The Martial Saint of the Defiled World

The courtyard was quiet, and the moonlight shone on the blue bricks, giving them a cold and desolate glow.

Aunt Xue walked ahead, her cheongsam slit extremely high. With her swaying steps, her two fair legs appeared and disappeared in the shadows, like two beams of white light shining in the sultry night.

Jiang Shaosheng followed behind.

"Shaosheng, you're twenty this year, right?"

Aunt Xue suddenly spoke, her voice soft and sweet like glutinous rice balls dipped in sugar.

"I'm twenty."

"A twenty-year-old lad, all he does is strain against that wooden stake all day long, he never goes out for a walk."

She glanced back at him, her eyes sparkling.

"The flowers in my yard have bloomed several times, but you haven't even come to see them once."

Jiang Shaosheng smiled but didn't reply.

Upon entering Aunt Xue's room, Jiang Shaosheng felt a sudden surge of excitement.

This house is much more upscale than his mud-brick house.

The floor was covered with a thick, dark red carpet that was so soft that it made no sound when you stepped on it.

The windows were drawn with thick, dark green velvet curtains, completely blocking out the moonlight.

In the center of the room was a round mahogany table covered with a white cloth with lace trim. A table lamp covered with pink silk emitted a dim yellow light, giving the whole room an ambiguous and indescribable hue.

"Sit down, don't just stand there like an idiot."

Aunt Xue pointed to the chair, then turned and went into the kitchen inside.

Jiang Shaosheng sat down and looked around.

A full-length dressing mirror, about the height of a person, stands in the corner, its frame carved with intertwined floral patterns.

Next to him was a dressing table with several bottles and jars he couldn't name.

The room exudes a refined elegance, a world apart from his simple room with only a bed and a table.

A moment later, Aunt Xue came out carrying a large porcelain basin. Before the lid was even lifted, the rich aroma of meat filled the room.

Jiang Shaosheng's stomach let out a disapproving growl.

After a day of boxing practice, I was really hungry.

"Listen to this, even my stomach is rebelling."

Aunt Xue smiled, placed the porcelain basin on the table, and lifted the lid.

A large cloud of white mist rose up, completely obscuring her face.

The bowl contains a whole chicken, its skin golden brown, with oil swirling on the soup noodles.

The red dates and ginseng were stewed until very tender, floating in the soup. The bitter aroma of the herbs mixed with the meaty fragrance, and just smelling it made one feel warm and cozy.

"This is an old hen; I asked someone to bring it from the countryside."

Aunt Xue took the bowl and filled it to the brim for Jiang Shaosheng, including a large chicken leg.

"Quick, drink it while it's hot. It's good for replenishing your qi and blood. You martial artists take the most out of your bodies. If you don't replenish your qi properly, you'll be in a state of deficiency in the future."

Jiang Shaosheng took the bowl, the steam rising onto his face, carrying a simple and rustic fragrance.

He blew on it, then lowered his head and took a sip.

The soup slid down my throat, and the heat traveled down my esophagus, warming me all the way to my stomach.

Immediately afterwards, it felt as if every pore on my body opened up, and the slight fatigue left from practicing the boxing earlier disappeared without a trace under the wash of this heat.

"Is it good?"

Aunt Xue rested her chin on her hand as she looked at him, leaning slightly forward. Her collar was loose, revealing a patch of white skin.

Jiang Shaosheng, however, was so engrossed in drinking his soup that he didn't even lift his eyelids.

"It's delicious, the cooking time is perfect."

"That's right."

Aunt Xue said with a smile.

"I stayed on the stove for two hours. Too high a fire won't work, and too low a fire won't work either. It has to be simmered slowly over a low flame so that the meat is tender in the broth and the broth seeps into the meat."

"The same principle applies to life; you can't rush it or be impatient. You have to take it slowly."

Jiang Shaosheng looked up and glanced at her.

