Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Snowflakes drifted down one after another. It was already early in the twelfth lunar month, the depths of winter, and the final days of the year would arrive before the month was out.
Although Liangzhou lay in Shu, south of the Yangtze River, the bitter cold of the Twelfth Lunar Month was still difficult to endure. The snow had stopped for several days not long ago, only to melt and accumulate again. Although it was not as bone-chilling as a spring cold snap, the roads had become muddy and slushy. Dry earth mixed with wet mud, while rain mingled with snow, creating a sticky mess that left everyone uncomfortable.
The dirt in the front and rear courtyards of The Little Tavern had been completely replaced with bluestone slabs. Beneath them lay a thick layer of coal ash, followed by finely crushed porcelain and coarse sand.
The bluestone slabs had been carefully polished until their surfaces were exceptionally smooth. Even walking barefoot across them would not hurt one’s feet. Even on a snowy day, no chill could be felt through the stones.
The underfloor heating flues had been completed several days earlier. The interior was warm, while the courtyard remained dry and comfortable. Business at The Little Tavern had also improved considerably over the past few days.
Zhao Jiu had handled everything alone for three straight days, running himself ragged until his back nearly gave out.
Unable to endure any longer, he hung up a sign reading “Closed for Rest” and took two days off. Only then did he finally recover.
Besides, two major jobs were waiting for him in another couple of days. Earning money was one consideration, but maintaining social harmony and ensuring peaceful coexistence between people were even more important!
Tomorrow was the day he would mediate the conflict between the two gangs at Fortune Restaurant and resolve their difficulties in communicating with one another.
Before undertaking an important task, one had to enjoy a good meal, bathe, burn incense, worship Heaven, and pray to the gods. Whether it offered psychological reassurance or amounted to feudal superstition, Zhao Jiu believed in such things.
After several exhausting days, he slept until Noon. He was in no hurry to wash. Instead, he first practiced a set of fist techniques to loosen his body.
Only after drinking a cup of freshly brewed tea did he take a kettle of warm water, wash his face, rinse his mouth, and comb his hair. He put on a padded robe and headed to Prosperity Restaurant for a good meal and a little wine.
Zhao Jiu sauntered leisurely to Prosperity Restaurant.
Despite the heavy snow outside, the restaurant was extraordinarily lively. Before he had even entered, the loud chatter inside had already reached his ears.
The Shopkeeper had met him before and immediately called out, “Young Master Zhao, have you found some free time to dine at my humble establishment again?”
Zhao Jiu exchanged a few words with him, then ordered a table of food and three taels of rice wine. Only then did he ask in puzzlement, “Shopkeeper, what is going on? Why is the place so crowded on such a snowy day?”
“Oh, everyone is simply kind enough to support my business. What delicacies could a small restaurant like mine possibly offer? They are merely here to keep warm.”
The Shopkeeper smiled broadly, unable to conceal his delight. After chuckling twice, he lowered his voice mysteriously.
“I heard that Young Master Zhao is from Jiangnan?”
There was no conflict between their businesses. One ran an inexpensive restaurant that served filling meals, while the other operated an expensive tavern catering exclusively to wealthy customers. Even if they had tried, it would have been difficult for them to become rivals.
Consequently, the two of them could converse quite freely.
The Shopkeeper had heard that Zhao Jiu came from Jiangnan and casually asked about it, but Zhao Jiu did not understand what he was implying. His expression tightened, his brows furrowed, and confusion appeared on his face.
Seeing Zhao Jiu remain silent, the Shopkeeper whispered, “I heard some people from the Jianghu say that several major incidents have occurred in Jiangnan. I was wondering whether Young Master Zhao’s family had become involved.”
Only then did Zhao Jiu relax his brow.
“That is unlikely. I am from Lin’an, and my family has some connections at the Imperial Court. Had anything happened to my clan, I would have received word long ago.”
His explanation was deliberately vague and ambiguous. He was simply making things up.
As for having connections with the Imperial Court, he had killed an Imperial Envoy, so the claim was at least half true. His specialty was mixing truth with lies.
He would not reveal a single word about his real identity.
“My goodness! I never imagined Young Master Zhao came from such an illustrious background. I truly failed to recognize Mount Tai.”
The Shopkeeper hurriedly cupped his hands. His expression became respectful, with a hint of ingratiation.
“You are fortunate, Young Master Zhao. I heard that the trouble in Jiangnan was no small matter. Who knows how many people lost their heads?”
Zhao Jiu finally understood what he was talking about. It was most likely the same matter Six Fingers had mentioned in his letter.
His interest immediately faded. He replied with a few indifferent words before turning back to his food and wine.
“Hey, have you heard? Something terrible happened in Jiangnan!”
At a table near the entrance, a burly man dressed like someone from the Jianghu spoke mysteriously. The smugness on his face was impossible to conceal.
“What happened? Why has Jiangnan had nothing but disasters lately?”
The others eagerly played along, clearly waiting to enjoy the spectacle. Even Zhao Jiu pricked up his ears and listened carefully. To ignore such entertaining gossip would be a grave sin!
“You have not heard?”
