Chapter 82

Chu Huan and Wei Tianqing were drinking and talking in the room when they suddenly felt the surroundings brighten. They both turned to look and saw the light shining through the window paper. Unbeknownst to them, the sky had already brightened.

Wei Tianqing let out a long breath and said, "Brother Chu, you almost lost your life because of this matter. If I had kept it a secret, I would have felt guilty. Now that I have told you everything, I feel much more at ease." He then smiled and said, "Brother Chu, you turned a crisis into safety. I am very relieved, but I will not let you suffer in vain." After a moment's thought, he finally said, "Brother Chu, why don't you come with me to the capital city today? Although I am not very capable, it would not be difficult for me to arrange a position for you in the Imperial Guard... You are very capable, and you will surely rise to prominence one day!"

Chu Huan bowed and smiled, "Thank you, Brother Wei!"

"Since that's the case, do you have anything to pack?" Wei Tianqing thought Chu Huan had agreed, and he wouldn't think Chu Huan would refuse such a good opportunity. He smiled, "But once we get to the capital city, I will make sure everything is arranged for you, so there's no need to pack much."

Chu Huan smiled, "Brother Wei, if you are offering this because you feel sorry for my suffering, I cannot accept it."

Wei Tianqing was taken aback and then frowned, "Brother Chu, do you not wish to come with me?"

As the commander of the Imperial Guard, Wei Tianqing held a high position. If he offered to bring Chu Huan to the capital and arrange a position for him, it would not be just a small position in the Imperial Guard.

Such a good opportunity was something many people would beg for, but Chu Huan seemed to be refusing.

Seeing Chu Huan just smiling without speaking, Wei Tianqing urged, "Brother Chu, do you know how good this opportunity is? Once you join the Imperial Guard, I will not treat you poorly!"

Chu Huan did not dislike Wei Tianqing's personality. Wei Tianqing, a martial man, had a rather generous and righteous character, but perhaps because he had been in office for a long time, he naturally had a bit of the official's manner.

Although Wei Tianqing was offering to take Chu Huan to the capital, perhaps with good intentions, Chu Huan felt a hint of condescension in his words.

And he did not like that feeling.

However, Wei Tianqing's sincerity was evident, and to be fair, this was a very good opportunity. Chu Huan did not want to refuse outright. After some thought, he finally said, "Brother Wei, I'm afraid I cannot go with you today... But I will remember your kindness!"

Wei Tianqing actually admired Chu Huan's abilities and asked, "Brother Chu, do you have another good opportunity?"

"Brother Wei, you are joking," Chu Huan waved his hand and smiled, "I am just a commoner, where could I find another good opportunity? But... Brother Wei, I have some matters to attend to here. I will consider joining the Imperial Guard..."

Wei Tianqing thought for a moment and nodded, "That's fine. Everyone has their own aspirations. If you have other plans, I will not force you. But this concerns your future, so think carefully and don't make a hasty decision. Once you decide to join the Imperial Guard, come to the governor's office to find me..."

Chu Huan knew Wei Tianqing's good intentions and stood up, bowing, "Thank you, Brother Wei!"

Wei Tianqing also stood up and laughed. Just then, a voice came from outside the door, "Sir Wei, Sir Lan has sent word. It's already dawn, and the first snow has fallen. To avoid delays, please depart early!"

Wei Tianqing was surprised, "It's snowing?" He walked to the bed in a few steps, opened the window, and saw the snowflakes dancing outside. They had not noticed that the first winter snow had quietly arrived during their conversation.

The first snowflakes fell like goose feathers, and outside the window, a few plum trees were blooming. The fragrance of the plum blossoms came from the bitter cold, and the snow did not stop them from blooming.

The snowflakes landed on the plum blossoms, and the elegance of the plum blossoms and the purity of the snowflakes coexisted beautifully.

Chu Huan walked to Wei Tianqing's side and, looking at the snowflakes dancing in the sky, said softly, "The first snow welcomes spring... Once the first snow comes, spring is not far behind!"

Wei Tianqing glanced at Chu Huan and smiled, "Brother Chu, I didn't know you were so sentimental." He paused and said, "I will return to the capital city first and wait for you there!"

Chu Huan smiled, "I will definitely visit you, Brother Wei!"

Wei Tianqing noticed Chu Huan's thin clothing and said, "Wait a moment!" He went out the door and returned a moment later with a cotton robe, which he personally draped over Chu Huan.

Chu Huan was taken aback and then smiled, suddenly thinking of something. He asked softly, "Brother Wei, there is one thing I don't understand. Can you tell me?"

"Go on," Wei Tianqing said.

"The knife wounds on Zhao Bao's body... were they inflicted by your men?" Chu Huan had been puzzled by the dagger wounds on Zhao Bao's body.

Wei Tianqing shook his head, "I don't know. Perhaps it was arranged by Zhao Hongwen..."

At that moment, a voice came from outside the door, "Sir Wei, Sir Lan has everything ready and is waiting for you!"

Wei Tianqing replied, "I understand!" He turned to Chu Huan and said, "Brother Chu, I must return to the capital city. Take care!"

