Chapter 17: Step by Step Peril in the Dragon's Pool and Tiger's Den

"Let's go." Zhang Jun whispered.

The two left the manor quietly and returned to the inn.

"Miss Lin, are you alright?" Zhang Jun asked with concern.

Lin Xue's face was pale, tears in her eyes: "My surname is Lin; my father is a member of the Lin family."

Zhang Jun suddenly understood: "So, your grudge with the Long family..."

"The Long family slaughtered my entire Lin clan; only I managed to escape." Lin Xue gritted her teeth, "I swear to avenge my family!"

"That third piece of the treasure map..."

Lin Xue took out a piece of jade from her bosom: "This is it. My father gave it to me before he died, telling me to keep it safe."

Zhang Jun took the jade and examined it closely. The pattern on this jade exactly matches that of the Liu family's piece; it must be part of the treasure map.

"No wonder the Long family's people are hunting you." Zhang Jun suddenly realized, "They want to seize this jade."

Lin Xue nodded: "I've been fleeing until I met you."

Zhang Jun pondered for a moment: "Now we have two pieces of the treasure map; we only lack the Long family's piece."

"What are you planning?" Lin Xue asked warily.

"Isn't the Long family after the treasure map? Then we'll give them a chance." Zhang Jun's eyes flashed with a hint of mischief, "But first we need to meet this Young Master Long."

The next day, Zhang Jun went alone to the Drunken Moon Tower. Dressed as a wealthy young master, he swaggered inside.

"Sir, what service do you require?" a madam approached.

"I've heard you have a top courtesan who is favored by Young Master Long; I'd like to see her." Zhang Jun placed a silver ingot on the table.

The madam looked at the silver and said hesitantly, "Sir, our top courtesan has been reserved by Young Master Long; others cannot see her."

Zhang Jun added two more silver ingots: "Just a quick look, I won't disturb."

The madam hesitated, then nodded: "Alright, sir, follow me."

Zhang Jun followed the madam to an elegant room on the second floor. The top courtesan was playing the zither; upon seeing a guest, she slightly lifted her head.

"This sir wishes to see you," the madam said.

The top courtesan set down the zither, rose, and performed a salute: "I have seen you, sir."

Zhang Jun returned the salute with clasped hands: "I have long heard of your fame, top courtesan; I came especially to meet you."

"You flatter me," the top courtesan smiled slightly, "May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

"I am Zhang Jun, just arrived from Jiangbei."

Upon hearing that, the top courtesan's eyes flickered with surprise: "Jiangbei? Sir, what brings you to Yanjing?"

"I heard Yanjing is prosperous, so I came for leisure," Zhang Jun replied offhand, "By the way, I heard you're on good terms with Young Master Long?"

The top courtesan's expression changed slightly: "Young Master Long is my esteemed guest; why are you asking about him, sir?"

"Nothing much, just curious," Zhang Jun chuckled, "I heard Young Master Long has been looking for a piece of jade lately?"

The top courtesan grew wary: "Sir, you seem quite interested in Young Master Long?"

"Indeed," Zhang Jun locked eyes with the top courtesan, "Because I hold something that Young Master Long desires."

The top courtesan's eyes flashed with surprise: "Sir, are you serious?"

"Certainly." Zhang Jun produced the jade from his bosom—the very piece Lin Xue had given him—"Look, isn't this what Young Master Long wants?"

Seeing the jade, the top courtesan's face changed dramatically: "This… this is…"

"If you please, madam, tell Young Master Long I have business to discuss." Zhang Jun put the jade away, "Just say, Zhang Jun from Jiangbei, waiting for him at the Drunken Immortal Tower."

Having said that, Zhang Jun rose and left, leaving the top courtesan staring in astonishment.

Returning to the Drunken Immortal Tower, Zhang Jun informed Lin Xue of the situation.

"Are you crazy?" Lin Xue exclaimed, "Isn't this walking straight into a trap?"

"Don't worry, I have a plan." Zhang Jun said confidently, "Long Aotian will surely come; then we'll get to see what this Young Master Long is capable of."

Indeed,

Early the next morning, Zhang Jun packed up and prepared to depart.

Liu Quan and the entire Liu family came to see him off.

