Volume One: The Dragon Rises from the Wilds Chapter Forty: Departing from the Waters
Lishui Town.
Dusk was settling.
Few pedestrians wandered the streets.
A youth and his horse made their way through the quiet avenues.
The youth’s appearance was unremarkable; yet, in the flicker of his gaze, there was already a certain steadiness befitting someone older. The horse was a fine steed—tall and robust, swift-hoofed even after traveling a hundred miles, bearing the dust of the journey but still spirited and nimble.
At the end of the street, a large courtyard appeared. Lanterns hung on either side of the gate, bearing inscriptions. On the right, “Lishui.” On the left, “Heji.”
Heji Inn?
Yu Ye rolled up the animal-skin map in his hands and urged his horse toward the inn. He had set out at dawn, hoping to reach Lishui Town by afternoon. Yet, the route marked by Zhong Jian had been unclear, causing him to lose his way. After a delay, he had finally found the place before nightfall.
Before he reached the inn’s entrance, a young attendant approached to greet him.
Yu Ye dismounted, raising a hand to halt him, “I’m looking for Manager Kuang.”
“Many are looking for Manager Kuang. Settle in first. If the rooms fill up, don’t blame me for treating you slow, young master!” The attendant was quick-witted, grabbing the horse’s reins and leading it into the courtyard.
“Oh?” Yu Ye, puzzled, followed him inside.
On the left side of the courtyard lay the gatehouse tavern; on the right, the stables and storerooms. In the middle, a broad open space, beyond which stood a row of guest rooms. Lanterns hung beneath the eaves, and in the light gathered a crowd.
“That’s Manager Kuang. Make yourself at home, young master. I’ll ready fine feed and water for your horse, and your luggage will be sent to Room Seven, Earth Division. Tomorrow, you can settle your bill at the gatehouse.”
The attendant moved swiftly—horse stabled, room assigned, everything arranged in a blink.
Yu Ye took his sword from the saddle, then thought to pocket his gold and silver, finally letting the attendant busy himself as he strode toward the crowd.
“Our manager has hired guards already. The rest of you should disperse now! If the guest rooms are full, don’t complain about slow service!”
“You say Manager Kuang is hiring hands at a hefty price. My brothers came from afar for this. You want us to leave empty-handed? Are we a joke to you?”
“Manager Kuang’s methods are unfair. Isn’t he afraid of retribution?”
“Indeed! The journey ahead is a thousand miles, bandits everywhere. Manager Kuang’s prospects look grim…”
“Gentlemen, gentlemen—”
A middle-aged man raised his hands amid the crowd, “The fault is mine, but there are reasons. I was to set out two days ago with Brother Zhong, but he hasn’t arrived. With my family, I couldn’t delay further, so I had to hire new hands. The road is long, and the commission high—even with some wealth, I could only hire two experts. I hope you’ll understand. Ji Yan, pour the gentlemen some wine…”
“Hmph, you think a cup of wine will send us away?”
“Where are these experts Manager Kuang hired? Let’s see them—”
“Yes, bring them out! Who dares cut off our livelihood?”
Yu Ye drew closer, stopping quietly. He didn’t rush to find anyone, but stood among the spectators.
The scene was chaotic, but the reason clear. The slightly rotund middle-aged man was surely Manager Kuang, and the young man beside him, Ji Yan, his coachman. The six or seven burly men shouting were would-be hired hands, now resorting to threats after being rejected.
The “Brother Zhong” Kuang spoke of must be Zhong Jian. From his words, he and Zhong Jian had agreed to set out two days ago. Yet Zhong Jian’s own account differed by two days. If Kuang had departed on time, Yu Ye’s journey would have been for nothing.
Even arriving now, it seemed he was late.
Manager Kuang had already hired two experts?
“Pan is here—who’s making all this noise?”
At that moment, the door behind Manager Kuang opened, and a tall man in his twenties or thirties appeared—hair askew, eyes bleary, reeking of wine, he lurched beneath the eaves. Another man followed from the guest room—not tall, square-faced, short-bearded, his narrow eyes coldly surveying the crowd.
“Pan Yuan of Hongshan?”
“Why him…”
“Gentlemen, these are Pan Yuan and his brother Yuan Jiu, whom I’ve hired,” Manager Kuang announced, cupping his fists in apology, “I can’t let you leave empty-handed. Please, eat and drink at my expense…”
The burly men were unimpressed. After a brief surprise, one shouted, “So what if it’s Pan Yuan? This isn’t Hongshan…”
Pan Yuan, still groggy, suddenly widened his eyes and, without warning, delivered a brutal kick to the man who’d called his name. The man staggered back mid-sentence. Yuan Jiu, silent, darted from beneath the eaves, tackled him, and drove a short blade deep into his shoulder.
“Ah—!” The wounded man screamed, but Yuan Jiu held him fast.
The crowd drew swords and blades in alarm.
Pan Yuan, kicking with the fury of a beast, then calmly hiccupped, rolled his eyes, and picked his teeth, spitting contemptuously, “Bah! This deal was mine—anyone dares to snatch it? Yuan Jiu—”
Yuan Jiu’s knife remained in the man’s shoulder, ignoring his cries, his face bloodthirsty. Suddenly, he twisted the blade, and an arm, bloody, was severed and flung aside.
