Preparation

In the course of the morning, Xiang Yang discussed with Lord Zhou and Steward Zhou how to rescue Miss Zhou—such as how much ransom to offer and how best to convert it.

When the payment was delivered, how could they both dispel Black Wind Mountain Stronghold's suspicions and complete the exchange smoothly? And if the stronghold had already harmed Miss Zhou but refused to release her, how should they argue their case? At the very least, Lord Zhou had to be allowed a reunion with his daughter.

"Lord Zhou's suggestion of ten thousand taels of silver is certainly sound, but it would be better to convert more of it into grain and meat. Black Wind Mountain Stronghold usually plunders plenty of gold and silver, but purchasing supplies is especially difficult for them. If we trade goods for goods, our odds of success will increase by severalfold."

Xiang Yang's suggestion won the approval of Zhou Fugui and Steward Zhou. "Also, does Lord Zhou know the preferences of the three leaders of Black Wind Mountain Stronghold? If we can cater to their tastes and please them, I will be more confident of bringing Miss Zhou back."

"I have made some inquiries. The eldest leader of Black Wind Stronghold favors martial arts and usually collects martial arts manuals, but I come from a merchant family and simply have no access to such things. The second leader, Poison Scholar, likes calligraphy and paintings. I have an early Hummingbird Painting by a Grand Academician in my collection; it should be of use. I will ask you to take it with you.

"As for the last one, Hu Qiang is what worries this old man most. That man is lustful. If my daughter falls into his hands, I fear it will be very difficult to ransom her back."

As he said this, Zhou Fugui was heavy with worry. The hand pressing against the table tightened, veins bulging beneath the skin.

His daughter had always been clever. If she encountered ordinary bandits, revealed her identity, and waited for the ransom, perhaps she could still preserve her chastity. But if Hu Qiang saw her, given that man's temperament and his daughter's looks... alas.

At the mention of Hu Qiang, Xiang Yang's heart stirred. His chief purpose this time was actually to get close to Hu Qiang, observe the man's weaknesses, and prepare for killing him in the future.

"Master, Constable Xiang is right. Hu Qiang is lustful. If we offer up a beautiful woman in exchange, together with the second leader's mediation and the temptation of the ransom, we may yet be able to save Miss."

Though Zhou Fu looked thin and upright, who would have thought he was a ruthless mute? Xiang Yang felt somewhat disgusted. Miss Zhou had been humiliated by bandits; why drag some other innocent woman into the water?

Fu Da Chun was also unhappy. The County Yamen's inaction, secretly dealing with the bandits of Black Wind Mountain Stronghold, was already gravely wrong and enough to warrant punishment. Now they wanted to find a beautiful woman and send her up the mountain to replace Miss Zhou—what kind of sense did that make? Both Xiang Yang and Fu Da Chun were men of the County Yamen. Their duty was to protect the common people.

Seeing the displeasure on Xiang Yang and Fu Da Chun's faces, Zhou Fugui abandoned the idea. He slapped the table with a bang, startling several people.

"Presumptuous! My Zhou family has remained spotless for generations. How dare you offer such a rotten idea and trap me in unrighteousness? Do not mention this matter again. Worthy Nephew Xiang, rest assured: though I, Zhou Fugui, wish to save my own daughter, I will never sacrifice another to achieve my purpose."

Xiang Yang smiled and nodded. In truth, so long as no one was forced, if some noble woman willingly chose to feed herself to the tiger and even serve as a spy for him, he would welcome it with open arms. But where could such a person be found now?

"Good. Then please, Lord Zhou, make the arrangements. If possible, I will set out for Black Wind Mountain this afternoon. Saving people is urgent; the sooner, the better."

Zhou Fugui's face lit up with delight. He promptly instructed Zhou Fu to prepare a feast. At noon today, he intended to have a proper drink with Xiang Yang.

They truly were a wealthy household. That morning, Xiang Yang had eaten Fu Da Chun's roast chicken and thought it a delicacy beyond compare. Yet when the eight meat dishes, eight vegetable dishes, four cold dishes, and two soups were served, he realized there was no such thing as the best food—only better food.

