Chapter 20: The Shang Family

Reality proved that a creature capable of speech was not necessarily a demonic beast; it could easily be a parrot.

"What kind of demonic bird is this!"

Furious, Lu Yang manifested an invisible pull from his palm, snatching the parrot out of the air before it even had a chance to react.

The village chief could have done the same, but assuming the creature was some manner of demonic beast from the Qi Condensation or Foundation Establishment stage, he had lacked the courage to try.

"Demonic beast! There is a demonic beast!" the parrot screeched incessantly.

Hearing the commotion from the room, Tao Yaoye rushed over to investigate, her mood sinking into a state much like Lu Yang's.

Completing the mission was good fortune, and avoiding a fight was equally welcome, but the stark problem remained—had they really traveled all this way from the Sect of Seeking the Dao, enduring three days aboard a flying vessel, just to capture a common parrot?

How could they possibly write this into their mission report without becoming the laughingstock of the sect?

The folk of Taiping Village were of limited horizon, unfamiliar with this species of bird native to the deep rainforests, but Lu Yang and Tao Yaoye recognized it instantly, for such knowledge was rudimentary within their sect.

"As expected of Daoist masters, capturing the demonic bird with such effortless grace!" Upon learning the parrot had been subdued, the village chief and the onlookers showered Lu Yang with praise, extolling his profound cultivation.

Helpless against the flattery, the two patiently explained to the crowd that this was merely an ordinary bird, though rare in the northern reaches of the continent.

"This parrot... or the demonic bird, as you call it, is simply adept at mimicking human speech."

"Mimicking human speech, mimicking human speech," the parrot squawked repeatedly by his side, until Lu Yang pinched its beak shut and continued his explanation.

"When it cried out that Zhang Guanjia was a monster, it did not do so out of its own volition. It had merely heard Feng the tailor shout 'monster' beforehand and learned the word, repeating it by pure coincidence when it crossed paths with Zhang Guanjia."

Zhang Guanjia breathed a heavy sigh of relief; the disciples of the Sect of Seeking the Dao were indeed extraordinary, clearing his name the moment they arrived.

"By the same token, its cry of 'Who are you, and where is Zhang Guanjia?' follows the identical logic. It cannot comprehend the meaning of the words; it simply heard them somewhere and repeated them without intent."

"Damn this wretched bird, I have a mind to slaughter it," Zhang Guanjia muttered, glaring at the parrot with lingering resentment.

Lu Yang raised a hand to stay him. "This place is separated from the rainforest by half the continent. This bird could never have flown here on its own; someone must have brought it."

"Setting aside the unlikely chance that someone with too much leisure spent the effort to cross half the continent for a bird that offers nothing but novelty, only the Goldflow Merchant Guild would purposefully engage in such trade."

"Is there a branch of the Goldflow Merchant Guild in this vicinity?"

The village chief shook his head. "The guild would never establish a shop in a destitute place like our village. However, there is one within Quhe County, situated in the most prosperous district, bustling with activity. It is quite possible someone bought it from the guild, and the parrot subsequently escaped."

As for the notion of the parrot escaping directly from the secure confines of the Goldflow Merchant Guild, that was utterly impossible.

Lu Yang inquired further, "This bird has lingered around Taiping Village for twenty days without straying elsewhere. Its master might well reside here. Does the village chief have anyone in mind?"

The village chief pondered for a long while before speaking. "Everyone in this village knows of the demonic bird. If there is anyone who might still be ignorant of it, it would be the Shang family to the east."

"The Shangs rarely venture out and disassociate from the public. I hear it is because the Master of the Shang family was once a cultivator who suffered a devastating setback in his youth, causing his cultivation to plummet. Since then, he lost his heart for the path and chose to live here in seclusion."

"The Shang family possesses considerable wealth, making them the richest household in the area. If they were the ones to purchase the demonic bird from the Goldflow Merchant Guild, it would certainly stand to reason."

"If that is the case, let us pay the Shang family a visit."

