Chapter Forty-Seven: An Unwelcome Guest

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In truth, Zhao Yu had long anticipated that the followers of the Ming Sect would come looking for him again, though he had not expected it to be in such a manner. What had happened to the Ming Sect? Did they think that if the tiger doesn’t show its might, he is nothing but a sickly cat?

It was not entirely unreasonable for others to regard him as weak; if not for Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong’s presence, he would indeed be nothing of consequence.

So, when Lü Shi’nang and his companions had gone off into the distance, Zhao Yu wore a look of bitter resignation as he turned to Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong. “Brothers, we lack manpower! Do you have any trustworthy, skilled friends? When the day comes that we gather together, I shall hoist a grand banner inscribed with ‘Uphold Justice for Heaven,’ dedicated to righting the injustices of the world.”

Before Liangshan could become influential, he wanted to seize the right to use this banner, lest Song Jiang squander those noble words.

Anyone who wandered the martial world was bound to have a few like-minded friends—though Lin Chong was an exception. He was wholly devoted to serving the imperial court and rarely interacted with figures from the martial world.

“I have a sworn brother, surnamed Wu, given name Song, known as ‘The Second God of Guankou.’ We became sworn brothers at the mansion of Lord Chai in Hebei. Afterwards, when I went to the capital to visit Master Lin, he returned to Qinghe to see his elder brother.”

“So you and Wu Song are sworn brothers? Then he is my brother as well. Why didn’t you say so sooner, elder brother? I’ll send someone to find him—no, I’ll go myself!”

Zhao Yu was so delighted he could barely speak coherently. If he could bring Wu Song to his side, it would be perfect.

In his excitement, Zhao Yu did not notice that Lu Zhishen, when calling out to Lin Chong, no longer addressed him as ‘brother,’ but rather as ‘Master Lin.’

Lin Chong seemed not to notice either, and was just about to speak when a palace guard arrived at the door.

“Your Highness, the steward sent word that a man named Lu Junyi has arrived at the residence, claiming he was invited by you.”

“Did he come alone?”

“There appears to be a servant with him—”

Before the guard finished speaking, Zhao Yu had already leapt up and rushed out. In his mind, Yan Qing was far more important than Lu Junyi...

Lu Junyi was a man of great martial prowess, born to a wealthy family, and possessed a dignified presence that commanded respect even without anger.

Yan Qing stood by his side, dressed in plain blue with a small cap; aside from his strikingly handsome appearance, there seemed nothing particularly remarkable about him.

The distance from Daming Prefecture to Bianliang was not far, and Zhao Yu, under the pretense of official business, had sent his invitation to Lu Junyi’s residence with the urgency of an eight-hundred-li express.

Lu Junyi, not understanding the reason, brought Yan Qing and hurried over.

For days, Zhao Yu’s mind had been turning like a wheel, and after instructing Lin Chong, he had forgotten all about this invitation.

Outside, the guards had prepared horses, and as Zhao Yu mounted, another person suddenly came to mind.

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There was a rumor circulating online in later generations, claiming that Lin Chong and Lu Junyi were fellow disciples, their master had even instructed Wu Song in martial arts, and moreover, their master had taken on an even more formidable student—Yue Fei.

At this time, Yue Fei must still be in Xiangzhou, living a quiet life. No, he had to recruit him as well.

With this thought, Zhao Yu turned to Lin Chong and said, “When you return to the residence, send someone to Xiangzhou to find your junior, Yue Fei.”

Lin Chong was taken aback and blurted out, “How does Your Highness know I have a junior named Yue Fei?”

Zhao Yu patted his head, thinking that one shouldn’t trust everything online. They even claimed Lu Junyi was Lin Chong’s senior, yet Lin Chong hadn’t reacted to that.

“I guessed it. Just focus on helping me find this man.”

Though Lu Junyi came from a wealthy family, his status was worlds apart from Zhao Yu’s, so sitting in the prince’s side hall, he felt as though he were on pins and needles.

Yan Qing, on the other hand, was much more at ease. In his view, he was merely a servant; the prince sought his master, and he needed only to accompany him.

As they waited, faint footsteps sounded outside the hall. Lu Junyi and Yan Qing thought Zhao Yu had returned and hurried to greet him.

To their surprise, a servant led in a woman wearing a gauze hat.

“Miss, please wait here. His Highness will return shortly.”

Lu Junyi and Yan Qing were both puzzled. Surely Prince Yi wouldn’t bring a lady guest here?

Though the woman wore a gauze hat, her beauty was still faintly discernible. Her gaze swept over Lu Junyi and Yan Qing, then she quietly stepped behind the screen.

Their confusion grew. Judging by the servant’s manner, she was a guest like themselves, yet her familiarity suggested she might be an old flame of the prince...

With silent understanding, master and servant refrained from gossiping further. At that moment, a youthful, hearty laugh echoed from outside the hall.

“Master Lu, Little Yi, you made me wait long enough! Quick! Prepare the banquet!”

With those words, Zhao Yu strode in.

Lu Junyi and Yan Qing did not dare to be negligent and quickly stepped forward, bowing in greeting. “We greet Your Highness.”

Zhao Yu reached out to support them, looked them over, and sighed softly. “The Jade Qilin of Hebei—your reputation falls short of your presence. Little Yan, loyal and righteous, you have always been one of my most admired figures. Don’t worry, I invited you here with no ulterior motive, only to become brothers in heart and soul. These two are my eldest and second brothers—do you know them?”

As he spoke, Zhao Yu introduced Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong to Lu Junyi and Yan Qing.

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The martial world was not so vast; even if they had never met, they had certainly heard of each other. When Lu Junyi met the two, there was an immediate sense of mutual admiration.

Yan Qing, constrained by his status, could not be as open as Lu Junyi, yet he sensed that Prince Yi was especially warm toward him.

“You wait here—I’ll change my clothes. Tonight, we shall not part until we are drunk!”

Zhao Yu, eager to see Yan Qing, had rushed in without giving the gatekeeper a chance to announce him, and so was unaware of the woman behind the screen.

After leaving Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong to entertain Lu Junyi and his servant, Zhao Yu headed straight for the screen.

Behind the screen was another door that led directly to the inner quarters. With his mind focused, Zhao Yu rounded the screen and was startled to find someone there, nearly crying out in surprise.

Though he could not clearly see her face through the gauze hat, Zhao Yu felt a sense of familiarity.

“You…”

The woman gently removed her gauze hat, revealing an exquisite beauty.

But upon seeing her face, Zhao Yu froze as if he’d seen a ghost. He was about to cry out, but suddenly realized the gravity of the situation, and quickly covered his mouth with his hand, staring wide-eyed and incredulous.

“Your humble servant greets Your Highness. I apologize for coming unannounced—please forgive me.”

This woman, who had appeared so suddenly at Zhao Yu’s residence, was none other than Li Shishi, his emperor father's favorite.

Zhao Yu reacted swiftly, signaling Li Shishi with his eyes to follow him into the rear courtyard. It was terrifying—he had almost been caught sneaking a meeting with her. If word got out that Li Shishi appeared at his residence, it would be as bad as mud falling into one’s trousers—no matter what, it would be seen as filth.

Once they reached Zhao Yu’s private study, before he could speak, Li Shishi smirked and said, “Are you frightened, Your Highness?”

“Let’s not talk about fear just yet. Tell me, why have you suddenly come here?”

Zhao Yu replied with a bitter smile. He could tell Li Shishi was no fool, and since they bore no resentment, she had no reason to harm him. Her sudden arrival must signify something important...