Long ago, there lived a beautiful woman named Lady Gongsun.
Whenever she danced with her sword, the whole四方 was shaken.
The crowd gathered like a mountain, losing themselves in awe,
And heaven and earth swayed up and down for a long time.
Her brilliance was like Yi shooting down nine suns,
And when she soared, it was as if divine beings rode dragons ascending.
She arrived like thunder collecting its fury,
And when her dance ended, it was as though the light of rivers and seas gathered peacefully.
Du Fu wrote this poem in his later years, remembering the elegant performers of the music bureau from the prosperous era of Emperor Xuanzong when he was young, especially the magnificent sword dance of Lady Gongsun.
Though merely a courtesan of the music bureau, she became renowned throughout the land for her swordsmanship and trained numerous disciples.
This book was a martial arts manual that traced its origins to Lady Gongsun herself, sharing the same name mentioned in the poem.
Ordinarily, it was not a story of carefree heroes wielding broadswords but, perhaps due to the protagonist being a woman, one filled with twists and turns.
It wasn’t a particularly popular book.
Among the books requested by my grandfather, this unpopular book was included in those provided to me simply because the surname “Gongsun” was shared.
Perhaps it was an attempt to reclaim the almost forgotten pride of being descendants of Emperor Gongsun Xuanwu, leveraging the renown of a legendary figure to mask their now meager status.
Despite all that, I loved this story.
It wasn’t like other tales where protagonists, born extraordinary, shatter all adversities as if it were their right. Lady Gongsun’s story began like that of an ordinary woman.
And even after overcoming all the twists of fate and gaining the power to dominate the world, she remained content as a dancer within a music bureau, finding satisfaction in merely performing her sword dance.
Exceeding worldly gains and fame, she lived as she desired.
And ultimately, she surpassed it all to become an immortal, achieving eternal life.
It was too different from my situation — bound to the Gongsun clan and dependent on others to sustain my life due to a severed meridian.
Unlike me, who lacked confidence in myself and couldn’t endure without the attention and needs of others, she was self-reliant.
While my wretched life was full of regrets, she transcended everything and became an immortal, living eternally, inspiring envy.
I devoured her story like drinking seawater out of thirst.
But eventually, I realized the truth — I could never become like Lady Gongsun.
As the expensive candle melted away through the night,
I fainted.
…
“Yes, my young master?”
“Yes, young master. It isn’t good to stay outside too long under the sun. Please come inside.”
“…Is this tree really in our front yard?”
I stared at the enormous tree before me and voiced my surprise.
The tree, thick enough that it would take three strong men stretching their arms to encircle it, stood vigorously with branches and lush leaves.
It exuded an overflowing vitality, and there was a kind of auspicious energy in the air around it.
More so, the longer I looked at it, the warmer my chest felt, as if a sense of nostalgia stirred within me.
Given its size, it must have been there from the start, as transplanting such a massive tree would’ve been impossible, so the house must’ve been built around it.
“…Isn’t this too glaring?”
Being someone who officially doesn’t exist within the Gongsun family, I lived in a secluded area hidden from prying eyes.
Even if the family’s glory is diminished, clans like the Gongsun still prepare safe houses for emergencies.
The place where I stayed was originally one such house, but now repurposed.
However, a secret safe house should remain discreet, yet this tree’s presence was too conspicuous, drawing undue attention.
“…Perhaps it was here from the past?”
A voice devoid of any vitality or emotion replied.
As I turned to “Yi”, I flinched momentarily.
Yi was staring at me with a face as emotionless as a wax doll, and it seemed as if there were unsettling shadows flickering in her pupils, causing a strange unease.
“…Yi?”
At the sound of her name, a flicker of vitality returned to Yi’s eyes.
“Yes! Young master! If this tree doesn’t please you, shall I arrange for someone to cut it down?”
‘What just happened?’
The strange feeling I had from Yi’s appearance quickly faded.
As I examined the tree casting its enormous presence before my house, I spoke.
“Leave it be. A tree this grand has become a spiritual entity. It would be a pity to cut down such a magnificent tree for a transient reason like me.”
“…”
“Moreover, the closer one gets, the more auspicious it feels… Almost as if it carries a sorrowful charm. This is a being with spiritual essence. It might inspire martial arts techniques.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Somehow, my body, weighed down from the severed meridians like a water-soaked wad of cotton, and my stomach feeling like it swallowed a bundle of needles, feels lighter just by looking at this tree.”
