Chapter Twenty-Four: Good Cabbage Trampled by a Pig

Ma Xue’e listened to their conversation from the side, her bright almond-shaped eyes spinning mischievously. Though she didn’t quite understand what they were talking about, she was brimming with excitement. She piped up, “Martial Arts School Ranking Tournament? What’s that? Is it fun? Brother Changning, let’s go, let’s all go together.”

Xiang Yinglong watched Ma Xue’e’s rosy cheeks, and once again felt a strange flutter in his heart—a tingling, ticklish sensation he couldn’t name, only that it made his heart leap as if it would burst from his chest.

He stammered, “Let’s… let’s go together, and bring Miss Ma along. The ranking tournament is always such a lively event.”

Ma Xue’e turned to Xiang Yinglong, pouting, “You’re Brother Changning’s good friend, so you’re my good friend too. Don’t call me Miss Ma anymore, it sounds so distant. Just call me Sister Xue’e like Brother Changning does.”

Luo Changning thought to himself: Friend… It’s truly odd to hear such a word from such a sweet and delicate girl. Wouldn’t something like ‘companion’ be more fitting?

“Hehe, Xue… Sister Xue’e,” Xiang Yinglong scratched his head, his cheeks flushing so red they could bleed.

Luo Changning watched his bashful, demure expression and felt a chill run through him. For some reason, he felt unsettled, and a phrase from a past life’s internet slang drifted through his mind: “Good cabbage wasted on a pig.”

He shook off this inexplicable irritation and spoke, “Sister Xue’e’s brother, Ma Qingyun, is an innate martial artist. If we can persuade him to compete on behalf of Luoyang Martial School, the championship should be within our grasp this year.”

Xiang Yinglong’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s wonderful. What luck! Talents rise in every generation, and heroes are always young. Who would have thought that even in this small Qinghe County, there would be such a young innate martial artist?”

People are always instinctively in awe of the strong, and this is especially true for martial artists; the weak are drawn to those of great skill, eager for friendship.

Xiang Yinglong was no different; he was but a young boy, not yet of age, his heart brimming with youthful passion. To learn that there was an innate martial artist residing in the Su family’s small courtyard filled him with excitement—he longed to meet such a person.

“Hurry, Luo Changning, where is this innate martial artist you mentioned? Take me to meet him right away!” Xiang Yinglong’s face was flushed with anticipation, his excitement bubbling over.

Luo Changning: …

This is definitely not the Xiang I know. He must have been swapped out. What’s with that lovesick, aggrieved woman’s look…?

It’s unbearable to watch…

Ma Xue’e spoke sweetly, “Brother Xiang, my brother went out on business this morning and won’t be back for a while. Why don’t we go to the garden? You can tell me more about the Martial Arts School Ranking Tournament.”

Seeing her adorable expression, Xiang Yinglong nodded, and the group made their way from the main hall to the garden pavilion.

The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers, stirring the heart.

Qing Gu arrived with tea, her vivid red dress bold and enchanting, exuding a mature allure that belied her age. Few men in the world could resist such charm.

She set down the tea, smiling cleverly, “Please enjoy, young masters. I won’t intrude on your conversation.”

Luo Changning knew what day it was and that Qing Gu’s thoughts were elsewhere, her heart long since flown. He said nothing, only smiled.

With a flutter of her red skirt and her tray in hand, Qing Gu turned and left. The pavilion held only inexperienced youths, none who could appreciate her beauty.

The one who could—Loyal Uncle—was in the stables, awaiting her. Today was their rare shared outing, their thirtieth anniversary.

With Loyal Uncle away from his managerial post, there was no one in charge at the clinic, so Manager Su Meng had gone there early. Thus, the only ones left in the Su family’s courtyard were Luo Changning, Ma Xue’e, and Xiang Yinglong. Fortunately, the courtyard was always quiet, so it did not feel empty.

Xiang Yinglong emptied his cup of tea in one gulp, calming the strange flutter in his heart.

He began, “This Martial Arts School Ranking Tournament is one of the major events in Autumn River Prefecture, held once every four years. The winning school and outstanding young disciples receive generous rewards. In Yaohua Continent, where martial skill is revered, victorious schools attract more young martial artists eager to become disciples.”

“Our Luoyang Martial School has never taken first place. Each time, the top spot goes to the Divine Hand Martial School, which draws even more young talents to study under Gao Ba. Because of this, our school is mocked as the eternal runner-up.”

