Winter Sacrifice

Chen Zhaoan noted everything down one by one. When he heard the last part, he asked, "Young people between fourteen or fifteen and twenty? What does Lord Liang want them here for?"

"I have my own use for them."

Liang Qu said no more, and Chen Zhaoan asked no further questions.

After briefly repeating it back and confirming there were no mistakes, the Village Elder left, leaning on his cane.

Night.

Starlight and moonlight flowed quietly.

The busy clerks at the dock gradually dispersed.

Liang Qu emerged from the water holding the fish roe. Using Azure Wolf, he sliced through the tough membrane and divided it into three portions.

One portion he gave to Steward Zhang Xu, asking him to pass it on to the King of Yue. It was a novelty from the sea; it would be a pity not to taste it.

Another portion went into the ice cellar to be frozen, reserved for his fellow disciples who had yet to return home.

The final portion...

In the small courtyard.

Weeds in the corner stood and swayed against the biting winter wind, their yellowing leaf tips looking far from relaxed.

Wen Shiyun rode Oolong as he inspected the territory.

Ta Ta Kai attended him at his side, one paw holding Oolong's collar, fussing over him like a dog before a carriage and after a horse.

Whenever the heir grandson came, Ta Ta Kai's attitude changed.

A master of changing faces.

Snap! A dead vine fell. Sparks drifted from the brazier as Su Guishan reclined on a long chair, pretending to nap.

"Great-Uncle!"

Liang Qu set the squid roe he was carrying onto the table.

Its fragrance was enticing.

Su Guishan gave it a glance. "Speak. What do you want?"

"Give this lad two Treasure Fish!"

"Go pick them