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It was a late summer afternoon when Gu Xiang approached Zhou Zishu with her hands upon her hips. Even after the hideous beggar disguise was removed, she didn't understand what her master saw in him. He was malnourished, sickly, and weak. It felt that if she grabbed him too hard, he would break in her hand. But despite this, he had an aura of someone deadly, someone dangerous. During their wandering, she tried to get a read on him, but the man was clever. He never revealed anything that would raise suspicion. So she came up with a plan. She would lure him away for less than a day's time, and test both his loyalty and skill. If he proved himself worthy, she would abandon her suspicion and accept him for her master, but if not, she would find a way to remove him from the picture.
"You!" She exclaimed as Zhou Zishu lowered his gourd expectantly. "We're going to the village, and no is not an acceptable answer."
"Can your tiresome master not go with you in my stead?" He responded as his attention returned to his wine. She curled her nose in disgust, recalling how bitter and acidic it tasted. Could he not taste it? Or did he simply not care as long as it put him in a drunken state?
"Foolish beggar man, are you deaf? I said you, and only you will do."
Zhou Zishu closed his eyes and let the sun warm his skin. He must've assumed the girl would lose patience and leave him in peace, but she held her ground and continued to demand his company. Eventually he sighed and responded with, "What exactly does this errand involve that needs me specifically?"
Clearly Gu Xiang expected his continued resistance, or didn't think the plan through thoroughly, for she fumbled with her words as she tried to come up with an excuse that would be reasonable. There was truly nothing that couldn't be done either with her master, the little idiot, or on her lonesome. Unless… "I want to buy a gift for Cao-dage, but if I so much as mention him, my master would have his head. I can't trust the little idiot either, for his taste is just as horrible as that mop of hair on his head. But you, you might know something fitting. But!" She exclaimed. "You can't tell my master."
"You're wanting me to keep a secret from your master?" Zhou Zishu laughed, sounding incredulous. "Who's to say he won't trail us? I doubt much would remain a secret with him."
Something bashful crossed Gu Xiang's features, but before she could respond, he continued. "If we leave now and make haste, we can return before them. They wouldn't have to know."
Although it would be risky, it was still a possibility as Wen Kexing was helping Zhang Chengling gather supplies for the night. Originally they had sent him on his lonesome, but the incompetent boy returned with enough bruises that one would assume that he picked a fight with stone, and had nothing else to show for his troubles. Wen Kexing volunteered to help, but that was hours ago and who knew when they would return. It could be within moments, or even hours.
When Zhou Zishu pushed himself to his feet, there was an ache that ran bone deep. He had long grown used to this constant state of pain, and had learned to school his expression to mask most of it, but Gu Xiang could see. She could see the way his brow twitched, his lips pursed, and the veins that popped. But she didn't say anything, rather she just studied him. Eventually his attention turned to her, and she turned away.
"Let's go then. Sheesh, you're so slow."
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"Do you have any ideas in mind?" Zhou Zishu asked as they approached the village gates. Even from this distance, they could see the bustle of those within. Merchants called to travelers, artisans moved their carts, maidens waved from terraces. It was a wealthy village, if the large structures and vibrant decorations had anything to say about it. So, the chances of finding an appropriate gift were high.
Gu Xiang kicked at the dirt, a pout playing at her lips. It wasn't that she didn't consider options, but nothing was good enough. A comb was too impersonal, a charm too simple, and she wasn't aware of his measurements for new robes. A weapon would be her choice, but he was too soft for anything that deadly. 'He likely wouldn't even know how to wield one.' She thought.
Zhou Zishu sighed, but he wasn't annoyed. During his days in Shiji Manor, his shidi had taken a love that consumed his every thought. Every hour he talked about her, every song reminded him of her, every consideration was made with her in mind as she was his everything, and he often came to Zhou Zishu for advice. Each time Zhou Zishu swore that it would be the last time he involved himself in their affairs, but Qin Jiuxiao had a way with his words that folded his resolve. He too had a first love, when he was no older than Gu Xiang herself. But his responsibilities left him little time to pursue such passions, and said love slipped from his fingers like a drop of morning dew.
Believing that his sigh was one of annoyance, Gu Xiang stepped forward with a huff to her step. “Even if I had an idea, it doesn’t mean it would be sold. Every village is different, foolish man.” Then her defensive tone became softer, hushed. “I just…want it to be perfect.” If Zhou Zishu didn’t follow the movement of her lips, the words would’ve fallen on the breeze with no one else to hear them. His heart softened, as he was reminded of his two shidis. That was the same pout that toyed at their features whenever Zhou Zishu gave them a hard time. Despite this, he kept his expression neutral and walked down the hill towards the market, Gu Xiang following with notes of indifference.
