Chapter 3, The Private Tutor

We had an agreement: I would steal the images, and you would crack them. The images are now in my possession, and the rest is up to you. As for the authorities, it's not that I underestimate them; it will take them at least a year and a half to find me here

Mother, it has become somewhat large

What is it? Mr. Mu stared intently.

Indeed, that large bird is standing on the sixth peak from the south, isn't that the Yujufeng?

The heart that had been hanging in suspense has finally descended

Is that so

Mo Can, having nothing to do at home, simply decided to open that book "The Mu Family's Ventriloquism" to read

This, Mo Can scratched his head, "Perhaps it is ... ..."

Mr. Mu must have found the treasure and then fled far away, thus bringing the incident at the Gantong Temple to a conclusion... He recalled the book "The Art of Ventriloquism by the Mu Family"; Mr. Mu, whose voice was usually hoarse, could transform into the voice of another person without even opening his mouth... Unbeknownst to him, Mo Can had arrived at the academy. The door to Mr. Mu's room was still locked, and through the slightly ajar window, he vaguely saw a thin old book pressed under the pillow by the bed, stirring something in his heart

Who do you think killed the bearded man

Mo Can felt a sense of relief, quickly grabbing the bamboo basket and leaving the school. As he stepped out, he heard Mr. Mu behind him murmuring: "Yuju Peak, so it is Yuju Peak"

After the New Year, Su Niang and Old Mo discussed that since there were no more books to study, they should find something for the child to do. Mo Can wanted to go hunting in the mountains like the villagers, but Old Mo firmly disagreed. In the end, they decided to send him to the city to be an apprentice

"Go back and thank your mother for the food and wine she sent," Mr. Mu paused for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject, "Mo Can, what is your opinion on the matter of the deceased at the Gan Tong Temple?"

"Who told you to grow up so fast? If you were a bit bigger, you could wear it for two more years"

Mr. Mu gazed lazily at Mo Can, let out a hum, said nothing, and turned to walk into the house

Mo Can's nose tip glistened with beads of sweat; if he were to be questioned persistently, it would only be a matter of time before he revealed the truth. It is perhaps better to approach the reality more closely, as it would make him less likely to be suspected.

Here comes Mo Canxin. He pretended to think for a moment, then said: "That Governor Li said it was the bearded man who stole the painting and killed the old monk, and then he was killed by other villains."

Mo Can carried a basket up the mountain, and before long, the sky was completely dark.

In the early morning, Mr. Mu stood with his hands clasped behind his back under the corridor in front of the academy.

It seems that it cannot be learned all at once. In any case, since I am no longer attending the private school, I can take my time to ponder at home. In the days that followed, Mo Can practiced according to the methods and steps recorded in the book. Old Mo could not see, and Su Niang was illiterate, both believing that he was reviewing his lessons.

Mo Can stood silently in front of the door, recalling the conversation from yesterday after school. He was certain that Mr. Mu must have gone to Yujufeng. Although Mr. Mu seemed to have lifted his suspicions about him, caution was still necessary. The horrific scene of killing the pale-faced scholar that night still haunted him. It seemed that the painting "Lingjiu Mountain Water Map" indeed concealed some secret; perhaps there was a treasure hidden within it. What could it be?

You have acted too recklessly; how many in the martial world are skilled in the use of the iron fan? The authorities will surely follow the trail and come after you

"It must be him. I saw the pale-faced scholar holding a folding fan. The governor said that the bearded man was killed by the fan's ribs. If it isn't him, then who could it be?" Mo Can's tone was very certain

Under the oil lamp, the plain girl carefully examined the animal skin jerkin on her son's body, which she had spent several nights sewing together.

Since the disappearance of Mr. Mu, the authorities have come to conduct their usual round, but ultimately to no avail. As they were unable to locate the teacher, the private school had no choice but to close its doors.

