Le voyage d'un mendiant à travers le monde

Chapitre 22

Qian'er asked in surprise, "Why do you say that?"

Yue Ruzheng turned to look at her and said, "I only knew that if someone was good to me, I should repay them. But I didn't think about pursuing anything else..."

Qian'er was confused, and after thinking for a moment, she asked, "Haven't you always been very respectful to your master? How else do you want to repay him?"

Yue Ruzheng smiled faintly and said, "I wasn't talking about Master."

Qian'er paused, then suddenly laughed, "I know, Miss, didn't you mention that someone saved you while you were away?" Grabbing the swing set, she leaned close to Yue Ruzheng's ear, covered her mouth with her hand, and whispered, "I often hear tales of extraordinary adventures in the martial world. You weren't also rescued by a handsome young swordsman, and then fell in love at first sight and pledged your lives to each other, were you?"

Upon hearing this, Yue Ruzheng's heart pounded, as if she were very nervous, yet also felt a faint sense of loss. This strange mix of feelings left her confused. She wanted to say something to Qian'er to ease the emotions building within her, but she didn't know how to begin. It was unbelievable that someone as outspoken as her could feel this way.

Seeing her sitting there blankly, her expression a mixture of longing and worry, Qian'er didn't know how to ask. She nudged Yue Ruzheng's shoulder and called out, "Miss, what's wrong?"

Yue Ruzheng composed herself and shook her head, saying, "It's nothing..." Just then, she heard footsteps and conversation outside, one of the voices being Shao Yang's. Yue Ruzheng immediately jumped up from the swing and ran out.

Shao Yang was walking and talking with someone behind him toward the waterside pavilion behind the small building when he suddenly heard a "Senior Brother" from his side. He stopped and turned around.

"Ruzheng." Two days later, he had long forgotten the argument with Yue Ruzheng before he left, and his face still carried a gentle smile.

"Have you heard anything...?" Yue Ruzheng was about to ask when she suddenly noticed the person behind Shao Yang and was taken aback. The young man in brocade also saw her, and his previously smiling expression immediately turned awkward. But then he raised an eyebrow and drawled, "So it's you..."

"Wei Heng?!" Yue Ruzheng felt a surge of disgust upon seeing him, and said coldly, "Senior brother, what brings him here?"

Shao Yang looked at her in surprise and said, "You two know each other? Master Wei is ill and unable to travel far, so he specially sent the young master to visit his master."

Wei Heng, with his hands behind his back, looked up at Yue Ruzheng and said, "You're Yue Ruzheng? No wonder your senior brother said he clearly told you to come last month to ask my father to send someone to escort you, but you left alone..." He smiled slyly and said, "Was it because you were so angry after meeting me on the mountain road that day that you didn't want to have anything to do with our Tingyu Manor anymore?"

Yue Ruzheng turned her face away and said, "How could I dare to trouble Young Master Wei? You two continue your conversation, I'll be leaving now." With that, she turned to leave.

"Hey, wait!" Wei Heng stepped forward, stopping her with his hand, and said, "Don't you want to know how to cure your master of the snake-tail needle poison?"

Yue Ruzheng was taken aback. Shao Yang said, "Ruzheng, don't be so temperamental. The young master has come here specifically for this purpose. Let's go and pay our respects to our master and senior uncles first."

Yue Ruzheng had no choice but to endure Wei Heng's scrutinizing gaze and silently follow behind the two.

The three arrived at the bamboo building on the south side of the waterside pavilion. Yu Hezhi, having heard the servant's report, was already waiting downstairs. Upon seeing him, Wei Heng bowed and answered respectfully, a stark contrast to his usual arrogant demeanor, which greatly surprised Yue Ruzheng. Upstairs, Jiang Shuying was reclining on the Xiangfei bamboo couch, her complexion somewhat better than before, but still bearing the marks of illness.

Wei Heng stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "This junior, Wei Heng, has come to visit Senior Jiang on my father's orders."

Jiang Shuying stood up and helped him up, smiling slightly, "Heng'er, it's been so long, you're almost a grown man. Is your father still unwell and unable to go out?"

Wei Heng frowned slightly and said, "Yes, my father has been plagued by injuries and illnesses for the past few years. Although he is worried about you, senior, he is unable to come, which is a great pity."

Jiang Shuying said, "It's alright. Back then, your father, Shao Yang's father, and I all practiced martial arts together. Our friendship of over twenty years doesn't need any formalities."

Wei Heng nodded and asked, "Senior, are you feeling completely weak and unable to circulate your internal energy to regulate your breathing?"

Jiang Shuying nodded, glanced at Yu Hezhi, and said, "Even you, Uncle Yu, couldn't use your internal energy to heal my injuries."

"The poison from the snake-tail needle has already seeped in. If it's not removed in time, it might damage your meridians." Wei Heng's demeanor was that of a composed young man. He turned to Shao Yang and said, "Just as my father told Brother Shao, to cure this poison, we need the Dragon Heart Grass from Bliss Valley as a medicinal guide."

"Dragon Heart Grass?!" Yue Ruzheng exclaimed in surprise, "Then we'll have to go to the Valley of Bliss!"

Wei Heng glanced at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes, but his face remained serious as he said, "Miss Yue, do you perhaps intend to venture into the Valley of Bliss alone to steal the Dragon Heart Grass?"

Seeing that her master and senior uncle were all present, Yue Ruzheng dared not argue with Wei Heng, and simply said, "I am not as reckless and incompetent as you imagine."

