Chapter Thirty-Eight: Visitors from the South

Because Zhao Yu had been kidnapped by Deng Yuanjue, he was unable to keep his appointment with the visitors from Jiangnan, and Boss Jiang clearly could not reveal Zhao Yu's true situation to them. So, even before their discussion had begun, the air was already thick with an unspoken dissatisfaction from the guests.

Sensing the tension in Lin Chong, who stood behind him, Zhao Yu immediately realized the source of the problem.

He rose, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, “My apologies to you both. I missed our meeting the other day due to certain unforeseen circumstances. Allow me to offer my sincerest regrets. If there is anything you need, please speak freely—for anything within my power here in Bianliang City, I shall not shirk my duty.”

The visitors hadn’t expected the legendary Brother Yu to be so “young,” but Boss Jiang’s attitude made it clear this was indeed the man they sought.

Seeing the awkward silence, Boss Jiang quickly stepped forward to introduce, “This is the renowned Brother Yu of Bianliang’s underworld.”

“Brother Yu, this is Ruan the Second, and this is Zhang Shun—”

“Pfft!”

Before Boss Jiang could finish, Zhao Yu sputtered his tea in shock.

When had Ruan the Second, the Standing Tyrant of the Ruan brothers, and Zhang Shun, the White Stripe in the Waves, become figures in the Jiangnan Canal Gang?

“Are you looking down on my brothers?”

Ruan the Second strode forward, glaring fiercely at Zhao Yu.

Sensing Ruan’s formidable presence, Lin Chong hurriedly stepped between them, eyes locked in a confrontation that seemed to spark with fire.

“Calm down! My apologies, brothers. I have always heard you two were heroes of the waterways in Shandong. Now you say you're from Jiangnan—it caught me off guard and I lost my composure. Please forgive me!”

Zhao Yu stepped out from behind Lin Chong, repeatedly clasping his hands in apology, while inwardly he wondered if he’d crossed into a false Song Dynasty—things seemed increasingly chaotic.

“Please, brothers, take a seat. Boss Jiang, have someone prepare wine and dishes. Tonight, I’ll drink with you both until we’re satisfied.”

Seeing that Zhao Yu’s demeanor was genuine, Ruan the Second and Zhang Shun’s expressions softened, and at Zhao Yu’s invitation, they sat down.

Zhao Yu knew Ruan the Second was the more mild-tempered among the Ruan brothers, but serving them tea would have been out of place.

Zhang Shun clasped his hands and said, “We’ve long heard that Brother Yu is capable of anything in the capital and is ever eager to help others. That’s why we hurried to meet you. If our manners were lacking, please don’t take offense.”

Truly, fame brings trouble as fat brings danger to pigs—these two had rushed to see him, likely seeking help for a brother who had been captured.

“Hehe! Friends in the jianghu overstate my abilities. I’m still young—small matters I can manage, but great burdens may be too heavy for my shoulders.”

Hearing Zhao Yu’s words, Ruan the Second and Zhang Shun exchanged glances. If this had come from some street rogue, it would have been normal, but from the reputed kingpin of Bianliang’s underworld, it was unexpectedly disappointing.

It wasn’t that Zhao Yu wanted to dodge responsibility, but Pan Wanchun’s affair had rattled him. Even with Lin Chong by his side, these two were no easy opponents, and luck might not always favor him.

“So the rumors are unreliable. Sorry for disturbing you; we’ll take our leave.”

Ruan the Second and Zhang Shun were direct—they stood and headed for the door, not giving Zhao Yu a chance to persuade them.

Just then, a large, stout figure strode in from outside.

“Master Lu!”

“Big Brother Lu, you’re finally back!”

Zhao Yu and Zhang Shun greeted him almost simultaneously.

It was Lu Zhishen who had entered. He nodded to Zhao Yu, then turned to Zhang Shun and Ruan the Second, surprised, “Eh? How are you two here?”

If Lu Zhishen hadn’t appeared, Zhao Yu would have been racking his brains to find a way to keep them—he was desperately short on allies.

Thankfully, Lu Zhishen was timely, though Zhao Yu didn’t reveal his relief, instead furrowing his brow, “Big brother, you know them?”

Ruan the Second and Zhang Shun were surprised as well, looking from Lu Zhishen to Zhao Yu, clearly perplexed about how these men were connected.

“No need for concern, brother. These two are good men I met in Jiangnan.”

“My friends, Brother Yu is a close comrade of mine. Don’t judge him by his youth—he’s loyal and true. I never expected you to know him as well; this is wonderful, ha ha!”

Hearing Lu Zhishen, Zhao Yu feigned sudden realization, bowed low to Ruan the Second and Zhang Shun, and said apologetically, “Forgive me, brothers. Due to some recent mishaps, I’ve been wary of outsiders. Please don’t hold it against me.”

Lu Zhishen’s arrival could not have been better timed; otherwise, those two would not have trusted this beardless youth.

Ruan the Second and Zhang Shun exchanged another look, still confused but turning back to sit.

With Lu Zhishen’s invitation, the group resumed their seats, though Lin Chong refused to join them, standing outside the door to leave space for Zhao Yu and his guests.

Lu Zhishen was dissatisfied with Lin Chong’s behavior, though he didn’t show it except through his eyes.

Zhao Yu said nothing further—in the hierarchical world of antiquity, Lin Chong’s actions were not out of place.

As they spoke, servants brought wine and dishes, and all unrelated people were sent away.

Seeing only the four of them remained, Zhang Shun stood again, “I have come from afar with a request for Brother Yu. Now that Master Lu is here, I hope Brother Yu can give my brothers a definite answer.”

Under such circumstances, Zhao Yu could hardly refuse, so he nodded, “Please, brothers, speak.”

“This time, Zhu Mian is transporting birthday tribute into the capital, among which is a stone tablet—a family heirloom of our leader. We have come hoping to recover it with your help, Brother Yu. Can you assist us?”

Hearing Zhang Shun’s words, Zhao Yu could only smile wryly—he’d guessed right; this time it wasn’t about saving a person, but retrieving an object.

Everyone knew that the cause of Fang La’s rebellion was the birthday tribute, and Zhu Mian’s work in Jiangnan was to create opportunities for Fang La’s uprising.

Precious flowers, rare stones—all were pillaged by Zhu Mian, who exaggerated Emperor Huizong’s needs for personal gain, leaving the people suffering bitterly. Sometimes Zhao Yu wondered if Zhu Mian might be Fang La’s mole in the court.

But that was digressing. After a moment’s thought, he asked, “What kind of stone is it, exactly? And are you certain Zhu Mian is already in the capital?”

“Zhu Mian himself has arrived, the tribute should still be en route. That’s why we hope to intercept it before the emperor sees it.”

Ruan the Second’s answer addressed Zhao Yu’s question, but not the crux of the matter. Everyone knew Emperor Huizong cared only for rare flowers and stones; if it were just an ordinary stone, it wouldn’t interest him, nor would Ruan and Zhang go to such lengths.

Before Zhao Yu could ask further, Lu Zhishen furrowed his thick brows, “What kind of stone could cause such a stir?”

As he spoke, Lu Zhishen suddenly seemed to recall something and turned sharply to look at Zhao Yu...