Chapter 71: Oh, You Were That Thief!

“Ghosty geezer, I was not expecting you to be here.” Gu Nan sits across from the Ghost Valley Master, a smile on her face.

Two kids stand by Ghost Valley Master’s sides, one Gai Nie who opened the gate for her, another fidgeting nervously unknown to her but somewhat feels familiar.

Gu Nan fills another cup of tea for the Ghost Valley Master: “The place does not see any visitor.”

Gu Nan is delighted at seeing him. At least in this warring states time, he is the only elder left whose company she enjoys.

“I have not seen you for some time and yet you are still as unruly as ever. I am afraid that old man Bai Qi only taught you of war and martial arts but leaves etiquettes behind.”

The Ghost Valley master says with a smile and takes a sip of tea as blend as plain water.

Lowering the cup to the table, restraining his smile, he asks in a dejected voice: “Is the old man Bai gone?”

“Yes.” Gu Nan nods with a slight smile that can barely obscure the bitterness in her eyes.

“Alright.” The Ghost Valley master eyes Gu Nan up and down; the dense internal chi within her is conspicuous to his observation.

I guess that is how the old man Bai cultivates Gu Nan’s chi.

How reckless of him to force the chi to her; if something goes wrong, how can he bear the consequences?

Fortunately, things turn out well.

Well, given his character, I think he only did it after thorough preparations.

The Ghost Valley Master notices Gu Nan’s down look, shakes his head and laughs.

“The old man died for the righteous cause he believed in. It is worth his sacrifice, so you do not have to be troubled by his death.”

“I am not.” Gu Nan pouts and pours herself another cup of water drinking it up. “The old man who kept a leash on me is dead, so I am glad to be at leisure now.”

“Hehe,” the Ghost Valley Master squints at Gu Nan smilingly, waves his hand and no longer talks about this topic.

Then, he points toward the two kids behind him.

“These two are my disciples, so you can take them as your junior fellows. They are both bright and talented, not inferior to you.”

Saying so he somewhat means to compare his disciples with Bai Qi’s. He does not want to admit that his are somehow less talented than his old friend’s.

“Nie’er, Xiao Zhuang, don’t you come here and see your senior sister who has been on your mind day and night?”

I am on their mind day and night? Gu Nan’s expression twitches. Why does it sound so weird?

The reason of them thinking about Gu Nan is that since the Ghost Valley Master told them of the Five Sword theory, they have not been making progress in practicing it.

After days of contemplation, the two of them cannot break through the realm of Sword, and when asking the Ghost Valley Master to elucidate the theory, they are rejected by their master.

Therefore, as the founder of such theory and the only one who can explain it to them, Gu Nan becomes the person constantly on their mind.

Gai Nie and Wei Shuang step forward abreast, bend forward and prostrate themselves on the ground.  

“Gai Nie.”

“Wei Zhuang”

“Greetings and respect to senior sister.”

Gai Nie was clean and neat into a very standard ceremony for learning from a senior, indicating that the Ghost Valley Master did not fall short on teaching them of etiquettes. As for if he did so to prevent his disciples from becoming like Gu Nan is unknown.

On the other hand, Wei Zhuang is different. When prostrated, he hesitantly peeks at Gu Nan’s expression with uncertainty in hie eyes as if in a trance.

That day on the market in Qin, he did not starve to death because a woman named Gu Nan gifted him with a dozen coins.

He did not have the chance to take a closer look at the woman’s appearance due to dizziness out of hunger. So, he only remembers that the woman is also called Gu Nan, wearing a blue robe.

The senior sister in front of him is unbelievable beautiful in a grayish white general robe, but for some unknown reasons wears mourning clothes beneath the robe.

She is also called Gu Nan and someone in Qin. should it be her?

The Ghost Valley Master frowns suspiciously witnessing Wei Zhuang’s hesitation.

“Xiao Zhuang, you have something to say?”

Wei Zhuang dips his head: “Yes, I want to ask senior sister if you ever gave some money one day to a kid on the market, allowing him to buy some food.”

He asks with some expectation in his eyes, as he hopes that he will get an affirmative answer so that he can have the chance to live up his promise.

He must repay the kindness. If it is not her, I will look elsewhere.

Market? Giving a kid some money?

Gu Nan is stunned by Wei Zhuang’s question and ponders over it.

Rarely does she go to the market; the very few times when she went there was to purchase Blackie, to visit Dong Zhan Pavilion, and lastly to buy food in Xiao Lu’s place.

For the other times, she either was under Bai Qi’s watch in the Wu An manor, or slipped away to the countryside to play. It is not likely that she would meet the kid during these times.

