Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Chang Xiang’s Excitement

After traveling along the main road for a while, the three turned onto a small side path. This winding trail soon cut through a small hill, flanked by low, narrow cliffs that hemmed the road tightly on both sides.

Zuo Mingyang called out loudly to Lou Yun, "Brother Lou, once we pass this valley, turn left. My shabby old residence isn’t much farther."

Sure enough, after walking for little over half an hour, they spotted a sizable cluster of imposing buildings in the distance, surrounded by high walls that projected an air of grandeur.

Lou Yun chuckled. "Brother Zuo, if this is what you call shabby, then there mustn’t be a single decent residence left anywhere under the heavens!"

Zuo Mingyang roared with laughter. "Well, after all, I’ve been a bandit for over ten years! Got to have something to maintain appearances, right?"

Wan Huier asked curiously, "Brother Zuo, as bandits, do you rob everyone you meet? Just take belongings, or do you seize people too?"

Zuo Mingyang shook his head, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious. "Little sister, though we are bandits, even thieves have their honor. I won’t claim we only target villains, but we have never robbed an ordinary citizen. And we only take wealth— never take lives."

Zuo Mingyang’s character convinced Lou Yun he spoke the truth; otherwise, he would never have defied Wu Shaopin.

As they walked a little longer, the main gate of the compound swung open, and a fine horse galloped out toward them.

 

Zuo Mingyang laughed heartily. "My brothers are coming to welcome me!" He then raised his arm and shouted, "Ma Chonglin! Bring everyone out to greet them! Got two new friends today!"

Before the horse even reached them, the rider boomed back, "Understood, Brother!" He pulled the reins hard. The horse reared, neighing sharply as its hooves pawed the air, then spun around and charged back toward the compound.

Lou Yun quickly interjected, "Brother Zuo, no need for such ceremony! My sister and I have urgent matters. We must leave after seeing you safely here."

Zuo Mingyang glared. "What? Leave? Out of the question! Stay at least ten days! Need to show proper hospitality! Brother Lou, if you refuse, you slight me! Take me back to that forest right now! Leave me there to live or die! You’re no friend of mine!"

Lou Yun was both exasperated and amused. Having brought him to his very doorstep, turning back was impossible.

 

He sighed in resignation. "Very well. We’ll impose upon you for just one night."

Zuo Mingyang said nothing this time, but inwardly smirked. One night? Dear Brother Lou, think again. Once you step foot inside my gates, leaving early isn’t an option.

As the three reached the compound entrance, the gates stood wide open. Bursting forth, a group of men seemed chaotic yet moved with practiced order. Eight powerful steeds stood in a straight line at the front. Behind them, men formed two orderly rows along each side, each holding a large banner emblazoned with the character "Yue". Another dozen or so men followed, carrying strings of firecrackers which they laid neatly on the ground. Holding lit incense sticks, they touched them to the fuses.

Boom! Bang!

Exactly fifteen deafening explosions echoed out.

Clearly, this was Zuo Mingyang’s highest form of welcome for honored guests.

While the spectacle bordered on comical, Lou Yun and Wan Huier were deeply moved. This wasn’t mere ceremony; it was profound sincerity. It signaled Zuo Mingyang viewed them as esteemed treasures, his dearest comrades.

Assisted by his men, Zuo Mingyang dismounted. Though urged to have his wound treated immediately, he stubbornly insisted on personally escorting Lou Yun and Wan Huier inside, deaf to any pleas.

 

Yielding to his insistence, Lou Yun and Wan Huier hastily followed him through the courtyard into a large hall. He seated them at the place of honor at an already set banquet table before finally going to bandage his injury.

Within moments, Zuo Mingyang returned, the wound freshly dressed. Food and wine now covered the table. He summoned several burly men to join them.

Zuo Mingyang pointed at Lou Yun and Wan Huier. "Listen well! These two — Brother Lou Yun and Sister Wan Huier — saved my life! From this moment onward, their word is MY word! Honor them as you honor me! Understood?!"

The men rose as one, bowing deeply to Lou Yun and Wan Huier. "Understood!" they thundered.

