Chapter 29

"Did your Shifu ever give you a way to change your fate?" 

The newly admitted A’Qing did not have a formal name. Since this young girl was already sixteen, she couldn't be given just any casual nickname like before.

Ning Shiting asked her, "Would you like a new name, or would you prefer to keep your original name?"

A’Qing said, "The past is severed; I leave it to Gongzi to decide."

The young girl didn't dare to lift her eyes to look at him, and when her eyelashes lowered, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

After a moment of thought, Ning Shiting said, "Your mobility is now impaired and you lack any spiritual skills. If you don't mind, you can follow me to learn the art of fragrance. My former Shifu, a manifestation of Brahma, Ming Xing, who traversed Penglai and the Heavens, and who Cultivated the Way of the Sword and the Way of Incense. I inherited this art, which reveres the word 'Fén' (焚, burn), and was given the word 'Fén Xīn' (焚心, Burning Heart) as a mantra to remember. If you are willing, I can take the meaning of 'Qing'(1) and call you 'Fén Lǜ' (焚绿, Burning Green) from now on. How about that?"

A’Qing was a bit incredulous, "Can I really... follow Gongzi and learn the art of fragrance by your side?"

Ning Shiting said, "Yes, I heard that your original spiritual roots were the elements of metal and wood. Incense usually involves dealing with metal and wood, and it doesn't require high cultivation. Even an ordinary mortal can practice this art. Once your body gets better, I will teach you the art of fragrance."

The girl was settled near the Baicao Garden, close to the Shizi's mansion.

When Ning Shiting came out, he saw Gu Tingshuang standing alone outside the Shizi's mansion, looking at the pavilion and lotus pond in the breeze outside.

"Your Shifu is quite mundane, using the word 'burn' as a mantra for the art of fragrance. Does the term for swordsmanship have to include the word 'slash'?" Gu Tingshuang said.

Ning Shiting lowered his head and laughed, "It's not that word, but my martial siblings who learnt swordsmanship mostly had the word 'Wǔ' (舞, Dance) in their mantras."

That was even more mundane! At least 'Slash' sounded powerful and mighty.

"Does this move have any special meaning? 'Burning Heart' doesn't sound like a good term."

Gu Tingshuang held half a piece of flaky pastry in his hand, breaking it bit by bit and scattering it in the pond. The fish, smelling the scent, swam over in a rushing wave.

The sound of water rippled, and the bottom of the pond was a brilliant array of colours.

Ning Shiting was silent for a while. He thought back to when he first joined the sect.

The old immortal, with white eyebrows and high cheekbones, perched on the chair like a monkey, and the silk of his whisk seemed to come alive, lightly enveloping him.

"Well, so poisonous, so poisonous, oh dear, my whisk... let me see, you, ah, short-lived, miserable childhood, bitter youth, painstaking middle age, and a tragic end. This is your karma, can't save it, can't save it, gē."(2)

At that time, he had no special thoughts about apprenticeship. He came because Gu Feiyin wanted him to learn the art of fragrance and the use of poison, as he couldn't just have a body full of deadly poison, otherwise, it would be "no different from being permanently impaired."

Bu Cangqiong was the world's greatest fragrance master and swordsman, and he came just to try his luck. If this one didn't accept him, he could still learn fragrance-making on his own.

Unexpectedly, the old man smiled at him, "This kind of tragic fate is not the first I've seen, but it so happens I need a great deed to ascend to immortality. If I can help you reverse this fate, it will be my blessing. From now on, you will stay under my tutelage to learn the art of fragrance. Since you can't avoid the karma of working hard for others, and always giving your heart to others, I'll grant you the name 'Fén Xīn' Remember to take things lightly and don't always let yourself suffer so much."

He received this name but only practised under him for a mere six months. Later, following Gu Feiyin's orders, he went to Xizhou. Feeling guilty towards his sect, he returned his name plaque to Bu Cangqiong before leaving.

Just like when he first joined, the old immortal lifted his whisk and swept it over him, this time saying, "You are my personally taught disciple of the Way of Incense, and one day you will bring back the four ancient divine fragrances. I can't stop you now. While you're out there, do not claim to be my student. When you figure things out and want to live for something else, come back to me."

