Hearing the voice, Wang Xiu chirped delightedly, "Big Brother is back!"
The little girl waved her little arms in excitement, rushing eagerly out of the skywell toward the front gate.
Both Zhang Yuanqing and Queen saw the sudden shock in each other's faces.
*What kind of timing is this? Returning right now? Fuck, is this dungeon trying to kill me? Out of the wolf's den and straight into the tiger's jaws!*
Zhang Yuanqing had known that after leaving the imperial palace, they were very likely to run into forces from the Azure Dragon Gang or the Shenrui Army. After all, both belonged to the dungeon's "elite mob" tier. But he never imagined that immediately after escaping the palace, he would dive headfirst into the home of an Azure Dragon Gang member.
*Calm down, calm down. So what if he's an Azure Dragon Gang member? He doesn't know I'm the emperor. Maybe he's just an ordinary foot soldier. Even if he does know, I can easily subdue him and hypnotize him... But what if he's an expert?*
Dusk was approaching. If a fight broke out, it was bound to attract the city guard's attention. Once their whereabouts were exposed, certain death awaited them.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, the footsteps at the doorway drew closer. A tall, imposing young man with stubbled cheeks strode inside. He wore a teal short-coat and carried a cloth-wrapped weapon on his back.
Wang Xiu sat perched on his shoulder, her little hands wrapped tightly around her brother's head, beaming with joy.
The stubbled young man had been smiling broadly, but seeing three strangers standing beneath the skywell, his steps halted, and his smile vanished.
He scrutinized Zhang Yuanqing and the others, then turned to his mother. "Mother, we have guests?"
Aunt gave him a cold, unwelcoming snort before snapping, "What guests? These are your younger cousins!"
The stubbled young man froze on the spot, utterly baffled. "Cousins? Dad and I are both only sons, and Uncle and Second Uncle only had boys. Where on earth would I get a female cousin? And this isn't my cousin either!"
Aunt froze too. At that moment, her perception clashed with her true memories, throwing her mind into chaos. She mumbled, "My eldest brother only had sons... only sons?"
Seeing this, the stubbled young man's expression grew steadily grave. Stepping back two paces, he lowered Wang Xiu from his shoulder and reached back to grip the cloth-wrapped weapon.
Queen instantly tensed.
Jiang Jingwei scowled, arching her back as she dropped into a poised, ready stance.
Though she had not fully grasped the situation, a Fire Master's combat instincts were razor-sharp, and she had already sensed the hostility coming from the plain-clothed young man.
*He caught that something was wrong the instant his mother got confused instead of pressing further, and he knew to set his sister down before fighting. Doesn't feel like a Fire Master. If he isn't a Fire Master, there's still a chance...* Zhang Yuanqing's mind moved quickly. Tucking his right hand behind his back where Queen could see, he pointed toward Aunt.
It was a signal for her to take a hostage.
Queen caught his meaning at once and quietly sidled closer to the dazed, bewildered Aunt.
Zhang Yuanqing stepped forward with Jiang Jingwei, putting themselves between the two sides.
Sure enough, the stubbled young man's expression turned grim to the extreme, yet the hand gripping his weapon hesitated.
His sharp gaze swept across the unfamiliar man and two women. Then he looked down and said to his little sister, "Xiu'er, go to the door and see if the old man is back yet."
Young Wang Xiu could not understand the tension in the air. She gave an obedient "mm" and trotted outside on her short legs.
Once his sister's figure stepped over the threshold and disappeared from sight, the young man pulled his hand back, releasing his grip on the weapon. He gave a hearty laugh and said, "So it's my cousins who have arrived! Cousin, how about we step aside for a quiet word?"
His eyes were glued to Zhang Yuanqing, practically radiating a look of *don't push me to fight to the death*.
Zhang Yuanqing read his emotion and breathed an inward sigh of relief. The fact that the man had not chosen to launch a direct assault meant he lacked the confidence to protect his mother, which ruled out the possibility of him being a Saint.
A Saint could have wiped out the three of them in an instant.
Zhang Yuanqing smiled. "No need. Let's just have Aunt head back to her room."
Stepping aside for a quiet word was out of the question. If the man suddenly lunged and took him captive, it would become a hostage-for-hostage standoff.
Queen caught on immediately and said with a smile, "Aunt, you look unwell. Let me help you inside to rest. Don't mind Cousin."
Hearing her son acknowledge them as "cousins," Aunt's cognitive conflict dissipated. Rubbing her forehead, she said, "Why did I suddenly get dizzy? Hmph, I never feel good whenever I lay eyes on your cousin."
