Nestled at the outskirts of Bai Kingdom’s Wei City was a humble, little inn that sold steamed buns, rolls, and porridge. It was a small business; its customers consisted mainly of poor passerbys. Generally, those that were rich and wanted to have a meal with fish and meat would have to enter the city to dine.
“Store-owner, two steamed buns and a bowl of white porridge please.”
It was early morning and the store-owner had just finished tidying up the place when a customer suddenly walked through the door.
“Sir, please take a seat, I’ll be right there!”
Lifting the lid of the bamboo steamer to check on the buns, the store-owner’s line of sight was obscured by the whirls of rising hot steam. He did not get a clear view of the customer’s face but noticed that it was a man in white robes that had entered and taken a seat at a table by the window.
“Sir, here are your steamed buns and bowl of porridge,” the store-owner said as he brought over the steaming dishes and placed them on the table.
The customer who had been peering out the window turned around and said, “Thank you.”
“Gongzi… Do you want anything else?”
When the man in white turned around, the store-owner felt as if the person before his eyes was surrounded by a brilliant radiance. It was as if the early morning sun had broken away from the surrounding clouds to cast its golden rays upon the earth, lighting up his humble inn.
“No. Store-owner is busy, please go ahead with your work.” The man in white looked down at dishes on the table and picked up the bowl of plain white porridge.
“How about I serve some vegetable side-dishes?” the store-owner asked. He thought it would be better to serve this gongzi some dried radish, a few green beans, or the newly pickled cabbage his elderly mother had made. He had asked not because he wanted to make some more money but simply because he wanted to exchange a few more words with this gongzi.
“I think you might as well come with me,” a clear voice suddenly interjected as another man entered through the door.
The store-owner turned around and his heart began racing nervously. He wondered what day it was today that such esteemed guests would come through his door? If the young man in white was comparable to an immortal, then the purple-robed young man that just walked through the door was most certainly a gentry, a man of nobility who surely resided in the golden palace walls. The store-owner had lived for over 50 years but this was the first time he had seen such figures.
“Huang Chao, you’re here.” The white-robed man said with a gentle smile as he looked at the man that had just arrived.
“Wuyuan, you like to eat such things?” Huang Chao asked as he glanced at the two white steamed buns on the table and shook his head seemingly perplexed.
“Come and have some too,” Yu Wuyuan said as he pointed to the seat opposite of him. “You’ve had so much swallow’s nest and shark fin, you should also try some plain food, it’ll certainly invoke a different flavor.”
Walking over, Huang Chao took a seat opposite of Wuyuan. “Why are you here?”
“It was on the way,” Yu Wuyuan replied. He then turned towards the store-owner and said, “Sir, two more steamed buns and a bowl of porridge please.”
“Coming right up,” the store-owner said.
“Jian, take a seat as well,” Yu Wuyuan said to Xiao Jian who was standing behind Huang Chao.
As he looked up at him, he couldn’t help but remark in surprise, “Jian, you finally changed your clothes.”
The young man, who was always dressed in snow-white robes, was actually wearing a light-blue robe today which softened his features, making him appear less cold, even complimenting his fair-snowy skin. His whole body gave off a soft blue glow like that of a crystal, cooling and refined with a touch of serenity. It made people want to draw closer, yet at the same time can’t bear to touch.
Huang Chao glanced at Xiao Jian and remarked, “I think if you call him Xue Kong, he’ll be even happier.”
“Huh?” Yu Wuyuan looked at him doubtfully. Although Xue Kong was Xiao Jian’s real name, they had always called him Jian.
“Gentlemen, the hot steamed buns are here,” the store-owner said as he brought over the steamed buns along with a bowl of plain porridge.
After everything had been placed on the table, Huang Chao waved his hand, motioning the store-owner to step down. He then looked at Yu Wuyuan and said with a smile, “Bai Fengxi had remarked he was more suitable in clothes that were light-blue like the sky. After hearing that, he changed his clothes the very next day. Bai Fengxi also said he should be called Xue Kong. Though he didn’t say anything, when I changed tune and called him Xue Kong, his brows raised joyfully.”
“Oh? I didn’t expect Bai Fengxi to have such a huge influence! It’s really eye-opening.” Yu Wuyuan turned to look at Xiao Jian- Xiao Xue Kong and noticed that the color of his eyes had turned a faint blue. “The name Xue Kong really suits you, especially now that you’re dressed in blue, it really gives off the image of a snow-filled blue sky. Very beautiful!”
