By the time they finished eating, Gu Xu felt fuller than he could remember feeling in a very long time.
Especially because he was in the presence of a good mentor like Maki, not someone like Yu Yunshang's father who watched his guests with hawkish eyes.
The food had been simple, but it was rich, warm, and carefully prepared. Lots of meat, some grains, vegetables, and fruit, things that rarely appeared together on the same table in his home.
When they were done, servants from Maki's household entered quietly and began clearing the plates and wiping the table with a clean cloth.
Maki stood and gestured for Gu Xu to follow him.
"Come along child," he said. "We will now go to wash our hands, we haven't got all day to wait around doing nothing."
They walked to a stone basin in a shaded corner of the courtyard where clear water flowed slowly from a carved spout shaped like a cheetah's head.
Maki poured water over his hands first, then stepped aside for Gu Xu to do the same.
As Gu Xu washed, Maki spoke in a calm tone.
"From today onward, you will come here every morning for breakfast before training. I want you to appear here before 8:00am."
Gu Xu looked up, surprised. "Every morning, Maki?"
Maki nodded. "Yes, training requires more than effort. It requires fuel. A boy who does not eat well cannot build muscle and a boy who cannot build muscle cannot become strong."
"Though your bloodline is strong, you cannot simply rely on that, you have to build skill and strength as well on top of that."
Gu Xu then calmly said, "Thank you, Maki."
Maki waved his hand slightly. "This is nothing. It's what I should do."
They finished washing and walked back through the courtyard, but instead of heading toward the gate, Maki led him towards another wing of the house.
"This way," he said. "There are still things you must see today."
They entered a large room lined with wooden shelves from floor to ceiling.
Scrolls, bamboo slips, and bound books filled the shelves in neat rows. The smell of ink, paper, and old wood filled the air.
"This is my library," Maki said with a sense of pride while walking toward one of the shelves.
"Knowledge is as important as strength... a warrior who does not think is just a loud animal."
After saying this, Maki laughed loudly, a big belly laugh!
When at his home and not on official duties, he was more at ease.
He scanned the shelves for a moment, then pulled out a thick book bound in dark leather.
He turned and handed it over to Gu Xu.
When Gu Xu held it in his hands, he found that it was heavier than he expected.
"This," Maki said, "is the book of medicinal herbs that I told you about. The ones that grow on this island. Their shapes, where to find them, how to prepare them, what they heal...and what they poison."
Gu Xu opened it in a respectful manner.
The pages were filled with the drawings of plants, roots, leaves, and detailed notes written in neat characters.
"There are about two hundred pages," Maki continued. "You are to memorize all of them."
Gu Xu looked up quickly. "All of them?"
"Yes. By the end of this week."
Gu Xu blinked. He thought he had misheard.
"This week, Maki?"
Maki nodded with some gravity.
"Yes, a person who does not understand medicine will die from small wounds while a person who understands medicine can survive injuries that would kill others..this knowledge may one day save your life when no one is there to help you."
He looked at Gu Xu directly.
"Like in the lions den, no one will be there to help you."
Gu Xu closed the book slowly and held it tightly. "I understand."
Maki then turned and walked out of the library, clearly expecting Gu Xu to follow.
They walked across another courtyard and toward a long, low building made of stone and dark wood.
Maki opened the door, and a cool, metallic smell filled the air.
Inside, racks of weapons lined the walls.
Swords, spears, bows, shields, daggers, and weapons Gu Xu did not even know the names of were arranged neatly in rows. Some were plain and practical while others were beautifully decorated but still looked deadly.
"This is my armoury," Maki said. "You will not touch anything here until I tell you to. But you should look and begin to understand the tools of war."
Gu Xu walked slowly along the racks, his eyes wide. He had seen weapons before, of course, but not like this. Not so many nor ones so well cared for.
"A weapon," Maki said behind him, "is an extension of the body. But a weapon in the hands of a fool is just a piece of metal."
Gu Xu nodded.
They left the armoury and walked further out, past the back of the house, where the land opened up into wide fields.
"This is my farm," Maki said.
Rows of crops stretched out across the land.
Workers moved between the rows, tending plants, carrying baskets, and checking irrigation channels.
"This where I grow the food for my household."
