Chapter 94 094 I want you to become the person you speak of who is worthy of heaven and earth...
--
Do you realize you were wrong?
It was a gentle breeze against a light drizzle, and the morning glow against the setting sun①.
Beneath the red wall covered with lush green creeper, a girl with her hair in two buns and dressed in red, who looked no more than eight or nine years old, was forced to stand in front of the red wall and green tiles with her hands outstretched. Her once fair and tender palms were burning with pain and looked swollen.
Before her stood a refined young man in a grey shirt, holding a ruler in one hand, resembling a schoolteacher yet unlike any other. His demeanor was calm and reserved, yet concealed a hint of sharpness, much like the small golden dart he held in his other hand, which, in the setting sun, always seemed to flash across her serene brows before silently disappearing into the verdant foliage.
He stared at the girl before him, his expression unchanged, and asked again:
Do you realize your mistake?
The burning pain in her palm caused a fine layer of sweat to appear on the girl's forehead. She glanced at the golden dart in the young man's hand before muttering:
[...I know I was wrong.]
What went wrong?
The girl looked dejected:
The golden dart... belongs to the old head镖师 (镖师 is a term for a镖师 who is very powerful and influential), and only the chief镖师 (镖师 is a term for a top镖师 in the world) can possess it. I... shouldn't have taken it without permission...
Although he said that, his eyes never left the golden dart in the young man's hand.
The young man listened, a slight furrow appearing between his brows:
【besides. 】
The girl paused, feeling a little weak:
[And... he's repeated offenses. He shouldn't have troubled his martial uncle...]
The young man didn't let her off the hook; he even slapped the ruler against his palm and said coolly:
【besides. 】
【And...and...】Under the threat of the ruler, a fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead. The girl lowered her head and pondered for a long time, finally gritting her teeth and raising her head indignantly. Her almond-shaped eyes, reflecting the rosy clouds, seemed like two burning flames glaring at the young man who was much taller than her:
【My father is the head of the Four Great Halls of the World's Number One Escort Agency, and I, Jiang Ling'er, am the young master of the World's Number One Escort Agency, the future chief escort! The golden dart is rightfully mine; what's wrong with me taking it? Why…】 Still filled with awe, under the young man's cool gaze, her voice grew softer and softer, until it was barely a whisper:
Besides... besides, I only took it to play with, it's not like I'm not going to return it...
Extend your hand.
The girl's long eyelashes trembled, and she hesitantly reached out her hand.
Stretch it out a bit more.
The girl's face paled slightly, but she still did as she was told and stretched out her palm, placing it right in front of the young man's eyes.
[Firstly, taking something without permission is theft and should be punished. Secondly, the golden dart belongs to the chief镖头 (head镖师, a high-ranking official in charge of security escorts); regardless of who you are, you shouldn't have coveted it, let alone committed insubordination; you should be punished. Thirdly, knowing your mistake but refusing to correct it shows disrespect for elders and should be punished. Any objections?]
The girl's face was almost bloodless as she shook her head with difficulty.
【good. 】
The young man casually uttered a "good," and the ruler struck her palm repeatedly, each blow heavier than the last. The girl gritted her teeth and endured it all without uttering a single word or crying out "it hurts."
A chubby-faced boy, about the same age as the girl, was holding a baby girl in his arms. The baby girl had curly hair like seaweed and rosy cheeks, just like a doll in a New Year's painting.
He secretly observed the young man while holding the baby girl, and seeing that the young man was truly angry, he thought to himself, "Oh no!" and rushed out with the baby girl in his arms!
"He Wu..." He stopped abruptly after uttering just two words, almost biting his own tongue.
When Uncle He was angry, he hated it most when people called him "Uncle He" to get close to him. It would be better if they didn't call him that, because if they did, he would be punished even more severely.
After considering the choice between "Master of the Azure Dragon Hall" and "Uncle-Master He Yong," the young man decisively chose "Uncle-Master He Yong," as it sounded more familiar.
He quickly put the little girl down, then knelt down before the young man and performed a deep, respectful bow.
【Uncle-Master He Yong, Second Junior Sister knows she was wrong, so please forgive her this time!】
The young man was unimpressed, giving the boy a cold glance before his gaze fell on the little girl beside him who was still sucking her fingers and oblivious to the world:
"Xiao'er, don't think I don't know what you're up to. Get out of my way."
The boy's back stiffened abruptly. Hearing the young man strike the girl's hands harder with the ruler, he panicked. He grabbed the little girl's hand, gritted his teeth, and whispered in her ear:
[Go ahead and cry! You usually cry so much, why aren't you crying now!]
