Leaving the West Feng Gate of Jiugao City and turning onto the small path heading south, one could see an endless sea of bamboo after traveling for about the time it takes a stick of incense to burn.
The bamboo sea was secluded and dense throughout the four seasons. Looking up, the sky was hidden; looking down, the path was obscured. During the rainy season, even the most experienced escort agencies were reluctant to pass through these woods, for a heavily laden wagon would sink into deep pits of rotten mud after only a short distance, wasting half a day to cover just a few miles.
If it was this difficult for a carriage, it was even worse for a pedestrian.
The wind and rain had raged last night, leaving the bamboo forest exceptionally slick and muddy. Interspersed with clusters of bamboo shoots arching out of the ground, the terrain was pitted and uneven, making for a miserable trek.
Du Laogou’s foot slipped, and he fell face-first into the mud.
Clutching his creaking old lower back and propping himself up on his bruised knees, he scrambled to his feet with a grimace. Ignoring the pain, he hurriedly peered into the depths of the bamboo forest.
That small palanquin, draped in light gauze, was faintly visible amidst the thick greenery. The morning light pierced through the interlacing bamboo leaves, momentarily evoking legends of mountain spirits or fox immortals' wedding processions.
The palanquin glided gracefully through the forest, not even brushing against the stray bamboo leaves. Dozens of paces away on either side, several shadows followed. They were all dressed in grey-green clothing; the shifting light and shadow of the forest made them blend almost perfectly with their surroundings, as if the green bamboo itself had taken form. Their footsteps were even lighter, leaping over mud and puddles like a gust of wind, erasing the tracks left by the palanquin as they moved.
Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from the right rear of the silent procession.
Several grey-green shadows in the forest instantly shifted their formation. Seeing this, the rider quickly blew a rhythmic whistle, only then being allowed to approach the palanquin.
The person inside seemed to have sensed the arrival long ago and called for the two burly men carrying the litter to stop. When the two turned their heads, they revealed identical faces—clearly twin brothers.
A hand with fingernails tinged a faint bluish-purple reached out from behind the gauze curtains, gently lifting a corner.
The figure who had arrived at a gallop stopped three paces from the palanquin. He was a wanderer dressed as a hunter, with an owl feather tucked behind his ear. He had clearly traveled a long way, and his breathing was unsteady, but he did not dare delay for a moment. He quickly dismounted and bowed.
"Young Master, a report has come from the stone boat. Di Mo did not take the bait; the ambush plan must be temporarily shelved. Our people have withdrawn from Jiugao in three groups from different directions."
Gongzi Yan nodded slightly, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"I see."
Upon hearing this, the hunter instead showed a look of trepidation and guilt.
"This time, Li Kuquan was caught off guard—it was a rare opportunity. Having missed it once, Di Mo will likely be even more guarded than before. This subordinate has failed in his duty; I ask for the Young Master's punishment."
"Opportunities will always come." Gongzi Yan paused for a moment, seemingly understanding the other's frustration, and spoke softly to console him. "He was, after all, a man who once led armies. Even after hiding in the martial world for many years, certain defenses and alertness are carved into his very bones."
The hunter looked up at the Young Master on the litter with complex emotions, then remembered something and continued his report.
"Jia Thirteen did not come to rendezvous with the Young Master after killing Zhu Fuxue. I do not know if he has developed ulterior motives."
"Let us indulge him for a few more days. He does not have much time left. When the hour comes, he will naturally seek me out of his own accord."
After speaking this long passage, the person on the palanquin seemed to lose his strength and coughed heavily several times. Tang Wu, who was waiting by the litter, immediately unfastened the water skin and medicine bottle from his waist and handed them over.
Gongzi Yan slowly turned his head, his eyes—covered by a white cloth—seeming to stare at the medicine bottle. He did not move, but continued to ask the hunter.
"Did Tingfeng Hall send anyone?"
The hunter exchanged a glance with the twin giants and replied in a low voice.
"Manager Tang has no living relatives, and it was difficult enough for the Young Master to escape. This lowly one was concerned for the Young Master and worried that something might go wrong on Di Mo's side, so I feared I could not spare..."
Before he could finish, the person on the litter let out a sigh.
"Tang Shenyan was a man alone; that was why I chose him to establish a foothold in Jiugao. Now that the 'Spring Breeze' has departed, the agreement must be kept. This is my principle, and it is the principle of Chuanliu Academy. Do you understand?"
Despite missing a long-planned opportunity to kill his target, the Young Master had not blamed them. Yet, at this slight negligence regarding Tingfeng Hall, his voice instantly carried a hint of chill.
The hunter’s expression changed. Seeing this, Tang Yue, who was standing to the side, immediately stepped forward.
"I will personally make a trip for this matter. Please rest easy, Young Master."
Having said that, he gave the hunter a look. The latter quickly turned and mounted his horse, his figure disappearing into the forest even faster than he had arrived.
Gongzi Yan lowered the gauze curtain. Outside, Tang Wu’s hand, holding the medicine and water skin, still did not retract.
