Chapter 4: Jia Renyi
The path ahead was dark and strewn with thorns. The sound of two people walking startled a flock of crows, which swept across the sky in a dense black cloud, obscuring the stars.
Xiao Buguai said to Xing’er, “The arena where you hold martial contests in Chang Le Palace has quite the atmosphere.”
Xing’er replied, “This isn’t Chang Le Palace. This is the Northern Abyss Hall, a sect of demons and monsters.”
Xiao Buguai asked, “Xing’er, why have you brought me here?”
“The Northern Abyss Hall holds the Jianghu Token. The demons here hide by day and emerge by night. Coming to duel at this hour is the best way to find them. If you keep walking ahead, you’ll reach the Gate of Life and Death. There, a demon will receive you. I must return to Chang Le Palace now.” Being a girl, Xing’er was a little timid. She bade farewell to Xiao Buguai and turned to hurry away.
But Hao Meili caught up in the darkness and stopped her. “Why have you come here?”
Xing’er replied, “The palace lord asked me to bring Master Xiao here for a duel. Miss, please come back with me.”
Hao Meili said, “I’m not leaving. I want to watch Master Xiao’s duel.”
Seeing Hao Meili, Xiao Buguai smiled. “What a coincidence, miss. We meet again.”
Hao Meili introduced herself, “I’m Hao Meili. You can call me Miss Hao from now on.”
Xiao Buguai chuckled, “You’re so beautiful, I think I’ll just call you Miss Beauty.”
Side by side, Hao Meili and Xiao Buguai proceeded forward, unaware that a little demon had already reported their arrival to the hall master.
The hall master was a plump middle-aged fish demon, dressed in silks and satins like a merchant. He was admiring a chest of gold, silver, and jewels. Were it not for his round, dead fish-like eyes, one might think him a greedy man admiring his treasures. The little demon came running in, panting, “Great King! Great King! Miss Hao, daughter of Hao Jingming, came with a man—seems to be her lover. They’re heading to our great hall.”
The hall master scolded the little demon, “Xia Xiao’er, how many times have I told you not to call me ‘Great King’? My name now is Jia Renyi. You may call me Hall Master or Boss, but not Great King. I’ve plucked you from the mountains for years now; why can’t you shed that rustic attitude?”
The little demon replied, “Yes, Great King—no, Hall Master.”
Jia Renyi asked, “What brings them here?”
The little demon answered, “They say they’ve come for a duel to claim the Jianghu Token.”
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Welcoming distinguished guests, Jia Renyi muttered to himself, “Hao Jingming is a financial titan in Jianghu, and his brother Hao Erbao is the right hand of the Jianghu alliance leader, Old Tiger Wang. The Hao family is wealthy and influential. I suspect Miss Hao’s father may not even know she’s come here, but this is a matter of face. Perhaps I should receive them personally and hand over the Jianghu Token.”
The little demon said, “Hall Master, the previous hall master decreed that any who intrude into the Northern Abyss Hall shall be slain without mercy.”
Jia Renyi rebuked the little demon, “The old hall master was too blunt, which led to his demise. When you followed him, did you ever get warm clothes? No wine or meat, always scrounging for scraps. Without me, could you live so well? Now lead the way; I’ll go greet them.”
Jia Renyi stowed away the treasure and followed the little demon to the Gate of Life and Death, where he met Xiao Buguai and Hao Meili.
The fish demon greeted them warmly, “Young heroes, I am Jia Renyi. Are you here for the duel?”
Xiao Buguai said, “Yes, Senior Jia.”
Jia Renyi said, “Please come inside. Let’s have a meal first.”
Hao Meili said, “You invite us to dine before a duel with demons—surely you won’t poison us?”
Jia Renyi smiled politely at Hao Meili. “May I ask who this young lady is?”
“I’m Hao Meili.”
Jia Renyi inquired, “Is Hao Jingming your father?”
Hao Meili nodded, “Yes.”
Jia Renyi said, “Boss Hao is my idol. I admire your father utterly and wholeheartedly. How could I harm you young heroes? Come in, let’s sit and talk over the meal.”
Inside the guest hall, Jia Renyi had prepared wine and dishes. Xiao Buguai, truly hungry, looked at the spread and smiled shyly, “Senior Jia, then I shall eat.”
“These dishes are prepared for you esteemed guests. Eat, please,” Jia Renyi said warmly. “Xia Xiao’er, bring some clothes for Master Xiao.”
The little demon immediately replied, “Yes, Great King.”
Jia Renyi shot the little demon a fierce glance, then smiled again and asked Xiao Buguai, “Young brother, where are you from?”
Xiao Buguai, mouth full of food, could not speak and instead pointed at the ceiling.
Jia Renyi looked up at the beam and said, “From Liangshan?”
Xiao Buguai shook his head, about to explain, but Hao Meili interrupted, “Judging by your accent, Hall Master Jia, you don’t seem to be a demon from Cangzhou Prefecture?”
Jia Renyi laughed, “My hometown is Reed Pond on Erwang Mountain, Dezhou Prefecture. My real name is Jia Erwang. I made my fortune trading illicit salt. Now I’m a lawful salt merchant and serve as the hall master of the Northern Abyss Hall.”
Xiao Buguai devoured food rapidly, then downed a cup of wine and sighed, “Now I’m ready for the duel.”
“To claim our Jianghu Token, no duel is necessary. I’ll test you instead,” Jia Renyi said, turning away from the naive youth with boredom and addressing Hao Meili, “Miss Hao, which shop’s pastries do you like?”
Hao Meili said, “I love the sesame crisps from Daoxiang Zhai.”
At that moment, the little demon returned with clothes. Jia Renyi said to Xiao Buguai, “Young hero, put on these clothes. I’ll give you half an incense stick’s time—go to Daoxiang Zhai at the foot of the mountain and bring back sesame crisps for Miss Hao to taste. If you succeed, I’ll give you the Jianghu Token.”
“Agreed, it’s a promise,” Xiao Buguai said, then transformed into a soaring eagle and flew away.
Jia Renyi watched and sincerely admired, “Truly, a hero emerges from the young.”
Xiao Buguai reached the mountain foot late at night. After circling the streets for a while, he found Daoxiang Zhai’s shop, though it was not yet open. He transformed into a large rat and slipped through a crack in the door. Inside, he took several pieces of the remaining pastries, wrapped them carefully in parchment, tucked them into his bosom, then changed back into an eagle and returned to the Northern Abyss Hall.
Jia Renyi was still drinking wine. Hao Meili’s beautiful eyes gazed out the window as she murmured, “Why hasn’t Xiao Buguai returned yet?” Suddenly, an eagle appeared carrying a package of pastries. Hao Meili caught it happily. “Xiao Buguai, you’re back?”
Xiao Buguai reverted to human form and said to Hao Meili, “Quick, see if there are any sesame crisps inside.”
Hao Meili unwrapped the paper and found many pastries—but no sesame crisps. Suddenly inspired, she bit into one and smiled joyfully. “These sesame crisps are delicious. Hall Master Jia, Master Xiao has passed the test. Isn’t it time to give him the Jianghu Token?”
Jia Renyi smiled and produced a black iron token engraved with the words “Jianghu Token.” Holding it with both hands, he presented it to Xiao Buguai. “Even if Miss Hao mistook osmanthus cake for sesame crisps, I must save her face. I’ve already prepared this Jianghu Token.”