A/N: After writing this chapter, I've decided to make "The Tale of Shi Jin- The Departure of Instructor Wang" into three parts. I have edited the prior chapter's title accordingly. Enjoy!
Chapter 27: The Tale of Shi Jin- The Departure of Instructor Wang (Part 2)
Cangzhou, Third Age Year 1934
Outside of Lord Chai's Estate
The black-hatted government official soon approached and bowed, clasping his hands.
"Song Jiang greets Instructor Wang."
Shi Jin closed his eyes, his heart pounding.
The voice that responded though was not his master's.
"Oh? You recognize this old bag of bones?" Wang Sheng asked. Shi Jin opened his eyes, his attention at the elderly woman. She was peering from over Wang Jin's shoulders with a smirk on her face.
Song Jiang lifted his head while still bowing, replying, "We have never met. Though I recently talked to a certain dwarf who mentioned you were here. It is truly an honor."
"Is it?" Wang Sheng asked, narrowing her eyes. "Only one dwarf visited me recently. How in the world... oh. I remember now."
She then tapped on Wang Jin's shoulder. "Please, let me down so I can take a closer look at this young fellow."
"Mmm!" Grunted Wang Jin, as she gently let her mother down. Wang Sheng, who held a walking stick in one hand, used it to slowly walk over to the bowing official. Wang Jin followed, back straight like a bodyguard, putting an imposing front as she was taller than him and wore an intimidating mask.
Wang Sheng wagged her finger at Song Jiang. "You don't need to bow anymore. You'll get a bad back if you overdo it," she admonished.
He chuckled, rising in response.
Wang Sheng continued. "I heard of you. Yes... you're the one who was the Stone General's human defender. You're the famous Clerk Song who has many names! What was it... your courtesy name is Gongming, but you're not haughty like many other scholars with courtesy names. I'll address you by it, then! I've also heard people call you the 'Timely Rain' because of your generosity and helpfulness. It sure helped that dwarf Shi Yong out! Reduced their sentence from 190 trillion years within their own mausoleum to debearding and one life of exile."
She then slightly bowed her head downwards. At her side, Wang Jin flinched.
"Wang Sheng considers it an honor to meet you, Song Gongming," Wang Sheng said.
Shi Jin looked in wonder at him. Was he indeed the Clerk Song she referred to? He didn't look it. He wasn't tall and didn't have the pale skin associated with scholars. Shi Jin would know; his mother was an aspiring one. If Song Jiang also did all these things and was so well known, why was he only a lowly clerk and not some grand magistrate, governor, or minister?
"Ah, you overstate both me and my accomplishments. I was just doing my job," Clerk Song replied, as he gestured for her to rise. "It is more of an honor to meet you."
"Ha! You flatterer... Why is it an honor to meet me, a lowly former Village Arms Instructor?" she asked.
Song Jiang stood straight now, looking to the east for a moment, his hands behind his back. "When I studied for the imperial examinations long ago, I read a copy of the report you gave in person to the capital more than two decades prior. In my foreign policy response, I cited some of your eloquently put information on the state of the Upper Bow Corridor and the hardships your people faced. Your work helped me to become a Juren, a 'recommended person,' because I passed the prefectural examination. So..."
He then bowed to Wang Sheng again. "Song Jiang... thanks you for your wisdom, Instructor Wang."
It was difficult for Shi Jin to follow this conversation. The imperial examinations were something his mother would know more about. That was why she was holed up all day reading undecipherable scrolls, dusty books, and scribbles on paper known as 'maps'. The official reason why she left Shi Family Village was to take the prefectural, then the metropolitan and palace imperial examinations. But according to his father, the real reason why she left was because of Shi Jin's nine dragon tattoos, as defacing the body was like peeling the skin off one's parents or something.
Shi Jin was confident that she was too busy studying to send any contact to the village.
Wang Sheng shook her head at Song Jiang. "Oh please, no need to bow!" She replied. "Let this old woman also say that I was doing my job. Though if I recall the politics at the time... using information from my report probably prevented you from becoming a Jinshi, an advanced scholar, otherwise, you'd be a minister in Dongjing. What I wrote was considered slander against Sima Guang's Conservative Faction. If not for Wang Anshi's Reformist faction liking my words and... certain events happening, heh... I could've been like Su Dongpo, in jail making geese poetry."
"You do not fit a jail; I believe you were being honest and your information was valuable. As for why I failed... perhaps there were better-qualified candidates? I am convinced that is the case," he replied.
Wang Sheng's face suddenly morphed. Her eyes flared, and she did her best to straighten her back. "Since you like honesty, then I shall be more blunt. Why are you here, Song Gongming? Surely not to meet one of the many authors you cited in your examinations? I have limited words before my time passes in Middle-Earth. So speak the truth."
He did not immediately respond, blinking for a few moments, lowering his head, and frowning. He clasped his hands again.
"Song Jiang... feels awful about your health. If this meeting happened earlier, then we could have chatted over a big bowl of wine or two cups of tea. That you would be leaving us forever is truly-"
"Enough," interrupted Wang Sheng, "get on with it."
He raised his eyes and looked directly into Wang Sheng's. "I came here to ask about your daughter's whereabouts."
"Hmph!" She responded, spitting on the ground next to her. "Tax season already huh? Knew they made an error on their return! Won't show their face. Lost a duel recently. You heard about it, right? Now I have to spend much of my last day not speaking with them. So despondent, they are! I plan to see the outside of this manor for one last time; a pity I can't talk with them while doing so. Instead, I have two of Lord Chai's people accompanying me."
She turned to Shi Jin, "Ain't that right, whatever your name is?"
"... Yes," Shi Jin said, perturbed that she had forgotten his name.
Wang Sheng suddenly turned to the masked Wang Jin. "Ain't that right, Lady Guan?"
"Mmm!" Grunted 'Lady Guan,' apparently the alias for Wang Jin.
Shi Jin's mouth twitched. Okay, Wang Sheng probably deliberately forgot his name. But this was their plan to have Wang Jin not be seen in public while accompanying her mother?
Song Jiang seemed to not notice Lady Guan's true identity as he replied. "It is not for tax reasons, but for violating military law. I indeed heard about their defeat by Instructor Luan. A duel worthy of song, apparently. A great pity indeed that your daughter is not here, regardless. Are they not filial? Do they not care for their mother in their dying days?"
