Chapter 126 — The Courtesy That Was Due
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 3
By the time Shen Mu woke, it was already afternoon. The youth was about to go out into the courtyard to draw water and wash himself; he had scarcely stepped through the door when he saw a dozen or more sword cases standing in the yard, lined up in perfect order. Besides the sword cases there was also a heap of jade pendants, hairpins, jewels, and trinkets of every sort. Puzzled, Shen Mu heard a voice from beyond the gate, speaking with an ingratiating smile: "Is that you, Sister Fox Immortal?
This humble one has come to redeem a few things for my young mistress. If you would be so kind. .
. " Xue Hu'er's voice answered: "There is not enough money here.
Your young mistress's sword case, her hairpins, her bracelets—none of them are common things.
This much Great Feng coin will not do. " "What is Ling'er up to? " Shen Mu wondered. Still bleary-eyed and unwashed, he did not care to go out, and so drew water to wash his face, while beyond the door the voice went on carefully, with an apologetic smile: "My young mistress gave this humble one only this one bag of coins, and truly there is no more to be had. Pray, Sister Fox Immortal, show some forbearance. This sword case is the academy's own sword, and the hairpins and bracelets were gifts from my young mistress's elders.
.
. " "Very well, then. Wait a moment. " The door opened, and Shen Mu saw Xue Hu'er come darting in like a puff of smoke, a bag of coins drifting along behind her.
The white fox worked her art: a whirlwind swept up a sword case and several ornaments, and she went running out in high spirits to hand them to the man at the gate.
The man was all gratitude; after giving his thanks he took his leave. Shen Mu finished washing his face and brushed his teeth with a chew-stick, and just then the little white fox came running back. Only now did she notice him, and she was startled and delighted at once: "Young Master is up? Young Master, we are rich!
" With that she opened the door of the west room, and Shen Mu looked: on the floor lay piled more than twenty money bags.
Xue Hu'er opened the bags, and the Great Feng coins poured out of them, spreading over the floor.
Shen Mu was struck dumb, and for a long while could not utter a word. Xue Hu'er was smug with triumph: "Young Master beat those scholars, and they have not the face to come redeem their things in person, so they had their servants come instead. We have made a tidy profit!
" Shen Mu rinsed his mouth and spat out a mouthful of foul breath, then shook his head: "Ling'er, this is hardly decent of us. I have already thrashed those men twice over. To strip them clean besides, and demand a ransom of them—that is going too far. Once they have paid, how am I ever to have the face to beat them again?
" Xue Hu'er stuck out her tongue, somewhat vexed: "You had beaten them once already? Last time you beat them, Young Master, you did not clean them out? Then we lost out badly! The ways of our Hidden Remnant—Young Master knows them better than anyone!
You used to say yourself: what is taken by skill is not called stealing. " Shen Mu shook his head: "You rob them, and then you take their money besides. I fear that once I take their money my hand will soften, that I shall grow fond of them, and next time I will not be able to strike properly. Very well—our money is nearly spent, and this will keep us going for a while. But no more robbing next time.
Wait until the money is gone, and then rob.
Only a thin trickle runs long. " Xue Hu'er nodded again and again: "Young Master is awake, so I will go and make something to eat.
" "Make what? We have money now. We shall go into the city and eat well—delicacies of mountain and sea, dragon liver and phoenix marrow, whatever you choose.