Chapter 17
Part 2
At daybreak the next morning, Gouzi and Wen Heng, both with white cloth tied around their heads, set off toward the hillside beside the woods. Wen Heng carried the coffin on his shoulders.
Old Wen had long chosen his burial spot—a sunny hillside not far from the dilapidated temple. In spring, it bloomed with wildflowers of every hue. It was indeed a peaceful place.
Gouzi’s face was pale. He stumbled several times while walking, barely managing to reach the hillside only by clutching Ah Heng’s sleeve.
In autumn, waist-high weeds grew on the sunlit slope. Ah Heng and Gouzi each wielded a shovel, digging for a long time before finally creating a deep pit. When the coffin was lowered into the pit, Gouzi leaned on his shovel at the edge and wept like a child.
Lao Wentuo’s grave had no headstone—they were too expensive, and Wenheng hadn’t thought to arrange one. He and Gouzi knelt before the freshly mounded earth, burning a modest offering of joss paper.
“When my grandfather passed, I was just a kid. Old Wen buried him here, but after a few years, even he forgot the exact spot. Maybe in another few years, Old Wen’s grave will fade away too…” Gouzi’s voice cracked as he watched the bright yellow flames devour the paper money, sending dark gray ashes swirling into the sky.
“Ah Heng, do you think one day we’ll end up like this too—lying alone in the earth, unable to hear or see anything, our bodies cold as ice…” Gouzi asked Wen Heng with vulnerability. Wen Heng gave him a definitive answer.
“Yes, everyone dies.” What a downer, never knowing how to comfort someone.
On the way back, dusk gradually fell. The wind swept through the grass on the hillside, creating a desolate sound. Gouzi kept turning back every few steps until Old Wen’s grave was no longer visible.
“Ah Heng, do you think Old Wen has been reincarnated?” Gouzi asked gloomily, shouldering his shovel.
Wen Heng pondered, “Well… I really don’t know. But I think Old Wen must not be lonely. Didn’t you say your grandfather is here too? Maybe they’re finally getting to meet each other. They’ve probably already made plans to go out for a meal.”
Wen Heng’s words did comfort Gouzi. The not-so-handsome youth wiped his reddened eyes and forced a small smile. “Yeah, my grandpa and Old Wen were best buds. They’re probably chatting away right now.”
Ah Heng glanced back. He thought he saw two old men standing among the reed flowers, smiling and waving at him. But then a gust of wind blew past, leaving only swirling reed fluff before his eyes.
With Old Wen gone, only Ah Heng and Gouzi remained in the dilapidated temple. Busy with Old Wen’s affairs these past two days, their home was now empty of food. The only thing resembling sustenance—a wild pheasant—lay soaking in water, already beginning to smell foul.
Gouzi showed no disgust. He deftly cleaned the bird, chatting to Wen Heng as he worked: “Ah Heng, you see how real people are. I’m clearly so sad, yet I’m still hungry.”
Wen Heng smiled faintly. Hearing this, he felt both sorrow and resignation. “No matter how hard it is, life must go on. I’ll go find something.”
Gouzi’s stomach growled loudly. He waved his hand. “Go ahead, go ahead. By the time you get back, the pheasant will be ready. I’ll save you the drumstick.”
Wen Heng returned to the cave where the demon beast resided. The beast frowned. “Why didn’t you come yesterday?”
He’d even caught extra prey, only for this bastard to stand him up. The leopard didn’t realize it himself, but he’d been anticipating Wen Heng’s arrival. Perhaps it was sheer loneliness, or maybe because whenever Wen Heng appeared, the pain in his wounds eased.
“I’m leaving.” Wen Heng sat on a tree root, gazing at the pile of pheasants and wild rabbits on the ground. The leopard had hunted them all specifically for him.
“Get lost, get lost.” The leopard waved his paw. “Once I’m healed, I’ll grind your bones to dust.”