Shi Jin saw his master stiffen. He hoped that this government official would continue to fall for this ruse. Though part of Shi Jin still was annoyed at Wang Jin, he absolutely did not want her to go to jail.
"Bah! Knew they'd mess up with military law, but to answer your question on filial piety..." Wang Sheng responded. "When they were in their rebellious stage, maybe. There were times I wanted to kick them out of the village. But to be honest now... Come a little closer since I don't want others to hear this."
Clerk Song moved closer to her and the pair had a hushed conversation. Shi Jin, out of respect and caution, looked around him to make sure no one else was approaching. No one was hiding in the trees, save Lord Chai's birds, and there didn't appear to be any other official around... which was suspicious. But maybe there was a chance this Song Jiang was an honorable fellow and came by himself.
Shi Jin looked at his master, who had her focus solely on the pair. He still thought that her plan was incredibly foolish and risky. But what could he do about it without 'getting in the way'?
The whispers soon ended as Wang Sheng proclaimed, "So they are filial, yes. There's not a better daughter in all of Middle-earth."
Clerk Song nodded, responding, "I understand that and I shall try to ask Lord Chai again about their whereabouts. I will not interrogate you further on this issue on your last day."
"Good, good," Wang Sheng said, turning her back on the official. "Then let this migrating goose enjoy Cangzhou before I fly away. Farewell, Clerk Song."
Wang Sheng began to climb back onto Wang Jin's back when a smiling Song Jiang raised his hand.
"Aah, just one second, please," he said. "I believe it is best for me to accompany you when you're outside the manor."
Wang Sheng peeked from over her daughter's shoulder. "Why? I'm married, you know."
Song Jiang chuckled. "With such wit, I am not surprised. Let me just say that up ahead are constables ready to interrogate any person who leaves the manor. With me, you can enjoy your last day in and outside of the city in peace."
Shi Jin was not surprised that this clerk had a backup plan in case things went awry. Unless they stormed out with weapons, hard to do since they only had their fists, and fought their way out of Cangzhou, they probably needed to follow Clerk Song's advice.
"Then can I get a sedan chair? I don't want people to think that Lady Guan is kidnapping me," she replied.
Wang Jin turned her head to look at her mother. Shi Jin also looked sharply at Wang Sheng as well. Wouldn't a sedan chair draw a lot of attention?
"Of course," Song Jiang said. "Follow me and we'll find one that suits your tastes."
Clerk Song was right: there were truncheon-bearing constables in their black clothing on the city roads as they walked further away from Lord Chai's manor. One of them included an imposing, gigantic man with gleaming eyes and a magnificent beard more than a foot long. Another constable was less imposing, but still tall and athletic with a purplish face and a fan-like beard. To Shi Jin's worry, when they spotted the approaching group, their focus immediately went to Wang Jin.
Then, Song Jiang would walk out in front of them. "Clerk Song," they would say, as they clasped their hands and bowed to him. He would gently raise them up, bow to them, address them by name, and whisper words to them, then the group would be off with nary an inspection from the constables.
He also was recognized throughout the streets of Cangzhou, particularly by the dwarves. Shi Jin lost count of the number of times passersby greeted him with "Clerk Song," "Brother Gongming," or "Friend." Yet in each response, Song Jiang would humbly clasp his hands and address them back by name.
Shi Jin found these interactions unusual, to say the least. This fellow was merely a magistrate's clerk, a bureaucratic civil servant, yet he commanded the respect of nearly everyone in the city.
Who was Song Jiang, really?
Shi Jin snuck glances at Wang Jin, trying to discern what she thought out of all this. He didn't have any luck though, as her mask covered most of her face, with small openings for her mouth and eyes. She was more concentrated on carrying her mother. Wang Sheng, meanwhile, had somehow fallen asleep; she had even begun snoring.
As they traversed through the red cobblestone streets, Shi Jin got a closer look at the city proper. Many of the houses were made out of stone, their roofs flat. Other houses had arched roofs like those of his village. Some dwellings looked peculiarly small with chimneys that had smoke coming out... did dwarves live in those? Too small even for them to live in; they needed bigger houses! Above the western houses loomed the Western Mountains which shone red from the rising sun.
Cangzhou was immaculately clean with no garbage lying about on the stony streets. It was much less busy in the morning. When Shi Jin first arrived inside the large city, he was awed by the bustle of people moving about, the cacophony of instruments and singing from street entertainers, and the variety of merchants and courtesans loudly advertising their wares and services.
Now in the less noisy morning, what greeted his nose were the smells from food stalls bearing breakfast for early-riser workers. Probably selling baozi, fried dough sticks, and rice porridge. The tantalizing smell of both steamed and roasted dough and spices particularly tempted him. It was either fresh spiced bread, shaobing (baked dough with sesame seeds), chuibing (steamed, fluffy buns), or...
His stomach gave a low rumble; he hadn't eaten yet this morning.
"Perhaps we should go eat breakfast?" asked Song Jiang as he smiled at Shi Jin.
Shi Jin stayed silent, wondering if he should respond to him.
Song Jiang apparently interpreted his response somewhat differently. "No need to be embarrassed. Hunger afflicts us all, particularly those who exercise in the morning. Had you informed me that you were Lord Chai's retainer on that rainy day, I would have given you my lunch. Such is my respect for the First Scribe of the Eastern Empire."
Out of the corner of an eye, Shi Jin saw his master immediately snap her head at Shi Jin... Did he forget to tell her about his encounter with this clerk? Well, it didn't matter now. He needed to respond to him to not look suspicious.
Ignoring her, Shi Jin inclined his head downward respectfully, saying, "You are... too generous to this humble worker, Clerk Song."
"Aah, nonsense nonsense." Song Jiang replied, affably waving his hand. "Lord Chai does a great service in rehabilitating prisoners. I wish to have such an eye for talent one day, speaking of which...
"May I inquire your name? I am afraid I neglected to ask you about it when we first met."
Once again ignoring Wang Jin, who had managed to quicken her pace so that she was right behind Shi Jin, the young man responded, "I am Shi Jin... You do not need to introduce yourself again, Clerk Song."
