Chapter 106: Manchuan Pass Lu San

"Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain" each had different meanings.

The so-called "Wind" was for various rumors and news.

Two people make a "Forest," so "Forest" was for finding partners. In the martial world, some dirty work was hard to handle alone, and if one couldn't call companions for a while, one would ask for a connection here.

"Fire" in the martial world usually meant having goods and money. For example, smashing a kiln (robbing a manor) that had profit was called a "Fire Kiln," and one without profit was a "Water Kiln."

In this rumor hall, "Fire" represented various commissions. Although the remuneration was generous, most were dirty deeds like robbery, murder, and fraud.

As for "Mountain," it meant immovable like a mountain. If someone in the martial world got into trouble and needed to hide or find someone for medical treatment, they could get it done here, although the price wasn't low.

This was the "Shop" among the five flowers of the martial world. Some opened their doors to welcome guests from all directions, while others did dirty business.

If it was robbery and murder, it was a "Black Shop."

Shops with such signboards were usually a force, distributed in different areas, and were very particular about martial world rules, not acting recklessly.

"Two guests, please come in."

The waiter opened a room and invited the two in.

The room wasn't big, nor was it elegant. Besides chairs and tables, there was nothing else, and even the windows had been sealed.

Lighting a candle, the light was somewhat dim.

This kind of arrangement naturally had its reasons.

One was secrecy; after closing the door, it became a world of its own, indicating no one was eavesdropping. The second was safety; the layout inside was clear at a glance, indicating there were no traps or mechanisms.

After the two sat down, the waiter left the room immediately, and before long, he entered with a wooden tray, containing both a teapot and a small stove, as well as many teacups.

Afterwards, he left the room without a sound.

Wang Fu shook his head: "Ezhou people like tea. From the host to the guest, a cup of tea upon entering. You say you don't want tea, but they will still serve it to you."

"Daoist, you don't know about this."

Sha Lifei laughed, "This is a test of credentials."

Dong dong dong!

Before the words fell, someone knocked on the door and entered.

It was an old man wearing a coarse black cloth coat, looking weathered, full of smiles, and as soon as he opened the door, he arched his hands: "The two guests have come from afar, it's been hard."

The so-called meeting and saying it's been hard must be a martial world person.

Since they are in the martial world, they are people with thin lives.

The old man looked ordinary, but every word was that of an old martial world hand.

After sitting down, he didn't rush to speak, but picked up a small teacup from the tray, glanced at the two, put the teapot and one teacup into the tea tray, and placed the other cup outside the tea tray.

Wang Fu took one look and knew this was setting up a tea array.

The so-called tea array was also one of the martial world's secret languages.

One teapot, one tea tray, and several teacups could produce countless array changes, all with their own meanings.

Usually, there were four major categories: probing, seeking help, visiting friends, and fighting with sorcery, each with many arrays.

Each array had its corresponding breaking method.

Don't underestimate this, and don't feel it's cumbersome.

Walking in the martial world, one cannot leave human feelings and worldly wisdom. It emphasizes having more friends and more paths; with more friends, one can travel the world.

Once you open the spring code and know the martial world rules, even if you don't have a copper coin on you, you can still travel the three mountains and five peaks, at least having a meal.

Of course, the martial world emphasizes "speaking only three parts truth," because there are many human feelings and many grudges, and you never know if the person probing you has a grudge against your gang force.

One second, a smiling face greets you; the next second, they swing a blade to kill!

Although Wang Fu had also mixed in the martial world for many years, his path was different. In terms of understanding this set, let alone Sha Lifei, even Li Yan couldn't compare.

But even so, he saw this first array.

The formation was very simple, called the Willow Array.

The so-called Willow Array has mysteries, martial world loyalty has no outsiders, the meaning is the simplest, which is to see if you are a fellow martial world traveler.

This kind of small array was naturally not a problem for Sha Lifei. He directly put the outside teacup into the tray, picked it up and made a drinking posture, then put it back, and raised his hand to invite.

The old man wasn't surprised and continued to set up the array.

The subsequent arrays became more and more complex, both to probe your roots and to probe your intentions.

It seemed cumbersome, but the probing had its own meaning.

If you are a novice who just came out to the martial world and only knows a little bit of rules, I'm sorry, but the price of some news will increase.

If you suffer a loss, you have to hold it in; this rule is the same everywhere.

But what kind of person was Sha Lifei? He was someone who could talk nonsense, could call sesame seeds watermelons, and was proficient in martial world rules, bluffing the old man opposite him until he was stunned.

Of course, the old man also had a rough idea in his heart, began to wash and brew tea unhurriedly, poured it for the two, and then asked: "I don't know what news the two want to know?"

Speaking to this point, there was no need for secret language.

