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墨書 Inktalez
The emergence of special circumstances led to the originally planned three-person mission ultimately being changed to two. Lu the Shopkeeper instructed Sun Thirteen to stay home and listen for news while he personally drove the carriage out of the city. Li Xin, on the other hand, comfortably sat inside the carriage, enjoying the privileges of a high-ranking official. It was only natural that someone allowed to drive for the Governor was considered part of the senior official ranks.
With the flag of Prosperity Pavilion, there was no need for inspection when vehicles and personnel entered or exited the capital. As for the bows and arrows they carried, they were not considered contraband, so no one paid them any mind. The carriage swaggered out of the city gates and then accelerated towards Bagong Mountain.
Bagong Mountain is a name given by later generations; its previous name has been lost to history. The name Bagong Mountain originates from the myth of Liu An, Prince of Huainan, from the Western Han Dynasty, who sought immortality through Taoist practices. For now, we will use this name as a substitute.
Bagong Mountain consists of over forty peaks, characterized by majestic heights and lush cypress trees that give it a spiritual quality. It is said that there are many medicinal stones within Bagong Mountain; if one could obtain them and refine them into Golden Elixir Yin Dan, ascension would be just around the corner.
When Li Xin inquired about their purpose for leaving the city, Luzi used this legend as a diversion. "If we can find even half a Golden Elixir sought by immortals, we could achieve enlightenment and no longer concern ourselves with worldly matters! As for searching for Your Majesty's whereabouts, let that be a worry for mortals!"
Hearing that someone intended to seek immortality, Li Xin turned back to look at the gradually receding capital of Chu. "My lord! Is this matter of achieving immortality credible? I remain skeptical about this legend."
Sitting at the front driving the carriage, Luzi merely smiled and shook his head, choosing not to continue discussing the topic. In his view, regardless of whether it was true or not, the idea of eternal life was at least a beautiful expectation. Having dreams is what leads to their eventual realization.
The rhythmic hoofbeats shattered the surrounding silence as mist rose in the mountains under the bright sunlight. From a distance, it resembled a peak above a sea of clouds. Luzi and Li Xin chatted along the way, often expressing their admiration for the scenery they encountered.
The horses pulling the carriage were old; rather than being driven by humans, they seemed to be walking on their own. Luzi, acting as the driver, found himself quite relaxed and occasionally turned back to converse with Li Xin. Just as he was getting into a good rhythm, he suddenly noticed Li Xin staring straight ahead without interruption.
Li Xin picked up his sword and handed it to an oblivious Luzi, reminding him: "Innkeeper! We have business!"
Luzi reached out to take the sword and then turned his gaze toward the mountain path ahead. He saw that a group of people had appeared on what had been a flat road without him noticing; they were all drawing bows and glaring like debt collectors.
Li Xin jumped down from the carriage with his bow in hand and chuckled softly: "Big Shopkeeper must have gone out drinking without paying! Now look, they've come here to collect their debts."
Luzi jumped out of the car, hanging the Sword at his waist, and joked, "Haven't been out for a meal lately, have you?"
Li Xin snorted. "That's an old debt! With interest, who knows how much it is!" After saying that, he turned to look at the flag on the carriage. He shouted loudly, "Who is in charge here? Step forward for a word! Is there anyone who can read!?"
Before he finished speaking, a burly man stepped forward from the arrow team, parting the ranks like facing a formidable enemy. He held a massive stone hammer that weighed at least eighty pounds. With a dark brown face covered in a bushy beard, he appeared strong and robust. Li Xin stood about 1.78 meters tall and had to look up to meet the man's gaze, indicating that the giant was around 2.1 meters tall.
"What if I can't read!?"
As the deep voice echoed, the arrow team, with their bows drawn tight, took a step forward. The sharp tips of their arrows were ready to strike at any moment, just waiting for Black Tower to raise a hand or cough.
The reputation of Prosperity Pavilion was hard to describe; it was well-known from government officials to wandering swordsmen in the civilian world. They all gave face to Prosperity Record, not out of fear but because they couldn't find a reason not to.
Hearing that none of the men across could read, Li Xin shook his head helplessly. He reached up and pulled down the flag from the carriage, saying, "Friends! In this world, we should help each other out. If we really go all out, no one truly fears anyone else. We are employees of Prosperity Pavilion and are passing through your territory without prior notice. We hope for your understanding..."
Black Tower clearly couldn't tolerate such flowery language. He slammed the stone hammer down onto the ground and interrupted, "Enough! Since I don't know you, you can't be considered friends! What is Prosperity Record!? I don't understand! Leave this carriage and all your valuables behind and get lost!"
Luzi never carried money when going out, while Li Xin was notoriously stingy. Not only did they not bring money for this mission, but even if they had it, he wouldn't spend a single cent.
No money? Not giving up my life!
Hearing that someone was robbing them in broad daylight and demanding money made Li Xin feel embarrassed in front of Big Shopkeeper; he merely pouted without cursing. He casually put the flag back and said expressionlessly, "This friend! If we give you the carriage, how do we get back!?"
This was a typical response of valuing wealth over life!
Black Tower raised his hand and pointed at the archers behind him. "Kid! Understand this! Think before you speak!"
Seeing the tense situation across from him, Luzi pulled Li Xin behind him. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Hero! I was in a hurry when I left home and didn’t bring any money or valuables. Since you all have your eyes on this carriage, I’ll just give it to you! My brother and I have an elderly mother who is eighty years old and a three-year-old child. We only ask that you gentlemen show some mercy and spare our lives."
Even someone as dull as this man wouldn’t smile easily. Black Tower was clearly of the same disposition; upon hearing such words, he nodded in agreement. Just as he was about to express his consent, a voice called out from behind.
"Wait!"
With a sharp and thin voice, a scrawny figure emerged from the crowd. He was small and emaciated, as if suffering from long-term malnutrition. Standing next to Black Tower, he appeared even smaller—like the ratio of a monkey to a camel.
Such individuals are usually quick-witted and difficult to deal with; they likely consume food solely for their brains. Having traveled far and wide, Luzi had seen all kinds of people and immediately recognized that this speaker belonged to the strategists among the group opposite them. Thus, he chose not to speak further, wanting to hear what the other side had to say.
Counselor Hou scrutinized Luzi and Li Xin from head to toe, finally focusing on the long sword at Luzi's waist. "I’ve heard that the swords of the Qin State are unparalleled in flexibility; may I ask if that is indeed a Qin sword?"
Li Xin, taken aback by Luzi’s willingness to give up the carriage, felt his anger rising again upon hearing this question. "So what if it is!? You’ve already taken our carriage; do you want our sword too!?"
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