“Ah—!” The crowd, weapons drawn, was shocked again.
“Hmph, that’s what happens to thieves!” Pan Yuan growled, “If anyone else disagrees, try it. I won’t just take your arm—I’ll take your head!” His words dripped menace. “Get out!”
Yuan Jiu retrieved his blade and stepped back.
The one-armed man writhed and howled on the ground.
The crowd exchanged glances, then hastily carried their wounded companion and his severed limb out of the courtyard, not forgetting to hurl a threat, “Pan Yuan, this won’t end well—”
Pan Yuan scratched his ear, unconcerned, then turned with a smile, “Manager Kuang, sorry for the trouble!”
Manager Kuang, still stunned, replied, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing!”
Pan Yuan shrugged, helpless, “Without blood, those brutes would never leave.”
“True, true!” Manager Kuang nodded, “I’ve traveled for years—only true experts can deter petty thieves. We’re lucky to have you tonight, Pan and Yuan. You two should rest early!”
Pan Yuan was ruthless, but skilled in worldly matters. As he returned to his room, he reminded, “Sorry for the commotion—please check on your wife and daughter, so they’re not frightened.”
“Yes, yes!” Manager Kuang raised his hand in thanks, then turned to instruct, “Ji Yan, prepare the horses and carriage for an early departure!”
The bloody conflict quickly subsided, and the inn settled into quiet. The spectators dispersed.
Yu Ye remained, hesitant. The Kuang family escort had become Pan Yuan’s prize, and any who coveted it risked losing an arm—or worse. To declare his purpose now would be foolish. Yet, he had struggled so hard for a route to Deer Call Mountain, and now that he saw hope, how could he give up?
“Manager Kuang, please wait—”
Seeing Kuang about to leave, Yu Ye hurriedly called out. Pan Yuan, not yet inside, paused with Yuan Jiu.
“Oh? What is it, young man?” Manager Kuang had noticed Yu Ye in the courtyard, assuming he was a guest.
Yu Ye stepped forward, saluted, “I am Yu Ye, sent by Brother Zhong Jian to escort your family to Sparrow Spirit Mountain. I was delayed two days en route—please forgive me!”
“Zhong Jian? You…” Manager Kuang scrutinized Yu Ye, surprised, “Whether true or not, you’re so young—how can you protect others? Please go back, young man.”
To him, Yu Ye was slight, barely fifteen or sixteen, claiming he could escort a family of three to Sparrow Spirit Mountain—clearly reckless. Yet, with wealth on offer, even seasoned wanderers were tempted, let alone an inexperienced youth. But he didn’t wish to offend, so he gently urged him to leave.
Yu Ye refused, producing a metal token, “This is the token Brother Zhong agreed upon with you.”
Manager Kuang took the token, slightly astonished.
The palm-sized token bore inscriptions—a great bow on one side, “Zhong Jian” on the other. This was the signature of a famed wanderer, a mark of local power.
“Well, well—” Pan Yuan, seeing Manager Kuang beset by a youth, swaggered over, amused, “A greenhorn dares snatch food from my mouth and play with fire? Are you tired of living?”
Yuan Jiu silently followed, expressionless, his narrow eyes glittering coldly, as if ready to sever arms at any moment.
Yu Ye replied, “Brother Zhong said, ‘The token stands for the man.’”
“Boy—” Pan Yuan glared, “I’m talking to you. Are you deaf? Want a beating—”
“Pan, calm yourself!” Manager Kuang, fearing trouble, quickly intervened. He turned to Yu Ye, holding up the token, “This is indeed Zhong Jian’s token—but why did he break his promise?”
“Brother Zhong…” Yu Ye glanced at Pan Yuan and Yuan Jiu, then answered, “He’s entangled with enemies, busy with killing, unable to spare the time, so he sent me in his place to Sparrow Spirit Mountain.”
“I see.” Manager Kuang nodded, but looked troubled, “However… the journey is long, and you may not handle the dangers. Besides, I’ve already invited these two brothers—what should I do?”
Pan Yuan and Yuan Jiu exchanged glances, then pressed, “Have you not heard that a promise in the martial world is worth a thousand gold? If Manager Kuang goes back on his word, where does that leave us?”
Though Pan Yuan was violent by nature, he was cunning. Normally, he would have attacked, but the youth was now revealed as the principal for this job. He swallowed his anger, arguing his case, though his words carried a veiled threat.
Manager Kuang weighed the token, looking from Yu Ye to Pan Yuan, still torn.
Pan Yuan’s face darkened, impatient, “My brother and I have taken this job—no one else will get a single coin!”
Yu Ye replied, “The gentleman is right—a promise in the martial world is worth a thousand gold. For the journey to Sparrow Spirit Mountain, I ask for no payment, only to fulfill my promise and uphold honor!”
Pan Yuan and Yuan Jiu looked at each other in disbelief, “No payment? Is the boy mad?”
Manager Kuang was equally astonished…