The Sorrowmender

Chapter 79 – Cold Peak Ridge Rumors

After the bandits left and the sound of footsteps gradually faded, Wuyou trotted over to pick up the money pouch on the ground, swallowed a gulp, and looked back in confusion.

Her eyes, however, were filled with admiration.

"Sister, Master is truly a reasonable person. See, he even handed it over on his own."

What does it mean to be reasonable? If she had to choose between her sister and Master, Wuyou would definitely choose Master.

Xu Xiaobai snorted softly, with a hint of pride, "I just didn't want to, otherwise I could have done it too."

Though she was outwardly defiant, in her heart she was already convinced. However, when she looked at Xu Qingzhou, there was a hint of resentment in her eyes.

She admitted she couldn't articulate those grand principles like Xu Qingzhou, nor did she have his eloquence.

But she couldn't entirely blame herself, because the book Xu Qingzhou gave her was The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

It taught about military strategies and conquests, not these grand principles.

Little Wuyou brought the money pouch to Jian Xiaoshu, "Scholar Brother, is this money pouch yours?"

Jian Xiaoshu quickly stood up and respectfully accepted it, "Thank you, Miss, for your trouble."

"You're welcome."

Wuyou smiled sweetly, more beautiful than the plum blossoms in the winter snow. She loved helping others, just like how Master loved to relieve people's worries.

But soon the little girl realized something, turned her head, and said;

"But Master, they said there was no one on Cold Peak Ridge. What about the old woman's daughter? How do we find her?"

This was also what troubled Xu Qingzhou, but he still comforted Little Wuyou, "Don't worry, there will be a way."

Little Wuyou lowered her eyes and murmured, wondering if those bandits had deceived Master.

At this moment, Jian Xiaoshu, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Brother Xu, are you here for the bandits on Cold Peak Ridge?"

Xu Qingzhou instinctively nodded and looked at Jian Xiaoshu, "Indeed."

"I know something about Cold Peak Ridge. I wonder if it would be useful to you, Brother Xu?"

Xu Qingzhou raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to Jian Xiaoshu.

"Then I'll trouble Brother Jian."

Jian Xiaoshu smiled calmly and said, "You're too kind, Brother Xu. You saved me and helped me retrieve my travel expenses. I owe you a debt of gratitude. This is just a small matter."

"Please go ahead, Brother Jian."

"I heard from someone, a few days ago when I was staying at a hunter's house, he told me personally. Three months ago, a heavenly fire descended on Cold Peak Ridge, burning it to ashes. Hundreds of bandits perished without a trace..."

Jian Xiaoshu recounted earnestly and vividly, while Xu Qingzhou listened attentively—

Little Wuyou and Xiaobai also leaned closer, their big eyes wide with curiosity, listening intently.

In the early autumn night, the mountain forest was much quieter. Aside from the occasional howling wind, only Jian Xiaoshu's voice gently echoed—

Jian Xiaoshu's story was mysterious, mentioning heavenly fire and spirits, naturally intriguing Little Wuyou and Xiaobai.

After all, children of this age have little resistance to such stories.

Xu Qingzhou, however, occasionally raised an eyebrow, feeling that Jian Xiaoshu might be exaggerating. But since it was a story from a mountain hunter, it wasn't surprising.

At least one thing matched: those people had mentioned that Cold Peak Ridge had been reduced to ruins.

And in Jian Xiaoshu's story, there was also fire, though it was heavenly fire.

But it was precisely the term "heavenly fire" that lingered in Xu Qingzhou's ears.

As the saying goes, when one's heart is set on something, one cannot hear a single word about it. He had been seeking the heavenly fire, and now that it was mentioned, he couldn't help but think about it.

However, he knew that the heavenly fire he sought was not this heavenly fire.

"Brother Xu, that's all I know. As for whether it's true, I don't know. But it's true that the bandits on Cold Peak Ridge are gone."

As he spoke, a self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips, "That's why I took this road. I didn't expect to encounter those bandits and almost lose everything, alas—"

Hearing this, Xiaobai became interested and asked out of nowhere.

"Little scholar, you're a learned man. Haven't you read the story of 'No Silver Here'? I have."

It was unclear if she was showing off or genuinely curious.

Hearing a little girl ask such a question, Jian Xiaoshu felt even more embarrassed, his face full of awkwardness.

"Ah—let's not talk about it. I guess, as the sages say, I've read myself into a bookworm."

While the two conversed, Xu Qingzhou remained deep in thought, occasionally furrowing his brow or wrinkling his nose.

"Master, what are you thinking about?"

Faced with the inquiry, Xu Qingzhou returned to his senses, glanced at the bright moon outside the broken door, and softly said:

"Nothing much, it's getting late, we should rest."

As he spoke, he brushed his right hand across his waist, and bedding appeared in front of him out of thin air, making Jian Xiaoshu stare in amazement.

He couldn't help but praise, "Cultivators are indeed convenient."

Little Wuyou responded and began distributing the bedding, preparing to sleep.

Naturally, she didn't forget to give the scholar a quilt.

"Scholar Brother, this is for you, it's new."

Jian Xiaoshu was flustered and quickly waved his hand to refuse.

"I can't possibly accept, I don't need bedding to sleep."

Traveling to the capital for exams, enduring hardships, being born in such times, it's inevitable to face cold stares, especially for a poor boy like him.

Not to mention the people he met on the road, even those in the village didn't treat him well.

The three people before him were vastly different from anyone he had encountered.

Judging by their demeanor, they were surely from wealthy families, and the young man was a cultivator.

Yet, this person was approachable, never looking down on others like those high-ranking officials or noble families.

Not only did they save him, but they also invited him to share a meal. He was already overwhelmed with gratitude, and now they were offering him bedding.

He was a scholar, though poor, he understood the principle of not accepting unearned rewards, so he dared not accept.

"Brother Jian, the world is vast, and meeting is a great fortune."

"Sharing the same wind and water over a green mountain, staying together in an abandoned temple, this is fate. No need to decline, take it."

Xu Qingzhou gently persuaded.

Jian Xiaoshu was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly stood up and respectfully accepted.

"Brother Xu's kindness, I won't refuse. Thank you, Brother Xu, and thank you, young ladies."

Wuyou smiled sweetly, "You're welcome. When traveling, it's only right to look out for each other."

Xu Qingzhou nodded at him, then turned his thoughts back to his concerns.

"It seems we should be cautious when going to Cold Peak Ridge."

Jian Xiaoshu held the soft quilt, feeling a bit emotional for some reason.

For someone living at the bottom, they often see the world more clearly and understand human nature deeply.

Yet, it's often such people who can't bear others being kind to them.

Especially when such kindness comes repeatedly.