"Brother Zhang, take care on the road," Liu Quan said, patting Zhang Jun on the shoulder.

Zhang Jun was about to turn and leave when an elderly voice suddenly called out, "Young man, wait a moment."

Everyone turned to see a white-haired old man leaning on a cane, walking slowly over.

"Who are you…?" Zhang Jun wondered.

Liu Quan hurried forward a step and bowed respectfully: "Master Mo, what brings you here?"

The old man smiled: "I heard this young friend is heading to Yanjing, so I came especially to see you off."

Liu Quan quickly introduced Zhang Jun: "This is Master Mo, a reclusive martial arts master from Jiangbei who has lived in seclusion for years and rarely shows himself."

Zhang Jun also hurriedly returned the salute: "Greetings, Master Mo."

Master Mo sized up Zhang Jun from head to toe and nodded: "Hmm, not bad, good bone structure, material for martial arts training."

He produced a tattered book from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Jun: "I see you're practicing the Profound Yin True Technique; it's powerful but overly yin. Practicing it too long may harm your body. This Manual of Yang Rigid Righteous Energy can neutralize the yin chill of the Profound Yin True Technique—take it and practice."

Zhang Jun was overjoyed, quickly took it and repeatedly thanked: "Thank you, Master Mo!"

Master Mo waved a hand: "No need to thank me. On your trip to Yanjing, the Long family's lot are tough to deal with; always keep your wits about you. Remember, don't rush into fights—use your head more."

Zhang Jun nodded.

"The Long family has a certain Long Aotian—highly skilled but ruthless. If you encounter him, never meet force with force; yield when you must, understand?" Master Mo added another warning.

Zhang Jun stared for a moment, this name… is it too chuuni?

"What, you don't believe me?" Master Mo saw Zhang Jun's doubt.

"Miss, are you alright?" Zhang Jun asked softly; his voice rang especially clear in the empty valley.

A beautiful woman leaned against a tree, panting heavily. Moonlight fell on her face, revealing a deathly pale complexion—clearly she was injured.

"Who are you? Why are you helping me?" the woman did not answer directly, but asked warily.

Zhang Jun didn't mind, answering casually: "Seeing injustice, I draw my sword to help, you know. I'm Zhang Jun, heading to Yanjing."

Upon hearing the two words "Yanjing," the woman's expression shifted, but she quickly returned to normal.

"Thanks." She forced a smile. "My surname is Lin, I'm Lin Xue."

"Miss Lin Xue, your injury is not light; I still have a bit of skill, I can treat it." Zhang Jun said, moving forward.

Lin Xue hesitated a moment, then nodded: "Then... thank you for the trouble."

Zhang Jun helped Lin Xue back to the campsite where the fire had just been lit.

He rummaged through his pack, pulling out bottles and jars of common medicinal herbs, and skillfully bandaged Lin Xue's wound.

Then he handed over a dark pill: "This is my own formulation, to invigorate blood and dispel stasis—take it."

Lin Xue took it and swallowed it straight away; after a while her complexion looked much better.

"Young Master Zhang, you also know medicine—impressive." Lin Xue said.

Zhang Jun waved his hand: "No big deal. Miss Lin, who are those guys? Why are they chasing you?"

Lin Xue remained silent for a long time before speaking: "They are people of the Long Family from Yanjing."

"The Long Family?" Zhang Jun exclaimed in surprise—what a coincidence.

Lin Xue nodded, saying nothing more.

Zhang Jun thought to himself: Lin Xue has a grudge against the Long Family—wouldn't it be perfect to team up against them?

"Miss Lin, let me be frank: I'm also heading to Yanjing for the Long Family's business. Why don't we travel together? We can look out for each other on the road—what do you think?"

Lin Xue was somewhat surprised: "You... also have a grudge against the Long Family?"

Zhang Jun then briefly explained the grudges between the Liu Family and the Long Family.

After hearing that, Lin Xue lowered her head in thought for a while, then looked up: "Alright, let's go together."

The fire crackled and popped, the faint sounds of splitting firewood especially clear in the night.

Lin Xue leaned against the tree trunk, eyes half-closed.

"Those guys really went all out with their viciousness," Zhang Jun suddenly remarked.

"You say... will they come back again?" Lin Xue asked, opening her eyes.