Chapter 22: One Sentence is Worth a Thousand Words
Cat Temple in Nanhua County...
Lady Calico...
Treat her as if she is human...
Master Kong carefully pondered the meaning within.
People would often say that those who live long enough would have seen ghosts, and this is true. There was also a saying that craftsmen at the pinnacle of their skill could commune with the divine. This was also true. For someone like Master Kong who had rich life experiences and ultimate craftsmanship, stories of ghosts, gods, demons and spirits might seem far-fetched to others, but he had encountered even more unbelievable things.
Master Kong immediately understood…This guest was different from the usual high-ranking officials, dignitaries, famous people and celebrities who came to purchase his wood carvings. They harbored the attitude of visiting a person of unusual ability in order to satisfy their curiosity and increase their experiences.
This guest was very unusual.
Master Kong, though already polite, became even more respectful.
“Sir, you went up the mountain this morning and only returned at dusk. The mountain roads are difficult. Did you manage to eat anything along the way?”
“I encountered a mountain golden monkey. I shamelessly asked it to guide me and picked a few wild fruits to eat, which tasted quite good.” Song You also replied respectfully. However, he wasn’t polite today due to the elaborate formalities popular in this world, his politeness stemmed from genuine respect for a master.
As soon as he entered the house, he looked around.
The room was filled with finished and half-finished wood carvings, and every finished carving was incredibly lifelike. Some were so lively even without carved eyes that it seemed they might move by themselves if he took his eyes off them. It was hard to imagine how much more lifelike they would become with eyes carved.
“Dongyang.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Go kill a chicken.”
“Yes, Master.”
The boy obediently turned and left.
Only then did Master Kong turn to Song You and the calico cat, saying, “It's late, and you can't return to the city. You can have a simple, home-cooked meal here. Today, I was lucky to find some mushrooms in the mountains. I will stew an old hen, and it will be so delicious it will make your tongue fall off. After the meal, you can sleep here.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Master Kong.”
“I’m unworthy of being called a master. It’s too much for this old man.”
“Thank you, Expert Kong.”
“This is my duty.”
Outside, the sound of the old hen squawking and flapping was heard, but soon it stopped.
By the time the chicken soup was ready, it was already time to light the lamps.
The culinary delicacies in this era were naturally not comparable with those in his previous world, but there were also a small number of exceptions. Some dishes have been prepared the same way for thousands of years, and some dishes of this era were superior to those of the future.
Just take this pot of chicken soup. It was only made of slices of ginger, chicken, and mushrooms. Only a pinch of salt was needed and no other seasonings. The method was the same a thousand years ago and would be the same a thousand years later.
Wild mushrooms have unique tasty flavors, with each variety of mushroom different from the others. Industrial flavorings from the future could not replace them. Song You had often collected mushrooms from the mountains while at the Daoist temple. At the moment, he could recognize mushrooms such as bamboo mushrooms[1], matsutake, lurid boletes, Catathelasma laorentou mushrooms, and golden chanterelle mushrooms in the pot. The brewed chicken soup was thick and golden. The combination of flavors was so delicious that one sip could indeed make your tongue fall off.
This was an irreplaceable delicacy from the mountains, an indescribable tastiness, and the highest form of hospitality in the mountain wilderness.
Song You couldn't remember how many bowls of soup he drank. He only knew his stomach was full of liquid, and the formerly full large pot of chicken soup was nearly empty. He had eaten a lot of mushrooms but not much chicken.
Lady Calico had eaten a lot of meat.
She couldn't understand why these humans only drank the soup and didn't eat the meat, but she dared not ask, fearing she might persuade them.
There were stars in the sky that night, and the oil lamp flickered.
The guests were satisfied with their meal, and Master Kong was relieved. Seeing the boy cleaning the table, he asked Song You. “Did you come here from Lingquan County?”
“I came from Yidu.”
“Why did you come from Yidu?”
“You might be unaware of this. I come from Hidden Dragon Temple on Yin-Yang Mountain in Lingquan County. There is a temple tradition that each generation of disciples must descend the mountain to travel. It can be as short as three to five years or as long as several decades.” Song You replied. “As I grew up cultivating in the mountains with limited knowledge of the world, my master has ordered me to descend the mountain and travel for twenty years to see the world. Now I've just arrived in Yidu.”
“I see...” Master Kong nodded, his eyes thoughtful.
This must be a true master that lived in seclusion.
Hidden Dragon Temple...He seemed to have heard of it but had forgotten.
“I wonder what brings you here from afar to visit this old man? Are you looking to purchase a wood carving? If so, please choose any you like. I will give it to you.”
“I heard that Expert Kong's wood carving skills have reached great heights, and that in your early years a wood carving had once come to life. I am curious and full of admiration regarding this, so I came specially from Yidu to visit and witness this divine skill of giving life to wood carvings.”
“Haha...” Master Kong threw his head back and laughed. “That is just a rumor. How could a wood carving come to life?”
“I'd like to hear the details.”
“It happened so long ago I only vaguely remember it. I was invited by a certain important official Mr. Chen from the city to carve a goshawk at the time. It was so lifelike that it startled onlookers. A breeze blew into the house from outside, and the goshawk fell off the bench, scaring many people. They all thought it came to life, but actually it didn't.” Master Kong explained, shaking his head with a smile. “People love hearing such stories, so they slowly spread the story in a form that fits their fancies.”