This sounds like casual conversation, but it also seems to have a hidden meaning.

He didn't respond and continued drinking his soup.

"Shaosheng, these past years living alone must have been tough, haven't they?"

"I'm used to it."

"Used to it?"

Aunt Xue sighed softly.

"It's heartbreaking to hear that. He's only twenty. What do you mean by 'used to it'? He has a long life ahead of him. How can he get used to everything?"

Jiang Shaosheng put down his bowl and looked up at Aunt Xue.

Under the pink light, the woman's face appeared somewhat blurry, only her eyes shone brightly, as if they held something within them.

"Aunt Xue, your soup is really delicious."

He suddenly said that.

Aunt Xue paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, laughing so hard that the buttons on her chest swayed.

"You child, you don't even know how to give a compliment. I'm trying to be friendly with you, and you're just spouting nonsense."

"The soup is substantial."

Jiang Shaosheng said, "Drinking this will keep you full, but I don't understand your private words very well, and I'm afraid I'll offend your kindness."

These words were neither too soft nor too hard; they sounded like a thank you, yet also like a refusal.

Aunt Xue listened, but the smile on her face did not diminish; instead, it deepened.

She stood up, walked to the cabinet next to her, opened the cabinet door, and took out a slender green bottle with a label in English on it.

"Look at this, this is a bottle of red wine I got in the concession."

Aunt Xue put the bottle on the table and pried off the cork with a bang.

"Those foreigners always drink this with their meals, saying it can stimulate their appetite and improve blood circulation. Let's try it and see what it tastes like."

A fermented grape aroma wafted out, quite different from the baijiu and huangjiu we usually drink.

Aunt Xue took two wine glasses and poured two glasses.

"Here, moisten your throat first."

Aunt Xue pushed the cup in front of Jiang Shaosheng, picked up a cup herself, and sat back down opposite him.

"Drink slowly, this wine has a strong aftereffect."

Jiang Shaosheng picked up his cup and took a sip.

It was a bit astringent and sour on the palate, unlike any other wine he had ever tasted.

After swallowing, a warm current ran down my throat, and there was indeed some strength in the back.

"How is it?"

"Sweet."

Jiang Shaosheng said, "It's just too little. This small cup isn't enough to quench my thirst."

Aunt Xue laughed again, her eyes curving into two crescent moons.

"You silly child, how can you drink wine like water? You have to savor it, sip it slowly, let it swirl in your mouth, and taste the flavor."

"I'm not good with the taste, I can't tell the difference."

Jiang Shaosheng put down his cup.

"The soup is still the best."

As he spoke, he ladled out another bowl of soup for himself.

Aunt Xue's smile deepened as she looked at his composed demeanor.

"Shaosheng, tell your aunt the truth."

She took a sip of wine, the red liquid staining her lips.

"Don't you get bored staring at that wooden stake all day? Isn't it lonely at night when there's no one else in your house besides yourself?"

Jiang Shaosheng, biting into a chicken leg, mumbled a reply: "I'm used to it."

"It's just a habit."

Aunt Xue put down her cup and leaned forward.

"Didn't you ever think about other ways to live this life? Like, finding someone to talk to, to relieve boredom?"

Jiang Shaosheng swallowed the meat in his mouth and looked up.

"Aunt Xue, I don't quite understand what you're saying."

"Aren't we talking right now?"

Aunt Xue was taken aback by his words, then burst into laughter, spilling a few drops of wine from her glass.

"Alright, alright, you know how to talk."

She wiped the wine stains with a handkerchief, but her eyes never left Jiang Shaosheng's face.

"Shaosheng, you look honest, but you've got a lot of tricks up your sleeve."

Jiang Shaosheng lowered his head and drank his soup.

For a moment, only the sound of him drinking soup could be heard in the room.

Aunt Xue didn't say anything, she just rested her chin on her hand and looked at him, as if she was looking at some interesting scenery.

