It was spring, and the peach trees had begun to form delicate flower buds. The fresh, calming fragrance in the air soothed Ping'an's mind. When they first met, she was only sixteen years of age, and now, as two years had passed, she was fully a woman. The trio had been living together in Peach Blossom Valley for almost two years now. Zhao Renshu's old bedroom, now three times its original size, served as their shared space, and they had set up a dedicated study room for Guo Baiyu, a quiet haven for his scholarly pursuits.
"Are you ready?" Zhao Renshu called out, his voice cheerful.
"I am ready," Ping'an replied, then looked behind Zhao Renshu. "Baiyu?"
Guo Baiyu emerged from the back of the kitchen, adjusting a small satchel. "Let's go," he said, a faint smile on his face.
Today marked their second anniversary, and the lovers decided to celebrate by dining in the city. Moreover, their household supplies were running low, and Shan, their elderly housekeeper, hadn't mentioned anyone in need recently. So, the trio decided on a day of relaxation: they would head to the center of Cloud City to eat, buy some random trinkets, and restock their food supplies. Even though their treasure cave was overflowing with gold and silver, the lovers still wore ordinary, plain clothes, preferring to blend in like low-level citizens.
Compared with other towns, Cloud City was remarkably small, home to only about eighty families. Yet, it was strategically built on a peninsula, surrounded by long mountain ranges and a main river, and was only a two-day walk from Capital City. Despite its size, business thrived, with many wealthy merchants stopping there daily. Finding a house in Cloud City was nearly impossible for new residents, as every inch of land was already owned.
Speaking of ownership, Zhao Renshu, unbeknownst to most, actually owned half of Cloud City. Even so, few people ever met him, and certainly, no one in Cloud City knew that the legendary Guozhao Hunters lived among them. Zhao Renshu had once considered starting a business here, but with no expertise beyond Guo Baiyu's medical knowledge (and Zhao Renshu's own deep aversion to the smell of medicine), he had decided to abandon his entrepreneurial idea. Perhaps he would just open a medical clinic one day.
Dragon Inn, the largest inn in Cloud City, was renowned for its delicious food. Given their anniversary, it was the perfect place to dine. The waiter, a young man with a nervous demeanor, led them to a table. Zhao Renshu, his eyes gleaming with hunger, began rattling off orders non-stop. The waiter looked increasingly flustered, shaking his head.
"I think this is enough," Guo Baiyu interjected calmly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I don't believe we will eat all of it."
"Baiyu, don't stop me," Zhao Renshu replied, already eyeing the next dish on the menu.
"Baiyu, let him be," Ping'an said with a soft laugh, resting her hand on Zhao Renshu's arm.
"If we don't finish it," Zhao Renshu concluded, a practical gleam in his eye, "we can always pack it to go."
Due to their humble appearance, the waiter clearly did not want to serve them. His tone turned rude, his expression disdainful.
"Sir," the waiter said, his voice dripping with condescension, "are you sure you can afford all these dishes? They are all very expensive."
"Do you think I can't afford it?" Zhao Renshu asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The waiter shook his head, a smug smirk on his face. "Sir, please look around." Zhao Renshu turned his head left, then right, surveying the bustling room. "Do you see all those wealthy businessmen?"
"Yeah... What about them?" Zhao Renshu replied, an innocent curiosity in his voice.
"Look at them, then look at you," the waiter said rudely, his gaze sweeping over their plain clothes.
Zhao Renshu laughed, a genuine, amused chuckle. "Oh, I see. You are saying, because we are not dressed up like them, that's why you don't want to serve us. Right?" Zhao Renshu smiled at the young waiter, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You would rather serve those wealthy businessmen?"
The waiter, emboldened by his perceived superior position, adopted an even worse attitude. "If I serve them, I might get more tips. If I serve you, I will get nothing."
"How about you give us the waiter that you dislike the most?" Guo Baiyu interjected calmly, taking a slow sip of his tea, his eyes twinkling.
Zhao Renshu frowned dramatically. "With that attitude, I won't be able to swallow my food either."
