, which is more effective than anything we can tell her. Besides, there is always a first time. We can’t keep her imprisoned on the mountain forever; she must go down eventually. As for ‘troubled times,’ hah, when is the martial world not lively?”

Lu Yuanding said, “But which elder in the sect is suitable to take her down the mountain?”

“Elder?” Lou Xuanzhi scoffed. “Which elder can control her?”

Lou Xuanzhi lowered his head and pondered for a long time, then murmured, “Yes, this is a solution. She must go down the mountain eventually.”

He had already made up his mind.

That day, Lu Yuanding set off for Jiangbei. A few days later, Lang Ye returned from visiting his family.

Lang Ye was one of Lou Xuanzhi’s five disciples, ranked second. Unlike Yun Yao and Di Hou, whose families were at the foot of the mountain, Lang Ye’s family lived some distance away in Xinyang City. He went home every Lunar New Year and could only return to the sect in March.

That day, Yun Yao’s confinement was just lifted. Unable to stay idle, she dragged Yu Jingqiu, Di Hou, and Lou Jing to go welcome Lang Ye.

When they reached the main gate, a short distance away, three people were standing facing each other. One of them was Lang Ye, and the other two, though rarely seen, could be vaguely recognized as Lang Ye’s father and elder brother.

The sect rules did not permit disciples’ secular parents to enter the mountain gate and disturb their cultivation. However, Lang Ye’s father and brother still came to see him off every year, abiding by the rule to only go as far as the gate. Even his mother had come once, which Yu Jingqiu remembered from when she was very young. This showed the deep care and affection of Lang Ye’s family for him.

Lang Ye’s elder brother patted Lang Ye’s shoulder, chatting warmly while reminding him to return home early during the Lunar New Year. The mountain wind carried the concerned words of Lang’s father.

Yu Jingqiu watched the happy and harmonious family scene, and her expression unconsciously revealed a hint of envy.

After watching his father and brother leave, Lang Ye turned toward his fellow disciples at the gate. He was a handsome young man, dignified and stately, carrying a three-foot green blade, wearing an archer’s sleeve robe, and a diexie belt around his waist, from which hung a purse and a short sword. He walked quickly up the green steps.

Lang Ye was pleased to see the four of them waiting at the gate. As he was naturally cautious, he first bowed to Yu Jingqiu when he approached and asked about Master’s recent condition.

Yu Jingqiu said, “It’s perfect timing. Master said that if you returned, he wanted us to all go to his study together.”

Lang Ye intended to pay his respects, so instead of returning to Xiangri Peak, he headed straight for Lou Xuanzhi’s study. Yu Jingqiu and the other four naturally went with him.

Lou Xuanzhi wanted to see all five of them not for any other reason than the matter of letting Lou Jing descend the mountain for experience, which Lou Yan had brought up a few days ago. After much thought, he decided: he would send Lou Jing down the mountain to temper her personality properly. Not only Lou Jing, but the other four disciples must also go down to gain some knowledge and endure some hardship.

When Lou Xuanzhi announced this to his disciples, all five were visibly delighted, and Yun Yao even cheered out loud. They were young falcons whose wings were growing strong, eager to soar into the sky. Because Lou Xuanzhi managed them strictly, they had never ventured into the martial world, unlike other fellow disciples who could travel with their masters once their sword skills matured around the age of ten.

Lou Xuanzhi instructed them on a few rules and then told all five to return to Xiangri Peak to pack their bags: “Choose a day to pay respects to your Grandmasters in the ancestral hall, and then get out of the mountain immediately!”

That night, the five young people were sleepless, each with their own thoughts, but mostly filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Lou Xuanzhi intended for his disciples to face some hardship, so he did not arrange for any sect elders to accompany them. Firstly, the elders couldn’t really control Lou Jing, and if they went, they would only be cleaning up messes. Secondly, the elders were well-known faces in the martial world. If others saw them, they would know it was the Qian Yuan Sect, and out of respect, they would back down and tolerate the disciples. How then could the disciples encounter any misfortune?

Among the five, Yu Jingqiu and Lou Jing had only been to the towns at the foot of the mountain, and very rarely at that. While Di Hou and Yun Yao, whose families lived nearby, traveled between the mountain and the foot more frequently than their senior and junior sisters, their range was not extensive. Only Lang Ye traveled between Xinyang and Tiger Roar Mountain every year, and Lou Xuanzhi permitted him to join other sect members on their assignments in the area if invited.