Chu Huan said, "I will see you off!" The two walked out of the county office together. It was not yet fully light, and Lan Tingyu and the people from the capital city were already wearing straw hats. County Magistrate Hu was bound and being escorted on a horse by a burly warrior.

County Magistrate Zhao was also seeing them off at the county office gate. Wei Tianqing put on a straw hat and cloak, then mounted his horse, looking at Chu Huan and smiling, "Brother Chu, I will be waiting for you in the capital city!" Without another word, he whipped his horse and shouted, "Let's go!"

The group did not linger and left in the snow, disappearing in a short time.

After they left, County Magistrate Zhao looked at Chu Huan and smiled, "Chu Huan, I apologize for the trouble you've been through. Don't take it to heart."

Chu Huan, who had learned from Wei Tianqing that County Magistrate Zhao was a deeply scheming person and had almost caused his death, replied coldly, "Thank you, sir."

County Magistrate Zhao said, "Shall I have someone fetch a carriage for you?"

"I dare not trouble you," Chu Huan bowed and said, "I will take my leave." Without another word, he left the county office and walked away in the snow.

...

Leaving the street where the county office was located, Chu Huan looked around. The first snow was falling, and the streets were sparsely populated. Those who had to go out early were hurrying along, busy with their livelihoods.

Reflecting on the events that had transpired, he realized how treacherous human nature could be. He understood that once he entered the bureaucracy, such deceptions would be unavoidable.

Walking down the street, the snow was accumulating, and Chu Huan felt for the copper coins in his pocket. After being imprisoned, strangely, the guards had not searched him, perhaps thinking that a poor man like Chu Huan would not have anything valuable. Thus, the copper coins given to him by Su Niang were still in his pocket.

He stopped at a street vendor selling breakfast, where a few people were eating. Chu Huan had two bowls of porridge and two pancakes, paid with the copper coins, and then asked the vendor, "Excuse me, where is Baling Hall?"

The vendor was taken aback and then looked uneasy, turning away without speaking.

Chu Huan frowned and heard a cold voice behind him, "You're looking for Baling Hall? What do you want with Baling Hall?" Chu Huan turned around to see a man with a sharp face and a monkey-like appearance standing up, wearing a coarse cotton robe and smirking.

"Do you know where Baling Hall is?" Chu Huan asked, staring at the man.

The man chuckled, "Of course I know... In Qingliu City, I haven't met anyone who doesn't know where Baling Hall is. Are you from out of town?" He shook his head and said, "But your accent doesn't sound like it. What do you want with Baling Hall? Are you thinking of joining?"

Chu Huan thought for a moment and finally said, "Take me to Baling Hall!"

The man laughed, "Don't say I didn't warn you. To enter Baling Hall, you need to bring a gift...!" He looked Chu Huan over. Chu Huan was wearing the cotton robe given by Wei Tianqing, which made him look not too poor. The man nodded slightly and said, "You don't look like a pauper. Here's the deal: you give me a gift for introducing you, and I'll take you to Baling Hall!"

"An introduction gift?" Chu Huan smiled faintly, "What kind of gift?"

The man laughed, "If you go to Baling Hall without an introduction, the brothers will give you a beating... With my introduction, it will be much easier for you!"

"I see," Chu Huan smiled, "So you are a hero of Baling Hall?"

"Under the Fourth Master!" The man puffed out his chest, pointing to his own chest with his thumb, proudly saying, "You must have heard of Green-faced Fourth Master?"

Chu Huan nodded, thinking, "I've not only heard of Green-faced Fourth Master, I've seen him. I even broke his leg just now." But he smiled and said, "Alright, lead me there, and I'll give you a generous introduction gift later!"

The man, dressed in ordinary clothes and not looking particularly strong, spoke with a hint of inferiority despite his confident tone. Chu Huan knew that even if this man was from Baling Hall, he was likely a minor figure.

Chu Huan had fought Baling Hall twice in Liujia Village and Hesheng Spring. If this man had been involved, he would have recognized Chu Huan. The fact that he didn't recognize him meant he wasn't even qualified to cause trouble.

"You can't lie to me!" The man said, "I'm from Baling Hall. If you lie to me, you'll be in trouble!"

Chu Huan smiled, "I won't lie to you!"

The man then said, "Let's go, I'll take you there." He didn't pay for his breakfast and led Chu Huan toward Baling Hall.

The snow was getting heavier, and it looked like a heavy snowfall was coming. The man quickened his pace, leading Chu Huan through several streets and alleys. He pointed ahead and said, "That's Baling Hall. Don't forget to give me the introduction gift... I'm under the Fourth Master. If you lie to me, you'll be in big trouble!" He reminded Chu Huan several times about the introduction gift, afraid he would forget.

They arrived at a large house. The red gate and high walls were imposing, with two fierce stone lions guarding the entrance. The red gate was closed, and the sign above it read "Baling Hall Martial Arts School."

Chu Huan then realized that Baling Hall was a martial arts school.

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ps: I have a high fever, didn't sleep all night, and my body is burning. I hope I don't die... Please give me some support.

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