Chapter 8 – So I Heard (1)

Captain Wu had his ways. As soon as I opened my eyes the next morning, I saw Chinese Tunic was already standing in our house. He stood by the wall, looking at the 94-coin sword hanging on the wall from the old Taoist.

This Chinese Tunic was already a superhero to me, so I was nervous when I saw him now. “Uncle, Grandpa is working in the fields. He said he’ll come back when the sun rises. Should I go get him?”

Chinese Tunic turned toward me. He smiled and shook his head. “It’s okay. I can wait for him.”

After a long while, Grandpa returned with his hoe. Seeing Chinese Tunic, he hurriedly washed up and brewed tea. After the tea was done, the two sat at the table.

At first, no one spoke, but a while later, Chinese Tunic said, “On the mountain, I heard you mention Old Blindman. He told you that Incense Reading was to invite minor gods. This explanation is very unique. Can you tell me about Old Blindman in detail?”

“I know!” I said. “Old Blindman is my grandpa’s semi-teacher. He’s a yin yang master.”

“The kid is right,” Grandpa said while smoking from the copper pipe. “I met him when I was young and journeyed with him for some years. I didn’t learn much. I just help the villagers at the foot of Green Dragon Mountain look at some fengshui. Young man, do you know Old Blindman?”

Chinese Tunic’s eyes fell on Grandpa’s pipe. I saw shock flash past his eyes, but he quickly recovered and nodded calmly. “No, I just heard from my master that there’s a Blind Liu in the Jiangnan area. He’s half-mad, half-demonic, half-godly. I thought they’re the same person, but I must be wrong.”

Grandpa chuckled. “Sir, you are young but skilled. Your master must be even more advanced. Old Blindman is just someone who did tricks. He didn’t have any true skills. How could he have known your master?”

Chinese Tunic looked at him and nodded. “Perhaps. I heard from Captain Wu that you have a way to save the policemen who entered Green Dragon Mountain?”

“Not me. It’s him. He can save them.” Grandpa smiled and pointed at me.

I was frightened. Chinese Tunic was also shocked. “Him?” he asked.

Grandpa stood up. With a thud, he knelt before Chinese Tunic. “To tell you the trutht, this poor child’s mother once entered Green Dragon Mountain for three years. Then, four months after she returned, she gave birth to him. His mother died with hate in her heart.

“This child’s fate is strange, but the world has no place for him. Taoist Chengfeng from Dragon Tiger Mountain left behind his natal sword to guard this child to 23 years of age. Today, I brazenly ask you to guard the rest of this child’s life.”

Chinese Tunic shot to his feet. He walked over and grabbed my hand, pressing a finger forcefully on my pulse. This scared me. I looked in panic at Grandpa for help, but he shook his head. “Baqian, don’t be scared.”

Chinese Tunic closed his eyes, sensing my pulse. I felt something cold enter my pulse, go through my entire body, and swim out of my pulse again. A while later, he let go of my hand and sneered at Grandpa. “You’re really brave! Even if that Blind Liu is still alive, he wouldn’t dare to let this child live, let alone you!”

Grandpa put his head to the ground. “It’s not me being selfish. It is just the ethical thing to do. His mother, Xiu’er, was an extremely pitiful person. I really just saved this child out of sympathy.”

“You think I’d agree just because you use those officers’ lives for an exchange? You’re insane, but I’m not!” With that, Chinese Tunic turned to leave the house.

“Sir!” Grandpa cried out with his head pressed to the ground. “I have three sons and a grandson. They’re not very accomplished, but I don’t lack pallbearers. This child may be stubborn and unruly, but he’s clever. If you don’t mind, you can keep him with you, even if you just treat him as someone to order around.”

Chinese Tunic gradually slowed down. He turned to look at Grandpa and then looked at me. “I won’t bring the child with me. He’ll stay with you. I’ll come back when needed.”

Grandpa kowtowed once more. “Thank you, sir!”

Chinese Tunic nodded. “Old Lin, I don’t take advantage of others. Since you’re helping me raise this kid, I’ll help you raise one too. I heard that you have a true blood-related grandson that has some mental disabilities. I can help you raise him to repay you for temporarily raising Lin Baqian. Are you okay with that?”