Gu Shiyan made no distinctions in friendship. From princes and nobles down to street vendors and porters, scholars or common folk—anyone with whom he shared a rapport became his honored guest. He loved splendor and revelry, believed wine should be shared and joy required company, truly embodying the saying: "Seats for guests are ever full; wine in the cup never runs dry."
That night, four guests arrived. One was Zheng Qi, younger brother of Editorial Director Zheng Hao. Though Zheng Hao was at odds with Gu Shiyan, his brother Zheng Qi was a close companion. Zheng Qi cared nothing for fame or official rank; he spent his days drinking and composing poetry, comparing himself to the Immortal Poet Li Bai—though his own verses were rather unremarkable. His true talent lay in wine games: whether "Rule Commands," "Dice Tray Commands," or "Toss-and-Hit Commands," he excelled at them all. His words were elegant and witty, and his wit was lightning-fast.
Another was the Hedong mystic Chai Yueming, hailed by contemporaries as the greatest master of Yin-Yang arts since the Tang's founding. It was said even Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng of the Zhenguan era could not match him. His Green Bag Feng Shui techniques were reputed to be uncannily accurate, and powerful officials and wealthy families in the capital vied to invite him to divine land and assess dwellings.
The third was Yun Tianjing, a guard from the Weiwu Escort Agency in Huzhou. Not only was his martial skill exceptional, his Go was also formidable—strong enough to receive a three-stone handicap from Gu Shiyan.
The fourth was someone Gu Shiyan didn't recognize. The man wore a felt hat and crimson leather boots. He was tall and lean, with large hands and long arms—a rather striking figure, aged around fifty or more.
Gu Shiyan cupped his hands in greeting. "This friend is—?"
Yun Tianjing said, "Young Master Gu, this is my revered teacher, Master Yuchi Xuan."
The announcement stunned everyone. Though Zheng Qi and Chai Yueming were not part of the martial world, they had heard of Yuchi Xuan's reputation.
Gu Shiyan was both shocked and overjoyed. He bowed deeply. "To witness the bearing of a senior master today—what immense fortune!"
Yuchi Xuan smiled faintly, returning the salute with a cupped fist. "Young Master Gu is a man of talent within the realm. The name 'Mengchang of Jiangdong' is known throughout the land. Yuchi Xuan is but a common fellow, unworthy of your regard!"
Zheng Qi, delighted, chimed in, "Master Yuchi is a grandmaster of the sword path; Brother Gu is the foremost Go master of our time. Though their arts differ, surely they share common ground. You two should get acquainted!"
Yuchi Xuan threw back his head and laughed, the sound shaking the roof tiles.
Gu Shiyan shook his head. "I am ashamed. How dare I be mentioned alongside Senior Yuchi?"
Yuchi Xuan said, "This young gentleman speaks true. All skills in the world share underlying principles. If one can draw analogies and illuminate them mutually, one can surely advance further."
Just then, a servant boy reported that A'luotuo had returned—covered in blood.
Gu Shiyan was horrified. He rushed to see. A'luotuo had crescent-moon throwing knives embedded in his left shoulder and right chest. His iron staff was broken in half, seemingly sheared by a sharp weapon. Despite these grievous wounds and bleeding profusely, he had made it back. Seeing Gu Shiyan, he managed a smile, muttered a few words in Sanskrit, then collapsed unconscious.
Yun Tianjing stepped forward. He cut open A'luotuo's black robe, then with an exertion of internal energy from his palm, sent the two knives clattering to the ground. Moving like the wind, he sealed the wounds' pressure points with finger jabs, instantly stopping the bleeding. He then produced a small box of medicinal powder from his robe and sprinkled it on the injuries.
A'luotuo, incredibly tough, regained consciousness after only moments. He began speaking urgently in his broken way. Seeing Gu Shiyan didn't understand, he resorted to gestures, his expression anxious.
The mystic Chai Yueming suddenly spoke: "He says he spotted a Hu man at Chaoyang Gate whom he'd fought before, and gave chase."
A'luotuo nodded vigorously, relief washing over his face. He babbled another stream of Sanskrit.
Zheng Qi exclaimed happily, "Immortal Chai actually understands Sanskrit? Truly rare!"
Chai Yueming smiled slightly and continued translating: "He says he found traces of a woman in a large Persian temple in the western suburbs. It might be the young lady you seek, Young Master Gu. Before he could escape, he was surrounded by several Hu men. They chased him for several li. If not for a master who aided him, he would have died under their flying knives."
Gu Shiyan gripped A'luotuo's hand firmly. "A'luotuo, you've truly suffered for me. Rest and heal well now."
The group returned to the main hall. Yuchi Xuan sat alone, pouring himself wine, seemingly oblivious to the outside world. As Gu Shiyan opened his mouth to speak, Yuchi Xuan suddenly stood. Gu Shiyan only saw a blur—Yuchi Xuan was already at the corridor. With a flicker, he leapt onto the roof. A furious shout echoed: "Get down!"
A sharp clang of clashing weapons rang out, and a dagger clattered down from the roof. Whose weapon had been struck down?
Yun Tianjing instantly drew his sword and vaulted onto the roof. He executed the defensive stance "Night Battle in All Directions," covering his body. His eyes scanned the deep night. Only his master, Yuchi Xuan, stood alone and desolate on the tiles. There was no sign of an enemy.
Yun Tianjing called out, "Master!"
Yuchi Xuan gazed into the distance for a long moment before shaking his head. "The speed of that person's movement is truly inconceivable." He drifted down lightly, took the short knife from Gu Shiyan's hand, and examined it closely. The blade was unadorned, less than a foot long, its tip curved upward in an arc mirroring the curve of the hilt, forming a slight "S" shape. Yuchi Xuan pinched the tip between two fingers of his left hand and bent it forcefully. The entire blade flexed but did not break. When he released it, it snapped back perfectly straight.
Yuchi Xuan admired, "Fine blade!"
Gu Shiyan asked, "Senior Yuchi, with whom did you just cross blades?"
Yuchi Xuan replied, "That person was spying from the roof. I intended to force him down, but his movement technique was bizarre—he vanished in the blink of an eye. His blade skill itself is nothing to fear, but such ghostly agility makes him exceedingly hard to guard against. Young Master Gu, you must be extra cautious."
Gu Shiyan said, "A'luotuo mentioned a master helped him escape danger. Could it be this same person?"
Yun Tianjing questioned, "If he's a friend, not a foe, why hide on the roof?"
They questioned A'luotuo. A'luotuo said his rescuer had used no weapon. As for appearance, A'luotuo looked utterly blank.
Gu Shiyan mused, "Could it be the people chasing A'luotuo followed him back here?"
Zheng Qi declared loudly, "Brother Gu, you're being dense! Immortal Chai is here. Let him divine it with his fingers—surely better than your wild guesses!"
Chai Yueming didn't decline. He washed his hands and used the Da Liu Ren divination method. "The Active Line is quiet, neither generating nor overcoming. This person is neither foe nor friend. The Changing Line approaches the lands of Yin and Mao (east). This person comes from the east. The Wealth Line moves, transforming into the Kun (Earth) hexagram. This person is seeking a woman."
Zheng Qi said, "That's odd. What woman could be here? Since he's not an enemy or a friend, he must have the wrong place."
Chai Yueming stated, "The hexagram signs are inherently obscure and hard to decipher. Remember my words today, gentlemen; they will prove true in time."