Chapter Fifteen

Chen’s Teahouse; a bowl of boiled peanuts sprinkled with a pinch of salt, paired with a cup of tea—sitting in the teahouse, chatting idly, watching puppet shows, and cockfighting; what a delight! This teahouse has stood for sixty years, nestled in Kowloon City under the protection of influential patrons. It has changed hands twice but still operates smoothly and with style.

Lin He arrived at the teahouse, where the area buzzed with activity. Outside, various rickshaws were parked, and inside, the place was packed, warm and lively. The waiter, a young man with a towel draped over his shoulder, smiled brightly as he moved about.

Lin He stepped inside, hearing the sounds of drama and commotion from the second floor, which must be the theater. Approaching the counter, Manager Chen immediately came forward with a welcoming smile, calling out, “Good sir, you look unfamiliar—are you here to rest on a long journey?”

Manager Chen wore a black rounded cap and simple black cloth attire, slightly stout, holding a cloth in his hand. Lin He replied, “No, I’m here to meet relatives, but first, I need to ask about two people.”

Upon hearing this, the manager’s eyelids tightened slightly. “Who might they be?” he asked.

Lin He said, “Mr. Tao and a woman about my age. Have you seen them come through here?”

Manager Chen gasped softly. “You mean Tao Zhiming from the Four Scholarly Families?”

Lin He nodded. “Yes, that’s my teacher.”

The manager did not answer immediately but pondered for a moment. “It’s been years since Mr. Tao last visited, but recently, no sign of him at all.”

Lin He’s brow furrowed. Could he have come too late by a whole month? Just as he was thinking this over, the manager raised his hand and said, “Why don’t you come inside and take a look? With so many people, it’s hard to remember everyone.”

Lin He nodded slowly, acknowledging the manager’s point.

Walking inside, the noise grew louder—a mixture of voices chatting over tea, groups of middle-aged men gathered around watching cricket fights and songbirds. Yet, after scanning the room, Lin He found no trace of his teacher or Mu Xiangming. Concern deepened within him. Just as he considered going upstairs to check, the manager called out, “Our second floor requires payment upfront!”

Lin He tightened his eyes. “Is there a rule about paying before even having tea?”

The manager forced a smile. “There are puppet shows and tea service upstairs.”

Given his special status, Lin He chose not to argue and handed over some copper coins. The manager took them with a smile, striking a theatrical pose and singing in a puppet show tone, “This honored guest follows me!”

Lin He ascended to the second floor.

The upper floor was dimly lit but crowded with well-dressed middle-aged families. At the center, puppeteers performed, but everyone held gambling chips, shouting louder than the show itself.

Seeing this, Lin He quickly judged that his teacher would never appear in such a place. As he was about to leave, the manager held him back with a strained smile, “Since you’ve paid, why not rest here with some tea before continuing your search?”

Tired from the day and having eaten little, Lin He agreed. “Sounds good. Do you have anything to eat?”

The manager’s cheeks puffed out with pride. “Of course! Follow me.” He led Lin He to a quiet table, wiped it down, and arranged the teacups.

“What would you like, sir?”

“A bowl of plain noodles with broth.”

The manager straightened and said, “Very well, plain noodles and tea!” Then he turned and went downstairs.

After the manager left, Lin He looked around. The second floor was definitely busier than the first. Those who had lost money shouted louder than the winners. Due to the crowd, the puppet show was both hard to see and hear.

Lin He sighed inwardly. Now the real problem surfaced. His teacher and Mu Xiangming might have been captured. Without any backing, his only hope was to find Elder Deng swiftly and ask for help. He trusted his mother’s words: Elder Deng was a venerable and respected man—his mother’s master and his teacher’s close friend—surely he would not stand idly by.

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The waiter soon brought a steaming bowl of plain noodles and a teapot. The noodles steamed invitingly, and when Lin He poured the tea over them, the delicate fragrance stirred his appetite. He lifted the teacup, gently blew on the hot tea, took a small sip, savored it, and then drank a bit more—not burning himself, thankfully.

The tea’s aroma eased many of Lin He’s worries. He eagerly picked up his chopsticks and began eating the noodles heartily. Though the noodles were simple and dry, their fragrance was exquisite. For someone who had gone hungry for so long, this bowl was a small delight amid the unwelcoming surroundings.

Not yet halfway through the bowl, a sharp, melodious sword clang startled Lin He—cutting off the noodles mid-bite. He turned sharply to see a young man, about his age, slender with long hair flowing over a gray robe, a cloth belt at his waist. His handsome yet resolute face held a long sword pointed at five men gambling around him. The others quickly stepped back.

The young man shouted angrily, “What a bunch of cheats! Trying to swindle me!”

He flung a handful of gambling chips away in fury. “Today, you’ll learn who you’re messing with!”

With that, he launched into action. His sword danced in the air, leaving afterimages as he struck at the five men. Though unarmed and seemingly ordinary, the five moved with agile, fluid grace, deftly navigating the cramped space without knocking over tables or chairs.

Lin He noticed the swordsman’s style leaned more on strength than speed, which slowed his attacks somewhat. Yet his movements were rhythmic, almost like a dance, clearly a formal sword technique rather than a self-taught style. Judging by his skill, he was no lesser than his peers.

The fight escalated, and many fled downstairs. Despite the swordsman’s higher skill, the five men coordinated to turn their weakness into strength, working as a unit. It was clear they belonged to the same sect, a group that emphasized formation tactics. The swordsman was caught between offense and defense, unable to gain the upper hand.