(t/n: Xue means snow, Kong mean sky)
Xiao Xue Kong had taken a seat, the blue of his eyes seemingly a shade darker. He glanced towards Huang Chao, the corner of his lips twitched but he kept his silence. He merely proceeded to pick up one of the steamed buns with his chopsticks and placed it in his mouth.
Yu Wuyuan looked at his expression and couldn’t help but continue teasing him. With a smile, he said, “It seems there is no woman in Huang Kingdom who is more beautiful than you. If you were a woman, your beauty would be on par with the princess of Hua Kingdom.”
“Yu gongzi, I’m a man!” Xiao Xue Kong uttered each word firmly as he glared at Yu Wuyuan. The implications of his words was that how could a man be described with the word ‘beautiful’. Moreover, a man cannot be compared to a woman, especially Princess Hua who was hailed as Eastern Realm’s finest beauty.
“Why didn’t you refute when Bai Fengxi said your eyes were beautiful?” Huang Chao chimed in and asked as he picked up the bowl of plain porridge. He blew a few times to cool it down before raising the bowl to his mouth and downed nearly half of its contents.
Xiao Xue Kong looked at Huang Chao, his mouth open but he had no words to refute. In the end, he could only lower his head and finish his steamed bun in silence.
Yu Wuyuan smiled and couldn’t bear to tease him anymore. He turned his attention towards Huang Chao and asked, “How was your trip this time?”
“Quite well,” Huang Chao simply stated. He then looked at Wuyuan and remarked, “With your one sentence, two kingdoms ceased fire, Yu gongzi is powerful indeed!”
“There’s no need for more innocent, grieving souls to amass,” Yu Wuyuan said as he picked up a steamed bun.
“There are countless grieving souls in the world, not to mention… once dead, everyone’s the same!” Huang Chao said as he looked at him.
“Then let’s talk about it once it comes to that point. As for now, if it can be prevented, we should prevent it from happening.” Yu Wuyuan finished the steamed bun and placed his bamboo chopsticks down. He looked up at Huang Chao and said, “Besides, I announced to the world that the Xuanzun Seal is with Huang Kingdom for you. Isn’t that what you wanted? If Nan Kingdom dares to invade Huang Kingdom, you can rightfully claim a few more of its cities, or even swallow it up completely, isn’t that right?”
“As for the war between Bai and Nan Kingdom, you surely can profit from their fighting, but do you really wish to rule a world that’s in ruins?” Yu Wuyuan did not wait for his reply before continuing, “But then again, you wouldn’t mind because once the time comes, you can just rebuild it.”
“It seems you always know what’s on my mind from just a glance,” Huang Chao said faintly as he glanced at the busy shop-owner.
“Leave him be.” Yu Wuyuan’s eyes flashed as his hand pressed against Xiao Xue Kong’s who had reached for his sword. “These words, what he can do if he hears them. No need to stain your hands by killing innocent people.”
Huang Chao waved his hand at Xue Kong then looked at Yu Wuyuan and reluctantly stated, “You really have a heart of Buddha.”
Smiling faintly, Yu Wuyuan asked, “So what’s next?”
“I’m going back of course. I’ve benefited much from this journey,” Huang Chao said thoughtfully.
Yu Wuyuan contemplated for a moment and then said, “Let’s head to Hua Kingdom.”
“Hua Kingdom?” Huang Chao looked at him in surprise.
“Yes, head to the richest kingdom in Eastern Realm, Hua Kingdom, and meet Eastern Realm’s finest beauty,” Yu Wuyuan said as he peered out the window, his gaze far off in the distance.
“Hua Kingdom huh…” Huang Chao’s eyes fell on the half-eaten bowl of white porridge in front of him. Picking up the bowl, he downed its contents in one single gulp before placing it back down on the table. His eyes flashed with a golden light as he remarked, “I suppose it’s about time.”
“Yes.” Yu Wuyuan nodded faintly. “The faster we leave, the better.”
“We can head to Hua Kingdom first, then return later,” Huang Chao stated as he got to his feet and walked out the door.
Yu Wuyuan also stood. He turned to the store-owner and smiled as if thanking him for his hospitality before walking out himself.
Taking out a silver leaf from his sleeve, Xiao Xue Kong placed it on the table before following behind them.
