Chapter Three: Turmoil at the Teahouse

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Worried that the bandits had sent scouts ahead, Liang Yan chose only the narrowest trails, avoiding main roads at all costs. Even when exhaustion overtook him, he dared only to rest a few breaths by the trees before pressing on. By the time he reached the inn’s entrance, he saw seven fast horses already tethered there.

“Damn it, I didn’t expect them to ride so quickly. They’ve arrived ahead of me after all—I’m still a step too late.”

...

Inside the teahouse.

“Boss, we’ve searched the area; there’s not a soul around. Only an old monk sits in the back room.”

Chen Lin frowned. “An old monk? Let’s take a look.”

The group followed him inside. Arriving at the door, Chen Lin quietly sensed the presence within. Confirming that the old monk possessed not the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy, he relaxed and exchanged a glance with Second Brother Cheng.

Catching the signal, the latter’s face twisted into a cruel grin. He was about to enter to end the monk’s life when suddenly, a voice called out loudly from outside:

“Hey, old charlatan, fortune has smiled on you! My young lady believes whole-heartedly in the fortune you read for her yesterday, and she’s specially ordered me to fetch you. She wants you to cast another lot for her.”

As the words fell, the door banged open and in strode a boy of ten or so, tall and thin, dressed in coarse gray linen, clutching a small bundle.

“Don’t worry, you won’t read for nothing. I brought—” He stopped mid-sentence, only just noticing the crowd inside. He fell silent, instinctively hiding his bundle behind his back.

The crowd in the teahouse exchanged amused glances, guessing that the boy must have brought money for a divination.

Second Brother Cheng coughed amiably. “Young man, you’ve come to seek a fortune reading?”

The boy’s face paled, then he seemed to steady himself. “Who are you people? My master is a high official, and my young mistress is a lady of noble birth. I was sent here by my mistress’s command. If I don’t return soon, she’ll surely investigate.”

Second Brother Cheng was amused, but another thought occurred to him. He asked gently, “So you’re here on your young mistress’s orders?”

The boy, emboldened, placed his hands on his hips and proclaimed, “Of course! My mistress is admired by all. Even the sons of royal houses come to pay respects, not to mention the sons of ministers and wealthy gentry—our threshold is nearly worn down by those seeking her favor! Hmph, countless people would curry favor with us.”

If anything, his boasting only made Second Brother Cheng’s eyes gleam with lecherous intent. He leaned close to whisper in Chen Lin’s ear, who nodded with a thin smile.

With his approval, Second Brother Cheng said, “Young man, we’re seven traveling merchants. It’s fate that we meet today! Hearing about your young mistress, we’re filled with admiration. Would you do us the honor of an introduction?”

The boy shook his head vigorously. “No, no, that’s impossible! My mistress is here only to honor her ancestors and has sworn to see no one. If I bring you, I’ll have my legs broken for sure. Besides, who knows who you people really are...”

He was about to go on when suddenly, there was a loud bang. Stone Third Brother slammed his palm on the wooden table, shattering it into splinters.

“Boy, be smart. Ask yourself: is your skull harder than this table?”

The boy was dumbstruck, mumbling, “You... you...”

Second Brother Cheng coughed again. “Young man, we are but humble merchants, but our tempers differ. I’m willing to reason with you, but my companions may not be so patient. I advise you to cooperate, or else...”

The threat was clear. All courage drained from the boy; he wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, trembling as he looked at them.

Seeing his fear, Second Brother Cheng softened his tone. “Don’t worry, we seven brothers love making friends. We simply wish to meet your young mistress, nothing more.”

The boy, wavering, replied weakly, “If that’s all, I’ll introduce you. I’ve been out for a while. Why don’t you borrow our horses?”

Second Brother Cheng nodded. “As it should be.” He gave a signal to two of the bandits, who silently moved to flank the boy, trapping him between them to prevent escape.

None of them noticed the trace of a bitter smile that flickered across the boy’s face as he turned to leave.

This boy was, of course, Liang Yan.

He had overheard the bandits’ conversation in the forest and deduced they were lechers. In desperation, he invented a story about a beautiful young mistress to distract them. In truth, he was no servant of a wealthy household and had no idea how he’d produce such a lady for them.