Song Jiang frowned. He breathed out a "hmm" as he slightly nodded his head. Then, Clerk Song peered again at Shi Jin, his eyes narrowing.
"You are from Shi Family Village, am I correct?"
Before Shi Jin could respond, he felt a foot kick his heel. "Gah!" he cried.
"Careful!" Cried Wang Sheng. Shi Jin turned around, face-to-face with his masked master. He saw through the eye slits and froze as he felt the glare that came from Wang Jin.
Thankfully, it seemed Clerk Song misinterpreted his master's actions.
"It must be tiring carrying such an influential person," Song Jiang said, closing his eyes and chuckling. "There is a latrine near the sedan rental station. Perhaps you wish to-"
"MMM!" Loudly grunted Wang Jin.
"Very well then," Song Jiang said. "If we could just walk one minute more..."
And the group carried on. Shi Jin kept his mouth shut, and it appeared Clerk Song had no further questions for him. Though... Shi Jin saw that every so often, Clerk Song would give him a worried glance.
Why though?
Wang Sheng requested Shi Jin to stand guard outside the latrine as her daughter handled her business inside. Song Jiang, meanwhile, was busy haggling with the dwarf on sedan chair prices.
"Though I am respected among the dwarves," Song Jiang said, "I am still treated as any other customer. Best let me handle the negotiations."
So the remaining three went to the nearby latrine. As it was the morning, thankfully there was nobody there. Wang Jin gently placed her mother next to the building before entering the inside. Shi Jin, meanwhile, waved off the flies that began gathering around Wang Sheng.
"Let the flies be, young one," Wang Sheng admonished. "My body will be filled with them soon enough!"
Shi Jin shook his head at her attempt at morbid humor. Looking at the elderly woman, he saw a smile that oddly put Shi Jin at ease, as if he was looking at the most content woman on earth. Thus, of course, he sat next to her to at least be a bigger distraction for the bugs.
Wang Sheng, however, added, "My body, after all, comes from this earth. We spend all of our lives eating, drinking, building, and so on... everything decays and returns to the earth. This latrine is a fine example of what I'm talking about. So what fitting way to give a final gift as a guest? Returning our vessel to the earth as we fly away from this world on to the next. Why not let the flies have their day?"
He smiled and nodded at her as she philosophically babbled. This talk was beyond his full comprehension, though he did understand that the earth was important. It was a law that each household needed to plant a tree if there wasn't one near their house. His father always stressed the importance of picking up trash and not leaving his waste in random places. Cleaning up the East-West road was a common assignment for corvée laborers.
When Wang Jin exited the latrine, she just stared at them. Shi Jin belatedly realized that the two probably looked like village idiots who let flies trod all over them. She waved off the flies gathering on her mother and gestured him out of the way.
The three wandered back into the sedan rental store. Song Jiang and the dwarf salesman, who was not that much shorter than the clerk, were at the sides of a golden-covered sedan chair with a red interior. Attached to each side were long log-like beams with a phoenix head attached to each end. Sedans were meant to be carried by people as the passenger(s) were transported wherever they went.
"Aah, welcome back you three," Song Jiang said. "Thanks to the kindness of this salesman, I have procured a fitting-"
"Are there any blue ones?" asked Wang Sheng.
"Uhh," Song Jiang responded.
"Blue?" the dwarf salesman spoke. "Quite a strange..." His eyes then bulged and a grin wider than a fissure appeared on his face. "Oh, by the Maker's beard! You must be one of those lucky ones! Following the Darkness Slayer's path, eh? Mastered death? Then you surely don't need any more use of money wherever you're going."
Shi Jin saw that Song Jiang had closed his eyes for a moment.
The clerk then opened his eyes and gave a sideways look at the dwarf. "Will that change the price of the rental?"
"Oh? Yes. Whoever's riding this sedan won't need coins and such where they're heading. Sorry Clerk Song, but we dwarves have our own livelihood. Hard to manage our underground homes, after all. Earthquake maintenance... flooding control..."
From behind Wang Jin's back, Wang Sheng popped her head over her daughter's shoulder. "Let me down," the older woman commanded. "I'll handle the negotiations."
Once Wang Sheng had gotten close enough to the dwarf, she continued speaking: "While what you say is true, we departing humans do have use of money... just in a different form. Surely you know of joss paper? The paper we burn as an offering that is transported with us out of the earth? So that we can better communicate what our deeds were to the One Above? It's quite expensive nowadays."
"I do," the dwarf responded. "But I doubt your Maker values paper."
"Aaah, but they value ingenuity, creativity, and us proving that we learned something in our time in Middle-Earth," Wang Sheng replied smoothly, "Is paper money not a sign of dwarven ingenuity too? We would be having rampant inflation problems if not for your control over the metal backing of such a currency. I will put a good word in with the One Above that the dwarves are truly ingenious in their solution..."
The rest of the haggling between Wang Sheng and the dwarf and the bored yawning of Shi Jin shall not be further elaborated on.
"That was impressive," Song Jiang commented as he walked next to the moving blue sedan chair. On top of each corner was a carved white eagle with their wings outstretched. Shi Jin was responsible for lifting the front beams of the vehicle while Wang Jin lifted the rear. It was much lighter to lift than he expected; it was as if nobody sat inside. Yet Wang Sheng sat comfortably in the interior. Though the doors were closed, the large openings on either side allowed her to peek this way and that.
"Oh that was nothing," she replied. "Much harder to haggle requisitions and metal when I was Village Arms Instructor. I swear, after a lifetime of haggling with dwarves over material and weapons, one learns a thing or two."
"What impresses me the most though is that you've obtained the gift most of us wish to have," he added. "To have power over death... I truly envy you."
"Bah! You're young yet!" Wang Sheng responded. "You have many years before you discover who you are, I'm sure."
"Perhaps... perhaps."
There wasn't much more conversation between the two as they progressed through the city. As the sun continue to rise, more people appeared on the roads. Shopkeepers stepped outside to affix their signs, peddlers brought out their wares, and once again, many greeted Clerk Song, who greeted back. Shi Jin noticed people pointing at the sedan and whispering among themselves. Some held smiles, others held frowns. Shi Jin did his best to ignore the attention, he could not afford to get distracted and be responsible for crashing the vehicle. His master would probably use that as an excuse to break his leg or something. Not that he was going to let her do so without a fight, of course. Then they would go to jail for public disturbance and ruin the entire purpose of the outing.
