The prosperity of Chang'an[1] had always been unrelated to the four seasons. All kinds of people, horses and wagons shuttled at the emperor's feet, filling every street without regard to time. The shops and residences towering on both sides were simple and traditional, each with its own charm. They observed the people who were either locals or from afar with the dignified demeanor of a family head. Faces passed through small streets and narrow alleys like the wind among flowers and trees, all exhibiting a stable and generous atmosphere.
It was the end of summer, and a few days of heavy rain had brought a hint of autumn chill. The weather finally cleared up today, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians since early in the morning. However, the lively and orderly scene was abruptly shattered by the sound of horse hooves rushing through like a gust of wind and sudden rain. A fine horse with snow-white skin and bright blue eyes, carrying a young man in a purple robe, rushed past the market like lightning. Dust clouds billowed under the horse hooves and the resulting air waves caused not only the overturning of light stalls along the way but also blew off the hat on the head of an unfortunate man, revealing an embarrassing bald patch. Women hugged crying children who were frightened by the spectacle, comforting them while loudly raining curses at the departing horse's butt—
"Is it that accursed[2] again?"
"Just look at that famous blue-eyed horse, and you'll know. It's the only one in the entire Chang'an."
"This devil incarnate relies on the fact that his maternal grandfather is a high-ranking official in the royal court, and his father is a wealthy merchant in the region. He's used to being unruly, sigh!"
Of course, Su Qiuchi[3] had never heard such comments because nobody had such courage. His "fame" such as "The Little Devil King of Chang'an," "Peerless Savage[4]" and so on were not just empty praises; he truly lived up to his reputation.
"Luer[5], run faster! If we don't catch up with that brat, I'll write my name backwards!" Su Qiuchi still found it not fast enough, patting the head of his beloved horse with force. Like an arrow leaving the bowstring, they rushed out of the Yanping Gate in the west of the city.
In Chang'an, that brat was the first hero to reward Su Qiuchi with the line "Are you blind?" after breaking his newly bought wine flask! Su Qiuchi gnashed his teeth. Today was truly unlucky. He had eagerly awaited his father's departure to Yangzhou for his birthday, leaving the house free of anyone who could control him. Coupled with the beautiful weather and the owner of Treasure House[6] half-gifting him the unparalleled Dancing Horse with Cup engraved silver flask, it should have been a day of carefree complacency. Unexpectedly, just as he stepped out of the gates of Treasure House, he was knocked flat on his back by a handsomely dressed young man riding a big date-red horse. Not only did that despicable fellow not dismount to apologize or compensate, but he also insulted Su Qiuchi before galloping away. Su Qiuchi, who had never endured such humiliation, naturally mounted his steed and fiercely chased after the well-dressed young man. However, the pursuit led him all the way to the foot of Cuiwei Mountain, yet even his back was nowhere to be seen.
Su Qiuchi reined in his horse and looked around, but all he could see were the vibrant colors of the mountain, with abundant flowers and lush grass. Apart from him and Luer, and the chirping birds, there was no sign of any other living creature. Su Qiuchi wandered aimlessly in the mountains for a long time, and followed halfway up the winding mountain path. He found nothing but greenery and rocks. As he continued upwards, the mountain path became narrower and more treacherous. It was no longer possible to pass through on horseback; he would have had to continue on foot. At this moment, with the sun setting and the mountain breeze turning colder, a sudden chill ran down his spine, prompting him to consider heading back.
"Bah! Consider yourself a lucky ba*tard, brat, for not being caught by this young master!" Su Qiuchi wrapped his clothes tightly around him, spat in frustration, and muttered, "May heaven have eyes and let the ferocious beasts catch you for dinner!"
In the dense forest on both sides of the mountain path, strange sounds grew louder as the light dimmed, as if a group of wild beasts would rush out at any moment. Su Qiuchi swallowed nervously, quickly turned his horse around, and rushed back the way he came.
Unfortunately, he got lost. He distinctly remembered coming up from the left fork in the road, where there was a dark red rugged rock beside the road. However, upon retracing his steps, instead of the open plain outside the mountains, he found himself in a black bamboo forest enveloped in deep fog. Amidst the pale and cold dark purple entanglement, the bamboo branches swayed in the wind, colliding and making a constant rustling sound, as if thousands of venomous snakes were simultaneously hissing.
The heavens can witness that Su Qiuchi, who usually enjoyed drinking, had not touched a drop of wine today, so there was no possibility of getting lost due to dizziness. Observing this unexpectedly encountered and thoroughly peculiar bamboo forest, even Luer hesitated and refused to move a hoof forward. Feeling uneasy all over, Su Qiuchi was about to turn his horse around when, casting his gaze into the bamboo forest, he noticed something unusual in the gap created by the shifting mist — behind the layers of black bamboo, on the pitch-black muddy ground, lay a person. Dressed in moon-white garments against the dark backdrop, the figure was particularly eye-catching, just like gardenia petals fallen into the mud.
A burst of horse neighs that did not belong to Luer came from the bamboo forest. Waiting for the mist to move away again, Su Qiuchi saw a familiar date-red horse stopped not far from the figure. White clothes, red horse... Su Qiuchi's expression changed abruptly. In an instant, he forgot all the strangeness around him and urged his horse into the bamboo forest, heading straight for the person in the forest.
Footnotes:
[1] In the introduction, Shaluo and Jiu Jue are in Xi'an. Chang'an is the ancient name of Xi'an. It was the capital of China during the Tang Dynasty.
[2] 禍胎: root of the trouble; cause of the ruin.
[3] 苏秋池: Su (surname); su means to revive. Qiu means autumn. Chi means pond, lake. So, 苏秋池 can be interpreted as "Revived Autumn Pond" or "Awakened Autumn Lake."
[4] 鬼見愁: ferocious person
[5] 绿耳 means green ear. A ridiculous name for a white horse.
[6] 古煌斋 can be translated as "Ancient Bright Abode" or something along those lines. Not important to our story.
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