Translator: Ink Hub
Editor: Yoog

In a desolate, wild area outside Cangqi City, a new grave appeared. It had no tombstone or tablet, looking like the resting place of a lonely ghost.

Having personally shot Liu Ban’er and buried him with his own hands, Yu Hangong sat slumped on the ground, exhausted after a night of labor. Although he had crudely bandaged the wound on his shoulder, blood still seeped through the cloth.

Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou stood behind him, both observing him with strange expressions.

“Does City Lord Luo find me strange? I killed him, yet I still built him a grave.”

Yu Hangong glanced at the mound of dirt.

“I killed him because he wanted to kill me, and I was merely taking revenge. In this world, being soft-hearted leads to no good end. I buried him to send him off on his final journey. My life was a gift from him, and the debt I owed had to be repaid.”

“I understand, but that is not what I am curious about.”

Luo Yu asked, his tone carrying a deeper meaning.

“You do not seem like a fool. Having spent so much time with him, how could you not have known his true character?”

Yu Hangong fell silent, lowering his head.

“I was actually born in Yunyang Pass. When I was fifteen, the Qiang soldiers breached the city. My parents fled with me in a panic, but we were pursued by Qiang thieves halfway. They gave their lives to hold back the soldiers so that I could escape.

“Since then, I have had no family, left to wander alone and helpless.

“I fled all the way from Yunyang Pass to Fengchuan. For seven full days, I survived by gnawing on tree bark. When I was on the verge of starvation, he was the one who gave me a bite to eat. He took me in, and we swore an oath to be brothers.

“He used to value brotherhood deeply. But ever since we went up the mountain to become bandits, and ever since he latched onto the Yao family as his great tree of support, he changed. He became increasingly obsessed with money and power.

“Sometimes, he would even kill innocent civilians just for silver. I saw it all, and it pained me deeply. But my life was his gift, and I had no right to judge him. I could only pray in my heart that he would wake up and turn back from his misguided path.

“But I never imagined he would be ruthless enough to try and kill me.

“It was only tonight that I truly lost all hope in him.”

“So, that is why you spared Meng Hu earlier and why you refused to harm the soldiers transporting the wine—because you felt they were the ones avenging your parents.”

Luo Yu’s realization was sudden and clear. He finally understood why Yu Hangong had held back against his men time and time again.

Because Yu Hangong was born in Yunyang Pass! And they were the ones who had defended it!

Yu Hangong offered a miserable smile.

“I admire you all. You are the true, upright men, while I am merely a bandit. In the shadows, I am the kind of person whom the common folk would curse.”

“Not ‘you all’ but ‘us.’”

Luo Yu spoke with earnest gravity.

“Follow me, and I guarantee the common people will never curse you again. You will also be able to return to the battlefield, kill the Qiang thieves, and you will have the chance to avenge your parents with your own hands!”

“Good!”

Yu Hangong, who had always worn an icy mask, felt a sting in his nose and his eyes reddened. He then asked in a pleading tone:

“Among those captured, many were forced into banditry out of desperation. In truth, they are good-natured, honest farmers who have never had blood on their hands. If the City Lord does not mind, could you keep them?

“Additionally, there are dozens of warhorses and the wealth plundered over these years at Luan Shi Ling. I will lead men to bring it all back.”

“No problem. I trust the men you select.”

Luo Yu revealed a faint smile.

“Follow me, and you will never regret it!”

* * *

Fengchuan City, City Lord’s Manor.

Early in the morning, Yao Ling was pacing back and forth in the room, while Du Gang sat to the side, full of anticipation. Both were waiting for good news.

The mere thought that the secret recipe for Sanguotou was about to be in their hands had kept them awake with excitement all night.

After a pot of tea was finished, the old butler finally hurried into the room. Du Gang immediately asked, “How is it? Has Liu Ban’er returned?”

“No, no. There is no news at all from the bandits at Luan Shi Ling.”

“What?”

Yao Ling looked slightly displeased.

“This group of bandits is truly useless. They are dragging their feet over such a small matter. Send men to Cangqi immediately to see what is going on!”

“I fear… I fear it is not looking good.”

The old butler said cautiously, “The wine from Cangqi City has already been transported to Tingyu Restaurant. And, and it was Luo Yu himself who escorted it.”

“What? He escorted it himself?”