 

Lou Yun and Wan Huier quickly stood to return the courtesies. Zuo Mingyang beamed. "Brother Lou, Little Sister, these brothers have fought and bled at my side. Skills-wise? Nothing impressive! But when I command, they wouldn’t blink at death itself!"

Zuo Mingyang said it lightly, but Lou Yun understood: for men to willingly die for you, you must first show you’d die for them. Judging by Zuo Mingyang’s character, such loyalty was no surprise.

Zuo Mingyang swept his hand grandly. "Brothers! Raise a toast!"

Then, the burly men all stood up and picked up the large sea bowls in front of them, toasting Lou Yun and Wan Huier one by one. These were genuine rough-and-tumble fellows who believed in eating big chunks of meat, drinking from huge bowls, and finishing every drop with each toast. Lou Yun could handle it, but Wan Huier suffered a bit. Although she had some capacity for alcohol, she still couldn’t withstand so many burly men toasting her in turns. After just two bowls of wine, her little face was already flushed red.

Lou Yun quickly took the sea bowl before her and placed it in front of himself, saying, "My sister can’t handle alcohol well. Let me drink for her!"

Everyone naturally agreed; no one would trouble a young girl. Lou Yun, though, had barely drunk much before, but his physical constitution was excellent. Once the wine entered his stomach, it was directly absorbed by his body and then emitted through his pores, making him practically unshakable by drink.

As for people like Zuo Mingyang, they admired those with good alcohol tolerance and who drank willingly. So through this heavy drinking session, everyone’s impression of Lou Yun improved greatly.

Just as everyone was clinking cups and enjoying the drinks merrily, Zuo Mingyang suddenly slapped his head and said, "Ay, look at my forgetfulness! I nearly forgot. Sister, I said earlier I’d give you a meeting gift. Come, old brother will take you to pick now!"

Wan Huier hurriedly declined, "Old brother, I was only joking! I can’t possibly accept something from you!"

Zuo Mingyang glared and retorted, "That won’t do! What I said is my word. Come, old brother will take you to choose."

After he spoke, he had someone support him, and Wan Huier could only follow helplessly as they went to select a gift.

After a while, Wan Huier and Zuo Mingyang came back, with Wan Huier holding a golden object. She bounced excitedly to Lou Yun’s side, saying, "Brother, look! This is what Old Brother Zuo gave me!"

Lou Yun glanced at it; it was a ring, but with a peculiar design—it was actually a small golden stove!

Lou Yun didn’t pay much mind, as accessories like rings and earrings often came in various shapes anyway. He nodded and said, "Hmm, it’s very unique. Keep it safe!"

Yet at that very moment, Chang Xiang’s voice suddenly rang in Lou Yun’s head: "Kid, snatch that stove away now!"

It wasn’t hard to imagine Chang Xiang’s mood was agitated, actually telling Lou Yun to steal Wan Huier’s possession!

Lou Yun froze instantly and asked confusedly, "Brother Chang, what are you saying? My sister’s thing—how can I grab it? Besides, why snatch it? Do you want it?"

"Do you know what that is? Me, want it? I tell you, every skilled weapon maker and alchemist dreams of getting their hands on it!"

Seeing the ring’s shape, a thought flashed through Lou Yun’s mind: "Could that be a cauldron for forging weapons?"

"Nonsense! Of course it is, and not just any cauldron either. Humans have the Weapon Emperor; cauldrons have their Cauldron Emperor—this is the emperor among cauldrons!"

"So precious… Brother Chang, are you sure you’re not mistaken?"

"How could I be wrong? Ask that surnamed Zuo how he got this thing! Heavens, how did this cauldron end up in his hands? But luckily, it stayed in its embryonic form, unchanged, or else it would’ve been discovered long ago! If they knew, they’d all go insane!"

Lou Yun felt a bit dizzy from Chang Xiang’s words—he didn’t understand—but he didn’t press for details. Instead, he took the ring from Wan Huier and asked casually, "Old Brother Zuo, I never expected you to collect something like this. Heh, where’d you get it?"

Zuo Mingyang tilted his head and thought for a long time before shaking his head. "Actually, I don’t think I stole this. How did I get it? It’s been too long; I can’t recall!"

