Departure

As one of the largest cities in Western Hunan, Xiangyin County was a bustling hub with streets lined with shops and crowds of pedestrians.

Lu Yan and Chen Yulou's party departed in the morning, and thanks to Lu Yan's Lightness Skill, they arrived in Xiangyin County by the afternoon.

The Republic of China era was the first large-scale, violent collision between Eastern and Western civilizations, and before Lu Yan's eyes, it radiated a unique charm.

Not far away, a woman wore a purple qipao and high heels, her face painted with the popular makeup of the time. Her hair was piled high, revealing a smooth, delicate neck, and her demeanor was strikingly beautiful.

On the streets, there were both laborers pulling rickshaws and sleek, glossy automobiles driving past.

There were burly men in short shirts and sweat towels, old men in small jackets and skullcaps, students in long gowns or Zhongshan suits, and young men and women dressed in Western-style suits and dresses.

Lu Yan felt a deep sense of wonder. Looking at this scene, both familiar and strange, he—a wanderer who had left home for over a decade—felt an unusual warmth and intimacy.

Chen Yulou was busy responding to people along the way. Seeing Lu Yan looking around, he chuckled softly, "Brother Lu, as a wanderer returning home, does it feel like everything has changed?"

Lu Yan shook his head with a smile. Watching Chen Yulou, who had to constantly acknowledge greetings from others, he teased, "Chief Chen is truly worthy of being the leader of Xieling; you are quite the imposing figure."

"Not at all, not at all, just the kindness of my brothers."

Chen Yulou waved his hand, dismissing the matter as if it were not worth mentioning.

"Chief Chen, Master Chen, you've finally returned! You've had us brothers waiting in agony."

Just then, Luo Laowai, looking delighted, called out from a distance.

As he walked closer, Lu Yan finally understood why his name suited him so well.

In his early years, Luo Laowai had been slashed across the face, leaving a massive scar that had pulled the corner of his mouth crooked—hence his nickname, "Luo the Crooked." Now, as he smiled, his face twisted even further, his mouth stretching almost to the back of his head.

"Commander Luo, I went out this time to find reinforcements."

"This is Brother Lu Yan. He has returned from studying abroad; he is highly learned and possesses profound cultivation. He is a helper I specifically invited."

Chen Yulou was accustomed to Luo Laowai's antics and didn't mind them, instead introducing Lu Yan with great solemnity.

Luo Laowai was a shrewd man. He had initially looked down on this young man, but seeing Chen Yulou's serious attitude, he knew this was someone formidable. He cupped his hands and smiled, "Greetings, Brother Lu. I, Old Luo, have no education, but I have always admired those who do. If you need anything in the future, just say the word, and I, Old Luo, will have no objections."

Lu Yan smiled and returned the gesture, "I have long heard of Commander Luo's great name. Seeing you today, you are truly as imposing as they say."

After chatting along the way, the group returned to the Chen Mansion.

The Chen family was a long-standing, influential clan in Xiangyin with deep foundations. The gardens, pavilions, eaves, and window corners of the mansion were exquisite and meticulous in every detail. The servants coming and going were polite and orderly, revealing a sense of low-key luxury everywhere.

As soon as they sat down in the living room, Luo Laowai didn't even wait for tea to be served before asking urgently, "Chief Chen, I've already brought those few hundred men from the Engineering Battalion. When do we set off?"

Chen Yulou pondered for a moment and said slowly, "This matter should be done sooner rather than later to avoid any complications."

Having said that, Chen Yulou turned to Lu Yan and asked, "Brother Lu, what is your opinion?"

Lu Yan looked at the surprised Luo Laowai and smiled slightly, "When I entered the city earlier, I saw tens of thousands of refugees at the gates. Setting off early will allow us to obtain gold and silver sooner to provide relief to the victims."

"Agreed. Brother Lu's words are sensible."

Luo Laowai laughed heartily and rubbed his short hair.

"In that case, we depart tomorrow for Bottle Mountain."

Chen Yulou closed his folding fan and slapped it into his palm, his mind made up.

Thinking of the centipedes and poisonous creatures in Bottle Mountain from the films, Lu Yan spoke up, "Chief Chen, I have heard that Bottle Mountain is full of poisonous creatures. Perhaps I should refine some anti-venom supplies tonight to guard against the unexpected."

Chen Yulou's face lit up with joy. He cupped his hands and said, "Then many thanks, Brother Lu. I will instruct Red Maiden to stay by your side; if you need anything, just ask."

"Very well."

Lu Yan nodded and, without further ado, turned and left.

Seeing Lu Yan leave, Luo Laowai asked impatiently, "Chief, what's this Lu Yan's background?"

Chen Yulou shook his head and said slowly, "I'm not entirely sure myself. I originally went to find Daoist Simu and happened to run into Lu Yan there."

"But his skills are truly extraordinary. He subdued a hairy zombie in an instant. Commander Luo, you must treat him with respect."

"Damn, this young punk is that fierce?"

Luo Laowai was somewhat taken aback. He had been a corpse-hauler in his youth; although he dealt in smuggling corpses, he knew the trade well. A hairy zombie was impervious to blades and spears, and he feared that even if his hundreds of Engineering Battalion brothers charged together, they would just be serving themselves up as food.

"Then, after we get the treasures from Bottle Mountain, how do we split them with this kid?"

Luo Laowai stood up and paced anxiously, already thinking about the split before they had even secured the gold and silver.

"Hey, Commander Luo, we haven't even left yet, and you're already thinking about the split?"

Chen Yulou shook his head, speechless, and stood up to press Luo Laowai back into his chair.

"Brother Lu said that as long as we can use the treasure to provide relief to the refugees, he won't take a single cent."

"However, if any immortal pills or precious medicines are found in Bottle Mountain, they will belong to him."

Luo Laowai laughed out loud and slapped the table, looking excited.

"Agreed."

"That's settled."

At night, the Chen Mansion was brightly lit, and Chen Yulou, Luo Laowai, and the others were drinking.

Lu Yan was in a secluded courtyard, processing the various medicinal herbs he had brought back.

Red Maiden stood to the side, watching Lu Yan handle the herbs with practiced ease, and couldn't help but feel curious.

"Mr. Lu, you're so young, how do you know so much?"

Lu Yan looked up at Red Maiden, patted the chair beside him, and called out.

"Red Maiden, just call me Lu Yan."

"Why are you standing so far away? Sit down and let's chat."

Red Maiden sat down beside Lu Yan, looking at his young, handsome face, and asked with curiosity.

"Lu Yan, how old are you exactly?"

Lu Yan curled his lip, his hands never stopping as he spoke.

"Don't you know that a man's age is his greatest secret?"

"And tell me, why is a young, pretty girl like you hanging around with a bunch of horse thieves?"

"None of your business!"

Red Maiden rolled her eyes, though she felt that the Lu Yan who had displayed such Kamui earlier wasn't as unapproachable as she had thought.

For the next while, Lu Yan refined the herbs while Red Maiden watched quietly, the two of them chatting every now and then as the night deepened.

"Alright, here."

Lu Yan condensed the refined medicinal liquid into fifty pills, took one out to hand to Red Maiden, and packed the rest into a medicine box.

Red Maiden held the black pill in her hand, noticing a strange fragrance emanating from it, and couldn't help but ask, "Is it really that miraculous?"

Lu Yan stood up and stretched his back.

"Keep it with you, and all poisons will be warded off."

"It's late, I'm going to sleep."