His Shifu did not take away his name, the only thing left to him was this name. Ning Shiting never dared to use it again, nor did he dare to bring it up to others.

However, his Shifu didn't foresee everything in his past life. As he said, he toiled his whole life and ended tragically. But throughout his life, he only managed to create the Zhen Sandalwood Incense. He created it, but he could not resurrect those he wished to see.

Of the remaining three ancient divine fragrances, Soul Returning Incense was one he had concocted in this lifetime. One of the two remaining of these famous incenses was Douyi Fragrance, which was said to allow immortals to stave off hunger, death, and decay, reinforcing their essence and strengthening their bodies. The final one was the Nine Deaths Fragrance, used to manage the romantic affairs of immortals. As for that one... he felt he would probably never have the nerve to concoct such a fragrance in this life.

Seeing him lost in thought, Gu Tingshuang casually had a small wolf bring a pebble and gently tossed it at his feet.

Ning Shiting snapped out of his daze and softly said, "My Shifu initially thought I was too paranoid, always burning my heart for matters, and that I needed to endure some hardships. So he gave me this name to constantly remind me."

Paranoid?

Gu Tingshuang found it hard to imagine what Ning Shiting, with his serene and indifferent demeanour, would be like when he was paranoid.

"Did your Shifu ever give you a way to change your fate?" Gu Tingshuang asked.

Ning Shiting shook his head. "Karma isn't something that can be reversed so easily. It's my own failure, disgracing him. This way is better; he won't have to worry about my foolishness in his old age."

When he said this, he didn't have the usual air of an adult that he displayed in front of Gu Tingshuang. Instead, he seemed like a very ordinary student talking about his most revered and admired teacher.

Ning Shiting smiled. "My Shifu... although his words could be harsh, and his temper was childlike, he was very formidable. Though he was a sword cultivator and also skilled in medicine and fragrance, he was proficient in all sorts of unconventional cultivation methods, not just superficially but with great mastery. Your 'Ninefold Spirit Mastery' was something he comprehended in his early years."

Gu Tingshuang said, "Heaven devised for me to be born many years after him, I might not be inferior to him."

Ning Shiting continued to smile. "It will be so. In the future, Dianxia will become the most formidable person in the Nine Prefectures."

Gu Tingshuang turned his gaze away.

He still had a bit of youthful arrogance, speaking boldly, with a touch of ignorance about the world. In the first ten years of his life, he had seen the grandeur of mountains and glimpsed the vastness of the sky, yet he could still trample all obstacles underfoot. He was the favoured son of heaven, the hope of the people, so however proud or excellent he was, it was permissible. Such days would never come again.

These past few days, Fen Lu often came to see Ning Shiting. He told her to rest and recuperate, but she couldn't stay idle and sought out records related to incense, studying them day and night. Every time she gathered questions over two days, she would come to Ning Shiting for earnest instruction. Occasionally, when she ran into Gu Tingshuang outside the courtyard, the young girl would respectfully bow from her wheelchair. It seemed that after experiencing the pain of separation, Fen Lu had become much stronger. She wasn't as afraid of Gu Tingshuang as the others in the residence.

People in the residence gradually came to know that Ning Shiting had taken a female disciple to pass on his knowledge of incense. Hulu and Lingjiao occasionally whispered, "Fen Lu is beautiful, young, and was rescued by the Gongzi. If the Shizi knew about it, wouldn't he be jealous and angry... ah?"

Gu Tingshuang heard this while flipping through the "Ninefold Spirit Mastery," saying, "If the two of them were together and my father got angry, it would be quite a show of dogs biting each other. Does the girl really like Ning Shiting?"

"..."

Hulu and Lingjiao fell silent, only after a while saying, "We don't know, maybe... But, as a master and disciple, Ning Gongzi probably doesn't have that intention, but one can't stop a young girl's heart..."

Gu Tingshuang said no more.

Ting Shu was also feeling down these days. On one hand, his brother's time to station troops was drawing nearer; on the other hand, just as he was about to leave Ning Shiting, Ning Shiting had taken on a new disciple. He complained to Ning Shiting, "Gongzi used to care most for Ting Shu, then when the prince arrived, it was the prince. Now neither Ting Shu nor the prince is cared for, only your disciple."

Ning Shiting knocked him on the head with a book, saying, "Nonsense again."

