Dispute

Apart from the old men who had been showing him around, and the seemingly silent servants, who were apparently ordered not to speak to the guests, Wuying had been largely been left alone for the rest of the day. Which made him a little anxious, to tell the truth. Especially since he was separated from Xiao Tao, who was supposedly closeted in the women's side of the Manor. He would have been a little more comfortable if he could see her, he was sure.

But Uncle Fan - he was told that he should address the man as such, and he wasn't about to disobey him! He showed up later in the afternoon, and smiled broadly as he escorted Wuying from the garden where he was just whiling away his time, to a meeting with Yue Ling, the younger sibling of the Major. Who he had just realized earlier, that was Yue Baisheng. He was apparently a member of the Royal Guard, it seemed. And that certainly explained the sword that he had dropped off in Wuying's hands!

He was told to bring the blade along too. And he did so, with it still wrapped in the cloth cover that had hidden its priceless scabbard inlaid with gold and precious stones during his whole journey East. Wuying was glad to hear that he might meet someone who would take it off his hands. It was far to precious a weapon to be left with him!

There was a slim young man waiting in the chamber when Uncle Fu led him into the same. And the old man looked a little surprised, before he made his excuses at the door, and left the pair to their own devices. The young man, who was just about a hands-breath shorter than Wuying, clasped his hands together and bowed politely at once.

"This one is Yue Ling, and Yue Baisheng is my older brother. I must apologize for my delay in greeting you. There was some other business in the manor that took up my attention, and I could not pull myself away," the young man said in a most respectful manner.

And Wuying immediately bowed back. "This one is Yue Wuying, and I am honored to meet you. Please, do not trouble yourself with such small details. I am more than grateful for the attention of your House, and what you have done for me and my sister. Please do not trouble yourself over this humble servant."

The young man laughed at that. "Oh, not that humble, I think! I heard that you managed to land a hit on my older brother! That is worth a boast or two, at the least!" he chuckled.

"Ah! I cannot deny that I have made such a claim. But it was just luck, really. Or else Baisheng ge was being kind. It would have been impossible for me to have landed a hit otherwise."

The young man looked at him a little sharply at that, and slowly nodded his agreement. "I think you might have the right of it. But would you know why he ... went through the trouble of doing just that? Going easy on you, I mean. He has a rather strong sense of fair play, that older brother of mine."

Wuying blushed at that. "Well, I am but a poor farmer, and I supposed that he didn't know that I had been training with the veterans at White Tiger Garrison for close to two years. Perhaps he underestimated me when we first fought? He certainly did not, when we sparred again, mere moments later. I can assure you that he would have killed me several times that night, if we were using real blades."

Yue Ling seemed a little easier when he heard that. "Still, he insisted that you receive his sword, didn't he?" the young man smiled, as he gestured at the long bundle of cloth that Wuying had in his hands. "And he insisted that you present the same here too."

"That is correct. Although I have to say that this is far too rich a weapon for the likes of me. Far too good a sword, in my opinion. I would trouble you to take it off my hands, and take it back into the House. I can hardly be worthy of such a blade, surely."

Yue Ling's eyes went wide at that. "You ... you cannot mean that?!"

Wuying smiled as he patted the wrapped up bundle then. "I didn't look at it at first, when your brother handed it to me. Had I known that it was ... such a prize, I wouldn't have dared to accept! The gold and jewels on the scabbard alone would be worth more than my humble little farm! So ... I would consider it a favor if you would take it back."

The young man looked a little embarrassed as he received Wuying's bow. And he would not agree to take the sword from him either. "I think you had best hold onto that for the moment, and discuss the matter with my brother when he returns," he said, at last.

"I would be overstepping my authority if I took that away from you, you understand. Although I can agree with your assessment."

He didn't give Wuying an opportunity to argue further, and simply gestured at the entrance, where there was a familiar-looking old man waiting for them. Yue Ling sighed as he pointed at the same, and leaned a little closer to whisper:

"I would have liked to keep you here a little longer, to talk about my brother. But the rest of the old guard that my big brother had assembled in the family house wish to meet with you as well. So I suppose I shall have to be gracious, and leave you in their hands."

