Chapter 69.4: Walking the Shade

Li Zhuiyuan merely smiled. To him, these really were just basic exercises—a review of concepts he’d once skipped over during more advanced leaps.

“Well, it’s only because the times have changed. Back in the day, once you grew up, you'd have become one of those people who could summon the wind and call the rain.”

“Old man, was the Liu family powerful in the past?”

Now that the lessons were over, Li Zhuiyuan didn’t mind chatting, especially about the Liu family’s history.

“Oh, listen to you. There was a saying on the river back in the day—‘Fleeting dynasties, ironclad Canal Guild.’

Most of the famous Canal Guild bosses in history were just minor river gods, like the Lords of the Liu family, propped up as figureheads.

Back then, the only family that could match the Liu family in reputation was the Qin family.

These kinds of grand families never concerned themselves with the trivial matters above the water. Their focus was always on what lay beneath—and that’s where their real power was.”

“You sure know a lot, old man.”

“Ha! Folks come here from all over. I liked making friends in my younger years, loved to sit and tell stories.

Sun’s about to rise. You should get some rest. Honestly, I’m about spent too, haha.”

“Mm.” Li Zhuiyuan nodded. “Just two customers tonight?”

“Yes, just two.”

The first arrived when they opened; the second came midway through, when the professor entered.

“But... the second customer didn’t pay.”

“Huh?” The old man blinked. He remembered the boy had his eyes closed, deep in thought—he hadn’t expected him to notice that. He quickly explained, “The deal didn’t go through, so of course, there was no payment.”

“It didn’t go through? But right after the second guest left, your face looked terrible.”

“I was just exhausted. Really. I haven’t worked that hard in a long time.”

“But you said it was all just the basics. Even if you demonstrated the first nine techniques, it was a walk in the park.

So, old man, were you really just tired—or did the second guest take a huge piece of your lifespan?”

“You’re joking, haha…”

“I do physiognomy. Your time is almost up.”

“You…”

“Hard to talk about?”

“It’s embarrassing, that’s what it is.”

The old man lowered his head and rubbed his face, half from shame, half from fear. This boy—he’d clearly figured it out long ago but had waited until after the twelve techniques were fully taught to bring it up.

Such patience. Such temperament. It was terrifying.

“Then… let’s not talk about it.”

Li Zhuiyuan raised his hand, ready to snap his fingers and exit the shade-walking state. It had taken a long time tonight—he figured he’d sleep until noon. Good thing it wouldn’t delay the afternoon ferry.

“No, I should tell you. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll find out later anyway.”

“I’ll find out?”

“My son is dead.”

“Yinmeng said her parents divorced, and her dad went to work down south. Never heard from him again.”

“I thought the same. I figured the divorce broke him, that he left for the south alone, abandoning his daughter and this family.”

“And the truth?”

“He died.”

“Died?”

“He refused the divorce. That woman and the man she later married killed him. His body was dumped at the bottom of West Bay.”

“Then how did they get divorced?”

“We’re from a small place. Things are stricter now, but back then, a wedding meant throwing a banquet—no need for legal paperwork. If a certificate was needed, they’d register later.

Divorce was even simpler. Just go back to your own homes—done.

He left a note, said he was useless, couldn’t even keep his wife, had no face to stay home, and was going to the south to find his worth. Don’t miss him.

But he was already dead. The note was forged.”

“You never suspected?”

“I was stupid. I really didn’t.”

“Who told you?”

“He did. He came home last month during the temple fair and told me himself.

They were building a bridge at West Bay, dug up his body while laying the foundation. Too long had passed—nothing the police could investigate.

I was furious. So I decided…”

“I’m tired. My head hurts.”

“Huh?”

“No more talking. I’m sleeping.”

When he woke up, it was indeed noon.

Li Zhuiyuan climbed out of the coffin. Runsheng was wiping down the counter with a rag.

Seeing Xiaoyuan awake, he went into the inner room and roused the still-snoozing Tan Wenbin.

“Man, you can really sleep,” Yinmeng said with a laugh.

“Mm,” Li Zhuiyuan responded.

Tan Wenbin came out rubbing his eyes, and in the middle of the day blurted, “Yinmeng, your grandpa’s not dead!”

“Of course not. I never said he was. He just had a stroke and hasn’t woken up since.”

“Really? You didn’t say that yesterday?” Tan Wenbin tried to recall.

Li Zhuiyuan said, “She didn’t.”

But everything she said and implied yesterday—it did sound like her grandpa was already dead. And to be fair, it wasn’t far off.

Tan Wenbin quickly smiled sheepishly and apologized. “Ah, sorry about that. I misunderstood, haha.”

Yinmeng said, “Want lunch? I’ll cook.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Let’s eat out instead.”

That pig trotter from last night still left a shadow in his mind.

Just then, two boys came running into the shop from outside. They looked only a couple years older than Li Zhuiyuan, red-eyed and out of breath.

“Jie! Jie!”

“Sis!”

The two boys shouted for Yinmeng as soon as they entered.

“Who are they?” Tan Wenbin asked.

“My mom’s sons from later on.”

“They seem to get along with you?”

“Yeah. When they come to town, I buy them snacks and give them some pocket money.”

Tan Wenbin said, “You’re kind of a good person, huh.”

“Am I?”

“So good it’s like your brain’s gone soft.”

At that moment, the two boys ran over and hugged Yinmeng, sobbing:

“Wuwuwu, Sis—it’s terrible! Mom and Dad fell into the pond this morning! They drowned!”

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