Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Travelers return to Xueding Mountain

The rain was falling continuously, splashing on the stone road.

On the official road, there is no trace of humans or animals. In the rain curtain, there was a faint sound of carriage 

wheels.

Wearing a raincoat and a bamboo hat, Feng Lan waved his riding whip from time to time, and the car moved 

forward steadily at a constant speed. 

Suddenly, he paused, slightly tilted his head, and said to the person in the car, "Master, it seems there is a fight 

ahead."

In the air, the earthy smell was mixed with the faint smell of blood.

The autumn rain is thick and dense, making it hard to see what lies ahead.

"Stop!" A deep voice came. Feng Lan pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a halt by the roadside. Then he 

heard the person inside say: "Come in and take shelter from the rain."

"Yes."

Following the instructions, Feng Lan lifted the curtain of the carriage, took off his hat, and sat by the door, 

vigilantly observing the front.

Si Cang Qing put down the scroll in his hands, lifted the curtain of the carriage, observed for a moment, and 

then sat back down. For more than three years, they occasionally encountered fights among martial artists, 

but most of the time, they would take a detour or wait for the fight to end before continuing their journey.

Regarding matters that do not concern him, he never cares and never provokes; this is Si Cang Qing's principle.

"It's noon, my lord, have some dry rations!"

Over here, Feng Lan had already opened the bundle, took out the dry rations prepared yesterday, fetched a water 

bag, handed it to Si Cang Qing, and then started eating the dry rations himself. Although Si Cang Qing was 

silent and indifferent, he never imposed too many restrictions on the servants; they just needed to do their own 

duties well.

"How long until we get to Qingyang?" Si Cang Qing asked.

"It will take about an hour." Feng Lan replied.

"We'll stay in Qingyang tonight." Si Cang Qing added. After passing Qingyang City, there weren't many cities 

where they could stop. Most of them were rural towns, close to the border between the two countries. 

Approaching the border between the two countries, further southwest lies the vast Tianshan Mountain range 

stretching for hundreds of miles. 

"Yes, Master."

Outside the car, the faint sounds of fighting seemed to have ceased, but the rain was getting heavier. A few 

raindrops blew in through the car window with the autumn wind. Si Cang Qing leaned close to the window, 

silently watching the intertwining rain curtains. 

After a long while, hearing Feng Lan's movements by the door, he gently stopped him,

"Let's wait until the rain lightens up before we continue our journey!"

As long as you reach Qingyang before dark, there is no need to rush.

In the car, the two of them were in the usual silence.

"Master, autumn is cold and easily chilling." Feng Lan couldn't help but remind Si Cang Qing, as the rainwater 

seeping through the lifted curtain of the car window had gradually dampened Si Cang Qing's cheek, and his 

slightly damp bangs were messily sticking to his forehead.

Upon hearing this, Si Cang Qing didn't even glance at the other person, merely shifting slightly to the side. Seeing 

Si Cang Qing's movement, Feng Lan adjusted his position, sitting half a foot away from Si Cang Qing, and 

quietly pulled down the curtains, covering them tightly. Then, he opened his bundle, took out a clean towel, 

and handed it to Si Cang Qing.

Si Cang Qing silently took the towel, wiped the rainwater off his face, then tossed the towel to Feng Lan, his 

eyes returning to the scroll in his hands. 

The interaction between the two was quiet and tacit.

In three years, whether it was Si Cang Qing or Feng Lan, both had completely adapted to each other's presence. 

Although they rarely conversed, they gradually formed a tacit understanding without even realizing it.

Regarding Feng Lan, Si Cang Qing was extremely satisfied with this personal attendant. His abilities and 

temperament far exceeded his expectations.

Feng Lan always arranges Si Cang Qing's daily life and schedule quietly and steadily.  Si Cang Qing also 

silently enjoyed the other's service, no longer rejecting the other's presence as he did at the beginning. Except 

for personal matters, due to his natural dislike of others getting too close, he had completely accepted Feng Lan's 

services in other areas.

After packing his bags, Feng Lan sat down quietly, placing his hand on the sword at his waist and keeping his 

body alert. He did not forget that there was a fight going on outside the car.

Suddenly, a strong wind swept in. 

Feng Lan quickly drew his sword and leaped out. 

Si Cang Qing, still leaning against the carriage wall, continued reading his book, unaffected in the slightest.