After Shi Jin helped lift the sedan and traversed through the city for a few more minutes, Song Jiang gestured to the left.
"Let us stop here for breakfast. Its food is superb," Clerk Song said. "Hold on. Let me signal for both of you to let down the sedan at the same time..."
At the count of three, Shi Jin and Wang Jin gently let down the sedan. At once, his master opened the door and bent down to the ground with her back turned and her arms back as she prepared to carry her mother once again. Shi Jin's heart softened, and he smiled at this before he looked to Clerk Song, who gestured to the inside of the restaurant.
"After you, please," Song Jiang said, "I shall secure this sedan to a post so that no one shall steal it."
Shi Jin then entered the establishment, not noticing his master frantically gesturing for him to stop.
Nobody was there. No person sat on the benches and no plates were on the tables. It was empty.
His smile vanished immediately. His arms tightened and his pulse quickened.
"Hey!"
Shi Jin turned his head to the corner of the restaurant. He sighed in relief: there was someone eating in the restaurant. The person's face was slightly obscured by a piping hot giant bowl with white tendrils of steam escaping from the top. It was an elderly white-haired fellow with pale, wrinkly, yellowish skin.
Wait, was that...?
"Oh, I recognize you. Shi Jin was it?" he asked. "You probably do not remember, but I am Shi Yong, or 'the Stone General.' Whichever is easier in your tongue."
He then left his bench and walked in front of Shi Jin. Stone General Shi Yong wore a golden collared jacket with embroidered silver-like vertical threads. Shi Yong shook his sleeves out and did not bow.
Shi Jin awkwardly stood there for a second before he suddenly remembered his manners.
"Shi Jin, at your service," he said, bowing and clasping his hands.
"Hmph, that took a little too long. When I was in my halls, it was a minor offense if anyone greeted me with that long of a delay," Shi Yong commented. "Now I would respond with 'at yours and your family's' but I must ask you to leave. I like to eat alone, and I suffer no one to dine in my presence save for three people. And you are not Lord Chai, Song Jiang, nor Wang Sheng, so I shall only ask once: please leave until I finish eating."
"Aah, but my friend," Song Jiang suddenly said, fortunately entering the restaurant at this point, "two of those three are here."
The dwarf's eyes widened. "By my Maker, why did you not say so sooner?" He briskly walked to Song Jiang and bowed, clasping his hands.
"No need, no need, old friend," Song Jiang reassured, clasping his hands and bowing himself. "It was my fault. I should have entered first. By your grace, would you allow four people to dine with you this morning?"
"Of course, Little Brother Gongming," he responded as Song Jiang chuckled, "I do not see Lord Chai though... Instead, I see..."
Shi Yong's eyes narrowed at the masked person standing at the entranceway. Uh-oh, did he recognize Wang Jin?
"Turn your body and let me down, Lady Guan!" Wang Sheng spoke. Wang Jin did so and promptly turned around, closing the door but facing the entrance. Shi Jin focused his attention on the conversation at hand.
Upon seeing the older woman, Shi Yong gasped. "Little Sister Sheng, you... you."
"Heh. Thought you were saying goodbye to me a few weeks ago, huh?" Wang Sheng asked, shakily pointing her walking stick at the dwarf, "Well, you're not rid of me just yet! Fitting that I can say goodbye to you on my last day."
Shi Yong's face drooped, wrinkles appearing as he lowered his head, his eyes glistening.
"Oh come now, old friend," she reassured. "You knew, since we first met, that this day would come. Highly doubt I'd outlive you. Ha! Didn't you want my death for a time?"
"Nay! Words spoken in haste!" He spoke, raising his head. "Many humans linger too long, outstaying their visit in our world. But you... If only you could delay your departure for a while yet."
"Old friend," Wang Sheng sighed. "Every day I can feel my body seize control of me. To be stuck in this cage, living on the outside but trapped more and more on the inside. Why should I not accept the gift of humanity and leave before I lose this chance to choose?"
"We dwarves can help you, though I may be exiled I still have contacts. The elves can help too."
Wang Sheng shook her head. "Maybe for a time, it would help. Only will delay the inevitable. Besides, we have different fates. Best not spoil what the One has planned, right? The elves stay even after this world ends, don't they? And the dwarves... Your spirits stay here too, am I correct?"
"Your thoughts are close to what we think. Though I shall say again, I do not like revealing our secrets," Shi Yong replied. "But you did not come here to just catch up; you came to eat. And eat you shall! My treat."
Before Wang Sheng could retort, Song Jiang interjected, "If I may speak? I recommend accepting it. It is a great honor for one of Shi Yong's stature to treat anyone, and it is considered great disrespect to try to dissuade a dwarf otherwise."
"Hmph!" She snorted. "I knew that... Been dealing with dwarves since the day I lived with them for a time! Your seat is too far away for me to walk though, even with this stick. Lady Guan!"
Shi Jin, who respectfully kept his silence, focused on Wang Jin, who still had her back to everyone. With a soft grunt, she turned around. Liquid dripped from her chin and fell. Song Jiang merely blinked while Shi Yong squinted his eyes at Wang Jin, as if in suspicion.
"... You've grown too attached to me, Lady Guan." Wang Sheng remarked sullenly. "Our parting will be bitter, but you'll form a puddle in the restaurant if you keep it up. Could you carry me over to the Stone General's table?"
Wang Jin's head drooped, but she quickly walked to her mother, lifting her and moving her over to Shi Yong's table, where the tendrils of steam still rose from the bowl.
Shi Jin did his best to not let his face betray his worry.
"... And then Little Sheng countered The Rock's pinning attempt into an armbar. Aah to hear that arrogant braggart beg for mercy! Made my day... and made me money too!" Shi Yong exclaimed. It was common knowledge that the dwarves were expert wrestlers, being durable and strong, a few of them even heading above ground to compete in the professional wrestling business. These dwarves usually had nicknames like 'The Rock,' 'Stone Cold,' 'Earthquake,' 'The Hammer,' 'The Anvil,' and such. Apparently, Wang Sheng was a professional wrestler during her time with the dwarves, but "was hard to work with." Whatever that meant. The reason why she was among the dwarves was to hide her and a few other women, for a lot of money, from the heqin policy, where there was a possibility of Wang Sheng being sent to the Wainriders to appease their desire for more population.
