Chapter 200: Causing Trouble

Lu Bai hadn’t known how to get out of his predicament, but Yu Daoxuan’s appearance gave him a glimmer of hope.

He hesitated for a moment before asking tentatively, "Daoist Yu, Daoist Yun Luo. I’ve offended a powerful figure in Jingzhou City. If we have a complete falling out, I’ll probably be hunted down by the Wu Dynasty. Is there any chance I could hide out here?"

"No."

Yu Daoxuan’s tone was placid as she refused him outright.

"Uh..."

Lu Bai’s face flushed slightly, and he sighed inwardly.

’He really hadn’t thought this through.’

’He’d caused trouble outside and was now trying to hide in someone else’s home. They weren’t family or friends; why should they get involved and invite such a pointless disaster upon themselves?’

Yun Luo made a face, as if to say she was sorry but couldn’t help.

Then, she explained, "Brother Lu, the Four Seas Pavilion has always remained neutral and doesn’t get involved in the struggles between various powers. If you’re a fugitive of the Wu Country, the Four Seas Pavilion can’t officially intervene."

An idea struck Lu Bai. He looked at Shi Kai beside him and asked, "This boy isn’t wanted by the Wu Dynasty, and no one else knows his identity. Could he stay here for a while?

As soon as I’m settled, I’ll find a way to come get him. I won’t trouble you two for long."

After a brief pause, Lu Bai took a Storage Pouch from his robes and placed it in front of Yu Daoxuan. "Here are one hundred and eight Five Emperors Coins I’ve collected," he said. "There are also five Mother Coins inside. Please accept this as payment for Shi Kai’s temporary stay. What do you think?"

’He really didn’t have anything else of value on him.’

’The only thing worth offering was the Five Emperors Coins.’

Yu Daoxuan remained impassive and noncommittal.

Lu Bai started winking frantically at Yun Luo.

Yun Luo suppressed a smile, gently tugging on Yu Daoxuan’s sleeve. "Auntie," she said, "I’m all alone here. I could really use someone to play with. Why don’t we let him stay?

Otherwise, I’ll just have to come and pester you every day, and you’ll never get any peace. If he’s here, we won’t bother you at all!"

Yu Daoxuan nodded.

Lu Bai breathed a sigh of relief. He prompted Shi Kai in a low voice, "Quick, thank the two Daoists."

"Thank you, Daoists."

Shi Kai bowed to Yu Daoxuan and Yun Luo, then turned and bowed to Lu Bai. "Thank you, Benefactor."

"Benefactor?"

Hearing this form of address, a flash of surprise crossed Yun Luo’s eyes. "Shi Kai, what’s this all about?" she asked curiously. "Tell me."

The thought of his father’s death, and how he now had no family left, made Shi Kai’s eyes well up.

Lu Bai couldn’t bear to see the boy’s grief and quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right, there’s one more thing, Daoist Yu, Daoist Yun Luo. The boy has had a hard life and isn’t used to the kind of food cultivators eat. My mother happens to be in the city. Perhaps I could bring her here to cook something for him..."

As he spoke, Lu Bai felt a little nervous and secretly watched Yu Daoxuan’s expression.

’The food was, of course, just an excuse. The real reason was to bring his mother here to hide with them, lest the people from Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion find her.’

Yun Luo was a little confused. "You can buy all kinds of food in the city," she said. "There’s no need to go to all that trouble, is there?"

"It’s no trouble at all."

Lu Bai quickly waved his hands. "Daoist Yun Luo, you’ve always been here at the Four Seas Pavilion, eating things like Immortal Bird Spirit Rice. I bet you’ve never had a real home-cooked meal.

My mom is an amazing cook. The only reason I grew up so strong is because of her cooking! Let her come make something for you. You have to try it."

"Really?"

Yun Luo was, after all, only four or five years old, and her curiosity was piqued once again.

"Mhm."

