Chapter 20

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Obedient

The rain was coming down in droves, yet the two seemed unfazed and continued walking leisurely.

As they walked past the Distant Gray Platform, the ruthless wind roused up once again. Seeing this, Huo Linfeng tilted the oilpaper umbrella, moving it closer to block Rong Luoyun from the assaulting wind.

A few steps later, Rong Luoyun silently reached out to pinch the other person’s wrist, straightening the umbrella.

Huo Linfeng tilted it to the side again, Rong Luoyun pinched him again, he tilted it once more, Rong Luoyun pinched him once more. They repeated this over and over, playing back and forth, and before they knew it, they were already almost at the Thousand Opportunities Hall. Huo Linfeng couldn’t endure any longer: “Palace Lord, my wrist is about to be pinched into pieces.”

“Then be good and stop moving.”

The umbrella’s edge immediately slanted again. Huo Linfeng decided right away to not be good and moved a little. His actions were full of provocation, yet his words were full of hopelessness: “This way, you’ll be covered fully. Why are you telling me not to move?”

Rong Luoyun replied: “Then you will be rained on badly.”

Huo Linfeng turned to take a look. On his own side, his exposed arm was constantly being pelted by the falling rain. He was astounded. So it turned out all those times the other party corrected his hand was to prevent him from being rained on.

“I don’t mind, I’m already drenched anyway,” he said. Suddenly, he felt the urge to confirm something, “Palace Lord, were you waiting at the gates for me the whole time?”

Rong Luoyun answered: “Can’t be counted as ‘the whole time’. I had just gotten there.”

Huo Linfeng peeked at the lantern: “Oh?” The candle within was close to burning out, evident that it was lit a long time ago. He asked mercilessly: “You only just got there?”

Rong Luoyun was silent for a while before saying: “A cup of tea’s time.”

Huo Linfeng believed this even less: “A cup of tea? Or do you mean a pot of tea?”

Rong Luoyun said, annoyed: “Fine, two hours.”

This was more believable, yet Huo Linfeng smugly continued: “Getting the Palace Lord to speak the truth is so troublesome. I’ll just go ask one of the patrolling disciples later. I’m sure they would know.” He was merely joking with no real intention to ask other people.

But, who would have known that, when they were about to reach the Nameless Abode, Rong Luoyun would break the lantern’s handle with a snap. He admitted in a dark voice: “I waited from the hour of you *.”

* hour of you – 5-7 pm

Huo Linfeng held the umbrella a little higher in shock. From the hour of you? From the hour of you to the hour of chou *, he waited for a total of eight hours? He moved his lips: “Palace Lord……” He turned to look at the other, his voice warm and gentle.

*hour of chou – 1-3am

Yet Rong Luoyun said coldly: “You thought I was waiting for you? I was merely waiting for the information you bring back.” Lowering his head, he pulled the broken bamboo handle together, “If you keep asking random things, I’ll beat you broken as well.”

They had already arrived at the Nameless Abode. Huo Linfeng obediently closed his mouth and followed in.

Crossing over the gravel and arriving under the veranda, Rong Luoyun removed his shoes and socks, walking barefoot upon the floor. Huo Linfeng put away the umbrella and followed suit, placing his black boots beside the white silk shoes.

His whole body was frozen all over, with only the soles of his bare feet slightly warm. His smallest movement would cause rainwater to come dripping down, so he stood unmoving, fearing that Rong Luoyun would make him wipe the floor. His flesh can break, his blood could flow, but he cannot, will not, do servant work.

Rong Luoyun did not know someone was secretly slandering him. Without taking off his cloak, he went to light the candles and entered his room to search for a few dry towels. He came out with a whole bundle, tossing the whole stack onto the other person.

With this move, it would nonetheless incur hostility.

“Thank you, Palace Lord, for your care.” Contrarily, Huo Linfeng was actually content. Removing his hair crown and outer robe, he wiped himself dry. With a woolen blanket wrapped around himself, he finally bid farewell on this freezing night. On his way out, he caught sight of the food box on the ground and felt his stomach rumble.

Trying to emphasize his day of hard work, he said: “Palace Lord, I’m hungry.”

Rong Luoyun retorted sarcastically: “How pitiful.” He picked up the food container and headed for the hall. He himself had not eaten yet either, “Seeing your stupid look, I will reward you with some food.”

Huo Linfeng felt his heart go sour and felt as if he was dunked in cold water. So this was what it felt like to be mocked. A little embarrassing, a little annoying, but even more so amusing. Not holding back, he burst out in laughter.

