Young Marquis

“Hmph.” The little girl let out a soft snort.

“If you help me find my sister, I’ll thank you. But if you trick me, you’ll be Bad Guy Number Two and Bad Guy Number Three, and I’ll never forgive you.” She threatened loudly, yet her restless eyes betrayed her lack of confidence.

“Bad Guy Number Two and Number Three?” Lin Bei asked with curiosity, “Then who’s Number One?”

“The worst villain is a cultivator who used to come and disturb our lives back in our old home,” Liu Xiaoyu replied, her tone still full of indignation. “He…”

She glanced at Chu Liang and said, “He looks a bit like you, but uglier, tall and skinny yet fat and twisted… like a monster, very frightening.”

“When I gain enough power, if I ever meet him again, I’ll make sure to give him a good beating!”

Chu Liang smiled. “If we ever encounter that villain again, we’ll help you teach him a lesson. Don’t worry, disciples of Mount Shu would never act like villains.”

That night, they found someone from the Li Family Village to arrange a room upstairs for the little girl so she could rest.

Chu Liang kept an eye on her, wondering if she might be lying or planning to escape in the night. But she slept soundly until dawn, proving that this little fish was indeed quite carefree.

The next day, they went to find Manager Cui.

“My goodness!” Manager Cui exclaimed upon waking and hearing that not only had they caught the monster, but actually two of them. He was overjoyed. “With two heroes from Mount Shu in action, your style is truly worthy of the heavens! In just one night, you’ve solved all the problems plaguing our Li Family Village. Remarkable!”

“We were just lucky,” Chu Liang replied with a smile, then explained the events of the previous night in detail.

Mentioning the fake mystic cultivator, Manager Cui was naturally furious. “That Jingyue Hall is despicable—when they can’t compete, they resort to these crooked tricks.”

As for Liu Xiaoyu’s sister, he seemed bewildered. “A fish spirit? We definitely haven’t seen one here. All these years, this is the first time we’ve had any trouble with monsters.”

“She might not have revealed her true form,” Chu Liang reminded him. “Her sister could have come here disguised as an ordinary woman.”

“All right, I’ll help ask around,” Manager Cui agreed readily.

Lin Bei asked, “Now that the monster problem is solved, does that mean we can move forward with hosting the Nanyin Troupe’s performance?”

“Heh, it’s practically a sure thing now,” Manager Cui replied with a grin.

“Then let’s stay a few more days and watch the performance before we leave,” Lin Bei said cheerfully.

“Of course, you must,” Manager Cui quickly replied.

Chu Liang glanced at Lin Bei’s smug face and shook his head. He understood now—this fellow had planned a work-sponsored holiday from the start.

Monster hunting? That was just a side quest.

...

Jingyue Hall.

On the Qin Nan River, the floating pleasure barges offered food, drink, and entertainment, much like the brothels of old, and were a gathering place for the scholars and gentlemen of Nanguan City.

On this day, the largest barge was entirely booked. Within a lavishly decorated private room, a grand banquet was underway.

Though many attended, the gathering truly centered around just two individuals.

Sitting in the host’s seat was a young man, dressed in splendid robes, his lips red and teeth white, his brows elegant and features handsome.

Opposite him was a burly, imposing man. Though his robes were equally fine, they couldn’t conceal his air of ruthlessness or the deep scar running across his rough face.

The rest were mere attendants or guests.

“I’ve long heard of the Eastern Whale Gang’s reputation. Meeting you today, Brother Xue, you truly embody the spirit of a true hero,” the young man said with a graceful smile, raising his jade cup in salute.

The big man laughed heartily, draining his cup in one go. “I’m just a rough man, not good with fancy words. If I’m lacking in manners, I hope you won’t mind, Young Marquis.”

“No, Brother Xue, you are a guest. How could you be at fault?” replied the young man, known as the Young Marquis, in a cultured tone.

