Buying a Horse

Chapter 46: Buying a Horse

Lu Zhaojin entered Yuanyang City.

He found Yuanyang City to be more prosperous and larger than Luoxia City, bustling with people and traffic, very lively.

After a night of traveling through the mountains without rest, and even fighting at a teahouse, he was indeed quite tired.

Lu Zhaojin planned to find an inn to rest for the night before heading to Lushu Commandery the next day.

He booked a room at an inn, and after washing up, he decided to visit the Brocade Tower. Li Xiufang had mentioned that the Brocade Merchant Guild had a wide reach in Luoshui Commandery, and given that Yuanyang City was more prosperous than Luoxia City, it was unlikely there wouldn't be a Brocade Tower here.

Lu Zhaojin walked through the streets and alleys, experiencing the warm and hospitable local customs of Yuanyang City. After asking for directions, he finally found the Brocade Tower.

Upon entering the Brocade Tower, although the front hall displayed a dazzling array of goods, the customers were sparse, and business was much poorer than at the Brocade Tower in Luoxia City.

But this was not something Lu Zhaojin needed to concern himself with. He beckoned the shop assistant responsible for greeting customers and used the secret code Li Xiufang had taught him, successfully meeting Zhou Kuai, the person in charge of the Brocade Tower in Yuanyang City.

Zhou Kuai was dressed extremely lavishly, in brocade robes and adorned with gold and silver. His fingers, eight in total, were covered in lustrous rings, making him look like a peacock displaying its plumage, desperately trying to showcase his wealth.

Upon seeing how young Lu Zhaojin was, and that he knew the Li family's exclusive secret code, Zhou Kuai's mind began to stir, and he started to guess Lu Zhaojin's identity. "I was wondering why magpies were chirping at my doorstep this morning. So, a distinguished guest has arrived."

He was very enthusiastic, even a bit fawning, and pulled out a stool. "Esteemed guest, please have a seat. I'll have someone brew a pot of the finest Jade Lotus Tea. It's the perfect time to drink Jade Lotus Tea in this heat."

Lu Zhaojin didn't have the leisure to appreciate tea, nor did he understand Jade Lotus Tea. He didn't want to embarrass himself, so he raised his hand to stop Zhou Kuai. "No need. I've come today to ask Manager Zhou to help me buy a fine steed."

Zhou Kuai was actually reluctant to use the Jade Lotus Tea. After all, it was a rare commodity from the north, with raw materials only available in winter. He didn't have much stock left now, so it was indeed very precious. Hearing that Lu Zhaojin wouldn't be drinking tea, he naturally wanted to save it. He quickly waved his hand for the servant to retreat and then smiled at Lu Zhaojin, "This is easily done. May I ask what kind of fine steed esteemed guest desires?"

Zhou Kuai raised his right hand, rubbing his thumb against his middle and index fingers, with a somewhat sly smile on his face. "As long as the price is right, even a Blood-Sweating Horse is not a problem."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaojin raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Zhou Kuai's plump face. "You can even get a Blood-Sweating Horse?"

Zhou Kuai nodded, looking quite smug. He also mentioned that a Blood-Sweating Horse was not an ordinary breed and would take some time to procure. If Lu Zhaojin was not in a hurry, he could leave his address, and a shop assistant from the Brocade Tower would notify him once the horse was acquired.

Lu Zhaojin pondered for a moment, thinking that speed was of the essence and he couldn't let Zhao Jinzhi get away. Therefore, he decided to get a fine horse. Anyway, the silver notes he had were all extorted, so he didn't feel any heartache in using them.

He also asked Zhou Kuai to keep an eye out for Zhao Jinzhi's whereabouts and confirm if he was still in Lushu Commandery.

He didn't want to make a wasted trip searching for someone everywhere.

Meanwhile.

A group of over a dozen people, led by an elder in his fifties, galloped through the city gates on horseback, heading rapidly towards the True Martial Division.

Along the way, chickens scattered and dogs barked, eliciting curses of dissatisfaction. However, upon seeing the appearance of the group, people wisely shut their mouths and resigned themselves to their misfortune.