Lin He kept his distance, not wanting to intervene given his situation. After finishing his noodles, he planned to seek out Elder Deng. Just as he relaxed with a sip of tea, the swordsman lost ground—the sword was kicked from his hand and landed squarely on Lin He’s table, overturning his noodles.

Without his sword, the man struggled. Lin He dropped his cup and swiftly retrieved the sword, stepping forward. The five men scattered at the sight.

“Are you alright, brother?” Lin He asked, handing back the weapon.

The man shook his head, “I’m fine.”

He prepared to continue the fight, but Lin He grabbed his arm urgently. “Brother, stop. They’re in league with this teahouse. No matter how strong you are, it’s useless.”

Just then, the ever-cheerful manager appeared with a group of men wielding sticks, encircling the second floor, sealing all exits.

The swordsman finally grasped Lin He’s warning. Leaning close, he whispered, “Brother, do you have the confidence to fight our way out?”

Lin He joked, “I wonder if we can even leave with our money.”

The swordsman laughed, a colorful grin on his face. “Sounds like you’re not very skilled in combat.”

Manager Chen glared at Lin He. “Young man, I’ve treated you well, yet you help him wreck my place—is that fair?”

The swordsman spat, furious: “I don’t care! You lured me here with your tricks, set me up with your gang, thinking I’m easy to fool!”

Lin He quickly restrained the angry man.

The manager narrowed his eyes, mocking: “If you didn’t covet small money, you wouldn’t get into big trouble. Afraid of big trouble? Why not mind your own business? Today, I’m here to teach you a lesson—you’ll suffer great losses in the martial world!”

The swordsman’s anger flared, but Lin He held him back, signaling to wait. He had learned from the cloth shop owner that the teahouse’s success was backed by powerful connections. Getting caught now would be disastrous.

Seeing his companion’s fury, Lin He leaned forward and teased, “I saw those men fight earlier. Though none matched you, they worked together to overcome you, even unarmed. This must be the Danhong Sect’s style, as my teacher’s hometown folks say.”

The manager laughed heartily.

“You come in asking about two people, yet how do you know this so-called brother of yours? Your ‘teacher’ is just a scholar, Tao Zhiming—nothing more!” His tone sharpened, clearly tired of Lin He’s smooth talk.

The swordsman raised his sword, but Lin He pressed him down again, looking at the manager with a smirk.

“I never said I know this brother. And even if you don’t fear Mr. Tao, how do you know my teacher is Mr. Tao?”

Manager Chen raised his hand. “Fine! Then tell me! Let’s see if you truly have skills or just a silver tongue.”

Lin He played coy. “I have many teachers. Which one do you want to hear about?” His eyes danced with mischief, showing no fear.

The men beside the manager grew restless, ready to strike, but the manager stopped them sternly. “Boy, no matter who you’ve brought here, you must come with me to meet the magistrate.”

Lin He stopped joking and picked up a chopstick from the floor. Holding it upright, he declared, “I’ve heard the Desire Sound Nine Heavens technique can make even a vertical object fly like an arrow. Watch this chopstick—it can pierce stone.”

With a swift motion, he stabbed the chopstick toward the ceiling. A sharp “whoosh” sounded as the tile above shattered, letting a ray of light stream through.

Everyone gasped.

Manager Chen, a man of experience, recognized the move instantly—it was the legendary Desire Sound Nine Heavens technique of Yang Feng, the Five Ethics Lantern Sect. His stern face twisted with mixed emotions. Frowning, blinking, pursing his lips until his face flushed red, he smiled at Lin He.

“Well, it seems the flood has reached the Dragon King’s temple—one family not recognizing its own!”

The swordsman growled, “Can’t you hold back? Come and capture me!”

Lin He exhaled deeply, secretly relieved. Without his hometown’s reputation, handling this mess alone would have been impossible.

The manager bowed slightly and forced a smile. “A simple misunderstanding.” He ordered everyone downstairs and loudly called, “Actors! Come entertain these two gentlemen!” His demeanor changed swiftly.

As dusk settled, the streets grew livelier. The townsfolk, having eaten, strolled about. Street performers set up their acts under the night sky. Children’s laughter filled the air, warming the street with both coziness and cheer.

Upstairs in the teahouse, the two men sat by the window on the second floor.

The swordsman poured a cup of wine for Lin He.

“My surname is Ma, given name Chen. May I ask your honorable name?”

Lin He took the cup with a smile. “Lin He. Not exactly noble.”

Ma Chen raised his cup. “If not for you today, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against them.”

Lin He clinked his cup gently. “Fate, just a small favor.” He drank.

Ma Chen said, “With your background, how did you end up here alone?”

Lin He forced a smile. “No background at all, just a silver tongue.”

Downing his drink, Ma Chen proposed, “Seeing you alone, if you have no urgent matters, would you join me to Baiyun Peak? Perhaps you’ll find the person you seek there.”

Lin He considered this carefully; it was a good plan. Joining the upcoming gathering at Baiyun Peak might indeed lead him to Elder Deng.

“Thank you for the suggestion. But why are you heading to Baiyun Peak?”

Ma Chen smiled faintly. “Baiyun Peak is the premier sect in the Manchu land. Since youth, I dreamed of becoming a great hero, but lacking talent, I’ve trained hard. This is my fifth year trying to join.”

Lin He encouraged him, “With such determination, you already stand out among many.”

Ma Chen laughed and raised his cup. “One more drink!”

Lin He shook his hand playfully. “No, no—I don’t drink.”

The night deepened, but the city’s warmth and lively spirit remained, promising new paths ahead.