Was it the time when I went to buy Blackie…?

Gu Nan falls into deep thought. Afterall, it has been quite a long time.

Just when Wei Zhuang is slowly slipping into disappointment, Gu Nan hits her palm with a fist.

“Oh yea, I remember.” Gu Nan narrows his eyes at Wei Zhuang. “You were that kid who tried to stole money from me!”

Yep, that’s her.

Wei Zhuang is elated for a while, then followed by a sense of embarrassment and depression.

Why does she only remember me stealing her money?

“Yes, that is me, senior sister.” Wei Zhuang lowers his head. “Wei Zhuang will forever remember your kindness on that day. I am still poor so far, but I will for sure repay you in the future.”

Grateful and willing to repay the favor, he is a good kid.

Gu Nan pats Wei Zhuang’s head, which only frustrates him even further.

How can a man be humiliated in such a manner? But considering that it is his benefactor doing it, he will just have to bear with her.

“You do not need to repay the favor. If I have to live off a kid’s benevolence, I must be miserable.”

However, this still counts as a friendly bond between them.

The Ghost Valley Master smiles in revelation, stroking his beard.

“So,” after seeing the two junior brothers, Gu Nan returns her attention to the Ghost Valley Master, “what makes you here, Ghosty old man? Don’t tell me that you are here for free food and drinks.”

The Ghost Valley Master is drinking water and almost chokes on it upon hearing Gu Nan, coughing and patting his chest.

Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang exchange strange looks with each other.

It appears that this senior sister of theirs is often not in tune with others.

“If I am reduced to the level of drinking and eating at your place, I would rather die to preserve my dignity!” His beard almost stands up due to excitement. “If I want to eat or drink, the nobles in any kingdom will welcome me as an VIP and treat me with their finest!”

“Aye aye.” Stared by the Ghost Valley Master, Gu Nan shrinks away: “You are the best.”

The Ghost Valley Master snorts and then let out a breath, knowing that he should not quarrel with this brat, otherwise he would be pissed badly.

“I am here to let you meet with your two junior brothers and let you give them some advices. The second is to test you of swordsmanship to see if you have fallen behind. The third…”
 

After a pause, he looks at Gai Nie.

“Nie’er, bring over that thing.”

Gai Nie nods politely, turns away, and soon returns with a box.

Chapter 71: Oh, You Were That Thief!

“Ghosty geezer, I was not expecting you to be here.” Gu Nan sits across from the Ghost Valley Master, a smile on her face.

Two kids stand by Ghost Valley Master’s sides, one Gai Nie who opened the gate for her, another fidgeting nervously unknown to her but somewhat feels familiar.

Gu Nan fills another cup of tea for the Ghost Valley Master: “The place does not see any visitor.”

Gu Nan is delighted at seeing him. At least in this warring states time, he is the only elder left whose company she enjoys.

“I have not seen you for some time and yet you are still as unruly as ever. I am afraid that old man Bai Qi only taught you of war and martial arts but leaves etiquettes behind.”

The Ghost Valley master says with a smile and takes a sip of tea as blend as plain water.

Lowering the cup to the table, restraining his smile, he asks in a dejected voice: “Is the old man Bai gone?”

“Yes.” Gu Nan nods with a slight smile that can barely obscure the bitterness in her eyes.

“Alright.” The Ghost Valley master eyes Gu Nan up and down; the dense internal chi within her is conspicuous to his observation.

I guess that is how the old man Bai cultivates Gu Nan’s chi.

How reckless of him to force the chi to her; if something goes wrong, how can he bear the consequences?

Fortunately, things turn out well.

Well, given his character, I think he only did it after thorough preparations.

The Ghost Valley Master notices Gu Nan’s down look, shakes his head and laughs.

“The old man died for the righteous cause he believed in. It is worth his sacrifice, so you do not have to be troubled by his death.”

“I am not.” Gu Nan pouts and pours herself another cup of water drinking it up. “The old man who kept a leash on me is dead, so I am glad to be at leisure now.”

“Hehe,” the Ghost Valley Master squints at Gu Nan smilingly, waves his hand and no longer talks about this topic.

Then, he points toward the two kids behind him.

“These two are my disciples, so you can take them as your junior fellows. They are both bright and talented, not inferior to you.”

Saying so he somewhat means to compare his disciples with Bai Qi’s. He does not want to admit that his are somehow less talented than his old friend’s.

“Nie’er, Xiao Zhuang, don’t you come here and see your senior sister who has been on your mind day and night?”

I am on their mind day and night? Gu Nan’s expression twitches. Why does it sound so weird?

