Oriental Odyssey 42 - Jin Yun Mountain, Luo Tian Cave

The young household servant of the Ye Family, Mu Le, was framed by Gou Er and Yuan Ning, and was personally driven out of the mansion by Yuan'an. 

Temporarily setting this matter aside, let's go over to a mountain located thirty miles southwest of Luoyang city – Jin Yun Mountain. Legend has it that the name of the mountain was given by Emperor Wen of Sui, as the mountain, although not tall, was densely covered with ancient trees, lush and verdant, resembling clouds. Jin Yun Mountain was not only abundant in trees but also in caves, ranging from small to large, numbering in the hundreds. 

These caves were interconnected through winding paths and hidden channels. One could enter from a cave opening on the northern side of the mountain and possibly exit from another opening on the eastern side, or one might never be able to leave, perishing inside. There's a tale that in a previous dynasty, over a thousand soldiers from the Sui army were trapped here by the Tang army, eventually starving to death. Their remains nourished the vegetation, and their vengeful spirits pierced through the rocky soil, creating the lush Jin Yun Mountain and its numerous caves.

However, this place of uncanny legend held a secret that ordinary townspeople were unaware of.

Inside a narrow secret passage, Huo Yang, a trusted aide of the National Teacher Tian Qiao, was leading a person forward, occasionally looking back. The person following him was a thin individual, blind in the left eye and wearing a black eyepatch. Other than this, they were in their forties, with a handsome yet unremarkable face, dressed plainly. On the street, they would be the most inconspicuous figure. It was a mystery how they found their way to Huo Yang.

At the end of the secret passage, a vast expanse of light emerged, accompanied by faint bustling noises. Huo Yang stopped and simultaneously halted the person.

He was a competent emissary deeply trusted by National Teacher Tian Qiao, well aware that appearances can be deceptive. However, the thin individual who calls himself Xue Han, was unlike any guest he had received before. If he were to introduce this person, there were a few things he needed to make clear.

Huo Yang asked, "Do you know where this is?"

Xue Han, with the eye as fluid as water, answered, "Jin Yun Mountain's Luo Tian Cave."

What does 'Luo Tian Cave' mean?

It's a net that captures heaven and earth, harboring a secluded paradise.

They say you can sell anything here, and everything can be bought here.

Huo Yang chuckled softly, "And you? Why have you come?"

Xue Han also smiled, "I've told you, I'm selling pearls."

Huo Yang nodded, "Alright, as long as you understand. When selling things, don't come across as too haughty. Earning money, helping those in need – that's better than anything. I also rely on the fees I earn from intermediaries like you. Isn't that right?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Han, with one eye, immediately took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and handed it to Huo Yang, "Here's your intermediary fee. But I must wait for a buyer who has a connection with these pearls."

This was unexpectedly someone reasonable. Huo Yang thought to himself, accepted the silver, and extended his hand, "Please proceed."

He unexpectedly turned out to be a reasonable person, Huo Yang thought, as he accepted the money and gestured, "Please."

At the end of the secret passage was a chamber measuring eight zhang in diameter. White stalactites radiated a soft and splendid halo, reflecting various colors. There were emerald pedestals and a purple-gold wooden table adorned with exquisite delicacies and rare fruits. The guests, each dressed extravagantly, exuded an air of grace and elegance. Some found the chill emanating from the natural stalactites uncomfortable, so they warmed their feet on the skins of gold tigers and purple leopards. Some female guests even found this insufficient and had well-built, handsome slaves lie bare-skinned on the stone to warm their feet.

What were these people doing in such an extravagantly decorated place?

In reality, Luo Tian Cave was an auction house.

In the transparent jade water tank undulated a red-haired mermaid. After two rounds of bidding, Huo Yang struck the gavel, declaring, "Young Master Yang, the rare mermaid is yours!" The precious creature had found a new owner.

The other bidders nodded to Young Master Yang, who smiled with pride. However, his thoughts were not on the mermaid; he turned his gaze toward the woman standing on the male slave: he had spent a large sum to acquire the mermaid, hoping to capture the attention of this proud lady.

