Faraway Wanderers

The man in black and the girl quickly engaged in a fight. As an outsider, Zhou Zishu had a good look at their capability; the movements were not quite the same but the ruthlessness from both was definitely on the same level. They didnt appear to be from righteous orthodox sects.

After about fourteen to fifteen moves, the man suddenly staggered back to dodge, kicking at her Shanzhong point1. She leaned away and made a soft noise, concentrating on her next attack which apparently was cracking down on the enemys knees. But she didnt expect a noise from something hidden above the mans pants; and from it a spring ejected, shooting an arrow forward, aiming at the girls chin.

She was not half bad, currently having an upper hand in this fight even, but never could she have predicted this vile move; panic piled up but dodging at this point was futile. The rock in Zhou Zishus hand was finally useful as he flicked it straight toward the incoming arrow, deflecting its course. It ended up narrowly grazing the girls temple.

After experiencing danger, a normal person would feel terrified; but apparently she was the opposite, her embarrassment turning into anger. She surged forward and made a clawing attack without hesitation, gripping at the enemys leg bone and twisting it. The man screamed as his leg was broken, but his attacker didnt stop there. In her hand was a glowing blue light, and she ruthlessly pounded it into the mans chest, knocking him backwards, both legs bent and crushed. His face immediately turned gray and purple as he stared at the girl with wide eyes, pointing at her, Youre Pur Purple

He died before he could finish.

The old woman was frightened to death by this beautiful but cruel young lady.

Contrastingly, the simple-minded looking boy had a faster reaction, he threw himself at the fisherman, asking hurriedly, Uncle Li, how are you? You

He still had a breath left in him. With all his strength, he caught the boys sleeves; the latter tried to embrace him and help him stand. The girl in purple walked over, lifting the old mans eyelids, frowning, Its theThree Geng2Until Deathpoison, hes beyond saving now. My condolences.

The boy threw her hands off, glowering. He shouted at her, Stop saying nonsense!

Her brows raised, murderous intent resurfacing on her smiling expression. But she suppressed it after remembering something, arms crossed in front of her chest with a sneer, You little puppy cant even see between good and bad.

The fisherman only looked at her for brief moment. He scanned over everyone, finally stopping at Zhou Zishu who was standing at the statues feet, two straws sticking out of his head, making a laughable sight of himself. The old man turned to him, about to say something.

Everyones gaze followed his. The girl laughed, Ah! I was just wondering who my benevolent savior was, cant believe its you! I bought you wine, you helped me fight; so were even!

She spoke as if those two things could ever be equal, but Zhou Zishu wouldnt stoop as low as to argue with a pretty girl. He smiled, walking over to the old man, squatting down, You calling me, old chap?

The fisherman said, I Ill return your silver, your boat ride was free, you must help help me

Zhou Zishu didnt wait for him to continue, shaking his head and reluctantly stood up, but the old mans grip on his wrist was unwavering, Help me bring this child to Tai Hu Holdings of the Zhao family

He was nowhere near a beautiful lady, so Zhou Zishu sighed, Listen, old man

He was interrupted. Small favor, should should be repaid with big gratitude

Zhou Zishu raised his head, sullenly looking at this shrine in ruins in the middle of nowhere. He thought about the possibility of changing his face again, as this one still didnt look sickly enough. How else people are thinking hes that benevolent to agree to these favors?

The fisherman seemed to be in his final moment, his grip ever stronger but his breath faint and weak in his throat. He faltered, Consider this a way to accumulate your own merits, please! For your descendants even if you die and have no offspring. Theres still your next life

Those words hit him like a lightning strike, and the nails on his chest acted up again, as if wanting to sink even further into the flesh.Theres still your next life. Your sins this lifetime will be paid in full with your death in three years, but but theres still the next life to look forward to, right?

After a long while, Zhou Zishu sighed, turning over the silver crumble a few times in his palm and putting it back in his breast pocket.

The fishermans hazy eyes brightened, his lips trembled. Then the light in his eyes slowly dimmed, hand loosening its grip on Zhou Zishus and hanging down limply. He still seemed to rattle on about something, though.

