Chapter Ninety-Nine: What Defines a True Gentleman

After vigorously performing who knows how many sets of staff techniques, the young monk finally collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Although he had been well-trained in martial arts since childhood, today, fueled by a surge of determination, he had pushed himself to his utmost limit. Even those moves that felt awkward and difficult during practice were forced through with sheer willpower. Clutching his staff tightly, an image suddenly appeared before his eyes—the alluring, radiant face of Yue Wuniang. Startled, he repeatedly muttered "Amitabha" until the vision grew closer, accompanied by a soft, gentle voice, and only then did he awaken from his daze.

"Young monk, am I some kind of terrifying beast? Do you recite Amitabha whenever you see me?"

Just as Luo Ying was halfway through his eyebrow-level staff routine, Du Shiyi, who had been watching intently, was startled by Yue Wuniang’s silent appearance behind him. Learning that she had come while visiting Elder Kang, noticed that he and Ming Guang were whispering and secretly left An Guo Temple, then quietly followed behind, Du Shiyi could only laugh bitterly to himself. Seeing her deliberately scare Luo Ying again, he cleared his throat and said, "Madam Yue, please don’t frighten the young monk. He’s nearly exhausted after that entire staff routine."

"He’s not so helpless," Yue Wuniang smiled sweetly and reached out to gently stroke the smooth head of the seated Luo Ying. Then she stood up straight and said, "Last night, when he was showing off his prowess, striking exactly where pointed, he was truly impressive! I watched clearly from the rooftop. If the abbot hadn’t appeared in person later, those brutes under General Wang would have suffered greatly!"

Luo Ying was still a little dazed by her sudden appearance, but hearing her praise his valor and how he made those ruffians pay dearly, while feeling that soft, boneless hand caressing his head, his heart was filled with joy. He wanted to speak several times, but fearing his awkwardness might displease her, he remained silent, quietly admiring her exquisite features and delicate expressions, which were utterly captivating. When Yue Wuniang looked back at him again, his heart couldn’t help but pound wildly.

"Young monk, with such excellent martial skills, don’t let them go to waste!"

Yue Wuniang harbored no fondness for Wang Shouzhen, who had insisted on staying at An Guo Temple last night. Moreover, her master’s public self-sacrifice by the Wu River in the final act of "Chu and Han" was clearly a statement forced by the subtle pressures from countless powerful patrons over the years. Not to mention the near-danger she herself faced last year. Now, in front of Du Shiyi, one of their own, and the still inexperienced young monk, she expressed herself without reserve.

Seeing Luo Ying staring blankly, she thought he still doubted her words. Bending down, she gently patted his cheek and smiled, "When I studied with my master, I learned a saying: ‘Are nobles and generals born into their ranks?’ You must know, that great General Wang was once just a mere household slave! A true man’s worth is not in age but in ambition; he dares to act with courage and integrity, looks up without shame before heaven and down without guilt before men."

Having finished, she approached Du Shiyi and solemnly knelt with folded hands. "Sir Du, though my master thanked you publicly before, I haven’t had the chance to express my own gratitude. This trip to the Eastern Capital was undertaken with a firm resolve. Had the first performance faltered, my master would have regretted it forever. Including the occasion at Dengfeng, I owe you both a great debt, which I will repay in due course. I cannot stay long—farewell."

Without looking back once, she left with a smile. Du Shiyi couldn’t help but sigh at how alike the two of them were. The present-day Yue Wuniang was far from the shy girl he first met in that humble Song-style room, who was heard but unseen. Whether in sword dance or as a person, three years of hardship had polished away the rough exterior to reveal a dazzling inner brilliance. This was evident even from the young monk’s flushed, unchanging gaze fixed upon her.

He wondered whether she did it unintentionally or on purpose.

"Luo Ying... Luo Ying!"

Du Shiyi called twice before the young monk snapped back to reality. Seeing Du Shiyi’s half-smile watching him, he instinctively lowered his head in embarrassment but then bit his lip and looked up to ask, "Sir Du, if I master martial arts... if I study at Shaolin Temple on Mount Song and become skilled, is there a chance I could surpass General Wang in the future?"

Thinking of Yue Wuniang’s words that had inspired the young monk’s resolve, Du Shiyi sighed, "It’s possible. But you were born into the Buddhist order. Are you truly willing to abandon your past, to take up arms and fight for a goal you never once considered? You must think carefully. Madam Yue’s words sound simple, but let me tell you, even if you became peerless in martial arts, that alone might not guarantee success. Take the Western Han’s Flying General Li Guang—famous for his valor, yet he never received a noble title despite countless battles. Do you think you could match him?"

His words were like a cold splash of water, cooling the young monk’s fiery enthusiasm stirred by Yue Wuniang’s encouragement. Luo Ying opened his mouth to reply but could say nothing, sinking into silence.

