Chapter Sixty: Leaping Without the Immortal

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In the night sky, the stars shone one by one, as if stained a dark red by fresh blood. Lu Liaoliao stood on the small hillside, hands lowered, gripping his sword, looking like a child who had done something wrong, lonely and pitiful. The cruel slaughter and the blood had not alleviated the heaviness in his heart; instead, he felt helpless and lost.

Life, he realized, was so fragile. With a swing of his blade, blood would spray, and several vibrant lives were taken by his hand—so easily, all to vent the pain and fury within him.

The guards and coachmen cleaning up the battlefield would occasionally glance at him standing atop the hill. Their eyes were filled with respect and fear. No one dared approach him, not even with a comforting smile.

Emil slowly walked over. A woman's intuition told her unmistakably that this man was fighting against the world, against fate itself, and for her, Emil, he was carrying part of that burden.

She caressed his cold face in the chilly night, gazing into his bewildered eyes, and her tears streamed down her cheeks.

"It shouldn’t be like this. It shouldn’t be like this," Emil sobbed softly.

Gently wiping away her tears, he drew her into his embrace. Together, they looked at Lu Jiu and the others conducting the funeral rites for the dead coachman, at the guards and drivers busy carrying corpses, at the horses wandering about without masters. For the first time, Lu Liaoliao felt truly lost—wondering what it was he was living for.

All through the night, he and Emil sat together on the hillside, holding each other, sharing what little warmth they had to drive away their helplessness and loneliness. Not until dawn, when Lu Jiu and his men approached, did they stir.

Without a word, he laid the sleeping Emil in Lu Jiu’s carriage, then mounted his horse and followed the convoy as it slowly moved forward.

Lu Jiu, draped in a cloak, looked haggard as he rode alongside Lu Liaoliao.

"The Sihai Trading Company’s caravan was attacked on the Guannei Road—this is the first time such a thing has happened," Lu Jiu said bitterly.

Lu Liaoliao glanced at the carriage beside him but said nothing.

"The Greenwoods aren’t as loose as you think; they have their own rules and a leader. The chief of the Northwest Road is the Sick Tiger, Hua Lin, who’s ferocious beyond compare. He commands the Thirteen Riders of the Flying Hawk, each one infamous for their blood-soaked deeds. Here on the Yellow Earth Road, Hua Lin’s word is law; all the Greenwoods answer his call. Sihai Trading has paid him plenty, yet his man, Golden-Eyed Eagle, dared to attack my caravan. This isn’t as simple as it seems."

Lu Jiu gazed thoughtfully at the windswept wilderness.

"What do you intend to do?" Lu Liaoliao’s words were fewer than usual.

"You’re not yourself. I never would have guessed, behind your appearance, you could be so terrifying. That killing intent in your heart—it’s overwhelming. Is it for Tang Xiaoqi at home, for Emil whom you just met, or is it for yourself?" Lu Jiu’s question was off-topic.

Lu Liaoliao turned away, silent.

"I want you to go ahead with me. I must see Hua Lin, find out what deal he was offered to break faith with Sihai Trading," Lu Jiu said firmly.

"Alright," Lu Liaoliao replied crisply.

"Aren’t you worried about the danger?" Lu Jiu looked at him in surprise.

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"If you’re not afraid, why should I be? Besides, is there anyone more dangerous than you?" Lu Liaoliao replied sarcastically.

"Wang Shiyi will stay to protect Emil. You pick two more to come with me. That inn on the Yellow Earth Road doesn’t allow too many attendants," Lu Jiu said, unconcerned by Lu Liaoliao’s tone.

Lu Liaoliao kicked the unconscious Hu Laoda lying in the wagon. "Why isn’t he awake yet?"

"He’s woken twice, but fainted again at the sight of all the blood," Zhou Liuzi replied with a headache.

"Throw him to Captain Wu Ming to handle. You and Ning Jiao come with me," Lu Liaoliao said, confident in Zhou Liuzi’s skills and experience.

Along the desolate Yellow Earth Road, where no sign of life could be seen for miles, stood a solitary inn nestled in a mountain hollow. Unlike the elegant courtyards of the southern heartlands, this inn was a sturdy, two-courtyard compound with tall, imposing walls. A thick, rough wall enclosed the yard entirely, making it look more like a fortress than an inn. Still, it shared the same name as countless others: The Delightful Inn.

A troop of strong, fierce men rode up, raising a cloud of dust that swirled against the high walls before settling. At their head was a lean man whose bare arms rippled with explosive muscle, each arm tattooed with a pair of soaring hawks that seemed ready to leap into flight.

The man held his head high, clearly a wild and unruly soul. Yet he carefully dusted himself off, handed his horse to two impassive stable boys, straightened his appearance, and entered the inn.

Madam Hua let her gaze linger on his exposed muscles for a while, then smiled coolly. "Well, if it isn’t Flying Hawk Luo Xiaotian. It’s been a while. You’re late today."

