A Happy Family Reunion, Part Two

Click!

Hong Yuan shut the door. A deft burst of force shot from his palm, jarring the wooden bolt inside and locking the room from within.

Having completed his locked-room murder, Hong Yuan summoned the madam and said with a smile, "Madam, Brother Shaotang and I are off to a banquet. We won't check out of that room yet. A servant will be staying inside, so please don't let anyone disturb him unless he calls."

The madam glanced at Huang Shaotang, who followed close beside Hong Yuan, dazed and pale. She thought nothing of it.

The young master of the Huang Family spent every day buried in painted beauties and had long since drained himself dry. After another night of exertion, it was no wonder he looked weak in the knees.

Seeing that Huang Shaotang raised no objection, the madam giggled. "Of course! Since the young master has spoken, I'll do as you say. But once Master Huang's happy occasion is over, you and Young Master Huang must come back and take care of the girls at Tanchun Pavilion."

"Gladly!"

Hong Yuan laughed, then clapped his hands hard, drawing the attention of every girl and patron in the place. He called out, "Today is Master Huang's happy day. Everyone fortunate enough to be here ought to share in his good fortune."

He laid a hand on Huang Shaotang's shoulder, looking every bit the close friend. Laughing, he declared, "I'll make the decision for Brother Shaotang. In honor of Master Huang, put everyone's expenses today on Young Master Huang's tab!"

For an instant, all of Tanchun Pavilion fell silent. More than a few faces took on strange expressions.

The father was taking a concubine, while the son was treating everyone at a brothel. What a damned peculiar pair.

The thought lasted only a moment. Then the girls and patrons erupted in cheers, beaming from ear to ear.

"Does Young Master Huang really mean it?"

A sharp pain suddenly stabbed through Huang Shaotang's shoulder. His cheek twitched, and he forced a sliver of a smile onto his deathly pale face. "I... of course I mean it."

The cheers shook the room.

"Madam, get me two girls!"

"This old man wants ten..."

"Me too!"

The madam's face lit up. She sidled up to Huang Shaotang, caught his hand, and tucked it against her bosom. "How generous, Young Master Huang. When you come back, I'll have Xi'er and Yun'er keep you company together."

Hong Yuan had given his old friends a little treat. Whether the girls and the madam later hounded Huang Shaotang for payment had nothing to do with him.

After all, Huang Shaotang had agreed to it. If anyone needed to settle the bill, they could find Young Master Huang.

Hong Yuan led Huang Shaotang out of Tanchun Pavilion. The moment they reached the street, the cool morning breeze cleared the fog from Huang Shaotang's head. His eyes darted about as he looked left and right.

Smack!

A hand closed around his shoulder, making his whole body shudder. Hong Yuan smiled at him.

"Brother Shaotang, you aren't thinking of running, are you? We haven't seen each other in days, and I was hoping to catch up with an old classmate. If you ran off, you'd be showing me no respect at all. You wouldn't be so heartless, would you?"

"Of course not, of course not..." Huang Shaotang said stiffly.

Hong Yuan's hand slid up to the back of Huang Shaotang's neck. He went rigid, then felt a strange force stab into it with searing pain.

Hong Yuan quickly lifted his hand.

He was still a little short of the level where he could blend hardness and softness and achieve Receive-and-Release-at-Will. He could only just rein in his force. Had he delayed another instant, the force he had released would have been beyond recall, leaving another bloody mess.

Huang Shaotang had plainly thought of what had happened to his servant. His face lost all color, and his legs buckled as he tried to kneel. "Brother Hong, spare me! We've been classmates for years, brothers in all but blood!"

Terror gripped Huang Shaotang.

When he had sold Hong Yuan into that den of monsters, he had never imagined Hong Yuan would return alive. In just half a month, he had nearly forgotten this "dearest friend" of his.

Yet Hong Yuan had not only come back, he had acquired ruthless powers that seemed like sorcery.

The Huang Family had martial guards, of course. But even if they had fighters who had mastered force, those men would protect Huang Guiling. Huang Shaotang had no claim to them.

Besides, Huang Shaotang had no interest in the hard work of martial training. Knowing nothing of the mysteries of force, he assumed Hong Yuan had learned some kind of demonic magic.

Hong Yuan hauled him upright with one hand and smiled. "Brother Shaotang, feel that pain in your neck? Good. I've planted a hidden force there. Unless I remove it, it'll go boom within half an hour. Interesting, don't you think?"

He was simply fooling an idiot.