“Lately, the winds have been tense within the Whale Gang. The Grandmaster’s men are watching us closely, and our leader, Master Jiang, has ordered us to keep all shady dealings under wraps. That’s why Master Cheng couldn’t come and sent me instead,” Xue explained. “It’s not meant as any disrespect to the Marquis of Dingshan.”

“We’ve heard about the Whale Gang’s troubles. It’s understandable,” nodded the Young Marquis.

Recently, the Whale Gang’s internal strife had made news across the land. Under Jiang Shenting, the Eastern Whale Gang had four great lieutenants, famous throughout the eastern regions of Yu Dynasty. One of them was Cheng Gan, whose capable subordinate was this very man, Xue Hu.

“But still…” The Young Marquis’s tone shifted. “We asked you to ship goods to Jiangnan, but it’s been nothing but wind and rain for days now…”

“Shouldn’t you give us an explanation? You can’t just send me instead of Master Cheng because he’s embarrassed,” he pressed.

“Master Cheng means that after this trip, our business will be suspended for a while,” Xue Hu said awkwardly. “It’s a critical time—if the Grandmaster’s men catch us, neither side will let us off easy.”

He made it clear.

Currently, the Whale Gang’s Grandmaster, Xu Bashan, and the Eastern Whale Gang’s Jiang Shenting were locked in open rivalry. If Cheng Gan, as Jiang’s man, made a misstep, it could be used against them.

But the Young Marquis looked puzzled.

“Brother Xue, isn’t this the moment you need support the most?” he said slowly. “Cutting off our business now doesn’t seem wise.”

“It’s not being cut off, just put on hold,” Xue Hu replied. “Once this is over and Master Jiang rises to power, Master Cheng will reach out again.”

“If Master Jiang does rise to power, Master Cheng’s status will soar. Will he still look kindly on our business then?” the Young Marquis asked with a faint smile.

“Of course he will…” Xue Hu waved his hands.

“Master Cheng knows our business has grown, and the Dingshan Marquis’s household is just one among many. If we suddenly lose your supply line, there’s no alternative partner. It puts us in a difficult position,” continued the Young Marquis.

“Haha, I hope you’ll understand,” Xue Hu replied with visible discomfort. “Master Cheng just asked me to take this last shipment and discuss the matter with you. The situation is what it is. If we keep pushing, and someone catches us, it won’t end well for anyone. Please consider our predicament. If you press me, I’m in a tough spot too.”

“Tough spot?” the Young Marquis sneered, “Then don’t bother at all.”

He stood abruptly. “Brother Xue, you’d better send Master Cheng a letter and make our position clear. Business doesn’t start or stop just because you wish it. You can’t just walk away when you please.”

With that, he left the table, leaving Xue Hu behind, his expression clouded and uncertain.

...

The Young Marquis led his retinue off the boat, then took a carriage into the city, arriving before a grand mansion.

The Marquis of Dingshan’s Residence.

The manor was imposing and spotless at the entrance.

He entered the deep courtyard, asking as he passed the gates, “Has my father returned?”

“Not yet, sir,” someone answered promptly.

The Young Marquis nodded and made his way straight to the rear garden. Rounding a corridor, he stopped before a room and knocked lightly.

“Xia An? Is that you?” a delighted female voice called from within.

“It’s me,” he replied.

With a creak, the door swung open to reveal a joy-filled face, the girl inside with snow-white skin.

“You were gone so long…” she said, drawing him inside, her tone gently reproachful. “I don’t know anyone here. I want to find my sister…”

“The affairs of the Marquis’s household keep me busy, dear. Nanguan City is vast—finding your sister alone would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. I’ve already sent people to look for her. We’ll hear news soon,” he soothed her gently.

“All right…” she nodded softly, but then asked anxiously, “You’re out so long every day—are you meeting new girls? You’re not going to fall for someone else, are you?”

“How could I? Silly girl,” the Young Marquis said, taking her hand in his, his voice tender. “You are the most special girl I’ve ever met. I will love you and only you for the rest of my life.”