Chapter 83: Two Pairs of Master and Disciple

An Yi was not surprised to learn that Bai Wuming had not escaped; without the coveted items in hand, how could he be willing to leave? Since he insisted on shouldering the blame, she would not interfere, nor did she strengthen the guard. She was curious to see how Bai Wuming would attempt to steal the spiritual herbs under such circumstances.

In the afternoon, Ji Fanyi returned. As soon as she entered, she called out loudly, "Little Nineteen, come out and meet our guest."

An Yi frowned, set aside the pills she was rolling, washed her hands, and went out to greet the visitor.

The guest was a middle-aged scholar dressed in a blue robe, with a refined face, gentle demeanor, and an elegant bearing. Ji Fanyi sat beside him, gazing at him with tender affection in her eyes.

"Master," An Yi approached and greeted them.

Ji Fanyi’s eyes sparkled, and she smiled brightly, "Little Nineteen, this is the renowned Blue Robe Hero Jiang Weiping."

An Yi clasped her hands in salute. "Nineteen greets Hero Jiang."

Jiang Weiping raised his hands in a polite gesture, a faint smile on his lips. "No need for such formalities."

"Little Nineteen, brew some fine tea for us," Ji Fanyi instructed.

"Yes," An Yi replied, turning to the rear room to boil water and prepare the tea.

"You’ve seen her now—are you reassured?" Ji Fanyi arched her brow.

"Words alone are not proof," Jiang Weiping replied.

Ji Fanyi snorted coldly. "Stop pretending. Who would dare doubt your word?"

Jiang Weiping gazed at her intently.

After a moment’s silent exchange, Ji Fanyi conceded and lowered her head. "You may ask Little Nineteen yourself; if she wishes to go with you, I won’t stop her."

"Thank you," Jiang Weiping said, his clear eyes tinged with warmth.

"No need for thanks. Come with me—I’ll show you my treasures," Ji Fanyi said, rising.

Ji Fanyi pushed open the wooden door to the right room. Inside, the place was thick with spiderwebs, and several spiders lay dead on the floor. "Little Nineteen, Little Nineteen!"

Jiang Weiping’s gaze swept swiftly around the room, noticing a sword by the door. He picked it up, studying the engraved patterns on the hilt. His expression darkened, brows furrowed.

Hearing Ji Fanyi’s call, An Yi entered. "The spiders came out on their own."

"If that’s so, why must they kill each other? Look—they’re torn to pieces," Ji Fanyi lamented, cradling a spider’s corpse.

"They didn’t kill each other. Someone killed them," An Yi explained.

Ji Fanyi’s face twisted with anger. "Who? Who dared—who would be so audacious as to kill the ones I raised—"

"Yiyi," Jiang Weiping called softly.

Ji Fanyi’s shrill voice abruptly ceased, her fierce expression melting into bashful coyness.

The speed of her transformation was astonishing. An Yi smiled quietly, thinking that this must be the "he" her master often mentioned.

"Little Nineteen, where is the owner of this sword now?" Jiang Weiping asked.

"I locked him up," An Yi replied.

"He killed these spiders," Jiang Weiping said, though his tone left no room for doubt.

"Yes."

"What is his name?" Jiang Weiping inquired.

"Bai Wuming."

"May I see him?"

An Yi looked to Ji Fanyi. "Master?"

"Do you know Bai Wuming?" Ji Fanyi asked Jiang Weiping.

"He is my apprentice."

"Little Nineteen, where did you confine him?" Ji Fanyi asked.

"In the Scorpion Cell," An Yi replied.

Ji Fanyi covered her mouth, laughing, and cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Weiping. "What a coincidence."

Jiang Weiping’s expression eased, and he smiled. "It is indeed."

An Yi didn’t understand, but asked no questions.

The three of them proceeded to the Scorpion Cell to see Bai Wuming.

"Wuming," Jiang Weiping called out gravely.

Bai Wuming was lying on the bed. He had heard the footsteps long before but hadn’t bothered to respond. Suddenly, hearing his master’s voice, he sat up. "Master? Master, how are you here?"

"That is the question I should ask you," Jiang Weiping retorted coldly.

"I came to steal the Red-stem Ganoderma and Snow Lotus, but failed and was captured," Bai Wuming admitted, seeing An Yi present and not daring to lie.

"A gentleman does not steal; a virtuous man does not pilfer," Jiang Weiping declared, brushing his sleeve angrily as he left.

"Master, I know I was wrong. Master, your disciple knows his mistake! Master! Master!" Bai Wuming pleaded, his face miserable.

Ji Fanyi followed Jiang Weiping for a few steps, then looked back with a smile. "Little Nineteen, bring him along."

An Yi unlocked the cell and let Bai Wuming out.

The first thing Bai Wuming asked upon stepping out was, "Nineteen, who is that beautiful lady?"

A flicker of displeasure crossed An Yi’s eyes. Were they familiar enough for him to call her "sister"? She replied coldly, "Don’t call me sister."

"You look only eleven or twelve, younger than me. If I don’t call you sister, should I call you elder?" Bai Wuming teased.

An Yi turned away. "Call me Miss Nineteen."

"No way. That beautiful lady and my master are clearly old acquaintances. How can I be so distant? No, I must call you Nineteen Sister," Bai Wuming insisted shamelessly.

An Yi frowned. "She is my master."

"She’s your master! I thought she was your elder sister." Bai Wuming moved closer, winking. "Are my master and yours… you know…?"

An Yi turned her head aside and walked past him.

