Chapter 246: Linghu Qiu

At the name Linghu Qiu, Fei Changliu, Zheng Jiuxiao, and Xia Hua looked at one another in astonishment, almost as though they did not quite believe it.

Niu Youdao, on the other hand, found Wu Sanliang's wording strange. What did he mean, they did not know whether the man was genuine?

He turned and asked, "Linghu Qiu? Is he famous?"

Wu Sanliang nodded repeatedly. "Quite famous. I've heard his name, but never had the good fortune to meet him, so I don't know whether this visitor is truly him."

Niu Youdao looked back at the other three in surprise, his expression plainly asking whether any of them knew the man.

Xia Hua was already standing. "Linghu Qiu is a famous figure from the State of Jin. He's known for making friends all across the realm. I've heard his name for a long time, but I've never met him."

Zheng Jiuxiao said, "He's a well-known broker in the cultivation world. He may not have any real force of his own, but his network is extremely broad. He cannot be underestimated..."

Fei Changliu added, "They say he has friendships with people from all sides of the cultivation world. Supposedly he has friends everywhere beneath Heaven. No matter where he goes, he knows someone..."

From the three men's explanations, Niu Youdao gained a rough understanding of what sort of man Linghu Qiu was. This was the first time he had ever heard the name. Strangely enough, there had been no description of Linghu Qiu in the Shangqing Record of Gleanings.

That only made him more puzzled. He asked Wu Sanliang, "You're sure he's here to visit me, not them?" He pointed toward Fei Changliu and the others.

Wu Sanliang said, "He specifically asked to see you, Master Dao."

Fei Changliu and the others exchanged another glance. From the look of things, Niu Youdao did not know Linghu Qiu at all. If the visitor truly was Linghu Qiu, then why had he come to see Niu Youdao? Did he simply want to make Niu Youdao's acquaintance?

If that was the case, the three sect leaders felt somewhat uncomfortable. What did it mean? It meant Linghu Qiu considered Niu Youdao more influential than they were.

Niu Youdao still found it difficult to believe. He looked at the three of them and asked, "He's not here to visit you, but me? What do you think this means?"

Xia Hua suddenly laughed. "It doesn't seem that difficult to understand."

Niu Youdao asked, "How so?"

With a teasing note in her voice, Xia Hua said, "Our three sects don't have nearly the reputation of the great 'Master Dao.' For all we know, Linghu Qiu may never even have heard of our sects. You're different. You killed an envoy of the State of Yan and caused an uproar. Everyone beneath Heaven heard about that! Then there was the rumor at the Ice and Snow Pavilion. At this point, it would probably be harder for him not to have heard of you."

"..."

Niu Youdao was left speechless. Then he chuckled and laughed at himself. "If that's really the reason, then good news truly doesn't leave the gate, while bad news travels a thousand li. Seriously, has any of you actually met him? Otherwise, how are we supposed to know whether the visitor is real or fake?"

Xia Hua and Fei Changliu both shook their heads to indicate they had never seen him.

Zheng Jiuxiao said, "I've seen him twice, but only from a distance. We never greeted each other, so I can't say I know him. Recognizing him won't be a problem, though. One look and I'll know whether he's the real man."

"An honored guest comes to my door. What for? I don't believe someone would travel all this way merely to make a friend. How bored would he have to be..." Niu Youdao murmured, almost to himself.

Xia Hua spread both hands. "But the man is famous precisely for loving to make friends. He genuinely enjoys it. There's no reason you should be the one exception."

"Is that so? Interesting..." The corner of Niu Youdao's mouth lifted.

He also liked making friends, so in that sense the two of them had something in common. There was a certain empathy to be found there, though even Niu Youdao could not compare with Linghu Qiu's almost excessive enthusiasm for the practice.

Slowly, Niu Youdao turned his head back toward the map. His gaze flickered as he considered something. After a while he asked, "How many people came?"

Wu Sanliang replied, "Three. Aside from Linghu Qiu himself, he's accompanied by two beautiful twin women."

Zheng Jiuxiao said, "Then there's even less chance of a mistake. Both times I saw him, he really did have two very beautiful twin women at his side. I hear they're his personal maids. If I remember correctly, their names are Hongxiu and Hongfu."