"I was quite the looker in my teens," Wang Sheng proudly said. Apparently also durable and strong enough to wrestle dwarves, a feat most humans couldn't do.
Everyone at the table placed their orders, with the notable exception of Wang Jin, who just shook her head even when pressed by her mother. Wang Jin only accepted a cup of tea which Shi Jin never saw her touch. Shi Yong already had his piping hot soup noodle bowl but insisted on everyone receiving their food before continuing to eat. As for Clerk Song, he ordered river-style rice noodle soup with fried dough sticks.
Shi Jin felt nervous and it affected his appetite, so he settled for some rice porridge with soft-boiled eggs.
But what surprised him was what Wang Sheng ordered.
"Longevity noodles," she had said. Shi Yong jokingly asked if today was her birthday.
"Might as well be. Won't be having any more," Wang Sheng responded.
A silence followed. Shi Jin chanced a look at Wang Jin, who wasn't looking at anyone and merely stared at a wall.
Eventually, Clerk Song broke the silence by asking for more information on Wang Sheng's time among the dwarves, which led to both her and Shi Yong exchanging tales.
"... Once the contract ended, we had a farewell feast. Wang Sheng ate too much of our meat and drank too much of our liquor, and I shall leave it at that!"
"Ugh, you just had to bring that up, eh?" she responded, rolling her eyes. "You should know by now we humans don't like talking about vomit before we eat!"
"Who said anything about vomit? Not me!" Shi Yong retorted with a feigned innocent look. "Speaking of food, it looks like the chef will be demonstrating the making of your noodles."
That took Wang Sheng's attention away, and Shi Jin normally would've also watched the demonstration, but he already saw it before when he had longevity noodles for his 10th birthday... or longevity noodle.
This food was unique in that technically there was only one long noodle in the bowl. Typically the chef would bring out a long thin dough in the shape of a whirlpool. They then would tug on one end of the noodle with one hand until a certain point, then switch off with the other hand to continue tugging it, forming a loop. The action continued until both hands were outstretched with multiple loops of string-like dough. Then the chef smacked the strings up and down on a board, like a jump rope, thinning it even more. Finally, they'd place the long noodle into the pot to boil.
Instead of watching the chef do this, Shi Jin tried to discreetly look at the others. Wang Sheng was completely absorbed in watching the chef work, her head bobbing up and down as the looped dough smacked the board. In contrast, Wang Jin didn't even spare a glance at the chef, still staring at the same wall. Shi Yong had an amused smile on his face, though every time Shi Jin glanced at him the dwarf's smile faded as he looked back at the young man, who quickly averted eyesight.
Finally, there was Song Jiang, who smiled as he watched, though every time he lifted his teacup to drink, Shi Jin noticed the discreet glances he gave to Wang Jin... Had Clerk Song caught on to her disguise?
Once the demonstration was over, the group, with the exception of Wang Jin, applauded, praising the chef. Shi Yong pulled out a string of silver coins and offered it to the chef, who graciously accepted it. Minutes later, the food was brought out. Seeing the rice porridge with soft-boiled eggs raised his appetite a little, but he was immediately distracted by the commotion in front of him.
"Aaah, these smell good," Wang Sheng commented. Shi Jin saw that the noodles were tossed around in sesame and soy sauce. Nuts, ginger, and scallions were added to provide a crunchy contrast.
"Lady Guan?" she asked.
Wang Jin's head snapped to her.
"Have my longevity noodles," Wang Sheng said, moving the bowl over to her daughter.
Wang Jin stared at the noodles, then grunted.
She pushed the noodles back to her mother.
The mirth evaporated from Wang Sheng's eyes; a brief flash of fury appeared on her face. A second later, Wang Sheng's face partially relaxed as if she composed herself.
"You're a growing person, young one. Better you eat this than me," she said, pushing the bowl back to Wang Jin.
The latter glanced at the noodles and shook her head, once again returning the bowl to her mother.
Shi Jin quickly glanced at Shi Yong and Song Jiang. They, however, were having a private conversation, not paying attention to what Wang Sheng and Wang Jian were doing.
He looked back at Wang Sheng, who shut her eyes and sighed. She said, "I don't need luck and longevity anymore. You do, though. Please eat."
For the third time, she passed the bowl to her daughter. This time Wang Jin did not respond, merely inspecting the food. Eventually, Wang Jin grabbed her chopsticks, and just when she was about to place them into the noodles...
Wang Jin pushed the bowl over to Shi Jin.
He stilled, wondering why in the world she offered him her mother's food. Shi Jin squinted, trying to look at his master's eyes, which were obscured by the mask. Unfortunately, he couldn't read her expression.
Now he was the one looking into the bowl wondering what to do. Should he eat them to end this spat? Surely the longer Wang Sheng and Wang Jin squabbled over this, the more chance both Shi Yong and Clerk Song would find this suspicious. Perhaps eating the noodles was the right thing to do.
He felt a niggling on the back of his head. A memory surfaced as he heard the voice of his mother: "Now son, remember to eat everything in this bowl. Do so and you'll live long and lucky. But a single piece of noodle left behind will bring bad luck.
Shi Jin knew what to do now.
He pushed the bowl back to his master, staring into the small slits covering her eyes.
Wang Jin needed all the luck in the world. She needed it more than him.
Her mother's triumphant grin said it all, as Wang Jin stared back at the noodles. Grunting, the latter placed the chopsticks within and slightly lifted her mask.
Breakfast finally then commenced, and everyone, with the exception of Wang Sheng, ate. Shi Yong and Wang Sheng once again re-engaged in conversation, as Shi Yong finished his own bowl. Clerk Song, meanwhile, did not even spare a glance at 'young Guan' during the whole time she ate.
Shi Jin wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried.
When Wang Jin finished the longevity noodles, not even a sliver of oil remained in the bowl.
"Farewell, Stone General! May you return to your halls one day and feast with your maker after the world is remade! I shall put in a good word for you when I return to the One above!" Declared Wang Sheng as she hugged Shi Yong goodbye.
