Chapter Sixteen: The Year and the Events of the Immortal Poet

Lu Liaoliao accepted the challenge, yet the young Taoist Gu Ye did not seem in any hurry. With a casual twist of his wrist, silvery flashes shimmered before him. He walked the Four Directions Step, carrying himself with the air of a true master.

"When I learned the sword from my master," he began, "I would always hear tales of Master Taibai. He was not only hailed as the Poet Immortal of our age, but truly deserved the title of Sword Immortal as well. The name 'Dripping Immortal' suits him perfectly.

When Uncle Taibai was young, he trained under Master Taibin for three years. His swordplay emerged from the Guigu lineage. Though Uncle Taibai seldom revealed his swordsmanship in the mundane world, earning little fame, he is renowned among those hidden sects deep in the mountains.

It is said the Guigu School’s swordsmanship is divided into three realms: Heaven, Earth, and Human. The Human Sword can kill within ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles. Earth Sword can secure the nation and bring peace. Heaven Sword severs the sky and breaks the bonds of earth.

I, Gu Ye, am but unworthy. I have studied the Daoist sword for ten years since childhood, and today, I hope to witness a true display."

Though Gu Ye’s grand manner left Lu Liaoliao somewhat awestruck, his words made it clear this was now a contest between sects. Lu Liaoliao could only brace himself and press forward.

"So, Senior Brother Gu Ye, are you representing Daoism to challenge our Guigu School of Strategies?"

"With just the two of us, how could we claim to represent our sects? It’s nothing more than a friendly bout between brothers," Gu Ye denied with his lips, though he clearly held competitive intentions in his heart.

Since it could not be avoided, Lu Liaoliao could only give his all. In an instant, he readied himself, launching forward with a thrust of his sword.

Gu Ye, still standing nonchalantly, barely had time to react before Lu Liaoliao’s blade was already at his throat, its cold edge pressing against his skin.

Startled, Gu Ye stared at the almost invisible sword, and nearby, Tang Xiaoqi cried out in protest, "Sneak attack! Shameless! You sneak attacked him!"

Snapping back to his senses, Gu Ye gave a wry smile, gently pushing the blade aside. "Junior Brother, this is a friendly match between us brothers, not an ambush or assassination. We should observe the proper forms."

Lu Liaoliao had never engaged in a proper duel before and did not understand the unspoken rules. Hearing Tang Xiaoqi call him shameless for a sneak attack, and then Gu Ye’s lecture, he felt a pang of guilt. He withdrew his sword, momentarily at a loss.

"Junior Brother, what sort of sword is that? It’s so subtle and formless," Gu Ye asked curiously.

"It’s a famous sword from the Spring and Autumn period, called Chengying," Lu Liaoliao replied with some pride.

Gu Ye flicked his own sword casually. "This is Ganjiang, a blade even more renowned than your Chengying."

With a dry glance at the chillingly radiant Ganjiang, Lu Liaoliao instinctively sheathed his own sword without a word.

Imitating Gu Ye’s salute, he bowed and asked for guidance, then darted forward again.

Gu Ye had just formed a sword stance when he realized Lu Liaoliao’s blade was already pointed at his chest, the chill seeping through his clothes.

For a moment, all three were stunned.

Lu Liaoliao was surprised that this senior brother, who had practiced swordsmanship for ten years, seemed so lacking. Tang Xiaoqi was completely bewildered. As for Gu Ye, he could hardly believe it himself.

Something felt off, yet he couldn’t put his finger on it. Frustrated, Gu Ye shoved Lu Liaoliao aside and began to whirl his sword, slashing rapidly through the air.

Silver arcs protected his body, his movements in perfect harmony with the blade. Sometimes his sword struck like a serpent’s tongue, sometimes it soared like a crane’s wings—impressive and elegant to behold.

When he finished, Gu Ye stood composed and unmoved, coldly turning to Lu Liaoliao. "Junior Brother, that is true swordsmanship."

Tang Xiaoqi piped up weakly, "Your swordplay looks amazing, but if this were a real fight, you’d be dead twice already."

Gu Ye’s face darkened instantly. "Swordsmanship is not merely about killing!" With that, he stormed off in indignation.

Only after Tang Xiaoqi had run off did Lu Liaoliao finally burst out laughing, delighted. "Ha! So I’m already this formidable? That boastful little Taoist nearly scared me out of my wits for nothing. I almost embarrassed myself!"

At dusk, he found a secluded spot and enjoyed a thorough bath, humming a mountain song he’d learned in the Five Venoms Sect’s hills. On the way back to his room, he walked with a swagger.

At the door stood Li Bai, waiting. Lu Liaoliao eyed him coldly and shook his head.

"If you’re not here to play chess, there’s no medicine for you."

"Do you take me for a cheat at chess, or a man greedy for your medicine?" Li Bai straightened up, projecting an air of dignity.

"You absolutely are, stop pretending," Lu Liaoliao retorted, slipping into the room.

Once the table and chairs were set and tea was served, master and disciple sat down together. Seeing Li Bai sighing deeply, Lu Liaoliao snapped, "Out with it, what’s the matter?"