For a fleeting moment, a trace of regret seemed to pass over Yi’s face.
I found it strange that I had forgotten about this conspicuous tree, but the shade it provided was refreshing for my fragile body under this oppressive sunlight, and I gazed at it for quite some time.
…
“…Twenty-seven martial arts in two months?”
“Correct.”
Though this was my residence, the middle-aged man sitting at the seat of honor was none other than Gongsun Tianjun, the current head of the Gongsun family and also my father.
He nodded.
I mulled over his words.
“Twenty-seven martial arts in two months.”
Nineteen martial arts within the family that haven’t yet been touched by my hands and eight signature techniques from medium and small sects that the Gongsun family wished to incorporate.
In essence, it was like creating a new martial art every other day.
Martial arts aren’t something you can create as casually as straw sandals.
What’s more, my body wouldn’t endure such a strenuous effort.
As each day passed, my body approached its limits.
‘…Or perhaps it’s exactly because of this?’
I was a crucial strategic asset for the family.
It would be impossible for the head of the family to be unaware of my current physical state.
Of course, it would only be natural for the patriarch to want to use this resource as efficiently as possible without waste.
Knowing that my end was near, he probably wanted to make the most of me before that time.
To him, I was a non-existent son.
“Your understanding of martial arts continues to grow, which makes me proud as a father. Though your body is unwell at the moment, preventing you from fulfilling your potential, you can borrow another’s corporeal form. Your martial legacy shall spread within the Gongsun clan.”
Even though his words were sweet and meaningless, my heart still melted.
For me, whose world consisted solely of this approximately 100-ping safe house and fleeting life, even fake affection and attention from blood relations felt like ambrosia on parched lips.
No matter how unreasonable the requests, I couldn’t refuse them.
Even if they abandon me, I could never abandon them.
This was the little that I had in this fleeting world.
The old man regarded me with confidence that I wouldn’t decline.
I let out a bitter laugh inwardly.
Indeed.
I lowered my head in obeisance and accepted the patriarch’s order.
At that moment, a sharp pain gripped my chest.
It felt as if six voices were noisily chattering in my head, an auditory hallucination.
…
Patriarch Gongsun Tianjun had departed.
Just before leaving, he commented on the giant tree in the yard.
“A tree like this is unsuitable for a safe house that should remain discreet. How about cutting it down?”
If Gongsun Tianjun, the paramount ruler, wished it, this tree could be cut down without my consent or will.
Since Gongsun Tianjun desired it, I should have agreed with him.
“From my perspective, this is not a mere tree but a spiritual entity, radiating an auspicious energy. Moreover, observing it stimulates my creativity. Since inspiration is crucial in martial arts creation, I would like to keep it as it is.”
But instead, contrary words emerged.
Surprisingly, Gongsun Tianjun’s brows furrowed at my opposition.
Still, I stood firm.
I didn’t want this tree to be cut down, just to protect the secret house that guarded me.
Most importantly, for some inexplicable reason, it felt like my Baihui acupoint was warning me that this tree must not be felled.
Gongsun Tianjun silently watched me bowing my head and then walked away.
When those accompanying him, including my brothers, left the safe house, it became quiet once more.
Despite being well-maintained, the residence was expansive enough for a young boy who hadn’t even reached adolescence and a few servants.
Was it due to the exertion from bidding farewell to the patriarch?
I had no desire to work or read my favorite books today.
“…It’s a full moon tonight.”
Perhaps gazing at the moon hanging in the sky would calm me down.
Though it was still a bit chilly outside, I put on an outer robe and stepped out of the room slowly, for even light movements were beginning to feel taxing.
“…How much longer do I have to live?”
Considering the immense strain this task would put on my body.
Through the cracks in the night’s descending veil, I could almost hear the footsteps of the four horsemen of death approaching.
Illusory ominous shadows seemed to dance around the house.
Stepping out into the courtyard under the light of the full moon, the evergreen tree stood out against the dark night.
Just as I was about to walk towards it, I stopped abruptly.
In the secluded safe house of the Gongsun family, bathed in the moonlight that illuminated the dark night, stood a mesmerizing woman, a vision of elegance, gazing at me as if she had stepped out of a dream.
