Chapter 30: Descending the Mountain
Evening.
Cheng Yan was the first to speak after taking his seat. “Uncle Cat, in a few days we’ll have to go down the mountain.”
A look of surprise was plain on the black cat’s face.
As Cheng Yan packed his things, he continued, “The academy plans to build a school in Meilan County. Brother Lü and I have been summoned by the headmaster to inquire about the situation there.
“I volunteered to go to the county with my senior.
“You know, Uncle, my grandfather is the police chief; he can pull some strings with the magistrate, so we might be able to buy the land deed ahead of Donglin Temple.
“Brother Wu will likely join us as well.
“All his gold and treasures need to be exchanged for silver.”
...
After dinner, Cheng Yan studied in the library until late into the night before returning to his dormitory.
Upon returning, he saw the old cat writing a single character.
“Go.”
“I’m stepping out for a bit,” Cheng Yan said quickly, so his roommates wouldn’t worry, before following the black cat out of their quarters.
The black cat was carrying something in its mouth.
They passed through the ancient pine grove of the academy and arrived at a flat clearing.
A transformation.
In an instant, the black cat became a red-faced ape demon.
“What is it, Uncle Cat?” Cheng Yan asked.
Though it was not his first time seeing Wutong Mountain Lord, the invisible pressure he exuded had not lessened over time; if anything, it had grown deeper and steadier.
Where once he’d seemed a violent beast, now he was more like a mountain: powerful and enigmatic, making one both want to draw close and yet hesitate.
Lu Xun took out a small booklet and handed it to Cheng Yan.
Upon flipping it open, Cheng Yan realized it was a martial art manual.
“Watch,” Lu Xun said, then performed the ape dance in front of him.
Wuya folded his wings and stood proudly atop a tree, while Huibao swayed lazily on the steps.
When Wutong Lu Xun finished, the birds and beasts dispersed, and the ancient pines creaked as they stretched their branches.
The strange phenomena convinced Cheng Yan that this was indeed a profound cultivation method.
“Do you understand?” Wutong Lu Xun looked at him.
Cheng Yan nodded, then quickly shook his head.
Escorting silver was always a tough, thankless job. Even if one’s skills were not yet sharp, last-minute practice was better than nothing. Every bit of strength increased one’s safety.
Lu Xun stayed silent for a long while before finally uttering, “Practice.”
Aside from practice, all other methods were a dead end.
He returned at the second watch.
The night passed without incident.
Now that he was Cat Senior, Cheng Yan no longer had to run mountain drills with the other students and could finally sleep in.
After breakfast, he went to the classroom.
--
The pairing of cat and mouse drew many curious glances.
At first, many students at the Yimao Hall looked down on them—until they saw the essays written by the old cat, which stunned them on the spot.
His elegant calligraphy was impressive, but it was his lucid explanations of vital energy and martial arts, his imaginative yet grounded speculations on magical power and internal training, that truly captivated them.
If the essays were shown out of context, one might well believe they’d been written by a senior from the academy’s front courtyard.
He was, without question, worthy of the title “Cat Senior.”
The old cat was busy sorting through the new textbooks distributed by the academy: “Magical Power,” “True Qi,” “Righteousness,” “Alchemy”—all foundational texts.
Other books, such as “Mechanisms,” “Martial Arts,” “Talismans,” “Names and Implements,” served as supplements, and one could not neglect the classics and histories, nor the Six Arts of the gentleman.
Cultivating magical power and refining true qi made him busier than ever.
“Uncle, from now on you’ll use this book chest,” Cheng Yan said, producing a new, tall chest and helping the black cat pack his books.
The old cat looked at the chest—which was taller than himself—and his mouth twitched as he sprawled out on the mat.
Audit classes with Cheng Yan, teasing the mouse, releasing the hawk—those were the days. Now, as the mascot of Yimao Hall, assigned by the headmaster, living felt almost human again.
He’d wanted to astonish them with modern compulsory education, but instead found himself amazed by the academy of the ancient world.
So be it. He could not remain illiterate forever.
Study diligently, translate the ancient world’s cultivation manuals, and sell them to the modern world.
After a fleeting moment of laziness, the black cat sprang up.
Students began arriving for class.
Whether out of genuine admiration or amusement, nearly everyone would pause at the door to bow and greet, “Cat Senior.”
At first, Lu Xun responded, only to discover that even a cat’s voice could grow hoarse.