Liang Yan smiled bitterly to himself. Should they discover his ruse, he’d be the first to die. He could only hope to lead them far enough away to give the old monk a chance to escape.

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He sighed inwardly. “Old monk, I hope you’re clever enough to slip away. You saved my life; now I’ll repay you. Then we’re even. I, Liang Yan, may be nothing special, but I’m not one to forget a debt!”

In the inner room, the old monk was sitting cross-legged in meditation. Everything happening outside was clear to his senses. He’d noticed the bandits long ago and, seeing their leader was only a first-stage Qi practitioner, hadn’t taken them seriously.

But when Liang Yan returned, lurking suspiciously outside, the old monk grew curious. Soon enough, he understood Liang Yan’s intention and could not help but smile.

“This boy is devilishly clever—a handful, indeed. His temperament may be extreme, but he distinguishes clearly between gratitude and resentment, and values loyalty. With a little guidance, he might yet walk the right path...”

Unconsciously, the old monk began to think of Liang Yan as half a disciple.

He was about to act, his prayer beads floating to his hand, when he caught a sound with his right ear and quietly put the beads away.

“It seems this teahouse is about to get lively. I’ll wait and see.”

By now, Liang Yan had led the group outside the teahouse, ready to depart, when a sudden clatter of hoofbeats sounded from the main road. Chen Lin and the others halted at the sight.

A black-clad middle-aged man dismounted, knelt on one knee, and reported, “Chief, the target and their party suddenly quickened their pace, traveling through the night. They’re now less than ten miles away.”

“What?” Chen Lin’s eyes blazed. “Didn’t our scouts say they wouldn’t arrive until the day after tomorrow at the earliest?”

The man replied anxiously, “I don’t know what changed, but they barely rest, only sleeping for a few hours at night. I didn’t dare delay and only just managed to stay ahead of them.”

Chen Lin’s expression eased. “If they’re in such a hurry to meet their fate, we mustn’t keep them waiting. Brothers, stick to the plan.”

Second Brother Cheng sidled up and whispered, “What about this boy and the old monk? Should we kill them and bury the bodies?”

“It’s too late now. Among the targets is a formidable expert. At her level, she’s extremely sensitive to the scent of blood. If she suspects anything, it’ll ruin our plans.”

“Then what do we do?”

Chen Lin pondered. “The old monk hasn’t moved all this time; maybe he’s blind or deaf—no threat. As for the boy... aren’t we short a tea servant? Let him play the part. People are least wary of children, wouldn’t you say?”

Second Brother Cheng’s eyes lit up and he gave a thumbs up. “Brilliant!”

Chen Lin smiled coldly. Secretly gathering spiritual energy, he flicked his finger and a blue dagger shot out, embedding itself an inch from Liang Yan’s foot and shattering the stone beneath.

“Listen, brat. I won’t lie to you. We’re about to do something big. Soon, you’ll pretend to be a tea servant and do exactly as we say. If you do a good job, we’ll let you go. If you mess up, I’ll kill you on the spot—just like that stone!”

His murderous glare froze Liang Yan, whose face went pale and body trembled as he nodded in terror. Inwardly he thought, “From what I heard in the forest, among the targets is an expert even this purple-robed man fears. They’re setting an ambush rather than a frontal assault. If their plan succeeds, I’ll be the first to die. My only hope is to warn the newcomers, disrupt the scheme, and escape in the ensuing chaos.”

“But the purple-robed man is watching my every move. If I show any sign of warning, I’ll be killed instantly. How can I possibly get out of this?”

Though usually clever and resourceful, Liang Yan found himself at a loss.

While he was thinking, the others were already changing into their disguises. Second Brother Cheng played the innkeeper, one bandit the waiter, Stone Third Brother and the rest posed as tea-drinking guests, while Chen Lin hid in the rear room. Stone Third Brother handed Liang Yan a tea servant’s outfit, which he accepted with a sigh. “All I can do now is improvise...”

Once everyone was in place, Liang Yan took up a broom and began sweeping the courtyard. After a while, a flurry of hoofbeats sounded outside.

A woman strode into the courtyard—a tall, slender figure in a crimson martial outfit, black sash at her waist, a sheathed blade on her back, and her hair tied in a high ponytail. Even her ankle was adorned with a red ribbon.

