Draw Your Weapon

A group of them strode in menacingly, their eyes sweeping back and forth across the inn as though searching for someone.

Tan Luzi's gaze passed over Zu Hao and lingered for a moment.

The man before him sat upright, exuding an air utterly at odds with this inn. Coupled with his peerlessly handsome face, he drew a bit more attention.

But after studying him closely and realizing he was not the person he sought, Tan Luzi shifted his gaze to the table of Tartars in the corner.

When Bulu Du felt Tan Luzi's gaze, she did not avoid it. Instead, she lifted her chin and met his eyes, her expression full of provocation.

The guard beside her, Ha Gang, tightened his grip around his saber hilt, ready to act at any moment.

Tan Luzi snorted coldly. He had no intention of making trouble for these foreigners now; their foremost task on this trip was to find someone, and there was no need to create unnecessary complications.

The waiter hurried over to Lü Bu with a basin of water, bowing and scraping as he said, "Master Lü, you've had a hard journey. Hurry and wash your face, then get some rest."

Lü Bu dipped a hand into the basin and casually splashed water over his face. Droplets slid down his cheeks.

After wiping his face, he looked at the waiter. "Let me ask you something. Have any unfamiliar women come to this inn recently?"

The waiter's heart skipped a beat, and Ling Yanqiu and Su Huirong immediately came to mind.

Though both were dressed as men, their voices and mannerisms made it obvious to anyone with eyes that they were women.

But after spending so many years at Dragon Gate Inn, the waiter understood best the principle of "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't say what you shouldn't say." He hurriedly shook his head, putting on an honest smile. "Unfamiliar faces? Haven't seen any."

Ling Yanqiu and Su Huirong were eavesdropping just outside the wall.

Seeing how sincere the waiter sounded, Lü Bu did not grow suspicious and explained, "Here's what happened. One of my brothers bought a woman in the capital and was about to marry her, but that ungrateful woman actually ran away."

He pointed at Tan Luzi and the others beside him. "These brothers are here to help bring her back. So if you see that woman in the next couple of days, tell us immediately. You'll be well rewarded."

The waiter smiled. "Master Lü, you're too polite. If I really see her, I'll definitely let you know first thing."

Zu Hao had no interest in West Depot affairs. He rose and looked at Old Zhai. "Innkeeper, are the rooms ready?"

"Sir, there's no problem with eating here, but the Black Sandstorm will arrive soon. We must hurry to the post station to shelter from the wind. Staying at the inn means certain death."

Old Zhai tried earnestly to persuade him.

But Zu Hao understood what he was thinking and did not care. "Life and death are determined by fate; wealth and honor are decreed by Heaven. You've taken my money, innkeeper. Just prepare my room. Don't worry about anything else."

Seeing that he would not listen to reason, Old Zhai cursed inwardly, though he could only force a smile. "This... ah, very well. Since you insist, sir, this old man will have someone clean it up at once. Please wait a moment. It'll be ready soon."

"Bukubuku..."

Just then, Bulu Du, the Tartar leader in the corner, suddenly laughed.

She pointed at Zu Hao and said several words in Tartar to Ha Gang, the guard beside her. Her tone carried amusement and curiosity.

Her eyes remained fixed on Zu Hao as though she were examining an interesting piece of prey.

That fiery gaze held undisguised interest and wildness, like a little wildcat that had locked onto its target and could pounce at any time.

After hearing Bulu Du's words, Ha Gang felt displeased, but he still stepped forward and translated in a deep, muffled voice, "My mistress says that this young master carries himself exceptionally. She would like to invite you to share a drink and make a friend."

Zu Hao possessed Language Mastery and understood Tartar, but he pretended otherwise. Looking at Bulu Du, he gave a slight nod. "I would be disrespectful to refuse. Thank you for your kind invitation, miss."

Zu Hao walked toward Bulu Du's table with calm, unhurried steps, showing no unease despite her being the leader of a foreign people.

Bulu Du personally picked up the wine jug and poured Zu Hao a bowl of wine. As she held it out to him, a trace of barely perceptible cunning gleamed in her eyes.

Zu Hao accepted the bowl.

[Reversible item detected.]

[Knockout Drug: A special drug from the Western Regions. Colorless and odorless, it is difficult for ordinary people to detect when mixed into wine.]

[Side Effect: Causes ordinary people to fall into a deep coma for several hours, leaving them entirely unable to resist.]

[Negative Reversal: Refreshes the mind and slightly boosts one's spirits.]

Zu Hao sneered inwardly. As expected, no banquet came without ulterior motives.

This Tartar woman appeared bold and forthright, but she was actually full of schemes.

He wanted to see what trick she was playing. Without the slightest hesitation, he tipped back his head and drained the bowl.

Once the wine entered his stomach, a cool sensation instantly spread through his body. Not only did he feel no drowsiness, but his mind became even clearer.

Yet on the surface, Zu Hao immediately feigned dizziness. His body swayed twice, and the wine bowl in his hand fell to the floor with a smack, shattering into pieces.

He let out a low groan, and his entire body went limp as he toppled backward.

A flash of triumph crossed Bulu Du's eyes. She immediately rose, strode forward, and caught Zu Hao in her arms.

She muttered several sentences in Tartar to Ha Gang and the other guards beside her, roughly meaning, "This man is interesting. I like him. I'm taking him back to interrogate him properly."

Ha Gang and the guards exchanged looks, understanding dawning across their faces.

Their leader had always been like this. Whenever she encountered something that interested her, she would find every possible way to obtain it.

This time, though, she had set her sights on a man from the Central Plains. They said nothing, but inwardly, they felt somewhat uncomfortable.

The flower of the grasslands liked a pretty boy from the Central Plains?

But Bulu Du was their mistress. They were merely servants and guards, with no right to interfere in her decisions.

Under the varied gazes of everyone in the inn, Bulu Du picked up the "unconscious" Zu Hao and carried him to the room on the inn's second floor that she had reserved beforehand.

The West Depot men were indifferent to it.

In their eyes, it was merely a foreign woman seducing a man. It was irrelevant, as long as it did not interfere with their search.

Old Zhai and the waiter likewise acted as though it had nothing to do with them.

They ran a black inn where murder and robbery were commonplace. Naturally, they would not stand up for Zu Hao.

Watching this through the window outside, Ling Yanqiu and Su Huirong secretly frowned, seemingly considering whether to risk saving him.

The room on the second floor was relatively tidy. Bulu Du placed Zu Hao on the bed. Her movements were not gentle, but neither were they overly rough.

Looking at the quiet, handsome man, Bulu Du covered her heart.

It was love at first sight. Damn it, she could not hide it in her eyes, this inexplicable pounding in her heart for him...

"You can't blame me. Who told you to be so handsome? You were clearly trying to seduce me."

She spoke in Chinese. Her earlier use of Tartar had been deliberate.

Bulu Du stroked Zu Hao's nearly flawless face, then slowly moved her hands downward, beginning to undress him. She intended to take possession of this man.

Zu Hao, pretending to be unconscious, was speechless. So after all that, she was after my body!

But Bulu Du really was quite something. Then I'll play along!