Hidden Shadow – CH 027

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Who Are You?!

When herding sheep, one could forget all worldly troubles, seeing only the green mountains and clear waters.

A leisurely afternoon passed. An Jiu drove the sheep back to the pen and relinquished control of her body to Mei Jiu.

Mei Ruyan came to find Mei Jiu, and the two descended the mountain together.

An Jiu had unleashed her body’s potential while disciplining Mei Rujian today, resulting in excessive physical exhaustion. Every joint in her fingers felt like it was about to break, trembling uncontrollably. Mei Jiu trembled even more violently with every effort as she descended the mountain.

Mei Ruyan supported her. “Sister, after what you did to Eldest Mei today, will he not seek revenge?”

Mei Jiu bit her lower lip, tears welling in her eyes.

“Sister.” Mei Ruyan’s eyes held a hint of inquiry. The chilling murderous intent Mei Jiu had displayed when she threatened to throw Mei Rujian off the cliff at noon had stunned her. At that moment, Mei Jiu seemed like a complete stranger.

She thought it was not surprising that Mei Jiu knew martial arts, but it was unlikely that someone’s personality would have such extreme duality. Could it really be, as Mo Sigui said, that Mei Jiu… was ill?

Mei Jiu was Mei Ruyan’s only connection to the Mei family. Even she herself had not realized that she actually cared about Mei Jiu a little. Regardless of feelings, Mei Jiu’s presence at least made her feel at ease staying in this house, so she was afraid something might happen to Mei Jiu.

“Sister, do not worry,” Mei Ruyan comforted, but also tentatively. “Sister’s fighting skills are good; even if Eldest Mei seeks revenge, what can he do?”

Tears suddenly streamed down Mei Jiu’s face, her vision blurred, and she tripped over a stone, her whole body swaying as she collapsed to the ground.

Mei Ruyan was startled and quickly grabbed her. “Sister, are you feeling unwell?”

Mei Jiu did not answer, only cried.

Seeing that she still had the strength to cry, Mei Ruyan was slightly relieved. She squatted down, her back to Mei Jiu, and said, “Let me carry you down the mountain.”

Mei Jiu stared at her back, An Jiu’s words echoing in her ears. Her tears flowed even more profusely. “Ah Shun, am I really so useless?”

Mei Ruyan’s body stiffened slightly. It had only been a short while, yet the name “Ah Shun” felt like a distant memory. Hearing it now stirred up memories of that tragic experience.

“Why do you say that, Sister?” Mei Ruyan composed herself and turned to look at her. “Sister is extremely beautiful, well-read, and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Many young men will surely vie to marry you. This morning at school, you could recite with everyone, but I could not even read properly. If you are incompetent, Sister, would I not be a useless piece of trash?”

Mei Jiu looked up and saw a slight smile in Mei Ruyan’s phoenix eyes. She heard her say, “No one is born knowing how to do things. If we do not know how, we learn.”

It seemed An Jiu had said something similar before.

Whether in appearance, knowledge, or background, Mei Jiu was superior to Mei Ruyan. An Jiu, however, seemed never to have looked down on Mei Ruyan. After hearing those cruel words today, she realized the difference between herself and Mei Ruyan. “I am timid and cowardly.”

“Even sages say that knowing shame is close to courage. Sister is not timid at all!” Mei Jiu turned back again, patting her shoulder. “Sister, come on up quickly. Are we not going to pay our respects to the elder?”

Mei Jiu then remembered that Elder Zhi had told her to come find him after class. She was too tired to walk any further, so she did not want to force herself and delay things, and asked Mei Ruyan to carry her.

“Besides, the way you scared Eldest Mei today, sister, I am so envious!” Mei Ruyan sighed as she carefully descended the mountain. “If that’s considered timid and cowardly, what is considered courageous and strong?”

That was not me…

Mei Jiu thought to herself.

And no matter what, Mei Jiu would never become that kind of person. In her eyes, An Jiu was a complete madwoman, so indifferent to life, so extreme and reckless.