She cast a sharp gaze around, meeting Liang Yan’s eyes without flinching, scrutinizing him from head to toe. Liang Yan hurriedly lowered his head, terrified of provoking the hidden purple-robed man.

After a couple of glances, the red-robed woman lost interest and entered the teahouse.

“Innkeeper, we’re taking all the rooms tonight.” She tossed a silver ingot on the table.

Second Brother Cheng feigned reluctance. “That’s not so easy, miss. You see, those folks over there came first, and we’re just a small business. I can’t afford trouble.”

The woman’s eyes flicked over. “No matter. As long as they don’t bother us, it’s fine. I just want the back rooms. No one else is to stay here tonight.”

Second Brother Cheng’s eyes gleamed and he grinned, taking the silver and calling for the assistant.

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“Come, clear a table for our guests and give it a good wipe!”

The red-robed woman gave further instructions, to which Second Brother Cheng nodded obsequiously. Only then did she seem satisfied. She raised her hand to her lips and gave a sharp whistle.

Her party entered in procession: a dozen guards surrounding a middle-aged, elegant lady, who led a small girl by the hand. The girl wore a green jacket, her brows delicate and her eyes bright, hair tied in two little tufts behind her head. Quiet and gentle, there was yet a spark of spirit in her gaze—a beauty in the making.

For some reason, as soon as the little girl entered and saw Liang Yan, she stared at him with open curiosity, making him uneasy. He scratched his head, thinking, “Do I have something on my face?”

Only when the red-robed woman called her did the girl reluctantly look away.

“What are you staring at so intently, little one?”

The girl’s cheeks flushed. “It’s nothing, Aunt Qing. I’m just tired from the journey. Since there’s a teahouse, let’s rest and have some water.”

The woman affectionately patted her head. “You’ve worked hard these days. Circumstances have changed, so we must hurry. Fortunately, Cloud City isn’t far now. We’ll rest here tonight.”

With that, she led the girl and the lady to a clean table, calling out, “Innkeeper, bring two pots of cold tea!”

“Right away!” Second Brother Cheng replied, passing two pots to Liang Yan with a meaningful look.

Liang Yan took the tea and cups, then quietly walked to the table. He knew the tea must be poisoned, and once they drank, the massacre would begin.

He longed to warn the red-robed woman, but knew that any unusual action or word would result in instant death at the hands of the man in the inner room.

Step by step he approached, setting the tray of teapots and cups on the table before turning to leave, never uttering a word.

As he turned, the red-robed woman seemed to pause ever so slightly before regaining her composure.

The little girl’s face was rosy. She had been stealing shy glances at Liang Yan the whole time, and now her face was as red as an apple, eyes downcast. Liang Yan, too tense to notice, missed it entirely.

The middle-aged lady smiled, gently patting the girl’s head before picking up the teapot and pouring tea for the three of them. The girl, parched, raised her cup to drink, but the red-robed woman stopped her.

“Innkeeper, please send your assistant over. I have a few questions.”

Second Brother Cheng, just beginning to savor his impending success, was thrown into confusion. He quickly barked at the fake waiter, “Did you hear that? Go see what the guest wants. Serve them well, or you’ll answer to me!”

The disguised bandit hurried over. The red-robed woman, without turning, said coolly, “We have certain standards when dining, and even more so when traveling. Why don’t you take the first sip for us?”

The bandit was caught off guard and momentarily speechless.

But in that instant of hesitation, the red-robed woman’s mind was made up. Without turning, her blade flashed—a silver arc—and the waiter’s head flew into the air, blood spattering everywhere.

She drew her blade, shielding the girl and the lady, as the guards closed ranks around them.

“Hmph. If the assistant was in on it, the innkeeper cannot be innocent,” she said coldly.

In a flash, the bandits’ carefully laid plan was shattered. Chen Lin and his men, instead of striking, found themselves outmaneuvered.

For a moment, they were stunned. But as men hardened by the wilds, they quickly regained their composure.

Second Brother Cheng sneered. “Impressive, miss. When did you see through us?”

She met his gaze with icy indifference, clearly unwilling to answer.

With a crash, a cup shattered on the ground. Second Brother Cheng snarled, “Take them!”