The elder's face was tense and expressionless. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, only showed a flicker of anger when he saw the gates of the True Martial Division.

The elder reined in his horse, and his group halted before the entrance of the True Martial Division.

The True Martial Guards at the gate, seeing the imposing presence of the group, knew they were not here for a friendly visit and quickly sounded the alarm. The loud bell chime echoed throughout the True Martial Division.

The elder looked indifferently at the two True Martial Guards and said calmly, "I won't make things difficult for you."

He casually pointed to one of them. "Go and call out Tian Geng. Tell him Duan Xuan is here to demand an explanation. If I am not satisfied, then today, there will be no peaceful resolution."

Elder Duan Xuan of White Cloud Villa!

He was also one of the three Sixth-Rank powerhouses of White Cloud Villa.

The two True Martial Guards were shocked. They didn't know why this Sixth-Rank Realm martial artist had personally come to their headquarters, specifically asking for their Battalion Commander Tian Geng, nor did they know the reason.

They felt uneasy but dared not disobey Duan Xuan's orders. The one Duan Xuan pointed to was about to go into the True Martial Division to find Tian Geng when a loud laugh suddenly came from within. "Brother Duan Xuan, why are you so angry and making such a scene to come here?"

Tian Geng strode towards Duan Xuan, followed by the True Martial Guards who were still at the Battalion Commander's office. His expression was impassive, but his eyes were filled with fighting spirit as he met the gazes of the White Cloud Villa disciples.

The atmosphere was tense, like swords drawn.

Duan Xuan pointed at Tian Geng and said coldly, "Your True Martial Guards killed my disciple. Today, you must give me an explanation."

Tian Geng was also a Sixth-Rank martial artist and was not afraid of Duan Xuan. However, White Cloud Villa had deeper foundations, and their Villa Master was not someone to be trifled with. Therefore, this matter could not be rushed. "What is this all about? Elder Duan Xuan, do you have any evidence?"

Tian Geng walked two steps forward with his hands behind his back, looking at Duan Xuan on his horse. He said earnestly, "If you have no evidence, Elder Duan, do not slander others."

Duan Xuan snorted coldly and did not answer Tian Geng's question. He merely waved to his disciples behind him. Then, several disciples dismounted and removed the white cloths from their backs, revealing the assembled corpses.

They laid the corpses one by one before Tian Geng.

Tian Geng naturally recognized them as Zhao Kuo and the others.

Duan Xuan looked at Tian Geng. "Do you have anything else to say?"

He dismounted and stood opposite Tian Geng, saying coldly, "I saw quite a few True Martial Guards' corpses at the scene, and also that Ye family brat. Your True Martial Division is ambitious, insidious, and cunning, tricking us into being your pawns to kill the Ye family, and that's that. Now you even want to seize the sword manual and kill my White Cloud Villa's disciples. Tian Geng, don't forget how you obtained your position as Battalion Commander."

Tian Geng did not expect Duan Xuan to lose his temper and blurt out everything. Fortunately, there were no outsiders here, otherwise, the image of the True Martial Division would be even worse. "Elder Duan Xuan, please calm down. Everyone, do not make any moves."

Tian Geng appeased everyone and then gestured for Duan Xuan to go inside and talk. Regardless of whether Duan Xuan agreed, he had already turned his back and walked towards the interior of the True Martial Division.

Duan Xuan was not afraid of what might happen. Although White Cloud Villa's reputation in Luoshui Commandery was not comparable to the Li family, they were not to be underestimated.

So, as soon as Tian Geng left, he followed, telling his disciples to wait there.

Tian Geng took Duan Xuan to see Du Hongwei.

Duan Xuan looked at Du Hongwei, who was lying unconscious on the bed, then at the doctor treating his injuries beside him, and finally at Tian Geng, his brow furrowed. "What is the meaning of this?"

Tian Geng stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Du Hongwei with a grim expression. "It's obvious that the person who killed your disciple was not one of our True Martial Guards. And the person who killed our True Martial Guards was not from your White Cloud Villa either. There were others at that teahouse."

Duan Xuan asked, "Who?"

Tian Geng spoke a name. "Lu Zhaojin."