Volume One: The Dragon Rises from the Wilderness Chapter Thirty-Eight: Fireworks
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Zhong Jian, hindered by his leg injury, was staying downstairs with Yan Chi.
The guest room downstairs was rather spacious.
Zhong Jian sat on a stool, propped up by a cane. His broken leg was bound with a splint, and he wore a fresh, bright robe. A smile radiated from his face.
Two unfamiliar burly men stood nearby, each holding a sharp blade, arms crossed, their faces fierce and intimidating.
A table and a large wooden chest stood in the middle of the guest room. The table was piled with clothes, while the opened chest lay empty.
Yu Ye followed Yan Chi into the guest room, hearing him ingratiate himself, “Senior Brother, Brother Yu has arrived—”
Once hailed as Elder Brother Yu, then as Senior Brother Yu, now simply Brother Yu.
“Brother Zhong!”
Yu Ye greeted Zhong Jian, then nodded to the two strangers. The pair stared at him, their fierce expressions tinged with a hint of provocation.
“Zhong Quan and Zhong Yi, my own brothers whom I summoned by letter!”
Zhong Jian introduced his brothers warmly, then affectionately said, “Brother Yu, see if these clothes fit you.”
Yu Ye declined, “No need.”
The clothes on the table were prepared for him, yet his own Daoist robe remained intact.
Yan Chi reached out and closed the door, saying, “Brother, best not to wear the Daoist robe. Daoist sects everywhere are beset by calamity, disciples are all on edge. Wearing such attire draws too much attention. I heard…” His own Daoist robe had been replaced by a silk long shirt. Lowering his voice, he continued, “I heard Boss Hu has sent his men out everywhere to seize Daoists…”
Yu Ye was surprised, “Isn’t Boss Hu already in Bu Yi’s hands? How dare he act so brazenly?”
“Hmph, he’s now allied with a master from Qizhou, entrenched on Beiqi Mountain. Everyone fears him, even I, Zhong, dare not leave the inn.”
Zhong Jian waved his hand angrily, “Let him be rampant for now. One day I will reclaim Beiqi Mountain and the Daoist sect!”
“Senior Brother, calm yourself!”
Yan Chi advised, “We’re lying low here for the time being, a temporary measure. When the trouble passes, I’ll accompany you to roam the world!”
“Ah, I nearly forgot the main business!”
Zhong Jian produced a jade ring, pointed to the large chest on the floor, and said, “Brother Yu, help me retrieve the treasures stored in the ring.”
The storage ring he had obtained was now his, and he had Yu Ye put all the scrolls and stolen goods inside. Yu Ye had thought him keeping the ring would be of no use, but Zhong Jian was thorough.
Yu Ye smiled wryly and took the ring. After a few attempts, his spiritual sense grew more adept.
A pile of scrolls and various items appeared out of nowhere in the chest.
Zhong Quan and Zhong Yi, standing nearby, widened their eyes, their arrogance and provocation swept away.
Yan Chi shrugged indifferently, “Moving things with spiritual sense, nothing remarkable.”
Zhong Jian took back the ring, pulled a short sword from his bosom—the flying sword of the Qizhou master, always hidden on his person—and placed it in the chest, rubbing his hands with excitement. “Ha ha, centuries of heritage are here, the revival of the Daoist sect is hopeful!”
He intends to rebuild Beiqi Mountain’s Daoist sect?
Yu Ye frowned, “Brother Zhong, is this the business you spoke of?”
“Of course not!”
Zhong Jian waved his hand, “You’re heading to Luming Mountain, aren’t you? I don’t know the way…”
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Yu Ye’s expression darkened.
Zhong Jian had promised to send him to Luming Mountain, claiming he would not break his word. Now he says he doesn’t know the way—a clear deception.
“Brother Yu, don’t be impatient. Let me explain.”
