Chapter 21: Master

  I took a look at the stone table and indeed there were two teacups on it, with light yellow tea water floating with star-shaped tea foam, definitely not some good tea.

  Mom thanked and gestured for me to sit down, whispering: "She's wrong to see us."

  I sat there, looking around, and saw that the grass and trees were lush and the small path was shaded. The courtyard, which had been smiling at me, suddenly had a different color. Just look at the green bamboo by the door of the house, every leaf seemed to have been wiped clean, making people's eyes dizzy. I couldn't help but shake my head and say: "Not good, not good."

  At this time, a hoarse female voice faintly said: "The general has arrived without being far welcomed, the poor nun is rude."

  The old mother hastily stood up and said: "Master, don't be polite, it's us who came suddenly."

  I turned my head and saw a white-haired old nun standing not far behind me. She was extremely short, probably only reaching my chest. Her face was full of wrinkles, and she wore a grey monk's robe. Only her eyes were like those of a young girl, with clear black and white pupils, but her facial expression was wooden, giving off an air of being unflappable. It was quite incongruous to look at her. Judging from her appearance, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was in her seventies or eighties, but judging from her spirit, it would also be believable if someone said she was under forty.

  My mother greeted her while kicking me with her foot to signal me to stand up, and flattered: "Master, you're as good as ever, and more energetic than before."

  "General, you're overpraising," Ku Mei said casually, her eyes still fixed on me as she continued blandly, "This young Master Shi can't even say two decent words, what's the point of this?"

  The old lady hastily said: "Children's words are unreliable, Master, don't take it seriously."

  "You're too clean."

  "Huh?" Ku Mei said with a hint of surprise: "A sacred Buddhist site, what's wrong with being clean?"

  I chuckled to myself: "Originally there is not a single thing, where does the dust come from?" Although I haven't studied Buddhism much, this most famous monk's phrase still sounds familiar and quite fitting here.

  "This remark is quite interesting." Su Mei's expression changed, but she didn't respond to me anymore. She turned to my mother and said: "I'm not good at socializing, so I declined General's invitation twice. I didn't expect the General to visit my humble abode three times. There must be something on his mind?"

  Her words were straightforward and didn't even show a hint of courtesy, it was refreshingly blunt to the point of making one feel uncomfortable all over.

  Old mother solemnly said: "Recently, Leng Tuo Su Jing..."

  Ku Mei waved his hand and said: "General, please correct this. Su Jing is not my apprentice."

  "Alright, I suppose Master Sui knows about Su Jing going to find the Reincarnation Sword God?"

  Bitter plum face expressionless said: "Slightly heard."

  "Does Shifu know or not, the reincarnation of Sword God has been found?"

  "A glint of sharp light flashed in Mei's eyes: 'What did you say?'"

  "The Reincarnation of Sword God has arrived in Women's Country and we have met."

  Kumei hastily asked: "Where is Su Jing?"

  "Wait, Master," said the old woman. "Let me tell you slowly. Although we found the Sword God, he currently only holds the title of Sword God because of a misunderstanding. He returned alone to the Women's Country, leaving Su Jing behind. I came this time to ask you, Master, to prove his identity for him. Then I can report back to the Emperor and have the Sword God sent back to meet with Su Jing. We'll figure out what to do next later."

  "Then Generalissimo, where is the Sword God now?" asked Mei Mian with a calm expression.

  I pointed at my own nose and said: "It's me."

  "Suddenly, Ku Mei burst into anger: 'A pack of nonsense! From the very beginning, I didn't believe in any talk of reincarnation or transmigration. This is nothing but a trick used by those so-called masters to deceive people's minds. I know the Emperor also wants to use this to calm the people's hearts, but am I, Ku Mei, someone you can also deceive?'"

  "Mother also urged: 'Shifu, this is a serious matter, please think thrice before acting.'"

  Bitter plum whispered: "In my heart, there is only one Sword God, that person is no longer here, how can I believe you?"

  I saw the old nun not eating or drinking, and at this time she couldn't bear it anymore. She jumped up and said: "Do you believe me? Look at what rank I am and how much effort I can waste on you! Are you afraid that Su Jing will come back and snatch away your daughter's title as the number one expert in the country?" Suffering Mei coldly said: "What are you talking about?"

  "Mother also hastily said: 'Don't be rude!'"

  But the words have been said, and I don't have any reason to take them back. So I continued: "I don't know if Su Jing is your disciple or not, but she's a young girl who has dedicated herself to the country, working tirelessly day and night. And you, as her master, are also a citizen of this country, yet you always think you're superior to others, pushing and blocking at every turn. It's no wonder that even at your age, you're still just a Sword Saint - don't you feel ashamed?"

  Kumei and Old Mother changed color at the same time, Kumei's feet moved slightly, and Old Mother had already taken a step forward to block me, saying sternly: "Shifu, this person has an extremely deep connection with me, please spare him."

  I pulled my old mom to one side and continued, "You're still pretending to be noble with me. I don't believe you could afford such a big house by yourself. What's the point of the country supporting and spoiling you all the time? Not to mention letting you sacrifice everything for it, but even doing a small favor for it is something you're not willing to do. Isn't that just making a show of your goods? Why are you being so pretentious?"

  Ku Mei was stunned for a moment, as if she had been scolded into confusion. Half a day later, she suddenly stopped being angry and laughed instead: "This is interesting, General, you brought a man to my place just to scold an old nun? This joke is a bit too big, isn't it?"

  The old mother also knew that there was no turning back now, and sighed: "Things have come to this, please ask the master to try his best, I will take all the consequences."

  Kumei coldly smiled and said: "Alright, let's make things clear, what if he isn't the Sword God?"

  The old lady said: "I am willing to apologize to Shifu in public and resign as the general."

  I stuck out my neck and said: "What if I am?"

  Ku Mei shouted sternly: "That old nun also kowtowed to you!"

  I rubbed my forehead and said, "No way, whether I'm the Sword God or not is up to you to decide, if you want to lie about us, where can we reason with you?"

  Don't talk nonsense, Mother said seriously: "If Shu Mei can't even do this, why bother coming? I completely trust Master."

  Ku Mei smiled slightly and said: "The great general is still a great general after all, unlike those naive children."

  "What do you want to see?"

  Kumei said: "Give me your hand."

  I stretched out my right arm, and the bitter plum shot out like lightning and pinched my pulse. At the moment when her fingers touched my skin, two grayish-white eyebrows suddenly twitched, and I saw that my mother also shuddered along with it.

  Now whether the great general of my mother's generation can make it or not is no longer within my consideration, looking at Lao Niangzi's appearance, she would like to slap me to death with one palm, and she really has this ability. At present, there is no one in the entire country who can stop her! So I'm just like a suspect waiting for the judge's verdict, only having anxiety.

  Ku Mei pressed my arm, speechless for a long time, her face didn't reveal anything, only a pair of eyebrows twitching violently. My heart was also racing wildly, I don't know how much time passed when the old nun suddenly opened her eyes and looked at me, her gaze was crystal clear, it seemed to be both bright and full of endless doubts...

  Mom couldn't help but ask: "How...?"

  She hadn't finished speaking when suddenly, Su Mei made a move that shocked us all: she knelt down straight and wept, saying "Master!"