It had to be said, Luo Xiaotian cut a dashing figure. Dressed differently, he could easily pass for a young, handsome officer rather than a fierce bandit.

But Luo Xiaotian dared not meet Madam Hua’s eyes, dodging her predatory gaze. "Greetings, madam. The usual—twenty pounds of roast meat, a jar of spirits."

A faint smile touched her lips. "Thank you for your patronage. Twenty taels of silver."

Despite the exorbitant price, Luo Xiaotian did not object; one of his men obediently produced the silver.

Madam Hua’s pale, delicate hand weighed the silver as she lazily surveyed the roomful of outlaws from the Northwest. She sighed. She could feel countless eyes sneaking glances at her, but none dared meet her gaze.

In truth, Madam Hua enjoyed being watched like this—except for one pair of eyes. That gaze, every time it fell upon her, made her feel stripped bare and chilled to the bone. Its owner was a pockmarked man with a few yellowed teeth.

Whenever she sensed Xu Damaizi staring at her, she had the urge to gouge out his eyes, but she could not act. For though Xu Damaizi was not Hua Lin’s most formidable man, he was his fiercest and most loyal hound.

She noticed Xu Damaizi not only leered at her, but also shot a few hostile glances at Luo Xiaotian. Had this dog-nosed fellow sensed something? Madam Hua felt a flicker of unease.

Suddenly, the clatter of hooves echoed outside. Experienced as she was, Madam Hua judged there were only three or four riders, but surveying the familiar faces in the room, she couldn’t imagine who might be arriving at this hour.

Lu Jiu, head held high, entered with Lu Liaoliao and two others, handing their horses to the stable boys. The moment they stepped through the door, countless hostile eyes locked onto them. Though Lu Jiu’s face was veiled, her graceful figure and unusual air drew covetous glances from the bandits.

These days, the Delightful Inn was closed to outsiders, making these three unexpected guests a surprise. Still, as Hua Lin’s woman, Madam Hua had seen all manner of scenes and was unfazed.

"Are you here to dine or to stay?" Madam Hua, at the height of her beauty and charm, exuded a mature woman’s allure with every gesture.

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"I want to see Hua Lin," Lu Jiu said coldly, removing her veil and fixing Madam Hua with a steely gaze.

Madam Hua paused, then broke into a beaming smile. "Oh my, I was wondering whose young master had such presence and poise. So it’s you, Master Jiu! For one as beautiful as a flower, why insist on dressing as a man? Such a waste of beauty."

"Enough chatter. Where is Hua Lin? Tell him to see me," Lu Jiu’s voice was impatient.

"That heartless man has found himself a new delicate beauty. He hasn’t come here in ages—must have forgotten about this old woman," Madam Hua replied with feigned grievance.

"If I had a wife as enchanting as you, madam, I’d never leave your side—even if my legs were broken," Lu Liaoliao suddenly said with a sly smile.

"My, aren’t you the charmer. And who might you be to Master Jiu?" Madam Hua asked coquettishly.

"That’s not important. What matters is, my legs go weak whenever I see you. I’d like to stay here a few days—do you have any rooms?" Lu Liaoliao replied with a lascivious grin.

Madam Hua was taken aback. No one had ever dared flirt with her in the Delightful Inn. This brazen youth had no idea how he would die.

He had spoken out of turn, without Lu Jiu’s leave, yet didn’t seem a subordinate. Madam Hua glanced slyly at Lu Jiu. "There are a couple of rooms left. I hope that won’t inconvenience you?"

"Not at all. I’ll share a room with her. But I’d like to drink with you tonight, if that’s possible?" Lu Liaoliao still eyed her suggestively.

"If you’ve the nerve, do you think I, Madam Hua, am afraid of you?" With a thrust of her ample bosom and eyes brimming with allure, Madam Hua gazed at Lu Liaoliao.

Bang! Bang! Both Lu Jiu and Luo Xiaotian slammed their hands on the table.

"Haha, looks like someone isn’t happy," Madam Hua laughed without restraint.

"Let them be. As long as you and I are happy," Lu Liaoliao replied, eyes locked on Madam Hua’s chest.

"Fine, then. I’ll have food and wine prepared for you, sir," Madam Hua teased, certain this impudent youth was doomed.

"It’s a deal!" Lu Liaoliao even extended his hand, sealing the promise with a clap.

Inside the room, Lu Jiu slammed the table. "Lu Liaoliao! Did you come here to seduce that vixen, or to do business?"

Without looking up, Lu Liaoliao replied, "Both. If I hadn’t teased the madam, how would I know where Boss Hua is? When you first slapped the table, a pockmarked fellow slipped out. I had Zhou Liuzi follow him—news should come soon. Also, don’t you think that pale pretty-boy among the bandits seems to have a special relationship with the madam?"

Lu Jiu was stunned.