Liu Maolin had not told Yang Jing any of these details himself.
The last time he brought Jiang Haoyang to the Medical Hall to collect spirit fish and some medicinal herbs, one of the guards responsible for escorting the herbs happened to be there. Yang Jing knew the man too, and only through their conversation did he learn that Liu Maolin's convoy had encountered the Flying Horse Bandits.
A faint worry stirred in Yang Jing's heart.
The Flying Horse Bandits were riding high now, their arrogance blazing. They were nothing like ordinary brigands.
What Liu Maolin had driven off was only a small contingent, not their true main force.
Although the incident had won Liu Maolin some attention in Yuhe County and earned him a reputation for bravery, the Flying Horse Bandits were ruthless men who avenged even the slightest grievance. Having suffered a loss, they might well hold a grudge and secretly set their sights on Liu Maolin, or even the entire Liu Family Medical Hall.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He quickened his steps, forcing Jiang Haoyang to jog to keep up.
Before long, they arrived outside the Liu Family Medical Hall.
The Medical Hall's main gate stood ajar. Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, illuminating the open space before it.
Two guards in close-fitting martial attire stood beside the gate, short sabers at their waists. Their watchful eyes swept the surroundings, making it clear that security had been tightened.
When they saw Yang Jing approach, the wariness in their eyes immediately gave way to respect. One stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "Young Hero Yang, you're here."
Yang Jing was now a guest retainer of the Liu Family, a position of considerable standing. Three months earlier, he