"Young Master has not closed his eyes for a day and a night. How can you hold on if this continues?"
A shadow shifted behind the gauze. After a long silence, a voice finally came.
"The matter is far from over. After taking the Sleeping Flower Powder, one inevitably falls into a stupor for three to five hours. If anything happens during that time, does A-Wu intend to make decisions for me?"
He spoke sternly, but Tang Wu was stubborn. Although he did not talk back again, his body remained motionless, standing right there.
Master and servant were at a stalemate. Tang Yue, seeing this, spoke cautiously.
"Young Master, that murderous swordsman might still be lingering in Jiugao; we must be careful in all things. Di Mo killed the people from the Ghost Water Gang, so we likely cannot switch to a boat for the time being. The road is bumpy; if the Young Master takes the medicine now, he will feel better in a while."
After a long time, the person on the litter sighed and reached out from behind the gauze, slowly taking the medicine bottle, though he did not touch the water skin.
"They are not dead yet; I will not die first."
Seeing this, Tang Wu’s expression finally softened. He said in a low voice, "Rest assured, Young Master. A-Wu will never let those people harm you in the slightest."
The voice behind the gauze sounded again, becoming even raspier due to the medicine.
"When I asked you and A-Yue to help at the Academy, it was not so you could guard this wretched life of mine, but because we share the same mission. You must never forget that..."
As he finished this sentence, he seemed utterly exhausted. His voice gradually weakened, and his breathing became slow and shallow.
Seeing this, Tang Yue knew the medicine was taking effect and quickly signaled Tang Wu to prepare to move.
Just then, a man in green walked quickly from the rear, stopping a short distance away, hesitating to step forward.
Tang Wu turned and walked quickly toward him, asking in a hushed voice, "If there is something, say it quickly. Do not hesitate."
"It is that beggar... that beggar has been following from a distance since we left the city. He still hasn't left."
"The Young Master is tired and needs rest. It is just a beggar; can you not handle even that?"
The man in green stiffened and nodded quickly. Just as he was about to withdraw, the Young Master on the litter suddenly spoke.
"Do not make things difficult for him. Just send someone to escort him back to the city."
The palanquin was ten paces away, and the person behind the gauze was a man with a broken, sickly body. Even through several layers of specially made gauze and having taken the medicine, he had heard the conversation between the two perfectly.
Tang Wu looked embarrassed and said repeatedly, "Young Master, please do not worry about such trivial matters anymore."
"He is likely just an old acquaintance of Tang Shenyan. The palanquin is not fast, which is why he was able to follow us this far. Once we switch to horses and carriages, he naturally won't be able to keep up." The effect of the medicine made Gongzi Yan’s mind somewhat groggy; Tang Wu’s words seemed to enter his ears a beat late. He couldn't hear clearly and only forced his will to give one last instruction. "Those who can walk the same path as I are all lonely people. Tang Shenyan has no relatives left; he cannot lose another friend."
Before Tang Wu could say anything more, a clamor came from the forest. The beggar in rags stumbled out of the woods, and before he could run two steps, he was pinned to the ground by two men in green who had caught up from behind.
The beggar struggled desperately, his already tattered clothes instantly covered in a layer of mud, looking utterly pathetic.
He was clearly terrified, yet even while shaking like a sieve, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
"You took ten copper coins for pickled beans and snow mustard! You promised I should wait a moment, but then you turned around and left through the back door! You even kidnapped me out of the city for fear I’d report you to the officials! How can you be so untrustworthy in business? I am a man of learning and won't hold it against you, just give me back my coins! That was my friend's money; he’s still in the city waiting for me to drink wine and admire the moon! It’s already dawn now. I took his money and broke our appointment—I don't know what he'll think..."
Du Laogou’s loud voice was exceptionally piercing in the early morning bamboo forest. Birds were startled into flight with a flurry of wings. Tang Wu’s face was extremely grim as he suppressed his anger and scolded, "Shut up. Do you know who is before you? If you keep shouting, forget your copper coins—you won't even keep your life."
Du Laogou was both shocked and enraged, his dirty face turning the color of pig liver.
"To even embezzle such a small amount of pickle money... I see this brother's virtue has hit rock bottom. Man proposes, but Heaven disposes! It’s not that there’s no retribution, it’s just that the time hasn't come yet..."
Tang Wu could endure no more. The short axe at his lower back was already in his hand.
"You rogue! My Young Master is only risking our safety to protect you for the sake of Mr. Tang. Not only are you ungrateful, you even dare to utter curses!"
The man on the ground had half his face pressed into the mud, but his voice grew louder like a cricket's chirp.
"You know Old Tang? Since you know him, why did you cheat him of his money?!"
Seeing the beggar acting both crazed and foolish, Tang Yue realized that further entanglement would only bring trouble. He immediately unfastened a coin pouch from his waist and tossed it over, then gave a look to the two men in green.
The two understood and released their grip simultaneously. Du Laogou