The little girl, not understanding what was going on, thought he was playing with her, and imitated the boy by pulling his hand while giggling.
Seeing that the young man was about to break the ruler, and the girl's hands were trembling, on the verge of collapse, the young man gritted his teeth, determined to pinch the girl hard enough to make her cry. But in the end, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He only angrily pulled her sucking little finger out of her mouth, cursing under his breath.
[Xiao Zao, your second senior sister is about to be beaten to death by your martial uncle, and all you do is grin like an idiot!]
Unexpectedly, this tug caused the little girl to lose her fun. After a moment of stunned silence, she burst into tears, her voice almost tearing the sky apart.
The young man tried to restrain himself, but couldn't bear the constant crying and fussing. He couldn't bring himself to lower the ruler he held high, and finally lowered it, staring coldly at the girl.
If you don't know you're wrong, keep standing there until you realize your mistake.
After saying this, he picked up the crying baby girl and walked away, determined to leave her with her father, Yuan Wenkang, the head of Xuanwu Hall.
The boy immediately and nimbly got up and followed, not forgetting to turn back and nod at the girl with his lips, silently saying:
Second Junior Sister, leave everything to me!
The girl, Jiang Ling'er, who was only eight or nine years old, tried to smile, but because her fingers were connected to her heart, the smile looked like she was crying. She grimaced in pain, and her almond-shaped eyes instantly became wet.
The young man, carrying the crying baby girl, turned a corner and spotted the furtive old镖头 (bodyguard/escort). He glanced at the bottles and jars in the old镖头's arms and sneered.
[Feeling sorry for them?]
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was in his prime, his upright and dignified face exuding authority even without anger. Now, after being mocked by the young man, his face flushed red, and he didn't even know what to do with his hands. He resembled a schoolboy being scolded by his teacher, just like the young girl, and stammered:
Fifth brother...
[If a child is not taught, it is the father's fault. If the teaching is not strict, it is the teacher's laziness. Ling'er is naturally unruly and disobedient. If she is not disciplined now...]
He Yong had been reprimanding her with a stern face, but the little girl in his arms was like a hot potato, her incessant nagging refusing to leave. He couldn't put her down, nor could he hold her back. A vein bulged on his forehead; he desperately wanted to throw her to her father! He stopped talking, flicked his finger, and the golden dart landed in the old镖头's hand. He quickly uttered a single sentence and left.
[It's your own daughter, you can decide what to do with her!]
--
The girl still stood before the red walls and green tiles, her head bowed in dejection, but her back was straight, like a newly sprouted reed, slender yet resilient.
It also looks like a small thorny seedling.
She was not convinced.
As the sun began to set in the west, the sky was ablaze with a fiery red glow.
Suddenly a figure appeared in front of her, and the person took her hands in their hands:
Fifth brother... why did you hit me so hard... it doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt, Dad will put some medicine on it for you...
The newcomer was none other than the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort).
Xiao Jiang Ling'er turned her head away, freeing her hands and turning her back to him. Her eyes instantly reddened, but she stubbornly refused to let the tears fall.
Seeing her like this, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) paced back and forth like a child who had done something wrong. Suddenly remembering something, he quickly took out a jar from the large bundle he had brought and presented it to the girl.
Look what Daddy brought you! This is your favorite milk...
Xiao Jiang Ling'er stubbornly refused to even glance at it, and her eyes looked even redder.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was extremely anxious. Suddenly, he saw Jiang Ling'er pacing back and forth, busy with something. Finally, Jiang Ling'er couldn't resist and secretly went to take a look.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) found a piece of white paper and a tinderbox, lit the tinderbox, and placed it under the white paper to heat it...
Little Jiang Ling'er, unaware of what the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was fiddling with, couldn't help but peek out. She saw ten large, vermilion-like characters suddenly appear on the white paper under the heat of the fire—
Ling'er, please don't be angry anymore, forgive your father.
Xiao Jiang Ling'er was startled, looking up at the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), her eyes gleaming and wide open:
Is this magic?! How did they do that?!
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the little girl had finally stopped being angry. The two of them buried themselves in the lush green brocade, fiddling with it and practicing again.
[Did you see that? Simply write something on white paper soaked in milk, let it dry, and then place it over a fire; this amazing sight will appear.]
The large characters that appeared on the white paper at this moment were: "Can we drink milk now?"