Mo Can placed the bamboo basket on the table and sat down to wait for Mr. Mu to return. As he glanced around, he inadvertently caught sight of an old book pressed under the pillow at the head of the bed, and he picked it up casually. The cover was inscribed with "The Mu Family's Abdominal Speech Technique." Out of curiosity, he flipped through it. It was a handwritten thin booklet, and the title page bore a neatly written line in clerical script: "Descendants of the Mu family from Ba County in Shu, take heed. Those who practice this abdominal speech technique must observe three prohibitions: first, do not deceive others; second, do not disclose it to outsiders; third, do not engage in immoral acts." The cover was inscribed with "The Mu Family's Abdominal Speech Technique," and out of curiosity, he flipped through it. It was a handwritten thin booklet, and the title page bore a neatly written line in clerical script: "Descendants of the Mu family from Ba County in Shu, take heed. Those who practice this abdominal speech technique must observe three prohibitions: first, do not deceive others; second, do not disclose it to outsiders; third, do not engage in immoral acts."

Mother did not know, it was found at the bottom of the box. The weather has turned cool, and the wind on the mountain is strong. If you don't dress warmly for school, you will catch a cold. Su Niang was nagging.

The next day, Mr. Mu did not return, and the students happily enjoyed themselves as usual

Under the cold moonlight, the person's pale face gazed bewilderedly at the night sky, revealing that he was indeed a white-faced scholar

You ... ... '' This person let out a muffled groan and then collapsed

"What did you say, Yujufeng?" Mr. Mu's eyes lit up

At this moment, amidst the night breeze of Cangshan, voices of people could be faintly heard, sounding somewhat familiar. Mo Can returned the book to its original place and stepped outside, following the sound into the pine forest. Under the moonlight, he caught a distant glimpse of Mr. Mu and a person dressed in a white scholar's robe standing in a clearing in the woods, seemingly engaged in a debate.

Mo Can recalled that picture, with ink dots, water stains, and that vulture. After some thought, he said: "I do not understand calligraphy and painting, I just find it quite strange that such a large bird has no feathers but is covered in fur. How could there be such a thing on Jade Peak?"

A study room beside the pine forest was still illuminated by an oil lamp; that was Mr. Mu's residence. The door was slightly ajar, and after knocking lightly twice with no response, Mo Can pushed the door open and entered. There was no one inside the room

Mo Can was so frightened that he did not dare to breathe, standing motionless behind the tree. He waited until Mr. Mu finished burying the corpse and returned to the schoolhouse, before quietly retreating back into the pine forest, then taking a detour to rush home.

Qi cultivation, how should one practice it? I noticed in the book several illustrations of unclothed individuals, their bodies adorned with numerous lines and dots, with annotations indicating meridians and acupoints, which appear quite complex

At night, he lay in bed with no inclination to sleep. Mr. Mu had sacrificed three lives for the "Lingjiu Mountain Water Painting". The bearded man and the pale scholar who committed murder first are not worth lamenting, but the old monk who guarded the scripture pavilion was a good man, always kind and amiable towards Mo Can. Furthermore, it is said that Mr. Mu came to Gantong Temple from the Central Plains several years ago. Was teaching merely a facade, while his true purpose was to seek this painting? If so, the "Lingjiu Mountain Water Painting" held by the old monk must conceal some great secret; otherwise, it would not be worth such desperate contention among these people. Moreover, it is said that Mr. Mu came to Gantong Temple from the Central Plains several years ago. Was teaching merely a facade, while his true purpose was to seek this painting? If so, the "Lingjiu Mountain Water Painting" held by the old monk must conceal some great secret; otherwise, it would not be worth such desperate contention among these people.