He poured himself another cup, downing it in frustration.

Ma Xue’e puffed out her cheeks. “Hmph, that’s only because my brother never competed before. This year, with my brother and Brother Changning, who knows who will win? Luoyang Martial School won’t be the eternal runner-up this time!”

Xiang Yinglong slapped his thigh in excitement. “Sister Xue’e is right! This time, we’ll surely defeat the Divine Hand Martial School and show Gao Ba and his arrogant disciples the true strength of Luoyang Martial School.”

Watching the two so worked up, Luo Changning couldn’t help but break their dream: “Brother Ma hasn’t even agreed to help us yet, and you two are already…”

“Hmph! My brother always listens to me. If I ask him, he won’t stand by and do nothing!” Ma Xue’e pouted, her lips rosy and moist, looking every bit the indomitable leader.

“Exactly! If I had a sister like Xue’e, I’d grant her every wish too,” Xiang Yinglong chimed in.

“We can only hope,” Luo Changning replied, noncommittal.

They finished their tea, but Ma Qingyun did not return, and all grew anxious.

“Why isn’t my brother back yet? It’s almost lunchtime. And Aunt Su is at the clinic—I wonder if she’ll come home for lunch. Why don’t we go eat at Gaosheng Restaurant? My treat!” Ma Xue’e declared, patting the small pouch at her waist.

“Sister Xue’e, you’re a girl, you don’t need to treat. Since this is our first meeting, let me host. Let’s go to Gaosheng Restaurant for a good meal—don’t hold back!” Xiang Yinglong echoed, jumping up.

With their minds made up, Ma Xue’e donned her human-skin mask, and the three left the Su family courtyard.

Along the way, Xiang Yinglong was curious about the mask, but his straightforward nature told him there must be a reason Xue’e needed to hide her face, so he didn’t dwell on it—just snuck a few glances now and then.

Even with the mask, Sister Xue’e was cute—but she was even cuter without it…

Soon, they arrived at Gaosheng Restaurant. The waiter who had served Luo Changning and the Ma siblings before greeted Ma Xue’e with particular enthusiasm, attending to them with extra care.

The three of them feasted until they were full. Just as they were about to return to the Su family courtyard to wait for Ma Qingyun, Ma Xue’e spoke up, “I’ve never visited your family’s clinic before. Since we have nothing to do today, why not go and see what the legendary clinic looks like? Aunt Su will surely be glad to see us.”

Luo Changning agreed and called out to the waiter, “One order of lotus blossom cake to go, please.”

“Right away, sir!”

In the end, it was Luo Changning who paid the bill. For some reason, seeing Xiang Yinglong fawning over Ma Xue’e annoyed him deeply. Still, the Su family was wealthy enough to feed thousands of little gluttons like her without a care.

“Heh, you’re always so generous, Luo Changning. Every time we go out, you pay. It’s making me feel guilty,” Xiang Yinglong said with a sheepish grin, clearly delighted with the arrangement.

Luo Changning shot him a sidelong glance, teasing, “What can I say? I have money. Unlike some people who always ‘forget’ their purse when we go out.”

As a lay disciple of the Buddhist order, Xiang Ao often used his silver to help the poor in Qingyang County and kept Xiang Yinglong’s spending in check, rarely allowing him to be extravagant—his daily allowance was only a few taels at most.

“Hey, Luo Changning, what are you talking about? When have I ever forgotten my purse? You’re always insisting on paying! Don’t blame me for it. Sister Xue’e, don’t listen to him—he’s trying to make me look bad,” Xiang Yinglong protested.

“It’s all right, Brother Xiang,” Ma Xue’e patted her own purse, “Next time we go shopping, even if you forget your purse, it doesn’t matter—I have plenty of money.”

Hearing this, Luo Changning glanced at her bulging purse, wondering what could possibly be inside.

He mused: Does Sister Xue’e truly not understand the value of money, or does she genuinely have a lot? If it’s the latter, the origins of the Ma siblings warrant some investigation—where did all that money come from? Still, whatever their background, they’re my chosen friends, and that will not change.

Besides, Luo Changning had known from the first time he met the siblings that they were anything but ordinary. Their refined bearing was not something common folk could possess.

They were surely of noble or wealthy birth. He just wondered what enemies they were hiding from, to have lived in seclusion on Mount Mokui for so many years. It couldn’t have been easy for them.