Just past noon, Lu Sui finished the medicinal meal sent over from his aunt's courtyard.
Xiaotang then placed a list on his desk.
"Steward Duan sent over a list. He said it was so you would have some idea of who they were, young master."
Lu Sui gave it a cursory glance.
"Zhao Langyuan, son of the head shopkeeper of Xingtai Oil Mill, twenty years old..."
"Xu Xiuxiu, daughter of the head shopkeeper of Guangfa Pharmacy, eighteen years old..."
"Luo Dongsheng, son of the head shopkeeper of West Mountain's Yihe Workshop, twenty-two years old..."
At this point, Lu Sui's gaze sharpened slightly.
Wasn't the head shopkeeper of West Mountain's Yihe Workshop the one who had lost five large cartloads of goods?
"Xiaotang, what kind of business does Yihe Workshop do?"
Lu Sui asked.
Compared to Xiaohuan, who spent every day thinking about food, Xiaotang was clearly more of a "supervisor." She knew the inner courtyard, and even the entire Lu residence, like the back of her hand.
"Shopkeeper Luo originally made his fortune running a private bank. Bandit troubles cost him everything, and he came to seek refuge with the master.
"Later, with the master's funding, he opened a grain depot and a kiln. His business has prospered more and more."
In a soft, gentle voice, Xiaotang said:
"Young Master Luo joined the trading firm very early on. He manages a carters' inn for Shopkeeper Luo."
Lu Sui nodded.
The workshops and shops under Dacheng Trading Firm mostly used the eight characters for "prosperity, peace, abundance, plenty, flourishing, fortune, success, and harmony" in their names.
There was also a longstanding tradition: only those granted a gilded signboard personally inscribed by Lu Yulin counted as part of the "core" of the Lu Family's Ganzi Gang.
"These head shopkeepers are all management, and most of their children will smoothly take over in the future... A gathering of second-generation heirs."
Lu Sui mulled it over. His bargain-bin father had probably asked him to receive these people because he wanted him to show himself more and make more appearances.
"Young master, let me help you change."
Xiaotang brought over a fresh set of clothes.
He had to look presentable when receiving guests.
Lu Sui stood and spread his arms, letting Xiaotang drape a water-blue straight robe over him and fasten a jade belt around his waist.
Xiaohuan sat to one side, her chin propped in both hands and stars practically shining in her eyes.
"You look so handsome in that, young master."
Standing before the mirror, Lu Sui no longer looked as sickly and skeletal as he once had.
Now his shoulders and back were straight, and he stood there like a tall, slender bamboo.
"Calling me a 'jade-faced young gentleman' wouldn't be wrong."
Lu Sui's lips curled. With these looks, he was more than equipped for public relations and business negotiations.
Lu Sui reached the side hall, where three people were already seated.
The young man on the left wore a silk robe and was fairly good-looking, though his complexion was slightly sallow.
At the sight of Lu Sui, he was the first to rise and bow deeply.
"Luo Dongsheng of West Mountain's Yihe Workshop greets the young proprietor."
Young proprietor?
Lu Sui raised his eyebrows.
Even the servants in the residence had never addressed him that way.
"You're too polite, Brother Luo. Just call me Lu Sui."
The fellow stationed on the right had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a tall, sturdy build. He looked like a martial artist.
He casually cupped his fists.
"Zhao Langyuan of Xingtai Oil Mill!"
Lu Sui returned the gesture.
The last was Xu Xiuxiu of Guangfa Pharmacy, a pretty young woman with almond-shaped eyes and willow-leaf brows.
She curtsied to Lu Sui and asked softly with concern:
"I heard some time ago that you were unwell, Young Master Lu. My father mentioned it several times. You look healthy now. Have you fully recovered?"
Lu Sui smiled.
"Sorry to have troubled Shopkeeper Xu with so much worry. I've recovered completely."
The four of them took their seats as host and guests, and Xiaotang had refreshments served.
Perhaps because they were not particularly well acquainted, their conversation stayed general.
After only a few pleasantries, Zhao Langyuan suddenly spoke.
"Brother Luo, has there been any news about your father's shipment? Which band of outlaws ate a bear's heart and a leopard's gall to dare rob the Ganzi Gang?"
The hall fell silent.
News that Dacheng Trading Firm had lost five large cartloads of goods had spread throughout Changle County and the surrounding area.
Many discussed it over tea and after meals. Some said Lu Yulin had made enemies among the great outlaws in his younger days, and this was their revenge;
Others said a powerful dragon had come from Shaqing Pass and intended to trample on the Lu Family's turf.
Rumors flew and speculation abounded. It was quite a spectacle.
"Yes, Brother Luo. Yihe Workshop's gilded signboard carries considerable weight on West Mountain, too. How did its goods end up being robbed?"
Lu Sui picked up the thread.
Under everyone's gaze, Luo Dongsheng put down his teacup, shook his head, and sighed.
"The robbers left no clues. All I know is... the dozens of skilled men escorting the shipment all died. There were no survivors."
