Side Story II (Tao Zhiming)

Time drifted by. The High Tree Forest enjoyed spring throughout the year; whether in the season of blossoms or the depths of winter, the woods remained a lush, vibrant green. Lin He grew up here. He resembled his mother greatly, with thick, dark hair, clear eyes, and a high-bridged nose.

One morning, his father prepared to take him out. The harvest had been bountiful that year, and the husband and wife had discussed sending him to the village to study. It was said that the teacher there was excellent and charged no tuition.

"Father, why must people learn the things in books?"

"Books contain houses of gold. It is not like the brawls and fights you engage in!"

"Studying and writing are not as good as having skills of one’s own! In the martial world, only those with martial arts can be called heroes."

"Your father thinks so too, but your mother and I would rather not see you trading blows with others, would we?"

"Yes, Father, I understand!"

"Come, He'er! Your mother has taught you some martial arts, hasn't she? Show your father a few moves!"

"Alright, Father!" With that, he walked onto the field ridge. As he walked, he began to show off the techniques his mother had taught him. The ridge was only a few inches wide; even an adult would easily stumble, yet this teenage boy moved along it with ease, performing his martial arts as he went.

Lin Zhongcheng could not help but sigh; He'er’s talent was indeed far superior to Yu'er’s.

He Yuyun was in the courtyard, weaving fabric. The morning sun illuminated her snow-white skin, making it appear even fairer. Her loose, fine hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, though her simple cicada-silk dress did not reveal her full elegance. She was so engrossed in her work that she did not notice her husband had returned, even though she was facing the courtyard gate.

Lin Zhongcheng shielded her face from the light with his hand, and only then did she realize he was home.

"I haven't seen you this focused in a long time. Aren't you afraid of the heat during the dog days of summer?"

"I couldn't see clearly inside, so I came out to finish it. Look, does it look good?" She handed the fabric to her husband—a broad, brownish-tan garment with a yellow iris embroidered on the chest. Lin Zhongcheng joked, "The flower is truly beautiful, but the garment itself is not!"

He Yuyun teased, "Why don't you try weaving it yourself?"

The corners of Lin Zhongcheng’s eyes crinkled. "I certainly couldn't do as well as you!"

Both of them laughed. He Yuyun placed the garment on a stool.

"How is He'er? Is he willing to study?"

"He'er still loves martial arts. I wonder if he will hate us for this."

He Yuyun’s tone turned somber. "He'er’s talent is indeed remarkable, but I have always been afraid..."

Lin Zhongcheng looked at her. "Your concerns are justified. He'er is too much like you; mastering martial arts is not suitable for him. But for now, your health is the most important thing."

"Don't worry, the 'Yuyin Nine Heavens' still provides some aid to my condition."

Lin Zhongcheng nodded. "Then I will go fetch some water. You go inside and rest for a while."

"Yes, alright. Be careful!"

Lin He sat in the schoolhouse with the other scholars. What made him different was that there were no books on his desk. The teacher was a man of six feet, nearing fifty, wearing a light blue gown. He was somewhat stout, with a full head of white hair and a straight, white beard.

The old man asked Lin He, "What is your name, and why have you come to study?"

"I don't know..." This response caused a roar of laughter throughout the hall. The teacher struck the desk with his ruler, and the room fell silent, everyone staring at the old man.

"Do you not even know your own surname?"

Only then did Lin He react. "Lin He... Lin He is my name!"

The old man paused, looking slightly disappointed. He shook his head and said, "You are so dull-witted that you are not suited for study. Do not come back again."

Lin He did not know how to respond, but he remembered his mother’s words.

"People take books as food and meals as a supplement; one should take the heavens and earth as companions, and the light of candles as a supplement! Please, sir, let me learn!"

The old man was slightly surprised. He asked, "Pray tell, who taught you those words?"

Lin He replied, "My mother!"

The old man nodded. "Come with your mother tomorrow!"

After school, Lin He remembered the path he had taken that morning and ran all the way home, pushing open the door in excitement.

His mother, seeing him, hurriedly set down her work to tend to her restless child. "Didn't your father tell you to wait for him to pick you up?"

Lin He laughed. "Mother, I made a friend today!"

"Tell Mother, what kind of friend?"

Lin He was a little excited. "It’s a girl! She even lent me her book to read today!"

He Yuyun was caught between laughter and tears. "Then did you learn anything today?"

Lin He immediately shook his head and said, "Mother! The teacher taught me to recite an ancient poem. Let me recite it for you!"

He Yuyun was very happy. "Come, let me hear it!"

Lin He thought for a moment. "At the beginning of life, human nature is good; natures are similar, but habits make them different. If not taught, nature will change. The way of teaching lies in dedication. A child... child... a child who does not learn..." He had recited the beginning smoothly, but he could not remember the rest.

He Yuyun smiled. "A child who does not learn is not as he should be; if one does not learn when young, what is one to do when old? Is that it?"

Lin He looked at his mother in disbelief. "Mother, you can read too? Did you go to school?"

He Yuyun smiled. "I was even younger than you when I learned these things."

Just then, the door was pushed open; his father had returned! Lin Zhongcheng took off his straw hat, placed it on the table, and brushed the dust from his clothes. "Why did you run back alone? Didn't I tell you to wait for me?"

He Yuyun walked over. "The child was just reciting his lessons."

Lin Zhongcheng looked at Lin He. "Is that so? Come, recite it for Father!"

He Yuyun smiled. "You talk to the child; I'll go prepare dinner!"

Lin Zhongcheng stroked her hair. "Go on, I'm hungry!"

