Journey to the East, Chapter 19

The next day, the gloom of the previous days was swept away by the western wind. The sky cleared, sunlight spilled bright and golden, and the scent of earth drifted everywhere. A few birds that had not yet flown south perched on the treetops, chirping lilting melodies.

At daybreak, Cai Zhao came to call on Luan Yi, Guo Jia, and the others. He said that though he had been in Yingchuan for several days, he had yet to see the grand scenery within the commandery’s borders. Since the day was clear and fresh, he wished to go out and take a look, and asked if they would like to join him.

Luan Yi thought, since there were no lessons today, and with visitors likely to keep Cai Yong busy, there was little to do. Rather than idling away the day, why not go out together and treat it as a winter outing? With that, he decided they might as well invite more people.

He instructed Little Cui to prepare tea, snacks, and provisions for a picnic, and had Luan Fu ready the carriage. Thus, Cai Zhao, Luan Yi, Guo Jia, Shan Fu, Xi Zhicai, Mao Jie, along with Luan Fu, Little Cui, and two servants from the Cai household, set off. On the way to Mount Qifeng, they stopped by the Xun family estate, intending to invite Xun Yu and his nephew Xun You. As it happened, Cheng Yu—who was studying at the Yingchuan Academy—was visiting the Xuns, and so he was invited as well. Thirteen of them journeyed into the mountains in high spirits.

Though Mount Qifeng was not tall, barely over three hundred meters in elevation, it was vast, with peaks stretching beyond sight. The mountainside was rugged, rocks rising in strange and varied forms, some towering, others serving as sturdy foundations, layered and interwoven. Two small pavilions perched on sheer cliffs—on rainy days, viewed from afar, they seemed shrouded in mist, like a grand ink painting.

Spring was approaching in the mountains; after the auspicious snows, all things verged on awakening. Several willows had sprouted tender buds. Evergreen trees and thickets were lush; tall pines and cypresses reached for the sky. Squirrels darted along the robust branches, unafraid of people, leaping nimbly in search of food with their bushy tails trailing behind.

Cai Zhao and Little Cui were delighted by the sight. As they reached the mountainside, a sudden acrid stench wafted from the forest, making everyone dizzy and forcing them to cover their noses. Luan Yi went ahead to investigate and found a pile of excrement. Pointing to it, he explained it was fox droppings. The fox, he said, possessed a gland near its anus that released a pungent odor, which repelled other animals and thus protected itself.

Guo Jia exclaimed, “Yi, who would’ve thought you’re an expert on dung!”

Luan Yi broke into a cold sweat and flicked Guo Jia on the forehead, feigning annoyance. “What do you mean, an expert on dung? This is called science—science, you understand?” He finished, only to see nine pairs of eyes fixed on him, shaking their heads in confusion.

“What is science?” Cai Zhao inquired.

Luan Yi realized he had spoken too freely. After a pause, he said, “In my view, all things in the world are born of the Dao. The Dao can be divided into the human way and the heavenly way. The heavenly way is the order bestowed by Heaven, irresistible to human effort. Most of its laws we have yet to fathom; a few we understand, such as the cycles of day and night, the waxing and waning of the moon, and, more deeply, the wisdom of ancient sages. The human way refers to the rules devised by mankind after the awakening of intelligence—such as criminal law, for nature does not teach men to demand a life for a life or to repay debts. Morality too—loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, filial piety—these are human constructs. Thus, I believe it is the heavenly way that guides self-interested people to abide by order and prevents chaos. What I just called ‘science’ is the heavenly way.”

When he finished, Luan Yi noticed everyone still staring at him as if he were a ghost, except for Guo Jia and the other four, who looked utterly unsurprised. They were long accustomed to his astonishing remarks.

“What? Did I say anything wrong?” Luan Yi asked.

Cai Zhao shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum.

Xun Yu smiled and clasped his hands, “I am enlightened.”

Leisurely, the group continued up the mountain, chatting as they climbed. The higher they went, the rougher the path became; before they even reached the summit, they were drenched in sweat. By chance, they came upon a stream, its water surely from a mountain spring. Mist rose from the water in the winter air, creating a beautiful scene. They decided to rest, drink some spring water, and have a snack.

They sat in a circle as Little Cui handed out cakes. Luan Fu and the two Cai household servants disappeared into the woods, searching for dry firewood.

During the break, Cai Zhao intended to sit beside Luan Yi, but Xun Yu beat her to it, plopping himself on the rock next to Luan Yi and pulling out a copy of “Lady Xin, the Fourteenth” from Strange Tales to discuss with great enthusiasm.

