Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Fulfillment

“Huh?”

Chu Lingguang cried out in alarm.

Guo Wei’s brow furrowed. He glanced at the men in the mountain stronghold and then chuckled. “A good kill!”

Hearing this, Big Saber Hong’s expression faltered for a moment.

Then, as if a thought struck him, he met Guo Wei’s gaze. A moment later, they both couldn’t help but burst into laughter, their behavior perplexing everyone present.

“Bring out the wine!”

Big Saber Hong ordered.

He turned and walked into a stone house behind him.

Guo Wei led Chu Lingguang and followed him inside.

A short while later, Big Saber Hong’s men brought out wine and meat. The meat turned out to be mutton, cooked and ladled out from a rich, white broth, then sprinkled with coarse salt and a sauce.

“Eat.”

“Drink.”

Guo Wei grabbed a mutton rib, took a large bite, and tore the meat clean off the bone. With his hands slick with grease, he dipped the meat in the sauce and began to chew.

He acted as if he had really just come to catch up with Big Saber Hong, downing three bowls of strong liquor with him in a row.

’Master is so calm. It looks like the Government Mansion Young Master isn’t dead. No matter if the negotiations succeed or not, Big Saber Hong won’t make things difficult for us.’

Chu Lingguang thought to himself.

Upon closer observation, he realized what was going on.

He immediately fell silent and proceeded to eat all the mutton that was served to him.

A while later, Big Saber Hong had two Dancing Girls come in to dance for entertainment.

Ever since he had transmigrated, this was the first time Chu Lingguang had ever seen dancers perform right in front of him, with endless mutton to eat and yellow millet wine to drink.

In the past, whenever he heard of a martial arts expert turning to banditry, he could never understand why. But now, seeing the life Big Saber Hong led, he finally understood.

However, he didn’t forget that this was, after all, a den of thieves. He didn’t dare lower his guard and barely touched the fine wine that was served.

When there were still two quarters of an hour until 3:00 PM, Guo Wei finally turned serious. He said, “When I entered the stronghold just now, I took a look around. With the forces Magistrates Wang and Li have, even with Tie Zhennan’s help, they won’t be able to break in.

“But if this matter alerts the Government Office and they send troops down, I’m afraid things will turn grim for you, brother. Of course, I know your temper. Back when you took the Provincial Examination, you even dared to cut down a Military Officer. Even if the Government Office sends men, they won’t be able to intimidate you.

“However, what about all the brothers at your side?”

After speaking, Guo Wei fixed his gaze on Big Saber Hong.

Big Saber Hong’s mouth was stuffed with mutton. He looked at Guo Wei, then at Chu Lingguang, who no longer dared to move carelessly, and finally at the group of his brothers by the door.

He chewed for a moment.

Then he nodded to one of his men standing guard at the entrance.

The man’s face lit up with joy.

A moment later, he dragged a disheveled man with torn robes and threw him down at the stronghold’s gate.

“That bastard came to my gate raising hell. Not only did he kill several of my brothers, but he also threatened to raze my entire stronghold to the ground.”

Big Saber Hong said angrily.

“So arrogant and domineering. Someone will deal with him sooner or later.”

Guo Wei said comfortingly.

“I’ve already had him thrown out at the mountain gate. I implicated you back then, causing you to only gain half the reputation of a Juren. Not long ago, your apprentice saved my life. Consider this me repaying the Favors I owe you both, master and apprentice. You can take him and go!”

Big Saber Hong said, taking a large gulp of strong liquor.

“He has hands and feet. If he could make his way up, he can certainly make his way down.”

But Guo Wei shook his head. He had no intention of personally escorting the Government Mansion Young Master away, or even of seeing him at all.

Big Saber Hong was a little surprised.

He then refilled his own bowl and raised it high to Guo Wei.

Guo Wei also filled his bowl, and the two men drained them in one go.

“Men! Take that animal down the mountain and tell Magistrate Wang that Da Wang is granting Master Guo a favor today.”

Big Saber Hong commanded.

“Yes, sir!”

