Volume 1: Forgetting Each Other in the Jianghu Chapter 355

The five horses galloped swiftly, and before they could rein them in, they had already charged far ahead. Hearing voices behind him, Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly but pretended not to notice. He patted his Sibu Xiang and continued forward.

After the five riders managed to pull their steeds to a stop by the roadside, they saw Zhang Xiaohua’s shabby carriage moving along at a leisurely pace, unhurried and calm. Seeing this, they didn’t rush to intercept him. The leader of the group asked: “Jiang Heshu, is that the dilapidated little carriage you spoke of?”

The thick-browed Jiang Heshu nodded. “Yes, Hall Master Qiu, that is the very carriage.”

Hall Master Qiu stared at the carriage for a while, then mused: “It doesn’t look any different. Can you really tell how many people are inside just by looking?”

“Hall Master, you jest. I don’t have eyes that can see through walls. How could I possibly know?”

“Then why…?”

“It’s like this, Hall Master. Yesterday, as I led our brothers along this route to support you, I happened to spot this carriage by the roadside. At the time, I only glanced at it and didn’t pay much attention, but seeing it again today, I noticed something peculiar.”

“Oh? You’re quite observant. No wonder I brought you in from the outer hall. Tell me, does your reasoning hold any water?”

“Your insight is keen, Hall Master. Look at this shabby old carriage, it’s already falling apart. If it belonged to an ordinary family, they’d have tossed it outside to rot or chopped it up for firewood. Yet this young man is using a mule to pull it, and has traveled for two days. Isn’t that odd?”

Hall Master Qiu frowned and replied: “Little Jiang, your logic doesn’t quite add up. Rural families are extremely poor. It’s not as you say, that they throw things away or chop everything up for firewood. This young fellow using such an ugly mule to pull such a broken-down carriage is perfectly normal. There’s nothing strange about it.”

“But, Hall Master, after traveling for two days, he should have at least made some repairs to the carriage. Look at those wheels, they’re already crooked and look like they can barely hold together. I’d wager another half day on the road, and the whole thing will fall apart. If he were truly planning a long journey, wouldn’t he have fixed it up beforehand?”

“Well…” Hall Master Qiu seemed stumped for a moment, then laughed. “To be honest, I really don’t see the wheels about to fall apart. Little Jiang, how can you tell?”

“I… When I was young, before joining the hall, I worked as a coachman at a carriage and horse company.” Jiang Heshu replied sheepishly.

Zhang Xiaohua, who had been secretly eavesdropping on their conversation up ahead, nearly tumbled off his carriage when he heard this part. His luck really was abysmal, this carriage had been bought secondhand, abandoned and unused for ages, naturally unfit for long journeys. He never intended to use this rickety thing to escape; he just wanted to safely deliver Miss Nie to the escort agency, hand things over to the professionals, and be done with it. Yet before even reaching Danhe City, he had already run into an expert!

Behind him, Hall Master Qiu, ever the curious one who had to get to the bottom of things, continued: “Little Jiang, you know our sect has yet to reveal itself in the martial world, so we must keep a low profile in all things. I can’t go disturbing the people based on just your simple deduction. Do you have any other evidence?”

Though Zhang Xiaohua privately looked down on Hall Master Qiu’s so-called ‘low profile’. After all, they were killing and robbing all over town, recruiting openly, and still claiming not to disturb the people. He was also eager to know where the flaw lay, so he listened even more intently.

He then heard Jiang Heshu say: “There’s more, Hall Master. With your profound internal strength, you should be able to sense how many people are inside the carriage just by standing beside it.”

Hall Master Qiu nodded: “That shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Exactly. If it were one of those luxurious carriages we saw earlier, traveling swiftly and silently, you could easily hear the breathing of those inside as you passed by. They wouldn’t be able to keep their numbers secret. But listen to this carriage, it creaks and groans the whole way. Can you tell how many people are inside? Clearly, they chose this old carriage specifically to avoid detection.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua secretly rejoiced. He hadn’t realized he was actually this clever, though it took someone else to point it out. No wonder people always say, ‘There are many fine horses, but few true judges of talent.’

Hall Master Qiu nodded slightly, and Jiang Heshu added: “Actually, Hall Master, there’s one more crucial point.”

“Oh?” Hall Master Qiu was a bit displeased. After all this talk, the most important part was still being kept under wraps?

Seeing Hall Master Qiu frown, Jiang Heshu hurried to explain: “You know, Hall Master, I used to be a coachman. Look at that carriage, the seat appears to be broken, and as it moves, it bounces up and down quite a bit. That kind of motion means there must be something heavy inside, or perhaps several people. Maybe even two young women? And look at the mule in front. Oh, wait, that doesn’t seem to be a mule. I’ve driven mules before, and this one looks like it’s struggling. Mules are slower than horses, but they’re strong and good at pulling loads. If even the mule is having a hard time, then there must be something very heavy in that shabby little carriage!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat. Of course, the longsword was strapped to the back of his Sibu Xiang. How could it not be struggling?