Little Jiang Ling'er laughed heartily, joyfully drinking the remaining milk, but her hands were badly bruised and red, and even the slightest touch caused excruciating pain. The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) still had to frantically feed her.
He only had this one daughter, and the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), a dignified nine-foot-tall man, was moved to tears:
[Sigh, if you had just said one less argument, wouldn't your fifth brother have loved you just as much? Why did things have to come to this...]
Little Jiang Ling'er, however, paid no attention to these things, her eyes still fixed on the red words on the white paper, her gaze bright:
[Never mind that, what an amazing magic trick! How did Father know?]
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was slightly taken aback. He saw that the almond-shaped eyes that looked at him, so similar to those of his deceased wife, were without a trace of impurity or resentment. He suddenly realized that although she was a bit stubborn, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Like your mother.
"Dad, what did you say?"
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) chuckled and shook his head, wiping away the remaining milk from the corner of her mouth with his thumb. He then took her hands in his arms, carefully applying wound medicine as he spoke:
[You're better than me. Speaking of which, you were the one who taught me this magic trick.]
Xiao Jiangling was stunned.
As the old镖头's gentle whispers faded, dusk gradually descended.
Your mother... your mother was in poor health and passed away early. Your father had to raise you while dealing with official documents. When you were full-term, you were at your most mischievous, more than ten times more mischievous than Xiaozao is now! You wouldn't drink milk, and walking or holding you didn't work either. The milk you finally drank was all vomited on the documents. Your father was tidying your clothes and even heating the documents over a fire when he discovered this strange thing. It's not usually needed, but it turned out to be perfect for coaxing you...
Jiang Ling'er was captivated as she listened to the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) recount his past. When he finished speaking and the medicine was applied, her palms felt cool and refreshing, bringing her considerable comfort.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) put away the wound medicine, his warm smile vanished, and he knelt down in front of the girl, saying seriously:
Tell your father, why have you repeatedly come to steal the golden dart from him?
Xiao Jiang Ling'er said urgently, "I didn't steal it..."
The old镖头 (chief镖师, a term referring to a skilled镖师 in ancient China) interrupted her: "Do you think the golden dart is beautiful, or do you think it's imposing to carry the unique, number one golden dart?"
Xiao Jiang Ling'er was about to argue, but under the old镖头's gaze, she gradually lost her temper and blushed.
I felt ashamed because the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was right.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) knew exactly what was going on in her mind, but he didn't press her further. Instead, he took Xiao Jiang Ling'er's hand and sat down with her under the lush green carpet. The last rays of dusk shone through the mottled carpet onto the faces of the father and daughter.
The light spots were scattered, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.
The old镖头 suddenly said:
The golden dart is the token of the chief镖头 (chief镖头, a high-ranking镖头 in the martial arts world), and only the chief镖头 of the number one镖头 in the land can possess it. Ling'er, what do you think defines a chief镖头?
Xiao Jiang Ling'er was slightly taken aback, then heard the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) say:
[Or, to put it another way, Father—what is a "hero"?]
Little Jiang Ling'er straightened her back, her childish voice ringing out, each word resounding with conviction:
A hero is one who cherishes lofty ambitions, possesses brilliant strategies, has the capacity to encompass the universe, and the will to swallow the heavens and earth. A true man born in chaotic times should wield a three-foot sword and achieve unparalleled feats! This is a phrase that Uncle-Master He Yong often repeated.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) smiled and nodded: "That's certainly something Fifth Brother would say, but he's made a mistake in one aspect."
Bell knows!
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was surprised that a child of only eight or nine years old could have such insightful opinions, especially since it was his daughter who only knew how to eat, drink, and play all day. It was truly astonishing; turning his head to look...
Tell me about it.
Xiao Jiang Ling'er clenched her fists, her pupils reflecting the light of the blazing red sunset, and said each word clearly:
A true man born in chaotic times should wield a three-foot sword and achieve unparalleled feats. This applies not only to men, but also to women!
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was stunned for a long time upon hearing this before clapping his hands and laughing heartily, something he hadn't done in a long time.
[What a fine young woman she should be! Truly worthy of being my daughter, Jiang Leilong!]
Xiao Jiang Ling'er blushed amidst the old镖头's hearty laughter, but her gaze grew even more resolute.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) laughed for a long while before saying:
"The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people; the lesser heroes are those who serve their friends and neighbors. 'Heroism' has no distinction of rank; as long as one is true to oneself and the world, and seeks only to have a clear conscience, that is true chivalry. That's what I'm trying to say." He then changed the subject, his voice turning serious, "But if you want to become the head镖师 (chief镖师, a high-ranking镖师 in the land), shouldering the responsibility of upholding justice, you need to do far more than this."
