Chapter 1017: Four Steamed Buns
Editor: Henyee Translations

Zeng Huo looked at the letter and remarked, “A new family head for the Xuan family? Seems they don’t know yet that Lou Ze is dead.”

“It’s not Lou Ze, it’s Xuan Louze,” Chu Tang corrected.

Zeng Huo realized they had investigated Lou Ze’s background. His birth name was Xuan Louze, the youngest son of the fifth branch of the Xuan family. His mother died during childbirth, leading Xuan Louze’s father to despise him and send him away. His siblings also hated him and ignored him, which explained why they hadn’t learned of his death until now.

Zeng Huo asked, “Are you planning to attend?”

“I’ll think about it.” Recently, Chu Tang had captured all the elders except the fourth, decimated the Yun organization, destroyed many drug manufacturing sites, and had Meng Shengdong eradicate most of their poppy fields. The organization was now crippled.

Since capturing Xia Yuncheng, there had been no word from Lord Yun, and the eastern border had enjoyed a rare period of peace.

Chu Tang decided, “Let’s go. We might get some useful information about the fourth elder. The organization’s members can’t all be confined to Daling.”

“When do we leave, and what should we prepare?” Zeng Huo asked dutifully.

“Get everything ready and come with me. Since the Xuan family sent the letter to you, they must know about your close relationship with Xuan Louze,” Chu Tang instructed.

“I’ll make the arrangements right away.” Zeng Huo bowed and left.

Chu Tang used the Golden Feather Phoenix to inform Tang Jinghong about their plans.

Tang Jinghong replied, “I have people in the Xuan family. Inform me when you pass through Liang City; I’ll give you a token.”

Chu Tang responded, “Got it.”

Li Yuanliang requested an audience. “Young Master, I’ve captured another ten people.”

Chu Tang looked at Li Yuanliang with interest. “You’re causing such havoc among Lord Yun’s people. Do you think he’ll let you off in the future?”

Li Yuanliang hesitated. “I can’t worry about that now.”

Chu Tang studied Li Yuanliang for a moment, an idea forming. “Feiyu, bring Xia Yuncheng over.”

“Yes, Master,” Feiyu replied, bringing Xia Yuncheng over. “Master, he’s here.”

Chu Tang gave Xia Yuncheng a pill. “This pill will take effect in a year. During this year, you will work for me. After that, I’ll give you the antidote.”

He handed a bottle of pills to Li Yuanliang. “There are five lifesaving pills here. As long as someone has a breath left, these can save them.”

Li Yuanliang asked calmly, “What do you want us to do?”

Chu Tang said, “First, the imperial mausoleum is not a place to hide. Regain the emperor’s trust and become a powerful prince.”

Xia Yuncheng replied, “I confessed my feelings for my master to my father. He has despised me for years and won’t trust me.”

“Wait a moment.” Chu Tang wrote two pages of instructions and handed them to Xia Yuncheng. “Follow these, and you’ll regain his trust. Complete this task first, and I’ll give you more later.”

Xia Yuncheng’s eyes widened slightly at the instructions. “I understand.”

“Go now,” Chu Tang dismissed them.

Xia Yuncheng and Li Yuanliang mounted their horses and left with their men.

That same night, Chu Tang and Zeng Huo set off as well.

…

In Chen’an Country.

After leaving Daling, Chu Tang transformed into Xuan Louze. They traveled for a long time before reaching Chen’an’s border.

They arrived at a place called Yunsai Pass, surrounded by endless plains. The lush green grass and a river running through created a beautiful scene.

However, amidst the beauty, a tall stone wall stood, weathered by the elements, exuding an ancient aura. A few guards at the gate were listless, and the only sound was the clatter of hooves and cartwheels.

Xuan Louze and Zeng Huo dismounted and joined the queue to enter.

A guard shouted, “One tael of silver per person to enter. No money, no entry.”

Zeng Huo muttered, “Why is it so expensive?”

Xuan Louze replied, “Chen’an Country is in ruins. They’re squeezing every penny they can while they have the chance.”

Zeng Huo chuckled. “That’s quite the analogy.”

Just then, they saw a guard pushing a young woman with several children aside. “No money, no entry. Get lost!”

The young woman cried, “Officer, my husband died in the city. The authorities told me to collect his body. Please let me in.”

“Even if your whole family died, you need to pay,” the guard snapped impatiently.

The woman knelt, sobbing. “Please, officer, let me in. I’ll repay you when I have the money.”

Her pleas slowed the queue, and the sun was scorching. Xuan Louze told Zeng Huo to pay for her.

The woman was deeply grateful, bowing repeatedly to Zeng Huo.

With her issue resolved, the queue moved again, and they entered the border town, Xunxu City.

The city was just as desolate, with few people on the streets and many shops closed, giving a sense of abandonment.

After walking for a while, they finally encountered someone. Zeng Huo approached and asked, “Where’s the nearest tavern?”

The young man sized them up. “Give me money, and I’ll show you.”

Zeng Huo handed over a tael of silver. “Lead the way.” This kid was really fixated on money.

The young man led them to a small tavern. There were no proper inns in the city anymore, just this small place still open.

He explained, “A couple of years ago, the city was hit by smallpox, locusts, and drought. Most people died, and the corpses were burned, filling the air with sickening smoke that lingered for months.”

They listened without speaking.

The young man said no more and led them inside, knocking on the counter. “Innkeeper, they want to eat. Take care of them.”

The innkeeper, an old man in his fifties or sixties with a stooped back, turned to look at them and greeted, “Come in, young masters. Take a seat. What would you like to eat? I’ll have the waiter bring it.”

The small tavern had only three or four customers, making it very quiet.

Xuan Louze chose a table by the window. “What dishes do you have?”

The innkeeper replied, “Our specialties are braised lamb, stir-fried dishes, steamed dishes, and buns. Take your pick.”

Xuan Louze ordered, “One serving of braised lamb, one of each type of dish, and four buns.”

Zeng Huo looked surprised. “Can you eat that much?”

Xuan Louze said, “I’ll have one bun, and you’ll have three.”

Zeng Huo fell silent, realizing that Chu Qingzhi didn’t know how large the buns here were. He decided to pack the extras to go.