"If you do well in your training," Maki said, "after two weeks, I will introduce you to the warriors under my command."
"Warriors?" Gu Xu asked.
"About two thousand elite warriors," Maki said. "They train at my warrior school nearby and are the backbone of the Cheetah tribe's fighting force."
Gu Xu felt his heart beat suddenly faster at this idea.
"But," Maki continued, "you will only meet them if you prove that you are serious about changing your life. Warriors do not respect lazy men."
"I understand, Master," Gu Xu said.
After that, they left the farm and walked toward a busy part of the noble district where large houses and shops stood side by side. The streets were cleaner here, and people were better dressed.
They stopped in front of a large trader's shop. Rolls of cloth, leather armor pieces, boots, and travel gear were displayed inside.
The trader saw Maki and immediately came forward with a big smile and a respectful bow.
"Master Maki! Welcome, welcome. What can I prepare for you today?"
"I need four sets of training uniforms for him," Maki said, gesturing to Gu Xu. "Strong and easy to move in. Good for movement."
The trader looked at Gu Xu quickly, then nodded. "Yes, sir! Please come in, we will take his measurements."
Gu Xu stood still as the trader and his assistants measured his arms, legs, chest, shoulders, and waist. They spoke quickly to each other, writing down numbers and discussing materials.
"When will they be ready?" Maki asked.
"Two sets by tomorrow," the trader said. "The other two the day after."
"That is acceptable," Maki replied.
They finished there, and by the time they stepped back out into the street, the sun had already moved far across the sky.
It was afternoon.
Maki looked at the sun briefly, then turned to Gu Xu.
"That is enough for today," he said.
"Lessons are finished. Go home and study the book of herbs. Memorize the drawings, the names, and the uses. Tomorrow morning, we begin the physical training."
Gu Xu bowed deeply. "Thank you for your guidance today, Master."
Maki gave a small nod. "Do not waste time as one month passes quickly."
With that, they went their separate ways.
Gu Xu walked alone through the noble district, holding the herb book carefully in his arms. He was not used to walking in this area, and he could feel people looking at him, recognizing him, whispering quietly.
As he turned a corner, he suddenly Jian Xu and Zhi Ye coming towards him on the same path.
Jian Xu looked as he always did—tall, handsome, and noble. He looked like someone who belonged in this prosperous district...
When Jian Xu came closer until he was almost an arm's length away from Gu Xu, he frowned slightly at him, his eyes moved over Gu Xu's clothes, the book in his hands, and the direction he had come from.
Zhi Ye noticed the frown and nudged Jian Xu lightly with his elbow, a silent reminder that staring like that was rude which he not rarely did to others in social situations whenever he was absent-minded.
Jian Xu seemed to snap out of his thoughts.
He stepped forward and greeted Gu Xu properly. "Gu Xu, it is rare sight to see you out and about, how have you been?"
Gu Xu bowed slightly. "I have been well. Thank you for your concern, respected cousin."
Jian Xu nodded, then gestured to the man beside him. "This is Zhi Ye, my friend."
Zhi Ye stepped forward and gave Gu Xu a respectful bow and said nothing.
Jian Xu looked at Gu Xu again, his eyes stopping on Gu Xu's worn clothes. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then reached into his robe and took out a small money bag.
He gave Gu Xu a few coins.
"Take this," Jian Xu said. "You will need proper things if you are training."
Gu Xu was startled. "Cousin, I—"
"Take it." Jian Xu said firmly.
Gu Xu accepted it with no issue.
He knew that he was not yet strong enough to rely on himself, so the wise thing to do was to accept whatever kindness he was given.
"Thank you." he said.
Jian Xu nodded once, satisfied, and stepped back. "You are free to go. We will not keep you any longer."
Gu Xu bowed once more to both of them, then continued on his way.
As he walked away, he did not turn around.
Behind him, Jian Xu and Zhi Ye resumed walking in the opposite direction, towards Elder Yu Mingli's estate.
Zhi Ye spoke first. "You are worried about him."
Jian Xu did not answer immediately.
After a moment, he said, "He is still a member of the Xu family."
Meanwhile, Gu Xu continued to walk home.
The sun was beginning to lower in the sky, and the village looked different in the golden afternoon light.
Today had certainly been the strangest day of his life yet.