After killing them, Xiang Yang stood rooted to the spot for a while. He looked at the Thick-backed Saber in his hand, then turned to glance at the two corpses sprawled on the ground, their eyes still wide open in death. An indescribable feeling rose in his heart.
There was none of the legendary nausea or vomiting, no self-reproach. It did not even stir a single ripple in Xiang Yang's heart. He was calm, as ordinary as if he had just drunk a cup of water. That state of mind left him somewhat at a loss.
Before he killed anyone, Xiang Yang had hesitated. For a brief moment, he had even thought of retreating. No matter what, they were still two lives, and he had no right to take them away.
Yet the frighteningly tranquil state of mind he felt now reminded him that perhaps he was not as good a person as he had imagined. At the very least, he was not the kindhearted sort he had thought himself to be.
Fine. If I had a different temperament, perhaps I would not be suited to surviving in this world. No matter how powerful a golden finger is, it still depends on the person using it. Someone who fears harming an ant's life even while sweeping the floor is better off honestly staying home and farming.
He casually pulled up a large clump of green grass beside him and wiped the blood from the Thick-backed Saber. Even the stench of blood faded considerably. Xiang Yang glanced at the sky. There were still at least two hours before nightfall, so time was plentiful.
These two had come on Xiong Da and Xiong Er's orders to communicate with Hu Qiang. They had died at the foot of Black Mountain, and during this period, the most suspicious person would be him, who had descended the mountain not long before. Not to mention the hoofprints left by the Yellow Dappled Horse.
If Hu Qiang found out, it would likely affect the arrangements between Zhou Fugui and the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold concerning the ransom for the hostage. Therefore, he had to delay things as much as possible, at least until the transaction was complete and he had received the Iron Finger Technique as a reward.
After thinking it over, Xiang Yang hoisted the two men onto the Yellow Dappled Horse and returned up the mountain with the corpses. Reaching the edge of a gorge deep within the dense forest, he threw the two bodies down. Then he retraced his route, clearing away bloodstains and traces along the way. He even erased the footprints where he had tied up the horse. More or less, nothing could be made out.
I can only roughly cover things up. I won't be able to fool an old constable who has handled cases for years. Still, the Giant Bear Gang probably won't make a great fuss and report the case just because of two people. Besides, they have connections and shady dealings with the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold. If that got out, everyone would be shouting for them to be beaten to death, and they would find it hard to keep their footing.
Leading the Yellow Dappled Horse, Xiang Yang wiped the sweat from his forehead and thought to himself. The Giant Bear Gang was a jianghu gang, and jianghu matters were settled within the jianghu. Even when people died, they generally handled revenge themselves and would not report it to the authorities. This was not merely the custom of one place, but of the entire realm.
Xiang Yang swung himself onto the horse, pressed his legs against its belly, and followed the small path by which he had come, moving forward at a leisurely clip-clop. He carefully considered all the information he had learned from Zhao Shan and Li Qian, information about the Giant Bear Gang and Hu Qiang alike. How could he make use of the advantage of the enemy being in the open while he remained in the shadows, complete the task issued by the Heavenly Book, and avenge Xiang Da Niu at the same time?
At the gates of Anyuan County, two soldiers guarding the city stared at Fu Da Chun, who held a Wild Goose Feather Saber, for a long time. If they had not recognized his County Yamen runner's uniform, and if Fu Da Chun had not produced a constable's badge, they would have arrested him long ago. What decent commoner went around carrying a weapon?
Fu Da Chun, meanwhile, wore a smug expression. His left hand rested on the hefty Wild Goose Feather Saber, while his right hand stuffed homemade dried meat into his mouth. Whenever someone entered or left the city, he would straighten his chest and conspicuously show off the saber in his left hand. The sight of his showy manner made the two gate guards' teeth ache.
At that moment, the sound of hooves striking the ground came from afar. Hearing it, Fu Da Chun hurried several steps down the official road beyond the city gate, stood on tiptoe, stretched his neck, and peered into the distance. When he spotted a vague figure, a trace of joy appeared on his face. Thankfully, he had returned safely.