To think the way he’d arranged this carriage had revealed three flaws to an outsider! Sigh, it just went to show his experience in the Jianghu was still lacking. This so-called expert clearly wasn’t just anyone.

By now, Zhang Xiaohua had already driven the carriage a fair distance ahead of the five men. The group, however, wasn’t in a hurry, still enthusiastically discussing their findings behind him. He heard Hall Master Qiu laugh and say: “Little Jiang, your martial arts may be lacking, and you may not command respect, but I still made you team leader because you’re observant and thoughtful. Not bad at all! To spot so many issues from just this broken-down carriage proves I didn’t misjudge you. If you really do find those two young girls and fulfill the sect master’s orders, I’ll see you handsomely rewarded.”

Jiang Heshu was overjoyed at these words, and humbly replied: “It’s all thanks to Hall Master Qiu’s great fortune that I was able to notice these things.”

Hall Master Qiu chuckled and continued: “But, after all your analysis, what if this young man is just a country tenant who borrowed a broken carriage to deliver grain to Danhe City? Grain is heavy, and maybe he plans to repair the carriage once he gets to the city. Wouldn’t all your deductions fall apart then?”

“Uh…” Jiang Heshu was left speechless.

Hall Master Qiu said smugly: “You’re out of ideas now, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Hall Master, perhaps I was mistaken.”

“Right or wrong, it doesn’t matter. I have a way to find out whether you’re correct or not!”

Jiang Heshu’s face was full of anticipation as he asked: “Please, Hall Master, teach me your method!”

“Hahahaha!” Hall Master Qiu burst into hearty laughter. “All this deduction is nonsense! Just stop him and have him open the carriage curtain, that’ll settle it!”

With that, he spurred his horse and charged forward.

At this moment, Hall Master Qiu had already tossed aside the sect master’s instructions to “not disturb the people” to the farthest reaches of the heavens.

Seeing Hall Master Qiu in such high spirits, Jiang Heshu was overjoyed as well. He urged his horse to follow, not forgetting to flatter and show concern: “Hall Master, your wisdom is unmatched! I can only hope to keep up. Still, please be careful, remember what happened to Deputy Hall Master Zhang.”

Watching Jiang Heshu both flatter and care for the hall master, the other three men’s eyes sparkled with admiration. No wonder he’d managed to rise from a mere coachman to team leader, he truly was a talent!

Indeed, the one driving the carriage was just a youth. Even if he knew some martial arts, how could he possibly be a match for Hall Master Qiu? Such words naturally warmed Qiu’s heart, filling him with a spring-like sense of satisfaction. No doubt, even if there was nothing unusual in the carriage, Jiang Heshu would soon be promoted again.

Hearing the sound of hooves behind him, Zhang Xiaohua could only sigh inwardly. “You could have taken the main road, but instead you insist on crowding onto this narrow bridge.”

The five riders quickly caught up to the carriage. Hall Master Qiu shouted in a thunderous voice: “Hey, you there! Stop the carriage!”

The five of them surrounded the carriage, drawing their swords from their waists, faces full of vigilance. After all, even if they hadn’t eaten pork, they’d at least seen pigs run. If they weren’t good at flattery, they could at least learn by watching. Seeing that the youth was unarmed, they too drew their swords, putting on a show of loyal determination.

Hall Master Qiu was quite pleased with his subordinates’ performance. Putting on a stern face, he asked: “Young man, where are you taking this carriage? And what exactly are you carrying inside?”

Zhang Xiaohua shivered as he climbed down from the carriage, cupping his fists respectfully. “Honorable sirs, are you the garrison soldiers of Danhe City?”

Hall Master Qiu was taken aback, not daring to claim such a title lightly. He could only reply: “We are not officials of the government.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua visibly relaxed. “If you’re not government officers, then please step aside. I’ve already reported to the city garrison. If there’s any issue, you should speak with the city guards instead.”

With that, he turned as if to leave. Seeing this, Jiang Heshu raised his sword and barked: “Boy, stand still! Didn’t you hear the master asking you a question?”

Zhang Xiaohua jumped in fright, but still rolled his eyes, responding indifferently: “Didn’t I just say? This carriage has already been reported to the garrison. Since you’re not soldiers, kindly step aside.”

In truth, when Zhang Xiaohua stopped the carriage, Hall Master Qiu had already listened intently for any movement inside. With his profound internal strength, he could just barely make out the breathing of two people within, which aroused his suspicion. Yet this youth kept mentioning the authorities, which made him hesitate. Still, unless he saw with his own eyes, he couldn’t rest easy. After a moment’s thought, he pulled out a large silver ingot from his robe and said: “Boy, if you answer my questions, this will be yours.”

Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback, but then broke into a wide grin. “If you give it to me first, I’ll gladly answer.”

Hall Master Qiu sneered, then tossed the silver ingot at Zhang Xiaohua with considerable force. Zhang Xiaohua was startled, thinking to himself: “Could it be that they’re about to make a move?”