Hong Yuan had not reached Receive-and-Release-at-Will. Even if he had, a soft force driven into an enemy's body would become water without a source if left untriggered. It would dissipate within a dozen or so breaths at most.

Force, after all, was merely one's own concentrated blood and vital energy.

Huang Shaotang knew none of this, nor did he find it interesting. His smile looked worse than tears. "Brother Hong, I was wrong. Please let me go."

"What did you do wrong?" Hong Yuan asked with interest. "Tell you what. Between here and Huang Mansion, think of a hundred things you've done wrong, and I'll spare you."

"Brother Hong..." Huang Shaotang was on the verge of tears.

"Crying? That counts against your time too!"

Huang Shaotang had no choice but to rack his brains for wrongs to confess.

They made their way toward Huang Mansion.

Hong Yuan did not ask Huang Shaotang why he had betrayed him. That would be too much like a tragic play, and it would serve no purpose.

Perhaps Huang Shaotang had decided Hong Yuan was worthless once his path through the Civil Service Examinations was closed. Or perhaps he had always harbored envy and hatred and no longer needed to hide it.

Even if Huang Shaotang truly had some "hardship" or "no other choice," would Hong Yuan let him off?

For now, he was merely a cat playing with a mouse, using Huang Shaotang's identity to enter Huang Mansion.

If he had promised a happy family reunion, a happy family reunion it would be.

Hong Yuan hated stories where killing the young brought the old down upon him in endless revenge. He might as well settle everything at once and send the whole family off together.

In the east of the city stood Rongqing Alley.

Huang Mansion sprawled across a vast estate. The enormous plaque above its gate bore the carved words "Guiling Manor."

The mansion was decked out in festive lanterns and decorations. Though it was daytime, lights blazed throughout the grounds.

Dozens of banquet tables had been set in the front courtyard, yet it still felt spacious.

Rongqing Alley was home to many of Qingxu County's wealthy households and officials. Plenty of rich visitors from other places who did business with Guiling Hall had come as well. Laughter and conversation filled the courtyard, making for a lively scene.

One merchant who had arrived early could not help muttering, "He's only taking a concubine. Why make such a grand affair of it? Anyone who didn't know better would think he was marrying a wife."

Someone beside him rubbed his fingers together and chuckled softly. "What do you know? Take a concubine every couple of years, throw another banquet, and the gifts alone will fill his coffers. Tell me, old friend, what did you bring Master Huang?"

"I..."

Before the merchant could answer, a loud announcement rang out at the entrance. "County Magistrate Zhang has arrived!"

The hubbub faltered at once. Conversations stopped.

Well-dressed wealthy merchants, prominent householders, landowners, and officials rose and gathered at the gate to welcome him.

One visiting merchant was puzzled but did not dare make a scene. He lowered his voice and asked, "Who is this County Magistrate Zhang? Why does he command such respect? Even the county governor couldn't make an entrance like this, could he?"

"You're from out of town, brother? First time in Qingxu County?" someone replied quietly. "Heh! The Zhang Family has stood above all others here for more than a dozen generations. As for the county governor..."

The man gave a derisive chuckle. "I've nearly forgotten his surname. He passed the imperial examinations in the second year of Tian Feng, served a few years in the Hanlin Academy, then was posted to Qingxu..."

At that, not only the visiting merchant but several others who had been unaware of the situation smiled knowingly.

The stipends for students had been abolished in the seventh year of Tian Feng. A few years later, the Tian Feng Emperor died, and the new emperor took the throne and abolished the Civil Service Examinations with a single decree.

For a century, Great Yin's central government had been gradually losing its hold over the provinces.

As power passed into local hands, the civil and military offices of provinces, prefectures, and counties had come almost entirely under the control of established families, powerful clans, military chiefs, nobles, and wealthy households.

When the decree abolishing the Civil Service Examinations came down, it was as though Great Yin's central government had thrown up its hands altogether, all but telling the provinces, "Do whatever you like. I'm done dealing with you!"

Qingxu County's governor was among the last officials appointed through the examinations.

A man like him had no roots in a place like this, no real power, and scarcely any of the hollow prestige of his title left.

It would have been strange if he could prevail against the entrenched local powers.

A wealthy household like the Zhang Family had ample money and grain, extensive fields and shops, and businesses of every kind. At a single call, it could readily muster hundreds of household guards willing and able to fight.

If the county governor knew his place and served as nothing more than a rubber stamp, the wealthy households would tolerate the idle man.

