Buy a Horse

Chapter 46: Buying a Horse

Lu Zhaojin entered Yuanyang City.

He found Yuanyang City to be somewhat more prosperous and larger in scale than Luoxia City. People bustled to and fro, carriages flowed like dragons and horses, and the place was exceedingly lively.

After traveling mountain roads through the night without resting and even getting into a fight at the teahouse, he was indeed somewhat weary.

Lu Zhaojin planned to find an inn to rest up for the night before setting out for Lushu Commandery tomorrow.

After booking a room at an inn and washing up, he planned to visit Brocade Tower. Li Xiufang had said that the Brocade Merchant Guild was spread widely throughout Luoshui Commandery. Besides, Yuanyang City was more prosperous than Luoxia City; there was no way it would not have a Brocade Tower.

Lu Zhaojin passed through streets and alleys, taking in Yuanyang City's warm and hospitable local customs. After asking around, he finally found Brocade Tower.

Upon entering Brocade Tower, he saw that although the front hall displayed a dazzling array of goods, customers were few and far between. Business was far worse than at Brocade Tower in Luoxia City.

But that was none of Lu Zhaojin's concern. He called over the attendant responsible for receiving guests and used the code Li Xiufang had taught him, successfully gaining an audience with Zhou Kuai, the person in charge of Brocade Tower in Yuanyang City.

Zhou Kuai was dressed extravagantly in brocade robes, laden with gold and silver. Eight of his fingers bore glittering jeweled rings, and he resembled a peacock spreading its tail, pulling out every stop to flaunt his wealth.

Seeing that Lu Zhaojin was so young yet knew the Li Family's exclusive code, Zhou Kuai's thoughts immediately began to stir. He started guessing Lu Zhaojin's identity. "I was wondering why magpies had been calling outside my door early this morning. So it was because an honored guest was coming to visit."

He was exceedingly warm, even somewhat fawning, as he pulled out a chair. "Honored guest, please sit. I'll have someone brew a pot of the finest Jade Lotus Tea. In this scorching weather, it's exactly the time to drink Jade Lotus Tea."

Lu Zhaojin had no time for tea tasting, nor did he know anything about Jade Lotus Tea. He did not want to make a fool of himself later, so he raised a hand to stop Zhou Kuai. "No need. I came today because I'd like Manager Zhou to help me buy a fine steed."

Zhou Kuai had actually been reluctant to use Jade Lotus Tea. It was a rare northern delicacy, after all, and its raw ingredients were only available in winter. His remaining stock was limited, and he treasured it dearly. Hearing that Lu Zhaojin would not drink tea, he naturally saved where he could. He hurriedly waved the servant away, then smiled at Lu Zhaojin. "That is easily handled. What sort of fine steed does our honored guest desire?"

Zhou Kuai raised his right hand, rubbing his thumb against his middle and index fingers. A somewhat sleazy grin appeared on his face. "So long as the price is right, even a Blood-Sweating Horse is not a problem."

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

Zhou Kuai nodded, rather pleased with himself. He also made it clear that a Blood-Sweating Horse was no ordinary breed, and acquiring one would take some time. If Lu Zhaojin was not in a hurry, he could leave an address. Once the horse was obtained, a Brocade Tower attendant would notify him.

Lu Zhaojin considered it for a moment. Soldiers valued speed above all else; he could not let Zhao Jinzhi get away. Thus, he decided to get a fine horse. In any case, the Silver Notes on him had all been looted, so spending them did not pain him in the least.

At the same time, he had Zhou Kuai keep an eye on Zhao Jinzhi's whereabouts and confirm whether he was still in Lushu Commandery.

He did not want to make a wasted trip and search everywhere for someone.

Meanwhile.

A party of more than a dozen people, led by a half-century-old man at the front, rode their fine horses swiftly through the city gates and galloped toward the True Martial Division.

Along the way, chickens scattered and eggs shattered, stirring up waves of angry curses. Yet after seeing how that group was dressed, people sensibly shut their mouths and resigned themselves to their bad luck.