Zhao Langyuan's eyes widened, and he exclaimed:
"What sort of ruthless bastards would go that far?"
The outlaw world had always followed the rule of seeking wealth, not lives.
Unless a feud ran exceptionally deep, anyone who wanted to keep operating in those circles could not take things too far.
The blood feud between the Lu Family and the Wind and Sand Saber had begun with an escorted shipment.
After taking the goods, the latter had still insisted on exterminating everyone, killing the Lu Family patriarch's own brother.
Luo Dongsheng smiled bitterly.
"And every one of them bled from all seven orifices and died suddenly. There wasn't a single external wound on their bodies.
"My father had the people from the mortuary examine them for three days, but they couldn't find anything.
"People outside are all saying... our Yihe Workshop ran into an uncanny calamity."
"An uncanny calamity..."
Xu Xiuxiu paled slightly, seemingly frightened.
"A few years ago, our county had one too. A wealthy household surnamed Li in the east of town lost all eighty-odd members overnight. Not even the chickens or dogs survived.
"There were no external wounds either, but their hearts, livers, spleens, lungs... were all gone."
Now there were "uncanny calamities" too?
A slight chill gripped Lu Sui's heart.
From the sound of it, these were even more sinister and frightening than the "demon calamities" Xiaotang had mentioned?!
"In the Land Beyond the Pass, calamity and turmoil never cease. Alas."
Helplessness showed on Luo Dongsheng's face. He then looked at Lu Sui and cupped his hands.
"Fortunately, the proprietor was magnanimous and didn't blame us. He only instructed my father to replace the five large cartloads of goods.
"The proprietor intends to take charge in person and lead the escort to Yongning Prefecture."
Zhao Yuanlang slapped his thigh and laughed.
"The proprietor has traveled north and south. Who knows how many vicious calamities he's encountered? He's come through every one unharmed.
"If you ask me, this time is in the bag."
The corner of Lu Sui's mouth twitched. His bargain-bin father did not look like a martial arts expert, either, so why was he unafraid of demon calamities and uncanny calamities?
Stealing glances at Lu Sui, Xu Xiuxiu changed the subject.
"I haven't been in Changle County long, but I heard things haven't been peaceful here lately, either."
Luo Dongsheng lowered his eyes and asked:
"How so? Has something happened?"
Xu Xiuxiu said:
"Zhenyuan Escort Agency in Gong and Drum Alley to the west somehow provoked something sinister. Three people die every day, either hanging themselves or jumping into wells. It's very strange.
"The chief escort invited an expert to perform rites, and they even held a seven-day Water and Land ritual, but that didn't resolve it..."
Zhao Langyuan clicked his tongue.
"Probably another uncanny calamity. If you ask me, anyone traveling beyond the pass needs powerful martial arts to protect themselves. You never know when something unclean will latch onto you!"
Xu Xiuxiu huffed.
"Is Chief Escort Lin of Zhenyuan Escort Agency not better at martial arts than you? He's an external martial arts expert who has undergone blood replacement four times and tempered his force!"
Listening to these "second-generation heirs" exchange remarks, Lu Sui was secretly alarmed.
The convoy escorting the goods, the wealthy household wiped out to the last member, Zhenyuan Escort Agency...
Were there really so many demonic and uncanny scourges in the Land Beyond the Pass?
When the sun slanted west, everyone rose to take their leave.
Lu Sui saw them to the front courtyard, where Luo Dongsheng took a brocade box from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
"I came on short notice and prepared only a modest gift. It's hardly enough to express my respect.
"This jade cicada was consecrated at a temple outside town. It can ward off evil and protect the household. I earnestly hope you'll accept it, young proprietor."
With things put that way, Lu Sui could hardly refuse and could only accept it.
"How thoughtful of you, Brother Luo."
After seeing them off, Lu Sui stood beneath the covered walkway, his eyes narrowing slightly.
There was something odd about Young Master Luo.
From addressing him as young proprietor to giving him a gift.
And the extra attention he had revealed, deliberately or otherwise, during their conversation...
It all seemed rather unnatural, almost like a guilty conscience?
His father botched the job, so he's eager to curry favor with me?
Lu Sui looked down at the brocade box, his eyes flickering.
Night fell.
In his room, Lu Sui opened the brocade box. A jade cicada lay inside.
Its carving was simple and archaic, its coloration warm and mellow. It looked like an old piece with some age to it.
He shook his head. To be cautious, it would be best not to keep it near him.
"Xiaotang, help me deal with..."
Lu Sui abruptly broke off as small, flickering words surfaced in his vision.
[A faint wisp of Calamity Qi detected. "Turtle-Snake Stance" stirred restlessly, seeking to suppress it, then devour it little by little...]
"Calamity Qi?"
Lu Sui stared at the jade cicada.
"Luo Dongsheng gave me something tainted with Calamity Qi?"
PS: My updates may be slow, but at least they won't give you heartburn! A newcomer asking for your support!