Yet, this seemingly madwoman loved herding sheep and harbored such peaceful and beautiful dreams. Mei Jiu felt that An Jiu was actually a pitiful person. Her ruthlessness stemmed from her experiences; deep down, she was still an innocent soul.

Recalling the terrifying scenes in her dream, Mei Jiu shuddered and silently called out, “An Jiu.”

“Do not speak! There’s nothing to say to someone you hate!” An Jiu sensed the change in Mei Jiu’s heart and immediately interrupted her sharply. She did not need anyone’s pity, especially not the pity of a spineless coward!

After walking for a while, Mei Jiu said, “You must be tired. I can walk by myself.”

“Sister, are you sure you can manage?” Mei Ruyan was a little out of breath. She was not a delicate young lady who could not lift a finger, but she had been pampered for several years, and today she had already expended so much energy. Carrying Mei Jiu was truly difficult.

“Yes, I can manage,” Mei Jiu said.

Mei Ruyan put her down, and the two of them helped each other down the mountain.

An Jiu was displeased. She had painstakingly made Mei Jiu feel discouraged, only to have her confidence restored with just a few words.

Having reached the halfway point, she encountered Yao-Ye and Dan-Yue, who were helping their respective masters back to their lodgings.

Mei Jiu quickly washed up, ate a small dinner, and then had Yao-Ye lead her to Elder Zhi’s residence.

Elder Zhi lived in Yongzhi Hall, located on the west side of Meihua Lane. Yongzhi Hall was a two-courtyard complex. Upon entering, there was a large shooting range, large enough for mounted archery. Entering through the second gate, there was another shooting range, albeit much smaller.

Elder Zhi, dressed in simple everyday clothes with wide sleeves tied with a cloth belt, stood under the eaves, bow in hand, aiming at the bullseye ten zhang away.

Mei Jiu dared not disturb him and stood quietly to the side, waiting.

Half a cup of tea passed, and he remained motionless, like a statue.

An Jiu stared at Elder Zhi’s fingers for a long time, inwardly marveling. Most people’s hands and feet begin to falter with age, yet Elder Zhi had remained perfectly still for so long—truly remarkable. However, for her, accuracy had nothing to do with the length of time one could maintain stillness; it was about being able to stabilize oneself at the very moment the arrow was released and accurately grasp all surrounding influences.

Elder Zhi released his grip, and the arrow shot out with a whoosh, hitting the bullseye.

He placed the bow on a high table beside him and said to Mei Jiu, “Come here.”

Mei Jiu walked forward, her legs aching.

“Try this bow.” Elder Zhi did not treat Mei Jiu as a clueless student.

Mei Jiu picked up the bow as instructed, urgently calling out to An Jiu in her mind, “Come out quickly!”

No one responded.

No matter what Mei Jiu said afterward, An Jiu did not give any response. She was determined to frustrate Mei Jiu and erase her pitiful confidence.

“Why are you not moving?” Elder Zhi chuckled. “This bow was specially made for you; it’s quite fine. What, you still do not like it?”

“No, no.” Unable to get her help, Mei Jiu decided to try herself. Remembering Elder Zhi’s earlier movements, she tried to imitate him.

It was a simple movement, but while the layman saw the spectacle, the expert saw the technique. As soon as she took the stance, Elder Zhi frowned, but he did not interrupt, thinking that Mei Jiu might just have talent but had not truly learned.

However, after only drawing the bow a little, Mei Jiu trembled uncontrollably, causing Elder Zhi’s brow to furrow even more.

Mei Jiu was in agony. She had not expected that this bow, which felt so light, would be so difficult to draw, no matter how hard she tried.

After watching for a long time, Elder Zhi finally could not bear it any longer. He suddenly appeared in front of her, grabbed the bow and arrow, and stared at her with a frosty expression.

The stern look on Elder Zhi’s face made Mei Jiu instinctively shrink back.

“Who are you?” Elder Zhi’s hoarse voice carried a terrifying sense of oppression. “Your gaze is timid, and your movements are hesitant. You are not the person in the ancestral hall that day! Speak! Who are you?”