Chapter 103: Bamboo Lodge
The green bamboo suddenly snapped straight—it turned out that A Liang had jumped down to the ground, reached out, and pulled the local earth god of Qidun Mountain to his feet. Clicking his tongue in admiration, he said with a laugh, "My gambling luck may be bad, but your gambling luck is excellent."
The young earth god's face was deathly pale, his brows furrowed in worry. Although he had survived the ordeal and managed to keep the remaining half of the bamboo grove, when he saw the white python in the distance with its head blown off, he couldn't help but feel a flood of emotions. For centuries, they had lived as neighbors. Even though it was a troublesome neighbor with constant friction, they had mostly coexisted peacefully, at least never engaging in a life-or-death fight. Today, the python was supposed to be on the verge of embarking on the bright path of cultivation, yet at this very moment, someone had shattered its head with fierce sword aura. The shock this brought to him was enormous, as one could imagine.
The young earth god sighed, slumped in defeat, and made a respectful bow, speaking in a low voice, "Just as you, senior, think of me, I am indeed a vulgar little man—the kind who needs a beating every three days or he'll tear off the roof tiles. But now, I've truly had my fill of beatings. I beg Senior A Liang to take pity on me. I've been scared out of my wits and have no spirit left. From now on, Senior A Liang only needs to give the word, and I will do as you say."
A Liang didn't play any tricks. He looked down at the empty green bamboo scabbard and nodded. "Pick a good, old bamboo stalk. I need to replace my bamboo knife. Consider it a gift from your friend. Also, all these bamboo stalks that inexplicably fell to the ground—quite a pile—it would be a waste not to use them."
The earth god Wei Bo's mouth twitched. He only dared to mutter in his heart, "Senior A Liang, you're utterly ruthless. Damn you, A Liang."
A Liang rubbed his chin. "My friend made a losing deal but indirectly helped you win half the bamboo grove. A person should be honest, repay kindness with kindness. What do you think?"
Wei Bo smiled bitterly. "That's only proper. It's only natural."
Chen Ping'an, holding the half-broken hatchet, ran over to the white python's corpse and chopped off the remaining flying wing. It was crystal clear, as long as a human arm, and felt icy cold like snow in his hand. Under the sunlight, it flashed with a series of flowing colors. A Liang had mentioned earlier in casual conversation that the most valuable parts of this white python, besides the gall, were the flying wings—priceless and rarely available on the market. The python skin, bones, and other items were also rare and valuable, but compared to the former two, the difference was like heaven and earth.
Chen Ping'an hung the hatchet on his waist and jogged toward the bamboo grove. He saw the young earth god bending over, half-crouching, pulling a green bamboo stalk out of the ground with both hands. The turquoise bamboo roots underground were intertwined, so that pulling one affected the whole system. As the bamboo was yanked out of the mud, the surrounding soil was kicked up along with the roots.
Seeing the straw-sandaled youth who had "killed and robbed to get a golden waist," the sweating young earth god subconsciously swallowed. Then he gently placed the bamboo back into the soil, looked around, and finally chose a section of dark green bamboo root as thick as a child's arm. He sighed, looked up at Chen Ping'an, and forced a smile. "Could I borrow that hatchet?"
Chen Ping'an approached and handed the half-broken hatchet to the young earth god. The latter took it, took a deep breath, chopped off the section of bamboo root, and handed it to A Liang. A Liang shook his head with a laugh. "Just make a knife in the style of my previous bamboo knife. When you leave the Qidun Mountain border, give it to me along with that white donkey."
Wei Bo naturally didn't dare refuse. Later, when he returned the hatchet to Chen Ping'an, he sincerely remarked, "What a sharp blade."
Chen Ping'an took the hatchet, thought for a moment, and said, "If you want it, I can give it to you. After all, this half-broken hatchet isn't suitable for opening paths in the mountains, and it's not much use to me."
Wei Bo gave a dry laugh. "A gentleman does not take what another cherishes."
A Liang chuckled. "If you want it but feel embarrassed to ask for free, you can buy it. Honest dealings, fair trade, right?"
Wei Bo had an "epiphany." Standing up, he brushed the dirt off his hands and said to Chen Ping'an with a smile, "If you were a mountain dweller or a woodcutter who often goes into the hills, you'd know that if a bamboo grove is too dense, it's actually bad for the bamboo's growth. Proper spacing allows the grove to thrive, so some must be cut down. Moreover, the truly valuable part of this bamboo grove is the roots connected to the mountain's foundation underground, not the bamboo stalks above ground. So I took the opportunity to borrow Senior A Liang's bamboo knife and cut down some excess stalks. I originally planned to build a small bamboo lodge, a place for relaxation and enjoying the scenery in my spare time."