Wuying agreed that it was a good excuse, and bowed once again, as the young man fled, leaving him to welcome the grey-beard with a polite bow.

The grey-beard in the green robes chuckled when he finally saw Wuying in his new clothes. "Ah! That looks much better. Now, we can't have it said that we do not take care of our guests, now can we? How are your rooms? Are they alright?"

Wuying tendered a very proper bow to the elder. "This far exceeds my expectations, honored sir. I fear that there has been some mistake. I merely came here to return the horse. Well, that and the sword."

"And to get treatment for your adopted sister. Yes, yes. I've heard the tale. She is taking a nice long rest in the room next to yours! Normally, we'd put her in the woman's wing of the house. But seeing that all of this is new to you, we should pay her a visit shortly, after she is done with her bath. I know it's a little troublesome this way, but we need to play by the rule now.

"And as for why you are being ... singled out for such a treatment, I fear that you the one who brought it on yourself. At least, that is what we heard. Tell me, is it true that you scored a hit on young Master Baisheng? On his left shoulder-blade?"

"Ah!" Wuying suddenly remembered the man's instructions then, and realized how he had been set up, "Ah! But ... but that was just a spar!"

"Not to him, or to the House. A hit is a hit. Otherwise, he would not have given you that sword either. Ling er is still holding out though. I think that is a little ... overboard to tell the truth. But youngsters like that tend to have a harder time accepting such things. I doubt that Baisheng had ever lost before. And Ling er ... Well, it's a little hard, hey?"

That was a understandable. Even the merchant that was traveling with the man had looked shocked when he saw the blade touch the tall man's shoulders himself. It seemed that he had gotten himself into this one, Wuying sighed to himself.

Although it was still a little unclear as to what all the fuss was about, to tell the truth! That was the problem, honestly, to his mind. And what the grey-beard said - Uncle Lin, wasn't making things any easier for him to understand.

"Well, it only seems complicated. But it's actually very simple. Baisheng had promised to help your adopted sister, so we are doing that. The Physician that we usually have to look at such problems has already been sent for, and he should be here in another eight to ten days. In the meantime, we old folks will be helping you to get ready for your army examinations. You've already missed this year's so we have a little more time. And your farm has a few issues that need ironing out as well. But the return of the horse and the funds that you have coming to you should settle that."

Wuying blinked. And made another quick bow at the old man. "Surely you jest! You would do all of that? For me?"

Uncle Lin laughed again. "Why-ever not? Like I said, you are as good as family now! No one has been able to beat Baisheng and we have been worried ... that it had all gone to his head. Then you showed up! This is better luck that any of us had expected!"

"Ah! I will be the first to admit that it was just luck that he did not think to ... "

"Exactly! You had already said that earlier," interjected the old man, a little more sternly than before, and there was a certain hardness in his voice too, "But luck is still something that we have to accept, those of us who were in the army. It is something that makes no sense at all, but it affects us all, however we try to prepare for it. Besides, it is already done! And you are due some good fortune for a change, hey?"

*

Almost a moon later, just as the estate started to get a little warmer, the Physician who was supposed to treat Xiao Tao's leg finally appeared. And the two newcomers to the estate found themselves looking on anxiously, as he made his diagnosis.

In fact, just looking at the Physician's tools made Wuying's heart race. But Yue Tao gritted her teeth as the grey-beard probed her crooked leg with a deliberation that reminded the man of a soldier before a spar. There was a practiced air to his movements and his prods that left the man without a doubt that he was looking at a Master of his chosen craft.

"Little girl. This has been left like this for too long. In order for me to fix it ... For me to make it so that you can walk like everyone else is also going to take some time. And you will be in pain for most of it as well. Are you ready - are you courageous enough to face that?"

The old man's voice was surprisingly gentle, which caught the man a little off-guard. But even more surprising was the young master of the House, who stepped up to the girl with his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it.

"Do not be afraid. Physician Nian has been helping my family for generations, and he is a veritable demigod when it comes to such things. See? He had even reset my broken arm, almost eight years back."