"Hmm, that makes some sense as well," Mr. Mu's expression softened

Mo Can quietly hid behind the tree

"Alright, hand the picture over to me," said a sharp voice

Mo Can was astonished, his eyes wide open, while Mr. Mu remained expressionless, his mouth not moving at all, yet his voice seemed to emanate from within his body

Recalling Mr. Mu's ruthless strike that killed the pale-faced scholar is truly frightening. Although I did not encounter him while delivering wine and dishes to the private school, Mr. Mu would certainly guess who sent them. Would he resort to murder to silence me, perhaps even delivering a blow to himself? Mr. Mu usually speaks in a hoarse voice, yet that sharp and piercing tone undeniably emanates from his body, which is indeed strange. Furthermore, what exactly is the book "Mu's Ventroloquism"? As I toss and turn, the more I think about it, the more afraid I become. Should I tell my mother and then report it to the authorities? After much contemplation, with the rooster crowing three times, I ultimately decide to pretend that I know nothing and go to school as usual tomorrow morning

Suppressing the inner turmoil, Mo stepped forward and said: "Mr. Mu, my mother asked me to bring some food and wine last night. You were not here, so I just left it on the table."

"Can you tell me what’s wrong, Can'er? Why are you sweating so much?" Su Niang asked in surprise

At that moment, Mr. Mu suddenly struck down with a swift and silent palm, landing on the crown of his head

***

Mo Canxin wandered idly in the Gantong Temple for a while, while the monks continued their rituals and recitations, as if nothing had ever happened

Mo Can's heart tightened; it was over, he must have discovered it.

"Mo Can, you also attended the debate meeting at the temple yesterday, didn't you?" Mr. Mu asked leisurely

"Not bad, you can go back now, take the basket with you." Mr. Mu stood up.

"Yes, I am standing outside the window," Mo Can replied truthfully, "and I can still see Mr. Mu dozing off in the corner by the wall."

This person lowered his head and drew a scroll from his sleeve

Strange, what book is this?

Half a month has passed, and Mr. Mu has not returned.

"Mo Can, stay here, I have something to ask you," Mr. Mu suddenly said

After the pine tree, Mo Can was so frightened that he almost cried out, quickly covering his mouth.

School is over, and Mo Can finally breathes a sigh of relief, packing up his things and just about to get up

Eh, isn't this the voice I heard at the debate meeting? Mo Can thought

He looked around and saw no one, so he gently climbed in through the window and took out the book from under the pillow, which was indeed the book "The Art of Ventiloquism by Mu"

To master ventriloquism, one must first practice breathing in reverse, using breath to control sound, thereby achieving twice the result with half the effort. Therefore, one can communicate without opening the mouth, and it is also permissible to converse in the language of birds and beasts. The book begins by discussing the wonders of the art of ventriloquism, leaving Mo Can scratching his head in excitement.

"Cán'er, this is the wine and dishes that your mother has bought. Please deliver them to Mr. Mu, as he has always taken good care of you, and we must not be lacking in courtesy," Su Niang said, handing her son a bamboo basket containing a jar of wine and a shiny roasted chicken. She then cautioned, "I just heard that someone has died at the Gantong Temple, so you should go early and return early, and be careful on the way."

"Is this vest very warm? Is it made of rabbit fur?" Mo Can gently stroked the soft gray fur on her body as she asked.

"Oh right, it's that pale-faced scholar," Mo Can seemed to realize.

In the morning, a group of students gathered in front of the tutoring center, where a note was posted on the door. It was a message from Mr. Mu, stating that he would not be present today due to other commitments and instructed the students to study at home. Everyone joyfully jumped up, excited that they could enjoy a whole day of play.

The students gradually left the tutoring house, and in the end, only the two of them remained inside the room

At dusk, Su Niang returned from Dali City

During the class, Mr. Mu's gaze occasionally glanced over. Do not panic, Mo Can reminded himself, and tried to act as if nothing was amiss

Mo Can did not say anything, as he did not want to frighten his mother

Mr. Mu alertly glanced around, took a quick look at the corpse, then picked up the painting scroll, turned around, and pulled a hoe out of the bushes, starting to dig a pit on the spot, as he had been well prepared.

Mr. Mu said again: "Mo Can, it is truly rare for a child like you to observe things with such meticulous detail. You have seen the painting 'Lingjiu Mountain and Water', do you feel there is anything unusual about it?"