His subordinate immediately went to carry out the order, taking the Government Mansion Young Master, who had been thrown at the gate, down to Wang Ren and the others.

Chu Lingguang had a sudden realization.

Guo Wei didn’t escort the young master down the mountain because he didn’t want Big Saber Hong to think he had come up to save the man just to curry favor with him.

Big Saber Hong had clearly understood Guo Wei’s intentions.

That was why he sent his own men to take the young master down, proactively building up Guo Wei’s reputation as a way of thanking him for helping the stronghold avoid a disaster.

The intricate social customs and Favors involved were tacitly understood between the two men, and they played their parts perfectly, benefiting both themselves and each other. Chu Lingguang quietly committed this lesson to memory, knowing it would be useful in the future.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, it was 3:15 PM.

Magistrates Wang and Li had yet to receive any news, and both were growing anxious. Wang Ren said to Wang Chao, “Is your master capable or not? Why is there still not a single word?”

“My lord, please wait a little longer. My master will definitely not disappoint you.”

Wang Chao said, bracing himself.

“I’m afraid your master not only failed to handle the matter but has also made Big Saber Hong even more vigilant. If we can’t rescue the Government Mansion Young Master later, it will all be your master’s fault.”

Tie Zhennan snorted coldly.

“Utter nonsense! Even if my master can’t persuade Big Saber Hong, what does that have to do with him? If you’re so capable, why don’t you go up and talk to Big Saber Hong yourself?”

Wang Chao said furiously.

“Mr. Wang, Master Tie is my honored guest.”

Lord Li reminded him.

“Hmph!”

Hearing this, Wang Chao could only give Tie Zhennan a cold snort.

“Giddy-up!”

Just then, a government constable came galloping down from the mountainside.

When he got closer, the man dismounted, knelt on the ground, and said excitedly, “Reporting to the two lords, someone from the mountain is bringing the Government Mansion Young Master down!”

“Say that again?”

Wang Ren was afraid he had misheard.

“My lord, someone from the mountain is bringing the Government Mansion Young Master down.”

The government constable repeated.

“Quick, take me there!”

Magistrates Wang and Li were overjoyed and galloped off at once.

“It must have been my master who rescued the Government Mansion Young Master.”

Wang Chao thought of Guo Wei and hurriedly followed.

Tie Zhennan hesitated for a moment but decided to go and see for himself.

「A short while later.」

A group of mountain bandits came down, escorting the Government Mansion Young Master. They addressed Wang Ren, saying, “Lord Wang, Da Wang has given an order. Today, we grant Master Guo a favor and spare this animal’s life. If he ever dares to set foot on Cyan Cloud Mountain again, he will be killed without mercy!”

After speaking, the bandit leader threw the man down. They retreated cautiously, and only after reaching a safe distance did they turn and run back up the mountain.

“Young Master Yan.”

“It really is you! Are you alright?”

Seeing the bandits retreat, Wang Ren rushed forward to check. It was indeed the Government Mansion Young Master he was sent to rescue.

“Let’s go. Quickly.”

Young Master Yan, who had been starved for days, said weakly.

“Men, quickly escort Young Master Yan back to the County Yamen!”

Wang Ren ordered, taking Young Master Yan directly back to Baiyang County.

Magistrate Li felt a sour taste in his mouth, knowing that Wang Ren had gotten the upper hand in the end. He deliberately remarked with a sigh, “As expected of the master who taught Yang Shaorong. Why doesn’t my Qinghe County have such a remarkable individual?”

Then, pretending to remember something, he clasped his hands toward Tie Zhennan and said, “I have troubled Master Tie this time. Once I have finished with my official duties, I will pay you a visit to express my gratitude.”

“My lord overstates it. I am ashamed.”

Tie Zhennan’s face was a picture of embarrassment.

Magistrate Li paid him no more mind and led his group of government constables toward Baiyang County.

“So, Guo Wei, you’ve done well. We’ll see who’s better at the Daoist Examination.”

After Magistrate Li left, Tie Zhennan gritted his teeth. Furious, angry, and utterly helpless, he could only lead his Martial Arts Hall disciples back to Qinghe County.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep