The dwelling of Elder Li was nothing lavish, nor was its ground large; it was but an ordinary farmhouse. About its few close-huddled side rooms ran a wall of earth, some two zhang high and half a zhang thick, which shut in a simple little courtyard, and in the face of the wall that turned toward the road was set a moon-gate of arched form. Through the half-open wooden door one could see within the court a good many visitors, come to call.
Once he was inside the courtyard, Han Li found that the number of those actually present was far greater than appeared from without. They gathered in twos and threes, speaking in low voices of Elder Li's hurt.
Han Li had long heard that Elder Li was one of the few kind-hearted men among the high walls of the Sect of Seven Mysteries — that toward lowly disciples and fellow elders alike he seldom so much as frowned, and that he never strove for power or profit within the sect. Toward such a good, honest man the whole household, high and low, naturally sang but one song of praise; and his good grace among men was beyond compare. Now that Elder Li had met with harm, all those of any standing — whether in truth or in show, to keep up appearances — must needs come in person, or send another, to call upon him; and hence sprang that great gathering of men that now met the eye.
No sooner had Han Li entered than the folk within the court knew him; and straightway those of the lower rank, the Protectors and their like, pressed about him, vying one with another to be first with their greetings.
"Well met, Physician Han!"
"Physician Han has come!"
Such a burst of well-wishing as was poured without stop into his ears, so that he could not choose but hear it.
Looking upon these warm, eager faces, Han Li's own countenance shone as bright as the sun; with a smile he gave back greeting to every one, not missing a single soul, in a most courteous fashion — yet in his heart he was utterly weary of these hollow civilities.
It was well those of the higher rank, the deputy hall masters and patrons and their like, kept somewhat to their dignity, only nodding with a reserved show of courtesy toward Han Li, without drawing near; for which their conduct won a measure of his good-will, and spared him the pains of attending upon yet more great ones.
Ma Rong, whose rank was too low to have any word to say in the matter, could but stand idly by, watching Han Li cling and parley with this person and that without end; and his countenance grew more and more frantic, his two hands wringing without pause.
At last when Han Li had done with greeting the last of them, Ma Rong could hold in no longer; he darted forward, caught Han Li by the arm, and drew him straight into the house. This headlong rudeness drew looks of no small displeasure from certain of those who had hoped to make the acquaintance of the great Physician Han.
Outwardly Han Li seemed somewhat rueful; but in his heart he was truly glad, for at last he was rid of all those babbling folk, and without giving offence to a single soul.
And so, dragged by Ma Rong, Han Li was brought straight into the guest hall.
Therein were but few persons: besides some of the family, two elders and the Vice Sect Leader Ma also kept the room. But what most astonished Han Li was that Li Feiyu should be there as well.
This gave Han Li no little surprise; for, so far as he knew, Li Feiyu and Elder Li had no bond between them at all. How came it that he should be present in this place?
Even while these doubts filled his breast, Han Li saw that Li Feiyu stood at the side of a slender little maiden, whose face was tracked with tears, and was soothing her without cease. The assiduous air he wore was of quite another sort from that he showed before his fellow disciples or Han Li — the very picture, plain to see, of one whose heart has been ensnared by the silken toils of a woman's love.
Seeing Li Feiyu thus far sunk in the net of love, light at last dawned upon Han Li; and within him was no little astonishment, yet also vast amusement.
He made haste to scan this maiden closely, to see what sort of a thousand-fair perfect beauty it was that could bring so lawless a desperado as Li Feiyu into subjection.
The maiden seemed some fifteen or sixteen years of age. In her hair was stuck a hairpin of green jade, and upon her body a dress of lotus-green, which suited her slender little frame most handsomely; a mass of glossy black hair was drawn back into two little braids, which lent to her already sweet countenance a wheedling, playful look. But now her two eyes were somewhat red and swollen, and all her person wore an air so piteous and winning that one felt a stirring impulse to gather her into one's arms and cherish her with all tenderness.
"Ah, ah! A veritable little beauty, and no mistake," Han Li marvelled to himself. He felt that Li Feiyu's ensnarement by this girl's love was perfectly pardonable; yet a touch of envy and jealousy stole over him, that he knew not when he himself should win such a bosom friend and fair companion.
Perhaps it was that Ma Rong marked how Han Li had turned his eyes to this maiden; for he made haste to step forward and present the folk of the house to him.
The Sect Leader Ma and a pale-faced Elder Qian, Han Li had already met, so nothing needed be said of them; he straightway went forward to pay his respects.
"Vice Sect Leader Ma, Elder Qian, my humble greetings to you both!"
"Ho ho! The young Physician Han is come!" The Vice Sect Leader Ma wore a most approachable air, setting aside all the dignity of his high office before Han Li.
"Physician Han is Physician Han; what need of that 'young'?" Han Li muttered the unspoken complaint to himself.
Elder Qian, by contrast, returned but a most cool and distant nod, the very opposite of the Sect Leader's manner; yet Han Li took no offence, for he knew the man practiced a special inner art, and must needs cut himself off from all feeling and desire, and was therefore cold to every soul alike.
Another elder, of burly frame and red countenance, was wholly strange to Han Li, such a one as he had surely never met before; yet the man's palms were rough of skin, and his ten fingers short and thick — a sure token, at a glance, that he had trained some special skill in his hands.
"This is Elder Zhao, a sworn friend of my master," said Ma Rong, making the introduction. "Heretofore he has dwelt without the mountain, overseeing the work of the Treasure Gathering Hall, and only two days since has he returned."
Elder Zhao only let fall a cold "Hmph" through his nose and no word from his lips; but the doubt in his eyes was thick indeed — plain proof that, seeing the Physician Han so young, he placed no great trust in his skill.
Since this Elder Zhao had no regard for him, Han Li was not minded to go pressing upon a cold hinder-part; so he returned but the flattest of salutations, and made as if to pass the man by.