Lang Ye had experience in the martial world and knew some tricks of the trade, so Lou Xuanzhi was not worried about sending all five of them down the mountain together, even though they were novices.

The five agreed on a date in the middle of the month. On that day, the five senior and junior siblings first went to the ancestral hall to burn incense, and then went to bid farewell to their Master.

Lou Xuanzhi stood under the eaves, watching his five disciples laugh and walk away.

The sunlight outside the window passes in a blink; the flower shadows shift as one sits at the table.

They were such small children before, like bamboo shoots after the rain. In the blink of an eye, they had grown so tall. Lou Xuanzhi’s expression was lonely, and he sighed before returning to his study.

He had originally intended to wait until his disciples were older, gradually introducing them to the affairs of the martial world. However, he didn’t expect that his own time might be limited, so he could only resort to a method of forceful nurturing.

It was better to strain the saplings himself than to let outsiders trample them.

When the five siblings reached the mountain gate, there were many other disciples there to see them off. It was the first time that five disciples, who were direct disciples of the Sect Leader and unmatched in martial arts among the younger generation, were leaving the mountain without an elder escort, naturally attracting curiosity.

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister,” an eight-year-old boy among the disciples, with round dark eyes and fair skin, ran forward and grabbed Yu Jingqiu mournfully, then held onto Yun Yao’s clothes nearby.

This was Chun Ting, Lu Yuanding’s disciple. Lu Yuanding was away all year, and Chun Ting was young and couldn’t be taken along. When Lu Yuanding was absent, Chun Ting usually stayed on Xiangri Peak and was looked after by the senior and junior siblings. Now that his senior and junior siblings were also leaving, how could he not be sad?

While they were consoling him, Han Ling, who was standing nearby, hesitated several times before finally making up his mind and stepping forward. Yun Yao teased him, “Senior Brother Han, with Senior Sister gone, I suppose you won’t be coming to Xiangri Peak often now.”

Han Ling was embarrassed by her teasing. “Junior Sister Yun Yao, you are going down the mountain, and you still haven’t forgotten to tease your Senior Brother.”

Yun Yao chuckled a few times, patted Chun Ting’s head, and promised to bring back some snacks and treats to coax the child to stop crying. She then led the child aside, allowing Han Ling to speak with Yu Jingqiu.

However, even after Yun Yao left, Han Ling stood there, staring blankly at Yu Jingqiu, unable to say anything.

Yu Jingqiu asked, “Junior Brother Han, is there something you need?”

Han Ling was silent for a moment. Yun Yao’s interruption had completely deflated him, but he still gathered his wits and said very solemnly, “Senior Sister, when you return, I have something to tell you.”

Seeing his seriousness, Yu Jingqiu knew it must be important, so she nodded. “Alright.”

Hearing this, Han Ling’s face broke into a happy smile. “Have a safe journey.”

Yu Jingqiu bid farewell to everyone. Yun Yao had finished consoling Chun Ting, and the group of five left the mountain gate and headed down the mountain.

A person walked over sideways and stood shoulder to shoulder with Han Ling, muttering, “Just a little bit of skill, getting a championship makes her act wildly and offend the Caoliu Mountain Manor, and hitting Senior Sister, yet she only gets a light punishment—just guarding the ancestral hall. And now she even gets to go down the mountain to travel. Even Senior Sister dare not offend her. Tsk, she is the Sect Leader’s biological daughter after all. Quite something.”

Han Ling turned his head and saw that the person standing next to him was Jia Yu, Martial Uncle Li’s disciple. Jia Yu said, “Senior Brother Han, what do you think?”

Han Ling frowned, remaining silent. He looked at Lou Jing’s retreating back, thinking of the words ‘Even Senior Sister dare not offend her,’ and felt quite unhappy.

The weather was fine for the next few days, with warm sunlight. After Lou Jing and the others descended the mountain, freed from the supervision of their elders, they were as happy as birds flying free.