Yao Ling and Du Gang were both stunned. If something had truly gone wrong in Cangqi City, how could Luo Yu be appearing at Tingyu Restaurant?

“Damn it, what exactly is Liu Ban’er doing!”

Yao Ling paced anxiously. “He could at least have sent someone back with a message!”

“Cough, cough, my lord.”

The old butler whispered, “That City Lord Luo is outside the manor. He says he wants to see you.”

“He is here?”

Yao Ling’s brows furrowed tightly. After thinking for a long time, he barked, “Then invite him in. I want to see what kind of tricks he intends to play!”

Under the hostile gazes of the two men, Luo Yu walked into the room with leisurely, unhurried steps. He raised his hands in a salute.

“City Lord Yao, this is our first meeting. Greetings.”

Luo Yu’s youth surprised Yao Ling, but he remained as steady as a mountain, saying coldly,
“I have long heard of City Lord Luo’s reputation. It is a pleasure to finally meet you today. May I ask what brings you here?”

“Heh.”

Luo Yu pulled up a chair and sat down uninvited, crossing his legs.

“You two should be waiting for news from Liu Ban’er, right?”

Yao Ling’s brows furrowed. “Apologies, I do not understand what City Lord Luo is talking about.”

“It does not matter if you do not understand. I simply wanted to tell you both that there is no need to wait. Liu Ban’er and that Jin Bao are already dead. From this day forward, there will be no more bandits at Luan Shi Ling.”

This plain, simple statement caused the expressions of both men to shift violently. They understood the implications behind those words perfectly—their entire scheme had fallen through!

Yao Ling finally stopped pretending, his face turning ashen.

“So, City Lord Luo is indeed the one who killed Wanyan Chang. Your methods are truly ruthless. But if you think this means you have won, then you have underestimated me, Yao Ling, far too much.

“I have been in Fengchuan City for many years. It is not just anyone who can ride roughshod over me.”

“No, no, no. City Lord Yao, you have misunderstood.”

Luo Yu leaned back against the chair.

“In truth, I never intended to be enemies with City Lord Yao or Manager Du. I only want to earn a little money and live a good life in Cangqi City.

“There is no blood feud between us, and there is no need for us to fight until we are both broken and bleeding. Cangqi and Fengchuan can perfectly well coexist in peace.

“Although I played a trick on you regarding the wine market, it was Manager Du who set the trap for me first, right? Let us call it even.

“I have a proposal for cooperation here. I wonder if City Lord Yao would like to hear it?”

Yao Ling’s expression seemed to soften somewhat. He asked with interest, “Let’s hear it.”

“The price at which Tingyu Restaurant sells Sanguotou is fifteen taels per jar. I have already reached an agreement with Manager Jiang. If Manager Du is willing, I can sell it to Dingxiang Residence at a price of twelve taels per jar.

“The quality of Sanguotou is clear to everyone. Even if Dingxiang Residence purchases it at twelve taels, there is still profit to be made, and the margins are not low.”

“Oh?”

Yao Ling’s eyes lit up. “City Lord Luo is willing to sell Sanguotou to Dingxiang Residence?”

Business at Dingxiang Residence had been abysmal lately, simply because they lacked a fine wine like Sanguotou to attract the wealthy. If he had the wine, even if the price was slightly higher than at Tingyu Restaurant, it would at least improve his business. Just as Luo Yu said, there was still profit to be made.

“I said, I have no intention of being enemies with you two,” Luo Yu said calmly.

“Is it not better for everyone to make money together?

“I have said what I needed to say. Whether we earn money together or continue to fight, the decision rests with City Lord Yao.

“One more thing: the brothers under my command are all people who have suffered. They risked their lives at Yunyang Pass, and now that they have finally built a small home, if anyone wants to destroy it, we can only accompany them to the very end.”

The room fell into a brief silence. Yao Ling and Du Gang exchanged glances, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

After a long while, a smile appeared on Yao Ling’s face.

“Someone, serve tea for City Lord Luo!”

Translator’s Note: Luo Yu is playing a dangerous game of “carrot and stick” here—first he wipes out their hired muscle, then he offers them a business deal they can’t refuse. It’s a classic power move. I love how he doesn’t even blink while telling them he killed their lackeys. What do you think, is Yao Ling actually going to play nice, or is he just waiting for a chance to stab Luo Yu in the back?

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