Chapter Eighteen: Tracks Lost in Mystery

Liang Chaoran led his old horse ashore from the Xijin ferry and made his way to the foot of Beigu Mountain. Beigu Mountain lay just across the water from Yangzhou city. Liang Chaoran had gone elsewhere to settle some old scores and arrived two days later than planned.

At the entrance of the small mountain village, an elderly farmer awaited him, tears streaming down his face as he caught sight of Liang Chaoran. “Brother Liang, at last you’ve come. We’ve been yearning for your return.”

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Meanwhile, in Yangzhou city.

Qingqing dared not speak as she watched Yu Lang’s face darken like an ominous pool. Ever since regaining consciousness yesterday, Yu Lang had run tirelessly through every corner of Yangzhou, unwilling to overlook the slightest detail, searching frantically for any trace of Liang Chaoran, but his efforts yielded little. Liang Chaoran must have changed his appearance before leaving the city.

Where else could Liang Chaoran, who had spent most of his life in Yangzhou, possibly go? Yu Lang was consumed with guilt, blaming himself for not paying closer attention to Liang Chaoran’s movements.

Just as he was lost in thought, Obaba, who was sweeping the floor, interjected, “Master once sent me to buy the finest horse feed, but we don’t own a horse.”

Yu Lang paused, then suddenly sped off in a frenzy, racing toward the horse stable in the east of the city.

The stable, besides housing the government’s horses, also took in idle horses from common folk for a bit of extra income. In the stable, a young hand was brushing a horse’s mane with a bucket of water.

“Were you on duty last night?” Yu Lang asked.

“Yes.”

“Did anyone come to take a horse?”

“No,” the lad replied impatiently.

Yu Lang smiled and produced a handful of copper coins. “My grandfather left in such haste yesterday that he forgot to leave a tip. He said the stable took excellent care of his horse and asked me to bring you a reward. But perhaps it wasn’t you after all.”

“It was me, it was me,” the stable boy’s face lit up as he reached eagerly for the coins.

Yu Lang pulled his hand back slightly. “Did he carry a longbow on his back?”

“Yes, yes, and a spear too—he looked very impressive. That horse belonged to Master Yu of Yangzhou, but I don’t know what token that man had. I had no choice but to hand over the horse.”

Barely had the boy taken the coins when he felt a blade at his throat. “What are you doing? Don’t scare me—I’m timid!”

Yu Lang’s tone was cold and menacing. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth before?”

“I forgot—no, please, someone paid me to keep quiet about the old master coming for his horse!”

“Who was it?”

“Someone from the Li residence!”

“Which Li residence?”

“The estate of Chancellor Li here in Yangzhou!”

Li Yu, that scoundrel. Yu Lang cursed inwardly and, gripping his dagger, rushed toward the Li residence. His mind was in chaos, fearing Liang Chaoran had fallen into Li Yu’s trap. Having faced Li Yu twice, he knew all too well the man was a venomous serpent.

Outside the Li residence, a youth stood cradling a sword, gazing at the clouds.

Yu Lang stopped and fixed his eyes on the youth. “Fetch your master—I’m here for Li Yu.”

The youth’s gaze fell on the dagger in Yu Lang’s hand. “Whatever you wish to say can be said to me. Li Yu is my elder brother. I am Li Chun.”

“This has nothing to do with you, boy. I must see Li Yu.”

Li Chun smiled. “By the look of you, we’re of similar age. If you have something to say, say it to me.”

Yu Lang considered simply kidnapping the youth to bargain with Li Yu. He lunged, dropping the knife and aiming to seize the youth barehanded to avoid harming him.

Li Chun, discarding his sword, met him head-on. They exchanged more than a dozen moves without a clear victor. Li Chun was astonished—the man’s inner strength fluctuated unpredictably, his depth impossible to gauge.

Yu Lang too was surprised by Li Chun’s strength—superior even to Qingqing’s. Finding no opportunity for a swift win, he feigned an opening, inviting attack.

Though gifted, Li Chun was no match for Yu Lang in cunning. Seeing the opening, he struck directly.