"I don't want to serve you anyway," the waiter scoffed, turning abruptly. He waived at a younger, slightly limping waiter. "Ah Bao, come over here!"
Yang Bao walked slowly towards the waiter, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. The older waiter muttered something to Yang Bao, and the young man's face immediately fell, but he slowly, dutifully, walked towards the lovers' table.
"Do you need anything else before I bring your order back to the kitchen?" Yang Bao asked politely, his voice quiet.
"Two pots of wine will do," Zhao Renshu replied.
"Yes sir," Yang Bao said, giving a small bow. "I will bring your wine first."
Yang Bao was a young man with kind facial features, but his left leg was crippled, causing him to limp noticeably. He was about five feet nine inches tall, but because of his gait, he appeared shorter. He returned swiftly with their food and wine, moving with an earnest diligence.
"Anything else?" Yang Bao asked, a genuine smile on his face, clearly eager to please.
"Ah Bao, is that your name?" Ping'an asked, her voice soft and gentle.
"Yes," Yang Bao confirmed.
"How old are you? Do you have family?" Ping'an continued, her gaze warm and sympathetic.
"I am fifteen this year," Yang Bao replied. "I used to live with my grandmother, but she passed away two years ago."
"Today's hardship will make you stronger in the future," Ping'an said, her voice filled with a quiet wisdom gained from her own struggles.
Yang Bao smiled, a genuine, hopeful smile. "Enjoy your meal. If you need anything, just wave at me. I'll see if that table needs help." He then turned and limped away.
Guo Baiyu nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Sure."
Zhao Renshu looked at Ping'an strangely. "Why ask his age?"
"He is a very handsome young man," Ping'an replied simply, a soft look in her eyes.
"You have two husbands, and you want another one!" Zhao Renshu teased, a mock frown on his face.
"Nonsense!" Ping'an laughed, playfully swatting his arm. "He is still a child! It's just that he...?"
"He what?" Zhao Renshu continued to tease, leaning closer. "He takes your breath away?"
Ping'an smiled, a hint of melancholy in her eyes. "He reminds me of myself."
A group of young men, boisterous and animated, sat down two tables away from the lovers' table and began to chat loudly.
"Do you hear that the Peach Blossom Hunters captured the headless ghost?" Man One exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
"I heard it's not even a ghost?" the Second Person replied, "Someone was pretending to be a ghost."
"The people of Sunshine Town said that Peach Blossom Hunters caught the bandits, and they released all the prisoners," the Third Person added, equally excited.
"It's so cool," Man One said, eyes wide. "They must be great."
Yang Bao, passing by, paused, astonished by the conversation. "I heard a lot of topics from travelers about them," he interjected, a hopeful tremor in his voice. "Have you heard about the hunter Zhao Renshu?"
"I heard he died," Man One said casually, a shrug of his shoulders.
Zhao Renshu, sitting at his table, suddenly coughed severely, nearly choking on his food.
"How did he die?" Yang Bao asked, leaning closer, eager for details.
"No one knows," Man One replied. "He just vanished years ago."
"Did Peach Blossom Hunters kill him?" the Second Person speculated.
Zhao Renshu had heard enough. He decided to walk over to the three young men's table, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Who gave these hunters the name 'Peach Blossom Hunter's?" he asked, his voice calm.
"The hunters never really revealed their names," Man One explained. "The people they saved called them 'Peach Blossom Hunters' because they smelled like peach blossoms every time they appeared."
"So, you don't really know their names?" Zhao Renshu pressed, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Everyone shook their heads.
Zhao Renshu nodded, a smirk spreading across his face. "Well, let me tell you. Zhao Renshu is not dead. He is retired and lives with his wife and best friend."
"Do you know Hunter Zhao Renshu?" the Second Person asked, astonished.
"Yes," Zhao Renshu replied, his chest puffing out slightly. "We are very close."
"It must be nice to have a friend like Hunter Zhao Renshu," Yang Bao said, his voice filled with admiration.
"Not really," Zhao Renshu murmured under his breath, "because of stupid Baiyu."