"Oh, this parting shall ruin my entire moon once more... But I will treasure this brief time we knew each other more than a golden mountain! Farewell, old friend!" He replied.
"Why not accompany us?" Song Jiang asked.
"After talking with you, I will immediately pack up and move to Daming. Your gambling establishments will ban me soon from winning too much. Aah, things have changed since the Cangzhou football club was executed. Best leave now than later."
A few more goodbyes and the group left the restaurant, heading to the western gate. Due to their filled stomachs, the group traveled slower. Like before, Shi Jin carried the front of the sedan chair while his master carried the rear. Cangzhou now had more people walking on its streets. Laborers pushed creaking wheelbarrows of hay, rocks, chests, and other material across the red cobblestone. String and woodwind Instruments both familiar and unfamiliar entered his ears. Singers sang songs of war, love, and food. As they walked he saw these bards and vocalists, quite a few of them dwarves in tattered clothing who were either bald with unkempt beards or lacked beards altogether. Shi Jin noticed Song Jiang give strings of coins inside each of their pans and bowls.
"Aiyo! What a handsome man," Shi Jin heard. He looked left, noticing an elaborately dressed woman showing quite a bit of one of her legs waving a handkerchief at him. "Want to see my art after work?"
He kept his eyes straight ahead, blushing all the while. Brothels were something that... he wanted to go to one day. But not today.
An image of a young woman with the sweetest smile in the world passed through his head.
The next image was her frown as she put on her clothing and left his room, never to return.
"Ai! I said to stop," cried Wang Sheng.
Widening his eyes, he halted.
She continued speaking. "Some street children there are singing a ditty. I want to hear it."
Shi Jin looked around, finally spotting a group of children playing and singing verses over and over again. This was what he heard:
"A pillar connecting all three:
heaven, earth, humanity.
Whenever it shall leave
all will fall to misery!"
"Aah, what things children sing. Reminds me of when I was a child," Wang Sheng said wistfully.
"Rather ominous, is it not?" Clerk Song remarked with a frown.
"Maybe," she conceded. "We used to sing songs like this all the time, though. There's the Great Plague rhyme, the Slaughter of All Our Enemies rhymes, the Bountiful Harvest rhyme, the Harmonious Family rhyme, the Cute Horse rhyme, and a lot more. Only the One knows if any of those words come true."
Shi Jin's mouth was agape at what he heard from the children. He was disturbed by the ditty and agreed with Clerk Song. The young man looked back, though his vision of Wang Jin was obscured, and wondered what his master thought of all this...
Outside of Cangzhou
Facing the Western Mountains
Thanks to Clerk Song, they passed both the red and black walls of Cangzhou without any issue. Not a cloud was in the sky. In front of them stood the imposing red Western Mountains. Each of them wore a straw hat to protect their heads from the sun, except for Song Jiang. At its foot were rows upon rows of tall pine trees. As the sun rose closer to the apex, the mountains reflected red and its white peaks sparkled in many colors. On Wang Sheng's command, they stopped and rested near the main road that connected the mountains and Cangzhou. Wang Sheng exited the sedan and Wang Jin quickly approached to carry her. The elderly woman rebuffed her, however.
"Let's relax," she said. "You'll need some energy because we're going around the city and entering its eastern gates. I want to breathe the air here though."
And relax they did, with the exception of Clerk Song, who had decided to face the road and greet all the travelers entering and exiting Cangzhou. A part of Shi Jin still found him suspicious. Surely he by now realized that something was amiss? Yet not once through this whole trek did he request to unmask Wang Jin. Was he that gullible? That dim?
... Or was there some grand ruse that was afoot?
Maybe they should take the opportunity to run. To flee across the mountains into the west. Or maybe somehow head to Xining Village? They could steal the sedan... that was too inconspicuous though! They could take turns carrying Wang Sheng. But... no, she was dying. Maybe they could delay it? Yet Wang Sheng seemed insistent about it. Neither could they just leave her in a cell for her last hours. Plus, Shi Jin had no experience in this area of the Empire, and with how volatile Wang Jin could be after her mother's inevitable passing...
"Young man! Come here, come here!" Wang Sheng urged. She was sitting down, leaning against the sedan, with Wang Jin sitting next to her. Shi Jin walked over and saw Wang Sheng point north.
"Home... leagues and leagues away," she muttered.
A gaggle of grey geese, in an arrow formation, flew high above them, heading westward to the mountains. Their honks signaled to those below that they were passing through.
"What beautiful geese," Wang Sheng remarked. The three watched as the birds flew off, migrating to the mountains and beyond.
... Little did they know, two geese would not make their destination, being shot down by an archer west of the mountains.
They walked on a road along the perimeter of Cangzhou. There wasn't much discussion as Wang Sheng snored inside the sedan. Less traffic passed through this road, as travelers probably preferred to go inside the city rather than walk around it. Shi Jin saw some interesting sights, though. Far off he saw laborers on top of ladders picking off fruit from trees and foragers scrounging berries from bushes. Like before, whenever they stopped to take a rest, Clerk Song would walk to those workers and talk with them. Huh, he really cared for these laborers. This was not at all what Shi Jin imagined government people were like given the tax collectors and government snobs that visited Shi Family Village in the past, as well as how his master was treated.
Maybe this wasn't some ruse? Perhaps luck was on their side, after all? Now if only there could be some shade; it was getting hot.
His master didn't seem to believe Song Jiang's kindness or obliviousness, however. Every time Shi Jin would try to talk with Wang Jin, she merely grunted back, shook her head, or just stared at him as if he said the dumbest thing on earth. Being overly cautious, in other words. If this happened earlier in the day, this would've aggravated him. But after seeing how utterly miserable her master was in the restaurant, and how she could not even talk with her mother in the remaining hours they had outside of the manor...
Shi Jin wasn't that stupid! He just needed to continually remind himself to not take offense at Wang Jin, who clearly was hurting.
Wang Sheng eventually stirred. Yawning, she exited the sedan, once again sitting next to the vehicle.
"Oh, look at those laborers!" She cried. "Reminds me of those beginning assignments for the first-timers and elderly."
Wang Jin looked briefly at her and then focused her attention on the trees.
