Bad Luck

Xiang Yang was speaking with Fu Da Chun on the stone steps when a flurry of urgent footsteps came from within the Zhou Mansion gates. There were clearly quite a few people, and they were in great haste.

With a creak, the gates opened, and a group emerged. The man at the front was likely Zhou Fugui, one of the county's prominent tea merchants. His family fortune was considerable, and he himself was round and prosperous-looking, his pale yellow brocade casual robe hanging loosely over him.

Looking at his face, though it was plump and his features crowded together, he appeared deeply haggard. Dark circles rimmed his eyes; he had evidently not enjoyed a good night's sleep in many days.

Behind Zhou Fugui stood a lean middle-aged man dressed as a steward, along with four broad-shouldered, thick-waisted family servants. They were dressed even better than Xiang Yang, all polished and splendid. In a truly wealthy household, even the pigs and dogs stood a head taller than others.

"Young brother, did Magistrate Li send you to my Zhou family? Have you found a way to save my daughter?"

Zhou Fugui stepped forward, intending to seize Xiang Yang's hand. But when he saw the Wild Goose Feather Saber in Xiang Yang's left hand, he awkwardly halted. His face was still full of urgency; clearly, he dearly loved his daughter.

Xiang Yang shook his head. His phoenix eyes swept over the steward and servants behind Zhou Fugui. He took a constable's badge from his robes and waved it before Zhou Fugui's eyes, letting him know that he was no fraud and truly was from the yamen.

"Lord Zhou, I have come to pay a private visit, not on Magistrate Li's orders. Still, I may be able to relieve your pressing need. Might we discuss this in detail inside your residence?"

Upon hearing that Xiang Yang had not been sent by Magistrate Li, disappointment flickered through Zhou Fugui's eyes. But seeing the badge, he did not dare show it and hurriedly nodded. "Please come in, young brother. Zhou Fu, quickly have the servants prepare tea. Have the kitchen make pastries as well. I wish to entertain our guest."

With that, he led Xiang Yang inside. Fu Da Chun followed behind Xiang Yang with a face full of admiration. Zhou Fugui was a great merchant of the county town; those he usually associated with were important figures from both the black and white paths, and he naturally carried an imposing air. If Fu Da Chun met such a person, he feared he would not even be able to speak smoothly.

Yet Xiang Yang was neither servile nor overbearing. He even held the initiative, looking nothing like a fifteen-year-old youth and more like a renowned wandering hero of many years.

Upon entering the Zhou Mansion and stepping over neat blue-green stone tiles, Fu Da Chun looked around constantly, revealing astonishment and envy from time to time. His own family could also be considered well-off, but it was nothing compared to the Zhou family. One only had to look at the courtyard's layout and furnishings to see its grandeur. They truly had money.

Xiang Yang, on the other hand, kept his eyes straight ahead. No matter how rich one was or how fine one's dwelling, after death one would be no more than a mound of yellow earth. Besides, he had seen plenty of modern luxury homes online before; those were truly resplendent in gold and jade, pleasures beyond the ordinary. The Zhou family's residence could not astonish him.

Zhou Fugui led the way on Xiang Yang's left, secretly studying him as well. From the first glance, he had known Xiang Yang's family circumstances were poor. His clothes were of coarse cloth, one side of his long boots was already worn down, and the sole bright point was the long saber in his hand, which was certainly no mere prop. Now, seeing that Xiang Yang was unmoved by his family estate's luxury and grandeur, Zhou Fugui regarded him more highly, and a little more hope rose in his heart.

They entered the great hall north of the Zhou family's main courtyard. Zhou Fugui invited Xiang Yang to sit in a rosewood chair on the left, then had servants brew tea and bring refreshments. Only after that did he dismiss the servants, leaving behind only the steward Zhou Fu and two sturdy servants guarding the entrance.

"May I ask this young brother's name? I know seventy or eighty percent of the constables in Anyuan County, yet I have never seen you before."