"What?" Yang Bao asked, straining to hear.
Man One and the others exchanged confused glances.
"It doesn't matter," Zhao Renshu dismissed. "By the way, Peach Blossom Hunters don't like this name."
"What are their names? Do you know?" Man One asked, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Umm... well... they are called Guozhao Hunters, not Peach Blossom Hunters," Zhao Renshu corrected, a triumphant grin on his face. "Make sure you spread these words."
All the young people nodded eagerly, committing the new name to memory.
"Ah..." Man One sighed, a note of regret in his voice. "Guozhao Hunters didn't establish a sector, which is really regrettable."
"Why, young man?" Zhao Renshu asked, curious.
"I really want to be their disciple," Man One confessed.
"Me too," the Second Person chimed in.
"I also want to be their disciple," Yang Bao added, his voice soft, "but I don't know if they will accept me."
"Why not, kid?" Zhao Renshu asked, a genuine interest in his voice.
Yang Bao said sadly, "I know that sectors carefully select their disciples. Look at me. I am crippled on one leg. Have you ever seen a sector with a disabled disciple?"
"Don't lose faith, young waiter," Man One encouraged. "I heard they are very friendly."
As the young men continued their conversation, Zhao Renshu smiled and walked back to his dining table.
"What did you say?" Guo Baiyu asked, a knowing look in his eye.
"Do you know what they call us?" Zhao Renshu complained, grimacing.
"What, do they call us?" Guo Baiyu repeated, patiently.
"They call us Peach Blossom Hunters!" Zhao Renshu wailed dramatically. He glared at Guo Baiyu. "I blame you!" He pointed an accusing finger at Guo Baiyu. "I told you not to carry perfume bags with you, but you still carry them!"
"I like being clean, you can't stop me," Guo Baiyu retorted, a smug smirk on his face.
Zhao Renshu turned to Ping'an. "I forbid you to sew him anymore!" he declared playfully.
"What did you tell them?" Guo Baiyu asked, ignoring Zhao Renshu's decree.
"I told them we are the Guozhao Hunters," Zhao Renshu replied proudly.
"I'm surprised you didn't call us the Zhaoguo Hunters," Guo Baiyu mocked, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Hey... Don't mock me, because I can easily change it!" Zhao Renshu warned, a playful threat in his voice.
"I need to buy some threads," Ping'an interjected, gently bringing them back to their task. "Let's finish and grab the other items and go home."
"Yes, dear," Zhao Renshu said immediately, waving at Yang Bao.
Yang Bao walked towards their table slowly, a polite smile on his face.
"With that smile," Guo Baiyu observed, "the other table must have tipped you well."
"No," Yang Bao replied, his smile unwavering. "They didn't tip me at all. I am very happy because they shared a hunter's story with me."
"Please bag the leftover for us," Zhao Renshu requested.
"Yes," Yang Bao replied, gathering the plates and taking them to the kitchen.
The rude waiter who had initially refused to serve them was now proudly showing off his tip to a colleague.
"Wow," one of the other waiters exclaimed, "you are lucky you got ten coins!"
When Yang Bao returned with the packaged food, the rude waiter was still holding up his ten coins, flashing them towards the lovers' table with a triumphant, proud face.
"How much?" Guo Baiyu asked Yang Bao.
"All would be thirty-two coins," Yang Bao replied.
Zhao Renshu reached inside his pocket, his hand coming up mostly empty. "Hey... I only got twenty-two coins. Give me ten more coins." He looked pointedly at Guo Baiyu.
"You are the orderer of all these dishes," Guo Baiyu scoffed. "Before ordering food, you should really check your money."
Ping'an watched, confused by the two men. When they came down the mountain, they had brought a lot of money from their treasure cave. Why were they arguing over thirty-two coins?
The rude waiter sauntered to their table, a sneer twisting his lips. "What's the problem? Can't afford the meal now?" he taunted.
"Hey, don't let me lose face here," Zhao Renshu warned, his eyes narrowing.
"Each of us gave ten coins," Ping'an interjected calmly, pulling out her own money pouch, confused by their antics.