The reason of them thinking about Gu Nan is that since the Ghost Valley Master told them of the Five Sword theory, they have not been making progress in practicing it.

After days of contemplation, the two of them cannot break through the realm of Sword, and when asking the Ghost Valley Master to elucidate the theory, they are rejected by their master.

Therefore, as the founder of such theory and the only one who can explain it to them, Gu Nan becomes the person constantly on their mind.

Gai Nie and Wei Shuang step forward abreast, bend forward and prostrate themselves on the ground.  

“Gai Nie.”

“Wei Zhuang”

“Greetings and respect to senior sister.”

Gai Nie was clean and neat into a very standard ceremony for learning from a senior, indicating that the Ghost Valley Master did not fall short on teaching them of etiquettes. As for if he did so to prevent his disciples from becoming like Gu Nan is unknown.

On the other hand, Wei Zhuang is different. When prostrated, he hesitantly peeks at Gu Nan’s expression with uncertainty in hie eyes as if in a trance.

That day on the market in Qin, he did not starve to death because a woman named Gu Nan gifted him with a dozen coins.

He did not have the chance to take a closer look at the woman’s appearance due to dizziness out of hunger. So, he only remembers that the woman is also called Gu Nan, wearing a blue robe.

The senior sister in front of him is unbelievable beautiful in a grayish white general robe, but for some unknown reasons wears mourning clothes beneath the robe.

She is also called Gu Nan and someone in Qin. should it be her?

The Ghost Valley Master frowns suspiciously witnessing Wei Zhuang’s hesitation.

“Xiao Zhuang, you have something to say?”

Wei Zhuang dips his head: “Yes, I want to ask senior sister if you ever gave some money one day to a kid on the market, allowing him to buy some food.”

He asks with some expectation in his eyes, as he hopes that he will get an affirmative answer so that he can have the chance to live up his promise.

He must repay the kindness. If it is not her, I will look elsewhere.

Market? Giving a kid some money?

Gu Nan is stunned by Wei Zhuang’s question and ponders over it.

Rarely does she go to the market; the very few times when she went there was to purchase Blackie, to visit Dong Zhan Pavilion, and lastly to buy food in Xiao Lu’s place.

For the other times, she either was under Bai Qi’s watch in the Wu An manor, or slipped away to the countryside to play. It is not likely that she would meet the kid during these times.

Was it the time when I went to buy Blackie…?

Gu Nan falls into deep thought. Afterall, it has been quite a long time.

Just when Wei Zhuang is slowly slipping into disappointment, Gu Nan hits her palm with a fist.

“Oh yea, I remember.” Gu Nan narrows his eyes at Wei Zhuang. “You were that kid who tried to stole money from me!”

Yep, that’s her.

Wei Zhuang is elated for a while, then followed by a sense of embarrassment and depression.

Why does she only remember me stealing her money?

“Yes, that is me, senior sister.” Wei Zhuang lowers his head. “Wei Zhuang will forever remember your kindness on that day. I am still poor so far, but I will for sure repay you in the future.”

Grateful and willing to repay the favor, he is a good kid.

Gu Nan pats Wei Zhuang’s head, which only frustrates him even further.

How can a man be humiliated in such a manner? But considering that it is his benefactor doing it, he will just have to bear with her.

“You do not need to repay the favor. If I have to live off a kid’s benevolence, I must be miserable.”

However, this still counts as a friendly bond between them.

The Ghost Valley Master smiles in revelation, stroking his beard.

“So,” after seeing the two junior brothers, Gu Nan returns her attention to the Ghost Valley Master, “what makes you here, Ghosty old man? Don’t tell me that you are here for free food and drinks.”

The Ghost Valley Master is drinking water and almost chokes on it upon hearing Gu Nan, coughing and patting his chest.

Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang exchange strange looks with each other.

It appears that this senior sister of theirs is often not in tune with others.

“If I am reduced to the level of drinking and eating at your place, I would rather die to preserve my dignity!” His beard almost stands up due to excitement. “If I want to eat or drink, the nobles in any kingdom will welcome me as an VIP and treat me with their finest!”

“Aye aye.” Stared by the Ghost Valley Master, Gu Nan shrinks away: “You are the best.”

The Ghost Valley Master snorts and then let out a breath, knowing that he should not quarrel with this brat, otherwise he would be pissed badly.

“I am here to let you meet with your two junior brothers and let you give them some advices. The second is to test you of swordsmanship to see if you have fallen behind. The third…” 

After a pause, he looks at Gai Nie.

“Nie’er, bring over that thing.”

Gai Nie nods politely, turns away, and soon returns with a box.