Du Shiyi smiled and said, "Today, seeing your eyebrow-level staff routine made up for my regrets from yesterday. Luo Ying, before I leave, I’ll give you one last piece of advice: ‘Perseverance carves through metal and stone; to give up, even rotting wood won’t break.’ Take care of yourself. I’m off."

Tián Mò, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward, earnest. "Young monk, your staff technique is truly impressive. I admire you."

After saying that, he hurried after Du Shiyi’s retreating figure. The two left the courtyard, and Luo Ying sat there, dazed for a while. At the second gate, a head poked out, and soon the young servant who had answered the door appeared.

"Luo Ying? Weren’t they supposed to come fetch you?" The servant spoke without waiting for a reply. "You’re clearly innocent, but the abbot won’t stand up for you! You’ve been at An Guo Temple since childhood. If you go to Shaolin on Mount Song, it won’t be like those five years learning skills—you might not return for a long time! That Wang Shouzhen is despicable, relying on his grandfather, Duke Huo and General Wang. He’s a good-for-nothing who got a position. The Buddha must be blind!"

"Silence! Don’t slander the Buddha!" Luo Ying snapped angrily. Seeing the servant’s displeased face, he pressed his palms together, chanting "Amitabha" a few times, then said resolutely, "If I cannot endure such injustice, my faith is not yet firm. Better to leave now than stay and cause trouble for the abbot. Zitan, please send a message to An Guo Temple, asking the abbot to issue me a travel permit. I will set out for Shaolin immediately, so if anyone comes looking for me here, it won’t be hard to explain."

He would decide what to do once he arrived at Shaolin.

Du Shiyi had no idea that his and Yue Wuniang’s visits had spurred the young monk to make this firm decision. Although today he had gained public acclaim, the sudden turn of events filled him with a deep sense of crisis. No matter how renowned Lady Gongsun was, she remained insignificant in the eyes of the powerful. Had she not declared her resolve through sword dance today, more trouble like last night’s might have occurred during their stay in the Eastern Capital. His earlier maneuver at Dengfeng, cornering Liu Zhao to helplessness, would never be repeated. Those were merely small clever tricks.

This year’s Judicial Examination in Jingzhao Prefecture was the first major hurdle he had to overcome.

"Sir Du has returned."

From the moment Du Shiyi entered the Cui residence, greetings like this followed him. At the second gate, Cui Jianxuan awaited him, chattering about how Cui Jiuniang had sneaked out and how their parents were furious afterward. Normally, Du Shiyi would tease him about Jiuniang, but this time he casually replied, "Jiuniang went to An Guo Temple with Princess Jin Xian. Though she’s impulsive, she wouldn’t sneak out during the dowager’s funeral just for spectacle. She must have her reasons."

"You actually defend her!" Cui Jianxuan’s eyes widened in surprise. But Du Shiyi’s next words quickly dispelled any curiosity about this odd change.

"Cui Shiyi, I plan to depart for Chang’an immediately after the second lunar month. Although the Jingzhao Prefecture exam won’t start until July, there’s also the county-level exam in Wannian before that—I don’t want to delay. If those two ink workers I mentioned arrive, have them come to Chang’an to find me."

"Hmm?"

Cui Jianxuan was stunned and about to ask why when Du Shiyi stopped, turned, and calmly recounted everything he had seen today at An Guo Temple and the small house in Dunhua Lane. Though Du Shiyi looked delicate, his character was fiery and fierce. Furious, Cui Jianxuan stormed off for a few steps but then stopped. From behind came Du Shiyi’s voice again.

"Glad you haven’t lost your mind."

"You think I’m such a fool?" Cui Jianxuan whirled around, looking for something to vent his anger on but found nothing nearby except distant plants and pots. Frustrated, he said, "Wang Maozhong is nothing. When my father followed the sage to punish Wei Shuren, he sneaked away cleanly. A coward with no backbone! He only redeemed himself by some merit in Princess Taiping’s campaign! This kind of fence-sitter, and now his son is proud of him... damned!"

After venting, he kicked a small stone far away, then looked up and said, "I’m not as good at studying as my elder brother, nor as sharp as my younger brother, and I can’t match you in learning either. Maybe I can still make something of myself in the military. I’ll tell my father to get me a position through family connections! A true man should establish military merit and secure territory! Du Shijiu, it’s settled—we brothers, one literary, one martial, will marry two beautiful sisters and become brothers-in-law!"

His earlier words were lofty and passionate; Du Shiyi secretly thought Cui Jianxuan had grown from this experience. But the last part about marrying sisters to become brothers-in-law made him laugh and shake his head.

What did that have to do with his grand ambitions?