The two sat across one another on the table. There were plenty of dishes: steamed fish, roasted duck, and tender greens. It’s just that there was only one bowl of rice. Rong Luoyun had placed the bowl in the center so the two of them could share.

After all was said and done, he was still a noble from the Marquis Manor. Every now and then, his young master nature would reveal itself. Huo Linfeng took a bite of fish maw and clicked his tongue: “It’s too cold and tasteless.” Then he tried the roasted duck, “The meat isn’t tender, clearly not fresh.”

Rong Luoyun swallowed a cup of hot tea to moisten his throat, urging himself not to get angry.

He reached out for some rice. The tips of two pairs of chopsticks met. Only then did Huo Linfeng remember his circumstances. His careless words had already been said, but it was better late than never to correct his mistakes: “But it’s really delicious…… I can’t have enough of it.”

Rong Luoyun ate silently, not bothering to pay attention to him. Only when he filled his stomach did he finally clear his throat. He has already come back, already dried, already warmed up, already eaten, now it was time to talk about proper business.

He stroked the teacup in his hand, asking: “How’s the situation in Han Prefecture?”

Huo Linfeng replied grimly: “Answering the Palace Lord, the past glory is no more, leaving behind only death and desolation.”

Rong Luoyun had anticipated this. Standing up, he beckoned with his hand, bringing the other party to his study in the inner hall. He sat down in front of his desk piled with brushes and papers of all sorts. He went to personally grind the ink: “Draw a map for me.”

Huo Linfeng raised the brush and drew a simple map of Han Prefecture including its main roads, offices, and granaries. Each location was recorded and drawn distinctly. Rong Luoyun praised inwardly. Who would have thought he would also be good at drawing maps on top of all his other skills?

Having drawn numerous maps in his military tent, it has become second nature for Huo Linfeng to mark a small flag next to the granary. During war, this was used to signify locations to occupy. Finishing his drawing, he flipped the paper over and drew a much more detailed map of Jia Yanxi’s estate on the backside.

Feeling the tickle of someone’s breath, he looked up. Rong Luoyun had propped onto the table on his elbows, crouching down across from him to examine the paper. He was very close, so close that the shadow of his eyelashes could be seen in the lantern light, wavering and vivid.

At this time, Rong Luoyun asked: “Did you see Jia Yanxi?”

Huo Linfeng replied: “En, average height with a mole on the left side of his face.” He stopped and pursed his lips. The scene with the two people emerged in his mind. After some consideration, he continued, “Jia Yanxi has two martial artists by his side. Two burly swordsmen. The numerous commoners who were slain outside the government office were presumably killed by them.”

Rong Luoyun looked up: “What did they look like?”

“They were both wearing dark official uniforms and each wore a mask.”

Rong Luoyun’s pupils shrunk, his fingers clenching fiercely onto the table’s ledge. The table’s corner actually broke off under the force. Wooden pieces fell and splinters dug into his flesh. He closed his eyes and pushed down the crashing tide of the thousand thoughts emerging in his mind. When he opened his eyes, they had returned to their usual tranquility.

“You’ve worked hard.” He said dimly, “Take a two day break. You may go rest now.”

Seeing his strong reaction and immediate dismissal afterward, Huo Linfeng knew there was something wrong. He stood from his seat and walked to the exit. He unhurriedly urged: “It’s getting chilly in here. Remember to shut the window if you’re planning to stay longer.”

Rong Luoyun’s expression shifted a little, but he only turned to stare out the window and did not move.

The wool blanket had been left behind. Footsteps gradually made their way to the outer hall. Wet clothes were put on and shoes were worn, squeaking and sloshing as the footsteps continued onto the gravel. Under the veranda’s light, he watched Huo Linfeng leave.

Didn’t even bring a lantern or an umbrella, idiot.

The night deepened and people fell into slumber. Rong Luoyun did not feel like laying on his bed. He pulled over the wool blanket and laid carelessly on the couch. There was a hint of warmth from Huo Linfeng’s body heat left behind on the blanket. He picked up the map still lingering with the scent of wet ink to examine.

He looked until his eyes started burning. Only when the wind and rain calmed did he finally fall asleep.

Rong Luoyun slept for a long time. His dreams could not be counted as pleasant, hurling thousands of things at him, only allowing him to wake after he had experienced it all.