Zhou Zishu put his ears closer to the elders mouth, hearing him mutter brokenly, You must have to If you dont Ill Ill haunt, haunt eighteen generations your ancestors

Zhou Zishu sat back, truly at a loss for words as the fisherman drew his last breath, head lolled to one side. Gut-wrenching sobs tore through the young boys chest.

The old woman in servant clothes also drew a blank as she stood next to him, crying in panic. Zhou Zishu and the girl in purple stood to one side. The girls big eyes wandered, and her voice was quiet, Master said youre more than you appear to be, but I didnt really see it before. Which sect are you from? Whats your name?

Zhou Zishu graciously replied, This incompetent one is Zhou Zhou Xu, just a lonely vagrant travelling everywhere. Actually, I havent had the honor of knowing your name, young miss.

She looked him up and down, shaking her head. If you didnt look like a sick ghost and walk and talk like that, you would sound more like how Masters described. Im Gu Xiang.

She had never heard of a Zhou Xu before; besides, they only met by chance, there were no reasons to be entirely truthful with each other. But she didnt mind it much, patting the young boy on the shoulder, Say, hes passed away already, you should get him a proper burial. Are there more people chasing after you?

Still annoyed by her bluntness earlier, he only glared. The grief and anger brimmed inside him had no way to be relieved, so he directed it all at her as if she was the one who caused the murder.

Gu Xiang raised a brow. This girl had the skills but still not quite the age in addition to the feel of an unorthodox martial artist she exuded. Having enough with the boy taking his anger out on her, she raised her hand with the intention of attack, but catching her off guard was Zhou Zishus interception.

Gu Xiang felt an ice-cold hand gently wrapped around her wrist. The grip was completely painless and its culprit didnt even seem to have put any strength into it; but she was unable to either move or yank herself away. She couldnt help but give this ill-looking man an astounded look, thinking,Master highly respected this one, but hes even more mysterious than I thought. Not sure I would succeed were I ever to attack him.

Changing her mind as she was a smart one who knew her own limits, she retracted her hands, smirking at Zhou Zishu, Just doing it out of respect for you.

Then she turned to the young boy and began scolding, See, little brat, this sister is only passing by, and she helps you out of pity for your situation; so dont even look at her like she murdered you entire family or something. Try and avenge him if you want relief that much. How nice of you to only know how to cry over a dead body and bully this good, patient sister!

This girl might be clever, but she certainly wasnt kind.

Zhou Zishu, for lack of better options, was about to console him briefly; but to his surprise, the boy after being stupefied by her words suddenly wipe away the tears with all his might and knelt down. He audibly banged his head into the ground twice, voice tiny, You were right to educate me, miss, I have greatly wronged you.

He looked a little more sharp-edged with his teeth gritted way too tight, stretching out his face muscles. In contrast, Gu Xiang was dumbfounded, retreating half a step, blinking her large almond eyes, I- I didnt say that to make you kneel to me, stand- just stand up, quickly.

Zhou Zishu bent down a little to help him stand without the boy even noticing. He suggested, First we should have a burial for for Old Brother Li. He trusted me to take care of things, so Im gonna escort you on your journey. But if you two are not in a hurry, you can rest here for a bit and tell me what happened.

The boy muttered his assent, so Zhou Zishu helped him find a place behind the shrine to bury the old man. Gu Xiang, after observing and finally feeling her heart stirred, brought them a piece of wood, pulling out a dagger around her waist to carve it into a simple headstone. Whats his name? she asked.

The boy thought about it for a bit before shaking his head. He only told us his last names Li, and that he owed my father something, so he risked his life to help us escape. I just call him Uncle Li I dont really know what his real name was.

Zhou Zishu exhaled; people injianghurepay debts and exact vengeance as they see fit; is there ever a need to leave a name?

Gu Xiang had hear head down, engraving For Uncle Li the Chivalrous on the wooden headstone. She looked it over, giving to Zhou Zishu once satisfied. What do you think?

Zhou Zishu saw the word Uncle missing a stroke the moment he glanced at it, feeling both amused and sorrowful. He added the missing stroke with his finger before putting it in front of the simple grave.

The young boy knelt down, kowtowing three times while trying to quell down the tears. Then he stood up, his back straight.

Footnotes

1The acupuncture point in the center of the chest.

2A measurement of time, onegengequals two hours.

