It was just past the Hai hour.
Lu Sui was led to the back door, where the narrow alley was jammed full of wide carriages, leaving almost no gap to spare.
First time going out, and my heart's even a little fluttery.
If not for the enormous threat brought by that pair of scoundrels, how could he have willingly nested in that tiny inner courtyard like a toad sitting at the bottom of a well, staring at the sky?
Having managed to live a second life, he naturally wanted to witness the splendid scenery of the Land Beyond the Pass.
Galloping fine steeds, fiery liquor and women, fierce bandits and outlaws...
He would love to lay eyes on every single one of them just to broaden his horizons.
So spacious!
Clutching his excited mood, Lu Sui climbed into the carriage.
The interior space was ample, enough to accommodate over a dozen people, and all sorts of furnishings were readily available.
The wooden couch along the carriage wall was padded with soft mats, a layer of pelts was spread across the floor, and because of the recent cold weather, a hand warmer was also prepared.
Analogously, this is pretty much the standard-issue "Land Rover" of Big Brother Blade-and-Gun, and an extended luxury version at that?
Lu Sui muttered inwardly.
His cheap old man truly put on quite a spectacle; if placed inside the Pass, even the county magistrate wouldn't be this majestic, right?
"Zhan'ao."
Lu Yulin sat upright opposite him, wearing a black-and-gold long gown, his fingers toying with that string of the Eighteen-Bead Bracelet:
"In the past, you were least willing to listen to your father nagging about those business principles.
Yet you are also the sole seedling of our Lu Family, and the Dacheng Trading Firm will eventually have to be taken over by you in the future. Your father's heart has been troubled too, often worrying because of this."
To think there was even a segment of a father-and-son heart-to-heart talk...
His cheap old man must absolutely not plant a flag, saying any unlucky words like "once this matter is settled, I'll step down and retire."
Lu Sui straightened his back, assuming an earnest look, and pricked up his ears to listen closely.
"The Land Beyond the Pass suffers from many disasters and hardships, and it's hard to have peaceful days, but your father promised your mother to let you live a carefree life and pass your days in safety.
Therefore, you were unwilling to practice martial arts, and unwilling to bother with the trading firm's business; your father let you have your way in all of it."
Lu Yulin was rarely so long-winded, and seeing that Lu Sui showed no resistance, he couldn't help feeling delighted in his heart.
It seemed Uncle Wen was right; after suffering that calamity, Zhan'ao not only had a sudden flash of insight, but he was also becoming more and more like a Lu family member.
"I didn't expect that the Yu Family still had a few surviving seeds left alive in the world, and they picked you to make their move."
Speaking up to this point, a trace of guilt flashed across the depths of Lu Yulin's eyes.
Lu Sui had been bedridden for a full half-year, and he had several times entertained the thought of taking out the family-heirloom treasure to prolong his son's life, yet he had held back every time.
"Fortunately, Heaven opened its eyes and the ancestors blessed you, letting you pull through."
Lu Yulin's tone was gentle:
"In the Land Beyond the Pass, the jianghu produces generations of fierce men, and dragons and serpents rise together. Your father doesn't have any great ability; I just had good luck and happened to bear the surname 'Lu'.
Now that you have the mind to enter the martial path, and also possess uncommon talent, as a father, I ought to support you.
Your father knows you are timid, having been plotted against once, and then having experienced that affair with Granny Ma, you are even more jittery and suspicious.
Tonight, your father will let you be completely at ease."
The carriage wheels rumbled, rolling over the uneven flagstone streets, and slowly stopped at the mouth of an alley.
Lu Yulin stepped down from the carriage, the night wind blowing, the hem of that deep cyan long gown fluttering gently.
"Master, are you the only one?"
Luo Youxian revealed a startled expression:
"Those thieves dared to plunder our firm's cargo; they are bound to be hard thorns. How can the Master endanger himself alone!"
Lu Yulin smiled faintly:
"Uncle Wen is holding down the residence, Uncle Bing was sent by me to the Shaqing Pass, Fusheng is busy with other matters, and Master Chai was left behind for Zhan'ao...
It's fine, I, Lu Yulin, am not one who hasn't been through great storms and high waves. Besides, with Youxian accompanying and escorting us, you just need to bring your men fully prepared."
Luo Youxian's brows furrowed slightly. The Master was indeed accustomed to taking perilous paths, yet he rarely placed uncalculated bets!
Coming alone tonight, on the contrary, seemed abnormal.
"Youxian, could it be that you distrust the martial artists of the Yihe Workshop?"
Lu Yulin laughed heartily, teasing:
"After the Chai Gang in West Mountain County was wiped out, the experts all entered the Yihe Workshop. We'll catch them off guard, and subduing this bunch of thieves will be as easy as turning over one's hand!"
Luo Youxian suppressed the unease in his heart, forcing a smile as he said:
"The boss is right. I've summoned all the martial artists Yihe Workshop can spare.
The area is surrounded by a tight net. We won't let those thieves escape!"
