Chapter Seventy-Eight: Creek Bamboo Village

Perhaps it was because Li Sibai was truly famished, or perhaps he simply wished to see Zilin’s master as soon as possible, but he ate his bowl of noodles with astonishing speed—so fast that Zilin, watching from the side, was left utterly speechless. At this moment, Li Sibai had no mind to spare for Zilin’s opinion and, in just a few mouthfuls, finished the bowl clean.

Apparently still unsatisfied, Li Sibai, having eaten so quickly, let out a burp. Zilin, observing his demeanor, couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

Only then did Li Sibai feel a tinge of embarrassment. He had eaten so hastily that he’d completely disregarded Zilin’s presence. Hurriedly, he said, “Miss Zilin, I must have made a fool of myself.”

“Master Bai, you seem famished indeed. Would you like another bowl? There’s some left in the pot,” Zilin replied with a cheerful smile.

“There’s more?” Li Sibai thought to himself that he ought to hurry and find Caiyao, but he answered honestly nonetheless. After asking, he realized it was inappropriate. “No, that’s alright. We should go to pay our respects to your master without delay.”

Zilin almost laughed at his eagerness but restrained herself at the last moment. Still, she found this young man rather agreeable—genuine and unpretentious, easy to be around.

“Very well, follow me,” she said, lifting the curtain and stepping outside. Li Sibai quickly followed her out.

The courtyard was still deserted. As they walked, Li Sibai asked, “Miss Zilin, have you by chance seen my sword? It’s usually with me.”

Zilin, leading the way, was momentarily taken aback by his question but quickly recovered. “Your sword? My master took it. He said that once you recovered, he’d bring you to him—he has something to ask you. Afterwards, he’ll return it to you.”

“Oh? So that’s how it is.” Li Sibai muttered to himself. He couldn’t fathom who might take an interest in his Xuantian Sword, but now that he knew its whereabouts, he felt reassured and began to organize his thoughts about what needed to be discussed.

“Miss Zilin, may I ask your esteemed master’s name? Could you tell me in advance?”

“My master’s surname is Yuan. He is an elder of Creek Bamboo Village—everyone calls him Elder Yuan.” As she spoke, they passed through a door and left the small courtyard behind, entering a much larger one. In the center stood a bamboo lounge chair and beside it a bamboo tea table set with a tea service—clearly a place for leisure. The entire courtyard exuded a simple, unadorned charm.

Zilin led Li Sibai to the main house at the center, a building larger than the rest, evidently intended for receiving guests. Above the door hung a plaque inscribed with the words “Qin Bamboo Pavilion.”

Zilin signaled for Li Sibai to wait outside while she went in to announce him.

Li Sibai nodded and stood at the threshold.

Soon, he heard the voice of an elderly man from within, and before long, Zilin emerged with a smile. “Come in, my master is waiting for you.”

“Yes,” Li Sibai replied, barely able to contain his eagerness, and followed her inside.

Before him sat an elderly man, thin and frail in appearance, clad in plain white robes. His face was etched with the marks of time, yet his eyes shone with a remarkable clarity, radiating the wisdom of years.

Li Sibai stepped forward politely, cupping his hands. “Elder Yuan, I am Li Sibai. Thank you for saving my life.”

Elder Yuan regarded him, a barely perceptible smile upon his lips. “No need for thanks. Please, sit.” He gestured to a stool nearby.

“Thank you, Elder.” Li Sibai sat and continued, “Elder Yuan, there was a young girl of six or seven years who came with me. I still don’t know where she is. Might I trouble you to send someone to her aid?”

Elder Yuan waved his hand. “Zilin has already told me about this. I’ve sent word to the village chief; we’ll see what can be done. Don’t worry. If she’s truly in our village, she should be safe.”

Hearing this, Li Sibai felt somewhat relieved. Though he didn’t know exactly where he was, he had no choice but to trust those who had rescued him. Besides, Elder Yuan and Zilin hardly seemed like ill-intentioned people.

“However…” Elder Yuan’s pause made Li Sibai’s heart sink. Nothing good ever followed “however.”

“What is it?” Li Sibai asked anxiously.

“However, if the girl is not here with us, there is little more we can do.”

Li Sibai’s anxiety deepened. Did this mean Caiyao’s fate was still unknown?

He almost rose to go search for her immediately but restrained himself, unwilling to be rude, though his worry was written plainly on his face.

“This… this… wait?” Li Sibai mulled over the elder’s words, sensing a hint of something unspoken.

“Elder Yuan, if she isn’t here with you, then where could she be? By ‘here,’ do you mean Creek Bamboo Village?”

Elder Yuan nodded, perceiving Li Sibai’s confusion. “That’s right. We are in Creek Bamboo Village, so named for the stream that runs beside us and the bamboo forest that surrounds the entire settlement. We have lived here for generations, and you are one of the few outsiders to visit. If the girl is within the bamboo forest, I can vouch for her safety. But if she has gone deeper into the bamboo, I cannot say.”

Li Sibai’s doubts only grew. “Elder Yuan, what lies within the bamboo forest? Why is it so dangerous?”

Elder Yuan shook his head with a sigh. “I do not know what lies within. It is an ancient rule, passed down by our forebears, that we must never enter the depths of the bamboo forest. They say that endless wild beasts dwell there. The bamboo has grown unchecked for centuries, shrinking our village’s borders year by year. We do our best to cut back the bamboo at the edges to make more room for ourselves. Even so, there have been those who wandered too far into the forest—none have ever returned.”

At this, Li Sibai’s heart lurched. Suddenly recalling something, he asked, “Elder Yuan, have you seen my sword? Might I have it back?”

At the mention of the sword, Elder Yuan’s expression grew peculiar. “Your sword is over there,” he said, pointing to a corner.

Li Sibai followed his gesture and indeed saw his Xuantian Sword. He cupped his hands in thanks and went to retrieve it.

To Li Sibai, it was only right—though they had saved him, his sword was still his own. Now that he saw it, he felt it only proper to reclaim it.

Elder Yuan watched his actions with a slight frown but did not intervene.

Just as he was about to speak, a young boy entered and announced, “Master, the village chief and several elders have arrived.”

Elder Yuan nodded. “Bring them here.” With that, he rose and walked outside.

Li Sibai, sword in hand, followed after him.