Entering the Spirit Realm 129: The Twin Shepherd Lords

The old beggar recognized Gu Fang and Gu Yi and exclaimed in surprise, “Ah, what bad luck! Just showing off your skills, and you run into you two old ghosts. No need for words—if you have money, hand some over as a red envelope.”

Gu Fang smiled and asked, “How much do you want?”

The old beggar replied, “The more, the better. If none, enough to buy a pot of wine will do.”

Gu Fang laughed, “A beggar is always a beggar, easily satisfied. If you want wine, I’ll treat you tomorrow.”

The poor scholar peeked out again, then quickly hid back in the grass.

Gu Yi smiled and said, “Brother Fan, you have another helper hiding in the grass. Please ask him to come out.”

The old beggar said, “The poor scholar at the pavilion, I think you brothers know him.”

Gu Yi shouted, “Poor scholar, get out here. It’s time to settle old scores.”

The old beggar asked suspiciously, “You have a grudge between you?”

Gu Yi said, “Ten years ago, I bought a pair of straw sandals from him. He extorted some silver from me and deliberately made trouble, causing my feet to bleed badly.”

The poor scholar suddenly leapt from the grass, saying, “Settle the score if you must—I, the poor scholar, fear no one!”

The old beggar said, “We’ve been old friends. What can’t be resolved? No need to get angry.”

The poor scholar said, “My poor friend, let me tell you. You judge—how have I wronged you?”

The old beggar said, “Speak, I promise to mediate fairly.”

The poor scholar said, “The pair of straw sandals that Old Gu insisted on was requested by someone else for climbing icy mountains. I told Old Gu this, and I asked for only one tael of silver. I even treated him to a meal that cost a whole ingot of silver.”

The old beggar looked at Gu Yi and asked, “Is the poor scholar’s story true?”

Gu Yi nodded, “His memory is good. What he says matches what happened.”

The old beggar said, “Then Old Gu has wrongly suspected him.”

Gu Yi said, “Although he generously treated me to wine, I never got to drink a drop or taste a bite.”

The old beggar frowned, “How so?”

Gu Yi said, “At first, he challenged me to boxing. He kept losing, and for every lost round, he had to drink a cup of wine and eat a big piece of meat. He lost fifty rounds in a row, drank fifty cups, and ate all the meat on the table. I just watched with wide eyes.”

The old beggar laughed heartily, “Old Gu, you were a fool. You should have known he was losing on purpose when he lost so many rounds.”

Gu Yi said, “I was proud of winning, willingly swallowing my pride as I watched him drink and eat. I was foolish, no excuses. I walked on an empty stomach and thanked him repeatedly.”

The old beggar nodded approvingly, “That’s proper etiquette.”

Gu Yi said, “What annoyed me was that inside the straw sandals, he had woven in many sharp iron nails. When I wore the sandals and took a few steps, my soles were pierced like a beehive, bleeding heavily. I couldn’t travel for three days and helplessly watched a great thief escape.”

The poor scholar said, “I told you, they were made for climbing icy mountains. The flat iron nails inside prevent slipping. Your bleeding feet are because you wore them backward. Whom can you blame for that?”

The old beggar laughed, “That’s quite a story. Old Gu, do you still want to hold a grudge?”

The poor scholar said coldly, “If he wants revenge, I’m not afraid. If he treats friends like enemies, I have plenty of tricks—making him drop his pants in public would be a minor scheme.”

The old beggar said, “Old Gu, seriously then, how did you and your brother end up here?”

Gu Yi recounted how they and their brothers pursued and reclaimed the secret dart.

The old beggar said, “Excellent! We’re on the same path against the Hundred Gate Sect.”

The poor scholar, quick-tempered and straightforward, asked, “Old Gu, shall we settle accounts now or later? Decide quickly so our matters don’t delay the children’s important affairs.”

The old beggar said, “They’ve already ventured into danger. Let’s hurry after them!”

Fireworks continuously exploded brilliantly in the pitch-black sky. Judging by the number of fireworks, more scouts arrived.

After Old Beggar Fan and the others caught up with Gao Yunxiang, they searched the pondside for a ferry but found none. A wooden sign hung on the suspension bridge’s pier read: “Suspension bridge broken, under repair.”

“The fortress master is stingy and refuses guests. Old beggar, you won’t be able to beg for food in the fortress,” he said. Looking up, he counted the flickering lights—ninety-nine in number—then quickly pulled out a silk pouch and read a note: “Strange encounters ahead, do not miss the chance, proceed with caution.”

The old beggar said, “The rich family seems to have died out, always keeping doors shut. Begging for a bit of leftover soup, no one answers even if you shout. When you meet the rich who don’t beg, you can only visit at night and take without asking.”

As he finished speaking, a tall figure suddenly swooped over the group’s heads with a whoosh and fell into the water with a splash. On the opposite shore, a series of fireworks exploded, shooting over the water and bursting near the person standing in the pond.

They could now see clearly: the figure was tall and slender, holding a dark long staff. Thin wooden planks were strapped beneath each foot. The staff sliced through the water like a flying object. With a wave of the hand, the fireworks aimed at him either turned aside or fell into the water and exploded. This scene was a beautiful spectacle in the dark night.

