Chapter Forty-Five: Doubts

Wu Luohua had a roast chicken leg clamped in his mouth, bought with the last of his coins as a private treat. He mumbled, worried that the witch might try to snatch it from him, “So, who’s going to drive the carriage?”

Nalanzin smiled gently. “In such fine weather, let the horses wander freely. As long as we keep to the right direction, the three of us siblings can enjoy the scenery, drink wine, and talk. Oh, Flower Brother, your carriage without a curtain is quite ingenious, I must say.”

Wu Luohua slipped into the spacious carriage, then said meaningfully, “No worries. We don’t need a skilled coachman at the reins. What’s there to fear? Hey, let me have a sip of wine—this roast chicken is choking me.” As he spoke, he reached for Mobai’s wine jug.

Mobai burst out laughing, handing him the jug. “You!” With a subtle movement of his little finger, the horses seemed to respond to his command, picking up the road automatically. Their gait was steady and graceful.

Nalanzin’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’, unsure how to close it again. She was dazzled by Mobai’s miraculous horsemanship. Wu Luohua, gnawing on a crab leg, said, “Well, little girl, impressed yet?”

Nalanzin nodded eagerly. Wu Luohua continued, “This is nothing. There are many things that’ll surprise you when you travel with us.” In that moment, it was as if the horsemanship was his own.

Mobai said little. The affair at the Cloud Sky Sect had drawn the two men closer, especially after Mobai was trapped in the Celestial Veins Hall and Wu Luohua risked his life to protest his innocence. That bit of pure friendship meant a great deal to a man who’d seen so much.

The three followed the path toward Yihua Gate. Unconsciously, the dishes had gone through three rounds, the wine five flavors. Wu Luohua stretched lazily and glanced out the window. “We’re far from the Cloud Sky Sect now, aren’t we?”

Nalanzin blinked, asking, “Yes, Flower Brother? Do you wish to turn back for the banquet’s delicacies? By now, they must be cleaning up.”

Wu Luohua smiled calmly. “You think your Flower Brother lives only to eat?”

Nalanzin, slightly tipsy, replied, “I think you do.”

Wu Luohua shook his head. “Wrong, wrong, wrong. Don’t be fooled by how much I’ve drunk—actually, I’m the clearest-headed here. None of you have thought about a key issue.” His ambiguous remark made Mobai’s heart stir. There were things Wu Luohua couldn’t be fooled about. Though Mobai had only guessed at the matter, if it was as he suspected, he certainly did not want Wu Luohua involved. After all, Wu Luohua possessed not a trace of spiritual power, and in such a storm, how many cultivators might survive? Let alone someone as powerless as little Flower.

Mobai gently nestled Nalanzin to the soft inner side of the carriage, then sat beside Wu Luohua, smiling. “Little Flower, if you see something we’ve missed, speak up.”

Wu Luohua, seeing Mobai’s tact, raised a thumb in approval. “Big Brother Mobai, you’re wise. This isn’t something Nalanzin needs to know. She’s still young.”

Mobai smiled wryly. “Honestly, I didn’t want you to know either, but you’re too sharp.”

Wu Luohua shook his head. “Big Brother Mobai, I just have a question.” He didn’t wait for Mobai to speak further, but looked up at the setting sun and said slowly, “Why did Master Withered Branch, knowing Cloud Void was a traitor and Cloud Punishment ambitious, never step forth to stop them? He had long withdrawn from the sect’s core, living in seclusion. Why didn’t the true leader, Master Cloud Expanse, emerge to uphold justice? It’s been three years. However formidable Cloud Void was, he couldn’t have wounded Cloud Expanse so badly that he’s still not recovered after all this time, could he?”

A glint flashed in Mobai’s eyes. He touched the scar on his brow, murmuring, “Perhaps Master Withered Branch simply can’t spare the attention.”

Wu Luohua’s eyes, though seemingly drunken, suddenly grew clear. He said quietly, “Who in the Cloud Sky Sect could distract Master Withered Branch so?”

At that, Mobai and Wu Luohua both glanced at the sleeping Nalanzin. They exchanged a bittersweet smile. From the moment Nalanzin had linked arms with Mobai and sparred words with Wu Luohua, they knew this little witch was fated to share a bond with them.

The bright moon slid across the starry sky. Mobai and Wu Luohua spoke no more, but raised their cups in silent toast, draining them and pouring again, letting the mysteries of Master Cloud Expanse—leader among the Cloud Sky Six, sequestered in the Cloud Palace—fade into the night.

The crisis of the Cloud Sky Sect would only come to light when she again appeared before the world.

After seven days’ journey, the three grew inseparable. Occasionally, Nalanzin would tease Little Flower, which Mobai watched with amused delight. Such wandering days, free and carefree, were perhaps Mobai’s favorite.

“Big Brother Mobai, look! That market up ahead is so lively!” Nalanzin stood outside the carriage, gesturing delicately toward the bustling town.

Wu Luohua leapt out, stretching and remarking spiritedly, “Indeed. Hm, Gan Fort—looks like this is the domain of the Gan clan.”

Mobai looked up and saw the city gate inscribed with three bold black characters: Gan Fort.

They entered Gan Fort, finding every passerby radiant with joy, an indefinable happiness. Wu Luohua grinned, “This must be a place of honest folk, kind and generous. Look how festive the villagers are.”

Nalanzin bounced along, unable to sit still. She’d barely visited even Cloud Village, let alone such a grand market. Sugared hawthorn and sticky stove candy filled her arms, and before long she’d found a colorful tiger-head cap, which she wore boldly atop her head, looking all the more mischievous.

Mobai, feeling the urge for wine, sniffed out an inn called Lone White House. He beckoned Wu Luohua and Nalanzin. A clever young attendant led their carriage to the rear courtyard, with fine fodder for the horses.

Inside Lone White House, dozens of brown wine jars greeted them, their aroma barely hidden by red silk covers.

Mobai sighed inwardly, and at the attendant’s guidance, they sat at a quaint little table, ordered a few elegant dishes, and several jugs of Lone White wine, beginning to drink leisurely.

“Little brother, how many days’ journey to Yihua Gate from here?” Wu Luohua asked, picking at celery and peanuts.

“Sir, Yihua Gate is a sacred land for cultivators. I’ve only heard of it, and couldn’t say exactly how far. But our old proprietor says if you follow the road west from Gan Fort, you can’t go wrong,” the young attendant replied politely.

Everyone nodded. The direction seemed correct. Nalanzin asked, “Brother, why is everyone here so cheerful? What’s happened to make them so happy?”

The attendant perked up. “Gan Fort has been established for seventy or eighty years. Most people here aren’t named Gan, but the fort is named so because all three generations of its lords are Gan, and they’re generous and kind, treating us villagers very well. Especially the current lord—he’s brought prosperity and happiness to every household.”

Nalanzin nodded. “No wonder the villagers are so festive. With such a lord’s protection, you’re truly fortunate.”

The attendant continued, “You’re in luck, too. Today’s meal is free!”

Wu Luohua blinked. “Why? I have money.”

The attendant grinned. “Sir, even if you wanted to spend it, you couldn’t.”

Mobai and his companions were utterly baffled.