Yu Lang twisted aside, narrowly dodged, and landed a sharp elbow to Li Chun’s chest.

Li Chun, stung by the blow, formed his fingers into a blade and unleashed a burst of sword energy.

Yu Lang, wounded by the sword energy, spat blood and staggered back, dazed. “You—you’re so young, yet your cultivation is already at the Roaming Sea level?!”

Only those at the Roaming Sea stage could manifest sword energy. Yu Lang could scarcely believe such talent in one so young.

Li Chun looked embarrassed. “Forgive me, brother. I was too hasty in the heat of the moment. Come inside—my brother is skilled in medicine. Let him tend your wounds.”

Letting your brother treat me would be as good as poisoning me, Yu Lang thought, and waved him off. He decided Li Chun seemed honest and unlike his treacherous brother Li Yu, so he spoke plainly. “No need. My grandfather vanished two days ago and may be in grave danger. Only your brother can save him. Please help me deliver this message.”

Li Chun nodded gravely. “Very well, wait here.” With that, he vaulted over the courtyard wall.

Yu Lang sighed. Had he known the youth was so reasonable, he would have spoken directly and spared himself the fight.

Soon, the gates opened and Yu Lang was ushered inside.

Li Yu, upon learning that Yu Lang had been wounded by his younger brother, was in high spirits. “Yu Lang, after all my careful scheming, I never succeeded against you, and yet my brother lands a blow and draws blood. Shameful, truly.”

Yu Lang’s eyes were bloodshot. “Li Yu, your tricks and ambushes are fine if you’re after me alone, but to target an old man is beneath contempt!”

Li Yu looked genuinely perplexed. “What nonsense are you spouting? I came to Yangzhou only to accompany my brother Chun to the Xiyue Academy competition. I have no time to plot against you.”

Yu Lang recounted the entire matter.

Li Yu listened, then sneered. “Are you simply addled by worry, or do you take me for a fool? If the Li family were truly behind this, do you think you’d get a word out of some stable boy?”

Yu Lang was struck by sudden clarity. With Li Yu’s ruthless methods—able to dispatch two dozen assassins just to hold back Zhang Jiuling’s guards—how could such a minor detail have been overlooked?

Li Yu sipped his tea. “Someone is borrowing the Li family’s name to throw their weight around. Perhaps, in time, you and my brother Chun will be fellow students at Xiyue Academy. Today, I’ll grant you this favor.”

“Kui Mulang,” he called, “find out where Yu Chaoran has gone, and who’s stirring up trouble in my family’s name.”

A shadow flickered and vanished so swiftly Yu Lang barely glimpsed its passing.

Yu Lang bowed his head. “Whatever comes of today, I owe you.”

Li Chun was puzzled. “My brother is a good man—why such thanks for this small favor?”

Yu Lang glanced at Li Chun. Judging by his earnest expression, perhaps Li Yu truly treated his brother well.

As the sun set, Yu Lang stood in the main hall of the Li residence, anxiously awaiting news of Liang Chaoran’s fate, with nothing to do but wait for Kui Mulang’s report.

Less than half an hour later, Kui Mulang returned, cloaked in black. “Yu Chaoran rode out alone to the mass grave a hundred miles west of the city at dusk two days ago, then set off from the ferry toward Beigu Mountain.”

Yu Lang thought: That graveyard west of the city holds the remains of the Xu family, who perished years ago, and the headless corpse of Xu Jingye. Liang Chaoran must have gone to pay his respects one last time, resolved to risk everything.

“According to a classified Yellow Armor report two months ago, a band of outlaws has taken over Beigu Mountain, colluding with local officials and acting with impunity. Another Black Ding-level report shows Yu Chaoran received a letter from Beigu Mountain two months ago, with a token enclosed. That concludes the findings.”

Li Yu nodded in satisfaction. Had he brought just a fraction of the intelligence network from Chang’an two months ago, Yu Lang would have stood no chance.

“I’ve found where Yu Chaoran went. As for rescuing him, that’s up to you. Rest assured, before you return I’ll discover who dared use my family’s name for their schemes!”

Yu Lang expressed his thanks and took his leave.