After he finished his second bowl of soup and put it down, Aunt Xue spoke again.

Are you full?

I'm full.

"Shall we have another drink?"

She shook the green bottle.

"There's still more than half a bottle left, it would be a waste not to drink it."

Jiang Shaosheng shook his head: "I'm not drinking anymore. This wine has a strong aftereffect, and I have to practice boxing tomorrow morning. If I drink too much, I won't be able to get up."

"All you know is practicing boxing."

Aunt Xue gave him a reproachful look.

"Can't you take a day off?"

"If you don't practice for one day, you'll know. If you don't practice for two days, your master will know. If you don't practice for three days, everyone will know."

Jiang Shaosheng stood up.

"Aunt Xue, thank you for the soup. It's so late at night, you should get some rest too."

As he spoke, he turned to walk out.

"You're leaving already?"

Aunt Xue also stood up.

"Won't you sit a little longer?"

Jiang Shaosheng walked to the door, but before he could even unlatch it, a hand reached out from behind and pressed against the door.

Jiang Shaosheng froze.

Aunt Xue stood right behind him, very close.

He could feel the heat emanating from her body; through the thin cheongsam, it almost burned his back.

"Aunt Xue..."

"What's the rush?"

Aunt Xue's voice was right next to his ear, like a feather brushing against his earlobe.

"It's the middle of the night, and it's pitch black outside. Aren't you afraid of slipping and falling off the well?"

Jiang Shaosheng stood there, his hand still on the door latch, but he couldn't pull it down no matter what he did.

The room was so quiet you could hear two people breathing.

Turn around.

Aunt Xue said.

Jiang Shaosheng did not move.

Aunt Xue chuckled softly, the sound particularly clear in the quiet night.

She raised her hand, her fingertips barely an inch apart, and slowly slid down Jiang Shaosheng's spine.

Jiang Shaosheng's Adam's apple bobbed.

"You silly child."

Aunt Xue's voice was tinged with laughter.

"He usually seems quite clever, so why is he standing like a wooden stake now?"

Her fingertips finally landed, gently touching his lower back.

Just a little bit, and Jiang Shaosheng suddenly turned around.

Aunt Xue was so startled by his sudden movement that she leaned back and bumped her back against the door.

But her eyes were very bright, as if two flames were burning inside, and she stared straight at him.

The two stood facing each other, too close.

Jiang Shaosheng was so close that he could see the curve of her eyelashes, the glistening moisture between her lips, and feel her breath on his chin.

Aunt Xue looked up at him, a smile playing on her lips.

"That's more like it!"

Her voice was so soft it seemed to melt your heart.

"It's so rude to always talk to people with your back turned."

Jiang Shaosheng looked down at her.

The pink light shone from the side, casting a soft shadow on Aunt Xue's face.

Her eyes appeared exceptionally deep in the light and shadow, like two bottomless pools of water.

She stood there against the door, surrounded by him, but showed no sign of backing down. Instead, her smile became even more alluring.

Jiang Shaosheng suddenly smiled as well.

It wasn't an awkward laugh, but a low laugh that rolled out from the back of the throat, tinged with helplessness and something else entirely.

"Aunt Xue."

He spoke, his voice much steadyer than before.

"Are you trying to put me on the hot seat?"

Aunt Xue's eyes crinkled into a smile: "What do you mean by that?"

Jiang Shaosheng did not answer.

He looked down at her, his gaze slowly sliding down her eyebrows and eyes, past the tip of her nose, and landing on her lips stained with wine.

His gaze lingered there for a moment, then slowly rose again to meet her eyes once more.

Aunt Xue's smile paused slightly.

"In Aunt Xue's room, the lights are pink, the carpet is soft, and the curtains are thick."

Jiang Shaosheng said, "The wine is foreign red wine, and the soup is made from old hen. You've prepared everything, just waiting for me to crawl in."

Aunt Xue opened her mouth, as if to say something.

