“Xing Shuang Swordplay.”
Zhu Zi’an made no attempt to hide it, nodding towards her. “It’s also the sword art Ah Rong uses.”
“Xing Shuang Swordplay…” Jiang Kui mused trying to recall. “So this style is Xing Shuang. I always found Ah Rong’s unusual sword moves…like snow.”
She pondered briefly. “Master never mentioned old affairs of Jianghu to me. I’ve heard that it’s been many years since this sword style last appeared in Jianghu. Most who recognize it are dead and gone.”
“Mm. Because Xing Shuang Sect was destroyed,” Zhu Zi’an absently said, using that withered branch to brush aside tall grasses as they walked. “When the southern sect was wiped out ten years ago.”
“So the southern sect massacred ten years ago was Xing Shuang!” After a pause, Jiang Kui asked again: “…So you and Ah Rong were already acquainted?”
“No, not at all,” Zhu Zi’an shook his head. “I met Ah Rong slightly later than you. When she first arrived in Chang’an she happened to rent my estate so we got to know each other that way. She probably guessed that I knew this sword art but never asked about it. Her temperament is aloof as you know.”
“How did you come to learn it then?” Jiang Kui regarded him closely. “It wasn’t taught by our Master… Do you have another master?”
“I obtained the manual and taught myself,” he replied. “I only have the one master. I never formally acknowledged anyone from Xing Shuang Sect so I don’t have to call Ah Rong ‘Junior Martial Uncle’ either.”
“But how did you get the manual?”
“From a deceased person’s belongings,” he murmured softly.
His reply made her falter slightly. His voice drifted faintly in the wind: “Please don’t ask anymore. I don’t want to talk about this. It makes me sad.”
She lifted her head. Wind and snow swirled over his shoulders accentuating his lonely silhouette. For a fleeting moment his form seemed to dim, as if walking alone into some distant place.
Then he turned halfway smiling lazily, casually twirling out a sword flower with that withered branch. “Hurry up, little warrior. The sooner we finish up the sooner I can get some sleep.”
“Don’t call me little warrior!” She shouted indignantly.
“Isn’t that what Master likes calling you?” His tone held laughter.
“Well I’m your senior martial sister!” She grumbled irritably. “Being so disrespectful and immodest. I ought to teach you a harsh lesson!”
“Please instruct this humble apprentice, Senior Sister,” he said with utmost respect, offering her that branch.
She took it over and suddenly standing on tiptoes, lightly tapped his head with the stick end.
An extremely gentle tap, fleeting like a dragonfly skimming water.
He closed both eyes for a brief moment.
Then he ruffled his hair, looking up at her with an easy smile: “Many thanks for Senior Sister’s mercy.”
She gave a loud huff, shoving the branch back into his hand. “Alright, keep clearing the path. Weren’t you saying how you wanted to hurry up and finish?”
The two hauled the pile of unconscious Big Han into the basement, tossing down leftovers and scraps. Then treading through snow they headed back into town awaiting the next wave of bounty hunters arriving for Jiang Kui’s head.
Every time Jiang Kui withdrew her spear whistling back to land on her feet, she’d smash another tableful of ceramic ware. Zhu Zi’an swiftly calculated reimbursement costs to the tavern, eventually giving a frustrated sigh: “If you keep this destruction up I’ll run out of money. Those plans for a mansion down south will end up as a run-down shack instead.”
“Not to worry,” she patted his shoulder. “Didn’t I say I’ll work unpaid for you an entire year? You helped me out so extensively this time. How about I just extend it by another year then?”
“No real need for that,” he said softly, laughing. “One year will suffice.”
Amidst the drifting snow they finished up for the day.
Zhu Zi’an’s face was dark standing at the counter signing thick stacks of compensation bills. Jiang Kui leaned against the doorway cradling her wrapped spear shaft watching him.
Seeing him silently brood in clear distress over spending money was somewhat entertaining. She couldn’t resist a faint smile that he happened to catch as he lifted his head.
He strode over flicking her forehead, holding up a finger sternly half-serious, half-joking: “Jiang Xiaoman, you owe me for this. Must pay me back in full.”
“Sure, I’ll repay you. How would you like me to?” She also smiled.
“Hmm…” He leaned on his chin. “I’ll think of something later.”
Stars emerged one after another at the horizon, illuminating the freshly fallen snow piled under the eaves which glittered on and off.
The guest room’s braziers gave off warmth and coziness. Wisps of sandalwood fragrance blended with the sharp, pleasing aroma of fresh snow and faint traces of tea.
Zhu Zi’an took down a white porcelain tea set from the shelf and found some tea leaves in a drawer. He sat atop the desk slowly brewing tea. Jiang Kui opened her wrapped bundle taking out neatly packed clothes to bathe and change into.
After a long day’s rushing about both were somewhat weary, attending quietly to their own matters without exchanging words.
Jiang Kui stood up holding her neat pile of clothes about to leave when she abruptly retracted a step. Zhu Zi’an lifted his gaze towards her: “What’s the matter?”
She pointed black-faced at the bathing pool behind the guest room. Zhu Zi’an took a look, his complexion also darkening slightly.
The private bathing pool for guest use had…no partition whatsoever between it and the guest room.
Jiang Kui resolutely refused to “present spring’s caress on creamy skin” before an audience.
Zhu Zi’an sighed heavily. “…I’ll take my leave right away.”
He put down the tea things and under her razor-like gaze promptly exited the room.
Silence descended, only the crackling coal braziers resounded. Jiang Kui filled the pool with steaming water before stripping barefoot and entering the waters. She undid her long inky tresses, letting the soft strands billow over the surface.
The poolside candles illuminated her slender figure and perfect proportions. Jade-white neck as if carved from creamy jade.
knock knock knock — two raps sounded outside.
“State your business,” she said guardedly, submerging herself neck-deep.
The person outside sounded helpless. “Warrior lady, it’s too cold out. May I come in briefly for some clothes?”
The muffled girl’s voice answered sternly. “Enter with eyes shut.”
Zhu Zi’an laughed softly. “As you command.”
He entered with closed eyes. She watched him from the pool edge as he almost crashed into a clothes rack before taking pity and mumbling: “Go right.”
“Much obliged,” he laughed, shifting right a step.
He nearly tripped over a brazier. She sighed and ordered: “Stand still. I’ll fetch them.”
Sploosh sploosh — amidst splashing sounds she stepped onto the soft carpet wearing only an oversized robe, barefoot.
He stood obediently by the doorsill with both eyes shut. Amidst rustling clothes she gently draped an overcoat atop him. He caught a whiff of sweet fragrance from the freshly bathed girl, like a wisp of scented wind passing him by. His lashes lightly shuddered.
“I know you’re smiling,” she huffed. “No smiling allowed.”
“Understood,” he replied, still smiling.
She discontentedly flicked his head before steering both his shoulders around to shove him out the door. “Get going. Still bathing. Come back after an incense stick burns out.”
“As you command, as you command,” he chuckled in reply, wearing the overcoat as he descended downstairs.
A note from the author:
Almost there QAQ
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