Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Momentous Decision

Ever since Qiu Xi’s crime was exposed, Li Village fell into collective silence. The whole Luoshui Village seemed affected, as if everyone was subtly moved yet outwardly indifferent. Chen Tianyu personally led Beiting and several others to escort Qiu Xi and his accomplices into the city. At the same time, they coordinated with the police to re-examine and collect evidence from all the murder and suicide scenes. Beiting submitted a detailed investigative report of tens of thousands of words, meticulously outlining the course of the case. The local police expressed their gratitude, and in the end, the findings largely matched the report. The case was essentially solved.

At first, Li Yiting requested to stay alone in Li Village to handle some family matters, hoping to rejoin everyone after the Lantern Festival. Naturally, no one objected.

Chen Tianyu made a special suggestion: “Yiting, if your parents are willing, why not bring them to the city? You’ve wandered for so many years; it’s time they enjoyed some comfort.”

“Fourth Brother, I’ll seriously consider your suggestion, but my parents have grown accustomed to rural life. I’m afraid they’d struggle to adapt to city living.”

“It’s all about effort,” Chen Tianyu sighed. “A man’s ambition may stretch far, but parents always hope to be reunited with their children. Besides, so much has happened in Li Village now. If they stay, I fear it’ll only bring them more worries.”

Li Yiting nodded, “I’ll do my best to persuade them. I hope they’ll listen to me this time. Actually, my mother is probably the most reluctant to leave; she’s never really left Luoshui Village, and the farthest she’s been might just be the market in Mutu Village.” At this, his expression grew somewhat sorrowful.

Chen Tianyu thought for a moment, “There’s a saying—‘When all are drunk, I alone am sober.’ That’s something truly difficult to achieve. After all this, I feel your mother is the most wise and principled person in Li Village. If you’re still confused, I suggest you seek her counsel…”

“I understand. Don’t worry,” Li Yiting smiled.

Chen Tianyu nodded again. “I have nothing to worry about; I just hope this matter ends well.”

“Are you trying to hint something?” Li Yiting glanced sideways at him.

“Perhaps.” Chen Tianyu laughed. “Well, we’ll leave now. The mess is yours to handle.”

---

After the family’s funerals were settled and the Lantern Festival had passed, life had to go on. The younger brothers of the Li family planned to scatter once more, but Li Yiting stopped them.

He had conceived an idea that required the support of the whole village.

First, he discussed it with Li Fuqi, then specifically sought his mother’s opinion. As expected, her response was calm. She simply told her son eight words: “A man is blameless, but bearing treasure brings guilt.”

Li Yiting felt as if struck by sudden enlightenment; all his recent turmoil vanished. Fourth Brother was right—his mother had always seen things clearly and with wisdom.

The next day, he wasted no time gathering all the villagers and, together with Li Fuqi, announced an important decision: The Fish-Gut Sword, which the Li family had protected for a thousand years, would be donated to the National Museum!

Originally, he and Li Fuqi were only temporary guardians of the treasure. But now, with Uncle Li Qisi deceased, it was natural for them to inherit his will.

To their surprise, the crowd was silent, not voicing the opposition they had anticipated.

Great Uncle Ninth was the first to step forward. He said, “Children, it’s not that I’m stubborn or greedy for money. This matter is no small thing. I hope you consider it carefully before making a decision. Li Village has guarded this artifact for generations at great cost. Now that it’s revealed, who knows if it’s a blessing or a curse!”

“Ninth Uncle, forgive me for saying something so bold: Keeping the Fish-Gut Sword in Li Village brings disaster. Handing it over to the nation is a blessing. The ancestral shrine isn’t unsafe, but as everyone has seen, it’s not the thief you fear, but the thief’s thoughts. If we keep guarding it, who knows what tragedy might occur next,” Li Fuyi, usually silent, was the first to stand and speak.

Ninth Uncle sighed deeply. “I know this truth well, but… once the Fish-Gut Sword is donated, it’s no longer related to the Li family. I’m only afraid that future generations will be unable to answer to our ancestors.”

Li Fuqi hurried to explain, “Everyone may not know, but donating such a precious artifact wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment idea. I’ve reviewed many regulations these days. In fact, donating exceptionally valuable relics can bring economic compensation and even a generous reward. Ninth Uncle is right—the Li Village has always been poor, never seeking sudden wealth. But we also deserve happiness, and the state has always been tolerant of reasonable requests. So, don’t worry too much.”

“Fuqi is right. If we donate a national treasure, the country won’t treat us unfairly,” Li Qihuai voiced his support.

Ninth Uncle’s face was flushed with excitement. “That’s good, very good. I just wonder if, in my lifetime, I’ll ever see this peerless artifact again.”

Li Yiting laughed. “Ninth Uncle, in our ancestral shrine, you can only see it once a year. But if it’s in the National Museum, you could see it every day.”

Li Fuqi was also excited. “Exactly. Instead of keeping the treasure locked away, let the whole world have a chance to see it. Surely, our ancestors would not blame us.”

“Where is the National Museum? Is it far? I’ve never been on a plane. If they give us money, I’ll buy a ticket and go see it,” Ninth Uncle asked, a childlike curiosity in his voice.

Everyone burst into laughter, their faces lighting up with rare smiles. Li Yiting glanced around secretly, feeling suddenly much lighter.

Li Fuqi chuckled. “Ninth Uncle, if you don’t get out and travel, you’ll really become an antique yourself! Times have changed. You might think such a precious treasure must go to the Palace Museum, but actually, local museums are encouraged to collect regional artifacts. The Fish-Gut Sword will most likely go to the provincial capital and be displayed in rotating exhibitions. You might see it in our own city… You won’t need a plane ticket, just take a coach.”

“What? I was planning to use this chance to visit the Palace Museum. You should have told me sooner, now I’m excited for nothing,” Ninth Uncle muttered.

“If not a plane, then at least a high-speed train, right? I must go see the provincial capital,” Ninth Uncle beamed, wiping his mouth.

The crowd laughed again, and Li Fuqi joined in.

“Ninth Uncle, you’re hilarious! Don’t worry, Fuqi will go with you. Is that enough?”

“Enough, enough!” Ninth Uncle was full of joy. “You’re a capable child.”

Li Qihuai chimed in, “Fuqi is the golden phoenix flown from our mountain nest—of course he’s capable, Uncle Ninth.”

“Late to the party!” Ninth Uncle feigned annoyance, glaring at Li Qihuai. “Your boy’s not bad either. Ha, ha, good, good.”

Li Qihuai’s solemn face finally relaxed.

“Our children will have their own fortune. We old folks needn’t worry anymore.”

The story ends here, to be continued!

Next volume: “City of Desire”

Began writing January 3, 2018; first draft completed July 22, 2018.

It took over half a year, leaving deep feelings.

July 23, 2018: First revision completed.

August 1, 2018: Final draft.