Chapter 397 – Tracking

At this moment, the donkey cart driven by that Banner Leader Gao had already gone quite a while. Zhang Xiaohua, afraid of delaying important matters, said: “Let me be honest with you. That so-called brother-in-law of yours already led his group westward from here. Seems like they discovered a useful clue. Also, I’m not the bandit who kidnapped your niece. If you’re looking for your brother-in-law, just head west.”

Yu Deyi turned to glance at the small path to the west. His feet slowly began moving in that direction, but he still asked: “If you’re not a bandit, how do you know I’m searching for a girl?”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled inwardly, but said aloud: “Exactly, that’s what I wanted to tell you. If you’re looking for your little niece, then you shouldn’t go west.”

“Huh?” Yu Deyi stopped curiously and asked, “Why not?”

“Because that’s the thieves’ ruse to lure the tiger from the mountain. The ones heading west are just small fry. The real culprit is the one riding that donkey cart.”

“What?” Yu Deyi exclaimed in surprise. “And how do you know that?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied with a smile: “Just now, when I pulled you aside, that bandit drove his cart straight out of the village and went east.”

“How come I didn’t see that?” Yu Deyi asked, puzzled.

“Because I’m taller than you.”

“This…” Looking at the masked man in front of him, who was only a few fingers taller than he was, Yu Deyi was speechless. That didn’t seem like a very solid reason.

“Then why didn’t you stop him? If your martial arts alone aren’t enough, the two of us together should manage, right? How about this: you chase after him, and I’ll go find my brother-in-law to report the news?”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head. “If I’d stopped him, I might’ve been able to save your niece—but I wouldn’t have been able to save the others. And if you go off to report this now, even setting aside whether you’ll still find that bandit when you return, locating his hideout will be much harder.”

Yu Deyi was a clever man and immediately understood what Zhang Xiaohua meant. “So, what you’re saying is we should follow the donkey cart? Just the two of us?”

Zhang Xiaohua cursed inwardly: What a load of nonsense. You think I actually want to bring you along? If I hadn’t been worried you’d bump into Banner Leader Gao just now, or that you’d go blabbing to your maybe-real-maybe-not brother-in-law later, would I even consider it?

But on his face, there was no expression—he merely nodded.

“The bandits’ lair is bound to be heavily guarded. Just the two of us may not be their match. I think we’d best inform my brother-in-law first.”

Zhang Xiaohua stared coldly at him without a word.

When Yu Deyi saw the look in Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes, his heart turned cold. He immediately said: “Very well. Since Your Excellency possesses such profound martial skills… then… so be it. I shall risk my life and accompany the gentleman into the wolf’s den.”

Yu Deyi understood clearly now—this man had no intention of letting him go. If he didn’t go along, he might very well be silenced on the spot. The feeling of being suddenly grabbed by the back of the neck just now was still fresh in his mind—it had been truly unpleasant.

“Good, very good. Since it was Brother Yi who volunteered himself, I can’t be accused of forcing you in the slightest.” Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile. “Besides, this journey of yours is for your own niece. Such sincerity is admirable!”

Yu Deyi secretly curled his lip.

Zhang Xiaohua gave a low whistle, and Huanhuan, the Sibu Xiang, came galloping from a spot outside the village. As it drew near, Zhang Xiaohua lightly leapt onto its back and smiled. “Brother Yi, shall we ride?”

Yu Deyi stared wide-eyed at the beast for a long moment, speechless. At last, he asked: “You… you’re riding this? Can you even catch up to the donkey cart with it?”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled. “It’s just a donkey cart, not a carriage. Why wouldn’t I be able to catch up?”

Yu Deyi had no words. True, the man had said it was a donkey cart earlier—using a mule to chase a donkey was, in fact, quite appropriate.

After thinking it over, he sheathed his longsword, swung onto his chestnut-red steed, gave the reins a flick, and his horse galloped forward.

Zhang Xiaohua also patted Huanhuan’s bald head. The Sibu Xiang picked up speed, its hooves flying as it kept pace right behind the chestnut horse, not falling behind in the slightest.

After a while, a voice rose from behind Yu Deyi: “Brother Yi, perhaps we should slow down a bit. At this pace, we’ll catch up to the donkey cart too quickly. Better to follow from a distance, don’t you think?”

When Yu Deyi turned his head, his eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets—the ugly mule was right behind him, keeping pace effortlessly. The masked man sat cross-legged atop it, and judging from the way the beast moved, it seemed completely at ease, as though it were on a casual stroll. Was that thing really a mule?

After recovering from his shock, Yu Deyi immediately dismissed the contempt he’d been harboring and, following Zhang Xiaohua’s suggestion, slowed down his horse.

Thus, one horse and one mule leisurely made their way down the small road. Zhang Xiaohua remained calm and confident, but Yu Deyi was far from settled. Ever since arriving at the village entrance, he’d been dragged off onto this side path by Zhang Xiaohua without seeing the slightest trace of the donkey cart. How could he be at ease?

He couldn’t help but cast a sideways glance at Zhang Xiaohua, thinking to himself: Could this guy’s actual target be the handsome and dashing me?

The thought sent a chill down his spine.

But Zhang Xiaohua didn’t even glance at him—instead, he kept his eyes closed, lost in who-knows-what thoughts. He didn’t seem the least bit interested in him. Hopefully, it was just overthinking on Yu Deyi’s part.

Sure enough, after the time it took to finish a meal, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly muttered: “This fellow is truly no ordinary cunning fox.”

