Volume One: Wandering Without a Trace Chapter Twenty-Two: The Elder and the Young

Seeing the support from our brother “Zhu Xiansheng” in the book review section, I can only repay him with an extra chapter. Thank you!

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Yang Ning knew that most of the people in this tavern were likely members of the escort team. Seeing only a ragged young man enter, they paid him little mind.

Most of the tables inside were already full, the place dark and crowded with at least twenty people. Yang Ning spotted a table in a corner that was somewhat empty; in the dim light, he could make out only two figures sitting there. He walked over, unable to see their faces clearly, and cupped his hands with a smile: “Pardon me, there’s nowhere else to sit. May I join you?”

The two said nothing more, and Yang Ning took a seat on the bench. He immediately caught the scent of meat wafting from the other tables. He hadn’t had a proper meal in days, and now that he’d found this tavern, he meant to eat his fill.

He had some loose silver he’d gotten from Lord Mu, more than enough for a meal.

The wind and rain outside showed no signs of stopping. Yang Ning found it odd that the room was so dark yet no lamps had been lit. As he wondered about this, a voice called out, “Gentlemen, the lamps are here!” Immediately, a worker appeared from the back, carrying two oil lamps. He hung one on each wall.

The tavern brightened at once, and by the flickering light, Yang Ning could finally see the two at his table: one old and one young. Opposite him sat an elder in a grey-brown robe, about fifty years old, with a thin black beard and a refined, scholarly air. Despite his age, his complexion was rosy and he looked well cared for.

To Yang Ning’s left sat a youth around fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features and bright eyes, which were fixed on Yang Ning with suspicion.

There were three small dishes on the table, a bowl of braised meat, and a pot of wine. Only the elder had a wine cup before him, and none of the dishes seemed to have been touched.

Yang Ning saw the young man staring at him suspiciously and smiled: “Let me introduce myself. My name is... Little White Rabbit. Traveling depends on friends—please don’t take offense.”

The youth replied coolly, “We are not friends.” He said no more, turning his gaze away. Yang Ning noted his troubled expression and thought, for someone so young, he certainly has a lot on his mind.

He turned and saw the tavern worker beside him, eyeing him strangely. Yang Ning coughed and said, “What are you looking at?”

“I’m wondering if you’re here to avoid the rain or to drink.” The worker’s tone was disdainful. “If you’re just escaping the rain, go wait under the eaves outside. Don’t disturb these two.”

Yang Ning’s clothes were filthy and tattered, worn out from days of wandering. Anyone who didn’t take him for a beggar would have to be blind.

He didn’t argue, but placed a piece of silver on the table, pointing to the dishes: “Is this enough for these dishes? Bring me another set.”

The worker sneered, “Where did you get that silver? Did you steal it?”

The youth beside Yang Ning frowned and said calmly, “No one should judge others so lightly. You have no proof, so how can you accuse him?”

Yang Ning hadn’t expected the youth to speak up for him and felt a sudden fondness for him. Just then, the elder coughed, picked up his wine cup, and glanced at the youth, who, hearing the cough, realized something was amiss and lowered his head.

The worker, seeing the youth speak, dared not say more and turned away.

Yang Ning glanced at the nearby table, where five or six men in short, sturdy clothing sat, each with a weapon—mostly sheathed broadswords—at hand. Though there were many dishes, there was no wine pot; it seemed they were abstaining.

He thought, rightly so. If they’re an escort team transporting goods, there are likely many rules, and drinking may be forbidden.

A sudden clap of thunder sounded outside; the wind and rain only grew stronger. Someone at the next table said, “Master Lu, looks like this rain won’t stop anytime soon. Should we keep going?”

Beside him, an old man stroking his white beard replied slowly, “We must hurry. We can’t delay on this journey. Rest for a short while, then we’ll press on. We can’t spend the night here. There’s a government inn twenty li ahead; we can rest there.”

“You’re remarkable, Master Lu,” someone laughed. “The roads of every district are in your mind. The towns and inns along the way—you know them all.”

Another added, “On this road, Master Lu’s connections are unmatched. You newcomers don’t know his reputation here. Take the inn ahead; others couldn’t stop there, but Master Lu’s years of escorting have built relationships. We’ll have a place to rest when we arrive.”

The old man, with some pride, said, “In this line of work, connections are everything. More friends, more paths. If you make enemies everywhere, no matter how skilled you are, you won’t survive.”

“Master Lu is right,” the others agreed. “You’re our elder—teach us what you know.”

Lu smiled, “There’s not much to teach. Remember: make friends, not enemies. Smile more, draw your blade less.”

Suddenly he stood and said, “Everyone, get ready. We’ll go twenty li further to rest at the inn ahead. It’s best not to linger in the wilds.”

Many stood at once; some brought raincoats and bamboo hats to the door, clearly prepared. People began to put them on; Lu drank a cup of tea and was about to rise when Yang Ning saw the grey-robed elder approach Lu and ask quietly, “Where is your escort headed?”

Lu immediately became wary. “Who are you, sir?”

Yang Ning had suspected from the start that this pair wasn’t part of the escort team; now, hearing their conversation, he knew he was right.

The elder turned his hand, producing a piece of gold, which he slipped into Lu’s hand. Most of the escort team was busy donning rain gear and paid little attention.

Lu frowned, about to speak, but the elder said quietly, “I’m carrying something important to the capital and fear trouble on the road. I want to travel with you, for safety. Your destination is the capital as well, isn’t it?”

Lu hesitated. “The escort bureau’s rules forbid bringing strangers along unless absolutely necessary. But you seem in difficulty; traveling with us is no problem. But let me be clear: you must follow our rules. We can guarantee your safe arrival, but if you break our rules, don’t blame us.”

The elder smiled, “We’ll do everything as you say, and won’t cause trouble.”

Lu called, “Bring two raincoats!”

The elder returned to the table, bent to retrieve a parcel—a long object wrapped in black cloth. Its contents were unknown.

The youth and elder exchanged a glance and rose as well. Two sets of rain gear were brought over; they put them on without ceremony.

Several members of the escort team had already gone out. Lu donned his own raincoat, looked back at the elder, nodded. The elder smiled, holding his parcel, signaled the youth, and moved to follow.

They had only taken two steps when suddenly two sharp “crack” sounds echoed—the tavern was plunged into darkness. The two oil lamps had inexplicably gone out.

In that instant, Yang Ning saw the elder seize the youth’s arm and pull him behind, swift as lightning, his reflexes sharp. At once, chaos broke out in the tavern.

Yang Ning tensed, one hand reaching into his coat to grip his razor-sharp ice blade, fully alert.

Since leaving Huize City, Yang Ning had been cautious at every step. After his encounter with Lord Mu, his senses were heightened. The sudden extinguishing of both oil lamps struck him as deeply suspicious.

If only one lamp had gone out, it might have been an accident. But both going out at once meant trouble.

“Don’t panic!” Lu’s voice rang out in the darkness. “Everyone, calm down and be on guard. Until we know what’s happening, no one act rashly. Chen Liu, take your men and guard the escort wagons outside. Whoever has a fire starter, light it up!”

Lu was startled but unflustered, organizing his men with practiced skill—a veteran of the martial world.

Just then, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the darkness for an instant, painting the heavens with cold, desolate brushstrokes.

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This chapter is dedicated to our brother “Zhu Xiansheng”!