Vol 10 Chapter 40 (2/2)

“Alright, it’s about time I left. If it gets any later, I might not be able to return home.” Sima Hui said as he got up and made to leave.

“Ah, thanks for your time, Teacher Sima.” I said as I hurriedly got up, “Let me send someone to accompany you.”

“No need for that.” Sima Hui stopped me just as I was about to yell for someone and went out, “I came here alone so I’ll have to return alone.”

“Then let me send you to the doorway at least.”

“I’ll trouble you for that then.” Sima Hui said as he left with me beside him.

*Xu*~~~~~~~~~

Just as we left the room, a crisp and sonorous whistling sound could be heard. When I looked ahead, I saw that Sima Hui had made the sound.

“This is…”

“Un?” Sima Hui noticed my gaze and smiled stiffly, “Hoho, sorry about that, I like to whistle when I’m in a good mood. It’s actually rather popular amongst the hermit scholars in this area.”

As he said so, he blew again–

*Xu*~~~~

This time, the sound he made was sharper.

“How is it? Is it nice? Hehe~” He asked as he chuckled. Why is he so playful even though he’s already an old man?

“Un, it’s good.”

“Ah yes, speaking of which, Kong Ming is the best amongst us when it comes to whistling.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Un, even though this is a skill that’s only used for leisure and killing time, it can help to calm one’s emotions.” Sima Hui said as his expression eased, “If you are willing, you can learn it as well.”

“Haha, I doubt I can do it.” I said as I mimicked him and whistled.

*Huhu*

In the end, all I could do was mimic his motions but not the sound.

“Hahaha,” Sima Hui laughed again, “Take it slow. No one can do it from the start. Practice more and you’ll get there. In any case, if you have the chance, do listen to Kong Ming’s whistling. She might even teach you too.”

I do not think that is likely but I still nodded and bore this in mind anyway.

“Here is fine.”

“Eh? But this is just the inner courtyard.” I said as I looked ahead and saw that there was still some distance to the door.

“The inner courtyard is fine. No need to send me to the doorway.” He said as he tidied his clothing and shot a glance to the attendant by the doorway who went to get his horse, “If you really are able to get Zhuge Liang, then it’s likely that the fate between us ends here.”

“Eh?” I began to panic when I heard this, “How could that be, Teacher Sima is–”

“I’m a hermit scholar.” He said as he turned back to look at me, “As I said before, I’m already over 40. It will be nigh impossible for me to return to partake in wider society. Unlike Xuan De. Xuan De still has a long way to go and you can take control of your path.”

“Un…”

Take control of my path huh…

“Don’t wait till you’ve lost it to regret it. *Pa* *Pa*” Sima Hui said softly as he patted my shoulders. When I looked up, I saw that he had begun walking again. At this time, his horse had already been brought here.

“Well then, farewell!” Sima Hui said as he saluted before mounting his horse.

He did not say ‘may we meet again’ or ‘see you again’. Perhaps it was indeed as he said, that the fate of our relations.h.i.+p had come to an end.

Just like mine and Yuan Zhi.

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