Jiang Shuying frowned slightly, and Yu Hezhi pondered, "Junior Sister, now that we know the antidote, I think we can't delay any longer. Why don't we send Shao Yang and Ru Zheng to the Valley of Bliss together..."

"How can those two possibly handle Mo Li?" Jiang Shuying asked anxiously, propping herself up.

"Before I left, my father instructed me to bring some men to assist Brother Shao," Wei Heng said, clasping his hands in greeting. "Although the three of us are still young, if we work together, we shouldn't be too far behind Mo Li. Besides, we'll be passing through Huangshan on our way to the Valley of Bliss, and I can bring some men as backup. Uncle Yu, you'll stay here for two reasons: first, to closely monitor your injuries, and second, to guard against Mo Li's return. What do you think of this arrangement?"

Looking into Wei Heng's bright yet calm eyes, Jiang Shuying couldn't help but secretly admire him. She then said to Yue Ruzheng, "Ruzheng, although you are a bit older than Heng'er, you are not as mature as him."

Yue Ruzheng glanced at Wei Heng with a hint of resentment, only to see him still maintaining his composed and experienced demeanor. Yu Hezhi pondered for a moment, then said to Jiang Shuying, "Heng'er's words are not without merit. I think we should proceed as such. However…" He then turned to Wei Heng and the others, saying, "In case the situation becomes unfavorable, you must not rashly seize anything. Your self-preservation must be your top priority."

Shao Yang and Wei Heng agreed one by one. Although Yue Ruzheng disliked Wei Heng, she couldn't help but feel eager to try it out when she thought about going to the Valley of Bliss to help her master detoxify.

The next morning, the three bid farewell to their master and senior apprentice and left Luzhou. As they passed Tingyu Manor, a young man dressed in brown, close-fitting clothes was already waiting at the foot of the mountain with a bow and arrows on his back. Yue Ruzheng recognized him as the one who had followed Wei Heng that day. Wei Heng introduced him as Qi Yun, the son of the steward of Tingyu Manor, and said that there was another group of people who would follow closely behind.

So the four young men and women sped off towards the Valley of Bliss. Once Wei Heng left Yinxi Cottage, he reverted to his old self, his words still sharp and his eyes arrogant. Yue Ruzheng said angrily, "Wei Heng, you're such a good actor! You acted so humble in front of my master and senior uncle, and now you're back to your young master persona!"

Wei Heng chuckled and spurred his horse to catch up with her, saying, "Sister Yue, you're not my elder. Should I be all effeminate in front of you? Or do you think you're too old and want to experience the joy of being surrounded by children and grandchildren?"

"You!" Yue Ruzheng glared at him, whipped her whip, and sped ahead. Turning her head, she said, "You glib-tongued brat, let's see who likes someone like you in the future!"

Shao Yang and Qi Yun watched helplessly as the two, neither willing to yield to the other, rode off down the fork in the road. Along the way, Wei Heng and Yue Ruzheng were locked in a fierce battle of wits. While Yue Ruzheng wasn't bad at talking, she was often defeated by his sophistry. Furthermore, Qi Yun always sided with Wei Heng, and Shao Yang, considering himself the senior disciple, didn't feel comfortable arguing with them. Yue Ruzheng, fighting two against one, was truly outnumbered. At times like this, she would think of her days in Nan Yandang, facing the taciturn Tang Yanchu. Sometimes she felt lonely and isolated, but now she gradually longed for that quiet mountain path where their footprints had been…

Yue Ruzheng followed Shao Yang and the others southward. Following the secret route scouted by Wei Heng's men, they approached the mountainous region where Bliss Valley was located in less than ten days. The mountains here were continuous and the dense forests towered into the sky, making it quite gloomy and dark even on a sunny day.

Yue Ruzheng gazed at the dense forest, frowned, and asked Shao Yang, "Senior Brother, is this where Mo Li is?"

Shao Yang nodded and said, "I've heard that he lives in seclusion here year-round and rarely ventures into the martial world. I'm afraid he's in the valley right now."

Wei Heng looked around and asked, "Brother Shao, did you fight Mo Li last time?"

Shao Yang sighed and said, "To my shame, when Mo Li barged into Yinxi Pavilion that day, I was guarding the gate with the guards. My master and senior uncle had ordered me not to approach the waterside pavilion, probably because they feared my skills were not deep enough and I would be injured by Mo Li."

As they spoke, the four dismounted and slowly walked along the forest path. Qi Yun whispered, "Young Master, I have ordered my men to hide at the entrance of the valley to avoid attracting the attention of Bliss Valley with too many people."

Wei Heng nodded, then turned to Yue Ruzheng and said, "We've only come here to find the Dragon Heart Grass. Once we succeed, we'll leave immediately. If we can't, don't fight them head-on. After all, we're new here and not very familiar with the terrain."

Yue Ruzheng gave a muffled "hmm" and said, "You seem to be back to normal now."

Wei Heng raised an eyebrow and smiled, offering no reply. He simply drew his long sword from behind his back, gripped it tightly, and cautiously proceeded forward. The forest grew increasingly dark. At first, there were small paths worn into the ground, but gradually, overgrown weeds obscured the ground. Hanging branches and intertwined vines tangled together, sometimes even blocking the way, requiring considerable effort to find another path. Yue Ruzheng, her heart pounding with anxiety, stared intently at the undergrowth when she suddenly felt her foot step on something soft. She gasped and dodged. Shao Yang rushed forward, looked down, and saw a venomous snake slither through the grass, vanishing in an instant.

Shao Yang pulled her behind him, and at that moment Wei Heng whispered, "Look ahead!"