Chapter 16

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Chapter 16: Locate the Flaw

     

As the group emerged from the sour jujube forest, the sky was gradually darkening. Fortunately, the journey back was uneventful. The moment they stepped out of the dense forest, both Yanming Hermit and the remaining juniors let out a long sigh of relief. This ‘harmonious’ treasure hunt trip had finally come to a successful conclusion. They had preserved their lives, completed their mission, and obtained the treasure. Naturally, this treasure belonged to each of them individually. Just the thought of it warmed their hearts, like having a cat scratching an itch in their hearts.

     

Yanming Hermit smiled at everyone and said: “Young heroes, let’s not get too excited. Let’s wait until we leave Thumb Peak to talk in detail.” Then, he led everyone back to the base of Thumb Peak where they had been earlier.

     

Seated around the reclining cow-shaped rock, Yanming Hermit spoke up: “Young heroes, this mission has been successfully completed. Now, I ask that each of you take the results of this journey back to your respective sects. Additionally, please convey my regards to your masters on behalf of this Yan. Let’s meet again at the same place on the Dragon Raising Day of the second lunar month to share a drink and exchange stories.”

     

After finishing speaking, as if not wanting to linger, he didn’t wait for anyone to respond. He simply bowed, displayed his lightness technique, and swiftly departed the mountain.

     

The remaining people looked at each other and nodded in agreement. The Tan brothers took the lead, walking away in their unique manner. Following them were Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing. They bowed to Ma Xiangyang and Situ Ping, then turned to leave.

     

Suddenly, Wen Wenhai stopped, as if remembering something, and said to Situ Ping: “Gang Leader Situ, the other day when passing through Lu Town, I intervened in a trivial matter and saved a group of farmers. I fear I may have caused offense. I hope Gang Leader Situ can forgive me.”

     

Situ Ping, being astute, quickly replied: “It’s this one’s subordinates’ fault for any discourtesy. Please forgive us, Young Hero Wen. If there are similar matters in the future, I hope Young Hero Wen will still lend a hand to protect the reputation of the gang.”

     

Wen Wenhai smiled and said, “Certainly, certainly. I’m sure we’ll meet again someday.” With that, he and his junior martial sister swiftly departed following their original path.

     

In the blink of an eye, only two people remained by the reclining cow-shaped rock. At this moment, Situ Ping began to feel somewhat uneasy. Fortunately, Ma Xiangyang spoke up: “Gang Leader Situ, I won’t say much else. Since you are aware of this matter and have also been involved, I invite Gang Leader Situ to accompany me to Ten Thousand Swords Peak as my guest for a while. Everything will be decided by our Sword Master. What do you say?”

     

Situ Ping nodded: “I’ll follow Young Hero’s orders.” Then, she followed Ma Xiangyang back along the original path.

     

After a while, the area around the reclining cow-shaped rock was deserted again.

     

As dusk fell, just as several martial artists were galloping away, Zhang Xiaohua and Butcher Liu also hurried back to Guo Village.

     

Liu Qian and Liu Yueyue were originally sitting in the Zhang family’s small house chatting, also helping Guo Sufei with some needlework. When Butcher Liu approached, Liu Yueyue happened to look up and glanced outside, her gaze passed over the low wall of Zhang’s courtyard. Seeing the sturdy figure she had been waiting for all day, having looked outside countless times without success, Liu Yueyue couldn’t hold back any longer. “Wah~~” She cried out, and dashed out, throwing herself into Butcher Liu’s arms.

     

“Daddy!” Tears fell like pearls on a jade plate, and Butcher Liu held his daughter, patting her shoulder tenderly, his own eyes reddening. He had thought that letting the children go out to have fun during the New Year would be a joyous occasion, but he hadn’t expected this turn of events. It seemed the children had been frightened. Liu Qian, who came out afterward, also had tears streaming down her face. After seeing her loved ones after such an accident, she couldn’t control her emotions.

     

Zhang Cai also came out of the house with his crutch and let Butcher Liu in. With so many people coming in, the small main room seemed even more crowded. Fortunately, the villagers exchanged brief pleasantries and left for home. Zhang Cai escorted them to the door, expressing his gratitude repeatedly.

     

Zhang Xiaohua also returned to the small house to visit his two older brothers. Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu’s injuries were quite severe. At the time, they both shielded their father, Zhang Cai, from the group of evil servants and as a result, most of the blows landed on them. Fortunately, Zhang Xiaohu had no fractures and was currently lying on the kang, speaking to his older brother with low spirits. Zhang Xiaolong’s injuries were similar to Zhang Xiaohu’s, but he had a broken arm.

     

Last night, he had been tortured by the veterinarian Old Chen, and he woke up in pain during the night. He had been feeling dazed and lethargic all day, unable to conceal his lack of energy at the moment. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua enter, Zhang Xiaohu asked: “Have Liu Qian and their family arrived?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Yes, they just came in.”

     

Zhang Xiaohu then asked: “No one else?”

     

Xiaohua curiously asked: “Who else could it be?”

     

Xiaohu replied: “The matchmaker!”

     

Zhang Xiaohua was at a total loss.

     

Zhang Xiaolong chuckled beside him and said, “Don’t listen to Second Brother’s nonsense.”

     

In a flash, Zhang Xiaohua understood what was going on. Then, jokingly, he said: “Well, even if she doesn’t come today, it’ll be tomorrow. It’ll take time to prepare the betrothal gifts and such. We should at least thank our brave big brother here. Just think about it, facing twenty or thirty ruffians, Big Brother, you fought for the love of a beauty. Big Sister Liu Qian must have been deeply moved. If you don’t offer yourself to her soon, the heavens and the earth will grow old waiting for your love, won’t they?”