Ting Shu was very aggrieved, "You promised to take me out to play, but every day when Fen Lu comes to see you, she takes up your entire afternoon."

"She has difficulties; we help when we can," Ning Shiting said. "No more fussing, I'll take you out tomorrow."

Ting Shu's eyes lit up immediately, bouncing around in excitement.

That day, Ning Shiting as usual brought snacks to the Shizi's residence. As he approached, before even entering the courtyard, a little wolf ran out to greet him from afar, happily circling him.

Just as Ning Shiting was about to enter, he suddenly heard the sound of a wheelchair moving in the narrow alley beside him.

"Good evening, Shifu."

Fen Lu bowed slightly, holding a stack of books in her arms.

She looked at Ning Shiting, then at the direction he was heading, and asked, "Is Shifu going to see the Shizi? I came out at the wrong time; I was coming to ask Shifu some questions."

Ning Shiting paused for a moment, and the people in the Shizi's residence heard the commotion.

Gu Tingshuang's keen hearing picked up Ning Shiting talking to someone. The little wolf had been out for a while but hadn't brought the Jiaoren back. He wheeled himself slowly to the front gate and overheard the girl's question.

Before Ning Shiting could respond, Gu Tingshuang glanced between the two and said indifferently, "Come in."

Fen Lu said softly, "Sorry to disturb you, Your Highness." Contrary to his usual demeanor, Gu Tingshuang showed no impatience, saying only, "It's nothing."

The three of them sat at a table harmoniously. The little wolf lay on Ning Shiting, Gu Tingshuang read and ate snacks, while Ning Shiting turned his head slightly to explain incense and answer Fen Lu's questions.

Gu Tingshuang's gaze gradually shifted from the book to Ning Shiting.

There was no visible difference from usual. Ning Shiting spoke to everyone in the same gentle and elegant manner, only occasionally had Gu Tingshuang seen him somewhat exasperatedly reprimand Ting Shu. His eyes lowered slightly, revealing a sliver of his fair and delicate neck. His tone didn't betray what he liked or disliked, and his eyes held nothing else. His pleasant voice, as if it could lull someone to sleep.

The girl was listening intently, clearly absorbed.

Gu Tingshuang ate some snacks but suddenly found the snowflake pastry sticky and unpalatable, so he asked for tea to rinse his mouth and casually threw away the remaining half. The little wolf finished off the other half. The sound of him tossing things startled the two, who both looked up at him.

Gu Tingshuang said, "I'm going to practice. You two carry on at home."

He called the little wolf, wheeling himself to the back courtyard. Hulu and Lingjiao, aware of his irregular schedule lately, quickly opened the courtyard door for him and waited outside, ready to assist.

Gu Tingshuang leafed through the "Ninefold Spirit Mastery," closed his eyes to calm his mind, and tried once more to use his spiritual sense to break through the confines of his disabled body and circulate his qi through his five meridians. Given his progress, he should at least have been able to complete a small cycle, but today he failed right from the start.

An unnameable rage surged in Gu Tingshuang's heart, and he flung the "Ninefold Spirit Mastery" away. Even the little wolf sensed his rage, hesitating as it picked up the book.

The silver-white little wolf, with a pā of its paws, looked up at Gu Tingshuang, only to meet his eyes.

In that instant, a surge of dark, wrathful spiritual energy seized the little wolf's body. For the first time, it refused Gu Tingshuang's command, a primal fear of danger making it uneasy. But Gu Tingshuang forcibly suppressed this layer of timidity and avoidance, his domineering presence controlling the wolf's body. The brief clash of spiritual energy made the little wolf let out a pained whine.

But it still obeyed him, because Gu Tingshuang was its alpha; it would do anything for him, including offering its blood and flesh. The entire wolf pack lived for Gu Tingshuang's wishes.

Outside, Hulu heard the little wolf's cry and asked worriedly, "Dianxia?"

There was no response.

The silver-white little wolf ran off toward Spirit Mountain.

Foot Notes

1. 青(Qīng) means “blue-green,” it is a character that is used in the words for natural greens, such as the colour of plants or the sky. The character 绿 (lǜ) also means green. Sorry, this section isn’t all that clean, but it doesn’t translate well into English.

2. 咯 (gē) as in the sound of a chicken, similar to "cluck".