"... It would be lovely to be buried underneath a fig tree," Wang Sheng quietly added.
Shi Jin saw liquid drip down Wang Jin's chin.
It wasn't sweat.
Once Clerk Song returned and their break ended, Shi Jin and Wang Jin lifted the sedan chair and continued moving along the perimeter of Cangzhou. It took a long while, Shi Jin wasn't sure how many leagues he walked, but eventually, they rounded the corner and the black eastern gate was within view. Shi Jin's arms began to feel like lead. He breathed heavily, wiping the sweat that dripped from his warm forehead. He really needed to carry weights for long distances more! Thankfully they stopped and took yet another break.
Clerk Song took off his hat, using a pocket handkerchief to clean his head.
"More geese!" Announced Wang Sheng from the sedan. Shi Jin was confused by her sudden fascination with the birds but did not voice aloud his thoughts. She was dying, after all. Perhaps people near death found solace in strange things?
Song Jiang voiced his thoughts though. "They are rather beautiful, are they not? I always wondered how they could fly in such an orderly formation."
"I've been thinking more about geese. These are different from the ones I saw fly to the mountains. Those were more grayish. These are much more white," she commented. "More importantly though, I realize now they represent 'family.' "
"Hmm?" Song Jiang asked.
"Yes, they are orderly. But I recall when I shot down a goose once; each one overhead cried, their formation scattered and chaotic. They were family, I'm sure, all related to the other, maybe even knowing everyone since they were goslings. It was a terrible cry. They were mourning; that I know.
"Each goose probably had their own mate, their own home. Every gaggle we see is a family reunion, and for a time they travel together, talking about their daily lives, one supporting the other. Then each goose goes to their own home in the end, much like us. Makes me feel bad that I love eating them so much. Ugh, I'll be one of those geese soon enough!
"Bah! I'm no bird scholar, these are just my thoughts."
Song Jiang disagreed. "These are profound ponderings! I shall ruminate on what you said. It is a blessing to hear you speak on this."
"More flattery, eh? Hah! You'd do well in the imperial court..."
... Unbeknownst to them, not all of these geese made it to their destination either.
Near Plum Blossom Village
20 Leagues Away from Cangzhou
Amidst the cacophonic honks from the panicked white geese in disarray, Dong Ping clapped her hands.
"Fine shots! Fine shooting, you two!" She congratulated the pair.
Zhang Qing, the 'Featherless Arrow' nodded, stretching his right arm. "If those fowl were any higher, my stones would've missed," he commented. "But Instructor Liang's arrows would have remained true. Their arrows could pierce the sky itself!"
Liang Hongyu, Dongjing's new Archer Instructor looked away, smiling at the praise. "It was nothing," she remarked. "I had a good teacher. Though... I do wish I had General Zhang's arms. It's a marvel seeing you throw stones so far and accurately."
"Instructor Shi would be proud. That I am sure," he replied.
Sometime later, Lin Chong returned, holding all four geese. Some of the birds still twitched, their wings weakly flapping.
"You two are amazing! We'll be eating geese tonight!" Lin Chong said.
"We?" Dong Ping asked, scoffing. "General Zhang, Instructor Liang, the emissaries, and I shall dine on geese. The fourth goose shall be given to the village elder. You'll guard the village while we dine and will not be eating what we hunted."
Zhang Qing sighed. Liang Hongyu's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?!" Lin Chong screeched. "Why? It wasn't my fault some rations and equipment were stolen in Shi Family Village! And just why do you deserve a goose, you Dummy Debonair?"
"For your information, Panther Head, like Xi Shi and Wang Zhaojun of old, my beauty caused the geese to fly lower than they should have. If not for me, it would have been more difficult to-"
"Oh shut up! That's the dumbest reason I've ever heard!"
"You be silent! Dare interrupt your superior?" General Dong scorned. "Though for your efforts, you shall have the honor of gnawing the leftover bones of my meal, befitting someone who encouraged us and retrieved the geese as Constable Pubu would have."
The ensuing argument and restraining of Lin Chong shall not be described here.
Cangzhou
Near the Iron Lion of Cangzhou
"Pity! That funny guy isn't here," Wang Sheng complained.
"Jiao Ting?" Song Jiang asked. "The 'Faceless Drifter' has left the city, if I recall."
While part of him was somewhat disappointed Jiao Ting left, despite the drifter's infamous performance in Lord Chai's estate, Shi Jin was more distracted by what happened earlier when they neared Cangzhou's first eastern gate.
Unlike their success leaving the western gate earlier in the morning, they had a harder time re-entering Cangzhou. It took much longer for Clerk Song to convince the larger amount of gate guards to let them in. Shi Jin heard things like "Emissaries are arriving soon" and "Generals Dong Ping and Zhang Qing are coming." It was the latter news that caused Wang Sheng to visibly flinch momentarily as if she knew who those people were. Other guards demanded that Wang Jin unmasked herself, to which Clerk Song whispered words to each of them. Somehow, this convinced those guards to no longer want to unmask her.
Shi Jin tried not to let his suspicion show. This was all too convenient and it made his stomach queasy. Shi Jin felt as if they were all walking into one giant trap and Clerk Song held the spring.
"... Am I right, Clerk Song? You collect money from that bowl, don't you?" Wang Sheng asked. Unfortunately, Shi Jin did not hear the earlier conversation. She must've been referring to the giant bowl on the Iron Lion's back.
"I cannot officially say," he responded while smiling. "I will say though that the cobblestones are cleaner, the street peddlers and musicians have smiles even after a disappointing day, and the city shines more after the bowl is emptied."
"I see. I'll keep it a secret, worry not," she replied with a chuckle. Then she sniffed the air. "Oh! I smell roasted fish. Can we go to that peddler? I'd like to buy some for Lady Guan to eat later. They do like eating roasted mackerel."
When Shi Jin turned his gaze to 'Lady Guan,' he saw her attention focused on the gate they just passed. Afar the armed guards seemed to stare back, their polearms glinting in the sun.
Outside Lord Chai's Estate
The city's bustle lessened the closer they walked to Lord Chai's Estate. Houses on each side turned into trees. More birds could be seen flying from branch to branch, and the sound of running water grew clearer. As the manor walls drew nearer and the bridge came into the distance, to his growing nervousness he saw a large group of black-hatted people in some sort of discussion. These included the two formidable-looking constables from earlier. There were also weird large objects scattered: logs, boulders, benches, and so on.