Sha Lifei didn't talk nonsense and asked directly: "We are sending a Mystic Sect senior's coffin back to Wu Family Ditch, but the whole village is gone, and we can't even find the graves of his family. What happened there?"

"Wu Family Ditch..."

Hearing that it involved the Mystic Sect, the old man's expression immediately became solemn. He pondered for a moment, dipped his finger in tea water, and wrote a character on the table.

The two took one look, and it was none other than the character "Tiger."

Wang Fu frowned, "Is there a tiger disaster in Wu Family Ditch?"

"Not a real tiger."

The old man sighed: "But sometimes, people are more terrifying than tigers."

"Wu Family Ditch was originally nothing, just ordinary. If you two hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known that there was a Mystic Sect senior hiding there."

"But two years ago, gold was discovered in the river gully there. Although it was little, it attracted the attention of the county lieutenant Qiao Sanhu."

"The imperial court has rules that gold, silver, copper, and iron mines cannot be privately mined. To cover up the news, Qiao Sanhu first sealed the mouths of those who knew, then played tricks openly and secretly, forcing the old and young of Wu Family Ditch to move away from their homeland..."

As he spoke, he gave a cold laugh: "He did this secretly, but how could he hide it from fellow martial world travelers?"

"So that's how it is."

Wang Fu sighed upon hearing this and shook his head: "Where did the old and young of Wu Family Ditch move to?"

The old man replied: "They moved to Ezhou."

Sha Lifei was stunned, "Why run so far?"

"What else could they do if they didn't run?"

The old man shook his head: "Someone in Wu Family Ditch discovered something strange and wanted to go to Chang'an to report it, but that Qiao Sanhu had people in Chang'an."

"After learning the news, he directly asked the Fire Bear Gang of Chang'an City to take action, tied the person up at the inn, and buried them alive in the suburbs."

"Wu Family Ditch couldn't afford to offend him, so they had to flee far away."

Sha Lifei heard this, and anger rose in his heart, cursing: "This corrupt official is really hateful. Didn't any fellow martial world travelers do him in?"

The old man gave a bitter laugh: "You two, you can say this here, but don't mention it randomly when you go out."

"Although Qiao Sanhu is only a county lieutenant, he's not that simple. One of his cousins is a master of the Shangshan Dharma lineage, quite famous in Chang'an, and is also an advisor in the Prince's mansion."

"Qiao Sanhu also gained power because of this, mixing well in both the black and white worlds of Shangzhou, and even recruited a bunch of martial world scoundrels, setting up gambling dens at the Manchuan wharf to make money, with quite a lot of family assets."

"Even several successive county magistrates have to look at his face when doing things. People call him the 'Fengyang Tiger'."

Sha Lifei scratched his head awkwardly upon hearing this: "This, then forget it, can't afford to offend." The old man said in a deep voice: "To tell you the truth, I have to remind fellow martial world travelers from outside about this, to avoid losing their lives."

"Since you two are sending the dead home, stay away from these rights and wrongs. As for finding the road, although the people of Wu Family Ditch have moved away, this old man knows there is still one fellow martial world traveler who ferries on the Jinchuan River and knows everything about Wu Family Ditch."

"That person joined the Cao Gang and is named Lu San."

"But finding this person is a bit troublesome..."

…………

Wu Family Ditch desolate village, old ancestral hall.

The carter Old Meng and the porters were drinking. The farm yellow wine wasn't worth much, and the dishes were pickled vegetables and salted beans, but everyone drank heartily.

After Sha Lifei returned, he avoided them.

A few people didn't care. Although they were also martial world people, they had their own rules: don't listen to what shouldn't be heard, don't ask what shouldn't be asked.

"That's how it is."

!.

In another room, Sha Lifei recounted the matter, shook his head and said: "Wu Family Ditch only has one person left, but finding that kid is a bit troublesome, I'm afraid you'll have to take action yourself."

Li Yan frowned, "What trouble?"

Wang Fu said: "This old man suspects that person is a sorcerer!"

"According to the information from the rumor hall, this Lu San wasn't originally from Wu Family Ditch. He was abandoned in the desolate mountains when he was young, then picked up by the village guardian elder of Wu Family Ditch and raised at the village entrance land temple."

"The villagers saw he was pitiful, so they often sent him food, which could be considered growing up on a hundred families' rice. After the village guardian elder died, he stayed in the land temple, cleaning it every day, and lived on a portion of rice grain allocated from the village's public fields."

"This person was strange since childhood, silent, liked to stay alone, and often talked to himself facing the big mountain..."

"Oh?"

Li Yan was somewhat surprised, "The rumor hall knows so much?"

Sha Lifei continued the conversation: "That's naturally for a reason. After Wu Family Ditch moved away, this kid didn't follow, but ran to Manchuan Pass and joined the Cao Gang."

"It's strange to say, but since joining the Salt Gang, this kid hasn't followed the boats, but has been ferrying on the Jinchuan River, and the Salt Gang treats him with respect."