Zhong Jian saw through Yu Ye’s thoughts and smiled, “You know my background, many brothers, heavy expenses, always needing to make a living. I only know martial skills, so I escort valuables for wealthy families to earn commissions. Recently, I took a job escorting a family of three to Que Ling Mountain for a visit. Now that my leg is broken and I can’t travel, I’d like you, Brother Yu, to take over…”
Yu Ye’s face grew even gloomier.
Zhong Quan and Zhong Yi also voiced their displeasure—
“Big brother, why not let us do it?”
“It’s a long way, bandits abound. He’s so young, even if he knows spells, he may not be up to the task!”
“Hmph, who dares underestimate Brother Yu?”
Zhong Jian glared at his brothers, scolding, “No need to say more about Brother Yu’s abilities. You two oafs should know, he’s a true Daoist expert, he saved my life, those thieves don’t matter to him. Besides, I have other plans…”
He looked at Yu Ye, shaking his head, “Ah, Brother Yu, don’t pull a long face. I remember the coachman said Que Ling Mountain borders Luming Mountain. Escort the family to Que Ling Mountain along the way, should nothing happen, all is well. If trouble arises, with your skills you can handle it. Once you reach Que Ling Mountain, then head to Luming Mountain, what do you think?”
Yu Ye’s expression softened, and he nodded.
According to Zhong Jian, this was his only way to Luming Mountain at the moment.
“The family’s name is Kuang, a jeweler, staying at the inn in Lishui Town, planning to leave in a day or two. You might as well go today. I’ve prepared a swift horse for you, be ready to depart!”
Zhong Jian handed him an iron token and a piece of animal hide, explaining, “My token, Master Kuang will recognize it. This is a map of Beiqi Mountain’s territory—three hundred li northwest is Lishui Town…” He gave instructions, passed the token and map to Yu Ye, then asked curiously, “You say you’re seeking kin, what relatives do you have on Luming Mountain?”
“A friend’s request…”
“No need to say more. Don’t forget our bond—let’s meet again at Ju Gong Town.”
Yu Ye accepted the token and map, bade Zhong Jian farewell with a raised hand, took the clothes from the table, and returned to his room. As he arrived, Yan Chi followed.
“Brother Yu is leaving—how reluctant I am!”
Yan Chi’s features were handsome, clear brows, red lips, white teeth, dressed now in silk, looking like a wealthy young master. Yet his manner remained as frivolous and slick as ever.
The clothes brought from Zhong Jian’s room were likely bought from the town’s cloth shop: two sets of silk shirts, two sets of coarse cloth robes, and two pairs of soft-soled animal hide boots.
Yu Ye picked a grey coarse cloth robe and a pair of boots that fit well.
As he changed, Yan Chi waited outside to avoid impropriety, occasionally peeking in.
Yu Ye tied his messy hair with a cloth strip, picked up his bundle, and grabbed his long sword.
Yan Chi seized the moment to enter, holding a pearl, and earnestly said, “We met beneath Beiqi Mountain, part ways at the Delightful Inn. Who knows when we’ll meet again? Let me give you a luminous pearl, my family heirloom…”
“Thanks, but I don’t want it.”
Yu Ye refused and prepared to leave.
“Wait—”
Yan Chi hurriedly blocked the door, smiling awkwardly, “Brother Yu, my family’s pearl can be traded for a cultivation method…”
“You’re a Daoist disciple, how can you lack methods?”
“No, I mean your cultivation method, for example… sword energy!”
“What sword energy?”
There’s a saying: offering favors without reason, is either a thief or a rogue.
Only now did Yu Ye realize Yan Chi was plotting something.
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“Ah, Brother Yu lies without blinking—admirable!”
Yan Chi mocked, then smiled mysteriously, “You killed a Qi refining master on Beiqi Mountain, using the legendary sword energy, seen by Senior Brother Zhong himself. Can you still deny it?”