Lou Xuanzhi’s first instruction was to send a letter back to the sect from every place they arrived, clearly stating whom they had met and what they had done. The second instruction was not to casually reveal their identity while outside, and not to mention that they were from the Qian Yuan Sect unless absolutely necessary. Only Yu Jingqiu and Lang Ye truly kept these instructions in mind.

Lou Xuanzhi had intended for the five of them to face some hardship, but unexpectedly, their journey was extremely smooth. They had hoped to encounter a few great villains to practice their chivalry, but fate had other ideas. They didn’t run into any great demons, only a few waves of petty robbers blocking their path.

But those petty robbers didn’t even require Yu Jingqiu or Lou Jing to act; they weren’t even enough to satisfy Yun Yao’s itch for a fight. In the eyes of the petty robbers, the five of them were nothing short of demonic troublemakers. Because they hadn’t fought enough, the disciples ended up raiding the small thieves’ den, leaving the robbers with nowhere to complain.

In April, they arrived in Xuzhou City. Hong Ya, the leader of the Salt Gang in Xuzhou City, was a close friend of Lou Xuanzhi’s. They were expected to visit the gang headquarters as they passed through.

Upon entering the city, visitors were abundant, and the beautiful buildings and painted boats were dazzling. They found themselves wandering further than intended. Yun Yao had just finished a bowl of thick noodle soup, and now holding a piece of golden thread plum candy, she spotted some pickled ginger and whined to Yu Jingqiu, “Senior Sister, lend me some silver.”

Yu Jingqiu took out her money pouch for her. Yun Yao reached out, waiting eagerly for the pouch to be dropped into her hand, but as Yu Jingqiu let go, a hand came from the side and intercepted the money pouch.

Lou Jing took a piece of broken silver from the pouch. “You’ve eaten through your travel funds, Second Senior Brother’s, and Third Senior Brother’s already. If you eat through Senior Sister’s travel funds too, are we going to be surviving on the northwest wind when we go back?”

Lou Jing gave the broken silver to Yun Yao and tossed the money pouch back to Yu Jingqiu.

Yun Yao was indignant. “I—I’m the Senior Sister!”

Lou Jing gave her a cold look. Yun Yao deflated. Forget it, forget it. She never had any Senior Sister authority in front of Lou Jing.

The five of them went to visit Hong Ya. Hong Ya had just been to Tiger Roar Mountain for the martial arts gathering, so having parted not long ago, there was no awkwardness. He invited the five of them to stay in Xuzhou City for a few days before continuing their journey.

Lang Ye asked, “Uncle, I see many martial arts practitioners moving about in the city. Is there a major event happening here?”

Hong Ya went to the table and picked up an invitation card. “Haven’t you heard on the road? The Caoliu Mountain Manor and the Zhongwu Hall are forming a marriage alliance. The eldest daughter of the Cao family is to marry into the Mu family. The wedding is tomorrow.”

They had heard about the alliance between the Caoliu Mountain Manor and the Zhongwu Hall, which had been decided years ago, but they didn’t know the wedding was scheduled for tomorrow.

“You arrived just in time,” Hong Ya said, handing the invitation card to Yu Jingqiu.

Yun Yao and Di Hou looked at Lou Jing, who seemed indifferent and not particularly keen to go, especially since she had just been severely lectured because of Cao Ruxu. Yu Jingqiu and Lang Ye were also hesitant, worried about running into Cao Ruxu and causing an unpleasant scene for both sides.

Hong Ya also knew about the incident between Lou Jing and Cao Ruxu, but he was a straightforward man who didn’t fuss over minor details. “A’Jing and that Cao Ruxu boy were just children having a little scuffle; it’s nothing major. Who would hold a grudge over that? Even if you dislike the Cao family, the Zhongwu Hall has some friendly ties with the Qian Yuan Sect. Since the Mu family is holding a grand wedding, you should go and congratulate them, according to propriety. Besides, regarding the Feihua Alliance incident in early February, the Zhongwu Hall and the Qian Yuan Sect played a significant role, and Old Master Mu was injured because of it. There will surely be many heroes and masters coming to offer congratulations. You can gain some experience by going.”

The five were tempted. Yu Jingqiu asked, “Uncle, for the marriage of the two families, did the Qian Yuan Sect send anyone to offer congratulations?”

Hong Ya stroked his beard. “Hmm, I heard it was Yu Xiu, your Martial Uncle Yu.”