Chapter Forty-Eight: Bamboo and Stone

Yan Yunfei let out a sigh and said, "It is my own inadequacy—I was unable to rescue your father. When I last saw you, you were still swaddled in an infant's cloth, and never did I imagine you would grow into such a graceful young woman, much like Red Aunt. By the way, how is she these days?"

Hongyu spoke softly, "She has already passed away."

As she said this, she couldn't help but lower her voice to a quiet sob, sorrow rising from within.

Yan Yunfei sighed once more. "Now that you are left alone in this world, and in part because of me, would you be willing to accompany me as I travel the martial world?"

Hongyu glanced down at Chu Youcai, then shook her head gently. "Brother Chu has been very kind to me."

Yan Yunfei nodded. "Your brother Chu strikes me as a man of exceptional bearing, measured in his actions, and quick-witted. Knowing you have his care, I can rest easy."

He then produced a whip from his robes, as thick as a finger and only a couple of meters long, its surface inscribed with many symbols that seemed to glimmer with faint sparks of fire. He handed it to Hongyu. "Let this be a token of our meeting. Though it is not a cursed treasure, it will greatly aid your cultivation."

Hearing Yan Yunfei praise Chu Youcai in such terms, warmth bloomed in Hongyu's heart as she accepted the whip.

But the moment her fingers touched it, her heart gave a sudden tremor.

Her ghostly medium's body seemed to resonate with the whip, as though it had been crafted for her alone. She felt that with a sweep of this whip, newborn ghosts would stand no chance to resist.

This was the perfect weapon for a ghost medium!

Hongyu was instantly enamored with it, for had she not longed to strengthen her ghostly powers? With this whip, if she ventured once more into the ghostly realm, perhaps she could capture a few fierce spirits and use it to tame them!

Her eyes shone with joy and anticipation.

At this moment, Yan Yunfei turned to Chu Youcai. "Now that this matter is settled, I must make my way to the Prince’s manor."

Chu Youcai responded, "Master Yan, this trouble arose because of me. Allow me to accompany you to the Prince’s manor."

Yan Yunfei gave him an approving nod. "You need not worry on my account. I am here by the Prince’s own commission, to resolve the locust plague in Yanzhou. Rest assured, the Prince’s manor will not cause me any harm."

Hearing this, Chu Youcai and those nearby finally understood why Yan Yunfei showed no fear of the Prince’s household—he and the Prince were old confidants.

The more Yan Yunfei observed Chu Youcai, the more he found himself drawn to the young man. He clapped Chu Youcai on the shoulder. "I suffered calamity in my youth; all my kin perished tragically, and I was left to wander the world, enduring unspeakable humiliation. When I returned home after mastering my skills, I sought vengeance, only to discover that my family’s disaster had been brought on because my own father had unjustly slain another."

He paused, then continued, "So in the end, I killed my enemy, but spared his family."

Hearing this, Chu Youcai could not help but feel a deep respect, never expecting Yan Yunfei to remain true to his principles even when facing his foes.

Yan Yunfei went on, "Afterwards, the man’s descendants pursued me relentlessly, and on several occasions I narrowly escaped death, but I never harmed them. When the truth finally came to light, they ceased their pursuit, and all enmity between us ended."

"From that day, I have walked the path of chivalry, always making clear distinctions between right and wrong, punishing only the truly wicked!"

Yan Yunfei laughed heartily, striding off into the distance with unwavering resolve, exuding the air of one who would press forward even if a thousand stood in his way.

Watching Yan Yunfei’s departing figure, Chu Youcai suddenly felt a surge of admiration. Since coming to this world, he had most envied these heroic souls, and now, before his very eyes, he saw the embodiment of such unrestrained spirit.

He called out, "Master Yan, hold a moment—I have a poem to present to you, titled 'Bamboo and Stone.'"

Yan Yunfei paused in his steps.

Chu Youcai recited, "Clinging steadfast to the green mountain, it will not let go, its roots planted deep in shattered stone!"

At first, those who heard Chu Youcai announce a poem were curious to witness his literary talent, but the opening lines left them somewhat disappointed.

Then Chu Youcai paused, and his tone grew fervent. "After a thousand trials and ten thousand blows, its vigor remains undiminished—let the winds from east, west, south, and north do as they will!"

In that instant, Chu Youcai’s gaze shone with a burning intensity. He thought of all the oppression and humiliation he had suffered in his previous life—never once did he give up, always struggling forward. And now, in this world, though faced with injustice and the oppression of the Lady, he still clung to his core self. Even if he failed in the pursuit of the Dao, he would continue to row through the sea of suffering, forging ahead against the current!

Yet the Lady showed him no mercy, driving him to despair with her despicable cruelty, though he had done nothing to deserve it. Anger burned in his heart, but he could only endure it.

The more he tried to endure and conceal it, the heavier the oppression became.

But now, witnessing Yan Yunfei’s bearing, enlightenment dawned within him. He must face adversity head-on, like a hidden dragon rising from the depths, to remain true to himself and protect those dear to him.

Upon hearing the poem, Yan Yunfei’s face lit up with joy. He thought of the bamboo’s tenacity and resilience, so akin to his own unyielding spirit—unyielding through countless twists and trials, forever free, steadfast, and optimistic!

He savored the lines, feeling their heroic air all the more, a sense of unrestrained freedom that perfectly captured his very essence.

He was overjoyed, his heart brimming with delight, and he sang as he strode away: "Clinging steadfast to the green mountain, it will not let go, its roots planted deep in shattered stone. After a thousand trials and ten thousand blows, its vigor remains undiminished—let the winds from east, west, south, and north do as they will! Wonderful, wonderful!"

His voice faded into the distance, but the heroic spirit lingered, striking a deep chord in everyone’s heart.

At that moment, all eyes turned in astonishment toward Chu Youcai.

The latter two lines brought the poem to life, casting Yan Yunfei as both bamboo and stone, their characters perfectly intertwined. Chu Youcai’s gift for spontaneous verse left everyone in awe.

That single word, "let," exuded fearless generosity, while the opening word, "clinging," captured indomitable persistence.

Were such a poem to spread, Chu Youcai’s fame would surely soar, and perhaps he would even draw upon the power of literary inspiration.

Yet someone shook their head at this thought. After all, Chu Youcai’s name was scarcely known, he had been cast out by his family, expelled from the household—could such a man’s spirit truly sustain such a poem? Perhaps it was merely a stroke of luck; to truly gain the power of literature, fine poetry alone was not enough.

Even so, their opinion of Chu Youcai shifted, and, almost without realizing it, a trace of respect for him was born.

As all eyes silently fixed upon Chu Youcai, a glimmer of tears shone in Yun Cuixian’s gaze.

No matter how exhilarating it was when Chu Youcai chastised Zhu Yuzheng, no matter how astonishing his poetic talent, no matter how remarkable his composure, what she remembered most deeply was one sentence he had spoken:

—"Between my wife Yun Cuixian and me, there is only mutual respect and steadfast devotion. I will love only Yun Cuixian in this lifetime—how could such a feeling be defiled by one such as you?"