"Three people..." Niu Youdao murmured again, then raised a hand. "Invite them in!"

"Yes!" Wu Sanliang acknowledged and swiftly left.

Seeing Niu Youdao standing before the map with his hands behind his back and no further reaction, none of them knew what he was thinking.

Fei Changliu and the others exchanged a look. Zheng Jiuxiao said, "This isn't someone we should put on airs in front of. He's come personally to the door. Shouldn't we go out and receive him?"

"Mm. That's true. It wouldn't do to be discourteous." Niu Youdao turned with a smile. "Come. Let's go welcome this famous figure from the State of Jin."

They left the estate and stood outside the gate to wait. Before long, several figures came flying up the mountain. Wu Sanliang led the way. Seeing Niu Youdao and the others waiting outside, he guided the three people behind him down to the entrance. Host and guests met, each side quietly sizing up the other.

The visitor wore a broad-sleeved blue robe, with a purple-wood hairpin securing his topknot. He had thick brows, large eyes, and a lively gaze. His clothes were neat and orderly, yet somehow he still gave off an unrestrained air.

The two women behind him looked exactly alike. Both wore white as pure as snow and were beautiful, poised, and gracious. One looked cold as frost, while the other wore a constant gentle smile. At a glance, there was no doubt they were twin sisters. They were called women, but they were clearly no longer especially young. Their appearance was already that of mature women.

The moment the three guests landed, Niu Youdao glanced sideways at Zheng Jiuxiao. Zheng Jiuxiao gave a tiny nod. There was no mistake. This truly was Linghu Qiu.

Linghu Qiu swept his gaze over the group and immediately settled on Niu Youdao, seeming to recognize the principal figure at a glance. He muttered inwardly, The rumors weren't exaggerated. He really is young!

"Master Dao, this is Mr. Linghu Qiu, the famous gentleman of the State of Jin," Wu Sanliang stepped forward and introduced.

Niu Youdao immediately went to greet him with cupped hands and a smile. "I've long heard your distinguished name. I am Niu Youdao. I've admired Mr. Linghu's reputation for a long time. Meeting you today is truly a great honor!"

Linghu Qiu laughed heartily. "My reputation is exaggerated. I'm only an independent cultivator. There's nothing worth mentioning! Brother Niu is the one who can truly be called a hero famous beneath Heaven. Even an envoy of a state was nothing in your eyes. You killed him with a casual hand and still withdrew unscathed. I, Linghu Qiu, would never dare display such heroic spirit!"

The two spent a while flattering one another before Niu Youdao introduced Fei Changliu and the others.

Linghu Qiu immediately looked greatly surprised. "I've long heard the distinguished names of all three sect leaders. Who would have thought I'd meet you here? A pleasure, a pleasure."

Naturally, Fei Changliu and the other two responded with polite greetings of their own, though they knew perfectly well that Linghu Qiu was only being courteous. There were countless sects beneath Heaven. He might never have heard of theirs at all.

In truth, all three understood the situation clearly and admitted it inwardly. In terms of fame, none of them could compare with Niu Youdao. As Linghu Qiu had said, the man had become known across the realm by killing an envoy of the State of Yan. There truly were not many people beneath Heaven who would dare make a name for themselves that way.

"And these two beauties are?" Niu Youdao looked toward the twins and knowingly asked the question.

Linghu Qiu smiled and stepped aside.

The two mature women immediately came forward and gave graceful salutes. "This servant is Hongxiu." "This servant is Hongfu. Greetings, Young Master. Greetings to the three sect leaders."

Since they had identified themselves as servants, there was no need for excessive courtesy. Niu Youdao and the others simply nodded in acknowledgment.

A few pleasantries at the gate were enough. It was no place for a real conversation, so Niu Youdao naturally invited his guests inside.

The group returned to the scenic pavilion. The previous tea service had already been cleared away, and Black Peony prepared fresh tea. The five men sat together in the pavilion, drinking tea and enjoying the mountain scenery.

Linghu Qiu praised, "A fine place."

Niu Youdao smiled. "May I ask what brings Mr. Linghu here?"