“Sir, could I interest you in a bushel of apricots? They were picked fresh this morning!”
“What about a lovely charm, for an equally lovely lady?”
“The finest pots of all the lands, crafted from a master artisan with the hands of a god.”
Each vendor had a plethora of exquisite goods, some steaming with a pleasant aroma, others sparkling with a finished shine. Eventually a cart containing fans caught Gu Xiang’s attention, and she slipped from Zhou Zishu’s side to admire them firsthand. Unbeknownst to the duo, they had gained the attention of unwelcoming eyes, eyes that belonged to those that were wronged by the Ghost Valley and wished to enact revenge.
“Would he like one of these? Unlike master’s, they’re not sharp. They’re just soft, like Cao-dage.”
Zhou Zishu took a fan of azure in hand, and studied the weight and craftsmanship of it. Although the paintings and stitches that adorned the fabric were portrayed by a steady hand, the durability of it was lacking. If the handle was squeezed too hard, the wood would splinter, and the fabric itself would easily peel away by frequent fanning. “The craftsmanship is poor,” He started, earning a squawk of indignance from the shopkeeper. “It would be insulting to gift it to someone of his standing.”
The men drew closer, keeping their bodies hidden within the shadows, or among the swarming bodies. To most, they would be unnoticeable, but there was a strangeness to their movement that caught Zhou Zishu’s eye. He kept their whereabouts known as he guided Gu Xiang throughout the village. They passed shops for veils and fabrics, weapons and armor, food and beverages. But none of these caught her interest, and Zhou Zishu found that endearing. She was unlike other maidens of her age, those who sought the richest fabrics, and pursued only the beauty in life. She was sharp, much like her tongue, and put a conscious effort in for those she cared for. They neared the final vendor, and that was when her breath hitched.
At first, the wares appeared to be an assortment of hair pins and accessories. Some were of wood, others of jade, even some of metal, and each one was beautiful. But that was not what caught her attention, for beneath this beauty was a deadly secret. A blade. These were short daggers hidden within a sheath that made up the base of the hair pin, allowing the wearer to look elegant but slit a throat in the next breath.
“Beggar man!” She called, holding a pin of an almost translucent white. The detailing was that of sweeping maple tree branches, each one harboring blossoms of the richest scarlet. Then the top was twisted and bent much like the branches of a tree, further emphasizing the gentle theme of it all. “Do you think Cao-dage would like it? It would match those rich robes he’s always wearing.”
“Excellent choice, miss!” The merchant exclaimed, clapping her hands in encouragement. “I’m certain it’ll make any young lord pleased. May I suggest this one as well?” She held up another pin, this one gold in structure that stretched upwards into beads of crimson and peach. Gu Xiang was about to reach for it, when a sudden movement caught her eye and she swung around with her whip in hand. Two men just barely avoided the blow, and the weapon connected with the dirt with a harsh crack.
Screams and shouts filled the market as a group of thugs filed into the clearing to surround Zhou Zishu and Gu Xiang. “We’re here for the girl,” A large man spat, wielding a dagger of rusted silver. “Scum of the Ghost Valley have no place upon this land, and must be exterminated like the vermin they are.”
Gu Xiang, having sheathed her whip, now brandished a dagger, and rolled her eyes. Their display of intimidation did little to spook her, rather she just found them comical. It was always those with lower skill that had to put on the airs of big words. If they truly could overpower her, they would’ve attacked first and talked later. She didn’t recognize their faces, but they held a sigil of golden crane upon their robes, and that instantly drew her attention. Before her master had taken an interest in Zhou Zishu and decided to pursue him, they had ransacked a small village that had located one of their storehouses, and threatened to reveal its whereabouts. Left with no other choice, Wen Kexing murdered their leader in front of their eyes, then wiped out the rest of them. Apparently there were more hidden within the shadows and were now wanting to enact revenge for their fallen comrades.
“Aren’t you the vermin?” She countered, drawing out the words. “No matter how many times you are squashed beneath our feet, you keep coming back. Just like cockroaches.”
The leader sputtered, and pointed his blade at them with a look of indignation. “Soon that filthy tongue will be licking the soil.” When they moved closer, Gu Xiang stole a glance at Zhou Zishu. Now would be a better chance than any to test his loyalty, for these men held no interest in him and would likely not touch a hair on his head. She saw that he held Baiyi, but that meant little as he could easily just step to the side and only defend himself if need be. But he didn't, rather he joined Gu Xiang in her leap and started slashing the men down.
