The Diligent Housekeeper Xie Qin, a Raging Tides disciple, was unlike most of his peers. While others drank…
The Diligent Housekeeper
Xie Qin, a Raging Tides disciple, was unlike most of his peers.
While others drank deeply and carelessly, often soaking their clothes with wine without a second thought, Xie took a different approach.
He carefully washed his garments with soap pods, scrubbing out every stain and drying them thoroughly under the sun on clear days.
When his fellow disciples raised the wine jar for a round, each taking a sip, he would politely but awkwardly decline, saying, "I'll pass this time."
In short, he was a neat freak.
He carried himself with unwavering resolve, fearless in the face of life and death, wielding his spear as though it were his own tombstone.
But there was no shame in wanting cleanliness, he told himself firmly. Even a Raging Tides disciple could value order and purity.
With that conviction, he saved every coin meticulously, eventually purchasing a quiet, secluded courtyard.
After a long life roaming the jianghu, he dreamed of returning home, tending the garden, and nurturing flowers.
Someone once told him: to live well was to settle all scores.
One day, returning home, he found something lying at the pristine gate of his courtyard—
a filthy, ragged figure that was more a tattered cloth than a person.
A chill ran down Xie's spine as he leaned down and checked for breath. The figure was alive.
Drawing on his modest medical knowledge from his days in the army, he gently pulled this lost soul back from the edge of death.
Once cleaned and slightly recovered, the stranger began babbling incessantly—nonsensical words spilling out like a broken river.
"What nonsense is this? I am truly the son of the wealthy Yu family of Kaifeng! Wrongfully accused in a family dispute, meeting me is your lucky chance. Give me fifty taels of silver, and I promise a bright future for you."
"I can no longer keep up the pretense—I was sent by the authorities. Lost my badge while pursuing criminals. Give me fifty taels, and I'll make everything right for you."
Every week, on a certain day, voices echo with such incredible stories, as if a wild festival were taking place.
Xie simply covered his ears, thinking that once his wound healed, he would go wherever he wished.
When "Young Master Yu" was barely able to walk with a cane, a few visitors arrived at the gate.
Xie handed over all the valuables from the house.
"It's better to settle with me than with them," Young Master Yu said angrily. "What exactly do you owe?"
Xie pointed to a jar of wine on the shelf. In the Raging Tides, debts between life and death are settled with wine and flesh. Drinking may cost a life; a life-draining debt may be repaid with wine.
"I owe someone a life, but this jar of wine will never be used to repay that debt."
Noticing the look in Young Master Yu's eyes, Xie added, "You don't owe me anything." It was a small kindness, done simply to keep someone from sinking deeper into hardship.
The next day, Young Master Yu seemed transformed.
Though his leg was still healing and his steps unsteady, he eagerly took up every task—from sweeping the floor to cooking—leaving Xie puzzled.
"Because... I am an immortal. Heaven has taken pity on you and sent me to help. Understood? Now, give me fifty taels of silver..."
Xie nearly fumbled his chopsticks.
His cleanliness obsession was a hopeless habit, yet sharing a meal with someone brought an unexpected warmth.
As the days grew colder, Young Master Yu's injuries healed swiftly, and he regained his spirited vigor.
He paid no attention to Xie's subtle hints to leave, wandering in and out of the courtyard as though it were his own domain.
Until one day, Xie spoke firmly, "This courtyard has been promised to another. Don't come back after tomorrow."
Unable to repay the wine he owed to his fallen peers on the battlefield, Xie had instead bequeathed his modest family land to his living kin, hoping to find some peace in that.
Young Master Yu dismissed all this, insisting on staying just one more night.
By morning, both the wine and the man had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a sealed letter.
With a heavy heart, Xie packed his belongings and set out for Kaifeng—both to recover the lost wine and to seek a new path.
"Since you've caught me, I'll return the wine," Young Master Yu had said with a bright smile the day he was captured. "Don't judge me by appearances—I'm a man of honor who repays every kindness, endlessly."
Xie gave a cold laugh. The wine was returned, but what of the rest?
"Perhaps... you'd start by telling me your true name."