The young man peeled back the sleeve of his long coat, to show off his left arm to the girl. There was a slight discoloration, that indicated the faded scar on the arm. A long one too! But he went on as though it was no more than a scratch:

"You have seen how I can wield a sword and handle a horse. And just about everything else about the house. Wouldn't you like it for your leg to allow you to walk and to run, just like any other girl your age?"

Xiao Tao nodded, and turned back to the smiling old man. "I can do that? I mean, run and walk like everyone else. I can really do that again?" she asked, even as the tears welled up in her eyes.

"Indeed. But I have to warn you: it will be painful, even with the medicines and potions that I'll prepare for you. And it will take time. It will be close to two moons before you can walk again. And you will be weak for the most part too, while you are recovering," he told her, "You see, I shall have to break the bone again, and set it correctly. That way, it will grow straight, and should support your weight. You are still young, ad it can be done. A few more years and you will be a woman. Then it will be too late."

"That was what Xiang ... Uncle Xiang told me. Wuying ge, I think I should do it, but I am frightened," the girl admitted then, as she looked his way.

Who stepped forward at once and took her hand. "Oh, do not be so worried. I am sure that it will be alright. Besides, I will be right here, leading everyone to cheer you as you heal! You will be fine. And by the time spring comes again, next year, you will be walking like all the pretty ladies that you have been telling me about, on the streets outside, hmm?"

Yue Ling laughed as he mentioned that, and leaned forward, closer to the girl. His voice dropped to a rather obvious conspiratorial whisper then. "Here! I have just had a fine idea! I'll make it worth your while! What do you say if I gave you pretty dresses - even prettier than the ones that you have been wearing, so that you can go walking with those pretty ladies? That would be a way to celebrate your recovery, don't you think? A new year parade, hey?" the young master asked her.

And the light that shot from Xiao Tao's face then dispelled all of her fear like it was no more than fog! "That's a deal then! I'll endure whatever pain that comes from this, for a chance at those pretty dresses!"

*

They left Xiao Tao to the Physician then, who had smiled as he prepared his infamous sleeping draught for the girl. And given everyone else in the room a detailed litany of how to administer the painkillers that he was leaving them. Then he had chased the pair out, while and his lovely assistants helped the girl to make ready for her treatment.

"I must thank you, Master Ling, for the help and comfort that you have offered my sister. I do not know how I can ever repay your kindness ... "

But the younger man had held out a hand and stopped him before he could get any further. "What are you talking about? Xiao Tao and I have the same surname! That means that somewhere up our ancestral generations, we were probably descended from the same family! What repayment would I need, for helping one of my own? Think no more of it!"

Then Yue Ling grinned and laughed. "But I must say that you have turned out better than I had expected yourself. All of the uncles that have dealt with your training have praised you exuberantly! Even though it was Uncle Lin and Uncle Fan that had pounded all those moves into you! You are looking quite a bit more like the soldier that you wanted to be," he teased, "Although you are still a long way off from my brother!"

Wuying laughed along with him. "Ah! You must be joking! No one can ever match your brother!"

"I had believed that once. But you did win that sword off him, so I'm not so sure now. Say, I have just had an idea. Could you show me the move that you made, to score that hit on him?"

"Wha ... What?"

Yue Ling laughed. "Oh, don't worry! I'm not going to test you myself! And I won't ask you to do with it real blades either. I'm not as reckless as my brother! Just wooden practice ones! What do you say? Satisfy my curiosity?"

To be honest, Wuying didn't really have a reason to refuse. And the young master had been more than kind towards Xiao Tao and him, these last ten days or so. In fact, everyone had gone to great lengths to make sure that he was made to feel at home. So he nodded, agreeing. Besides, the activity would help him take his mind off his adopted sister!

"Excellent! Come with me then! Uncle Duan Jiu is just this way!"

"What? Who?"

He found himself half-dragged along by the shorter man, towards the grounds which he had used for his training, even as he wondered who this other uncle was. There were eight old men that he dealt with, on almost a daily basis, and he had the impression there were a great many more, on the large, extensive estate, that he had yet to meet! Not that they were actually related to the Yue Family. They were, for the lack of a better description, guests at the estate.