"Oh, no worries. I was just asking casually."

Zuo Mingyang didn’t take it to heart. Next, everyone continued drinking and chatting, and Lou Yun handed the ring back to Wan Huier.

Though Lou Yun knew Huier would surely give him the ring if he asked, the point was Old Brother Zuo gave it to Huier—he really couldn’t bring himself to speak up.

After thinking hard for a while, Lou Yun couldn’t find a solution, so he reluctantly set it aside for now to deal with later.

After drinking a while longer, everyone got drunk and collapsed on the spot, unconscious. The only ones still alert were Lou Yun, Zuo Mingyang, and Wan Huier.

Zuo Mingyang was a bit tipsy but very clear-headed. "Brother Lou, I haven’t asked about your backgrounds in detail yet? Don’t misunderstand—it’s nothing. But seeing you two siblings, you don’t come off as ordinary folk. How did you end up in our little place? Where are you headed?"

Logically, since they regarded Zuo Mingyang as a friend, they shouldn’t have hidden anything. But Huier’s identity was truly too special, and what she aimed to do involved the safety of several nations. So Lou Yun didn’t tell the truth; he simply said the two were siblings from Gu Feng Nation going to Cang Lan Nation to find a friend. But something unexpected happened on the way, and they got separated from their companions, leaving only the two of them.

Zuo Mingyang believed every word. He thumped his chest firmly and said, "Brother Lou, you two stay here comfortably for a few days. Once my leg recovers, I’ll gather some brothers to escort you to Cang Lan Nation!"

Lou Yun immediately refused, "That’s really not necessary!"

"What, looking down on our brothers again? Since we’re friends, no need for courtesies. It’s settled!"

"It’s not that, Old Brother Zuo. We need to stop by Chiyan Mountain before going to Cang Lan Nation!"

Zuo Mingyang’s eyes widened instantly. "Chiyan Mountain? Why are you going there?"

Wan Huier jumped in to answer, "We’re going to kill some demon beasts!"

Zuo Mingyang rubbed his temples hard and stared at them. "You two are too bold. Heading to Chiyan Mountain for that—it’s not that I underrate you, but you’d need to be suicidal. Do you know who actually lives there?"

"We know. Seems like a bunch of bandits, right?" Lou Yun had heard from the inn’s staff.

Zuo Mingyang slowly shook his head. "Brother, it’s not bandits…"

Just as he said that, a young man rushed anxiously through the doorway. "Boss, there’s someone outside!"

Zuo Mingyang was cut off mid-sentence. He glared angrily, "Nonsense! Aren’t people everywhere?"

"No, no, no!" The young man shook his head frantically. "Boss, a man came outside saying… saying… he wants to see…"

"See who? Spit it out! Xiao Sanzi, why are you so hesitant today?"

Xiao Sanzi stole a glance at Lou Yun and Wan Huier before bowing his head. "He said he wants to see the boss’s friend surnamed Lou!"

Zuo Mingyang, Lou Yun, and Wan Huier immediately exchanged glances, a huge question mark forming in each of their minds.

Lou Yun and Wan Huier had bumped into Zuo Mingyang by chance, and their visit was a snap decision. Previously, Lou Yun never would have believed he’d end up sitting in a bandits’ den, calling the boss a brother. Yet now, someone actually showed up here demanding specifically to see Lou Yun—how bizarre!

Who exactly was this person? And how did he know Lou Yun would be here?

A spark flickered in Lou Yun’s mind. "Could he be one of Wu Shaopin’s men?"

Zuo Mingyang shook his head. "Impossible. My brothers are familiar with those pups around Wu Shaopin. Hey, Xiao Sanzi, is the man outside one of Wu Shaopin’s?"

"Definitely not!"

After pondering awhile to no clear conclusion, Lou Yun decided not to dwell on it. Whoever it was, he’d just meet him. He stood up to head out, but Zuo Mingyang grabbed him. "Brother, this is my territory, after all. Since he’s here for you—friend or foe—I should meet this visitor first!"

Zuo Mingyang leaned on his crutch and stood. "Xiao Sanzi, take my brother and sister back to my quarters now! I’m going to meet this fellow!"