"And he even had a conflict with Qiao Sanhu's subordinates. I don't know where he learned his kung fu, but he has already entered the Hidden Strength and is extraordinary."

"Although the Cao Gang didn't seek revenge on Qiao Sanhu for him, they made it clear they would protect him. Qiao Sanhu's subordinates saw him as a thorn in their side, and several secret attempts failed."

"What's more troublesome is that this kid has no fixed residence and is mysterious. Even people in the Cao Gang don't know what he's doing on weekdays."

"He is extremely cautious. If there's anything wrong, he jumps into the river to escape. If we go, I'm afraid we won't be able to find anyone at all."

"So that's how it is."

Li Yan looked up at the sky, seeing it was sunset, pondered for a moment, and said: "Very well, I'll set off now."

Sha Lifei was stunned, "So urgent, why not wait until tomorrow?"

Li Yan shook his head: "We still have things to do, we can't delay here for too long. For me, night and day are no different."

After speaking, he packed up his things, went out and mounted his horse, flicked the reins, and his figure grew further and further in the sunset...

…………

Manchuan Pass, a hundred miles southeast of Fengyang County.

When Li Yan arrived, night had already fallen.

Only to see an ancient town separated by a river among the mountains. Its area was not small. Under the night, the town was still brightly lit, the river surface was full of boats, and fishing fires were dotted like stars.

Before approaching, the official road was already bustling.

Mule and horse caravans coming from the north, traveling thousands of miles, arrived at night. Dozens of carriages lined up in a row, with many people, all full of wind and frost.

This kind of large caravan had its own guards. Seeing Li Yan riding his horse over, they immediately pressed their blade hilts, secretly vigilant.

Li Yan glanced at them casually and didn't care.

The road was congested, so he could only move forward with the flow of people.

Inside the caravan, there was a young man who had just entered the martial world, looking at the prosperous town ahead with stars in his eyes, "Feng Feng Shixiong, this wharf is really not small!"

That Feng Feng Shixiong was clearly showing off, "This is a water and land wharf. Goods from the north travel by land, and when they arrive here, they turn to the south and travel by water, so it's called a water and land wharf."

"This Manchuan Pass connects north and south and has been a place of contention for military strategists since ancient times, so it's naturally prosperous. See, this side is the land wharf, that side is the water wharf, this half is called 'Qin' Street, that half is called 'Chu' Street..."

"I know, Morning Qin, Evening Chu!"

"Fool, look at how capable you are! Remember, after entering the town, don't stir up trouble randomly. This place gathers martial world gangs from north and south, with dragons and snakes mixed, and people die every night."

"Ah?!"

"Don't be too afraid, just follow Feng Feng Shixiong. Once we arrive at this place, we can consider it a job done. I'll take you to have some fun later."

"Go drink?"

"Idiot, go find a girl to sleep with!"

"Hahaha!"

Seeing the young man's face turn red, the people around burst into laughter, teasing: "Little Lu, I'm afraid the girl will have to give you money tonight."

"Why... why?"

"Rules, ate a chick, how can you not give money?"

"Hahaha..."

A group of people teased to their heart's content, making that kid's face red to the neck, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.

Li Yan overheard half of it and became somewhat absent-minded.

The information given by the rumor hall was too little.

Just as the horse gang person said, Manchuan Pass gathered all kinds of people, with many and mixed people, plus the coming and going merchants and wharf porters... it could be said to be a concentrated small martial world.

To find someone, it really wasn't that easy.

This clue, where should I start looking...

Just as Li Yan was pondering, he had already passed through the huge archway of Manchuan Pass.

There was no wall set up here, and facing him was an old street, with teahouses, wine shops, brothels, and gambling dens on both sides brightly lit, people shouting, not worse than the ancient street night markets of his previous life.

Not far opposite was the Mule and Horse Chamber of Commerce.

This was the territory of the car and horse gangs, and it also operated a business, which was to store horses, charging money according to the grade of the stable and feed.

After Li Yan stored his horse, he walked toward Qin Street.

He vaguely had an idea: the person who knows you best, besides relatives, is probably your enemy.

That Lu San hid in Manchuan Pass and often went against Qiao Sanhu's subordinates, probably waiting for an opportunity to vent his anger for his fellow villagers.

And Qiao Sanhu's subordinates were probably also keeping an eye on his movements at all times...

Just as he was pondering, he suddenly smelled a familiar scent, but couldn't remember who it was for a moment.

Li Yan hurriedly looked up, only to see a middle-aged man in a green shirt walking with broad strides in the crowd.

He had a thin face and a yellowish complexion, but his figure was straight, and he was followed by two subordinates, with an extraordinary momentum.

This person, he happened to know.

It was the leader of the Xianyang Cao Gang, Han Kun!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 107 =====