The scholar raised his hand. A surge of demonic power surged out, forming a bamboo sword clutched in his grip.

This scholar was actually a bamboo demon who lived within the bamboo forest of this scroll painting.

Chen Changsheng’s gaze fell upon the bamboo sword in the scholar’s hand. “Why so rushed?” he said.

The bamboo sword in the scholar’s hand paused slightly. His eyes fixed on the man in the green robe before him.

Ignoring him, Chen Changsheng stepped into the nearby Library Pavilion.

Walking to the second level of bookshelves, Chen Changsheng stopped. He pulled out a martial arts technique manual.

Taking three more steps, he turned and pulled a military strategy book from the shelf behind him.

Reaching the third shelf level, he retrieved a Buddhist scripture.

All three books hovered upon Chen Changsheng’s palm.

His gaze shifted back to the pale-faced scholar. “Must I open them myself?” he asked.

The hand gripping the sword loosened. The scholar sighed. “Unnecessary.”

“A gentleman keeps his word,” the scholar said. “This scholar is prepared to receive one sword strike from Immortal Elder.”

Straightening his posture, the scholar stood firm before Chen Changsheng.

“Keeping one’s word.”

Chen Changsheng nodded faintly. He brought two fingers together like a sword, poised to strike.

The scholar closed his eyes. But after a long while, no pain came.

He slowly opened his eyes to look at the green-robed man.

“Does the Immortal Elder delay?” the scholar asked.

Chen Changsheng glanced at the three books in his hand. “I intend to take away these three portions of Imperial Dragon Qi. Will you not stop me?”

The scholar spoke: “The Master said this pavilion already holds mountains of gold and silver, thousands of peerless weapons, and tens of thousands of manuals. These three suffice as great aid. Though Imperial Dragon Qi carries Heaven’s blessing, without ability, even possessing nine parts cannot win the realm.”

Chen Changsheng listened and said, “Though your master has committed many unruly actions, he rightly comprehends this matter.”

“Master has always been so,” the scholar replied, “like the bamboo and orchids.”

Chen Changsheng said, “I’ve heard Prince Yu Yan Yan mentioned. Surely he had other names?”

“Master’s title was Master Zhulan,” the scholar answered.

“Zhulan? Bamboo and Orchid?” Chen Changsheng smiled. “His fondness for them is clear.”

The scholar offered a strained smile in return.

He drew himself up. “This scholar awaits your sword. After this strike, Immortal Elder may depart with the Qi.”

Chen Changsheng agreed. “Good.”

Again, he raised his fingers like a sword.

Yet ultimately, he did not strike. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Chen Changsheng asked, “Would you consider leaving with me?”

The scholar visibly paused at these words, then smiled in response. “This scholar would rather die. No serving a second master.”

“Hollow inside and upright on the outside, the bamboo follows the way of the gentleman.”

Chen Changsheng lowered his hand. “Fine principle,” he said.

“Today, I forgive you one sword stroke.”

As the words lingered, the Green-Robed Gentleman swept past gracefully out of the scenery of the Zhulan scroll painting, the three volumes carried with him.

The scholar stood blankly. In the suddenly empty pavilion, the carefree laughter of the Green-Robed figure echoed in his ears.

After a long while.

The scholar snapped out of his daze.

“Not a gentleman, yet surpassing one.”

The scholar murmured quietly. He thought that if Master knew about this, he would dearly wish to meet this Green-Robed Gentleman.

He was about to leave himself when he saw the Green-Robed gentleman return.

The scholar halted. “Immortal Elder returns? Is something unfinished?”

“Ahem, well…”

Chen Changsheng cleared his throat. “Might I… borrow some silver?”

“Eh?”

The scholar was stunned.

…

Back in the Main Hall, Chen Changsheng looked at the scroll before him.

The painting of the bamboo, orchids, and White Pagoda faded away, transforming back into an image of Prince Yu.

Chen Changsheng lowered his gaze to the books in his hand, then tucked them away into his sleeve.

He walked out of the Manor of Prince Yu.

But as he walked, the bulging coin purse at his waist jingled loudly.

He had taken quite a bit.

.

.

Chen Changsheng returned to the Tea Stall.

Seeing him, Yan Huanglou looked displeased. “Not gone long, back already?”

Chen Changsheng said, “I have silver now. Came for tea.”

“Oh?”

Yan Huanglou smiled. “Tea costs different. One coin, three coins, ten coins. Ten-coins tastes best. Which?”

Chen Changsheng considered. “The ten-coins kind.”

Hearing this, Yan Huanglou broke into a wide grin.

“Yes, yes! Right away! Tea coming!”

His expression was particularly transparent.

But Chen Changsheng suddenly raised his hand, placing a silver ingot on the table.

“Enough for a hundred cups. Keep this here.”

Yan Huanglou’s eyes locked onto the shining white silver.

He was startled, but did not reach for it. Instead, he sat opposite. “Where’d you get this silver?”

“Worried to take it?” Chen Changsheng asked back.

Yan Huanglou said, “If it’s robbed from someone, I dare not touch it.”

“Begged for it,” Chen Changsheng answered with a smile.

Yan Huanglou was silent for a moment, thinking hard.

After a long while.

He spoke: “Where did you beg? I’ll go too.”

Seeing his expression, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but laugh. “Your house,” he replied.

Yan Huanglou rolled his eyes. “If you won’t say, fine. Don’t make fun.”

Even as he said this, his hand moved swiftly, pocketing the ingot anyway.

“Deal’s done. A hundred teas. Can’t return it if it doesn’t add up!”

Seeing his expression, Chen Changsheng laughed again. “Fine. Even if less than a hundred, I won’t ask you to return it.”

Yan Huanglou beamed. He walked aside and even took it out to bite it to check. Seeing it genuine, his grin nearly split his face.

Chen Changsheng sat drinking his tea at the stall, watching to see how long Yan Huanglou could stay this pleased.

The old man truly loved money.

It took quite a while for Yan Huanglou to calm down. His steps were lighter, and serving Chen Changsheng came with a new hint of flattery.

“Look at your expression,” Chen Changsheng remarked.

Yan Huanglou chuckled. “Yes, yes, whatever you say.”

Chen Changsheng could only rub his temples and silently sigh.

Half the tea gone.

Seeing the table relatively quiet, Chen Changsheng finally asked, “So… Prince Yu is actually your father, right?”

“Shhh! Lower!”

Yan Huanglou flinched, leaning close to whisper: “Not by blood. I was found outside the manor. Prince Yu… was my adoptive father.”

“No wonder…”

Chen Changsheng murmured. Then asked, “What sort of man was Prince Yu… ah, I mean your adoptive father? Do you know?”

“What sort…?” Yan Huanglou began to recollect.

Chen Changsheng raised an eyebrow. “You need to think about it?”

Yan Huanglou sighed. “Adoptive father rarely showed himself. I saw him only a few times. I hadn’t been in the manor long when he… surrendered. Truth be told, I didn’t know much.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “I see…”

Yan Huanglou added, “But thinking back… if not for him taking me in, I’d have been beaten to death by those thugs.”

Chen Changsheng looked interested. “Such a past? Why not tell me so we can all enjoy it?”

“……”