Chapter Two: Bowing Down in Utter Submission

They had struck something. Ji Wu wielded his spade with renewed vigor, paying no attention to the two others who had come over. After digging away a few more handfuls of earth, the object hidden beneath the peach tree roots finally came to light—it was a block of green stone.

“What, just a worthless rock?” Ji Wen drew closer, curling his lip in disappointment.

Ji Wu’s brows furrowed for a moment, but he said nothing. He simply kept digging with relentless effort. When he’d loosened enough earth, he yanked the stone out and peered into the pit once more.

Apart from the hole itself, there was nothing. No gold or silver awaited beneath the stone.

“Damn it!” With his last hope dashed, Ji Wu hurled the green stone aside in frustration.

“Hey?” A voice unfamiliar to them rang out. “Little one, it’s not good to toss things about carelessly.”

“Huh?!” Only now did Ji Wu realize, to his shock, that someone else was here.

Did that mean his secret treasure hunt had been discovered? He spun around in alarm—and beheld a figure almost ethereal, as if descended from the heavens.

The man’s features were as fine as sculpted jade, his garments whiter than snow, his stature tall and upright like a pine. His eyes, dark and clear, held a captivating charm, and his bearing was so extraordinary he scarcely seemed of this world.

Gaze as one might, there was not a single flaw to be found in him. At a glance, it was enough to leave one dazzled and spellbound.

Ji Wu had never cared much for books or poetry; skipping lessons was routine, and in matters of scholarship, he lagged behind his younger brother Ji Wen by two years. But that did not mean he lacked discernment.

“A celestial being!” Ji Wu’s eyes grew wide.

Xu Yuan asked in puzzlement, “Where do you see a celestial being?”

“Isn’t that you?” Ji Wu blurted out, then realized what he’d said. Without hesitation, he tossed aside his spade, dropped to his knees, and bowed low. “Immortal, please accept me as your disciple!”

“You little rascal…” Xu Yuan chuckled. He’d been mistaken for an immortal more than once, but never before had someone bowed so fervently upon meeting him.

The boy looked no more than eleven or twelve, still with an air of childish innocence; yet his boldness and quick action were surprising.

“I’m no immortal, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed,” Xu Yuan replied, lifting Ji Wu off the ground with one hand. “A man’s knees are worth their weight in gold; don’t kneel so lightly.”

Beside him, Ji Wen had also regained his wits. He was younger than Ji Wu, but loved poetry and books, and had already cycled through three tutors at his young age—unlike his brother, who preferred tales of legend to scholarly pursuits.

Imitating an adult, Ji Wen clasped his hands in salutation and spoke politely, “May I ask, sir, if you have come to our family’s hillside for some purpose?”

“This is your family’s hillside? And you are…?” Xu Yuan inquired.

“I am Ji Wen, and this is my elder brother Ji Wu. This hill is under the care of our family’s security escort bureau,” Ji Wen replied promptly.

“Oh?” Xu Yuan nodded slightly and said offhandedly, “You must be the children of Ji Yun and Shulan? I’ve heard them mention you, but this is the first time we’ve met.”

“Sir, are you an old acquaintance of my father and mother? Why have I never seen you before?” Ji Wen asked with curiosity.

Though he did not believe the man before him was truly an immortal, his striking appearance was unforgettable. If he really were a close friend of his parents, surely he would have some impression of him from past visits on holidays or festivities.

“I come and go in haste and haven’t had the chance to visit your home,” Xu Yuan explained.

“Is sir here to visit our home today?” Ji Wu seized the moment to interject.

“Now that I’ve met the children of old friends, there’s no need to pay a formal visit,” Xu Yuan replied with a gentle shake of his head.

His time was limited, and though he knew many people, it was impossible to see them all. As the saying goes, the cicada senses the autumn wind before it stirs; seeing these two lively children was proof enough that his old friends were faring well. That was enough—why disturb their peace?

“Then where is sir going?” Ji Wu, ever direct, asked without a second thought.

Xu Yuan considered for a moment, glanced at the sky, and smiled. “First, I’ll go find some breakfast.”

“Can we go with you?” Ji Wu asked eagerly. He was convinced that this man was someone extraordinary—if not a celestial, then someone even more so!

Didn’t storytellers always say that those with remarkable features and distinguished bearing were never ordinary? It was true enough. A true farmer, bent over the fields all day, would hardly look so elegant and carefree. In these times, someone who looked like a great person often truly was a great person.

Judging by appearances might not always be right, but here and now, it held true. Just the white robe the gentleman wore outshone any silks or satins Ji Wu had ever seen—plain, yet surpassing all ornamentation.

After these ten-odd years of life, Ji Wu had finally encountered such an extraordinary figure; naturally, he was determined to stick close.

“Of course. Breakfast shops always welcome more guests,” Xu Yuan said with a smile.

With that, he set off in a familiar direction, two small shadows trailing eagerly behind him.

They crossed several streets. The morning was still young; few people were about, dew lingered in the fields, and even in the busy spring season, farmers would not yet be at their labor.

The walk was not long. Soon, they reached a street where Xu Yuan stopped in front of a large, tightly closed residence, examining it from left to right in silence for a long while.

“Sir?” Ji Wu finally asked, puzzled after they had stood for some time without movement.

Xu Yuan cleared his throat. “Do you know what happened to the Liu’s shop that used to be here?”

“We don’t know,” both boys shook their heads. Their family ran a security bureau and had their own cooks; there was no need to seek food outside.

“Then let’s wait a bit,” Xu Yuan nodded slightly.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before an elderly man came along carrying vegetables. Xu Yuan hurried over and asked, “Elder, may I trouble you with a question? Do you know why the Liu’s shop is no longer here? I remember it was open last year.”

The old man glanced at Xu Yuan, noting his distinguished appearance, but showed no impatience. “Young man, you must have been away a while. The shop moved to Zhi’an Lane in the west of the city over half a year ago.”

“To the west? Zhi’an Lane?” Xu Yuan’s brow creased.

The city had several markets; aside from the most prosperous and expensive Liyue Market, Zhi’an Lane was the most notorious. Though within city limits, it was a gathering place for all walks of life, its public order poor. Parents in other districts always warned their children not to stray there.

Still, Zhi’an Lane was better than outside the city; impoverished families often moved there to eke out a living, though it sat at the very bottom of the city’s social ladder.

“Why would the Liu’s shop move to Zhi’an Lane?” Xu Yuan pressed.

“Why ask so much?” the old man shook his head and muttered, “Best not to meddle.”

With that, he waved and went on his way.

Xu Yuan wasted no time. As soon as the old man left, he set off in the direction of Zhi’an Lane.

Ji Wu hurried after him, calling out, “Sir, are we really going to Zhi’an Lane? It’s pretty far! There are breakfast shops everywhere—why go so far?”

Xu Yuan offered him an irrefutable reason: “Oh, I have no money. If we don’t go there, we won’t eat.”

The two boys could only follow after.