Chapter 231 — Bewilderment
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 5 of 5
This day, Wen Pei had gone a full day and night without seeing Master Shuijing come out of the bamboo retreat, and her heart grew fretful. She sought out Lu Xueling to come with her. Lu Xueling seemed to be in low spirits too and had not wished to come, but under Wen Pei's repeated urging she too began to feel some concern for Master Shuijing, and so came along.
When Wen Pei and Lu Xueling reached the bamboo grove and stood outside the retreat, Wen Pei gave Lu Xueling a look. Lu Xueling hesitated, then stepped forward and knocked softly. "Master, your disciples Lu Xueling and Senior Sister Wen have matters to bring before you."
All was silent within the retreat. No one answered.
Lu Xueling and Wen Pei exchanged a glance. Wen Pei's brow furrowed, and the worry on her face deepened. In truth, Master Shuijing's temper had always been somewhat out of the ordinary; in former days, not to mention ignoring her disciples like this, she had sometimes vanished for days at a stretch. But for some reason, Wen Pei and the others, having just returned from the funeral at Dazhu Peak and having come to understand a little of what lay behind it, now seemed somewhat sensitive to such behavior.
Wen Pei coughed, raised her voice a little, and said, "Master, this morning Senior Brother Xiao Yichen of the eldest lineage sent a letter here by messenger. Your disciple will bring it in to you."
Within the retreat, still silence. Wen Pei drew a deep breath, stepped forward, and pushed open the door. Lu Xueling followed close behind her and went in as well.
The two entered the room and cast a glance around; both pairs of fine brows knit at once. The retreat was not large, and its furnishings were simple, so that all could be seen at a glance—yet the two of them did not see Master Shuijing anywhere.
Wen Pei sighed. "Master is not even here. Where can she have gone?"
Lu Xueling shook her head silently. After a moment's thought she said, "Senior Sister, let us go back for now. Perhaps we are worrying overmuch. Master and Uncle-Master Su Wan were indeed deeply attached, but at worst she will grieve for a time. I do not think anything will come of it."
Wen Pei nodded. "That will have to do. And yet I cannot shake a certain unease in my heart."
Lu Xueling gave a soft sigh, shook her head slightly, and turned to go out. Wen Pei took one more look around the room, then drew a sealed letter from her bosom, set it gently on the table, and followed her out. A moment later she pulled the door shut behind her, and it gave a soft click.
Within the room, silence fell once more.