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be preparing to leave this place. I won’t come see you anymore.” Wen Heng’s face looked pale under the night pearl’s glow. “The leg I broke should heal slowly. If we ever meet again, I hope you’ll be well.”
“Usually you come with a long speech, but today you’re suddenly quiet. What happened?” Leopard pressed his ears flat against his head, resting it between his two thick front paws.
“The old beggar who’s always led us passed away. I’m preparing to leave Xiaoyan Town with someone else. I’ll need to make some arrangements and might be busy, so I won’t be coming to see you anymore.”
Wen Heng sounded unenthusiastic. “You should rein in your temper too. If you meet a true master, you won’t even know how you died.”
Old Wen’s death still weighed heavily on Wen Heng. Facing this Leopard, he felt no urge to lecture him further. Heaven’s will was set in stone. If his predictions held true, what must happen would happen.
“What’s your name?” Leopard asked. After all their bickering, they still didn’t know each other’s names.
“Wen Heng,” Wen Heng replied flatly. “And you?”
“Bao Zi,” Leopard’s voice was deep. “She calls me Leopard.” Others called him a bastard monster.
“Oh, Leopard. Take care of yourself.”
Wen Heng rose, casually picking up two wild rabbits and a pheasant from the ground. Gouzi was growing and needed nourishment.
“Wait…” As Wen Heng neared the cave exit, he heard Baozi’s deep voice.
Gouzi sniffed the pheasant. Though slightly stale, it was a feast compared to kitchen scraps. The sound of Ah Heng’s footsteps echoed at the entrance. Gouzi rushed out. “Ah Heng, you’re back! Hey, what’s that in your hands?”
Wen Heng entered the dilapidated temple. By the light of the charcoal fire, he cradled a creature the size of a kitten in his arms. The animal had copper coin-like markings all over its body, its two ears twitching.
The dog barked excitedly, “Ah Heng! You found a kitten!”
Wen Heng felt the leopard cub stiffen in his arms. He smiled. “Yep, found a kitten. It hurt its leg. Want to keep it?”
The dog immediately reached out, grabbed the cub’s front paws, and lifted it up. He nodded frantically. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
He completely ignored the leopard’s murderous glare—though, fair enough, the leopard was facing away from Gouzi, so he couldn’t see it anyway.
Wen Heng smiled warmly. “Alright then, I’ll leave this little kitty in your care. Just remember, he’s got a temper.”
Doggie beamed with delight. “I’ve always wanted a cat, but Old Man Wen wouldn’t let me. He said we’re so poor even mice won’t visit—keeping a cat would starve it to death.”
Cradling Leopard, Doggie gently rubbed the back of its head. “Don’t worry, kitty kitty. We’ll take really, really good care of you!”
Leopard: …Feels like I’ve walked into a den of thieves.
If it weren’t for dealing with that psychopath Lian Wushang, he’d never have shrunk himself to seek shelter from this unknown creature. Decision made: Once he escapes Lian Wushang and recovers his strength, Leopard will swallow both this man and this mysterious thing whole!
The murderous intent in Leopard’s eyes was too obvious. Wen Heng smiled faintly, completely ignoring his threat.
Doggie hugged Leopard, ignoring his gleaming fangs. After checking Leopard’s limbs, he cursed indignantly: “What a crime! Who could have done this to such a tiny cat! Heng, look! All four limbs are broken! What a heartless act!”
The leopard shot Wen Heng a smug glance: Exactly! Utterly heartless!
Wen Heng chuckled softly. He addressed Gouzi slowly, “Gouzi, I plan to leave Xiaoyan Town. This place is bound to become trouble. Tomorrow, we’ll pack our things. If you have any unfinished business, take care of it, and then we’ll go.”
Author’s Note:
Wen Bao: I originally refused, but if I stay, I fear Lian Wushang will kill me in an instant.
Lian Wushang: Hmph. [Compared to the drought demon, you pose far less danger.]
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