Xu Fei was also stunned. After all, he practised martial arts and had some discerning eye. He at least knew a bit about the divisions of cultivation realms. Seeing that Yu Qing could borrow force from the water surface to spring his whole body up, he immediately understood. This Brother Shiheng’s cultivation had at least reached the Upper Martial realm. At the very least, someone at the early stage of Initial Martial could not achieve such control over internal energy.
He also liked wielding blades and staffs. He was someone who admired martial prowess. Seeing Yu Qing skim across the water like that filled him with great envy.
Of course, he knew this was not true water-skimming flight. Real water-skimming flight would not be so effortful, nor would it splash water everywhere like this.
There was a realm of water-skimming called Lingbo Weibu. Lingbo Weibu, body light as a swallow, and treading snow without trace were exactly the signs of stepping into the Xuan-level threshold.
He knew that someone who practised external martial arts like him would find it very hard to reach the Xuan level. Of course, there were rare cases of external practitioners entering the Xuan level, but they were extremely few. Moreover, the standards for judging entry into the Xuan level differed. Asking an external martial expert to perform water-skimming flight was simply making things difficult for them.
Once on the cliff, Yu Qing looked around. Suddenly he dashed off.
Xu Fei immediately grew tense. He did not dare shout loudly. Panicked, he muttered, “It’s over. Is Brother Shiheng going to abandon us now?”
Getting ashore might not be too worrying. The riverbanks could not possibly be sheer cliffs forever. There would surely be shallow beaches eventually. The key issue was that they had drifted rapidly in the underground river for half a day. Who knew where they were now in the ancient tomb wasteland? Nine chances out of ten, they had already intruded into the demon realm. If Yu Qing ran off, he had absolutely no confidence in surviving and leaving alive.
But Chong’er said firmly, “Young Master, do not worry. It will not happen. Young Master Shiheng is a good person. He will not abandon us.”
Hearing his tone, Xu Fei was slightly taken aback. He did not know why his bookboy was so certain about Brother Shiheng’s character. At this moment he did not want to speak ill of someone behind their back. He could only sigh that Chong’er was naive. That man would risk his life for money. He truly regarded wealth as his life. What could someone like that possibly not abandon?
Chong’er’s eyes stayed fixed on Yu Qing. A smile had already curved at the corner of his mouth. He saw that Yu Qing had stopped beside the giant skeleton on the cliff wall. Clearly he was thinking of a way to rescue them.
“…” Xu Fei was speechless. He had also seen it. He had also realised it. It seemed Chong’er had guessed correctly after all.
Yu Qing kicked the giant skeleton a few times. He had come ashore ahead of time precisely to test whether the bones were still sturdy after who knew how many years of wind and sun exposure. He found them surprisingly solid, almost as if they had petrified.
He ran onto the skeleton and bounced back and forth a few times to confirm its sturdiness. Then he immediately jumped back to the shore, ran in the opposite direction, and when he neared the drifting tree, he took a run-up and leaped out. His body glided diagonally downward from high up. Suddenly he flipped in mid-air to release force and landed lightly back onto the tree.
He turned around and said to Xu Fei, “When we pass under the giant skeleton, can you jump up there?”
Xu Fei measured it with his eyes and said awkwardly, “It is a bit high. On flat ground I could manage, but with the water beneath my feet cushioning the force, I might not reach that height.”
Yu Qing replied, “Understood. I will give you a hand. Later, after I throw you up, remember to grab hold above.”
“Fine. No problem with that.” Xu Fei promised readily. After all, he was a martial practitioner. He had confidence in this much.
Soon after the words were spoken, the floating tree drifted into the shadow of the giant skeleton.
Yu Qing took two steps on the tree, grabbed Chong’er, tucked him under one arm by the waist, then reached over and seized Xu Fei’s arm. With a burst of strength, he hurled the burly Xu Fei into the air.
The tree dipped at one end and bobbed up again, already shifting past the giant skull. Yu Qing, still holding Chong’er, ran upstream on the tree to position himself. He suddenly crouched and sprang more than a zhang high. He hooked one arm onto a giant rib above, flipped over easily, and dashed along the skeleton with Chong’er still under his arm. After one leap he landed ashore.
When set down, Chong’er bit his lip lightly and stole a glance at Yu Qing.
Yu Qing had already turned aside. He knelt on the ground and immediately untied the sack on his back. He poured out the spirit rice to check, worried it might have been ruined by water. Fortunately, the packaging of this precious item was excellent. The small waterproof and moisture-proof bags held up well. No water had gotten in.
Of course, it was also because he had protected it well. The sack containing the spirit rice had only been briefly submerged twice. The rest of the time it stayed securely on his back and had not soaked long in the water. Otherwise the outcome would have been different.
The spirit rice was fine. Next he felt for the several hundred taels in banknotes on his person. Banknotes were made of waxed paper, also waterproof and moisture-resistant. They were unharmed.
He patted himself all over. The few taels of loose silver were indeed gone. They must have been lost when falling from the waterfall.
The half-scroll painting was also fine. The metal tube preserving it had clearly been crafted with care and sealed tightly.
He checked everything he carried. Only then did Xu Fei slowly climb ashore.
Xu Fei did not have Yu Qing’s boldness. He dared not run on the skeleton. He walked back cautiously like crossing a tightrope. Only after jumping ashore did he breathe a long sigh of relief. He plopped down on the ground and groaned, “I really love this feeling of solid ground under my feet.”