But Jiang Shaosheng didn't give her a chance.

He raised his hand, moving very slowly, so slowly that Aunt Xue could clearly see every inch of his approach.

His fingers reached towards her face, and Aunt Xue's eyelashes trembled, but she did not flinch.

Then his fingertips landed on her temple, gently picking up a stray lock of hair and tucking it behind her ear.

This one simple movement froze Aunt Xue in place.

Your hair is a mess.

Jiang Shaosheng said.

As he withdrew his fingers, the back of his fingers brushed against her cheek almost imperceptibly.

Aunt Xue's breathing became erratic.

"Shaosheng..."

"Aunt Xue."

He interrupted her.

"I drank the soup you made, and I drank the wine you poured. I remember how good you are to me."

As he spoke, he took half a step back.

So close you could smell her perfume, yet so far away the oppressive feeling dissipated.

But precisely because it had dissipated, Aunt Xue felt an emptiness in her heart, as if she were being held up by something, unable to go up or down.

"But if you keep teasing me like that..."

Jiang Shaosheng looked at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"I'm afraid I'll take it seriously."

Aunt Xue was stunned.

She looked at him, at this young man who had just been teased and left flustered, and suddenly realized that she couldn't understand him anymore.

"You mean, what if I took it seriously?"

Jiang Shaosheng tilted his head slightly, his expression revealing a touch of youthful innocence.

"From now on, should I call you Aunt Xue, or should I call you something else?"

Aunt Xue's throat moved, but she couldn't say anything.

She's seen plenty of men in her life, old and young, serious and not serious, flirtatious and flirtatious, what kind of scene hasn't she experienced?

But now, she was speechless because of a twenty-year-old young man.

Jiang Shaosheng's smile deepened as he looked at her.

He took another step forward.

He took this step so quickly that before Aunt Xue could react, he was already standing in front of her again.

But this time was different. This time, he looked down at her, she was shrouded in his shadow, and she had to look up to meet his eyes.

"Aunt Xue."

"Your room is so beautiful, I'm afraid I won't want to leave if I stay any longer."

After saying that, he reached out and opened the door behind her.

A night breeze rushed in, carrying the coolness of the moonlight soaking into the blue brick floor outside, instantly dispelling the sweet fragrance in the room.

Jiang Shaosheng stepped out of the threshold, stood in the courtyard, and looked back at her.

The moonlight shone on him, illuminating his young face clearly.

His eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned.

"If you ever make soup again, just call me and I'll come back."

"But next time, let's just have soup and not drink alcohol. This alcohol has a strong aftereffect, and I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself if I drink too much."

Aunt Xue stood at the door, leaning against the door frame, momentarily at a loss for words.

Jiang Shaosheng waved to her, then turned and strode away.

His figure receded further and further into the moonlight, finally disappearing behind the door of his mud-brick house.

The door creaked shut, and the courtyard fell silent once more.

Aunt Xue stood there for quite a while.

A night breeze blew by, lifting a stray lock of hair that he had just brushed aside, sending a ticklish sensation across her face.

She suddenly raised her hand and touched her cheek, which was burning hot, as if it were on fire.

"That little bastard."

She muttered a curse under her breath, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up in a smile.

After closing the door, she leaned against it, staring blankly at the pink lamp.

The room still smelled of that sweet, cloying incense, and there was still a half-finished bottle of red wine on the table, but something just felt missing.

That person is missing.

Aunt Xue suddenly burst out laughing, shaking her head with a laugh.

"Okay, you win."

She muttered something as she walked to the dressing table and sat down. Looking at her flushed face in the mirror, she reached out and tidied her temples.

As she combed her hair, she remembered the way he had just gently brushed her hair together—so light, so slow, so…

Her fingers paused.

After a long while, the woman in the mirror sighed softly.

"That little bastard!"

She cursed again, this time with a laugh in her voice.

"It's keeping Auntie awake."