It was one of those terms that had been left from the old days, back before the establishment of the four quadrants, which spoke of skilled men who took refuge in Houses of the rich and powerful. And imparted their skills and knowledge to the children of the same. Or else handled the uncomfortable chores of intrigue and espionage on behalf of the same.

It did seem a little far-fetched, to equate the old men that were training him with such House Guests, but it was the impression that he got, interacting with the Uncles Lin and Fan. And it looked like he was about to be introduced to another one!

But the uncle that Yue Ling half-dragged him to meet was a large man. He was taller than any of the Uncles that he had met so far, and towered over Yue Ling himself. In fact, he looked as though he was as tall as Baisheng himself, and was easier wider. He had a thick moustache and beard and would have made an excellent poster for the military! Which Wuying suspected him of belonging to, given the armor and the boots that he had on. Regular army, and of quite a senior rank too!

"Oho! This is the youngster who everyone was telling me about. Aiming to join the White Tiger Guard too! Excellent! Excellent!" the man laughed as he stepped forward to grasp Wuying by the upper arms, preventing him from completing his bow, "None of that civilian stuff for me, you hear? I've been in the army too long!"

Then he burst into laughter again. "Ah! I'm getting ahead of myself again. I'm Duan Jiu. That's the number nine. A large family, the Duans, as I'm sure that Ling er here must have told you. I'm more or less retired from active service now, although the Army still keeps me around for some oddball functions and paperwork.

"But enough about me! I've heard that you managed to give little Baisheng a thrashing! Is it true? You must tell me more about it!"

"Why uncle! That is why I've brought him here, so that he can demonstrate it to you! Although, according to his version, he had only managed to clip big brother on the shoulder that one time."

The old man sighed and wagged his finger at the younger man. "Oh! Up to your little tricks again, are you? But you shouldn't try to wriggle your way out of this one. Your brother may be a bit of a rascal but he holds to his word. You should try to do the same."

Then he turned back to Wuying, who looked lost by the exchange. "Well, then. Since Ling er is so insistent, will you demonstrate how you did this? I'm not as good a swordsman as young Baisheng, but I think I can manage some of his moves."

"You are putting too much into this. As I have said, I was merely lucky."

The army man laughed at that. "Oh, I do believe you. But Ling er does not. In fact, I am guessing that the Green Sword is still with you? Ling er hasn't accepted it from your hands yet?"

"The sword? Ah yes! It is still with me. But how do you know that I have been trying to return it? It is far too good a blade for someone like me!"

The army man laughed and turned back to the young master, whose face had turned red as if from embarrassment. Then Yue Ling stamped his feet as if throwing a tantrum. "Very well! Fine! If you try him out and he satisfies you with his demonstration, I'll accept the blade! And I'll let him ... have his pick of any sword in the collection, whether he does it or not! He's going into the army, so he should have a good sword at least!"

Uncle Jiu smiled and chuckled at him. "Ah! That's more like it. That's how the sons and daughters of the Yue Family should conduct themselves! Very well then! Let's get started! The earlier we finish this, the earlier I will get to drink at your dinner!"

And so Wuying found himself dragged to the yard again, and a wooden sword thrust into his hands! Then the older man started to get to work!

The first two moves that Uncle Jiu threw at him were similar to what Baisheng had used, and Wuying avoided them adroitly. In fact, he had become a little more practiced at the same. Not that the older man cared! "Ah! That's something new! It must have surprised little Baisheng, no? When you managed that? Most would have tried to block or deflect the blows!"

Wuying bowed then, and took the opportunity to explain himself. "As you say. But you might have noticed I am neither very large or very strong. So it would be difficult for me to use such moves. Jumping out of the way seemed the best choice, if I wished to survive against a stronger opponent," he said.

"An excellent decision! And I'm certain that those moves would have surprised young Baisheng too. Now, I have a choice of a thrust or a slash. Do you remember which one he used against you?"

Wuying, who had run through the fight hundreds of times in his head, smiled immediately. "He used a thrust. Aimed at my left shoulder, I believe," he replied firmly.

"Ah yes! It was a spar, so he would not have intended to do serious damage."