If he overstepped even a little, he might well end up stabbed seven times in the back and declared dead by suicide.

Outside Guiling Manor, guests, carriages, and horses moved aside.

An escort of forty or fifty guards surrounded a broad-faced middle-aged man in brocade.

Four close guards in leather armor led the group. The rest wore matching padded coats and sabers at their waists. As they walked, the occasional clink rang out from beneath their clothes.

Clearly, iron plates had been sewn into the guards' coats for protection.

"This old man is merely taking a concubine, yet County Magistrate Zhang has honored me with his presence. My humble home shines all the brighter for it!"

Huang Yihe, who called himself the Master of Guiling Mountain, came out to greet him in person. Laughing heartily, he stepped forward and bowed.

Though nearly seventy, his hair was combed with meticulous care and showed not a trace of gray. His face glowed with health, and he walked with nimble, vigorous steps, without a hint of age.

He showed County Magistrate Zhang every courtesy, but little obsequiousness. He plainly had reason to stand tall.

County Magistrate Zhang laughed as well. He stepped forward, took Huang Yihe's hand, and said, "Brother Guiling, there's no need for such formality. We both serve the commander and live in the same city. We ought to visit one another more often and grow closer. Talk like that only puts distance between us."

"My mistake. At the banquet, I'll pour you a drink to make amends, Brother Zhang."

County Magistrate Zhang looked Huang Yihe over again and sighed. "I've long heard that you know the arts of preserving health, Brother Guiling, and that you're skilled in alchemy. Even the commander thinks highly of you. Now that I've seen you, I know the reports were true. I must seek your guidance often in the future. I hope you won't turn me away."

Huang Yihe's cheek twitched. "Haha, it's a small matter. Come inside, Brother Zhang. The seat of honor is yours!"

County Magistrate Zhang waved a hand. His guards spread out in every direction, keeping him at their center, while the four men in leather armor followed close at his side.

In fact, even without County Magistrate Zhang's escort, the wealthy guests and prominent householders had brought plenty of attendants. Add Guiling Manor's own guards and household servants, and its defenses were formidable.

Once County Magistrate Zhang was seated, Huang Yihe summoned the steward. "Now that County Magistrate Zhang is here, we shouldn't keep him waiting. Start the banquet early."

"But... Young Master Shaotang hasn't returned."

"Hmph! That wretched son of mine. Who knows where he's gone to fool around now? Never mind him. Once today is over, I'll deal with him!"

Huang Yihe snorted, waved a hand, and returned inside.

Hong Yuan arrived at Guiling Manor just then. Looking at the noisy crowd outside, he could not help remarking, "What a lively occasion. Congratulations, Brother Shaotang. You're getting another little mother."

Huang Shaotang seemed to have gone witless. He did not hear the mockery at all, still racking his brains and muttering to himself. "There's another thing I did wrong. I shouldn't have stolen that old man's concubine. But even if I hadn't, those aunties wouldn't have lived another six months. I wasn't stealing. I just didn't want them to go to waste!"

"I was wrong..."

"Hm?" Hong Yuan gave Huang Shaotang a surprised look. "Brother Shaotang, it seems I underestimated you."

He slapped Huang Shaotang across the face. Huang Shaotang jolted awake and, thinking Hong Yuan was about to kill him, started to drop to his knees and beg.

"Come now, Brother Shaotang. We've been friends for years. How could I truly blame you? I believe you didn't mean it. There's no need to be afraid."

Hong Yuan patted Huang Shaotang's shoulder, his face full of warmth. "I was only teasing you!"

Huang Shaotang stared at Hong Yuan in a daze. Fear and panic had long since robbed him of his ability to think, and he could not tell whether Hong Yuan meant it. "Brother Hong, you really believe me?"

"Of course. Look, I brought you home, didn't I?" Hong Yuan pointed toward Guiling Manor's gate and smiled. "Would I have brought you back if I didn't believe you?"

"By the way, Brother Shaotang, today is my first visit to Master Huang. How many older and younger brothers do you have? I wouldn't want to neglect the proper courtesies."

"Two older brothers and three younger brothers," Huang Shaotang answered blankly. "The ones born to the principal wife are..."

"No need to get into that. I don't make a religion of ranking sons by their mothers. I'll treat them all alike." Hong Yuan waved him off.

As they spoke, they reached the manor gate.

The sight of home eased Huang Shaotang's nerves a little. But whenever he thought of the servant who had died so inexplicably, a chill ran through him, and he dared not make a move.

