Talk of Demons

"Only with enough silver to support yourself can you truly practice martial arts well," Liang Song said sternly. "Thank you for your guidance, Master." ... Returning home, Lin Zheyu washed up and changed into his scholar's robes. While training, he had not felt particularly exhausted, but after resting for over an hour, aches and weakness crept through his entire body. Just raising his hands made them tremble uncontrollably. At lunchtime, he picked up his bowl, but his hands shook so hard that he set it back down. The first drumroll rouses the spirit, the second flags, and the third exhausts it. Lin Zheyu doubted he would be able to push himself to the point of breaking past his physical limits again that evening. "Little Mister, did you overexert yourself again?" Wu Yinghe asked with a wry smile, watching Lin Zheyu hobble over. This youth was pushing himself far too hard. "I spent a few shichen this morning learning martial arts from Master Liang. My body is a bit worn out, but it's nothing serious." "I have you to thank for introducing me to Master Liang, Manager Wu. Once I've saved up enough silver, I'll treat you to a trip to the Bailou," Lin Zheyu said with a smile. After nearly a month of bitter horse stance training, he had passed Master Liang's test and finally began learning real martial arts. If not for Manager Wu's introduction, acquiring martial arts training would have cost him not only considerable effort, but a substantial sum of silver as well. "Nonsense, I should be the one treating you!" "If not for you, Little Mister, how could Bidan Teahouse be doing such roaring business? By now, we've likely even surpassed Yixiang Teahouse," Manager Wu said, beaming so broadly that the fat on his face bunched into a ball. Lin Zheyu noticed that Manager Wu seemed to have put on even more weight lately—most likely the happy byproduct of a relaxed mind and flourishing fortunes. "Oh, right. Someone from Yixiang Teahouse came looking for me last night. This time, they offered two hundred and fifty copper coins a day," Lin Zheyu remarked. He was not making it up. When he headed home last night, people from Yixiang Teahouse had sought him out, trying to poach him. As Bidan Teahouse grew increasingly popular, it stole away a great deal of Yixiang Teahouse's clientele. Their Manager Jia had finally grown anxious and decided to poach the talent directly. "What!" "Little Mister, you must not go to Yixiang Teahouse! I can speak to the owner and offer you three hundred copper coins a day!" Manager Wu blurted out in a panic. He had indeed spotted people from Yixiang Teahouse lingering outside their doors quite often over the past few days. As Lin Zheyu's reputation spread, patrons from many other teahouses had flocked here just to hear him, multiplying Bidan Teahouse's business several times over. If Lin Zheyu were poached away, their teahouse's fortunes would inevitably slump back to its former mediocrity. "Rest easy, I won't be going to Yixiang Teahouse." "Back then, if Manager Wu hadn't given me a chance to try, I wouldn't be where I am today." "Still, Manager Wu, you have to keep your word—three hundred copper coins, it's a deal," Lin Zheyu chuckled, turning to hobble toward the storytelling stage. He lived by having a clear conscience, believing a drop of kindness received in need deserved a gushing spring in return. When he had been destitute, he had visited numerous teahouses, only to be driven out because he was too young and looked filthy from head to toe. Only Manager Wu had patiently exchanged a few words with him, found his tales promising, and given him a shot. Lin Zheyu felt genuine gratitude toward Wu Yinghe. Bringing up Yixiang Teahouse's poaching attempt was merely to secure himself a raise. ... Soon, another afternoon slipped by. The audience's cheers were even more enthusiastic than usual. Master Liang also tossed him a tip of fifty copper coins, remaining his top patron. "Master, why tip so much?" Lin Zheyu carried a flagon of wine and sat down across from Liang Song. "I tip you because you tell it well. If you told it poorly, I'd give you a beating instead." "You did well today. I am very pleased." "Tell more about heroic figures like Yan Chixia and Commander Zuo. We martial artists ought to slay demons, purge evil, wipe out every injustice under heaven, and restore purity to the mortal realm!" Liang Song said with a laugh, clearly fond of Lin Zheyu's storytelling that day. "Master, do demons really exist in this world?" "And can high mastery in martial arts truly slay demons?" Lin Zheyu asked out of curiosity. In his predecessor's memories, bizarre rumors and legends of ghosts and demons were common. Yet all of them were mere hearsay—stories passed down through someone's uncle's aunt's friend's brother-in-law's wife's family—never witnessed firsthand. "They do. Demons truly exist in this world, though not quite as bizarre and exaggerated as in your stories." "Seeing how vividly you spoke of them, I almost thought you'd actually encountered one," Liang Song chuckled. "This world is vast and filled with the unknown and unpredictable. Once your status and strength rise, you will gradually come into contact with them." "Ah!" "They really exist!" Lin Zheyu froze, a faint prickle of dread rising within his heart. "Don't worry, when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up." "So long as the Great Wei does not collapse, those demons will not dare cause chaos inside the city walls." "And yet, in this world, humans are hardly any kinder than demons!" Liang Song sighed emotionally, falling silent. Not wanting to disrupt the solemn mood, Lin Zheyu quietly sipped wine with his master. After a long while, seeing that his master seemed to have recovered his composure, he pressed on, "Then, Master, if one refines martial arts to a profound level, can they really contend with those demons?" "Of course! Why wouldn't they?" Liang Song answered with conviction, "Just like Commander Zuo in your story—when martial arts reach an extraordinary height, one fears nothing, not even demons!" *But Commander Zuo was ultimately outmatched and died in the end!* Lin Zheyu grumbled inwardly, though he dared not contradict him aloud. Toward his master, a measure of respect was still required. After keeping Master Liang company to take in the view and discuss some martial arts principles, Lin Zheyu took his leave. He had originally intended to stay a while longer, but Master Liang was growing slightly impatient. Liang Song was a reserved man who usually preferred sitting by the window in silence, quietly watching the scenery and the passing pedestrians. ...