The army old-timer lunged at the younger man then, and Wuying could tell that aged or not, the man still had his skills. Fortunately, he was busy recreating the fight, and Wuying had seen these moves before, performed by someone that was faster. And he already knew the correct - or rather, the appropriate counter!

He backed off half a step, and sprang forward himself, neatly avoiding the blow. Then he repeated the move that had worked on Yue Baisheng, moons ago. "Look out! I'm going for your left shoulder!" he managed to call out, even as he stamped his foot on the ground, to break his momentum, and dive back at the older man's back!

And even with his warning, Duan Jiu was too slow to block the thrust attack that he had suddenly executed!

An outcome that had the old man bursting into laughter at once, for all that he had just taken a hit. "Oho! A good one! A very good hit! He would have had no counter for that one! Not after taking you so lightly for the first few passes. You took him by surprise, eh? A good hit!" he declared.

Then Duan Jiu turned back to his glaring nephew, and smiled. "Well, Ling er? Do you believe it now? It appears your brother had taken the bout too lightly, and was caught by surprise. Or, you might prefer to think that he had lost his bout deliberately. Either way, there is only one honorable path left to you, isn't there?" the old man said with a broad grin.

The younger man looked furious at first. Then he deflated, and dropped his shoulders as he made a deep bow to both combatants. But his face still held traces of a frown when he gestured imperiously at Wuying. "Come with me, please, Wuying ge. It seems we will need to get the sword from your rooms and return it to the Sword Hall. I had promised that I would hold to all the forms."

Wuying, of course, had no inkling what he meant, but the young master of the manor seemed serious, so he followed after him anyway.

Although he couldn't quite understand why Uncle Duan Jiu was laughing so heartily at their backs!

*

The younger man seemed to be in rush, judging from the rapid pace that he walked, leading Wuying deeper into the estate. They were soon in a section that he had never visited before, behind the women's wing. "This is the place where we have our ancestral tablets. We call it the Hall of the Honored Dead," Yue Ling explained, as he led the way into the old, dusty building, "It isn't regularly cleaned, since the servants aren't allowed in here."

Wuying gasped. It was almost unheard of, being invited to the Ancestral Hall of someone else's family. One had to be very, very close. Or family through marriage or sworn oaths, to be allowed to set foot within.

Then he frowned. What was Yue Ling up to? This couldn't be about Xiao Tao, could it?

"The reason why I have brought you here is because of the sword. I'm telling you now so you won't get the wrong idea. Brother took it from this place, so it is only fitting that it comes back here. And since he gave it into your hands ... "

Yue Ling paused, and turned back to the interior rather than go on with his speech. It seemed to Wuying that the boy was more than a little embarrassed. Perhaps, the man thought, it had something to do with not believing his story in the first place? Then again, who would not take precautions? The sword that he had received had clearly been an heirloom of the House!

There were five rows of ancestral tablets lining an entire wall of the smallish Hall. Which was more than enough to pull another gasp from Wuying's lips. He had heard that the Yue Family had been around since the Founding of the Empire, but this was the first time that he was confronted with evidence of the same!

And what he saw was more than enough to make the man willing to believe the tale!

He knelt then, and kowtowed to the line of plaques, which was only fitting for all the heroes that were among the same. But his move seemed to surprise Yue Ling, who merely stood by as he paid his respects. And when he regained his feet, he noted her deep red face. What was that about? Surely with illustrious ancestors like his, the boy had nothing to be embarrassed about!

But he soon led the way into the next room, and showed off an entire wall that was covered with blades! "This is the sword racks that hold all the family's blades. It lies on the right side because we use the left side of the Hall for ... other momentoes," Yue Ling explained as he gestured at the weapons, and at the table that had been set in the center of the same. There were two racks on the same, and both were empty.

"You've met my brother, so you know that he carries Red Fury, his favored sword. That is its place, to the left side of the table. The other rack is meant for Green Dragonfly, which you now hold in your hands. I would ask you to replace it in the rack, if you please."

Wuying understood. Or thought that he did, at least. With a named blade like this, it would be considered close to sacrilege if Yue Ling took it from him himself. Dishonoring his brother, as it were. But if Wuying was the one who gave it up ...

