A Happy Family Reunion (Part 1)

Qingxu County was somewhat more prosperous than Yangquan, its streets wider and lined with shops.

Every blade of grass and every tree, every street and lane, felt both familiar and strange to Hong Yuan.

Hong Yuan felt no wistfulness at revisiting an old haunt.

He had released his horse back into the mountains before entering the city, and now he threaded his way along the long bluestone street, heading straight for the Huang Family's great residence in Rongqing Alley in the east of the city.

At the very least, he and Huang Shaotang had once been brothers on the surface. Though he had never personally set foot in the Huang Mansion, he still knew where it was.

Hong Yuan strode forward.

By now, daylight had fully broken. Warm sunlight spilled down, the county town had come alive, and the streets were thick with people. As Hong Yuan walked, he even caught sight of a few familiar faces.

Hong Yuan had no intention of greeting them, and among those acquaintances, some looked his way without recognizing him.

Though it had only been half a month, Hong Yuan's change was so great it was like shedding mortal bones and being reborn, heaven and earth overturned.

Before, he had been handsome with a hint of frailty, the image of a delicate scholar. Now he wore a neat, practical outfit, a long saber at his waist, and even his height seemed to have shot up a little. He looked every inch an extraordinary, valiant wandering swordsman.

A short while later, Hong Yuan passed a three-story pavilion. A heavy scent of powder and rouge drifted out from within, along with the playful laughter of women.

With a creak, a second-floor window swung open, and a colored ribbon fluttered down, landing by Hong Yuan's foot.

Immediately after, a woman in bright red and green, around thirty or forty years old and still retaining her charms, leaned her head out. Before she even spoke, she smiled. "Aiyoh, this servant has been rude. My hand slipped for a moment and nearly struck you, young master. I truly am terribly sorry. This servant will come down at once to apologize to you."

Heh! Good thing she had not tossed down a bamboo pole. Otherwise, Hong Yuan would have taken it as deliberate.

The pavilion beside him was the famous place for seeking flowers and asking willows in Qingxu County, Tanchun Pavilion, and the woman just now was the brothel madam of the pavilion.

Hong Yuan had once accepted Fatty Huang's invitation and come to this Tanchun Pavilion once. After all, the original body had been a man of culture; without a little romantic flair, what kind of refined scholar would he be?

It was just that one visit had nearly scared him out of his wits. The girls in the pavilion looked at him the way female demons looked at Tang Sanzang's flesh, each one seemingly full of strength and methods.

The original body had trembled with fear and had not dared to do anything indecent. He had only listened to one of the pavilion's pure courtesans play the qin for an entire night.

The next day, Fatty Huang had even paid the bill.

Of the three great iron bonds, he had occupied two. In a certain sense, this Fatty Huang really had been the original body's "good brother"!

Hong Yuan was no longer in a hurry to leave.

It was not that he wanted to relive an old dream, but that he was wondering whether Huang Shaotang might currently be inside Tanchun Pavilion.

Before long, the brothel madam swayed her waist and walked out from the building. Once she fixed her eyes on him, they immediately lit up.

What a handsome young gentleman!

With that heroic, straight-backed figure, he was probably extremely mighty beneath his clothes as well, definitely not one of those silver-like pewter spearheads.

With her wealth of experience, the madam quickly sized him up, quietly wiped away her drool, and thought that with such a handsome, tall young gentleman, even if he smashed several hundred or several thousand taels of silver on her and asked her to accompany him for ten days and ten nights, she would be willing!

"Aiyoh! Young master, this humble woman has come to apologize to you..."

The madam laughed until her flowery branches trembled.

Hong Yuan waved his hand and asked directly, "Is Huang Shaotang inside?"

"Mm?" The madam's dazed heart settled a little, and she looked at Hong Yuan hesitantly. In their line of work, they did not dare casually reveal a guest's information.

"Brother Shaotang and I were classmates, beloved friends and dear kin. Today, I heard Master Huang has a great joyous event, so I came to offer congratulations. If Brother Shaotang is in the pavilion, we can travel together."

Only then did the madam giggle again, waving her handkerchief. "So young master is good friends with Young Master Huang. Young Master Huang had a night of pleasure last night and has only just gotten up. Shall this servant go and invite him out?"

"No need. Brother Shaotang and I have not met for many days, and I miss him dearly. I must trouble the madam to lead the way."

Seeing that although Hong Yuan was not a patron, he did not get angry, the madam picked up the colored ribbon and turned with a twist of her waist. "Young master, please follow this servant."

As soon as he stepped into the pavilion, he saw that the hall was spacious, and all sorts of people entered his sight. Men walked while supporting their waists, yawning again and again, looking rather exhausted, while the women were dressed in bright finery, laughing and chattering merrily.

"Madam!"

"Mama!"