Several household servants hurried out to meet them. When they saw Huang Shaotang, one said anxiously, "Young Master Shaotang, why are you only getting back now? The banquet is about to begin. The other young masters are leading the young ladies in offering their congratulations to the master. Hurry..."

Then they noticed Hong Yuan. One servant asked, "And this is..."

"I'm a good friend of your young master. I heard of Master Huang's happy occasion and came to offer my congratulations," Hong Yuan said.

"If you're a friend of the young master, you're welcome to join the banquet. But..." A servant pointed to the long saber at Hong Yuan's waist. "Please remove your weapon."

Hong Yuan glanced at Huang Shaotang.

A chill seized Huang Shaotang. He hurriedly said, "Th-that won't be necessary, will it?"

With a clack, Hong Yuan casually tossed the Steel Saber to the servant.

Having a weapon made little difference to him. His skill with fists and feet was hardly weak. Losing the saber would indeed cost him a little fighting strength, but it was not as though a weapon would be hard to come by.

A moment later, several servants led the way, guiding Hong Yuan and Huang Shaotang inside.

The servants had intended to show Hong Yuan to a banquet table. But Huang Shaotang raised no objection to his coming farther in, so they assumed the young man might know Master Huang as well and said nothing.

Hong Yuan walked past the banquet tables. The dozens of tables were not yet full, but wherever he looked, heads crowded together. Guards and manor servants patrolled the surrounding corners as well. All told, there had to be several hundred people.

Hong Yuan smiled instead.

The more people there were, the easier it would be for chaos to spread. Once that happened, how could they fight together?

With a manor this large and a crowd this dense, all he had to do after striking was leap away through the confusion. Escaping would be easy.

As for the danger?

Hong Yuan pinched the bridge of his nose. The perception granted by Clear Eyes Through the Nether already made him acutely aware of danger. After his Comprehension had increased by five wisps, his mental senses had undergone another subtle, almost mystical change.

At the front of the banquet, Huang Yihe sat upright, accepting his children's congratulations. At their head stood a richly dressed man in his forties, whose voice rang out clearly. "Father, your son wishes you blessings without end and a lifespan to rival cranes and pines. Today, with a new bride at your side..."

"Father!" At the sight of Huang Yihe, Huang Shaotang felt a rush of relief. Like a rabbit finally escaping a tiger's jaws, he hurried forward.

But however fast he ran, Hong Yuan needed only one long stride to stay beside him.

The auspicious speech cut short, Huang Yihe frowned. The sight of Huang Shaotang, disheveled and panting, stoked his anger further. "Wretched son! Look at the state of you. You dare come out here and disgrace me? Go wash and change at once!"

Ordinarily, a scolding from Huang Yihe would have left Huang Shaotang trembling. Now it made him feel safe.

With that thought came the memory of how Hong Yuan had frightened him out of his wits in Tanchun Pavilion and all along the way. The humiliation of it overwhelmed him, and he forgot the threat about "half an hour."

Or perhaps he felt that, surrounded by so many of his family's people, they could seize Hong Yuan and force him to lift whatever sorcery he had planted in his neck.

Huang Shaotang's courage surged. He pointed straight at Hong Yuan and shouted, "Father, listen to me! It was all this man surnamed Hong—"

"Master Huang!"

Hong Yuan ignored Huang Shaotang. Before he could finish, Hong Yuan stepped forward and called out a greeting.

Hearing the hostility in Huang Shaotang's voice, Huang Yihe had no intention of being cordial. His face darkened. "Who are you?"

Huang Shaotang shouted again, "Father, have someone seize him—"

A hand shot out and clamped around Huang Shaotang's throat. He struggled with all his might, but like a tiny quail, he could not summon the slightest strength.

Huang Yihe gripped the arms of his chair but did not rise. He considered himself an important man in the county and did not believe this young fellow could cause any real trouble. His face grew darker still. "What do you want?"

The sudden commotion drew every eye. Guests craned their necks and whispered, unsure what was happening. Even County Magistrate Zhang frowned and gestured for two guards to go take a look.

The Huang Family's guards and manor servants converged swiftly on the center of the gathering.

"What I want..."

Hong Yuan seized Huang Shaotang and lifted him as though he were a blacksmith with decades of experience raising a great hammer.

Whoosh!

In midair, Huang Shaotang swung through half a circle in Hong Yuan's one-handed grip. The air roared, and his body hurtled straight down toward Huang Yihe's head!

"Is to wish your whole family joy!"