Supported by Queen, she retreated into the main house.
The young man glanced at the closed door and attempted to step into the skywell courtyard. The moment he took a stride, Zhang Yuanqing said, "Cousin, stay right where you are."
The young man reluctantly stopped, his voice dropping low. "Whose crew do you run with? Say what you want outright. But let's be clear: my life isn't on the table. If you're here for revenge, then make your move."
Zhang Yuanqing said, "Draw your sword and slit your throat right now."
The young man sneered. "If that's how it is, then I'll just have to be motherless."
"What's your trade?"
"Killing!"
"Saber or sword?"
"Sword!"
"Who's your master?"
"No master."
"How did you learn without a master?"
"Crude skills I taught myself."
"Azure Dragon Gang?"
"Yes!"
"What position?"
"Enforcer."
Across the skywell, the two fired questions and answers back and forth at breakneck speed. Zhang Yuanqing intentionally gave the man no time to think, hurling questions in rapid succession, and the young man answered just as fast, blurting out words without contemplation.
Both kept their eyes locked dead on each other.
"Drop the sword!" Zhang Yuanqing said.
The stubbled young man unfastened the sword from his back and tossed it down by his feet.
"Kick it away," Zhang Yuanqing ordered.
The young man kicked the sword several yards away with a single boot.
Zhang Yuanqing's expression relaxed, and he smiled. "We are merely passing through and mean no harm. We only wish to stay for a couple of days."
The young man said nothing.
Zhang Yuanqing took three paces forward with Jiang Jingwei, halted, and reached into his robes. "If you don't believe me, I'll show you something."
The young man still kept silent.
Zhang Yuanqing pulled out a golden pocket watch, aimed it at the young man, and clicked it open with a snap.
The young man, who had been staring intently at his right hand on guard against a hidden weapon, found his gaze drawn helplessly to the watch face.
As the second hand ticked forward, his eyes suddenly went blank, his pupils dilating as he froze stiff where he stood.
Zhang Yuanqing whispered, "I am your cousin Li Erdan. She is your younger cousin Li Erya. The one inside is your elder cousin Li Daya."
He repeated it three times like a hypnotic chant. The young man mumbled blankly to himself, "You are my cousin Li Erdan. She is my younger cousin Li Erya. The one inside is my elder cousin Li Daya."
Relieved, Zhang Yuanqing clicked the watch shut. With a sharp snap, the young man shivered, and the light returned to his hollow eyes.
Seeing Zhang Yuanqing and Jiang Jingwei standing right before him, the young man was taken aback for an instant, then broke into a delighted, boisterous laugh.
"Cousin, long time no see! What brings you to the capital?"
Zhang Yuanqing sighed, patting Jiang Jingwei's head. "The Northern Dynasty invaded, and our parents died in the fires of war. I had no choice but to bring my two sisters to the capital to seek refuge with Uncle and Aunt."
Knowing the man was an Azure Dragon Gang member, Zhang Yuanqing deliberately added to cater to his sentiments, "A foolish tyrant sits on the throne while corrupt ministers wreak havoc. Morals are declining, and men's hearts are not what they once were."
Hearing this, the young man agreed vehemently, gnashing his teeth. "Until the tyrant dies, the nation will never prosper!"
Jiang Jingwei did not interject, but mentally admired him: *Yuanshi Tianzun knows so many idioms!*
Just then, an angry shout came from the doorway: "You bastard! Are those words you should be saying aloud? If you have a death wish, don't drag the family down with you!"
It turned out Uncle Wang had returned, with Wang Xiu toddling along right behind him.
The young man snorted, opting not to spar with his father, and headed straight for his room.
Uncle Wang called out to stop him. "Hey! That room is for your cousins! Scram to the main house and sleep on the floor!"
The young man simply detoured to the kitchen, found a small dish of roasted beans, and sat beneath the skywell to eat, chewing with loud, crunchy snaps.
Once Uncle Wang returned, Aunt emerged from the room and went into the kitchen to tend the fire and cook. Jiang Jingwei and Queen followed to join the bustle, one chopping vegetables and the other stoking the fire.
The three men sat under the skywell chatting. Before long, Zhang Yuanqing learned his "cousin's" name: Wang Beiwang.
Its meaning came from *the southern armies gazing north*!
Every subject of the Southern Dynasty harbored the dream of marching north to reclaim their lost homeland. A name like "Beiwang" was as common in this world as names like "Jianguo" or "Jianjun" back in Zhang Yuanqing's modern life, so it was hardly a literary masterpiece.