The old man's face was drawn tight and expressionless. Only when his unruffled eyes fell upon the gates of the True Martial Division did a trace of anger surface.

The old man pulled on the reins and brought his horse to a halt. Their group stopped before the gates of the True Martial Division.

Seeing the display before them, the True Martial Guards guarding the gate knew the visitors had come with ill intent. They hurriedly struck the alarm bell, its resounding chimes spreading through the True Martial Division.

The old man looked coldly at the two True Martial Guards and said flatly, "I will not make things difficult for you."

He casually pointed at one of them. "Go call Tian Geng out. Tell him Duan Xuan has come to demand an explanation. If he cannot satisfy me, this matter will not be settled peacefully today, no matter what."

Elder Duan Xuan of White Cloud Villa!

One of White Cloud Villa's three great Sixth-Rank experts.

The two True Martial Guards were thunderstruck. They had no idea why this Sixth-Rank Martial Artist had personally come to their door and named their chief, Battalion Commander Tian, nor did they know what it was about.

Though uncertain, they did not dare defy Duan Xuan's order. The man Duan Xuan had pointed at was just about to enter the True Martial Division to find Tian Geng when a burst of hearty laughter came from within. "Brother Duan Xuan, why are you so furious? Why have you come knocking at our door with such a grand show of force?"

Tian Geng slowly walked toward Duan Xuan. Behind him followed the True Martial Guards still stationed at the command post, their faces expressionless, though their eyes brimmed with fighting spirit as they stared down White Cloud Villa's disciples.

The air was taut as drawn swords.

Duan Xuan pointed at Tian Geng and said coldly, "Your True Martial Guards killed my disciples. You must give me an explanation today."

Tian Geng was also a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist, so he did not fear Duan Xuan. Yet White Cloud Villa had deeper foundations, and its Villa Master was no one to be trifled with. This matter could not be rushed. "How did this come about? Does Elder Duan have any evidence?"

With his hands clasped behind his back, Tian Geng took two steps forward and looked at Duan Xuan atop his horse. "Without evidence, Elder Duan, do not spit blood from your mouth."

Duan Xuan snorted coldly and did not answer Tian Geng. He merely waved toward the disciples behind him. Several disciples immediately leaped off their horses, lifted the white cloth from their backs, and revealed the pieced-together corpses within.

They laid the corpses out one by one before Tian Geng.

Tian Geng naturally recognized Zhao Kuo and the others.

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

He leaped down from his horse and stood opposite Tian Geng, saying coldly, "At the scene, I saw quite a few True Martial Guard corpses, as well as that Ye Family brat. Your True Martial Division is ambitious and treacherous. You tricked White Cloud Villa into becoming your blade and slaughtering the Ye Family; that much I could let pass. But now you want to seize the sword manual and kill White Cloud Villa's disciples as well. Tian Geng, do not forget how you came to sit in that Battalion Commander's seat."

Tian Geng had not expected Duan Xuan, consumed by rage, to blurt out everything. Fortunately, there were no outsiders here. Otherwise, the True Martial Division's reputation would have become even worse. "Elder Duan Xuan, please calm down. Everyone, do not make a move."

Tian Geng soothed the crowd, then gestured for Duan Xuan to speak with him inside. Without caring whether Duan Xuan agreed, he had already turned and walked deeper into the True Martial Division.

Duan Xuan naturally was not afraid that anything would happen. White Cloud Villa's name in Luoshui Commandery might not compare to the Li Family's, but it was no pushover either.

Thus, Tian Geng had barely taken a step before Duan Xuan followed behind him, ordering his disciples to wait there for the time being.

Tian Geng brought Duan Xuan to see Du Hongwei.

Duan Xuan looked at the unconscious Du Hongwei on the bed, then at the physician treating his injuries nearby, and finally at Tian Geng. His brows furrowed slightly. "What is the meaning of this?"

With his hands behind his back, Tian Geng looked at Du Hongwei, his expression somewhat grim. "Obviously, the person who killed your disciples 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 was someone else in that teahouse."

Duan Xuan asked, "Who?"

Tian Geng spoke a name. "Lu Zhaojin."