Lifting the curtain, Yu Ci poked his head out.
The newcomer caught sight of him, hurried forward two steps, and flashed a broad, smiling, exceedingly amiable face. "Brother Yu..."
Yu Ci gave a soft acknowledgement. "I'm tending to a patient and cannot spare the time. Brother Zeng, please speak on my behalf to Brother Ma. If there is truly an urgent matter, I must trouble Brother Ma to move his feet here."
Without waiting to see the newcomer's expression, he dropped the curtain, cutting off the inside from the outside. The man outside stood stunned for a long moment, finally acknowledged the instruction with a grunt, and headed back.
Inside the carriage, Yu Ci closed his eyes to gather his composure. The man who had shouted outside just moments ago was called Zeng Liang. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about him, but his master, Ma Cheng, was the second most influential figure in the hunting band, second only to You Gongquan. Unlike You Gongquan's cautious and steady demeanor, Ma Cheng excelled at socializing and possessed an open, generous disposition. He cultivated widespread friendships within the hunting band, and his actual influence faintly surpassed that of You Gongquan. Yet, on the surface, he always projected an aloof persona, showing no intention of vying with You Gongquan for leadership.
True to Ma Cheng's sociable nature, a moment later, a hearty laugh rang out from outside the carriage. "Is Brother Yu within?"
"So it is Brother Ma."
The master-and-disciple forms of address were messy enough, but Yu Ci didn't let it bother him. He emerged from the carriage compartment, stepped onto the shaft, looked down from his elevated position, and smiled faintly. "What urgent business brings you to find me, Brother Ma?"
"It cannot strictly be called urgent. I simply wish to discuss