Later, he simply waved a paw in reply.
So passed several days—painful, yet full of joy.
At dusk, the kind-faced senior came to notify them that everything was ready, and they would depart before dawn.
...
“Brother Cheng, how are your martial arts?” Wu Agui asked, half in jest, half in earnest.
“My skills are basic—enough to handle petty thieves or bandits,” Cheng Yan replied.
“Ah!” Wu Agui sighed, his face full of worry. “What are we going to do?”
“You don’t have to leave the academy, Brother Wu. As long as you stay here, you won’t run into monsters.”
Wu Agui shook his head at once. “No. There’s little use for silver on the mountain, and I can’t exchange so many jewels up here.”
He sighed. “People in the martial world know not to bring trouble home, but monsters don’t think that way. If I take their gold and treasures and don’t return them, and the monsters find my family, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
Cheng Yan and Lü He looked at Wu Agui with newfound respect. They hadn’t realized he was risking himself for his family’s sake.
“Brother Wu, if you do meet a monster, just hand over the silver. Don’t ask questions or look back,” Lü He cautioned.
“Thank you,” Wu Agui said gratefully.
“No need for thanks.” Lü He looked at Cheng Yan, sighed, and added, “It’s a pity I know nothing of martial arts. Brother Cheng, you must be careful out there.”
“Don’t worry. The silver escort is in the hands of the seniors from Yizi Hall. I’m just a guide,” Cheng Yan reassured him, glancing at the black cat curled up in its little nest.
Even if the seniors from Yizi Hall proved unreliable, there was still Uncle Cat.
If not even a powerful monster like Uncle Cat could handle it, then fate had spoken, and no one else could be blamed.
--
Hearing Cheng Yan’s words, Wu Agui felt somewhat reassured, though the anxiety in his heart remained unspoken, and he drifted into a restless sleep.
A quiet rustling woke him suddenly; he saw Cheng Yan lighting an oil lamp and packing his things.
Cheng Yan gestured for silence and slipped out with his sturdy treasure pouch.
Wu Agui hurried to get up and freshen himself.
With his treasure pouch on his back, Cheng Yan followed his senior to the academy gate.
The black cat lay atop the pouch.
Huibao stood on Cheng Yan’s shoulder, his tiny bean-sized eyes darting about.
He sniffed left and right; his eyes brightened when he spotted the carriage not far away, and he fidgeted in anticipation.
Three tall horses stood harnessed side by side, pulling a carriage with a design typical of the academy. The carter was feeding the horses. Two seniors waited—one sitting cross-legged on the carriage frame, the other leaning against a wheel, inspecting the carriage.
Seeing Cheng Yan with his pouch, the senior by the wheel smiled and bowed. “Junior Cheng.”
“Senior Yang, Senior Ma.”
Cheng Yan returned the bow, first to the kindly Senior Yang, then to Senior Ma atop the frame.
“Junior,” Yang greeted.
Yang Shen wore travel clothes over soft armor, a small case on his back, and two short blades tucked at his belt. His headscarf was neatly tied, his black brows and amber eyes set in a broad, friendly face. He was the one who had come and gone to notify them, clearly much trusted by the headmaster.
Senior Yang looked past Cheng Yan to the black cat, bowed, and greeted, “Cat Senior.”
“Meow,” the black cat replied, waving a paw, no longer able to hide.
Senior Ma, true to his name, had a long, horse-like face. He simply clasped his hands in greeting, not addressing anyone as “senior,” exuding a stern air.
Wu Agui soon caught up, hastily bowed to both seniors, then peeked into the carriage, trying to confirm his silver was still there, but hesitated to speak.
“There’s no need to worry, Junior. Your silver is here,” Yang reassured him, inviting Wu Agui to board and see for himself.
“I’ll be relying on you on the road, seniors,” Wu Agui said sincerely.
The taciturn Senior Ma said in a deep voice, “Let’s set out. With luck, we’ll reach Meilan County by dusk.”
They boarded.
The carriage was spacious enough to seat four with room to spare.
Three large chests were stacked beneath the seats.
Yang Shen checked them once more before locking them securely.
The treasure-loving Huibao sprawled atop the chests, eyes squinting in contentment, mouth stretched in a blissful grin.
The old cat made a nest on the treasure pouch and promptly went back to sleep.
Sleeping was as important as eating—no matter how much studies and martial training encroached, he had to learn to snatch little moments of rest whenever he could.