Unexpectedly, the two outside the car did not fight. Feng Lan stood upright in the rain, the sword in his hand 

steadily resting on the shoulder of the person opposite him.

"Ah, great hero, spare my life!" The man exclaimed dramatically. Although he was shouting for help, he had a 

broad smile on his face and continued to babble, "I just wanted to find a place to take shelter from the rain. 

Seeing your carriage parked here, I thought I might take advantage of the opportunity."

Feng Lan stared at the other person coldly, not caring about the truth or falsehood of the man's words, and just 

said lightly: "This is not a place for the young master to take shelter from the rain. Please leave."

"Young master, that's wrong," the man said with a smile. "Meeting is fate. You and I met twice in different 

places in a few days. It's even more fate."

But the man laughed even more proudly, his voice rising, "Young Master inside, what do you think?"

What answered him was the sound of rain.

It turns out this person is the young man who had brushed past Si Cang Qing and Feng Lan. At this moment, 

he was drenched and somewhat disheveled. Most importantly, he was reeking of blood, suggesting that he was 

somehow involved in the previous fight.

Feng Lan slightly furrowed his brows, and before he could make his next move, he heard Si Cang Qing's voice 

coming through, "Lan, since the rain has lessened, let's get going. We shouldn't miss the time."

"Yes, master." Feng Lan sheathed the sword, turned around, climbed onto the front of the carriage, and raised 

the whip.

The movements are clean and done in one go.

"Young Master..." The young man spoke again. He raised his foot and was about to step forward when he was 

hit by something. He jumped back and saw a red-maned horse making a low cry. The carriage sped away and 

disappeared from sight in an instant.

After standing in astonishment for a long time, a playful smile slowly appeared on the young man's face. He 

leaned over to pick up the raincoat thrown by Feng Lan and whispered softly: "What an interesting pair of 

master and servant..."

Such indifference!

In the boy's beautiful eyes, a strange light flickered, and with a soft sigh, he murmured, "Well, now I have to 

walk in the rain. Hopefully, that miserly old man will take me in for the night..." 

His murmured words faded into the rain.

◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇

"Two gentlemen, are you here for a meal or for lodging?"

In the inn, the young attendant eagerly smiled and welcomed the two, Cang Qing and his companion.

"Two rooms, please," Feng Lan requested in a calm voice. 

"Sure," the waiter said, leading the way. He then asked, "Would you like to have dinner in your rooms or in 

the dining hall?"

Feng Lan looked at Si Cang Qing, who said casually: "Just in the lobby!"

Outside the window, dusk had fallen. 

Si Cang Qing and Feng Lan sat by the window on the second floor, quietly having dinner. 

On this rainy day, business was poor, and the entire second floor was almost empty.

After rinsing the cups with tea, Feng Lan poured another cup of tea and placed it in front of Si Cang Qing.

"Two gentlemen, we are truly fated to meet!" At this moment, a voice full of smiles and suddenness suddenly 

came, and a figure quickly sat down at the table before Feng Lan could even react, exclaiming, "Spicy grilled 

beef, it is truly my favorite!"

The newcomer was indeed the young man they had encountered earlier. He wore a smile, his gaze warm and 

intriguing as he stared at Si Cang Qing, who was indifferent and sipping tea.

After glancing at the unresponsive Si Cang Qing, Feng Lan turned to the young man and said, "Young master, 

I'm afraid you're sitting in the wrong place, right?"

"How could it be?" The young man raised his eyebrows, his eyes sparkling with joy. "Meeting once is just a 

brush past, twice is fate, and three times makes us old friends!" 

With a hearty laugh, the young man raised his voice and called out, "Shopkeeper, add another set of chopsticks!"

Feng Lan was dumbfounded. He had never seen such a rogue person before, and he didn't know what to do 

for a moment. Si Cang Qing didn't look at the young man. He just raised the cup leisurely, took a sip of tea, 

looked up at Feng Lan who was stunned, and said: "Once you're done eating, go rest!"

Startled, Feng Lan quickly picked up the bowl and began eating—since the master didn't care, he didn't need to 

either. For the actions of scoundrels, it's best to ignore them!

The smile on the boy's face couldn't hold up anymore as he glared at the master and servant who were happily 

eating.

"Wow, Young Master Pan, what brings you to Qingyang?"