Nestled at the outskirts of Bai Kingdom’s Wei City was a humble, little inn that sold steamed buns, rolls, and porridge. It was a small business; its customers consisted mainly of poor passerbys. Generally, those that were rich and wanted to have a meal with fish and meat would have to enter the city to dine.
“Store-owner, two steamed buns and a bowl of white porridge please.”
It was early morning and the store-owner had just finished tidying up the place when a customer suddenly walked through the door.
“Sir, please take a seat, I’ll be right there!”
Lifting the lid of the bamboo steamer to check on the buns, the store-owner’s line of sight was obscured by the whirls of rising hot steam. He did not get a clear view of the customer’s face but noticed that it was a man in white robes that had entered and taken a seat at a table by the window.
“Sir, here are your steamed buns and bowl of porridge,” the store-owner said as he brought over the steaming dishes and placed them on the table.
The customer who had been peering out the window turned around and said, “Thank you.”
“Gongzi… Do you want anything else?”
When the man in white turned around, the store-owner felt as if the person before his eyes was surrounded by a brilliant radiance. It was as if the early morning sun had broken away from the surrounding clouds to cast its golden rays upon the earth, lighting up his humble inn.
“No. Store-owner is busy, please go ahead with your work.” The man in white looked down at dishes on the table and picked up the bowl of plain white porridge.
“How about I serve some vegetable side-dishes?” the store-owner asked. He thought it would be better to serve this gongzi some dried radish, a few green beans, or the newly pickled cabbage his elderly mother had made. He had asked not because he wanted to make some more money but simply because he wanted to exchange a few more words with this gongzi.
“I think you might as well come with me,” a clear voice suddenly interjected as another man entered through the door.
The store-owner turned around and his heart began racing nervously. He wondered what day it was today that such esteemed guests would come through his door? If the young man in white was comparable to an immortal, then the purple-robed young man that just walked through the door was most certainly a gentry, a man of nobility who surely resided in the golden palace walls. The store-owner had lived for over 50 years but this was the first time he had seen such figures.
“Huang Chao, you’re here.” The white-robed man said with a gentle smile as he looked at the man that had just arrived.
“Wuyuan, you like to eat such things?” Huang Chao asked as he glanced at the two white steamed buns on the table and shook his head seemingly perplexed.
“Come and have some too,” Yu Wuyuan said as he pointed to the seat opposite of him. “You’ve had so much swallow’s nest and shark fin, you should also try some plain food, it’ll certainly invoke a different flavor.”
Walking over, Huang Chao took a seat opposite of Wuyuan. “Why are you here?”
“It was on the way,” Yu Wuyuan replied. He then turned towards the store-owner and said, “Sir, two more steamed buns and a bowl of porridge please.”
“Coming right up,” the store-owner said.
“Jian, take a seat as well,” Yu Wuyuan said to Xiao Jian who was standing behind Huang Chao.
As he looked up at him, he couldn’t help but remark in surprise, “Jian, you finally changed your clothes.”
The young man, who was always dressed in snow-white robes, was actually wearing a light-blue robe today which softened his features, making him appear less cold, even complimenting his fair-snowy skin. His whole body gave off a soft blue glow like that of a crystal, cooling and refined with a touch of serenity. It made people want to draw closer, yet at the same time can’t bear to touch.
Huang Chao glanced at Xiao Jian and remarked, “I think if you call him Xue Kong, he’ll be even happier.”
“Huh?” Yu Wuyuan looked at him doubtfully. Although Xue Kong was Xiao Jian’s real name, they had always called him Jian.
“Gentlemen, the hot steamed buns are here,” the store-owner said as he brought over the steamed buns along with a bowl of plain porridge.
After everything had been placed on the table, Huang Chao waved his hand, motioning the store-owner to step down. He then looked at Yu Wuyuan and said with a smile, “Bai Fengxi had remarked he was more suitable in clothes that were light-blue like the sky. After hearing that, he changed his clothes the very next day. Bai Fengxi also said he should be called Xue Kong. Though he didn’t say anything, when I changed tune and called him Xue Kong, his brows raised joyfully.”
“Oh? I didn’t expect Bai Fengxi to have such a huge influence! It’s really eye-opening.” Yu Wuyuan turned to look at Xiao Jian- Xiao Xue Kong and noticed that the color of his eyes had turned a faint blue. “The name Xue Kong really suits you, especially now that you’re dressed in blue, it really gives off the image of a snow-filled blue sky. Very beautiful!”