They continued on their way. Once they reached a fork in the road, Zhang Xiaohua didn’t hesitate in the slightest—he directly turned onto a side path heading south.

Yu Deyi was stunned. How did this guy know to go south?

Could it really be because he stood higher and saw farther?

But I’m not much shorter than him!

Then, the thought dawned on him—This guy isn’t traveling alone! He must have companions up ahead who’ve already marked the road! Understanding this, the fear in his heart lessened. If there were reinforcements, then at least he wouldn’t be playing the lone hero.

They continued heading south, straight in the direction of Lu Town.

And to his surprise, the journey actually lasted two full days!

Fortunately, that Banner Leader Gao on the donkey cart didn’t travel by night either. He kept to the rhythm of moving at dawn and resting at dusk, often stopping at inns or even sleeping outdoors. This spared Zhang Xiaohua the trouble of pushing himself too hard to track them.

The only nuisance was nighttime—when it came time to sleep, Zhang Xiaohua would always find an excuse to quietly slip away, finding a secluded place to rest before returning at dawn the next day. Thankfully, Yu Deyi had some sense. Knowing they were now far from Pingyang City and that he had no one to rely on, he could only follow this mysterious wanderer. And seeing that this wanderer truly seemed to share the same purpose—to rescue people—he also followed Zhang Xiaohua’s instructions obediently. He neither tried to escape nor acted on his own.

That afternoon, the donkey cart veered slightly eastward, entering a narrow side path. Its speed noticeably increased. Zhang Xiaohua was startled for a moment, then swept his divine sense forward—and sure enough, up ahead lay a secluded mountain village. Zhang Xiaohua was delighted. This must be the destination that Banner Leader Gao is headed for.

He said to Yu Deyi: “Brother Yi, pick up the pace a bit. It’s getting late—I wonder if there’s anywhere up ahead where we can lodge for the night?”

Yu Deyi was taken aback and instinctively looked up at the sky, quite puzzled. He thought to himself: It’s clearly still early. Where’s the ‘late’ in this sky? Could this guy be dreaming? He spends all day with his eyes closed—maybe he doesn’t sleep well at night and loses track of time.

But outwardly, he just said: “I follow your lead, great hero.”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled inwardly and said nothing. He gave a pat to Huanhuan’s bald horn, and the Sibu Xiang quickened its pace. Not long after the donkey cart entered the village, the two of them arrived at a spot not far from its outskirts.

From a distance, they could see the barren woods just beyond the village. Zhang Xiaohua smiled and pointed, saying: “Brother Yi, this little mountain path seems to lead directly into the village. If I’m not mistaken, the donkey cart has gone inside. Say, since this is a path used for travel, don’t you think someone might be stationed inside, watching for anyone following?”

Yu Deyi’s heart trembled, and he shrank his neck in a shiver. “Great hero, you think they can see us?”

“They shouldn’t be able to. We’re not even at the end of the trail yet. Unless they’ve got eyes that can see a thousand miles.”

Hearing this, Yu Deyi let out a long breath of relief. “That’s good, then. As for how we’re to enter the tiger’s den, I’ll leave it to your instructions.”

Zhang Xiaohua looked at the now rather obedient Yu Deyi. Gone was the arrogant, overbearing man from years ago. Turning his gaze back toward the distant village, he said: “That’s simple. You stay here and keep watch. I’ll go take a look. If there’s anything strange—or if I find something useful—I’ll let you know. How’s that?”

“Huh? That’s it?” Yu Deyi was surprised to hear that he wouldn’t have to play the lone hero himself and would only need to help from the sidelines. He couldn’t help but feel a bit suspicious in his heart: “This guy lured me all the way from Pingyang City just to stand guard? That’s hard to believe. Could it be some kind of trap?”

Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile: “Or would you prefer to go in yourself, and I’ll stay here to keep watch for you?”

Yu Deyi hurriedly gave a wry smile and waved his hands. “Please, great hero, go on ahead. My martial skills are limited. Best I stay here and keep watch instead.”

His tone was nothing like the spirited arrogance he once had. Zhang Xiaohua found it rather curious—and chuckled to himself. Well, that’s only natural. Anyone who got thrashed by a bunch of ten-something-year-old kids five years ago and lost their confidence would end up like this.

With the arrangements settled, Zhang Xiaohua didn’t continue riding the Sibu Xiang. Instead, he used qinggong, leaping lightly onto the treetops and gliding forward.

By now, Banner Leader Gao had already driven the donkey cart to the innermost part of the village, in front of a massive manor.

The main gates of the manor were tightly shut, but Banner Leader Gao seemed unbothered. He jumped off the cart, stepped to the gate, and placed his hand on the door knocker, tapping out a rhythm in a measured sequence. With a creak, the doors swung open, and a burly man stuck his head out. Seeing Banner Leader Gao, he frowned and said: “Banner Leader Gao, why are you only just arriving now?”

Banner Leader Gao quickly clasped his fists and replied: “Steward Qi, I was held up by some mundane matters on the other side. I do apologize. However, I’ve brought the goods the Lord requested, so I ask for your indulgence.”

Hearing this, Steward Qi glanced at the donkey cart outside and then smiled. “Still as capable as ever, Banner Leader Gao—completing the master’s orders so early. Come, head over to the side gate. I’ll open it for you.”

Banner Leader Gao cupped his fists again, descended the steps, and led the donkey cart to the side entrance. By then, the side gate had already swung open. Just beyond it stood a screen wall, directly facing the entrance. Painted upon it was a lifelike white-foreheaded tiger with drooping eyes, staring straight at the donkey cart as it rolled in.