"I’m worried about that boy Gu Ye. He’s already grown, yet his heart is so innocent, naïve and inexperienced. If someone deceived him, he wouldn’t even realize," Li Bai replied.

"Heh! You mean that Tang Xiaoqi girl. She’s so full of tall tales, only a foolish little Taoist would believe her," Lu Liaoliao chuckled.

Li Bai’s expression soured, as if testing Lu Liaoliao. "Why are you so sure that girl is lying?"

Lu Liaoliao was unhesitating, launching into his analysis:

"First: Tang Xiaoqi and her sister came all the way from Sichuan to Luoyang, claiming to search for relatives. There are many suspicious points. With Tang Xiaoqi’s beauty, her sister must be no less attractive. For two young women to travel alone, with all the dangers on the road, would their family really be at ease? She never explained who their relatives in Luoyang were, what they did, or why they couldn’t be found. She didn’t mention how her sister died, which is very suspicious.

Second: She claims she got lost and wandered into the Valley of Blossoms just because she needed to relieve herself? That’s too much of a coincidence.

Third: What kind of family raises a girl like her? That appearance, that skin, that bearing—such qualities can hardly belong to a commoner. And she can read and write, too. She picked up Master’s treatise and read it with understanding.

Fourth: Even more laughable, she claims to be a famous beauty from Sichuan but has not a trace of the local accent. She speaks the official tongue of Chang’an, with not a hint of a regional lilt."

Li Bai gave a wry smile. "You little scamp, no wonder your master likes you so much. You’ve found so many flaws. But I can be certain, the girl has a northern accent, there’s no mistake."

Lu Liaoliao reclined lazily. "She’s beautiful, but doesn’t seem to have any particular skills. Apart from following Senior Brother Gu Ye here for treatment, she’s made no demands on him. Her eyes are clear, not the look of someone scheming deeply. She’s not much of a threat. Whatever her background, after Mistress cures her, she’ll leave."

"Ah," Li Bai sighed. "I’m still worried about Gu Ye. If this goes on, who knows what danger he might encounter."

Lu Liaoliao looked at Li Bai with a half-smile. "That little Taoist is only the disciple of your friend Master Yuanqiu. Why are you so concerned? I’m your only apprentice, shouldn’t you worry more about me?"

Li Bai shot him a look, then said, "If he were only Yuanqiu’s disciple, it would be fine. But he’s also the adopted son of the Supreme True Master of Jade Truth Monastery. If something happens, who could bear the consequences?"

Lu Liaoliao scrutinized Li Bai from head to toe. "That Gu Ye does look somewhat like you, Master. Could he be your illegitimate son?"

Li Bai’s face turned green then pale. Embarrassed, he scolded, "The Supreme True Master and I are only fellow travelers on the path, not husband and wife in the worldly sense. Where would an illegitimate son come from? Mind your tongue!"

Unperturbed, Lu Liaoliao eyed him suspiciously. "I only said he might be your son, and yet you brought up Princess Yuzhen. Something’s fishy! Tell me, Master, when did you become her Taoist companion? She’s a Tang princess!"

Li Bai looked awkward, but seeing Lu Liaoliao’s relentless gaze, he had no choice but to recount how he met Princess Yuzhen.

As it turned out, Li Bai had loved swordsmanship and cultivating immortality since childhood. At fifteen, he encountered the princess at her temple on Mount Qingcheng and was struck by her extraordinary beauty, even gifting her a poem:

'The immortal of Yuzhen,
Oft ascends to the peak of Taihua.
At dawn she strikes the heavenly drum,
Winds rise, dragons soar.
She commands the lightning ceaselessly,
Treads the clouds, leaves no trace.
When will she enter Shaoshi Mountain,
And meet the Queen Mother of the West?'

He then studied with Master Taibin Zhao Rui for three years, learning the arts of persuasion and the sword. At eighteen, he met the princess again, and together they wandered the famous mountains and rivers for ten years, eventually becoming Taoist companions.

Lu Liaoliao gazed at Li Bai with envy. "And after that?"

Li Bai gave him a dry look, annoyance flickering on his face. "One day, as a guest at the former Prime Minister Xu’s house, I merely glanced at his granddaughter, and the princess left me without a word. In a fit of pique, I married Xu’s granddaughter and didn’t see the princess for years."

Lu Liaoliao pressed on, unwilling to let the story go. "And then?"

Li Bai’s expression darkened. He pulled out his wine flask and took a long drink. "A few years later, my wife died. When I returned to Chang’an, everything had changed. I lived in the princess’s villa for a few years, was recommended by her to the Hanlin Academy, then offended someone, was awarded gold and sent away, forbidden to enter the capital. In Shandong, I married again and had a son, left all my wealth to them, and went to Sichuan to visit Master Taibin—never expecting to stay there for four years."

Lu Liaoliao snatched the wine flask and took a deep swig. Fumes on his breath, he declared, "I’m certain, absolutely certain—the little Taoist Gu Ye is your son with the princess!"

Li Bai was silent, lost for words.