Lu Yulin nodded and said softly,
"Good."
This was west of Changle County, close to the main road and right by the city gate. There were many warehouses and freight depots here, where traveling merchants from other places unloaded and loaded their goods.
By day, the streets bustled with traffic. At night, the shops shuttered, and there was hardly anyone about.
Luo Youxian raised a hand to signal, and dozens of men in short jackets, each carrying a club, surged into the alley like a flood.
He looked calm on the surface, but his heart was in his throat. He was afraid Luo Dongsheng would botch the job and give them away.
"The boss came alone. Dou Xiaowen and Duan Fusheng aren't here. If Dongsheng left any loose ends..."
Luo Youxian clenched the hand hidden in his sleeve.
He couldn't help recalling Luo Dongsheng's offhand remark in the study.
"If we're going to do it, we might as well go all the way..."
"Brother Youxian."
Lu Yulin spoke in a low, distant voice, making Luo Youxian jump.
"You look rather pale. Could it be that you haven't adjusted to the local conditions after coming from Xishan County?"
Luo Youxian felt inexplicably guilty and lowered his head.
"Boss, I'm afraid those thieves noticed something was up and ran ahead of time. If we come up empty this time, it'll be even harder to catch them next time!"
Lu Yulin was confident.
"The Beggars' Sect's informants have been watching them for days. Those thieves have two leaders, one man and one woman. The man rarely shows his face, while the woman wears a qipao and has a bewitching figure..."
"Head shopkeeper! Nobody's here!"
Before Lu Yulin had finished speaking, a burly man came hurrying over.
He called out to Luo Youxian first, then turned to Lu Yulin and bowed with his hands clasped.
"Boss, there's not a soul inside. There are only Five Cartloads of Goods covered with tarpaulins!"
Dongsheng had finally managed to get one thing done!
Luo Youxian let out a long breath, then immediately put on an angry expression and flew into a rage.
"How is that possible? We had informants watching day and night. Did they go through the walls and vanish into thin air?!"
The burly man hunched his shoulders and didn't dare answer.
"They got away?"
Lu Yulin raised a hand to stop Luo Youxian.
"Brother Youxian, you're usually so powerful in West Mountain that you can turn your hand and make clouds, turn it back and make rain. You've got such impressive means. How is it that you've lost your composure now?
"They're only a few petty thieves. If they escape, so be it. As long as the goods are still here, we can deliver them on time... Come on, let's take a look."
Lu Yulin led the way into the alley.
Luo Youxian glanced at the burly man, who protested,
"Head shopkeeper, my brothers and I have been keeping watch since noon. We haven't moved an inch."
Luo Youxian gave a heavy snort and pretended to scold him.
"Useless lot! All you're good for is eating your fill!"
Then he hurried after Lu Yulin.
One after the other, they crossed the threshold.
A calamity of evil spirits had once plagued this courtyard, and several people had died there over time. It was later turned into a warehouse, but a musty air still hung over every corner.
Five carts stood in the courtyard, piled high with goods covered by tarpaulins and tied down with hemp ropes.
The burly man followed closely behind and reported,
"Head shopkeeper, we searched every room. The pots are cold, and the stove hasn't been lit. Those thieves probably ran off several days ago."
Luo Youxian knew that there was one last step before he could clear himself.
He lifted the hem of his long robe and dropped to his knees, bowing his head.
"Boss! Heaven and earth can bear witness. I, Luo Youxian, swear I didn't let a single word slip! These past few days, I've been by your side..."
Lu Yulin reached out to help him up and said lightly,
"Brother Youxian, what are you doing? I hadn't finished what I was saying. There's a woman among those thieves. Besides having a bewitching figure, she can also cast curses and perform spells.
"It may not have been you who let the news slip."
Luo Youxian felt a weight lift from his heart.
The boss seemed unusually easygoing today!
"Call all the men outside in."
Lu Yulin ordered:
"Unload the goods, inspect them, then load them back onto the carts. Send them back to the merchant house's warehouse overnight."
"Yes!"
Luo Youxian sprang up briskly and called out to the men.
A group of martial masters flooded into the courtyard, lit torches, and got to work.
Lu Yulin stood at the entrance with his hands behind his back. Watching Luo Youxian calmly direct the men, he suddenly called out:
"Brother Youxian, the boss asked me to pass something on to you."
Luo Youxian turned around, startled by his words.
The boss had a message for him?
But you are the boss...
The stars and moon were sparse that night, and there wasn't even a lantern hanging by the courtyard gate.
Lu Yulin stood turned to the side, his whole face swallowed by darkness, his expression impossible to make out.
"The boss said, 'I gave you a chance, but you refused to turn back.'"
"Gold is easy to come by; loyalty and affection are hard to find. Farewell."
Luo Youxian froze in place. Suddenly, he realized something, and a chill ran through his whole body.
"Head manager!"
The burly man shouted:
"The carts are full of gunpowder..."
Boom! The explosion roared across the entire scene!
A gigantic fireball surged into the sky, blasting the entire courtyard upward!