This scion of a noble family considered himself highly. With the Daoist sect in trouble, he sought to befriend Zhong Jian and find another path. Zhong Jian, mindful of brotherhood, treated him well, knowing Yan Chi looked down on Yu Ye, and secretly advised him. Learning that Yu Ye wielded sword energy and killed a Qi refining master, Yan Chi’s jealousy and envy spurred him to action.
Yu Ye frowned, displeased.
The only methods he cultivated were the “Tiangang Scripture” taught by Jiaoying, and the Seven Kill Sword Technique. Though unaware of their power and value, he wouldn’t casually teach them to others. Especially when someone demanded it outright—clearly shameless.
“Rest assured, brother, you won’t suffer a loss!”
A hint of ruthlessness appeared on Yan Chi’s face. He drew a jade slip from his bosom, “This pearl is just a deposit. I’ll add a family secret manual—if you teach me the method, I’ll report to my uncle and offer half of Su Yan River in exchange…”
Yu Ye interrupted, “Please let me pass—”
“Brother Yu, take the deposit, think it over, and hand over the method later.”
Yan Chi quickly stuffed the pearl and jade slip into Yu Ye’s arms, opened the door and slipped out, saying, “Brother Zhong’s legs prevent him from seeing you off, let me do it instead. Safe travels!”
He had come to take advantage, yet handed over his family treasures so easily?
Yu Ye looked at the pearl and jade slip in his arms, chased downstairs, but Yan Chi was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he saw Zhong Jian’s two brothers waving in the backyard. He gave up the idea of returning the “deposit,” picked up his bundle in his left hand, sword in the right, and went to the stable.
Zhong Quan and Zhong Yi led out a horse, pitch black, glossy coat, tall and strong. The saddle was covered with animal hide, with bags and a waterskin ready—it was fully prepared.
A fine horse!
Luckily, he had learned to ride; otherwise, he’d embarrass himself before Zhong Jian’s brothers.
Yu Ye slipped the sword into a bag, tied up his bundle, took the reins, thanked the two, and led the horse out the gate, heading west along the street. Dressed in a clean grey robe, upright and tall, he looked quite dashing atop the black steed.
The weather was clear, the street bustling.
Shops of every kind hung flags, clerks hawked wares at stalls, old men haggled with canes, grandmothers counted coins, children tugged at their mothers, crying and begging, men rushed by carrying wood or driving carts—a scene of ordinary market life.
Yu Ye led his horse through the town, the warm breeze carrying scents of braised meat, sweets, sweat, and manure.
He liked this smell.
The smell of life.
The smell of being alive.
In his saddlebag were a blanket, raincloth, tinder, two packs of braised meat, a jug of wine, and a small pouch of gold and silver coins. Zhong Jian had prepared everything carefully—he would thank him properly another day. Zhong Jian lived in Ju Gong Town, easy enough to remember.
The family he was to escort, the Kuangs, were staying in Lishui Town, three hundred li northwest, still within Beiqi Mountain territory. With a swift horse, he should arrive by nightfall tomorrow.
He owed much to Zhong Jian.
Zhong Jian, though prone to opportunistic dealings, also pursued honest work. Escorting the Kuangs to Que Ling Mountain was one such source of income. Yet Zhong Jian was always cautious, never revealing the whole truth. He would not easily trust a teenager, nor entrust the safety of a family of three to a stranger. Only Yu Ye’s actions on Beiqi Mountain convinced him, so he entrusted this task, allowing Yu Ye’s own journey to Luming Mountain to begin.
All in all, Zhong Jian was a man worth befriending.
Still, even if he asked repeatedly, Yu Ye dared not mention Old Feng Seventh, lest more trouble arise, and he could never clear his name as a bandit.
As he mused, he reached the town’s west end.
The west end led to a northbound road. Rain had fallen recently; mud lingered but travel was still easy, perfect for galloping.
Yu Ye led his horse onto the road, when suddenly someone shouted, “Boy, stop—”