Both moved with a synchronization that felt practiced, almost as if they fought together all their lives. Where one lacked, the other picked up the slack, not allowing the thugs a single step into their blind spots. But in the shadows was another man, an assassin of toxins that watched with a keen eye. He only brandished a dart, but it's lethality was stronger than any blade, and it was aimed right at Gu Xiang's heart. Zhou Zishu caught the flash of silver, and in one swift movement, he sent one of the hairpins into his chest.
Gu Xiang gasped in alarm, and turned towards Zhou Zishu. But he had already returned to the fight, behaving as if he didn't just save her life. Soon all but one fell to their hands, and he was trapped in a kneel by Zhou Zishu's blade.
"What are your waiting for? Kill him!" She exclaimed, but Zhou Zishu only shook his head. Neither she nor her master had revealed where they're from, and she didn't believe he ever would. This would've been a secret he took to his grave. But these thugs had blown it, and it was likely the reason Zhou Zishu kept one alive. He could use this man to learn what they know, then lay havoc to the Ghost Valley. She couldn't let him do that, as no matter how horrible it was, it was still her home and there were those she cared about inside. "They're nothing but a group of delusionals. Wouldn't we be putting them out of their misery?"
The man sneered and spat out a glob of blood. "Don't let her words continue to fool you. She's a lapdog of the Ghost Valley, and has taken more lives than you could count." Gu Xiang trembled as her emotions got the better of her. Everything had gone downhill so fast, and her stupidity just ruined everything. But perhaps she could just kill them both. It would be rough, and she would certainly earn her master's wrath, but it would be worth it…wouldn't it?
"I know," Zhou Zishu said simply, earning the surprise of both her and the man. "I've known for some time now." Gu Xiang felt her heart stop as she imagined every worst case scenario. This could be a ploy, a plan to lower their guard until he was able to snuff the entire valley out, starting with her and her master. "But it's no matter," He continued, silencing those negative thoughts. "No one here is devoid of sin. Everyone has had their hands drenched in blood."
Gu Xiang lowered her weapon as she took in the weight of his words. Not only had he defended her against an assassination, he defended the honor of her and her people. For once in her life she was at a loss for words, and could only stand there as Zhou Zishu interrogated the man. Upon finding nothing, he slit his throat and cleaned his blade with the man's clothes.
The townsfolk continued to mutter amongst themselves, antsy with fear, but Zhou Zishu disregarded them as he stepped towards a corpse and removed the hairpin that was lodged within it. It was covered with blood, but with proper cleaning it would be like new once more. He purchased it alongside the other pin she admired and one with scarlet jewels.
"Why did you do that?" Gu Xiang blurted as the shopkeeper took Zhou Zishu's currency with trembling hands. "You knew everything, yet you didn't do anything. Why?"
Zhou Zishu sighed. "No one in this world is perfect, and you are…" family, he finished, but the words didn't leave his mind. "Not as tiresome as I originally thought." He tossed the two hairpins she wanted towards Gu Xiang, who caught them with a quiver to her lips. Perhaps she was wrong about him, and maybe he was a decent person beneath his dark secret. He was similar to her master in that regard, so maybe, just maybe, they would complete one another.
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The camp was still empty by the time they returned, unbothered and quiet aside from the soft calls of birds around them. Zhou Zishu collapsed against a tree, the same spot he was in before they left, and fished out his gourd. It could be worrisome that the duo hadn’t returned, especially considering the encounter that greeted them within the village, but both knew that Wen Kexing would easily be able to defend against anything that came their way.
“Are you going to tell my master about what happened in the village?” Gu Xiang asked, glancing away as she prepared herself mentally for what he had to say. If he told him, Wen Kexing would be on alert and she would be sent back to the Valley. How would she gift Cao-dage then?
“Not unless it is something you wish to discuss,” He responded, taking a swing of his wine. “But I would advise you to say something yourself.”
“Thank you,” She mumbled as she kicked her feet in front of her. Gratitude was not something that she easily said, or had need to for that matter, so it felt strange upon her tongue. She cleared her throat, strengthened her posture, then said in a stronger voice, “I suppose you’re not as useless as you appear.”
Zhou Zishu rolled his eyes, but there was an underlying amusement within them. “You better clean that pin before your tiresome master returns. There’s only so much you could say to cover up all that blood.”
She gasped and hurried towards the river, with Zhou Zishu watching after her with a smile playing at his lips. His attention turned towards the pin hidden with his robes, and he thumbed the intricate beads along the head. In his mind’s eye he could see it nestled between hazel locks, complimenting the rich fabrics of that arrogant man’s robes.
“A-Xu,” A voice suddenly said, breaking through the silence. “Have you truly not moved this entire time?”
“Lao Wen.”