When he woke, he did not tarry, immediately getting up to bathe and change. He wore a jade green robe and tied his hair up into a ponytail. He was steady like pine and straight like bamboo. He grabbed his sword and stashed the map into his sleeves properly. From a box, he extracted three needles and hid them. He picked up the gray ginkgo handkerchief and brought it along too.

Before leaving, he fed the fish, fed the birds, and even hung a small lock on his door.

The sky was clear after the rain. Rong Luoyun left upon his horse.

As he passed Hidden Gold Pavilion, Lu Zhun jumped out to block his path: “Second Brother, where’re you going?”

“Dusk-till-Dawn. What are you doing with a book?”

Lu Zhun grumbled: “The robbing industry isn’t doing too well, so Big Brother told me to read some more books in my free time.”

Rong Luoyun smiled: “Then study well. I’ll quiz you when I return.” As he continued forward, his smile faded. Lu Zhun asked from behind when he was coming back.

He did not turn around: “In three days, I’ll definitely be back.”

With this, he sped up, heading out of the palace and towards the river bank. Traveling without rest, he arrived at Dusk-till-Dawn. He entered through the back, his soft footsteps making their way to a room on the fourth floor. He gently rapped on the door and called out “jiejie” before pushing it open.

Rong Duanyu slept shallowly. Upon hearing the noise, she rose.

Rong Luoyun pushed aside the drapery and crouched beside the bed. Getting straight to the point, he said: “Jiejie, I want to go to Han Prefecture. I’m here to let you know.”

Usually, when handling work, he does not need to notify her. Rong Duanyu asked: “Why are you suddenly going to Han Prefecture? Does it have something to do with the refugees?”

Rong Luoyun answered: “I’m going to capture Jia Yanxi.” He stopped, killing intent emerging in his eyes, “Jia Yanxi, he’s Chen Ruoyin’s nephew. There are currently two bodyguards in official uniforms and masks protecting him.”

Rong Duanyu let out a soft gasp, frightened like a rabbit that bumped into a tree. “You can’t, you must not!” She grasped Rong Luoyun tightly, her vermillion lips trembling uncontrollably, “It’s too dangerous, they’re… they’re…….”

Rong Luoyun nodded: “Correct, they are.” He rose and embraced the other, “Jiejie, there are only two of them. This opportunity is hard to come by. I have to go by all means.”

Rong Duanyu hugged him, refusing to let go: “What if something happens to you?!”

He said with a strange calmness: “If I can’t kill them, I will think of a way to escape.” He was resolute like a boulder, but wasn’t one to let his emotions affect his decisions, “If I don’t return in three days, contact Big Brother to come to Han Prefecture to find me.”

He no longer delayed after explaining, retreating a few steps to leave the room.

Rong Luoyun impatiently climbed down the stairs, bumping into a girl on one of the steps. He gave a quick look. It was “sweetheart Bao Luo” again. He gave a lukewarm apology and left. When he reached the doorway, he remembered something, stopping to say: “Ginkgo on one side, magnolia on the other. You’re about to have a new fan to use.”

Bao Luo was baffled, but that jade green shadow had already disappeared.

Rong Luoyun galloped out of the city. After yesterday’s rain, the road was muddy, so he could only travel along the official roads. Using his sword as a horse whip and his mouth as a whistle, he galloped through the clear day towards the north.

At this moment, in a small bamboo grove in the Thousand Opportunities Hall, a small batch of flowers had bloomed in the corner.

Du Zheng was busy all over: boiling water, preparing clean robes, and stewing marinated pork. He was just scrubbing his master’s boots when he heard some noises from the bed.

“Young Master, you’re awake?” He asked lightly.

Huo Linfeng tumbled around and rolled up in a blanket. Rolling around a few times, he grew annoyed. Why was his heart beating so quickly?! Fine, he might as well get up and freshen up. Soaking in warm water, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Six hundred li worth of dust and rain has finally washed away.

Du Zheng waited upon him on the side: “Young Master, did you meet any skilled martial artists in Han Prefecture? From what I see, you didn’t even lose a single hair upon your head.”

Huo Linfeng snorted: “I ran into some, but didn’t fight.”

Du Zheng got curious: “What would happen if you did fight?”

Huo Linfeng replied: “A light encounter, both sides would suffer. A serious one, I flee from calamity.”

As he spoke, his heart started racing once again. He randomly started to feel panicked.

Translator’s Notes: Hiya, this chapter is the the last free unlocked chapter, so if you can, please consider supporting the author by purchasing the raws here (guide on JJWXC here).

Thanks for reading!

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