The Thirteen Guardians

Pingle Ward, Fragrant Cloud Tower.

The long street of blue bricks was smooth and broad, with rows of pavilions lining both sides, their upturned eaves soaring at the corners. Fragrant Cloud Tower's wine banner hung high, fluttering lightly in the wind.

Night had just fallen, and it was mealtime. Merchants and travelers flowed endlessly in and out of the restaurant, presenting a scene of flourishing prosperity.

Shen Gangfu halted and stood outside the entrance for three breaths.

He said nothing, merely lifting his head to glance at the gilded sign reading "Fragrant Cloud Tower." The paint was new, bright enough to dazzle the eye.

This was precisely where the Thirteen Guardians often gathered after completing an escort job.

Shen Gangfu wore a long black robe. His back was straight, his steps steady and unhurried, his hands clasped behind him. He carried an imposing aura without needing to show anger.

Lu Li followed behind his master and slowly climbed the bluestone steps.

Master and disciple entered the restaurant, passed around the noisy first-floor hall, and headed straight for a private room on the third floor.

Before the door was even pushed open.

Several deep voices could already be heard talking and laughing within, rough and weighty—the unmistakable voices of martial men who had roamed the jianghu for years.

With a creak, Shen Gangfu pushed open the door.

Four people were seated inside. The instant the door opened, their laughter and conversation abruptly stopped, and the room's clamor briefly fell silent.

The room was spacious and elegant, with bright windows and spotless furnishings. The large round table was already covered with tea, fruit, dried snacks, and five or six jars of fine wine.

"Chief!"

"Boss Shen."

"Old Escort Chief!"

"Big Brother!"

The four hurried over at the sound.

Lei Cangxiong had the deepest voice. He was the first to cup his fists, his tone carrying the wistfulness of a sudden reunion.

"Big Brother! Five years apart, yet your bearing remains unchanged."

A smile spread across Shen Gangfu's face. He raised his arm and returned the salute, his voice calm and steady, though lacking the booming strength it had possessed when he escorted shipments in years past.

"Sorry to have kept you all waiting."

"Chief, what are you saying? We haven't met in so long—why be so distant? Are you treating your brothers like outsiders?"

Shi Man spoke in a muffled voice.

"I'd long wanted us to gather, but I worried your old injuries were still troubling you. I was afraid of disturbing your recuperation, so I didn't dare come knocking at your door..."

Lu Li's eyes flickered at those words.

Master still had old injuries that had not healed?

He looked up at Shen Gangfu, unable to hide his concern.

Shen Gangfu signaled with his eyes for him not to speak. Lu Li suppressed his worry, intending to ask his master about it after the banquet and find a way to treat his master's injuries in the future.

Shi Man's single sentence.

It exposed the matter of Shen Gangfu's old injuries from ten years ago, and the atmosphere in the room sank slightly. Fortunately, everyone knew Shi Man's character and understood that he meant no harm.

Shen Gangfu paused, then shifted slightly to reveal Lu Li behind him and introduced him. "This is my unworthy disciple, Lu Li."

Lu Li hurried forward, lowered his head, bowed, and cupped his fists. "This junior is Lu Li. Greetings, uncles of the Thirteen Guardians."

The group was momentarily stunned at the sight of the gaunt Lu Li. Then Chen Jiugong, seated to the left, stepped forward and patted Lu Li on the shoulder.

"Lu Li. A good name."

Chen Jiugong chuckled. "Lu Li, did your master ever tell you about the reputation of our Thirteen Guardians?"

Shen Gangfu had just been about to speak when Gu Qingyan, who had yet to say a word, stepped forward and said warmly, "If your master didn't tell you, I will."

Gu Qingyan's eyes shone as she swept her gaze over the others and raised her voice.

"The Thirteen Guardians—one man stands at the pass."

"Yama and Judge, the Four Wings roar together," Chen Jiugong continued.

"Iron Fist and Bronze Arm, the Twin Ghosts carry the sedan," Shi Man took up the chant.

"Cloud-Piercing Swallow, Wind-Chasing Youngest," Lei Cangxiong followed.

"Half a Pot of Old Wine, One Broken Scabbard."

The final line came from outside the door. It was Lin Jingfeng, arriving a little late.

As the words fell, the six Guardians present looked at one another and burst into laughter. The edge that had lain dormant in their eyes for years slowly began to gleam once more.

After exchanging pleasantries, the Guardians took their seats in turn.

The waiter at the door entered at just the right moment, bringing over steaming hot water and filling their wine cups.

As the wine flowed into the cups, its clear, mellow fragrance spread through the room. Loosened by drink, their conversation naturally turned toward old times.

"Iron Fist" Lei Cangxiong raised his cup, lightly rubbing the porcelain rim with his fingertips. His voice rose, rich and resonant.

"Do you still remember that battle on Qingmang Mountain?"