The sun moved from the mountaintop into the mountains, and the chirping of the crickets gradually rose. The moon appeared even brighter, and the stars were yet to emerge. From inside the house came the sound of "Dinner is ready!" The family of three sat down to eat. The dim yellow light from the short, thin lamp wick made the scene appear warm and intimate.

His father placed the meat from the dish into Lin He’s bowl. Lin He scooped up rice, took a bite of meat, then another, then more rice. He chewed a piece of meat the size of a thumb five times while scooping up half a bowl of rice. The couple watched, feeling both comforted and pained.

While eating, Lin He suddenly remembered what his teacher had said during the day, his mouth still full of rice. "Oh, Mother! The teacher wants you to come by tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, He Yuyun became immediately vigilant, but she first instructed, "Don't talk with your mouth full. Finish your meal first."

Lin He slowly swallowed his food and relayed what the teacher had said.

He Yuyun looked at her husband. Lin Zhongcheng spoke, "It is likely that the teacher wants to understand our situation, after all, it is He'er’s first time in school!"

Her husband’s words did not dispel He Yuyun’s worries. She decided she must go; she could not let He'er take any risks by studying there!

That night, after Lin He had fallen asleep, Lin Zhongcheng and He Yuyun went into the courtyard, holding hands. The moon was bright and round, and they looked up at it together.

"Zhongcheng, the stars are truly beautiful tonight!"

"Tomorrow will be another day of bright sunshine!"

"It would be wonderful to live like this forever!"

"How much suffering have you endured along this journey?"

"I only realized today that the day would eventually come, sooner or later."

"Heaven has allowed us to live in such happiness for so long; it is already a reward for you and me!"

He Yuyun shook her head. "No... I have never been able to determine if what I did back then was right or wrong!" Her voice choked with emotion. "I am just afraid that they will not let He'er go..."

Lin Zhongcheng looked at her and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Whether what you did was right or wrong, and no matter how the world judges you, you are my wife, Lin Zhongcheng's wife, even if I am powerless!"

The next morning, after breakfast, He Yuyun put on a simple dress, and mother and son set out for the school.

The morning sunlight was both bright and gentle. They walked along the muddy path through the wheat fields, crossing the vast expanse until they reached the village where the school was located.

Although He Yuyun was dressed simply, like the other village women, her beauty was not of the kind usually seen in such a village. Everyone who passed by, regardless of age or gender, could not help but cast their eyes upon this stranger, silently marveling at her appearance.

The school was built of earth and stone, small and only four or five zhang in length and width. From a distance, it looked like a mound of yellow soil.

From another direction, the friend Lin He had made at school was walking toward the building. Her name was Mu Xiangming. She was very pretty, with a round face like a peach and eyes as bright as stars. Her innocent appearance was extremely cute, unlike that of a typical rural girl.

Lin He grabbed his mother’s hand, signaling toward the girl. He Yuyun patted her son’s head. "Go to school; Mother will wait here for your teacher."

He Yuyun waited there, her heart filled with trepidation. She had rarely visited this village; it was impossible for anyone to know her name! She dared not think too much, deciding only to see who the teacher was first.

After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, an old man approached from the other side of the school. His hair and beard were completely white, and he carried a thick book in his hand.

He Yuyun stepped toward the old man. "May I ask if you are my child’s teacher?"

The old man did not appraise He Yuyun, but replied, "You must be Lin He’s mother."

He Yuyun tried her best to play the part of a rural woman, clutching her clothes and saying shyly, "Yes, sir. I heard from the child that you wanted to see me. I have been busy with chores at home and wasn't sure if now was a good time!"

The old man noticed that her fingernails were a pale purple and her complexion was poor. "Follow me inside..."

They entered a small room inside the school. It was not large, and the corners were filled with disorganized books. Two banners hung on the walls: "If one’s own conduct is upright, things will be done without orders" and "If one’s own conduct is not upright, they will not be obeyed even with orders."

The calligraphy was forceful and vigorous, with each stroke piercing through the paper—a true classic of the art.

He Yuyun sat down. Before she could speak, the old man said, "It seems you are suffering from the 'Five Elements Black Poison'!"

At these words, He Yuyun’s heart turned cold with shock! The old man sat down slowly and continued, "I do not know your background, nor do I know who you are. I am not like you practitioners of the Dao; I am merely a man who cultivates the heart!"

After a brief moment of thought, He Yuyun replied, "A person who cultivates the heart values emotion and righteousness. Those who reach the pinnacle can understand all the laws of the world. Has your path of heart-cultivation also reached that peak?"

The old man chuckled dryly. "Those who cultivate the heart value emotion and righteousness. I am far from reaching the 'pinnacle.' I merely recognize the severity of the 'Five Elements Black Poison.' Those poisoned by it develop pale purple fingernails, and there is no cure!"

He Yuyun was certain the old man was no ordinary person!

"That is correct! The Five Elements Poison is the signature toxin of the Poisonous Matriarch. It is so potent that those afflicted have no cure, and even the Poisonous Matriarch herself cannot create an antidote!" With that, He Yuyun held up her hands, just as the old man had observed.

He Yuyun continued, "However, for you to judge the poison I carry based solely on the color of my fingernails is a bit too direct. Moreover, you have yet to state why you wanted to see me. May I ask your esteemed name?" Her expression turned solemn.

The old man stroked his beard and laughed aloud. "Hahaha! My surname is Tao! My name is Zhiming!"

He Yuyun was startled. "Master Tao!" One of the four great families of literature in the entire kingdom! He Yuyun was stunned. But then she wondered, who else in the world could treat commoners like kin and open a free school for rural children like Tao Zhiming?