A young man dressed in green robes floated over to Si Cang Qing's table. His ordinary features were adorned 

with a gentle smile that felt like a breath of spring, making anyone who saw it feel incredibly at ease.

The young man was indeed that Young Master Pan. Turning around and seeing the other person, he broke into 

a big smile, "Young Boss Qui, what a coincidence! I heard you came to Qingyang, and it turns out to be true."

"Heh," the young man smirked, sizing up the other person from head to toe, and said, "But why is Young Master 

Pan soaked through?"

"Speaking of which," the young man said with a frustrated expression, "I ran into some robbers on the way. 

Not only did I get soaked, but I also lost my silver coins, so I had no choice but to come and seek refuge with 

you, young master!"

Although he didn't believe what the other party said, the Young Boss Qiu didn't expose it. He just took out a 

silver abacus from his waist and started flipping it.

Young Master Pan's smile faded from his face and he spoke displeasedly, "Let me tell you, Young Boss Qiu, 

you really carry an abacus with you! You've already calculated the accounts before I even opened my mouth!"

"Heh," The Young Boss Qiu said, neither angry nor annoyed, his expression calm and unperturbed, "It's a 

small business, so we must be cautious. On the eighth day of last October, Young Master Pan borrowed 

eighteen hundred taels of silver from Shuang Leng Building, paid back a thousand taels, and still owes eight 

hundred. With interest, that comes to nine hundred and fifty-four taels now! Today, I suppose Young Master Pan 

will also need accommodation. If you need to borrow some money for expenses..."

The boy's expression grew increasingly grim, and he finally couldn't hold back his anger, "Young Boss Qiu, 

were you born a bandit? How do you even calculate these things?"

“The Qiu family also lends money at usury, so it is calculated based on the interest rate of the loan. " Young 

Boss Qiu explained gently.

"You..." The young man pointed at the other person with trembling fingers, sighing with grief and anger, 

"What kind of world is this!"

"Young Master Pan, don't be angry. At worst, I'll treat you to a discount at dinner today!" Young Boss Qiu 

smiled as he looked at Si Cang Qing and the other person, who had always regarded him as nothing.

He then asked, "Are these two young gentlemen your friends, Young Master Pan?"

Hearing the question, Young Master Pan was momentarily stunned, suddenly remembering the two people 

who had been forgotten. He quickly put on a smile again and turned to Si Cang Qing, saying, "I almost forgot. 

How should I address you, young master? My surname is Pan, and my name is Qi. You can call me Brother Qi. 

May I ask what your name is?"

Si Cang Qing leisurely put down the bowl in his hand, looked at Feng Lan who had already finished eating, 

and said, "Let's go!"

He then stood up and left. Throughout the entire time, Si Cang Qing's expression remained indifferent. It was 

only when he brushed past Young Boss Qiu that he cast a faint glance at him.

The two people left behind were both astonished.

"I say..." Young Boss Qiu quickly returned to normal, chuckling lightly, "This time, you've changed your taste 

again? That's quite special!" 

There was a hint of regret in his words. 

"You've got it wrong," Pan Qi also expressed regret, "This time I have something on, I'm afraid I won't have time. 

We'll have to wait until later!"

Young Boss Qiu gave a slight smile, his expression knowing, "Young Master Pan is indeed quite the dandy, 

living up to his reputation as a playboy. But I fear this time, they might not be so grateful, right?"

From the beginning, he saw that Pan Qi was very enthusiastic, while the other two ignored him.

Raising his eyebrows slightly, Pan Qi looked thoughtfully at the place where Si Cang Qing and the two 

disappeared, recalling the scene of today's fight with Feng Lan, and said: "The identities of these two people 

are not simple. I want to buy information about them... "

"Of course you can." Young Boss Qiu looked happy. Thinking of another business coming, he started thinking 

again, "Old rules, you have to pay a deposit first..."

Before he could finish speaking, the veins on Pan Qi's temples were already faintly visible, and he glared angrily, 

"Qiu Ping Tian, don't make me ruin your plans..."

"Master Pan, please go ahead, but this abacus is expensive, so you should think twice!" Qiu Pingtian said calmly, 

smiling broadly.

"Qui, Ping, Tian!"

An angry shout shook the inn!

"Qiu Ping Tian?" In the upper room, Si Cang Qing looked out the window thoughtfully.

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