Thankfully, he then noticed someone familiar. He could not believe the relief he felt seeing Wu Song, dressed in a plain tunic, being the focus of the officials' and constables' attention. Now if only Wu Song could get them out of the way of the bridge so they could cross...
"A crowd to welcome me back?" Wang Sheng asked.
Clerk Song chuckled. "Not necessarily. Though it seems one of Lord Chai's other retainers has an audience."
Normally Shi Jin would've rolled his eyes at Wu Song clearly showing off, that arrogant oaf. Right now, though, anything that distracted people from closely looking at Wang Jin was a boon.
When they approached the large group, Song Jiang signaled to Shi Jin and Wang Jin to lower the sedan chair to the ground. Many of the officials and constables greeted Clerk Song, proclaiming that Wu Song was a demigod of strength. They were having a weight-lifting competition and Wu Song outclassed even Constable Zhu and Constable Lei, the formidable-looking constables from before.
"I have heard rumors of a hidden hero in Cangzhou, one who could lift the nearby Mount Wutai with ease. Luck has favored me today to meet so many people I have dreamt of!" Song Jiang exclaimed.
"Heh. Good to know people still dream of me," Wang Sheng quipped. Shi Jin couldn't help but grin.
Wu Song himself approached, clasping his hands and bowing. "Erlang welcomes you all back to Lord Chai's manor." Apparently, he was using his nickname rather than his real name to greet everyone.
While Clerk Song introduced himself to 'Erlang,' Wang Sheng expressed her desire to leave the sedan and walk back to Lord Chai's manor on her own. Wang Jin, however, was immediately there, opening the sedan, her back bent to her mother.
"Aren't you attentive today?" Wang Sheng commented, not objecting as she climbed onto Wang Jin's back. Shi Jin stood ahead of them, prepared to clear the path across the bridge for them to cross.
"Wait," he heard Clerk Song utter. "Let me say farewell to them first."
Song Jiang hurried to the group of three and first spoke to Shi Jin.
"We did not finish our conversation from earlier. You are from Shi Family Village, are you not?"
Shi Jin hesitated, felt tempted to look at Wang Jin first, but realized that maybe that wasn't the smart thing to do in front of so many people that would likely arrest her.
"Yes... I am," he replied. "Why do you ask?"
Clerk Song frowned at this. "Perhaps the rumors are not true then," he muttered.
"What rumors?" Shi Jin asked. What was going on in his village?
"Best I not repeat such disquieting news in case it is false," Clerk Song said, shaking his head. "Tomorrow, I shall receive confirmation. If you stop by my veranda tomorrow, I will tell you the news.
A cold enveloped him; fear rose within. A sudden image of his mother appeared in his mind, soon replaced by a vision of her laying face down, her skin paler than ice.
No no. Only a rumor, Shi Jin thought to himself. His eyes shifted to Wang Jin, who merely looked at him. Shi Jin needed to focus! They were so close to the manor! He could not fold now.
"I hope it is not bad news," he replied, bowing to Clerk Song. "Farewell for now."
"Indeed," Clerk Song replied, returning the goodbye. He then bowed to Wang Sheng.
"Song Jiang bids you farewell, Instructor Wang! I will say again that I wish we could have met earlier. May you enjoy your last hours in Middle-earth."
"Good to meet such a friendly face," Wang Sheng replied. "May you have good luck and fortune the rest of your life, Song Gongming! Aaah, you'll hurt your back ketouing. No need for that!"
Song Jiang, who had his forehead close to the floor in his ketou, said, "I, Song Jiang, shall treasure your blessing for the rest of my days!"
"Ugh. Fine fine. Just make sure you act the same if you ever meet the Emperor. Wouldn't want the Royal Highness to be jealous," Wang Sheng replied. "Come, let's cross the bridge."
Shi Jin, unfortunately, had not paid attention to the conversation, his thoughts overwhelming his senses. It wasn't until Wang Jin was very close that Shi Jin broke out of his reverie and promptly began walking to the bridge, the two giant bearded constables, Zhu and Lei, flanking each side of the crossing with a couple of large, fluffy, brown and white dogs with floppy ears dressed in government official outfits at their sides. As Shi Jin passed, he saw the looks of pity cast on him. Even the dogs looked at him in sorrow. Shi Jin looked down in response.
He missed the glares that the constables then cast on Wang Jin. The dogs also promptly began circling around the pair. This got Shi Jin's attention.
"Aww I love dog constables," Shi Jin heard Wang Sheng say. "Want to share some of your roasted mackerel?"
"Roof roof!" responded a dog, jumping about in excitement.
"No feeding the constables," gruffly responded the long-bearded officer.
"Rooo," complained the dog.
"Ruff ruff!" The other dog told the apparently hungry canine constable.
"Aroo.. ruff ruff?"
"We'll get fish for dinner," the other human constable replied.
"Rrrroooof!" Happily yelped the hungry dog.
"Cross the bridge with your fish already, will you?"
Shi Jin looked back, only to see Wang Jin, carrying her mother, jerk her head at him quickly. Getting the message, Shi Jin hurried across the bridge. The entrance to the manor was open, with Lord Chai himself inside.
"Welcome back!" The elf spoke, "I hope you enjoyed your adventures outside the manor."
Wang Sheng said, peeking her head from above Wang Jin's shoulder, "We saw quite a lot! But before I tell you, do you think there'll be dogs in my next life?"
"You will have to find that out for yourself," Lord Chai responded with a hint of a smile on his face that did not reach his eyes. "I have made arrangements for everyone save a few to leave the manor for the day, less of an audience for your passing. I do not think most have such an understanding of death as you."
Fewer people would probably see how grief-stricken his master was going to be. Good.
Shi Jin took a final look back. Wu Song was still talking with Clerk Song, and the constables were staring back at Shi Jin. Turning around, he sighed in relief. Nobody was arrested today, thank goodness. Worry still lingered, but now he could at least do so without the threat of being put in jail.
Underneath his breath, Song Jiang muttered, "Farewell Instructor Wang. For now, at least."