However, the lady didn't spare him a glance. She gently fanned herself, her light-colored eyes having witnessed countless treasures. What was a mermaid to her, or a wealthy and frivolous young man with mere riches?

This was Princess Xing Hui, waiting for her prey in the Luo Tian Cave auction house in cahoots with Huo Yang.

Huo Yang wiped his hands with a silk handkerchief, "The next item up for auction is a pearl. Mr. Xue, please."

Xue Han stepped onto the auction stage in the chamber. He held a wooden box, and upon opening it, revealed its contents to the crowd.

Princess Xing Hui tensed the moment she laid eyes on it. She took a sip of tea and clenched her teeth in secret. She thought, the Heavenly Buddhist Pearl! Another one! The Grand Master was right. Luo Tian Cave has truly collected the treasures of the world. It's finally here!

The other bidders, however, were far from being as discerning. Someone from below shouted, "Is that a Buddhist pearl?"

Xue Han affirmed, "Indeed."

"The material is good, and the craftsmanship is fine. However, the pearls aren't strung together, just like the leftover corners of jade. It's not valuable."

Xue Han replied, "Different perspectives, different values."

"So, how much are you asking for it?"

Xue Han replied gently yet firmly, "One thousand gold coins."

The bidders grew restless and some even burst into laughter.

Young Master Yang, who had just acquired the mermaid, jovially remarked, "Hey, Huo Yang, did you bring in an entertainer? Is this a comedy?"

"Is this a performance?"

"Emperor Han Wu's jade scepter only cost how much? And he wants a thousand for this pearl?!"

"Move on! Move on!"

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Xue Han calmly stowed his pearl and the box, as if he had anticipated such reactions. He turned and left, seemingly unconcerned.

At the same time, Princess Xing Hui put down her teacup and shifted her feet from the male slave, rising from her seat.

In a small room behind the auction hall, Xue Han, with his single eye, collected his belongings, preparing to leave. Huo Yang stood nearby, dissatisfied, "You don't seem very sincere about selling. You asked for a thousand as soon as you got up there. Was that a joke?"

Undisturbed, Xue Han replied, "I told you, it depends on fate."

Huo Yang sneered, "Fine, since you've made the effort to come, I'll see you out."

The two turned to leave through the original path but encountered Princess Xing Hui standing behind them.

Huo Yang, who had been assigned by the National Teacher to assist this royal princess, remained respectful and bowed, "It's you, Princess."

Princess Xing Hui looked at Xue Han and said, "I'd like to have a conversation with you about that pearl."

Xue Han quickly assessed her, "Of course."

"How did you come across that pearl?"

"It was a fortunate coincidence, something I stumbled upon."

Princess Xing Hui continued, "You didn't originally know what it was, yet you dared to ask for a thousand gold coins?"

Xue Han explained, "I didn't know initially, but I was certain it was a valuable item. But when you asked, I figured I might not be asking for too much."

"Well, how much were you asking for?"

Xue Han replied gently yet firmly, "One thousand gold coins."

Xue Han quickly assessed her: "Sure."

"I didn't know originally, I just knew it must be something precious. But when you asked, I figured I might not be asking for too much."

Upon hearing this, Princess Xing Hui laughed, "You are not asking for too much. The price you want, I'll pay. Sell me the bead."

Xue Han also smiled, "You're willing to pay a thousand gold coins? Are you very wealthy? Are you nobility? You wouldn't be a princess, would you?"

"Don't mind who I am. Your treasure is worth the price."

Xue Han inquired, "Why didn't you mention this during the auction just now?"

"My habits are different from others."

"Well, I'm sorry, there is no such store after passing this village!" Xue Han resolutely held the box in his arms.

Xinghui's face instantly darkened, "What do you mean?"

"I won't sell it!" Xue Han repeated firmly.

"Not selling? What if I take it by force?" Xinghui threatened.

