Sunset Glow Cave

As expected, after they knocked on the door, a servant opened it, and upon hearing they had no token of introduction, assumed they were simply there to freeload. With a loud bang, the main gate was shut again. Squatting in front of the stone lion outside the gate, Zhang Ling kept casting him disdainful looks while Song Linjie laughed awkwardly. After waiting a good while, the two of them decided to find an inn. Just then, a carriage pulled up before the Yu residence, and from it descended a young man and woman, both dressed in finery. The man was unremarkable in appearance, yet carried the bearing of a scion from a great clan; the woman’s features were delicate, her modest beauty well-concealed, giving her the air of a refined young lady.

Song Linjie observed the two as they alighted and, beaming, went forward to greet them warmly, calling, “Brother Yu, Sister Yu!”

The young pair regarded Song Linjie, and the man answered tentatively, “Song Linjie?”

Song Linjie quickly nodded and explained how he had lost his letter of introduction. Fortunately, this Young Master Yu had a good memory and recognized his old friend despite the years apart. Then, the eldest son of the Yu family glanced at Zhang Ling and asked, “And who is this?”

Zhang Ling introduced himself and learned the man was Yu Lianwu, the woman Yu Wanqing—siblings. Zhang Ling saluted politely and looked to the young lady, who happened to glance at him as well. The two exchanged a courteous nod and smile.

Yu Lianwu invited them inside, suggesting they continue their conversation within. As they walked, Song Linjie and Yu Lianwu strode ahead, two young men chatting incessantly about ordinary things. Zhang Ling and the lady fell behind. Yu Wanqing was reserved and kept silent, making things a little awkward for Zhang Ling. He finally spoke softly, “I hope you’ll forgive us for coming uninvited, Miss Yu.”

The lady replied with equal courtesy, “No matter. Since you are Linjie’s friend, I’m sure my father will welcome you.”

Zhang Ling asked no more, and she too remained quiet, maintaining a respectful distance. After a few questions, Zhang Ling fell silent until a middle-aged man appeared before them. Though advanced in years, he possessed a commanding presence and bore a resemblance to Yu Lianwu—this was undoubtedly Commandant Yu Chang.

The young lady stepped forward with her brother and saluted. When they stepped aside, Song Linjie called out cheerfully, “Uncle Yu!”

Yu Chang nodded and, stepping before Song Linjie, patted his shoulder with both hands and laughed, “You’ve grown so much these years, I nearly didn’t recognize you! By rights, since it’s been so long, you ought to have brought a letter with you?”

Song Linjie replied awkwardly, “I… I lost it.”

Yu Chang was not angry, only laughing as he scolded, “Still as rash and careless as ever—how will you ever manage the Song family?”

Yu Chang then glanced over and saw Zhang Ling, who saluted calmly, “I am Zhang Ling. I came with Song Linjie to take the academy examination, and apologize for this abrupt visit.”

Yu Chang frowned, studied Zhang Ling carefully, and asked in a low voice, “Have we met before? Or perhaps I knew your parents?”

Zhang Ling answered evenly, “I don’t believe so. My parents passed away when I was an infant—I was raised by an uncle.”

Yu Chang asked no further, but ordered a steward to show them to the guest quarters. As Zhang Ling walked away, Yu Chang’s gaze lingered on him, thoughtful and distracted, until Yu Lianwu reminded him. Yu Chang said quietly, “He reminds me very much of someone.”

As Zhang Ling followed the steward through the residence, he observed his surroundings with a practiced eye. Rounding a rockery, he saw a waterside pavilion, with a row of lush green bamboo growing along the stone path—deep and tranquil, a charming little scene. Turning again, he glimpsed the Yu household’s study, and to the west, a row of guest rooms along a covered corridor, always kept spotless by daily cleaning—a practice common among the great families of the capital, ensuring guests were left with an impression of hospitality. With a glance here and there, Zhang Ling could sketch the layout of the Yu residence in his mind.

He was not one for demanding much. Since leaving the Luochuan district, he had grown used to sleeping under the sky, the earth for his bed—a common enough thing. In fact, he often preferred sleeping outdoors, so long as he had a little insect repellent. After mastering some martial skills, Zhang Jingqian had also taught him a method for breathing and cultivating inner energy, which Zhang Ling practiced constantly. Not only did it calm his mind, but he could feel his internal strength steadily growing. Though not a miraculous art, it was certainly beneficial.

After settling in, Zhang Ling continued to regulate his breathing. Zhang Jingqian had once told him that after long journeys, when a person traveled far from home, their energy would subtly shift. This, he said, explained why some people felt unwell in new places—water and soil did not suit them—while others simply suffered poor appetite, low spirits, and gradual weight loss, mistaking it for illness, when in truth it was only a matter of internal adjustment.

Once his breath was steady, Zhang Ling took his sword to a quiet courtyard to practice. In such a serene environment, martial training was itself a form of self-cultivation. No wonder so many officials, after retiring, chose the peace of mountain and field. Of course, this was not a life many could afford—most people were too busy with daily survival to stroll gardens or compose poetry.

After his practice, Zhang Ling, drenched in sweat, asked for a bucket of hot water to wash away both dust and fatigue. There is a saying: nothing is more satisfying than a comfortable body, except perhaps a light heart; and when both body and spirit are at ease, that is true contentment.

As night fell, Yu Chang invited the two of them to join him for supper. At the table, besides Yu Chang and his children, there was an elderly man named Gu Pinghou. He had fought alongside the Commandant on the battlefield and, though much older, was Yu Chang’s sworn friend, bound by life and death. After retiring from the military, he had lived with Yu Chang ever since, having once saved his life. For this reason, the siblings respected the old man deeply, though in their absence, the servants often looked down on this “useless eater.”

During the meal, after chatting with his nephew, Yu Chang turned to ask Zhang Ling about his family, his parents’ names. Since entering the capital, Zhang Ling had been extremely cautious, so the names he gave were ones he had made up on the spot. Yu Chang even inquired about a jade pendant, to which Zhang Ling replied he had none. After that, Yu Chang sighed softly, and the old man seemed a little disappointed as well.

After dinner, Yu Chang took the young men for a stroll in the garden. “There’s still a month before the academy examinations,” he said. “I’ve gathered some secret manuals—just some ordinary martial arts, of course, not as fine as your Song family’s techniques. But perhaps you’ll find them useful. I’ve also included some of my own battlefield experiences. Don’t laugh at your uncle, Linjie!”

Song Linjie grinned, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Yu Chang turned to Zhang Ling. “Zhang Ling, you’re welcome to study them as well.”

Zhang Ling nodded. “Thank you.”

He then asked, “Commandant Yu, do you know of the Falling Sunset Cave?”