He didn't hesitate then, and quickly lowered it where it should rest. He had no misgivings about giving it up. The weapon was too far above him for one thing. And judging from the look of relief on Yue Ling's face, the younger man obviously agreed.

"Now, it is only fair that I gift you with a good sword, to replace what you have just given up. But there are few that can match Green Dragonfly, even in here. Since this is our Sword Hall, however, what better place to make your choice? Why not take a look at the swords collected here, and see if any of them catches your eye?"

He blinked. Was the young man joking? This was a collection of weapons that his ancestors had wielded! And he was supposed to pick one for his own? That was ... unthinkable!

"These swords and blades were used by my ancestors. Some were made for them, while others were pieces that they had picked up during the wars and the fights that they were in. After all that, they ended up here. It seems a pity, to just let them lie here, don't you think?"

That was also true. It did seem a pity. But why would Yue Ling pass one to him? Then he remembered: it was Yue Baisheng who had gifted him with a sword. It would be impolite to refuse one, now that he insisted on returning that weapon to the family. "Ah! But there are so many here. Which of them would suit? They all seem to have been in the family a long time!"

Yue Ling smiled at that. "Well, you just need to find one that suits you. Or one that seems to interest you. Like I said, all of these blades have been left here for ages, and largely forgotten. I doubt that you would pick wrong."

Then the younger man seemed to remember something. "Oh. I almost forgot," he said, as his face went a little red again, "You'd better take this as well. It's sort of a formal dagger that we of the Yue Family carry on ourselves. Since you've been in the Ancestral Hall ... Well, the dagger sort of acknowledges that, and marks that honor. Wear it prominently, so that everyone ... in town can see it. Hmmm?"

"Everyone in town?"

"Well, everyone in the manor, at least," the younger man went a little redder at that, and waved a hand almost carelessly at the rest of the place outside, "The uncles will give me grief otherwise. As if they have not bothered me enough... with my duties about the place. But here! You haven't picked a replacement blade yet!"

Wuying turned back to the racks then, as he tucked the shorter dagger into his belt. What Yue Ling said was true. But there were so many weapons. Where was he going to begin? And what sort of blade would be suitable for him, in the army?

Then he realized that the extreme ends of the racks looked a little different. And on a closer look, he saw that they had fallen apart! Was the wood rotten there? Or damaged by someone careless? "Look. The stands there have given way," he pointed out at once, to the younger man, even as he stepped closer to the damaged spot, "There are swords on the floor over here."

The nobleman stepped over with him, and made a soft noise upon seeing the weapons on the floorboards. "This isn't good. I'll need to call in someone to make the necessary repairs," he sighed as he took in the scene, "Who knows how long it has been like this? I'm going to receive a scolding for letting the Hall fall apart like this."

"Ah. Well, let's pick up the blades first. It will not do, leaving them on the floor like this. The blades may rust, and their scabbards might rot away," Wuying told the boy, as he moved to do just that, "Shall I put them on the table?"

"Yes, do that. And be careful; I think the sheaths are damaged and the blades may be exposed. Don't cut yourself picking them up," warned the younger man, "Hold them by their hilts."

That was true, Wuying realized as he bent over the same. So he picked up the four blades one at a time, careful to set them down on the small table gently, examining them as he did so. Two of the four looked rusted already, and their blades were exposed. And another was stuck in its wooden sheath already. The last, however, had its scabbard falling apart as he picked it up - rotted through, to his eye. And it had its blade showing as the wooden cover fell away.

The blackened steel, despite the exposure to the elements, looked to be in good shape. And there was a squiggle on the blade that caught his eye. "Here! That's a name, isn't it?" he asked aloud, looking at the two words on the blade that was still visible, "Yue Ye? Is that a name? Moon and night?"

Yue Ling leaned over and looked it over. "It seems to be in an old script. But that's what I read too. But ... Moon? Isn't that your surname? Perhaps it's a sign?"

Wuying had to admit that the thought had occurred to him as well. And the blackened steel of the blade seemed unmarked by rust or by the bits of its rotten scabbard, falling down around it. It was certainly something that he had not expected to see!

"Here. Is it alright if I took this one?"

* * *