Chapter Seven: Apprenticeship under the Master

“I feel so dizzy; Master’s wine is truly awful,” Liu An rubbed his head.

“You’re awake! Boss, quickly tell us where we are now,” the strange creature anxiously asked upon seeing Liu An regain consciousness.

“What are you? Where’s my treasure?” Liu An asked.

“Boss, I am your treasure, but your master used an illusion spell to transform me into this form.”

“How did you turn into a mongrel dog? Ha ha!”

“Boss, don’t laugh. Look around—where exactly are we?”

Liu An glanced at the bustling crowd, then stood up, dusted himself off, and politely stopped an elderly passerby.

“Sir, may I ask where this place is?” Liu An bowed respectfully.

“No need for such formality. You look like a scholar; how can you bow to an old man like me?” The elderly man was startled.

“Young master, this is Lin’an City in the Northern Commandery of Wei State.”

“Thank you for informing me.”

Since Liu Xiaosheng had taken him away, most of Liu An’s time had been spent learning literacy, etiquette, and literature, which gave him a refined scholar’s demeanor.

The strange creature looked on in disbelief, unable to reconcile this present scene with the wild mountain man Liu An once was.

Before the creature could be surprised any longer, Liu An laughed heartily, “Ha ha! Wei State, now I can strut through the streets.”

He swaggered up to a city gate official, boldly pulling out a token given by Liu Xiaosheng and nearly shoving it in the official’s face.

“See this? See this? I am my master’s disciple, and you should show proper respect!”

The official gave Liu An a scornful look, as if he were a madman, then called his comrades to drag Liu An aside.

“A lunatic causing trouble, blocking the road with some token—what a nuisance!”

The strange creature winced, wanting to disown Liu An but helpless in its current form.

Liu An shouted defiantly, “Do you know who I am? I study under the master, and his disciples are not to be insulted!”

His outburst soon attracted the city’s guarding commander. At first, the commander paid no mind, thinking it was just some disturbance.

But upon noticing the token in Liu An’s hand, his heart suddenly sank.

“Hurry! Report to the city lord! The master’s disciple has arrived in Lin’an City! Prepare to welcome him at the city gates!”

After ordering his deputy, the commander hurried over to Liu An with a servile smile.

Though uncertain of Liu An’s true identity, the commander dared not show any disrespect to his confident demeanor.

“Young master, please calm yourself. Don’t take their rudeness to heart. I, Pan Feng, commander of Linjiang City’s defenses, assure you those men will be punished. The city lord will arrive shortly. Please, do not be offended.”

Liu An felt immensely gratified. Meanwhile, the master who had sent the token was happily teaching his disciples when suddenly a heavy cause-and-effect befell him inexplicably.

The city lord of Linjiang was enjoying himself with his concubine when a servant burst in, interrupting the merriment.

“You wretched dog! You ruined my fun! I’ll cut you down!” Furious, the lord reached for the treasured sword hanging on the wall.

“Please spare me, my lord! The city commander has urgent news. If not for that, I wouldn’t dare disturb your leisure for all the courage in the world.”

The lord’s anger subsided somewhat after hearing the explanation.

“Well, what is it? Don’t tell me some rebels are stirring trouble again.”

The servant hurriedly interrupted, “My lord, don’t guess—the master’s direct disciple has arrived in our city.”

Hearing this, the lord’s face lit up with joy.

“Ha ha! The master’s own disciple? Quickly, bring me my finest clothes. I shall dress splendidly to welcome him.”

While the lord made grand preparations, Liu An, still at the city gate, was being served several cups of tea by Commander Pan Feng.

Though Pan Feng smiled, inwardly he cursed the city lord’s entire lineage.

“That wastrel lord, riding on his father’s high position, only knows how to indulge in women. Someday he’ll surely die in bed.”

“Pan Feng, when will the city lord arrive? I’m nearly full from all this tea. I’m about to leave.”

Pan Feng grabbed Liu An’s arm, pleading, “Please wait a bit longer, young master. The city lord is surely preparing a welcome banquet for you.”

Liu An, unwilling to strike a smiling face, reluctantly agreed, “Fine, fine, I’ll wait.”

Half an hour later, from a distance came the sound of drums and gongs as the welcoming procession approached the city gate tea house.

Leading the group was the city lord himself, clad in luxurious silk robes that fluttered beautifully in the breeze.

Liu An looked at the lord, who bore the mannerisms of a spoiled heir, and asked Pan Feng in disbelief, “Is this the city lord? How can he be so ostentatious?”

Pan Feng sensed Liu An’s displeasure but was too disgusted by the lord himself to care.

“Oh, what an honor to meet the master’s direct disciple. I hope the master is in good health,” the lord said, approaching Liu An familiarly.

“My master is quite well. No need for the lord to worry,” Liu An replied.

“That’s wonderful. I have already prepared a feast for today. Please—”

Pan Feng interrupted, “Young master Liu An, please don’t refuse. We wish to show our respect.”

The city lord, now aware of Liu An’s name thanks to Pan Feng, became even more enthusiastic and put his arm around Liu An’s neck.

“Young master Liu An, you have such refined features and are so young. I should be a few years older; calling me Brother Zhao would not be inappropriate. You may call me Brother Zhao.”

“Not at all, not at all. Since I saw you, I feel a great kinship,” Liu An smiled. The two exchanged a glance, each probing the other with veiled intentions.

As they made their way to the city lord’s mansion, they chatted about lighthearted matters.

“Brother Liu, I heard the master loves to drink tea. What kind of tea does he prefer?”

Liu An hesitated briefly, unsure how to answer. “I’ve seen the master drink many kinds, but I don’t know which he likes best. You might have to ask him yourself.”

“Ha ha, indeed. A man like the master wouldn’t favor just one kind of tea. What a rumor to mislead me.”

Liu An entered the mansion with composed ease, showing no sign of nervousness, and casually commented on the decor.

“Brother Zhao, your residence is truly magnificent. Look at these artificial hills, these pavilions, and the exotic beasts you keep. Quite impressive.”

Since Liu An’s arrival, the city lord had observed his every move and expression. His scholarly manner convinced Zhao that there was at least a sixty percent chance Liu An was indeed the master’s direct disciple.

In truth, a simple question about the master’s whereabouts or the number of his disciples could expose Liu An, but the master and his disciples were so renowned that anyone with basic knowledge across the states would know. Liu An was fortunate; Zhao never thought to probe that deeply.