“So that's how it was.”
“Sorry to have made you come all this way for nothing.”
“Not at all. Whether it was the mountain journey, the night talk with you, or this pot of fresh soup, any one of these would have made the trip worthwhile.” Song You smiled, then paused, looking around at the wood carvings displayed in the room. He asked, “Why are none of the carvings in your house given eyes?”
“You may not know this but a lifeless thing, if made too lifelike, can evoke great fear when closely examined.”
“I see.” Song You seemed thoughtful, and nodded.
He couldn't help but glance back at the kitchen. The boy was scooping water from a vat to wash the pot. He opened his mouth wishing to speak but had no choice but to stay silent.
“Please rest early, Mister.”
“I’ve given you trouble.”
“No trouble at all.”
“You too, please rest early.”
“Yes, I am getting on in years and not as energetic as before. Forgive me if my hospitality was lacking.” Master Kong glanced at the calico cat, and seemed to wish to say something but hesitated. In the end, he stood up, saluted Song You with cupped hands, and walked slowly to his room.
Song You also entered the guest room.
There were no other activities that night. Once the oil lamp was extinguished, only the starlit sky remained. Song You sat cross-legged on the bed, leaving the window open to let the autumn breeze in. He watched the stars and mountains outside, waiting for drowsiness to come.
Suddenly, he felt a tickle on his leg. Looking down, he saw the calico cat climbing onto him. Her little round paws stepped onto his thighs and he could feel the plum petal-soft touch of her paw pads.
It was light, ticklish.
Song You remained unruffled on the surface, but inside he was delighted.
This was the first time Lady Calico was so intimate with him.
“What is it, Lady Calico?”
“That old man keeps looking at me.”
The calico cat stood on his crossed legs, and raised her head to look up at him. Their eyes met and their faces were very close.
Song You thought for a moment, then said, “I've heard that when skilled painters see a beautiful landscape, they can't help but stop and paint it. It must be the same for skilled wood carvers. Lady Calico, you are beautiful and have spirituality. That Expert Kong probably wants to carve a wooden carving of you but hasn't been able to ask for some reason.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why hasn't he been able to ask?”
“You'd have to ask him that.”
“I'll go and ask him at once.”
The calico cat turned to leave without hesitation.
“Hey!” Song You promptly called her back.
No surprise, there were more “whys” to follow.
Fortunately, he was patient.
The night was long but he slept well.
When living in Tianshui Alley, the night watchman would sound the watch at midnight, and early in the morning, there would be the shouts of people collecting night soil and vendors selling vegetables. It might not disturb sleep, but it was noisy after all. In this mountain village, there was really no sound at all from night till morning. There were occasional dog barks at night but they didn't intrude on dreams, making for excellent sleep quality.
When Song You woke up, he looked for Lady Calico on the bed but found she wasn't in the room.
He didn't mind. He put on his shoes and pushed open the window.
Outside, dawn had just broken and morning mist shrouded the village. It was autumn. The mountains were bright and the river clear. Frost had come in the night. Some trees displayed light yellow leaves emerging from deep red. He was already full of energy but quickly became fully awake upon seeing this autumn scene.
He opened the door to go outside, intending to collect morning dew. However, he saw someone carving in the hall as soon as he walked out of the guest room.
It was an heirloom carving knife. Its wooden handle had been polished until it was smooth and glossy from years of use and its blade cut through wood as if it was paper. A chunk of fine Chinese boxwood was being carved, with wood shavings falling under the carving knife. It was really as if it was paper, making people wonder why the wood could be this soft and crumbly.
This carving knife was in Master Kong’s hand.
Master Kong’s back was facing Song You and a calico cat was sitting properly in front of him on the bench. She only glanced swiftly at Song You when he came but held her pose otherwise.
She was a good model.
Master Kong was fully focused, unaware of the person behind him.
Song You held his breath, not daring to disturb him.
The rustling sound of carving was very soothing.
Master Kong switched between different knives, meticulously polishing. The wood shavings fell like snow, and the block of wood slowly took shape, gaining charm.
It was the calico cat sitting properly before him.
Its physique was well-proportioned and its expression lively.
When Master Kong lay down the knife, the wood carving, though eyeless, already seemed alive, indistinguishable from the calico cat sitting behind.
Not only did Song You exclaim in admiration, even Master Kong who had carved it himself, was astonished when he closely examined it.
Only then did he notice Song You behind him.
“Did you sleep well, Mister?”
“Very well, thank you for your hospitality.” Song You respectfully replied. He looked at the wood carving and was about to praise it when Lady Calico jumped down from the bench. She came closer to examine the wooden carving. Her eyes gradually widened, and then she looked at Master Kong.
The calico cat opened her mouth and spoke human language. Her voice was clear and delicate and she sounded puzzled. She tilted her head and asked the old man, “How did you know it was inside?”
Song You was stunned for a moment, then smiled broadly.
That one sentence was worth more than most compliments in the world.
1. Phallus indusiatus. Used in Chinese haute cuisine, stir-fries and chicken soup. ☜
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