Bai Wuming followed closely behind. "Nineteen Sister, why are you called Nineteen?"

An Yi pursed her lips in silence.

"Nineteen Sister, what is your surname?"

An Yi remained silent.

"Nineteen Sister, are you your master’s nineteenth disciple, or nineteenth in your family?"

An Yi ignored him.

"I know! You must have been born on the nineteenth day, right?" Bai Wuming leaned close, smiling.

An Yi frowned. "No."

"Then when were you born?"

"It’s none of your concern," An Yi replied coolly.

"Tell me—when your birthday comes, I’ll send you a gift."

"No need."

"Nineteen Sister, don’t be so aloof."

An Yi quickened her pace.

"Nineteen Sister, wait for me." Bai Wuming’s martial skill matched An Yi’s, and he kept up as he continued his barrage of questions. "Nineteen Sister, why do you raise so many scorpions?"

"Nineteen Sister, what do you feed them?"

"Nineteen Sister, do you raise them for medicinal purposes?"

"Nineteen Sister…"

"Nineteen Sister…"

"Nineteen Sister…"

All along the way, Bai Wuming’s chatter tormented An Yi. She had never met such a loquacious man.

Upon reaching the stone house, Bai Wuming finally fell silent.

Ji Fanyi glanced at Jiang Weiping, then at Bai Wuming, and burst out laughing. "Enough, don’t be angry. Without these youngsters, how could the martial world be lively?"

"The world knows that thieves can never become truly wealthy," Jiang Weiping intoned.

"There you go again with your gentleman’s doctrine," Ji Fanyi said, pouting. "Boy, why did you try to steal the Red-stem Ganoderma and Snow Lotus?"

"To report to you, elder: my friend’s younger sister is gravely ill and needs these two herbs as a medicinal primer. I bought information from the High Domain and learned they were here. Foolishly, I assumed you would not part with them, and so I committed this disgraceful act. Only now, seeing you in person, do I realize how foolish I was." Bai Wuming knelt on one knee, speaking earnestly.

An Yi scoffed inwardly—his words were indeed slick.

Ji Fanyi giggled. "Little Nineteen, fetch the Red-stem Ganoderma and Snow Lotus."

An Yi went to the medicine storehouse, retrieved the herbs, and returned to the stone house. Bai Wuming was still kneeling, and the corners of her lips curled upward.

"Young Bai, since it’s our first meeting, let this be my gift to you," Ji Fanyi generously handed the herbs to Bai Wuming.

"Yiyi, you mustn’t," Jiang Weiping interjected.

"Why not?" Ji Fanyi’s smile faded as she cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Weiping.

Jiang Weiping sighed softly. "Get up, but don’t let there be a next time."

"I know my mistake. It won’t happen again," Bai Wuming said, rising and bowing deeply to Ji Fanyi. "Thank you, elder."

"No need for thanks," Ji Fanyi replied with a radiant smile.

Jiang Weiping took a token from his breast. "Little Nineteen, this is my gift to you."

Bai Wuming stared in surprise—it was Jiang Weiping’s Blue Robe Token.

An Yi did not accept it at once, but looked to Ji Fanyi.

Ji Fanyi’s eyes gleamed, and she smiled broadly. "Little Nineteen, thank Hero Jiang."

An Yi stepped forward, took the token with both hands. "Thank you, Hero Jiang."

"Little Nineteen, do you know Gong Yanqu?" Jiang Weiping asked.

An Yi raised her eyes to meet his. "Yes."

"He’s been worried about your safety. Would you be willing to go see him with me?" Jiang Weiping asked.

An Yi looked at Ji Fanyi.

Ji Fanyi waved her hand. "This is your decision, don’t ask me."

"Please tell him I am well," An Yi replied, unwilling to be entangled with Young Lord Gong any longer.

Ji Fanyi smiled contentedly—she knew Little Nineteen would not leave.

Jiang Weiping disliked forcing others and said nothing more.

"Alright, Little Nineteen, tell the kitchen to prepare a few more Shandong dishes," Ji Fanyi instructed.

Just as An Yi reached the door, Bai Wuming followed her like a shadow. "Nineteen Sister, Nineteen Sister, I know who you are!"

An Yi ignored him.

Bai Wuming blocked her way. "You’re the girl who told Gong Little Seven about buttercup in the soup by the creek last time."

An Yi now realized where she’d heard Bai Wuming’s name before. "Why did you poison him?"

Bai Wuming stroked his chin. "He offended someone, so I was asked to teach him a lesson."

"A lesson?" An Yi sneered.

"Of course. If I’d meant to kill him, I would’ve used real poison," Bai Wuming replied.

An Yi frowned slightly. "Who did he offend?"

Bai Wuming chuckled mysteriously.

Seeing his evasiveness, An Yi knew he wouldn’t answer and lost interest in further questioning.

As night fell, the table was laden with dishes. Ji Fanyi chatted away with Jiang Weiping, while Bai Wuming babbled endlessly to An Yi.

"Brother Ping, how did you end up with such a noisy apprentice?" Ji Fanyi asked, observing Bai Wuming’s incessant chatter.

Jiang Weiping glanced at the silent An Yi, raising his brow in clear meaning.

Ji Fanyi sighed. "When I took her as my apprentice, I didn’t know she was so quiet."

Jiang Weiping lifted his wine cup and drank elegantly. "The same."

Ji Fanyi covered her mouth and laughed. "Actually, it’s good. If Little Nineteen were your apprentice, you two would be like the deaf paired with the mute—hardly three words spoken in a day."

Jiang Weiping smiled in agreement.