The tree that had carried the three of them all the way drifted off into the distance, relieved of its burden.
Chong’er, also relaxed now, looked up at the purplish-blue evening glow in the sky and sighed sincerely, “So beautiful.”
Yu Qing, walking over, glanced at him and suddenly froze.
All three had dishevelled hair. When they fell from the waterfall, the water had washed their hair loose. In the darkness they simply could not see.
Now Chong’er had his hair down. His face had also been washed clean by the water.
His face looked fresh and clear. His bright eyes gazed at the evening glow. With a shallow dimple and a gentle smile, he carried a moving charm that truly left Yu Qing staring in a daze.
Chong’er soon sensed something wrong. He looked over, saw that unusual gaze, and immediately panicked. His eyes darted away in confusion.
Yu Qing slapped Chong’er’s shoulder and shook him lightly. He clicked his tongue and said, “Brother Xu, have you noticed? Chong’er really looks like a woman like this.”
Chong’er did not know what to say. He waved his hands repeatedly to deny it.
Xu Fei, still sitting on the ground, glanced back and could not help chuckling. “No need for Brother Shiheng to point it out. He has been with my family for three years. I noticed long ago.”
“Three years?” Yu Qing was surprised. “Not raised in your family from childhood?” Normally bookboys started young. Otherwise how could they truly be called “boys”?
Xu Fei explained, “He came to my family at thirteen. I used to have another bookboy, but he was dishonest. He stole family valuables and ran away. Raising another from childhood would take too long. Someone too young lacks the strength to carry loads. How could a weak child accompany me to the capital for the exams? Later, when the family was hiring, Chong’er came to our door himself and volunteered to sell himself into servitude. I remember he was starving like mad, just a beggar, skinny as bones. My parents saw that he could read and had some education. He was suitable to accompany me, so they bought him.”
Speaking of this past, Chong’er lowered his head in silence.
“My mother said he had a face that suited both men and women. Such looks are attractive whether male or female. If he were a woman, he would definitely be a great beauty. My mother said that when he grew up and matured, he would surely be a handsome young man who would captivate many women.”
“Oh dear.” Yu Qing laughed. He reached out and pinched Chong’er’s cheek, tugging the skin playfully. “Look at this smooth, tender skin. In the future he will seduce who knows how many girls. I hope I did not save a playboy?” His tone carried a hint of envy.
Chong’er’s face was pulled into a mix of crying and laughing. He looked dazed and shook his head repeatedly, mumbling incoherently.
Xu Fei stood up and spoke very seriously to Yu Qing. “Brother Shiheng, Chong’er is truly not bad at heart. Of course, he has flaws. He is not fond of cleanliness, a bit dirty, often with a grubby face. Also rather tanned. But he is quick to notice what needs doing. My previous bookboy loved to slack off, but Chong’er is different. With him around, all the odd jobs get done properly. You do not need to worry about anything.”
Chong’er stared at him in a daze. What kind of talk was this?
Yu Qing was also stunned. He clearly sensed something off in the tone. Suspiciously he asked, “Brother Xu, did water get into your head? Why tell me all this?”
Xu Fei said gravely, “Brother Shiheng, if you do not mind, I would like to give Chong’er to you as a bookboy. There is no paper or brush here. Rest assured, once we find some, I will write a deed and transfer Chong’er to you. I will never regret it.”
As soon as these words came out, Chong’er looked shocked and uncertain. A trace of embarrassment and pain flashed in his eyes.
No matter his status as a servant, he was still a living person. Being passed around like an object would hurt anyone.
Yu Qing glanced him up and down and said flatly, “No need. Not necessary.”
Xu Fei clasped his hands in request. “Brother Shiheng, you saved the lives of my master and servant. Please accept this.”
A bookboy? Why would he raise one for no reason? Did food, drink, and expenses not cost money? Yu Qing had no interest. Besides, some aspects of his identity were not suitable for outsiders to know. He could not be bothered to argue further. He also saw through Xu Fei’s intentions. But since he could offer no guarantees, he said casually, “Brother Xu, I appreciate your kindness. I am used to being alone. Giving me a bookboy now would be useless. After the capital exams, if I place on the golden list and need someone to help handle guests and errands, then it will not be too late to accept your favour.”
In truth this was a polite refusal. Never mind that his scholarly knowledge was insufficient. Even if it were enough, he would deliberately fail the capital exam. How could he possibly place on the golden list?
Seeing the refusal, Xu Fei did not press further. He could only nod awkwardly with a forced smile, agreeing to the “after golden list” promise.
Chong’er had no right to speak. He lowered his head in silence, feeling downcast.
“The sky is getting dark. Let us find a place to spend the night first.” Yu Qing, still scanning around, tossed out these words and walked ahead.
Xu Fei waited until he was a bit farther away before taking Chong’er along. He spoke softly to him. “Chong’er, do not blame me. We are almost certainly already in the demon realm. Leaving safely is probably impossible. In such circumstances, I can barely protect myself, let alone you. He is a ruthless man, and far more capable than us. Only if he is willing to protect you with all his effort will you have even the slightest hope of surviving and leaving.”
He feared that if danger came later, Yu Qing might abandon them without a second thought.
He had seen Yu Qing’s true nature. The man really killed without blinking an eye. Though he killed demons, there was no doubt that in critical moments he could be utterly merciless.