Chapter Four: Love Arises Without Reason

Chapter Four: The Tender Affection of Youth, Arising Unbidden and Fading Unseen

In the bustling heart of the city, the crowds surged ceaselessly to and fro. Today, in the city of Lishui, the centennial selection tournament of the Wanbao Palace was underway—a grand event where the young and talented displayed their gifts. There were arenas for martial contests, zones for music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as competitions to identify spiritual herbs, medicinal pills, and even tests of alchemy. Only those under six hundred years of age could participate. The most outstanding among them would be richly rewarded and granted special privileges.

This was a unique tradition among the palatial domains of the Lujiashan Star Region: every century, each palace assessed and selected rising talent in this way. The most gifted were recorded in the archives of the Calligraphy Sage Palace, the region’s central repository of knowledge and information. Those who excelled could choose to enter any of the Twelve Palaces, which themselves were divided into the Outer Palace, the Inner Palace, and the Core.

Every hundred years, one of the Twelve Palaces would host the selection; after a full cycle of twelve centuries, this year’s honor fell to the Wanbao Palace.

Those admitted to the Twelve Palaces received monthly points, which could be exchanged for precious treasures. Each youth in the Outer Palace earned thirty points per month, while those in the Inner Palace received sixty. Core members of the Inner Palace enjoyed a hundred points monthly. In addition to the monthly stipend, points could be earned by completing various tasks. These points were valid only within the Twelve Palaces of Lujiashan, with each point equivalent to one Silver Soul Coin—a currency of moderate value. Yet, the Core of the Inner Palace was limited to just three hundred members, by decree of the Divine Herbalist.

To enter the Core, one first had to become a member of the Inner Palace, then challenge an existing Core member. The rules were strict: the challenged could not refuse; refusal meant defeat, and defeat meant expulsion from the Core. The same held true for advancement from the Outer to the Inner Palace. Though harsh, this rule of survival of the fittest spurred the youth to strive ever higher.

When Li Hao and Lu Yao arrived in Lishui City atop a radiant, seven-colored Cloud Eagle, the streets were already teeming with people. Ninety percent of the youths had journeyed from the other eleven palaces, some accompanied by guardians for protection.

Inns, restaurants, and teahouses bustled with activity as proprietors and staff scrambled to accommodate the influx of guests—eating, drinking, lodging, and entertainment—all run off their feet. Yet their hearts brimmed with satisfaction, for such opportunities came but once every millennium or so, and the profits of these few months could equal two or three centuries of ordinary business.

The owners were raking in fortunes and, in rare generosity, granted their assistants a modest raise, which the latter accepted with delight, working with gusto and camaraderie. Every vendor, from roadside stalls to general stores, enjoyed bounteous takings, each eager to promote their wares to the newcomers.

Lu Yao skipped through the city, lively as a sparrow, her curiosity boundless as she dragged her elder brother Li Hao from one street to another, marveling at all she saw. Now and then, boys of fifteen or sixteen approached to greet her; though none knew her, her elegant attire betrayed her as a young lady of noble birth, and her striking beauty, like that of a blossoming girl of thirteen or fourteen, drew their admiration. Jealous glances fell upon Li Hao, who endured these bold approaches to his 'sister' with growing irritation, unable to explain the discomfort in his heart.

Such are the first stirrings of youthful affection, arising unbidden. Yet Lu Yao showed only polite indifference to these well-bred sons, choosing instead to cling to Li Hao, chatting with him, wandering from place to place. Seeing her ignore the importunate boys, Li Hao felt a wave of relief. To strangers, the pair might have seemed brother and sister, so close was their bond.

After a time, they paused before a general store displaying a variety of masks.

"Shopkeeper, I’ll take two masks," Li Hao said.

"Certainly, two masks for ten Copper Soul Coins."

Copper Soul Coins were the standard currency for everyday transactions, followed by Silver Soul Coins and then Gold Soul Coins. One hundred copper coins equaled one silver, and a hundred silver equaled one gold.

Annoyed by the attention, Li Hao purchased two exquisite masks, one for each of them. The masks proved effective; with faces concealed, the bothersome boys melted away, leaving Lu Yao in peace.

At another shop, Li Hao noticed Lu Yao gazing longingly at a delicate sachet, her bright eyes alight with wonder.

"Shopkeeper, how much for that sachet?" Lu Yao inquired.

“Sixty Copper Soul Coins, young lady. This sachet is crafted from the finest materials, and it would suit someone as lovely as you perfectly. You won’t find a better price elsewhere,” the proprietress enthused, convinced by Lu Yao’s finery that she was a wealthy heiress and eager to make a tidy profit.