The mysterious person attempting to infiltrate the pasture fortress was forced to slither in the pond by the fireballs and could not force his way ashore. He climbed the left cliff and swam up to the ridge.

In front of the Twin Pasture Fortress lay a spacious, deep pond, surrounded on three sides by mountains and jagged rocks—extremely perilous, with no paths to climb. Without superb lightness skills, one would be shattered to pieces descending from the peaks.

In the middle was a wide, horseshoe-shaped flat land where the Twin Pasture Fortress was built. The houses were arranged following the sixty-four hexagrams. The Tai Chi symbol stood at the front, a grand circular ancestral hall that could hold one hundred and fifty banquet tables.

The flat land’s buildings were surrounded by rare flowers and plants, also arranged according to the Bagua compass directions. Each hexagram position had seasonal flowers planted. Around the fortress, flowers bloomed every season. The overlapping arrangement of the sixty-four hexagrams created a flower maze—those unfamiliar with Bagua studies would never find their way out.

If crossing the pond stealthily, with Old Beggar Fan and company’s lightness skills, a bundle of dry branches thrown on the water would allow them to float and cross successfully. But if intercepted, they would become honored guests of the Sea Dragon King.

Old Beggar Fan stood on the opposite shore, momentarily at a loss. Some suggested chopping trees to make rafts; others said to return to town to find planks.

As they hesitated, a giant ferry broke through the waves, bearing two hanging Kongming lanterns. Two muscular men in tight-fitting suits stood at the bow—no doubt formidable in both water and land skills.

When the two men on the ferry were still seven or eight zhang away from shore, they ordered the helmsman to slow. About three zhang from shore, they cupped their hands and asked politely, “Friends, who visits our humble fortress at night? May we know your purpose?”

Old Beggar Fan clasped his fists and replied, “Old Beggar Fan Danhe and several friends, passing through your land, have come to ask the Twin Pasture Fortress masters for a drink.”

The men at the bow exclaimed in surprise, “Ah! So it is Elder Fan Shibo’s presence! Please forgive our neglect!” They ordered the boatmen to row ashore.

Old Beggar Fan and his group boarded in single file. The two men leapt ashore, turned, placed their hands on the bow, and pushed hard with their legs. The ferry tilted into the pond and then sped toward the fortress.

The men at the bow first launched two fireworks as signals. When the ferry reached shore, the ancestral hall of the Twin Pasture Fortress lit up with wind lanterns. At the entrance stood two elderly men with white hair and rosy faces, long beards reaching their chests, vigorous and spirited.

Flanking the main gate were twenty-four robust men in tight suits, twelve wielding knives on the left, twelve swords on the right.

When the ferry docked, the two men jumped ashore, took positions on both sides, clasped fists, smiled, and said, “Elder Fan and distinguished guests, please come ashore. The fortress master and deputy have been awaiting your arrival.”

Old Beggar Fan was the first to jump ashore, followed by the poor scholar, Gu Fang, Gu Yi, and the others, all leaping onto land.

A smooth, clean stone road lay ahead, lined with towering thousand-year pines. The trees were uniformly tall and pointed, very picturesque. Behind the pines was a uniquely planned flower garden.

The Twin Pasture Fortress ancestral hall was about half a li from the pond. Lanterns hung from the treetops along the way, illuminating the path like daylight. Young chivalrous youths, unaccustomed to such splendor, silently praised the fortress’s well-earned reputation.

As the hosts and guests neared, the hosts stepped forward to greet, the visitors quickened their pace. Both parties clasped fists and bowed, exchanging warm smiles and courteous apologies for any rudeness or inadequate reception.

The poor scholar came from a reputable and well-known family in a neighboring county—no introduction needed. Upon hearing his name, everyone was familiar.

Gu Fang, Gu Yi, and the Twin Pasture Fortress master Shuang Hanjie and deputy Shuang Hanwen were old acquaintances. The fortress master and deputy were well-traveled and widely connected, having previously hosted the Gu brothers as honored guests. They were both surprised and delighted to see them again.

Gao Yunxiang was also from a prominent family abroad. Though he had never visited the Twin Pasture Fortress, the fortress master and deputy had a close friendship with his father and visited the Yi family every New Year. Needless to say, they knew each other well. Gao Yunxiang stepped forward, performing the formal respect to his elders and greeted, “Uncles Shuang, good day.”

Shuang Hanjie smiled, “Nephew Gao is here as well. Excellent. I will immediately send for your elder brother and sister-in-law to receive you junior guests.”

After some polite exchanges, the fortress master led the way, the deputy brought up the rear, guiding everyone into the ancestral hall.

Inside, the hall was brilliantly lit. Above the entrance hung a golden plaque inscribed with “Shuang Clan Ancestral Hall” in bold, vigorous characters. Numerous other plaques hung, both vertical and horizontal.

Vertical plaques bore titles of clan officials serving in the imperial court. Horizontal plaques, smaller and elongated, honored clan members who passed the imperial examinations. The grand plaques indicated high-ranking officials.

Passing through the main gate, reception rooms flanked both sides. In the center lay a large courtyard; deeper inside was a stage for performances. Long side chambers bordered the courtyard, beyond which was a grand hall used for clan celebrations and banquets. At the very rear were shrines for ancestral tablets and offerings. The intricately carved beams and painted rafters were truly masterpieces of craftsmanship.