"How could we forget?"

"Bronze Arm" Shi Man slapped the edge of the table, making the wine table tremble. His fighting spirit surged as he said in his muffled voice.

"Back then, when we were escorting that shipment of red goods, hundreds of bandits blocked our path on Qingmang Mountain. Big Brother held the front, you guarded the flank, and I took my blade around the rear to cut down the bandit chief. We fought our way through blood all the way..."

"Half a Pot of Old Wine" Chen Jiugong grinned and picked up the thread.

"And that time at Blackwind Pass. We were ambushed by river pirates, arrows falling across the river like rain. The thirteen of us stood shoulder to shoulder at the prow and slaughtered those pirates until they fled with their heads in their hands, scurrying like rats. From then on, throughout a hundred li of waterways and ferry crossings, whenever the Thirteen Guardians were mentioned, everyone gave way..."

They spoke over one another, laughing as they recalled the days when they had escorted shipments and ridden roughshod over mountain roads... The scenes of living and dying together, their spirits soaring into the clouds, seemed to stand before their eyes.

Laughter rang constantly through the private room, brimming with heroic fervor. Wine cups clinked again and again. For a time, injuries, age, and worldly affairs were all cast behind them and set aside.

Several rounds of wine passed.

The fine wine in the jars had gradually dwindled, and most of the dishes on the plates had been eaten. Their laughter and conversation slowly subsided.

Then Shi Man's muffled voice sounded.

"Back then, all thirteen of us sat together, packed tight around the table. Now, if we wanted to gather everyone again, I'm afraid it would be difficult."

Of the Thirteen Guardians, six still worked escort jobs for the escort agency and were naturally hard to meet. Another, the carefree One Broken Scabbard, had long since left Blackwater City.

Shen Gangfu set down his wine cup, his expression gradually turning solemn. After weighing his words, he said.

"I asked all of you brothers to make this special trip today. First, because I remembered the bond of life and death we shared, and wanted to gather with you all..."

"Second, I have a favor to ask..."

He paused, turned to look at Lu Li sitting beside him, and spoke with frank sincerity.

"This disciple of mine injured himself while practicing martial arts and urgently needs silver to buy medicine...

"You all know me. When I used to run escorts, I never had the habit of saving silver. Over twenty years, I only managed to put aside five thousand taels. During these past ten years teaching disciples at the martial academy, I saved another three thousand taels. Eight thousand taels in total, leaving a gap of twelve thousand..."

"I hope you brothers can lend a hand."

When his words fell, the private room grew quiet. The earlier warmth gradually faded, and a measure of melancholy rose in everyone's hearts.

Lu Li's gaze shifted uncertainly as he looked at his master in slight astonishment. His master's devotion... was too weighty.

Though countless thoughts swirled through his mind, he ultimately could not bring himself to speak.

His master had already said the words. Whatever Lu Li said now would change nothing. He could only remember his master's kindness deep in his heart.

He silently made a decision.

He would definitely find a way to make up for his master's injuries, no matter how difficult it was.

Everyone's expressions froze at once.

Twelve thousand taels of silver!

Split among them, each person would have to contribute two thousand taels.

Lei Cangxiong fell silent for a long while, as though he had fallen asleep. Then he suddenly turned his head, glanced at Lu Li sitting nearby, and said to Shen Gangfu.

"Big Brother, you know me. Among all our brothers, I'm the one most willing to put aside my pride. I work as a guard at the Zhou Residence now, and I only earn six hundred taels a year. All our brothers have families to support. Old Shi earns three hundred taels a year at best. Old Lin cares most about his face, so he stayed at the escort agency as an instructor and earns one hundred taels a year. Two thousand taels is twenty years of his wages."

Lu Li remained silent. He worked at the Road Division yamen, earning six taels of silver a month—only seventy-two taels a year.

"Uncles..."

Lu Li had just risen when Shen Gangfu waved a hand at him, signaling him to sit. He pressed his lips together and had no choice but to sit back down.

"The loyalty of the jianghu is what best fails to withstand the erosion of time..."

Shen Gangfu leaned back against the grand chair and closed his eyes.

"I have never asked anyone for help in my life. I am deeply satisfied with this disciple. Give whatever you can. I will not force anyone..."

Lin Jingfeng was the first to nod. He slapped his body and rose to his feet, his tone crisp and decisive.

"What are you saying, Big Brother? In those early years, you suffered injuries all over your body to protect us. That bond will not fade. I'll find a way to gather two thousand taels and deliver it to the martial academy in three days."

Shi Man glared. "I'll contribute two thousand too!"

"I'll give as well!"

"I'm in!"

Clink!

Seven wine cups struck together, producing a clear, crisp ring.

The subdued mood returned to fervent warmth.

Lu Li also raised his wine cup and took a drink. The wine was cold, but his chest felt blazing hot.