Chapter Fifty-Four: Perplexity
Right and wrong, truth and falsehood—no one can truly untangle them. Whether it’s Water Lotus or Shao Donghua, who owes whom in the end? Not even the two of them could say for sure, let alone outsiders. Since all of it has already faded into the past, let it remain so. Old Su, despite his distaste for this place, still had certain obligations. He had to stay and watch over these two, if only as a penance for his own reckless and unrestrained past.
Of course, the workings of his heart at this moment were understood by neither Shui Linglong nor Water Lotus, nor was there any need for them to understand. Old Su was nothing more than a decrepit old man, and the only companion left to him was his wine. When you think about it, wine is indeed a fine thing. Drinking it brings enjoyment, and if one becomes drunk, it allows all the worries of past and present to be washed away, which is all the more comforting. The trouble now was that, whereas before two or three cups would have him insensible, these days even two or three jugs scarcely sufficed.
“My affairs are none of your concern. I have my own considerations. The two of you have come together today—what is your purpose? Surely you’re not here simply to listen to me play or to challenge me in martial arts?” As Shui Linglong spoke, her hand once more began to pluck the strings of her zither. She was truly a master of music; though the melody was subtle, to someone like Old Su, focused intently, the sound conjured images of rushing water and gentle breezes. The music and the scene complemented each other perfectly, instilling a sense of quiet softness. Of course, he was only here as a foil; if Water Lotus hadn’t half-dragged him along, he would have kept his distance from such a gathering of women. Even if he wished to listen to music, he would rather do so from afar, seated beneath an eave with a pot of wine to savor at his leisure.
“I wouldn’t dare presume, but lately strange happenings have stirred in the martial world. They may bring misfortune to our Blue Lotus Cult. Mistress, you must be on your guard!” At Shui Linglong’s question, Water Lotus instinctively took a step back—perhaps out of fear, or perhaps out of instinctive respect. Whatever the reason, her actions were deliberate. When she’d steadied herself, she spoke quietly. This was no trivial matter; if it had been anyone else, the music would have faltered at least for a moment. But Shui Linglong was different—the music continued undisturbed, gentle and graceful as ever, the very essence of spring. Her fingers danced lightly over the strings. As for her face, veiled and unreadable, it was surely calm. “Oh? Our Blue Lotus Cult has hidden from the world for sixteen years, never once stepping out from Ge Yuan Valley. The martial world believes us long since vanished. Even if tales are told, they are nothing but old stories—what profit or harm could come of them? You worry too much.”
Her words were not without reason. Shui Linglong was not one to be rattled by mere rumor. Even confronted with dire threats, she could remain composed. Anyone who has walked the line between life and death so many times comes to see the so-called great affairs of the world as trivial. At this moment, this was surely her perspective. Yet, while she could be so calm, others could not. Water Lotus, for example, was visibly anxious, her expression full of concern at Shui Linglong’s apparent indifference.
“So, tell me—what rumors in the martial world could trouble you so?” Thus pressed, the words Water Lotus had prepared died on her lips. The authority of this so-called Mistress was not to be denied. Observing her subordinate’s discomfort, Shui Linglong understood her mind. The music did not falter; after a brief pause, she continued, offering a way out for someone who had served her for decades. After all, the bond between Mistress and servant could not be so easily dismissed. The former Blue Lotus Mistress, though cold, was not heartless.
With this, Water Lotus relaxed a little. She had borne the name “Lotus” for sixteen years, ever since the battle of the Three Wolves, when she had given up her original name, Linglong, to her Mistress. Since then, they’d presented themselves as mother and daughter to the world. Now, her face was lined with age, but the true Water Lotus remained unchanged, as fresh as the flower itself—a fact that had always inspired a touch of envy in others, including the former Linglong, and now Water Lotus herself.
“The marriage of Shen Wansan’s daughter at Bright Moon Manor should have been nothing out of the ordinary—a man of age marries, a woman weds. But the matter has caused a great stir. The Seven-Colored Night Pearl, meant as her dowry, was stolen by someone called Golden Leaf. As you said, Mistress, this has little to do with our Blue Lotus Cult and might have been ignored. Yet Shen Wansan insists that Golden Leaf is none other than you, claiming to have crossed swords with you himself!” At this, Water Lotus paused, watching for Shui Linglong’s reaction. The name Shen Wansan seemed to strike a chord, for her playing faltered and the melody rose sharply, breaking rhythm for a moment. But the discord lasted only briefly; in the next instant, the music resumed its former course, and Shui Linglong’s voice was as unaffected as ever: “That old man has always been obsessed with appearances. Losing something so precious—if he blamed an ordinary thief, his reputation as number one in the martial world would be ruined. So he shifted the blame to me; it makes sense. Everyone knows his skills aren’t equal to mine. This way, he gives himself the perfect excuse.”
“But, Mistress, you’ve been in seclusion for sixteen years…” Shui Linglong’s explanation seemed plausible, yet left a glaring flaw. Old Su, though trying to stay out of their conversation, could not help but interject, for it was indeed a crucial point. The death of the Blue Lotus Mistress had been witnessed by many in the martial world; it could not be faked. Moreover, for sixteen years she had lived in seclusion, uninvolved with the outside world. How then could Shen Wansan make such a claim? Was he not contradicting himself?
There was no answer to this. No matter who pondered it, none could find a satisfying explanation. Shui Linglong was perplexed, as was the Daoist Master Tianji. At this moment, Cold Lake Robe and Xia Wuyah stood before the old man, their faces full of confusion, staring at this elder in silent calculation.
“Master, could it be that Shen Wansan was desperate and spoke nonsense in the heat of the moment?” This was the most likely explanation, at least to Cold Lake Robe. The Daoist Master slowly rose from his seat, pacing the great hall as he considered the possibility. After four or five circuits, he shook his head and denied it with certainty. “Impossible. I have known Old Shen for decades. I know his character well. That old fox is always cautious; he would never speak without absolute certainty. Besides, was it not the same at the Prince of Qi’s residence? There, too, Lotus’s symbol was left behind, and in Jinjiang City, people saw Water Lotus at the Qilian Inn. One incident could be a coincidence, but what about two? Or three?”
His gaze fixed on Cold Lake Robe’s face, and though he was waiting for an answer, to the young man it felt as if he were being accused of stealing the pearl himself. Even knowing the truth, Cold Lake Robe could not bring himself to speak; guilt made him lower his head. Still, the Daoist Master took this only as a sign of his disciple’s remorse for being unable to answer. Xia Wuyah, on the other hand, stood apart, with no such burdens. His mind was free to consider the situation more broadly. He immediately asked, “Master, surely Shen Wansan didn’t summon you to Xingyang just to tell you these things. You’ve been old friends for years; he knows well about Mistress. She died at the hands of that Water Demon. You may claim not to care, but this must be a sore point. That’s why you reacted as you did before. You said Shen Wansan is always careful and never acts without a plan. He must have another purpose. Master, besides the Blue Lotus Cult, is there something else Shen Wansan wishes to discuss with you?”