Uncle Wang cared deeply for this newly arrived nephew. Upon hearing that he had not found work yet, he patted his chest and promised to arrange something.
Zhang Yuanqing expressed his thanks and added, "I'd like to follow Cousin around."
"What's wrong with living a few more years?" Wang Beiwang chewed on his beans, handed over a palmful, and said bluntly, "You're frail and weak in limb. Even Erya looks sturdier than you. Just rest and recover at home for a while."
Saying so, he pulled three taels of silver from his pocket. "Here, take it."
Three taels of silver was no small sum. In the thriving capital of the Southern Dynasty, an able-bodied laborer only earned about one tael a month.
"Thank you, Cousin," Zhang Yuanqing accepted with a grin, planning to leave it on the bedside table the next morning.
They definitely could not stay here for long. But night had already fallen, and the city was under curfew; going outside now was far more dangerous. They had no choice but to stay for one night and head to the Tianji Tower tomorrow to regroup with the Palace Master and the others.
Uncle Wang chewed a few beans and frowned, worry creeping over his weathered, dark face.
"I heard His Majesty plans to sacrifice three hundred boys and girls to Heaven."
"Foolish tyrant!" Wang Beiwang sneered. "He'd better hide in the palace forever. If he ever dares step outside, I'll run him through with my sword!"
No sooner had he spoken than he saw his cousin lift his rear and drag his stool further away.
"Cousin, why are you sitting so far away?"
"Your sharp edge is showing too brightly, Cousin. I'm afraid you might stab me to death by accident."
"Look at that..." Uncle Wang scolded angrily. "Your cousin is warning you not to keep spouting 'tyrant, tyrant' all day long! One day you'll end up dead because of that loose mouth of yours!"
Wang Beiwang retorted, "Dad, didn't you give me this name hoping I'd serve the country with utmost loyalty?"
"What does brawling and picking fights have to do with serving the country with utmost loyalty?"
Wang Beiwang looked down, chewed a bean, and changed the subject: "Dad, don't worry. The boys and girls will mostly be taken from villages outside the city. Xiu'er will be fine. I came back today to let you know that I'll be leaving the city for a few days. I don't know when I'll be back."
*He might never come back.*
Zhang Yuanqing immediately sensed the peculiar emotion in him and quickly asked, "Cousin, what are you heading out of the city for?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask." Wang Beiwang flicked a bean into his mouth, cutting off any chance for Zhang Yuanqing to probe for information.
Shortly after, Aunt, Jingwei, and Queen each came out carrying two dishes. The three men picked up their stools, left the skywell, and entered the main hall.
Dinner was simple: four vegetable dishes, while the only meat was fish and cured pork.
This household was not wealthy, but they could afford meat.
After dinner, the family dispersed from the table. Queen, Wang Xiu, and Aunt stayed behind to clean up the leftovers, while Jiang Jingwei, who had never received that kind of upbringing, followed Zhang Yuanqing into the room half-full to go to sleep.
Zhang Yuanqing lay on the bed for a quarter of an hour until Queen pushed the door open. Once she had closed it securely, he spoke:
"Tomorrow is the final day. All the dangers of the second stage will likely converge tomorrow. Don't let your guard down; we leave at first light."
Queen nodded in full agreement. "Today was dangerous enough. Luckily, Wang Beiwang's cultivation isn't strong, or a Transcendent-stage hypnosis tool might not have affected him."
They had barely exchanged a few words when Jiang Jingwei's heavy, rhythmic snoring filled the room.
Zhang Yuanqing swallowed a medicinal healing pill and injected a vial of diluted Life Source Fluid. Sighing, he said, "Let's sleep. I really envy Fire Masters."
He pulled the covers up.
Queen blew out the oil lamp, plunging the room into darkness.
After an unknown amount of time, a sudden chill struck the crown of Zhang Yuanqing's head, like a bucket of icy water dumped over him in the dead of winter.
No, not *like* it—a bucket of cold water had literally been dumped on him.
As consciousness returned, he immediately felt limp and weak throughout his limbs. Groaning softly, he opened his eyes.
He was still inside the room, but not on the bed. His hands and feet were bound, and he sat on the floor propped against the wall. Beside him, Jiang Jingwei and Queen had received the exact same treatment.
A few meters away, Wang Beiwang leaned on his planted sword, a wooden bucket tilted beside his feet.
The stubbled young man narrowed his eyes, his voice low and cold. "What's the real story with the three of you?"
Chapter 858