"No," Zhao Renshu declared firmly, "I say we as men will pay, and we will pay!"
Guo Baiyu, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, took out his own money bag and gave Zhao Renshu ten coins. Zhao Renshu then handed the full amount to Yang Bao.
The rude waiter mocked, "What kind of men are the two of you?" He made a disgusted face. "Carrying a peach blossoms embroidered money bag?"
Zhao Renshu examined his money bag, which was indeed embroidered with delicate peach blossoms by Ping'an. "There is nothing wrong with our money bags!" he retorted, feigning outrage. "Our wife made it for us! You don't understand, maybe you don't even have a girlfriend!" He burst out laughing at his own joke. "Ah Bao, come here!"
Yang Bao walked back to the table slowly, a slight frown on his face, perhaps sensing the tension. "Anything else?" he asked politely.
"Yes," Zhao Renshu said, reaching into his money bag and taking out a small gold ingot, which gleamed brightly. "This is your tip." He handed the gold ingot to Yang Bao. "I believe that the value of this far exceeds ten coins."
"Can I really have this?" Yang Bao asked, his eyes wide with disbelief and gratitude.
"It's yours," Guo Baiyu confirmed with a nod.
Zhao Renshu smirked at the other waiter, a triumphant gleam in his eye. "A piece of advice, my dear friend," he said, his voice laced with condescension. "Don't judge people by their appearance." He laughed, a deep, satisfied sound, and grabbed the packed food from the table. "Good luck, Ah Bao. If the Guozhao Hunters ever established a sector, I believe they will accept you as their disciple." As the lovers left the Dragon Inn, Zhao Renshu waved cheerfully to the astonished teenager.
"You tricked that waiter," Ping'an said, a small smile on her face.
"He deserves it," Guo Baiyu replied, a rare flash of mischievousness in his eyes.
"Am I dreaming?" Zhao Renshu mocked Guo Baiyu, a wide grin on his face. "This is the first time you agree with me and even play along with me!"
The lovers walked out through the front door, disappearing into the bustling crowd, their laughter echoing lightly.
Almost at dusk, the lovers finally returned home to Peach Blossom Valley. As they walked towards the open area, they saw a lady in a vibrant green dress sitting at their outdoor table, her back to them. Zhao Renshu and Guo Baiyu instinctively pulled Ping'an behind them, their faces instantly alert and wary.
"Who are you?" Zhao Renshu demanded, his voice sharp. "How did you get in?"
Jiutian Xuannü slowly stood up, turning to face the lovers, her serene expression unwavering. "I am Jiutian Xuannü," she announced, her voice resonating with ancient power.
"What business does the Goddess of War have down here?" Zhao Renshu asked, his eyes narrowed, prepared for conflict.
"I am here for her," Jiutian Xuannü replied, her gaze fixed on Ping'an, "not for the two of you."
"What do you want with her?" Guo Baiyu asked, stepping slightly in front of Ping'an.
"Ping'an," Jiutian Xuannü said, ignoring the men, her voice soft but insistent, "do you want to know why your hands burn like fire on the fifteenth of every month?"
"I do," Ping'an whispered, her heart pounding. "My father said it was because I was a child of the devil."
Jiutian Xuannü smiled, a sad, knowing smile. "Or... maybe, a God."
The lovers looked at each other blankly, a stunned silence.
Ping'an gasped, a choked sound escaping her. "A... God..." She was utterly shocked, frozen to the spot.
"Since you remembered, you always feel strange in your heart," Jiutian Xuannü continued, her voice gentle, "The only question you always ask yourself is, what did you do wrong to get this kind of punishment. Am I right?"
"Yes..." Ping'an murmured, tears welling in her eyes, a lifetime of confusion finally finding a voice.
"I can answer that question for you," Jiutian Xuannü promised.
Jiutian Xuannü took out a small, ornate mirror, tossed it out, and the small mirror instantly expanded, turning into a large, shimmering portal, reflecting a scene unknown.
"Come, take a look," Jiutian Xuannü invited, her gaze piercing, beckoning them towards the mysterious mirror.