A few sharp-eyed girls called out in sweet voices, twisting their slim waists as they pressed close, their eyes shimmering with moisture, their voices soft and seductive. "Mama, what is this young gentleman's name? Which sister is serving him? Why not let this servant do it..."

"Get lost, you shameless hussies with your wandering hooves. This young master is here to find Young Master Huang."

The madam cursed away all the orioles and swallows, then led Hong Yuan up to the third floor, scolding from time to time the girls who squeezed over along the way.

Before a side room from which bright lamplight shone, the madam stopped. Before she could knock, a soft, low plea came from inside. "Young master, please hurry!"

"Mm?!"

Hong Yuan had been about to push the door open, but when he heard that voice, he hesitated a little, afraid that the moment he went in he would see some eye-burning scene.

Though the voice was soft and delicate, there was no doubt it was a man's voice.

He had never heard before that Brother Shaotang had this sort of preference!

"I know, I know. What are you rushing me for? Annoying as hell!" A voice sounded, weary yet impatient. It was indeed Huang Shaotang.

"Young master, today is Master's joyous day. It would not be good if you arrived late."

Hong Yuan let out a breath. He had nearly thought Brother Shaotang's nature had changed. So it was a servant speaking.

"What would be bad about it? That old father of mine has taken so many concubines, and every time he makes it so tedious. If he isn't sick of it, I'm sick to death of it. Hmph! It's just a concubine. Carry her in through the small gate and be done with it!"

"Young Master, you mustn't say such things in front of the master..."

"I, Huang Shaotang, am not stupid. Right—have you prepared the gift I told you to prepare? Don't let those elder and younger brothers of mine outshine me again!"

Hong Yuan waved a hand at the madam and said with a smile, "Many thanks for showing the way. You may leave for now. Brother Shaotang is in the full flush of anger; best not let him hurt you."

"Very well. If the young master has any instructions, summon this servant at any time." The madam left with a beaming smile.

Hong Yuan pushed at the door. The door shook, but did not open; clearly, it had been barred from the inside with a wooden bolt. Power spat from his palm, and with a "crack," the wooden bolt was jolted loose.

This ingenious use of force was precisely a manifestation of hard power turning soft.

Immediately after, Hong Yuan pushed the door open. Inside, the lamps were bright, and a wave of heat steamed within, driving away the chill of late autumn.

The side room was arranged quite exquisitely. On a large bed, the bedding lay in disorder; only Huang Shaotang, with his greasy face and sunken eye sockets, sat up in disheveled clothes. The girl of the chamber was nowhere to be seen—perhaps she had gone out.

"Brother Shaotang, it has been many days since we last met. I have missed you dearly. But seeing that you are still alive, I can set my mind at ease."

As Hong Yuan entered, he conveniently kicked the door shut behind him.

Seeing this man enter without invitation, Huang Shaotang could not help freezing in a daze, while the servant had already opened his mouth to ask, "Who are you? Young Master, is this a friend of yours?"

Seeing Hong Yuan address him so warmly, he did not dare act presumptuously.

"You... who are you?" Huang Shaotang's head was still a little muddled. He looked at Hong Yuan, feeling somewhat familiar with him, yet he could not recall when he had seen this person before.

It was just that this man's bearing was extraordinary, so he did not rebuke him.

"Ai! Brother Shaotang, you and I were classmates for several years, our bond as close as father and son. I have always regarded you as my son, yet you cannot recognize me now. It truly chills the heart!"

Hong Yuan sighed, stepped forward, raised one hand and grabbed, already pinching the flesh at the back of that servant's neck.

The servant instantly felt his body go limp. It was as if something had blocked his throat; he could neither move nor make the slightest sound. All he could do was reveal terror in his eyes.

Huang Shaotang finally sobered up a little, his expression turning angry. "Bastard, what are you saying?"

Hong Yuan had already carried the servant to the bedside. The hand pinching the flesh at the back of his neck gave a gentle pat, and there came a "pfft," as if a firecracker had burst.

As blood sprayed, Hong Yuan loosened his hand. The servant pitched face-first to the floor, only the back of his neck now blasted open into a bloody gash.

He had not even let out a scream before he was dead.

Huang Shaotang stared at this scene, his expression blank. In the next instant, his eyes filled with terror, and he opened his mouth to cry out.

All at once, a chill touched him. A finger pressed against the spot between his brows.

Huang Shaotang felt his heart and guts turn cold, as if a basin of ice water had been poured over his head. That shout could no longer come out. Trembling, he raised his eyes, only to see the other man smiling faintly at him and saying softly:

"Brother Shaotang, as long as my finger gives the lightest touch—bang! Your head will burst open like an egg. It will be a splendid sight!"

Hearing that "Brother Shaotang" once more, Huang Shaotang's body jolted violently, and the terror on his face deepened. "You... you're Hong Yuan? You're actually not dead?"