Chapter 157 - 154: Master’s Last Words
Li Xiu did his best to keep his voice steady. "Elder Ping, my master’s exact words were, ’I, Ge Xingzhi, have gone my whole life without sons or daughters, but having taught a disciple like you, I can die without regret. The only thing is, I wonder what kind of wife a rascal like you will find. Don’t you dare copy me and not get married—I still want a grand-disciple, you know.’ And also..."
At this, Li Xiu scrubbed a hand over his face. "He said, ’If you run into anyone I know in the future, you’d better keep your cool. If you dare disgrace me, I’ll climb out of my coffin and break your legs.’ Those were his exact words, and also some of the last things he ever said."
Zhou Lian couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She’d never heard Li Xiu mention this in her past life, nor had she heard it in this one. ’His master really was one of a kind!’
Elder Ping was also completely dumbfounded. He had weathered countless storms and faced death and separation many times, but he had never encountered anything like this. ’Yun Qi is still as wild and free as he was in his youth, leaving his beloved disciple with last words like these.’ No wonder Xiao Ma had just said Li Xiu had great composure. With a master like that, you had to.
"That Yun Qi..." Elder Ping said, trailing off. He pressed on, unable to let it go. "Did he never mention his old friends to you?" ’We went through life and death together for so many years, and that old rascal never even mentioned me to his disciple?’
"Well..." Li Xiu looked hesitant. ’He did mention it once, but those words are just too embarrassing to say!’
"What is it? Is it something you can’t say? Did he badmouth me?" Elder Ping asked gently when he saw Li Xiu’s hesitation. ’Years ago, Yun Qi told me to find a good time to step back, but I didn’t listen. Surely he didn’t spend his time complaining about me to his disciple!’
"No, that’s not it. I don’t even know if Master was talking about you. He was already very sick at the time. He was quizzing me at his bedside when he said... he said the disciple he’d taught for ten years was definitely far superior to the son ’certain people’ taught for half a lifetime. He said that when they met again in the afterlife, he’d like to see that person dare laugh at him for not getting married or having kids. ’I was smarter than him when I was alive, and after I die, my disciple will be more capable than his son!’" Li Xiu recited quickly, his head bowed. His master had taught him never to lie, but these words were truly infuriating to repeat. He had already disobeyed his master once in this life and didn’t want to use his name to build connections against his wishes.
"HAHAHAHAHA..." Elder Ping burst out laughing. ’That Yun Qi...’ Seeing Li Xiu’s bowed head, he said with a smile, "Don’t worry, I won’t get angry over something like that. Your master and I went through life and death together for so many years. If I did, I would’ve died of anger from his antics long ago."
Li Xiu breathed a sigh of relief and looked up with a shy smile. "Elder Ping, could you tell me about Master’s past? I’ve asked him before, but he’d just say, ’What’s there to talk about, fighting the devils on the battlefield? The same way you’d kill a chicken or a dog is how I killed those devils.’ He almost never spoke to me about his past. When I miss him, all I can picture is him teaching me. I just imagine Master must have been incredibly heroic on the battlefield!"
"He certainly was," Elder Ping said, glancing at the time. "I’ll tell you about it in a bit. It’s getting late. You two should stay and have a meal with me."
After a simple meal, Elder Ping, Li Xiu, and Zhou Lian returned to the living room and sat down. He looked kindly at the two of them and said, "Yun Qi was brilliant. He happened to be in my unit at the time. He was brave in battle, possessing both courage and cunning. We hit it off right away, like we’d known each other for years. He started as my deputy and later became the political commissar. As you know, he’d attended both a traditional private school and a Western-style one. On top of that, he had a nearly photographic memory and was deeply learned in both Chinese and Western knowledge. Back then, when we were partners on the battlefield, we were constantly being praised by our superiors."
Elder Ping smiled wistfully. "But he also drew a lot of criticism back then. People said his methods were too ruthless. But that was against the enemy, not our own people. Yun Qi would shut them right up. Your master would say, ’Do you treat beasts the same way you treat humans? Ruthless? Aren’t you afraid our dead countrymen will be unable to rest in peace and will come back to curse your foolish mercy!’"
Li Xiu gave a silent smile. ’That’s definitely something my master would do.’ He looked at Elder Ping and said softly, "My master most admired the spirit of the Wei Jin period. But as you know, the Wei Jin period was also when the Five Barbarians’ Invasion of China occurred. What was left to posterity was not just the scholars’ noble character, but also a bone-deep hatred for the enemy. Using slaughter to stop slaughter is an extreme measure for extreme times." ’That’s why he hated dealing with people in the system. Preaching mercy and etiquette to beasts? Their brains must be full of water!’
"Mm, that’s true. Yun Qi adored the Wei Jin spirit. And you? As the beloved disciple he raised, I imagine you’re just like him," Elder Ping said with a laugh. ’This boy is just like his master—that same untamed, free spirit is in his bones. No wonder my old comrade thought so highly of him, enough to say he could die without regret. It’s clear how pleased he was.’
"Yes, I also admire the Wei Jin spirit," Li Xiu said earnestly. "The older generation fought and bled to give us, the later generations, an era of peace. It’s a blessing for our people, and it’s what gives me the time and state of mind to appreciate the things I love." ’The old man before him was a hero of the nation, a hero of the people.’
"Indeed. Did Yun Qi give you a courtesy name?" Elder Ping asked with a smile. ’Yun Qi really taught him well. He’s a promising talent.’
Li Xiu smiled shyly. "He did. It’s Jin Chen."
"’Jin,’ from the phrase ’to hold fine jade,’ symbolizing a noble character. ’Chen,’ meaning ’treasure’ or ’tribute.’ Am I right?" Elder Ping said with a laugh. "And I bet your master also told you that his Jin Chen was his treasure, and that he cherished you dearly." ’He’s the same as always, so free-spirited and expressive. Whenever he found something or someone he cherished, he wanted the whole world to know. Not a shred of traditional modesty in him.’
Seeing Li Xiu nod, Elder Ping continued with a smile, "Yun Qi was a rare kind of brilliant. He saw through people and situations too clearly, so it was hard for most to meet his standards. Someone once wanted him to teach their child, but after one look, Yun Qi flatly refused. I asked him quietly why, and he said he couldn’t be bothered to teach a blockhead. I once asked him, since he wasn’t married and had no children, wasn’t it a shame that all his knowledge would have no heir? But he said that destiny is something you encounter, not something you can force. To think he would end up finding a disciple that even he was completely satisfied with."
"You praise me too much, Elder Ping," Li Xiu said with a small smile. "Master gave me a new lease on life; he was both a teacher and a father to me. I can only do my best not to disgrace his name, so that his spirit may find comfort." ’People’s hearts are fickle, and the world is unpredictable. He could only try his best to follow his master’s words and not let the old man’s brilliant reputation fall to ruin.’
"Good, good," Elder Ping said kindly. "Are you two facing any difficulties at the moment?"
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Ping. We’re both doing very well, no difficulties. My wife is a first-year at Beijing University, and I work to support our family. We have no problems," Li Xiu said with a smile. ’He knew his place better than anyone. How could he possibly use his master’s name for his own benefit and bring shame upon his memory?’