The man in black and the girl quickly engaged in a fight. As an outsider, Zhou Zishu had a good look at their capability; the movements were not quite the same but the ruthlessness from both was definitely on the same level. They didnt appear to be from righteous orthodox sects.

After about fourteen to fifteen moves, the man suddenly staggered back to dodge, kicking at her Shanzhong point1. She leaned away and made a soft noise, concentrating on her next attack which apparently was cracking down on the enemys knees. But she didnt expect a noise from something hidden above the mans pants; and from it a spring ejected, shooting an arrow forward, aiming at the girls chin.

She was not half bad, currently having an upper hand in this fight even, but never could she have predicted this vile move; panic piled up but dodging at this point was futile. The rock in Zhou Zishus hand was finally useful as he flicked it straight toward the incoming arrow, deflecting its course. It ended up narrowly grazing the girls temple.

After experiencing danger, a normal person would feel terrified; but apparently she was the opposite, her embarrassment turning into anger. She surged forward and made a clawing attack without hesitation, gripping at the enemys leg bone and twisting it. The man screamed as his leg was broken, but his attacker didnt stop there. In her hand was a glowing blue light, and she ruthlessly pounded it into the mans chest, knocking him backwards, both legs bent and crushed. His face immediately turned gray and purple as he stared at the girl with wide eyes, pointing at her, Youre Pur Purple

He died before he could finish.

The old woman was frightened to death by this beautiful but cruel young lady.

Contrastingly, the simple-minded looking boy had a faster reaction, he threw himself at the fisherman, asking hurriedly, Uncle Li, how are you? You

He still had a breath left in him. With all his strength, he caught the boys sleeves; the latter tried to embrace him and help him stand. The girl in purple walked over, lifting the old mans eyelids, frowning, Its theThree Geng2Until Deathpoison, hes beyond saving now. My condolences.

The boy threw her hands off, glowering. He shouted at her, Stop saying nonsense!

Her brows raised, murderous intent resurfacing on her smiling expression. But she suppressed it after remembering something, arms crossed in front of her chest with a sneer, You little puppy cant even see between good and bad.

The fisherman only looked at her for brief moment. He scanned over everyone, finally stopping at Zhou Zishu who was standing at the statues feet, two straws sticking out of his head, making a laughable sight of himself. The old man turned to him, about to say something.

Everyones gaze followed his. The girl laughed, Ah! I was just wondering who my benevolent savior was, cant believe its you! I bought you wine, you helped me fight; so were even!

She spoke as if those two things could ever be equal, but Zhou Zishu wouldnt stoop as low as to argue with a pretty girl. He smiled, walking over to the old man, squatting down, You calling me, old chap?

The fisherman said, I Ill return your silver, your boat ride was free, you must help help me

Zhou Zishu didnt wait for him to continue, shaking his head and reluctantly stood up, but the old mans grip on his wrist was unwavering, Help me bring this child to Tai Hu Holdings of the Zhao family

He was nowhere near a beautiful lady, so Zhou Zishu sighed, Listen, old man

He was interrupted. Small favor, should should be repaid with big gratitude

Zhou Zishu raised his head, sullenly looking at this shrine in ruins in the middle of nowhere. He thought about the possibility of changing his face again, as this one still didnt look sickly enough. How else people are thinking hes that benevolent to agree to these favors?

The fisherman seemed to be in his final moment, his grip ever stronger but his breath faint and weak in his throat. He faltered, Consider this a way to accumulate your own merits, please! For your descendants even if you die and have no offspring. Theres still your next life

Those words hit him like a lightning strike, and the nails on his chest acted up again, as if wanting to sink even further into the flesh.Theres still your next life. Your sins this lifetime will be paid in full with your death in three years, but but theres still the next life to look forward to, right?

After a long while, Zhou Zishu sighed, turning over the silver crumble a few times in his palm and putting it back in his breast pocket.

The fishermans hazy eyes brightened, his lips trembled. Then the light in his eyes slowly dimmed, hand loosening its grip on Zhou Zishus and hanging down limply. He still seemed to rattle on about something, though.