Lu Yao hesitated, then declined. "Li Hao, let’s look elsewhere and come back later," she said, taking his arm.

The shopkeeper, fearing she’d lost a sale over the price, called after her, “Young lady, I’ll give you a special price—fifty-five copper coins, how about it?” Still, Lu Yao did not turn. “Fifty!” she cried. No response. “Forty!” Lu Yao kept walking. “Thirty! That’s as low as I can go!”

But Lu Yao merely held on to Li Hao and continued ahead. In truth, she had not brought any coins with her that day, and was too embarrassed to ask Li Hao to pay for her—she didn’t want to seem presumptuous. She resolved to return the next day, better prepared.

Unwittingly, the shopkeeper had talked herself down by half.

As they rounded a corner, Li Hao said, “Yao’er, wait here for me a moment.”

He intended to buy the sachet and surprise Lu Yao. She nodded obediently and waited while Li Hao dashed back to the shop. “Shopkeeper, I’ll take the sachet,” he announced.

“Certainly, sixty copper coins,” the woman replied.

Li Hao was taken aback. Hadn’t she just offered it for thirty? The mask he wore prevented her from recognizing him as Lu Yao’s companion.

“Didn’t you just offer it for thirty?” he protested.

Realization dawned on the shopkeeper, but she showed no embarrassment. “Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue! Thirty copper coins it is, young man. Give it to your sweetheart—she’s sure to love it.”

Li Hao blushed furiously, understanding her implication. The shopkeeper, sharp-eyed and quick-witted, teased him with a musical laugh: “No need to be shy! Let me tell you a truth, learned over centuries: When it comes to girls, boldness wins the day, and timidity gets you nowhere. You’re buying my sachet, so I’ll share a little wisdom. If you come again, I’ll teach you even more!”

Her laughter rang like silver bells. Li Hao, mortified, stuffed the sachet into his pocket and beat a hasty retreat. In his heart, he knew Lu Yao regarded him only as an older brother, and besides, they were still so young.

A few minutes later, Li Hao rejoined Lu Yao, who noticed the blush on his face.

“Li Hao, what’s wrong? Your face is so red—are you coming down with something?” she asked with concern, rising on tiptoe to place a delicate hand on his forehead. “Oh, you do feel warm. Let’s go home and have Grandpa take a look at you.”

Remembering the shopkeeper’s teasing, Li Hao felt his heart race, his face burning even hotter. He avoided her gaze, hastily changing the subject: “It’s nothing, Yao’er. I probably just got overheated from rushing around. I’ll be fine in a bit.”

Lu Yao fixed her peach blossom eyes on him, half dubious. “Really?”

Li Hao nodded quickly. “Really, I promise. I’d never lie to you.”

But even as he spoke, he felt awkward and conspicuous, as if betraying himself. “Let’s go see what else there is, Yao’er.”

At the mention of exploring, Lu Yao perked up, and off they went once more. As they walked, she said, “Li Hao, have you heard? The festival in Lishui this year is a talent selection for the young. In three days, when everyone has arrived, registration will begin. I heard that the top contestants will receive rich rewards and privileges!”

By now, nearly all aspiring youths had reached Lishui, with the delay meant to accommodate those delayed by special circumstances. To ensure fairness and thoroughness, each festival took several days to prepare.

Each participant could enter multiple contests or focus on their strengths. Every year, prodigies emerged, for as the saying goes: a true gem shines anywhere, while rubbish is despised no matter how high its perch.

Li Hao, ever astute, asked, “Do you want to enter, Yao’er?”

“No,” she replied, “I want us to enter together.”

Li Hao hesitated. “Shouldn’t we ask Uncle Lu Feng and Aunt Qin if they’d agree?”

“Don’t worry, Li Hao. We’re not doing anything wrong. If we do well, we might even surprise Father and Mother—they’ll be so proud of us.”

Li Hao could not resist her plea and agreed. “Alright, in three days we’ll register. Should we tell Uncle Lu Feng and Aunt Qin?”

Lu Yao grinned mischievously. “No need! If we tell them and don’t do well, it’ll be embarrassing. Let’s wait until we have our results—then we can decide whether to tell them and Grandpa.”

Li Hao found her reasoning sound, and their minds were quickly made up. They resolved to wander the city another hour before returning home—they had snuck out, after all, and Li Hao was afraid Lu Yao would be scolded if they returned too late.

Both had begun lessons at home from the age of three or four, with a rigorous daily regimen. Tonight, as every night, they would have to summarize what they had learned before bed—a nightly ritual that could not be neglected.