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墨書 Inktalez
I thought to myself, it really isn't that simple. "What are the conditions?"
Third Granduncle Master replied, "Just like your situation, this is a deal where neither side wants to lose out. The buyer has to inspect the goods before making payment, right?"
My heart sank; this old fox! I tried to keep my expression neutral and said, "Of course, inspecting the goods is fine, but... but..."
"Are you messing with us?" Liuzi snapped, losing his patience as he drew his machete with a swift motion.
An idea struck me, inspired by Liuzi's impatience. I swallowed hard and feigned nervousness. "But everyone on this ship is your people! If I reveal my cards now, you could just take them by force, and I wouldn't be able to do anything! Who knows, you might even throw us into the river to feed the fish!"
Liuzi jumped up angrily. "If you keep talking nonsense, do you believe I'll toss you in right now to feed the fish?!"
Instinctively, I covered my pocket and leaned towards the edge of the ship, adopting a defiant stance as if ready to jump. "Do you believe I'll just jump overboard right now? We can part ways here!" Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Third Granduncle Master watching my hand.
Third Granduncle Master waved his hand at Liuzi, already calculating in his mind. He turned to me and said, "A smart person wouldn't do that. Once your life is gone, everything is gone. Master Nephew, I don't want to beat around the bush anymore. I can tell you everything about Li You's Tomb and temporarily overlook the map as a sign of my willingness to cooperate. However, you must guarantee that whatever I want—whether it’s from you or your two companions—you will deliver it to me intact. Otherwise... I'll make you experience what it's like to lose the most important person in your life." With that, Third Granduncle Master's eyes slithered towards A Li like a venomous snake.
In strict terms, A Li isn't really one of the most important people in my life. Currently, before A Li are my master, my junior brothers, Yue Master, and Old Qiao; A Li ranks fifth in my heart—like a younger sister in that fifth position.
As I pondered these thoughts during this tense moment, it felt a bit heartless. But truthfully speaking, if something were to happen to A Li, I wouldn't feel good about it either.
I pulled myself back from those chaotic thoughts and assured Third Granduncle Master, "No problem; I can guarantee that. My junior brother listens to me." Yet inside, I was thinking that once I reunited with my junior brothers, the situation would be entirely different. At that point, he wouldn’t have the final say anymore.
Third Granduncle Master took out a scroll from the bag he had been carrying and said to me, "Take a look at this."
I accepted it and unfolded it to reveal an ink wash landscape painting, roughly estimated to be 190 centimeters tall and about 100 centimeters wide. The paper felt like the soft fur of an animal, deep brown in color, with the fur completely removed. It had no odor, suggesting it was not a recent creation. Given its texture and condition, I estimated it to be at least a hundred years old.
Upon closer inspection, the painting displayed meticulous brushwork and a harmonious balance of colors, vividly bringing the scene to life. Even as someone who was not well-versed in art, I could tell this was a rare masterpiece.
The scenery in the painting transitioned from distant to near. In the background, there were layers of rugged cliffs and flowing streams, with wild geese flying in formation. A winding path snaked down the mountainside where two or three travelers made their way down, adding a sense of depth to the composition. In the middle ground, there was an imposing courtyard built against the mountainside, surrounded by lush pine and bamboo, with fertile fields encircling it. Seven or eight farmers were working in the fields under a shower of falling blossoms, amidst the sounds of birds and fragrant flowers—a scene of serene joy. In the foreground, light smoke curled around as a recluse sat quietly beneath an ancient gnarled tree branch, playing his zither and listening to the wind—a truly delightful sight!
As I gazed at it, I felt as if I were immersed in this beautiful landscape and courtyard. The lines of a poem by Tang Dynasty poet Chang Jian echoed in my ears: "The winding path leads to a secluded place; the Zen room is deep with flowers and trees. The mountain light delights the birds; the pond's reflection clears the heart of man. All is silent here, save for the sound of the bell."
At that moment, Third Granduncle Master suddenly spoke up, startling me: "Master Nephew, have you ever heard of 'Peach Blossom Spring'?"
'Peach Blossom Spring'? The name sounded somewhat familiar, but I couldn't recall anything specific and shook my head.
"Come on! You're supposed to be a college student!" Liuzi couldn't help but interject. "Do you know Tao Yuanming? 'Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the southern mountains!'"
A Li immediately retorted with exasperation, "It's 'picking chrysanthemums'! That character is pronounced 'jian', fourth tone—it's a homophone!"
Hearing Liuzi recite poetry brought an inexplicable sense of humor; when A Li corrected him, his face even turned red! It was truly like encountering Yama—what an absurd sight!
However, amidst their banter, I recalled that it seemed to be an ancient text from my middle school literature class. I had long forgotten the original text but remembered that it was about a fisherman (or something similar) discovering a hidden paradise.
One detail stood out clearly in my memory: when the fisherman took his leave from Peach Blossom Spring, he promised not to tell anyone about it. Yet as soon as he returned to town, he immediately reported it to the local magistrate (or some official), who promptly sent people back along the original route to search for Peach Blossom Spring but found nothing. Later on, another recluse happily set out but somehow fell gravely ill while searching and died shortly thereafter—"thereafter no one sought it again."
Third Granduncle Master suddenly brought up this ancient text. Could it be that he has seen through my thoughts and wants to warn me to be a person of my word?
But Third Granduncle Master is not one to be so subtle. If he wanted to ring the alarm for me, he could have been straightforward or even threatened me directly. Why go around in such a roundabout way, even quoting obscure ancient literature?
Moreover, given Third Granduncle Master's proud and lofty nature, now that we have reached a consensus for friendly cooperation, he would never be indecisive or hesitant. That would be beneath him!
So, what could his sudden mention of this mean? Surely it can't be a whim, testing my middle school language skills?
I suddenly recalled the last time we were at the Bagua Underground Palace. Third Granduncle Master had stared at a painting on the wall of the tomb and asked, "When was the Electric Motor invented?"
At that moment, everyone looked at each other with blank expressions. It dawned on me that I might be the only college student present, so I earnestly recalled from my textbooks: "…Since the Second Industrial Revolution, humanity has entered the electrical age… and so on..."
After delivering a textbook-style recitation, everyone immediately looked at me with admiration. I remember it vividly; I was feeling quite pleased with myself when Third Granduncle Master turned and shot me a glare: "Stop showing off! Do you think no one knows? I wanted you to look at the ripples under this boat!"
I still remember that feeling as if a bolt of lightning had struck above my head, leaving me burning from head to toe. One moment I was lifted to the clouds, and the next I was thrown into the abyss. Damn it, I've never felt so embarrassed in my life.
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