Luan Yi responded absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on Cai Zhao, who was delicately nibbling on a sticky rice cake. Noticing his stare, Cai Zhao blushed and lowered her head. Then, feeling that such a gesture was a bit too feminine for her current male disguise, she forced herself to look up and smile at him.

Luan Yi returned the smile. That radiant grin made Cai Zhao blush even more, her heart pounding wildly. She couldn’t help but wonder, “What’s happening to me? Could it be…? Impossible, impossible, he’s only an eight-year-old child!”

Luan Yi had no idea what Cai Zhao was thinking. He was lost in his own reverie. If only…

At that moment, a piercing scream erupted from deep in the forest, so sharp that it startled the birds into flight. Then came a thunderous roar, reverberating through the woods and striking terror into their hearts.

Everyone leapt to their feet in alarm, searching the surroundings.

Cai Zhao turned pale as death, her lips trembling as she cried out, “Cai Shen, that was Cai Shen’s scream!”

A string of rustling sounds followed from the forest. Xun You and Cheng Yu, both grown and permitted to carry swords, drew their blades in a flash, pointing them toward the source of the commotion, the cold steel gleaming.

Seeing the weapons, Luan Yi felt a bit reassured. He comforted Cai Zhao and helped her retreat behind the two older boys, while instructing the others to arm themselves with stones, ready to defend against whatever threat approached.

Though Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and the rest would one day become famed strategists, for now they were just nine-year-old children. Frightened by the situation, they trembled uncontrollably. Luan Yi did his best to calm them. “Don’t be afraid! There are many of us, and our brothers have swords. Even wild beasts will think twice before attacking such a group!”

No sooner had he finished than he regretted it. The noise from the undergrowth grew louder, the unknown creature drawing ever closer, until, with a rush, two figures burst out—Luan Fu and the Cai servant, Cai Rong, both gasping for breath and white as sheets. As soon as Xun You and Cheng Yu recognized them, they relaxed and let out a sigh of relief.

But instead of stopping, Luan Fu and Cai Rong kept running. Young Luan Fu was too winded to speak, but Cai Rong managed to cry out, “Miss… run! A bear, a bear is chasing us!”

Everyone’s mind went blank. Bears were not creatures to be trifled with. Unlike tigers, which might hesitate before attacking a large group, a bear would charge into a crowd without a second thought. And in winter, when bears should be hibernating, for one to appear meant only two things: either hunger had forced it awake and it was searching for food, or its sleep had been disturbed and it was angry—in either case, a deadly threat.

Panic seized the group and they bolted down the mountain. But the roars behind grew ever closer, chilling their blood.

Luan Yi realized this was no solution. On foot, they could never outrun a four-legged beast—they would be caught for sure. He shouted, “Stop running! Quick, climb the trees!”

Though Luan Yi was a scholar in this life and had never climbed much, he retained memories of his previous life in the 21st century, when he had been a mischievous boy, often climbing roofs and trees. Climbing, like riding a bicycle, was a skill not easily forgotten.

Soon, he spotted a large cypress ahead, leapt up, and shimmied quickly up the trunk, stopping four or five meters above ground, where he clung to a sturdy branch and surveyed the others. Fortunately, they all followed his advice, abandoning their futile flight. Luan Fu, evidently skilled at climbing, sat panting on a nearby tree, waving to show he was safe.

The rest gathered under various trees. Though not adept climbers, they managed with each other’s help—pushing, pulling, and scrambling up inelegantly but successfully. Once settled on the branches, they breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Their lives, for now, were safe.

Luan Yi quickly counted heads, fearing someone had been left behind: Guo Jia, Shan Fu, Xi Zhicai, Mao Jie, Xun Yu, Xun You, Cheng Yu, Luan Fu, Little Cui—all present. But wait—he suddenly realized neither Cai Zhao nor the servant Cai Rong were in the trees nearby.

Looking down, he was alarmed.

Though Cai Zhao, known as Cai Yan, was dressed as a man and stood a head taller than Luan Yi, she was still a woman and had no experience climbing trees. Her nerves only made things worse, and she could not get off the ground.

Cai Rong was below, pushing with all his might, while Cai Zhao struggled above. Their efforts were uncoordinated, and with master and servant divided by propriety—and the secret of her true gender—Cai Rong dared not touch where he shouldn’t. No matter how hard they tried, they made no progress, both drenched in sweat from anxiety.