Chapter 117: Dare Not Move In (Second Update)

The convoy marched for an hour when a scene of chaos suddenly appeared ahead on the road.

More than a dozen carts lay overturned—some blocking the center of the road, others toppled into the wild grass beside it.

Goods from the carts were scattered haphazardly across the ground.

Blood splattered everywhere—on the carts, on the road, and in the tall grass on both sides.

Lu Zhengyan at the front abruptly raised his hand; the convoy halted instantly. Two captains spurred their horses forward to investigate, then returned moments later.

One captain’s face was flushed with anger: “It’s a merchant caravan that left the town. We spoke with them just this morning when we borrowed their carts!”

Xu Yuan stepped forward, inspected the scene, and sighed deeply: “Attacked by a large group of malevolent spirits. Both people and horses were dragged into the mountains… too late.”

This is the state of the Huangming Empire.

Merchants must bear exorbitant costs, endure exploitation at every checkpoint, and if unlucky enough to encounter malevolent spirits, they may lose their very lives!

Yet at the same time, the Huangming Empire is immensely powerful—its territory far surpasses that of the previous dynasty, its canals crisscrossing the land, its martial might spreading far and wide, its soldiers proud and generals bold, poised to conquer the entire South Seas.

“Move the carts to the roadside—we’ll pass through first,” Yan Lao ordered. “Search the carriages. Take any documents that can identify the owners. Report them to the county magistrate’s office when we reach the city—try to notify their families, if the magistrate’s office has been rebuilt.”

There was little that could be done, and no one could afford to leave several captains behind guarding the cargo—what would happen when night fell?

After clearing the carts, the convoy continued toward the county seat. Fu Jingyu remained silent the entire journey. He had spent these past years always at his master’s side, but now, witnessing so much firsthand, the experience had shaken him deeply.

Outside the city, ten li away, Yan Lao sent one man ahead on horseback to deliver the news.

Thus, when they reached the city gate, Song Lu stood there, waving excitedly the moment she spotted the convoy: “Senior brother!”

Her limbs had regrown. She sprinted forward, her eyes seeing no one else, heading straight for the carriage.

Xu Yuan, quick to understand, leapt down from the carriage at once.

Song Lu climbed aboard and yanked open the carriage door: “Senior brother…”

A large, robust rooster emerged from inside, its golden eyes glaring—Song Lu shrieked “Ah!” and tumbled off the carriage.

Ying Taipo hurried to catch Hua, while Fu Jingyu stepped out, laughing and sighing, helping Song Lu up: “Are you hurt, junior sister?”

Song Lu’s frown vanished instantly; she beamed: “I’m fine.”

Both quickly realized Yan Lao and the others were watching. Their faces flushed slightly, and they stepped apart a little.

“My master is waiting—hurry into the city.”

The county office had not yet been rebuilt, nor had a new county magistrate even arrived.

On the day Xu Yuan and Fu Jingyu departed for Qihetai Town, Ma Tianhou’s memorial to the court reporting the Shanhe County massacre had just been sent out.

These past few days, the Governor of Jiaozhi Province is surely suffering—how to report such a massive incident to the Northern Capital while minimizing his own responsibility?

With ample staff around him, Ma Tianhou simply rented out the entire inn where he had been staying, dismissed the shopkeeper and staff, and placed the inn entirely under the control of the Purification Office.

Xu Yuan said to Fu Jingyu: “I’ll go home first to let them know I’m safe, then I’ll go see the old master.”

“Good. Go quickly.”

As Xu Yuan turned to leave, Hua bit his pant leg.

Ying Taipo, seeing Xu Yuan about to depart, immediately said: “Who’s going to look after this old woman?”

“Taipo, Young Master Fu will arrange lodging for you…”

“I came out with you—I’m staying with you. My eyes are dim; I can’t recognize anyone else.”

Xu Yuan sighed helplessly and turned to Fu Jingyu: “Lend me some silver. I’ll rent a house near Riverwork Lane for Taipo to stay in—then you can reimburse me later.”

Fu Jingyu handed over the money without hesitation.

Xu Yuan drove the cart, with several captains helping lead the horses, and they headed in grand procession toward Riverwork Lane.

On the way, Ying Taipo asked: “Ah Yuan, how many people are in your family?”

“Is your house big?”

“Is the courtyard big enough for Hua to play in?”

Xu Yuan had no choice but to invite: “Why don’t you just stay at my place?”

Ying Taipo: “Oh my, how could I possibly impose? Won’t it be a bother?”

“No bother at all.”

The surrounding captains covered their mouths, stifling laughter—but secretly, they all envied him: this old woman’s abilities were unknown, but that rooster? Clearly extraordinary—surely it could ward off evil spirits and protect the household.

If this old woman would move in with that rooster, I’d let her be my great-grandmother!

The convoy turned onto a stone street and soon reached the mouth of Riverwork Lane—when Ying Taipo suddenly pulled the cart to a halt, her “dim, aged eyes” fixed on the alley, peering in and out repeatedly.

Xu Yuan asked: “Taipo, what’s wrong? My home is right inside.”

Ying Taipo puckered her wrinkled lips, then changed her mind: “After thinking it over, I realize it’s too abrupt. Moving in like this would disturb your family.”

“It’s fine…”

“No, no,” Ying Taipo insisted. “Find me a house nearby.”

Xu Yuan had no choice. Fortunately, there were many vacant houses near the alley. He soon found a small rented courtyard, located a well-known broker on the nearby stone street, signed the lease, and paid.

Xu Yuan was eager to get home. He instructed the captains to settle Taipo in, then hurried off himself.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Xu Yuan shouted toward the kitchen: “Lin Wanmo, I’m back!”

His stepmother emerged from the main hall, grabbed his sleeve, and scrutinized him from head to toe, then exhaled deeply: “Safe return is all that matters.”

When Xu Yuan was away, Lin Wanmo never cooked—she just ate whatever she could scrape together.

Lin Wanmo returned to the main hall to burn incense before Xu Yuan’s father’s tablet, murmuring softly—as if Xu Yuan’s safe return were due to his father’s protection.

After burning incense, Lin Wanmo sat down at the table: “Tell me everything—was it dangerous this time?” Suddenly, she spotted a dumbfounded large white goose emerging behind Xu Yuan. Her eyes lit up: “Did you buy this goose? It’s plump! Let’s roast it for dinner!”

Da Fu had already wandered the courtyard, stomping his large webbed feet, inspecting his new “territory,” and was unimpressed.

There was no river—only a well outside the gate.

He’d have to make some modifications here.

Da Fu had just finished his patrol when he heard this woman wanted to eat him. He lunged to peck her.

Xu Yuan grabbed him by the neck: “This is your grandmother. Don’t you dare disrespect her.”

Da Fu kicked and flapped—Grandmother? Doesn’t matter! She wants to eat me!

Xu Yuan explained Da Fu’s origins to his stepmother. Her eyes sparkled: “So Master Wang was that Wang Auntie from back then? Tell me everything!”

Xu Yuan watched her giddy, gawking expression and groaned: “We’ll talk about that later—go find me the letters your master wrote these past few years.”

Lin Wanmo looked confused: “How would I know where Master stored them?”

Xu Yuan: ?

“I’ll look.”

The two rummaged through all of Xu Huanyang’s belongings and finally dug out five letters from his second uncle.

Xu Chuanyang had been away for twenty years—and had written only these five letters back.

Xu Yuan returned to his room, took out the letter Zheng Rongkui had given him, compared the two, and quietly exhaled: “A forgery.”

(End of Chapter)