Zhou Zishu put his ears closer to the elders mouth, hearing him mutter brokenly, You must have to If you dont Ill Ill haunt, haunt eighteen generations your ancestors

Zhou Zishu sat back, truly at a loss for words as the fisherman drew his last breath, head lolled to one side. Gut-wrenching sobs tore through the young boys chest.

The old woman in servant clothes also drew a blank as she stood next to him, crying in panic. Zhou Zishu and the girl in purple stood to one side. The girls big eyes wandered, and her voice was quiet, Master said youre more than you appear to be, but I didnt really see it before. Which sect are you from? Whats your name?

Zhou Zishu graciously replied, This incompetent one is Zhou Zhou Xu, just a lonely vagrant travelling everywhere. Actually, I havent had the honor of knowing your name, young miss.

She looked him up and down, shaking her head. If you didnt look like a sick ghost and walk and talk like that, you would sound more like how Masters described. Im Gu Xiang.

She had never heard of a Zhou Xu before; besides, they only met by chance, there were no reasons to be entirely truthful with each other. But she didnt mind it much, patting the young boy on the shoulder, Say, hes passed away already, you should get him a proper burial. Are there more people chasing after you?

Still annoyed by her bluntness earlier, he only glared. The grief and anger brimmed inside him had no way to be relieved, so he directed it all at her as if she was the one who caused the murder.

Gu Xiang raised a brow. This girl had the skills but still not quite the age in addition to the feel of an unorthodox martial artist she exuded. Having enough with the boy taking his anger out on her, she raised her hand with the intention of attack, but catching her off guard was Zhou Zishus interception.

Gu Xiang felt an ice-cold hand gently wrapped around her wrist. The grip was completely painless and its culprit didnt even seem to have put any strength into it; but she was unable to either move or yank herself away. She couldnt help but give this ill-looking man an astounded look, thinking,Master highly respected this one, but hes even more mysterious than I thought. Not sure I would succeed were I ever to attack him.

Changing her mind as she was a smart one who knew her own limits, she retracted her hands, smirking at Zhou Zishu, Just doing it out of respect for you.

Then she turned to the young boy and began scolding, See, little brat, this sister is only passing by, and she helps you out of pity for your situation; so dont even look at her like she murdered you entire family or something. Try and avenge him if you want relief that much. How nice of you to only know how to cry over a dead body and bully this good, patient sister!

This girl might be clever, but she certainly wasnt kind.

Zhou Zishu, for lack of better options, was about to console him briefly; but to his surprise, the boy after being stupefied by her words suddenly wipe away the tears with all his might and knelt down. He audibly banged his head into the ground twice, voice tiny, You were right to educate me, miss, I have greatly wronged you.

He looked a little more sharp-edged with his teeth gritted way too tight, stretching out his face muscles. In contrast, Gu Xiang was dumbfounded, retreating half a step, blinking her large almond eyes, I- I didnt say that to make you kneel to me, stand- just stand up, quickly.

Zhou Zishu bent down a little to help him stand without the boy even noticing. He suggested, First we should have a burial for for Old Brother Li. He trusted me to take care of things, so Im gonna escort you on your journey. But if you two are not in a hurry, you can rest here for a bit and tell me what happened.

The boy muttered his assent, so Zhou Zishu helped him find a place behind the shrine to bury the old man. Gu Xiang, after observing and finally feeling her heart stirred, brought them a piece of wood, pulling out a dagger around her waist to carve it into a simple headstone. Whats his name? she asked.

The boy thought about it for a bit before shaking his head. He only told us his last names Li, and that he owed my father something, so he risked his life to help us escape. I just call him Uncle Li I dont really know what his real name was.

Zhou Zishu exhaled; people injianghurepay debts and exact vengeance as they see fit; is there ever a need to leave a name?

Gu Xiang had hear head down, engraving For Uncle Li the Chivalrous on the wooden headstone. She looked it over, giving to Zhou Zishu once satisfied. What do you think?

Zhou Zishu saw the word Uncle missing a stroke the moment he glanced at it, feeling both amused and sorrowful. He added the missing stroke with his finger before putting it in front of the simple grave.

The young boy knelt down, kowtowing three times while trying to quell down the tears. Then he stood up, his back straight.

Footnotes

1The acupuncture point in the center of the chest.

2A measurement of time, onegengequals two hours.