Xiao Jiang Ling'er was taken aback upon hearing this, but her back straightened even more.
To be the chief镖头 (chief镖师, a high-ranking镖师 in Chinese martial arts novels), one must dare to be a pioneer, endure what ordinary people cannot endure; once one person sets their mind on something, ten thousand cannot sway them. Loyal ministers are not afraid of death, therefore they can accomplish great things for the world; brave warriors do not care about their lives, therefore they can establish a great name for themselves in the world.
But when he saw that Xiao Jiang Ling'er looked completely bewildered, the old镖头 (bodyguard) stopped and realized that these words were really too difficult for an eight or nine-year-old child who hadn't even learned all the words yet.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) chuckled and ruffled Jiang Ling'er's hair:
You'll understand later.
Seeing that Xiao Jiang Ling'er was still looking unhappy, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) paused and stroked the stubble on his chin:
"Since that's the case, I'll use something you can understand. For us镖师 (bodyguards/escorts), the contract only becomes effective after the employer provides a token. You know that, right?"
Xiao Jiang Ling'er nodded; this was the most basic thing, and she naturally knew it.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) smiled and nodded, taking out a golden dart from his pocket. Little Jiang Ling'er's eyes lit up when she saw the golden dart, and she was about to reach for it when the old镖头 dodged her.
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) gazed at Jiang Ling'er with an unprecedented seriousness:
[Now, your father is your employer. At this moment, our relationship is no longer that of father and daughter, but employer and bodyguard. Do you understand?]
Xiao Jiang Ling'er had never seen such a serious old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) before. She subconsciously swallowed and nodded solemnly.
"Alright." The old镖头 nodded, then continued, "镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) mainly deal in six major categories: letter镖 (escorts), 票镖 (tickets), 银镖 (silver escorts), 粮镖 (grain escorts), 货镖 (goods escorts), and 人身镖 (personal escorts). I don't need any of those; I only need one promise."
Little Jiang Ling'er was stunned: [Dad...]
She had barely uttered a word when she saw the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) frown. Little Jiang Ling'er instantly realized her mistake and changed her words seriously:
【you say. 】
[I want you to become the "little woman" you speak of, someone who is worthy of heaven and earth, worthy of herself, and who shoulders the responsibility of upholding justice. Can you do that?]
As Xiao Jiang Ling'er reached for his golden dart, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) fixed his gaze on her and said in a deep voice:
Once the money is taken, the contract takes effect immediately. Think carefully before you take it.
Jiang Ling'er's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. Suddenly, she snatched the golden dart from the old镖头's hand. Her almond-shaped eyes, reflecting the fiery sunset, stared at the old镖头, and she spoke slowly and deliberately:
【It's settled then!】
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) paused for a moment, then burst into loud laughter: "This is truly my daughter, Jiang Leilong's daughter!"
He laughed for a while before finally stopping. The crimson sunset seemed to converge in Old Jiang's deep eyes. He gazed at the girl toying with the golden dart, his eyes filled with boundless tenderness, melancholy, and hope, murmuring:
"Ling'er, Daddy's waiting for you..."
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The Great Hall of the World's Number One Escort Agency.
The last rays of dawn were swallowed up, and night fell.
Jiang Ling'er stared blankly at the calligraphy burning in the candlelight, completely absorbed. Just as the flames on the calligraphy were about to lick her fingertips, Pei Xuan knocked the calligraphy out of her hand.
He casually grabbed a book from the desk and extinguished the fire on the calligraphy scroll. Then he grabbed Jiang Ling'er's hand, his long, arched eyebrows furrowing with a hint of reproach, blaming her for disregarding her own safety.
"What’s wrong with you?"
Jiang Ling'er paused, shook her head, as if her wandering mind had finally returned, and whispered, "...It's nothing."
She picked up the scroll with small cinnabar characters that had appeared on the ground: "This is..." She paused, then asked Pei Xuan, "...What's wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that?"
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Author's note: ① This is from Che Wanyu's "Ancient vs. Modern".
②The ivy was called "ground brocade" in ancient times.
③From Luo Guanzhong's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
④ From Luo Guanzhong's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
⑤ This quote comes from Liang Qichao.
⑥ This is from Su Shi's "True Eulogy to the First Generation of Zen Master Guanghui of Donglin".
⑦ Sourced from Baidu.
Memories are separated by square brackets~ There's one more chapter today!
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