Taiping Village was small, and the three people along with the bird soon arrived before the gates of the Shang estate.

Following a succession of knocks, the door was promptly opened by a middle-aged man adorned with a mustache, whose scholar's robes lent him a refined appearance.

"Ah, it is the village chief. May I ask who these two are, so that I may report to the master?" the mustachioed man inquired.

Lu Yang held the parrot by its wings, looking very much like a guest carrying a rooster slated for slaughter during New Year visits. "We happened to find this parrot by chance. After inquiring around, we suspect it might belong to the Shang house, so we came to ask."

The mustachioed man first cast his gaze upon Tao Yaoye, a look of astonishment passing over his features, for he had never beheld a woman of such ethereal beauty.

He then looked at the green parrot, his face brightening into a joyful smile. "So that is how it is. My profound thanks to you two young heroes. This should indeed be the parrot belonging to our young mistress. Ever since it went missing, she has been melancholy all day, making things quite difficult for us servants."

"If the young mistress learns her parrot has been found, there is no telling how delighted she will be."

The village chief leaned in slightly, whispering, "He is the steward of the Shang family, surnamed Zhang. He is always the one to open the door whenever I visit."

Steward Zhang hurried inside to announce their arrival and returned shortly with an answer.

"The master invites the three of you inside."

Passing through the screen door, traversing the outer courtyard, and walking from the inner gate down the corridor to the main hall, they finally came face-to-face with the Master of the Shang family.

The Master of the Shang family possessed a stout figure, his countenance clouded by a sullen demeanor that seemed to push people away, showing an aversion to extensive conversation. Yet, upon seeing the village chief, it was evident he was reasonably pleased.

"Brother Huang, it has truly been a long time."

The village chief's surname was Huang.

The two men clasped their hands in mutual greeting.

The Master of the Shang family studied the parrot for a moment before nodding. "Yes, there is no mistake. This is indeed the bird my daughter purchased from the Goldflow Merchant Guild in the county. At the time, I deemed this wretched bird worth very little, yet the guild demanded an exorbitant price. My daughter refused to yield and insisted on having it, so I could only concede to her wishes."

"Steward Zhang, lead these two young heroes to see Xiaoyuan."

"Yes, Master."

Steward Zhang made a polite gesture of invitation and beckoned a maidservant, instructing her to serve tea to the Master of the Shang family and Village Chief Huang.

Along the way, Tao Yaoye asked casually, "How long has Steward Zhang been with the Shang family?"

Steward Zhang replied respectfully, "The master rescued me while he was journeying into retirement. Since then, I have served by his side. Counting the years, it has been two decades; the young mistress was not even born at the time."

"In that case, the young mistress must share a very close bond with you."

"To be frank with you two young heroes, I watched the young mistress grow up. Having no children of my own, I regard her as my own daughter. Seeing her so despondent these past days has truly pained my heart."

Lu Yang suddenly interjected, "Were you present when the parrot was lost?"

Steward Zhang sighed, the self-reproach evident in his tone. "I was distracted for a mere moment and failed to notice the parrot flying away. Had I been more attentive, I certainly would not have caused the young mistress such grief. It was my dereliction of duty."

Lu Yang offered a quiet acknowledgment and spoke no further.

Steward Zhang knocked gently thrice, speaking in a measured, calm voice, "Young Mistress, the parrot that escaped has been found. Two wandering young heroes have brought it back."

A voice drifted from within the room: "Let them enter then."

"Yes."

Lu Yang and Tao Yaoye opened the door to find the young mistress of the Shang family leaning against the window sill, quietly reading a book. The evening sunlight bathed the tips of her hair, creating a static beauty that made time itself feel suspended.

In Taiping Village, countless youths were infatuated with the Shang family's daughter.

Lu Yang offered a well-meaning piece of advice: "Reading by the sunlight is bad for the eyes, especially the setting sun. Light a lamp; it is not as if your father lacks the coin."