The Gold Box

“What’s wrong, Brother Li? After all the trouble we went through to get this thing back, it can’t be fake, can it?”

Seeing Li Huowang stop in his tracks, Gouwa’s voice had gone tight with nerves.

He desperately needed this thing to work. A Brother Li in the throes of an episode was an absolute terror.

Li Huowang frowned deeply and shook his head. He stood still, the Black Tai Sui clutched in his hand.

What am I hesitating for? That place is just an illusion.

Thinking this, he lifted the Black Tai Sui toward his mouth, only to stop again, his arm frozen in place.

Everyone in the tent could tell that Brother Li, newly recovered from his illness, was thinking about something. What he was thinking about, only he knew.

By the time Chun Xiaoman returned from sword practice and leaned in to whisper a question to Bai Lingmiao, Li Huowang had slowly pushed the chunk of flesh back into the Black Tai Sui.

“Miaomiao, how much gold do we have left in the travel funds?”

Bai Lingmiao found the question strange but answered honestly anyway. “We exchanged some for silver back at Woman Mountain. There’s probably a few dozen taels left.”

“A few dozen taels? Not enough. That’s not enough.”

Li Huowang muttered to himself. He suddenly turned his head to look at Sun Baolu.

“Your people should have some hard currency around here, right? Can you help me borrow some? Don’t worry, it’s just a loan. I’ll give it back when I’m done.”

Sun Baolu’s face showed a rare flicker of hesitation. “Alright. I’ll go ask.”

“Brother Li, what do you need so much gold for?”

“Yeah, we have enough money to get to Liang Country.”

Faced with these questions, Li Huowang let out a sigh, shook his head, turned, and pushed aside the tent flap to step outside.

“Don’t ask. It’s none of your business. Is there any food? I’m hungry.”

Sun Baolu was much faster than Li Huowang had expected. He had barely started his first meal when Sun Baolu entered the tent carrying a small round bundle, his mother following behind him.

Sun Baolu didn’t speak first. He glanced at his mother for confirmation. When he saw her give a slight nod, he carefully pulled open the cloth in his arms.

A flash of golden light almost blinded everyone in the tent.

It was an oval-shaped gold box, the size of a palm, inlaid with agates and green jade of excellent quality. Inside the gold box were several gold ingots and pieces of gold jewelry.

It didn’t look like much, but gold was heavy. This little handful was worth a fortune.

Seeing the surprise on Li Huowang’s face as he assessed the box’s value, and guessing he was wondering how an ordinary person could possess something so valuable, Sun Baolu’s mother spoke up. “Reverend, don’t worry. This isn’t from a tomb. It was my dowry, given to me back in the day by my former master’s family.”

“Your former master’s family?” Li Huowang reached out, took the box, and hefted it. He nearly dropped it. Gold really was heavy.

The woman’s expression was complicated. “Yes. From the master’s family. After all, the kind of people who could afford Beauty Paper were never poor or lowborn. To commoners, this thing is priceless. But to some people, it’s nothing at all.”

“Reverend, you saved my son. This is my repayment. I hope you’ll accept it.”

“I didn’t say I was taking it. I’m just borrowing it. I’ll give it back when I’m done.” Li Huowang could tell from her demeanor that she was trying to buy off the debt of gratitude in one lump sum.

The woman seemed reluctant to have any further contact with Li Huowang. She performed a deep, respectful bow and backed out of the tent.

“What’s wrong with your mother? Her attitude did a complete one-eighty.”

Sun Baolu hesitated, stammering as if he had some unspeakable secret. He thought to himself: Brother Li, do you have any idea how many people you scared when you came back this time? Coming back alive from that place, and bringing two grotesque-looking things with you… the clansmen are probably gossiping about you behind your back right now.

“Forget it. I’m not taking your family’s things. Once I’m done with this, you take it back. You hear me?”

Sun Baolu’s face showed a hint of difficulty. “Then, Brother Li… when do you plan on using this gold?”

Hearing this, Li Huowang, who was holding the gold box in both hands, let his expression fall slightly.

“I’ll wait. I don’t know when. Baolu, I’m sorry to trouble you. We might have to stay here a little longer.”

“Brother Li, don’t say that. You saved my life.”

Over the next few days, the other disciples noticed that Brother Li, while recovering from his injuries, kept the gold box by his side at all times, like a miser hoarding his treasure. But he had never been that kind of person.

Only Bai Lingmiao knew the details. She knew why he was doing this.

That night, Bai Lingmiao turned over in her sleep and saw that the person lying beside her had sat up at some point. In the dead of night, he sat on the bed like a wooden statue, clutching the gold box, completely still.

Bai Lingmiao let out a soft sigh. She turned slightly and faced her back to him.

“Brother Li… do you have a hard time letting go of that place? Or do you still think it might be real?”

Li Huowang did not answer in the darkness.

“Then, Brother Li… do you hope it’s real, or do you hope it’s fake?”

Li Huowang let out a long, deep sigh. His hoarse, exhausted voice echoed slowly inside the tent. “That’s an answer I’d like to know myself.”

The days passed one by one. As time went on, and as the swelling shifted again and again, Li Huowang’s disfigured face gradually returned to normal.

His wounds were almost healed. Just as Li Huowang was about to go and interrogate Han Fu’s little head, Baolu, now dressed again in Qingqiu clothing, came looking for him.

“Brother Li, the clan chief sent me to ask you about something.” He came to Li Huowang’s side and spoke.

“What’s up?” Li Huowang quickly ran through things in his mind. Qingqiu had been peaceful lately. Nothing seemed to be happening.

“It’s about those women you rescued from the stockade. A few of them are showing mutual interest with some of the young men in the clan. The chief is basically testing the waters. If you don’t give the nod, those men won’t dare make a move.”

“Fine. Why wouldn’t it be fine?”

Judging by Baolu’s mother’s demeanor, this place seemed like a safe enough haven. It was certainly better than following him on his endless travels.

Back at the border, several of them had died because of Peng Longteng. If these women kept following him, who knew how many would be left by the time they reached Liang Country.

“Great! I’ll go tell the chief right now!” Baolu, back to his normal self, was no longer the silent, sullen boy he had been before. His personality had grown much more open.

The excited Baolu had just turned to leave when Li Huowang’s large hand shot out and clamped down on his arm with an iron grip. The spot instantly turned black and blue.

Sun Baolu turned his head and saw Li Huowang staring at him with a ferocious expression. “Quick! Tell Zhijian to bring the chains! Now!”

“Right! On it!”

Feeling the world begin to shift around him, Li Huowang shoved the gold box into his bosom as fast as he could.

The noisy, bustling tent camp was replaced by a quiet, white hospital room. Here, it was night.

Li Huowang stared blankly at his mother, who was sleeping on the recliner beside him. She was covered with the small blanket from his own bed.

“Mom.”