"I wouldn't presume to offer guidance. When Brother Niu first rose to fame by killing the Yan envoy, I already wanted to come make your acquaintance. Who would have thought Brother Niu would later become famous again at the Ice and Snow Pavilion? With rumors flying everywhere, I became rather apprehensive. The Ice and Snow Pavilion isn't something I dare provoke, so I watched for a while. Once the disturbance settled, I happened to be passing through your region and decided to stop by."

Linghu Qiu was actually speaking the truth.

When Niu Youdao became famous across the realm for killing an envoy of Yan, many people had been astonished and begun asking who this "Niu Youdao" was, to be so bold. Linghu Qiu had noticed him then and had already wanted to make his acquaintance.

At the time, however, Niu Youdao was hiding from place to place without revealing his whereabouts. He was not someone just anyone could find. Otherwise, the Yan court would have killed him long ago.

Later, Niu Youdao finally showed himself at the Ice and Snow Pavilion, yet somehow the Yan court still failed to do anything to him. Linghu Qiu's interest only grew.

As someone who loved making friends everywhere, Linghu Qiu understood a certain truth very well: some people were worth befriending early. If you waited until later, there might come a day when they stood so high that you could no longer reach them.

Who would have expected that while Linghu Qiu was still on his way, rumors harmful to Niu Youdao would suddenly erupt around the Ice and Snow Pavilion?

That gave Linghu Qiu a fright. Making friends under those circumstances would be asking for trouble. The Ice and Snow Pavilion was no easy force to offend. So he temporarily suppressed the thought and decided to watch how matters developed.

More than a year passed. The Ice and Snow Pavilion still had not done anything to Niu Youdao. Linghu Qiu judged that the storm had probably blown over and finally came. That was more or less the whole story.

Niu Youdao repeatedly shook his head and waved his hands. "Mr. Linghu keeps mentioning that affair and truly makes me ashamed. If I'd had any other choice, I never would have taken such a risk."

"You did it and survived. That's what matters!" Linghu Qiu raised a thumb, then laughed and asked the others, "Don't you agree?"

"Heh, heh." Fei Changliu and the others laughed noncommittally, some nodding along.

Niu Youdao changed the subject. "Mr. Linghu said you were passing through. Where are you headed?"

Linghu Qiu gestured broadly toward the surrounding mountains. "I have no particular destination. I simply travel wherever I please."

Niu Youdao said, "I've heard Mr. Linghu has friends everywhere beneath Heaven and an exceptionally broad network. Is that true?"

Linghu Qiu waved a hand. "I wouldn't call it a network. I simply have a few friends kind enough to give me a little face."

Niu Youdao immediately asked, "Do you happen to have friends in the State of Qi?"

The instant he said it, Fei Changliu and the other two quietly exchanged glances. They seemed to guess what he intended, yet at the same time doubted their own guess. They had only just met Linghu Qiu and barely exchanged a few sentences. Surely he wasn't about to ask the man to help with that matter already?

Linghu Qiu froze for a moment. He turned his head and glanced toward the map hanging inside the pavilion. He too faintly suspected what Niu Youdao had in mind, though he was not certain. Instinctively, he lifted his tea and slowly took a few sips, buying himself time to think through his response.

Setting the cup down, he smiled. "I do know a few people there. Does Brother Niu need something?"

Niu Youdao said, "Mr. Linghu truly is perceptive. There is one matter for which I'd like to ask your help. I wonder whether you would be willing to lend me a hand?"

Linghu Qiu became slightly wary. "Why not tell me what it is first?"

Niu Youdao held out a hand for the teapot and personally refilled his cup. "With you, Mr. Linghu, I won't beat around the bush. I serve Commandery Prince Yongping of the State of Yan. His Highness urgently needs warhorses. How could I stand by and do nothing? Qi produces fine horses in abundance. I hope Mr. Linghu won't begrudge me your assistance!"

Fei Changliu and the others each slowly lifted their teacups and slowly began to drink, pretending they had heard nothing. Linghu Qiu stared speechlessly at Niu Youdao. What kind of man was this?

Are we that familiar with each other? We just met, and you're already asking me to handle something for you. You really don't stand on ceremony at all.

[End of Chapter 246]