     

Now it was Zhang Xiaohu’s turn to be puzzled: “Why would the heavens and the earth grow old for love?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua replied with a smug grin: “If the heavens have feelings, they’ll grow old too. Big Brother’s feelings move the heavens and earth.”

     

Zhang Xiaohu retorted: “What are you showing off, you bookworm, it’s not called betrothal gifts, it’s dowry. Besides, Liu Qian’s father is a teacher, our future sister-in-law is well-read. When Big Brother gets influenced by her, won’t he be more scholarly than you?”

     

Zhang Xiaolong couldn’t bear it anymore and couldn’t help but scold Zhang Xiaohua: “What do you know, you brat? Don’t just repeat what Old Two says. We’re just joking around, don’t drag Liu Qian into this. It wouldn’t be good if someone overhears.”

     

Just then, someone approached from the hall. A crisp, slightly hoarse voice said: “Who’s talking about my big sister? Bring her into what? I happened to overhear it.”

     

The three brothers looked up and saw that it was Liu Yueyue, accompanied by Butcher Liu, who had come to see them.

     

Butcher Liu had a twinkle in his eye as he looked at them, and Liu Yueyue also looked at them with a teasing expression. Liu Qian, behind them, blushed and lowered her head, keeping silent. Zhang Cai, as the host, stood back with his crutch, not paying close attention to their conversation.

     

Zhang Xiaohua saw them come in, and as soon as they noticed a group of people suddenly barging in, Zhang Xiaohu had a strange expression, while Zhang Xiaolong’s face turned red as if he had done something wrong. Zhang Xiaohu tried to sit up, but Butcher Liu held him back affectionately, saying: “Virtuous Nephew, you’re still recuperating, so it’s best not to move.” Zhang Xiaohu struggled for a moment but couldn’t break free, so he obediently lay back down.

     

Zhang Xiaohua looked at the ‘affectionate’ expression on Butcher Liu’s face and couldn’t help but curse in his heart. Zhang Xiaolong also tried to get up, but with one hand being inconvenient, he attempted and failed. Liu Qian hesitated for a moment, then went over to support his shoulder, helping him up. Their eyes met for a moment, an electric sensation passing between them, making their faces even redder.

     

Butcher Liu also saw it, his face beaming like a flower. He said to Zhang Xiaolong: “Worthy Nephew, you truly embody righteousness. To stand up against the tyrant and save my daughter and niece, Old Liu here owes you a debt of gratitude.” With that, he got off the kang and deeply bowed to Zhang Xiaolong. Zhang Xiaolong quickly extended his hand, saying: “Please, Uncle, it’s what I should do. Your gesture might shorten my life, you know? Xiaohua, help Uncle down.” Zhang Xiaohu took the opportunity to sit up as well, while Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly tried to support Liu Butcher, but he was too strong. The ceremony was already completed. Now Zhang Xiaolong was at a loss, he looked at Liu Qian for help, but she didn’t dare to speak up, and Liu Yuanyuan was the same.

     

Zhang Cai spoke up: “Child’s Uncle, don’t be too polite with them. Young people are always passionate, weren’t we like that when we were young? No need for too much formality. The child’s injury is not serious, a little rest will do. Let’s go outside and have a couple of drinks.”

     

Butcher Liu stopped talking and said with a smile: “Heroes are still born from the youth. We’re all old now. Alright, you young folks have a good chat. We won’t disturb you. Us old folks will go have a drink.”

     

After that, he turned around and went back to the main room alone. Zhang Cai followed suit, leaving Liu Qian and Liu Yueyue in the small house of the Zhang brothers.

     

Seeing the somewhat awkward atmosphere with Liu Qian blushing like a peach and Liu Yueyue’s eyes darting around, Zhang Xiaohua immediately said: “Big Sister Liu Qian, you look really beautiful today. I’ll go play outside while you two talk.” With that, he dashed out, leaving the two pairs of men and women alone.

     

The romantic feelings between a man and woman were quite strange indeed. Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian only met briefly in the fabric store, had they not encountered the gang of thugs in Lu Town, they might not have even met for a second time in this lifetime. The troubles in Lu Town highlighted Zhang Xiaolong’s passionate side, leaving Liu Qian with a favorable impression. Now, after just a few short hours of being together, with some deliberate encouragement from certain individuals, Liu Qian was starting to feel a sense of attachment.

     

The thought of having such a man care for her for a lifetime seemed like a destined arrangement from heaven. Looking at Zhang Xiaolong’s handsome face, albeit tanned by the sun and wind, he exuded a masculine charm that her big brother lacked. As a result, her heart harbored even more thoughts. Butcher Liu spent the night at the Zhangs’ house, and the night passed without a word.

     

The next morning, Zhang Cai kept Butcher Liu company, discussing farming and mulberry planting. Guo Sufei, on the other hand, stayed with Liu Qian and Liu Yueyue in Zhang Xiaohua’s room, taking care of the injured brothers. At this time, Guo Sufei found herself liking Liu Qian more and more. Whether it was her appearance, her figure, or her skill in housework, there was nothing to fault. And to top it off, the girl even had many housekeeping skills that Guo Sufei didn’t know about. Just look, early in the morning, Liu Qian arranged several pots of plants in the main room and put some flowers in Zhang Xiaolong’s room. The whole house immediately looked bright and pleasing to the eye.

     

She was really a good…Daughter-in-law candidate~