The young earth god grew more fluent as he spoke. "Now Senior A Liang's bamboo knife has been broken by my cutting. I must say, I've been coveting that half-broken hatchet in your hand since I first saw it. How about this: I'll make the bamboo knife, and I'll still build the bamboo lodge. The bamboo knife can be given to A Liang early, but the small bamboo lodge might take a little longer to complete. Later, when the black snake heads for Luopo Mountain in Longquan County, I'll accompany it—both to prevent it from causing trouble along the way north and to have it carry these bamboos. After I arrive at Luopo Mountain, I'll find a place with beautiful scenery and build you a bamboo lodge."
Chen Ping'an looked at A Liang. The straw-hatted man explained with a smile, "In the Bamboo Sea Paradise, there are ten most important immortal bamboos, each embodying one of the ten virtues of bamboo. This grove is descended from the 'Valiant Bamboo.' These disciples and descendants have also benefited. If a bamboo lodge is built from them, staying inside for cultivation and meditation would be greatly beneficial to both pure martial artists and military cultivators."
Wei Bo quickly chimed in, "Yes, this bamboo grove is all descended from that Valiant Immortal Bamboo. Historical records say, 'When military might is already overwhelming, it's like splitting bamboo—once the first few joints are split, the rest yields to the blade.' This is in line with that meaning. Therefore, cultivating inside such a bamboo lodge will surely nourish the soul greatly."
Chen Ping'an was about to speak when A Liang hurried forward, wrapped an arm around the youth's shoulder, and walked out of the bamboo grove. "It's hard to refuse such kindness. A guest follows the host's arrangements. Let's go, let's go."
Chen Ping'an whispered, "I haven't given him the hatchet yet."
A Liang said carelessly, "Give him the half-blade from your backpack later too."
After that, the straw-hatted man turned back to remind, "Don't bother with the unformed white python gall. Too bloody and scary. Give it and the python flesh to the black snake to eat. That way, even without the pair of flying wings, it can still gain two to three hundred years of cultivation. Consider it our sincerity. Tell it to cultivate honestly once it settles on Luopo Mountain."
Finally, A Liang pointed into the air, gesturing at the disheartened young earth god. "Take care of yourself."
Standing at the edge of the bamboo grove, the young earth god watched their retreating figures. The mountain wind passed through green trees and clusters of red flowers, carrying a refreshing fragrance of vegetation. The beautiful, effeminate young man, holding the green bamboo staff symbolizing his status as mountain lord, stood with his white robes fluttering and wide sleeves swaying. The earlier shock, fear, anxiety, and confusion were swept away by the clear wind, replaced by a solemn dignity befitting a local deity.
He looked around and murmured softly, "Fortune and misfortune depend on each other—that's all it is. Thank you, Senior A Liang, for your unintentional guidance, helping me untie my knot and break through my demonic barrier."
The young earth god closed his eyes, a warm smile at the corners of his mouth, and whispered, "Since ancient times, famous mountains await sages. If the sage does not come, it's no matter—I can quietly devote myself to becoming a sage."
When he opened his eyes, a pale gold earring had appeared on the handsome man's ear. The delicate ring swayed slightly with the mountain breeze, making the young earth god look like a true mountain deity.
The two returned along the same path to the pool. Unlike their swift rush earlier, they now tacitly chose to stroll and chat.
"Ah Liang, will the black snake really eat the white python's remains? Weren't they companions for centuries?"
"That black snake, determined to become a flood dragon, can certainly bring itself to do it. It's not just dragon-kind—all mountain spirits, ghosts, and monsters follow the principle of survival through eating. But dragons, snakes, and pythons that inhabit mountains and great marshes are especially prone to cannibalism. It's similar to the principle that one mountain cannot hold two tigers. The black snake kept the white python alive because it had grown wise, its intelligence increased, and it was perhaps waiting for the python to form its inner core before feasting. By the way, if you want to see the black snake devouring the white python, we can go back."
"Let's forget that."
"On another note, don't blame me for making decisions on your behalf. I agreed to let the black snake eat the python gall. Since it's going to Luopo Mountain to help guard your fortunes, selling that gall at the highest price wouldn't be as worthwhile as letting the black snake become an ink dragon sooner."
"I'm actually very curious why you killed the white python. Why didn't you wait for me to stop you? Taming the white python and sending it to Baolu Mountain or Caiping Peak would have been a good deal. Weren't you afraid I, A Liang, would stand by and do nothing?"
"How could that be? A Liang, I trust you."
"Then you?"
"Before I answer your question, A Liang, I also want to know: when you and Zhu He were sparring, did you already see that I had found those three acupoints? And the truth inside those acupoints?"
"To be honest, I knew from the start that there was something strange about those three acupoints—great mystery. But it's embarrassing to say that even I couldn't see clearly. I could only guess that they contained traces of sword aura imbued with three kinds of intent. As for which three, I wasn't sure. Of course, if I wanted to forcefully observe the interior of your Qi Mansion, even at the cost of harming your body and Qi, it wouldn't be difficult. But doing so would be underhanded. I, A Liang, am a supreme expert, and I have the style and bearing of one."