Although the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold had not existed for long, its reputation was immense. Even the authorities could do nothing against it, and it frequently committed major crimes. It could be said to be a group of utterly vicious desperadoes. Though Xiang Yang was mature beyond his years, he was still only a teenager. Fu Da Chun's worry had not been without reason.
Seeing the county town in the distance from horseback, Xiang Yang gradually slowed the Yellow Dappled Horse. Finally, he dismounted more than ten meters outside the gate. When he saw Fu Da Chun holding his Wild Goose Feather Saber with such a flamboyant expression, he burst into laughter.
"Brother Xiang, you came back so quickly. I thought I would have to wait until dark. Here, this is your saber and your badge. Give me the saber in your hand instead."
Fu Da Chun led the Yellow Dappled Horse over and hurriedly handed him the Wild Goose Feather Saber. Holding the Thick-backed Saber himself felt much easier. Though one saber was large and the other small, and the Thick-backed Saber looked far more imposing than the Wild Goose Feather Saber, their weights were completely reversed. At the very least, Fu Da Chun did not feel strained carrying the Thick-backed Saber.
However, when Fu Da Chun wanted to draw the saber and inspect it closely, Xiang Yang stopped him. There were still bloodstains on the blade. If he really displayed it, it would be hard to explain.
"The matter is settled. Let's go to the Zhou residence and see Lord Zhou at once."
Before the sun set, Xiang Yang and Fu Da Chun led the Yellow Dappled Horse to the Zhou family estate once more. Compared to the morning's blazing sunlight, the evening glow was much gentler now.
The gatekeeper had learned his lesson this time. Seeing Xiang Yang and Fu Da Chun, he hurriedly opened the gate and called for someone to take away the Yellow Dappled Horse. Then he personally led Xiang Yang and Fu Da Chun to see Zhou Fugui.
It was still the Zhou family's main hall. In the slightly dim space, Zhou Fugui received his daughter's Silk Scarf and could not help shedding tears. When he heard that his daughter was safe and sound, and that her maiden purity remained intact, he thanked Heaven again and again.
Steward Zhou Fu at the side was also beaming with joy, but after the smile faded, worry crept onto his face. "But, Master, we lack neither silver nor supplies. We can have them all prepared by tomorrow morning. Only these five hundred jin of raw iron are difficult to obtain.
If the amount were smaller, we could scrape it together. But five hundred jin? Where can we gather that much in such a short time?"
Xiang Yang turned a blind eye, sneering inwardly. He was only an intermediary. To put it bluntly, if he had not wanted to go up the mountain to investigate the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold's exact circumstances and gather information, what did Miss Zhou's life or death have to do with him? Did they think he wanted to risk losing his head for a day trip into a tiger's den and wolf's lair?
"Enough. These are all trifling matters. So long as money can solve it, it is not a problem. Tomorrow, I will visit a few old friends and catch up. It is only five hundred jin of raw iron. Make it five thousand jin, and then I might start having a headache."
Zhou Fugui recovered from his joy and spoke with considerable force. The haggard look on his face turned sharp and imposing.
Glancing at Huangfu Xu, Zhou Fugui's eyes held gratitude and appreciation. He directly took a Silver Note from Da Tong Money House from his robes and placed it on the table to Xiang Yang's left. Then he clapped twice, and a large, rough-handed man came forward carrying a wooden tray holding twenty silver ingots.
"Young Brother Xiang, I have you to thank for resolving a matter weighing on my heart. This is a one-thousand-tael Silver Note, which can be exchanged for one thousand taels of silver at Da Tong Money House. These two hundred taels are an additional token of my gratitude."
The reward that was originally meant to be given only after the person had been brought back was being paid now, with an additional two hundred taels besides. Xiang Yang was pleasantly surprised. Looking at Zhou Fugui's round figure, he thanked him repeatedly. No wonder the man's business had grown so large. He truly knew how to conduct himself. How could his business fail to flourish?
As for Zhou Fugui, learning that his daughter's life was not in danger was good news, while hearing that her chastity had not been compromised was even better. He treated the one thousand two hundred taels as a celebration.
Moreover, from this affair, it was clear that despite his young age, Xiang Yang possessed remarkable ability and courage. No one could say how far he might go in the future. It was worth forming a good connection with him now.
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