Chapter 210 — No Choice But to Admit Defeat
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
"What are you staring at me for? Is there a flower on my face? You're making my skin crawl. Old Master Huo, were you a constable once? When you look at me, my heart always quails. " Old Master Huo turned his head away and said mildly, "I served as a constable in the Protectorate for several decades, and afterwards took a post at the Court of Judicial Review. After I broke one great case, my name shook the realm, and the Great Tingming Temple came looking for me; only then did I give it up.
" "No wonder.
Your looks give me the creeps.
The monks of the Great Tingming Temple are a meddlesome lot; you'd already returned to lay life, and still they came for you. " The two were stewed all night, and in the course of it Shen Mu changed the medicine once more.
When the sky was full light, Old Master Huo and the Lame Old Man rose, washed and dressed themselves neatly, and found that Shen Mu had already made breakfast; the whole family sat and ate a steady, peaceful meal.
Snow Fox ran off to help Shen Mu wash the dishes, and the Lame Old Man stood and said with a smile, "Shen'er, Old Master Huo and I won't be staying at your place any longer. We're off. " Shen Mu hurried to dry his hands.
"Let me see you two grandpas on your way. " Old Master Huo waved a hand. "No need. Seeing that you live well, the Lame One and I are both at ease.
We are old, and you can already protect yourself. " The Lame Old Man, still leaning on his crutch, glanced at him and laughed, "Old Master Huo's gone sentimental again.
Very well then, come and see us off. If you don't, he'll be miserable for two or three days. " Shen Mu followed them, escorting them all the way down the mountain. "Old Master Huo, Grandpa Lame, your arm and leg have only just been rejoined; you mustn't use them too hard yet. You'll need a year or two of nursing, and you should exercise hand and leg often, lest troubles be left behind. " Old Master Huo nodded.
The Lame Old Man sighed with feeling, "After twenty or thirty years used to one leg, the leg that was cut off suddenly grows back; it feels strange, and I can't get used to it.
" Old Master Huo felt the same: "Crippled half a lifetime, and the hand comes back; I keep feeling I've no use for this hand. " Shen Mu saw them to the mountain gate, and the Lame Old Man laughed, "Go back, don't see us further.
" Old Master Huo waved. "Remember to come home for the New Year. " "I'll be there for certain!
" Shen Mu nodded gravely, and watched the two go. When Old Master Huo and the Lame Old Man had walked out of the capital, the Lame Old Man said with feeling, "The little baby we picked up back then has truly grown up. We nearly gave him away, back then. " Old Master Huo nodded.
"Nearly.
Thank goodness you stole him back. " "This little fellow, we've taught him well enough that he's no longer so easy to cheat and fool.
I've always feared he'd be taken advantage of out there; now I can go back to the village with an easy heart. .
.
" Here the Lame Old Man suddenly halted, and Old Master Huo halted too.
The two old men looked at the Tu River ahead.
There, in midstream, stood a middle-aged man, the waves raging beneath his feet, while he stood without the least wavering.
"The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping, your wounds healed? " The Lame Old Man arched his brows and asked with a smile. The Imperial Preceptor nodded.
"My wounds are healed.
And yours? " Old Master Huo worked his shoulder and said in a low voice, "Barely enough for one fight. " The Lame Old Man shook his leg and sighed, "Shen'er says I mustn't strain it, but if it comes to a fight, I can manage on one leg.