(t/n: Xue means snow, Kong mean sky)
Xiao Xue Kong had taken a seat, the blue of his eyes seemingly a shade darker. He glanced towards Huang Chao, the corner of his lips twitched but he kept his silence. He merely proceeded to pick up one of the steamed buns with his chopsticks and placed it in his mouth.
Yu Wuyuan looked at his expression and couldn’t help but continue teasing him. With a smile, he said, “It seems there is no woman in Huang Kingdom who is more beautiful than you. If you were a woman, your beauty would be on par with the princess of Hua Kingdom.”
“Yu gongzi, I’m a man!” Xiao Xue Kong uttered each word firmly as he glared at Yu Wuyuan. The implications of his words was that how could a man be described with the word ‘beautiful’. Moreover, a man cannot be compared to a woman, especially Princess Hua who was hailed as Eastern Realm’s finest beauty.
“Why didn’t you refute when Bai Fengxi said your eyes were beautiful?” Huang Chao chimed in and asked as he picked up the bowl of plain porridge. He blew a few times to cool it down before raising the bowl to his mouth and downed nearly half of its contents.
Xiao Xue Kong looked at Huang Chao, his mouth open but he had no words to refute. In the end, he could only lower his head and finish his steamed bun in silence.
Yu Wuyuan smiled and couldn’t bear to tease him anymore. He turned his attention towards Huang Chao and asked, “How was your trip this time?”
“Quite well,” Huang Chao simply stated. He then looked at Wuyuan and remarked, “With your one sentence, two kingdoms ceased fire, Yu gongzi is powerful indeed!”
“There’s no need for more innocent, grieving souls to amass,” Yu Wuyuan said as he picked up a steamed bun.
“There are countless grieving souls in the world, not to mention… once dead, everyone’s the same!” Huang Chao said as he looked at him.
“Then let’s talk about it once it comes to that point. As for now, if it can be prevented, we should prevent it from happening.” Yu Wuyuan finished the steamed bun and placed his bamboo chopsticks down. He looked up at Huang Chao and said, “Besides, I announced to the world that the Xuanzun Seal is with Huang Kingdom for you. Isn’t that what you wanted? If Nan Kingdom dares to invade Huang Kingdom, you can rightfully claim a few more of its cities, or even swallow it up completely, isn’t that right?”
“As for the war between Bai and Nan Kingdom, you surely can profit from their fighting, but do you really wish to rule a world that’s in ruins?” Yu Wuyuan did not wait for his reply before continuing, “But then again, you wouldn’t mind because once the time comes, you can just rebuild it.”
“It seems you always know what’s on my mind from just a glance,” Huang Chao said faintly as he glanced at the busy shop-owner.
“Leave him be.” Yu Wuyuan’s eyes flashed as his hand pressed against Xiao Xue Kong’s who had reached for his sword. “These words, what he can do if he hears them. No need to stain your hands by killing innocent people.”
Huang Chao waved his hand at Xue Kong then looked at Yu Wuyuan and reluctantly stated, “You really have a heart of Buddha.”
Smiling faintly, Yu Wuyuan asked, “So what’s next?”
“I’m going back of course. I’ve benefited much from this journey,” Huang Chao said thoughtfully.
Yu Wuyuan contemplated for a moment and then said, “Let’s head to Hua Kingdom.”
“Hua Kingdom?” Huang Chao looked at him in surprise.
“Yes, head to the richest kingdom in Eastern Realm, Hua Kingdom, and meet Eastern Realm’s finest beauty,” Yu Wuyuan said as he peered out the window, his gaze far off in the distance.
“Hua Kingdom huh…” Huang Chao’s eyes fell on the half-eaten bowl of white porridge in front of him. Picking up the bowl, he downed its contents in one single gulp before placing it back down on the table. His eyes flashed with a golden light as he remarked, “I suppose it’s about time.”
“Yes.” Yu Wuyuan nodded faintly. “The faster we leave, the better.”
“We can head to Hua Kingdom first, then return later,” Huang Chao stated as he got to his feet and walked out the door.
Yu Wuyuan also stood. He turned to the store-owner and smiled as if thanking him for his hospitality before walking out himself.
Taking out a silver leaf from his sleeve, Xiao Xue Kong placed it on the table before following behind them.