Zhou Fugui lifted the steaming teacup on the table and gently swirled it as he spoke. These were no empty words. A businessman in Anyuan County who did not deal with officials was simply foolish. Without the government's protection, he could never have built such a vast fortune; he would have long since been swallowed whole by others.

Xiang Yang placed the Wild Goose Feather Saber on the tall square black table to his left and cupped his hands toward Zhou Fugui. "My name is Xiang Yang. Li Da Ren promoted me only a few days ago. My father, Xiang Da Niu, was an old constable at the prefectural yamen."

At the mention of Xiang Da Niu, Zhou Fugui's expression turned solemn, and a trace of admiration appeared in his eyes. "So you are the descendant of Hero Xiang. Hero Xiang faced many enemies alone and still slew two bandits. He was Anyuan's pride. Now that you too have become a constable, truly, a tiger father has no dog son.

"Sigh, speaking of which, I had dealings with your father several times in the past. If I had not been tied up with urgent matters these past few days, I would have gone to pay my respects as well. But what brings Young Brother Xiang to my Zhou family today?"

Zhou Fugui had indeed met Xiang Da Niu before, but he had generally never thought much of him. He was merely a minor constable born from muddy-legged stock.

But this time, Black Wind Mountain Stronghold had abducted his beloved daughter. Though Xiang Da Niu had failed to rescue her, he had slain two mountain bandits and at least vented some of Zhou Fugui's anger. That made Zhou Fugui regard him far more highly.

Xiang Yang cupped his hands, accepting Zhou Fugui's praise. His expression grew solemn, and he stared straight at Zhou Fugui. "Lord Zhou, an open man does not speak in riddles, so I will not beat around the bush. Your daughter was abducted by Black Wind Mountain Stronghold some days ago and has yet to return. I would like you to tell me in detail about your efforts to rescue her afterward. If you do not mind, I am willing to lend a hand as well."

Zhou Fugui was not surprised. News of his daughter's abduction had already spread like wildfire these past days; it could not be concealed even if he tried. And Xiang Yang's father had been hacked to death by the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold bandits. It was understandable that Xiang Yang wanted to learn about the stronghold through him and avenge his father.

"Since Young Brother Xiang speaks so forthrightly, I will not hide anything either. Ever since my daughter was taken up the mountain by that pack of damned Black Wind Mountain Stronghold scoundrels, I have offered a great reward to recruit experts willing to storm the stronghold and save her. Yet not a single tough man renowned throughout the county was willing to step forward."

After a pause, Zhou Fugui took a sip of tea and said dejectedly, "In truth, I had expected as much. How could Black Wind Mountain Stronghold be so easily dealt with? I simply could not swallow this breath.

"Later, I tried to ask people to pull strings and go to Black Wind Mountain to ransom my daughter with money, but still no one dared take on the task. During this time, I have nearly worn through every door in the county, yet I have still gained nothing."

Xiang Yang narrowed his eyes. "Li Jin Hai, Old Hero Qian, and the two leaders of the Giant Bear Gang—these are all tough men known for their courage, reputation, and solid skills. None of them dared go? Did they say why?"

Hearing Xiang Yang's question, Zhou Fugui sighed. "Do not mention it. Li Jin Hai left the village half a month ago to visit friends in another county. Old Hero Qian is advanced in years and has lately been plagued by illness, so he cannot even leave his house. As for Xiong Da and Xiong Er, I have no friendship with them at all. They do not lack money, so they simply ignore me.

"As for the rest, either their reputations are not enough to hold the field, or their martial skills are too poor. They do not even have the ability to make it up the mountain."

Xiang Yang's brow relaxed. So that was it. Zhou Fugui truly had dreadful luck. If he had called upon these tough men when Miss Zhou had first been taken up the mountain, perhaps she might still have been returned whole and unspoiled. Yet those who could help had left town, those who had not were sick, and the other two did not give him the time of day. By now, Miss Zhou was likely no longer whole.

Fu Da Chun thought of the same thing. He gave Zhou Fugui a sympathetic glance. Even when drinking cold water, the man could get his teeth jammed—this was probably Zhou Fugui's present situation.