The burly man raised his voice in apparent surprise.
“At Riverside Tower in Jiangnan, several Gang Chiefs and Sect Leaders were beheaded by officials. Do you know what crimes they were charged with? Colluding with officials and merchants, secretly hoarding armor, and plotting rebellion!”
“Good heavens! Rebellion? That is a crime punishable by beheading!”
“Exactly! Were those people truly not afraid of death?”
“That is nothing.”
The burly man snorted disdainfully and continued proudly, “Forget those insignificant little organizations. Have you heard of the Bolang Sect? That was a major sect with dominion over an entire region! Guess what happened to it.”
“It was exterminated!”
Everyone fell silent, including Zhao Jiu.
The Bolang Sect was famous not only throughout Jiangnan, but across all of Great Qi. They might have believed that one or two of its disciples had died, but the extermination of the entire sect seemed impossible.
Seeing that no one believed him, the burly man anxiously said, “Do not doubt me! Go outside and ask around yourselves. I have just returned from Jiangnan and passed through Jiangzhou on the way.”
“You all know Jiangzhou, do you not? The Bolang Sect was based there. I am not lying. The sect was exterminated, and not a single person survived!”
“I heard they were also accused of hoarding prohibited weapons. They had several hundred suits of armor and were plotting rebellion!”
The man spoke with absolute certainty, waving his hands as though he had witnessed the event himself.
When he saw that everyone still had doubts, he lost interest and could only return to drinking.
Unlike the others, Zhao Jiu believed most of it.
He had also heard of the Bolang Sect. Its influence was indeed considerable, but its martial strength was not exceptionally great. It might have possessed a Second-Rank expert at most. One or two First-Rank experts would have been enough to exterminate it.
However, Zhao Jiu would never believe that the Bolang Sect had truly intended to rebel.
The sect possessed wealth and influence. Its members could have lived comfortably no matter what they did. Only someone whose mind had gone awry would choose to rebel under such circumstances.
Furthermore, the realm was currently peaceful. History had taught them that without the support of the people, everything would scatter like sand in the wind.
As Zhao Jiu ate and drank, a trace of helplessness entered his heart.
The death of a single Imperial Envoy had somehow become a blade that severed countless heads and destroyed countless families.
After eating and drinking his fill, Zhao Jiu returned to The Little Tavern. Under the cover of darkness, he quietly climbed over the courtyard wall and went to scout Fortune Restaurant.
Fortune Restaurant stood in southeastern Liangzhou. The surrounding area consisted almost entirely of ordinary residences, with few tall buildings nearby. It was secluded and offered several convenient escape routes. No wonder the two Gang Chiefs had both chosen such a place.
The restaurant was not particularly short. It had three floors, with blue tiles and gray-blue walls. Its appearance was plain and unassuming, while a wine banner fluttered outside.
After returning to The Little Tavern, Zhao Jiu removed his padded robe, soaked his feet, and went to sleep.
He had already planned his escape route. After killing the targets, he would flee into the residential district. Once he rounded three corners, he could disappear into the area.
As long as he moved quickly enough, he could escape in fewer than one hundred breaths.
The next day, Zhao Jiu once again slept until Noon.
After washing, he activated Complete Transformation. His face changed into that of a dark-skinned, middle-aged man with narrow eyes and a hooked nose. Two long saber scars stretched across his face.
He attached two strips of mustache and changed into a black robe, black clothes, and black boots.
He looked exactly like a ruthless man of the Jianghu. His gaze was sharp and forbidding, giving others the impression that they should keep their distance.
With his head lowered, Zhao Jiu slowly walked to Fortune Restaurant. He requested a table beside a window on the second floor, ordered two or three dishes and a pot of tea, then ate heartily to satisfy his stomach.
He leisurely drank tea and waited for nearly an hour and a half.
He leisurely drank tea and waited for nearly three hours. By then, darkness had fallen, and someone downstairs had already lit the lanterns. Only then did a large group of more than twenty people arrive at the restaurant.
The man leading them had graying hair and wore silk garments, black boots, and a black robe. His face appeared cold and sinister.
He strode swiftly across the snow, leaving only faint footprints behind him.
He should have been one of the two Gang Chiefs, though Zhao Jiu did not know whether he was Zhong Ling or Huang Qi.
Before the sinister-looking man entered the restaurant, the Shopkeeper, who had evidently been waiting outside for a long time, stepped forward to greet him.
Zhao Jiu could not hear what they said. The man soon smiled and led the others to the third floor, while the Shopkeeper returned downstairs and stood outside the entrance, apparently waiting for someone else.
A short while later, another group of more than twenty people arrived.
The man at their head stood nearly six chi tall. His hair hung loose around his shoulders, and his face was fierce and menacing.
Although he was wrapped in a padded robe, his body still appeared thick and powerfully built from a distance. Every step he took left a deep footprint in the snow.
The man did not waste any words. He walked directly to the third floor without even acknowledging the Shopkeeper.
Everyone was here.
Zhao Jiu silently calculated his next move.
These two truly were good men. They knew that darkness provided the finest background for murder, so they had deliberately waited until nightfall before arriving.
Such good men!