The braised pork knuckles were greasy and fragrant, the prawns fresh and succulent, while the green vegetables were verdant as willow threads and shaped into flowers and grasses, perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

Xiang Yang was better behaved, eating with refinement. But Fu Da Chun was rather unsightly—whatever he touched went straight into his mouth. He ate until his mouth glistened with grease, earning Zhou Fu's silent contempt as he waited nearby. Still, since Fu Da Chun had come with Xiang Yang, Zhou Fu did not dare show it.

As he ate, Xiang Yang considered his plans for the afternoon. Zhou Fugui had just said he would lend him a fine horse. By his estimate, once he left the city, he could reach Black Wind Mountain in about an hour or two. If matters went smoothly, he could return that evening.

Once at Black Wind Mountain, he first had to be cautious. The bandits on the mountain had bows and arrows and could easily shoot him dead. Second, he absolutely could not anger the people of the stronghold. He was going to gather intelligence, not pick a fight. He had to keep that distinction clear; otherwise, if he died only days after transmigrating, the Wordless Book would have been wasted for nothing.

At the same time, he could not let them look down on him, or it would be difficult to gain a chance to speak with the leaders. That would require careful control on his part.

Simply put, the mission was not especially dangerous, but it required extraordinary courage, martial skill, intelligence, and, of course, preferably a glib tongue that could make lotus flowers bloom.

After the meal, Lord Zhou had someone bring out the Grand Academician's Hummingbird Painting. Xiang Yang found an opportunity to glance at it and thought it rather ordinary. He could not even tell what it was supposed to depict, and in any case, it did not seem particularly precious to him.

There was also Lord Zhou's handwritten letter, seals, and banknotes. These were all signs of sincerity. Otherwise, Xiang Yang might easily be taken for a government spy on this trip and die without ever knowing how.

Lastly came the horse that would shorten his journey and serve in place of his legs. It looked quite docile. Its yellow mane pricked his hand when he touched it, and from time to time it snorted, spraying white foam from its nostrils.

Fu Da Chun looked at Xiang Yang with some concern. "Brother Xiang, have you ridden a horse before? Horsemanship is not something learned in a day or two, let alone when you are setting out immediately. If the horse throws a tantrum and bucks you off, even torn muscles and broken bones would be the better outcome."

Only then did Zhou Fugui remember that Xiang Yang's family was not particularly well-off and that he might not know how to ride. His expression darkened. If that happened, the journey would take longer, and perhaps they would not learn his daughter's exact circumstances until tomorrow or the day after.

Yet Xiang Yang merely smiled and shook his head. He stroked the yellow horse's neck, seized the reins, and vaulted onto its back. His right hand held the reins while his left gripped the Wild Goose Feather Saber. Coupled with his handsome features, he looked like a young hero riding through the martial world, drawing cheers from the Zhou household's master and servants as well as Fu Da Chun.

The original Xiang Yang had naturally never ridden a horse, but Xiang Yang from Earth had kept two or three old horses in his hometown and had practiced some horsemanship since childhood. Moreover, his current physical abilities surpassed those of ordinary people—strength, reflexes, and control were all there. Riding a horse was effortless, without the slightest pressure.

"Hyah!" Xiang Yang rode the horse at a clip around the Zhou family's rear courtyard once before dismounting. Though the Zhou residence was large, it could not accommodate a fine horse galloping freely. He would have to wait until he was outside the city to properly experience the sensation of racing like wind and lightning.

"Good. Since everything is ready, I shall await news from Worthy Nephew Xiang. I will prepare the gold, silver, and grain in advance."

After speaking with Xiang Yang, Zhou Fugui had grown much more familiar with him. He even dared take Xiang Yang's hand to show affection, his words full of the sentiment that everything depended on him.

Xiang Yang nodded, but only said that he would do his utmost. He could not boast until the hide burst; plans could never keep pace with change. He had no absolute confidence that he could rescue Miss Zhou.