Xue Han: "Do you think I don't know? This is a Buddhist bead. If you take it forcefully, you'll be defying the Buddha."

Xinghui pondered for a moment, realizing that this person might not be as easy to deal with as she initially thought. "State your conditions."

"Before I came here, I heard people say that those who come to Luotian Cave to search for treasures are all people with hands and eyes as high as the sky. If you are such a person, then I do have one thing to ask of you. If you help me accomplish this, my Buddhist bead will be given to you for free!"

Hearing this, Xing Hui seemed to be more interested: "Oh? Tell me, I'm listening."

Xue Han whispered, and Xing Hui’s face changed slightly.

*

In a corner in the city of Luoyang, on the streets, a ragged little slave named Mu Le nestled in a corner and slept.

Sleeping poorly, he had a nightmare. In the dream, he was pulled by the old monster in the basement, and medicine was pushed into his mouth. The old maid stabbed a silver needle into his head, and the fierce maids chased and beat him. Finally, the girl he had always trusted, Yuan'an, used a cane to beat him.

Something else was hitting him now, and it woke him up. Opening his eyes, he saw several children using branches to hit him.

Mu Le jumped up, and the children were startled and retreated. They laughed and said, "He's awake, he's awake! Run! Run!"

The children ran away, and Mu Le chased after them. Accidentally, he fell into a pit that had been dug earlier. The children clapped their hands above, saying, "Haha, he fell for it! He fell!"

However, they underestimated this little fool. Mu Le, who had been bullied, felt angry in his heart. In a moment, he actually stepped on the wall of the pit and jumped out.

The children scattered, and Mu Le continued to chase. They hid behind their mothers. The mothers, pointing at Mu Le, scolded, "What are you doing? This little fool is bullying people again?! Hoe dare you bully our children again?! You thing without parental upbringing, get lost!"

They all came up to beat Mu Le, scaring the little boy, who fled with his head in his hands.

It happened that someone saw this scene. This person was named Ni Gu, twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, a ragged ruffian. He was swaying out of the gambling den and saw Mu Le being bullied by the children and mothers. Ni Gu stood in front of Mu Le and blocked the women: "What are you doing? What are you doing? You group of middle-aged women are bullying people again?! Go! Get out of here! Go."

His reputation was not good, and the women knew to avoid him, so they left with their children.

Ni Gu helped the disheveled Mu Le up: "Little brother, little brother, I drove them away. Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, right?"

Mu Le shook his head.

Ni Gu smiled: "My luck is good today. I just won some money in the gambling den. Are you hungry? Come, I'll take you to eat something? Come, follow me, little brother."

Mu Le hesitated but was pulled away by Ni Gu.

Ni Gu found a small food shop, sat down with Mu Le, and the waiter brought freshly cooked buns. Ni Gu pushed them in front of Mu Le, looking generous: "I'm the kind of person who likes to make friends. Someone with your skills shouldn't be bullied by those little brats, and you shouldn't go hungry. In the future, follow me, okay? Follow me, there will be buns to eat. Hey, do you have a name?"

Mu Le honestly replied: "Yes."

"What is it?"

Mu Le took out his waist tag and showed it to Ni Gu. There were two characters on it: Mu Le.

Ni Gu took it, played with the waist tag, quite curious. Mu Le snatched it back.

Ni Gu smiled, indifferent: "I've seen this kind of waist tag before. Are you from a big family? Let me tell you, the more you work in a big family, the less they treat you like a person. In the future, follow me. Let's be carefree brothers. You don't have to call me elder brother. Just call me by my name. I'm Ni Gu. Go on, call me, call me by my name."

Mu Le didn't respond at first, and Ni Gu urged him: "Say it, call me Ni Gu."

Mu Le hesitated for a long time: "Ni Gu."

Ni Gu was pleased: "Ah, that's right! Call again, eat buns, eat buns."

He picked up a big bun and put it on Mu Le's plate, pouring some vinegar on it as he thought, picking up such a kid wasn't for no reason, maybe he could help him make it big!

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