"I understand. A Liang, do you know that our small town has an archway with four plaques?"
"I know about it. Qi Jingchun mentioned it to me back then, but I didn't remember the content. Long forgotten."
"One of those plaques has four characters: 'Do not seek outside.' I have a neighbor my age who has read many books. He said this is a Buddhist principle, meaning that everyone is admonished to focus on cultivating Buddhism and not to seek anything from heretical paths outside Buddhism. At first, I thought it made sense. But later, when I was burning charcoal in the mountains, I had nothing to do and would ponder alone. To me, whether burning incense to worship Buddha or paying respects to Bodhisattvas, I must first do what I can. If I still can't fulfill my wish and have no other choice, then I go and ask. Only then will the Bodhisattva nod in agreement. Otherwise, why would the Bodhisattva help you, right, A Liang?"
"Seek Buddha first by seeking yourself."
"Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly what I mean!"
"Hmm, explained that way, it barely makes sense. But I need to make one thing clear to you: even the dirt under my fingernails is thicker than your entire wealth. So if you thought you were burdening me and preferred to lose a strand of sword aura instead, know that for me, A Liang, it was just a casual draw of the sword from its sheath. You have to calculate the accounts that way."
"You can't calculate it that way!"
"Oh?"
"Old Yao, who taught me how to fire porcelain, rarely wanted to talk to me. But twice, he spoke very seriously, and I remember clearly. The first time was when I was an apprentice kiln worker. He said, 'If you want to learn porcelain firing from me, sure—but if you dare to slack off even once, get out of the dragon kiln.' The second time was when I went into the mountains with him for the first time. He said, 'You can come with me to find clay, but if you break your leg or whatever, if you dare to cry in front of me even once, don't come into the mountains again.'"
"What's all this got to do with anything? Chen Ping'an, what are you trying to say?"
"Let me put it another way. A Liang, do you like sleeping in?"
"What nonsense. Don't you?"
"I like it too, but you might not believe me: from the first day I became a kiln apprentice until today, I haven't slept in once. Whenever I need to get up, I open my eyes and get up. So I've never slept in, not even once."
"Why go around in such circles? What are you really trying to say? Bullying me because I'm not a scholar?"
"What I mean is, for anything you know is bad, simply don't do it the first time. Don't do it even once. Don't take even a single step. Otherwise, looking back, you'll be the one suffering and losing out. For example, if I had slacked off once, I wouldn't have become a kiln apprentice, let alone gone deep into the mountains. Then how could I be where I am today? I might be like those thousands of able-bodied men in town, opening roads in the mountains, felling trees, building bridges, earning a few copper coins a day, and that's it. How could I have five mountain peaks? Five mountain peaks—how much are they worth, A Liang, do you know? A Liang, you must come see my mountain peaks someday..."
"Stop, stop! Chen Ping'an, you go around in such circles just to show off how rich you are?"
"A Liang, it's obvious you haven't studied."
"..."
"A Liang, if my Luopo Mountain really has a bamboo lodge in the future, would you help name it?"
"'A Liang Is Very Fierce Pavilion'—how about that? Got enough momentum? What, you think it overshadows you, the mountain king? Fine, I'll choose something more subtle. Call it 'Fierce Character Pavilion.' I, A Liang, am making a big sacrifice. Not satisfied yet?"
"A Liang, I suddenly feel that a nameless bamboo lodge is fine too."
The straw-hatted man rolled his eyes.
Chen Ping'an burst out laughing. "Don't worry, let's call it Fierce Character Pavilion."
A Liang suddenly turned his head and asked, "Do you want to learn swordsmanship?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head. "Not for now."
A Liang smiled knowingly. "Afraid of distraction? That it would delay your fist practice?"
Chen Ping'an sighed and nodded.
A Liang knew why the youth sighed. Back on the summit of Qidun Mountain, in order to stop the white python from killing Zhu Lu, Li's maidservant, the youth had spent all the capital he had painstakingly accumulated through pile-walking fist practice. If he had been like a small household with some savings, he was now back to square one—a destitute home with broken doors and windows letting in the wind.
Fortunately, pile-walking strengthened the body and was an urgent survival measure. Standing in the sword furnace stance nourished the soul. During the battle on the stone platform, he had made a breakthrough, which paved the way for him to precisely find the three acupoints where the sword aura was hidden when he later sparred with Zhu He in martial arts.
A Liang teased, "Losing a strand of such powerful life-saving sword aura—doesn't it hurt?"
Chen Ping'an said without hesitation, "It doesn't hurt. I've finally let out the breath I've been holding in my heart. Now I feel great."
A Liang smiled. "Tell me about it."
Chen Ping'an looked ahead. "I'm willing to reason with people, and I can make others listen to my reasoning—that feels good! Before, I practiced martial arts to strengthen my body, or simply to survive. But now, I feel I can set a farther, higher goal!"