Seeing that Yu Daoxuan hadn’t refused, Lu Bai thought, ’I’ve got a shot!’ He then said, "I’ll go get my mother right away. I’m sorry to trouble you both during this time.

As soon as I’ve dealt with my business, I’ll be back for them."

Yun Luo blinked. "Brother Lu, what are you going to do?"

"Stir up some trouble."

Lu Bai said simply, then hurried away.

He went straight back to the Evil Extermination Bureau, collected his mother, and brought her, Ah Ming, and Black Dog back to Willow Shade Courtyard.

On the way, Lu Bai gave his mother a brief explanation.

Afraid of frightening her, he only said that she would be staying there for a little while to look after two children.

When they arrived at Willow Shade Courtyard, his mother froze for a moment upon seeing Yu Daoxuan. She whispered, "Ah Bai, that young woman looks like a celestial maiden descended from Heaven. How can anyone be so beautiful?"

’Leave it to Mom to know just what to say.’

Lu Bai made the introduction. "Mom, that’s Daoist Yu. She’s helped me many times."

Yu Daoxuan, who had been meditating with her eyes closed, opened them upon hearing his mother’s words. She looked their way and gave a slight nod in greeting.

"Mom, that boy is Shi Kai, and that’s Daoist Yun Luo."

Lu Bai pointed toward Shi Kai.

Seeing Lu Bai and his mother, Shi Kai hurried over, knelt before her, and kowtowed. "Greetings, Grandma," he said.

"Oh, my!"

Hearing him call her "Grandma" instantly softened his mother’s heart, and she was filled with pity.

She had already noticed how pale and thin the boy was, a truly pitiful sight. Then she remembered Lu Bai telling her he was an orphan whose father had just passed away.

"Good boy, get up, quickly."

His mother hurried forward and gently caressed Shi Kai’s small face, her own filled with heartache. "Look how thin you are," she said. "You must be hungry. Grandma will make you something to eat."

It had been a long time since Shi Kai had felt such familial warmth and care.

He and his father had been on the run, living in constant peril, never knowing where their next meal would come from.

Shi Tianlei had been a rough man and would never have said such things to Shi Kai.

At his mother’s simple words, the tears in Shi Kai’s eyes began to stream down his face.

Lu Bai said, "I’ll go buy some meat, vegetables, and a stove."

"No need. There’s one out back."

Yun Luo smiled and pointed toward the rear courtyard.

Lu Bai was taken aback.

’So Willow Shade Courtyard had things like that. It would save him some trouble.’

After moving to Liuxi Town, Lu Bai’s family had become well-off, and his mother rarely had to cook herself anymore, but her skills hadn’t grown rusty.

Before long, she had prepared a large table of aromatic dishes that would make anyone’s mouth water.

They were all simple, home-cooked dishes, not exotic delicacies.

Yu Daoxuan only took a few small bites before setting down her bowl and chopsticks.

Yun Luo, who had never eaten anything like it, couldn’t stop eating. Her cheeks puffed out, making her look just like the little squirrel on her shoulder with its cheeks full of pine nuts.

Shi Kai was obviously starving, yet he ate very slowly, tears streaming down his face the entire time.

Lu Bai usually had a hearty appetite, but today he only ate a little before leaving early.

With Shi Kai safe here, Lu Bai took back the Mountain Demon Hat and tucked it into his robes.

Lu Bai found Yu Daoxuan and bowed deeply. "Daoist Yu, my apologies. I’ll have to impose on you for a few days. Ah Mo will stay here for now. I’ll be back as soon as I can."

Yu Daoxuan didn’t ask any questions, nor did she seem to care.

Black Dog, however, was extremely reluctant to let him go and stayed right by Lu Bai’s side.

"Be good. I’ll come back for you."

Lu Bai knelt and gently stroked Ah Mo’s head.

Then, Lu Bai took one last, long look at his mother and Shi Kai. A flash of grim resolve appeared in his eyes as he called out to Ah Ming and turned to leave.

With his mother and Shi Kai settled safely, he no longer had anything holding him back!