Chapter 64

The surrounding counties and prefectures of Luoyang are plagued with bandits and highwaymen, mainly because the wealth here is truly tempting. There are many who are willing to risk their lives for money. Even when the government troops suppress one group, a new one will emerge, as if they can never be completely eradicated. Over time, who would still bother to manage it? Moreover, the bandits and highwaymen have their own codes of conduct to balance each other. As long as things don’t get too out of hand, they are left alone.

Wagang Fort in the vicinity of Luoyang is a well-known place. Although it registered late and is still considered a junior, its leader, Zhai Rang, is a true hero and a man of righteousness, generous and widely connected with friends from all over. Anyone coming to the Xingyang area must pay respects to him, calling him "Great Chief Zhai"...

Wu Fan and Tong Wei headed straight for Wagang, but not to Wagang Fort. After all, they are mountain bandits and wouldn’t place their stronghold in such an obvious location, or they wouldn’t be called bandits. They would be considered rebels. Therefore, Wu Fan still had to find out where the hell Wagang Fort was.

After wandering in the mountains for half an hour, just as Wu Fan was about to get lost...

"Hey! Where are you from, and what’s your business? You’re not a thief, are you?"

The sudden voice calmed Wu Fan’s anxious heart. He laughed and said, "Hey! My eyes are sharp, I’m not a thief! Hey! What you think of comes true, when you want milk, the mother comes, when you miss your family, your uncle comes!"

"Hey! What’s your name?"

Wu Fan clasped his hands and said, "From the west of Luoyang! Wu Fan! I have urgent business to see Chief Zhai!"

There was no response for a long time. Tong Wei asked, "Uncle, why is there no response?"

Wu Fan looked around and smiled, "They must have gone to report. This is probably the edge of their territory, and it’s quite a distance to their fort. Tsk tsk, I wonder how they do it. Even if they hide in the mountains, they should leave some traces, right? There’s not a single mark around here, it’s really well hidden."

Tong Wei nodded, seemingly understanding but also not.

After an unknown amount of time, a horse galloped out from a distant valley, calling from afar, "Brother! Are you Wu Fan?"

"Exactly!"

Wu Fan clasped his hands, but his brows furrowed slightly, seemingly dissatisfied.

There are rules in the government and rules in the underworld. Wu Fan was dissatisfied because Zhai Rang did not come to greet him personally! What does that mean? It means he is being looked down upon. But then Wu Fan thought it through. It’s not that Zhai Rang doesn’t want to greet him, but he can’t. Why? Simple, Wu Fan’s identity is what they call a "falcon claw," a low-ranking official. Only when he becomes a "sea wing," a high-ranking official, can they greet him according to the rules.

"Let’s go!" Wu Fan patted Tong Wei’s head and said, "Eat something and rest later, we’re almost there, don’t fall off the horse."

Tong Wei forced himself to nod, he was very tired after traveling for a day and night.

Following the bandit’s lead, Wu Fan finally wound his way into the territory of Wagang Fort.

Looking at the house in the dense forest, Wu Fan smiled. No wonder he couldn’t find it, it was mid-summer, and the forest was lush, where could he look?

At the entrance of the fort, Zhai Rang was already waiting, smiling, "Brother Wu! What brings you here? Not to join us, I hope?"

Wu Fan laughed and jumped off the horse, "If I ever decide to join, I’ll definitely come to you, Brother Zhai!" He pulled over Tong Wei, "My nephew, Tong Dalang! Tong Wei, meet Chief Zhai, no, call him Uncle! After the greeting, Brother Zhai can get us some food! Hahaha!"

Tong Wei awkwardly clasped his hands, "Greetings, Uncle!"

"Exempt, exempt! Wow! Your nephew... he’s really strong!"

Zhai Rang tried to help Tong Wei up but couldn’t, and was surprised.

Wu Fan playfully kicked Tong Wei, "Brother Zhai told you to get up, you fool!" He paused, looked around, and asked, "Where’s my brother Hu Che?"

Zhai Rang sighed and led Wu Fan into the fort, "It’s that girl Lingling, she’s gone crazy again! I’m really at a loss, there’s nothing I can do! Ever since she came back from Luoyang, she’s been practicing that high-level internal cultivation technique you gave her, day and night. Not only that, she’s dragging Hu Che along. Who would think that her method of practice is something an ordinary person can handle? Hu Che is straightforward and can’t refuse her... Who knows where he’s run off to today."

He ordered someone to bring wine and meat, and Zhai Rang ate with Wu Fan.

During the meal, Wu Fan didn’t say a word about his purpose.

Zhai Rang remained calm, if you don’t say it, I’ll pretend I don’t know.

When they sent the full and sleepy Tong Wei to sleep, Wu Fan stopped eating, finished the wine in his bowl, turned the bowl upside down, and placed two chopsticks of different lengths on the bottom, pointing towards himself, then looked at Zhai Rang.

This gesture, called "Brother in trouble, help from all sides," is a code in the underworld.

Zhai Rang clasped his hands and said solemnly, "I don’t know what trouble you’re in, but feel free to speak! As long as I can help, I will!"

Wu Fan sighed, "I’ve heard that Brother Zhai is as righteous as the sky, what I’ve heard is true, you are truly a reincarnation of Lord Mengchang! But, I didn’t want to come to you at first. I’m from the government, you’re from the underworld, we’re not on the same path, and I was afraid of causing you trouble. But, I had no choice, I was threatened with a knife to my neck. I thought about it, and in the Xingyang area, the only person I know is you, who else could I turn to?"

Zhai Rang smiled, "I’m honored!"

Wu Fan took a deep breath and slowly said, "I can’t stay in Luoyang anymore, I’ve made a great contribution, so I’ve been transferred to Xingyang to be a hundred-household chief..."

"Wait, weren’t you being pursued in Luoyang a few days ago?" Zhai Rang interrupted, but then stopped, and after a long pause, he said, "Oh! Those were all fake! No wonder! I heard that the Maitreya Sect was completely eradicated, was it you?"

Wu Fan neither denied nor confirmed, "A menace to the country and people, they deserved to die!"

"Wait!"

Zhai Rang raised his eyebrows, "So, you... are the new hundred-household chief of the Xingyang Eagle Yang Guard?"

【You, are? Could it be...】

Wu Fan stared at Zhai Rang in surprise, feeling that he might have found the right person.

...

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