Liu braids

I don't know when it started, but the decision made at Longshan Pavilion, even potentially bone-chilling, has fallen on my shoulders. Normally, when it comes to shop matters, I habitually consult with Old He. However, today, he remained silent, sitting quietly.

I gritted my teeth, realizing that temporary concessions would benefit all parties. Even Longshan Pavilion could breathe a sigh of relief. At least, without the needle from the Cao family and before Longshan Pavilion rallied and regrouped the old fellows, we could relatively easily face Zhao Jindou's pressure. Taking a step back opens up a vast sky. This is not just a simple compromise; it is the best breakthrough in the current dilemma.

Sweat started to bead on my palms as I looked at Liu Bao, who, with a teacup in hand, seemed composed. I still hesitated, thinking from the perspective of a decision-maker. In fact, this is not a bad choice to preserve the shop as a top priority. Longshan Pavilion can't afford any more turmoil.

In that moment of hesitation, a long-buried memory surfaced vividly in my mind. It was the first time I saw that man, as lonely and cold as Haidong Qing. Led into the main hall of Longshan Pavilion, he seemed to be sitting there, looking down at me. He spoke, but I couldn't remember what he said. From then on, he gradually aged in my memories, fading away until the eternal farewell in the Tomb of the Morning Immortal.

"Second Master."

Xue Dongqing's gentle call brought me back to reality. I wiped my face, and in a daze, the words from the old man's letters flashed through my mind like lightning. Resounding and vivid until I inexplicably remembered Emperor Kangxi's words, "Three hundred and sixty excellent talents, Dongqing is the most outstanding."

I exhaled gently and, looking at Liu Bao, no longer concerned about whether Longshan Pavilion would face bone-chilling decisions. Calmly, I said to him, "Go back and tell your shopkeeper. Perhaps, in your eyes, Longshan Pavilion is like an old man in his declining years—conservative, traditional, and even outdated. Consequently, it may be considered sunset, impoverished, or even abandoned. However, none of these are reasons for Longshan Pavilion to abandon its principles."

"Regardless of how many owners Longshan Pavilion changes, as long as Second Master is here, the established principles cannot be ignored."

"If you call out 'Second Master,' the principles Second Master adheres to are the rules."

"Today, I won't take a step back. If one step is taken, Second Master will no longer be Second Master."

I pointed to the plaque above, saying, "It doesn't say Longshan Pavilion up there; it says rules."

"Well said. Where there are people, there are rules." Old He finally opened his mouth today. He put down his teacup and looked calmly at Liu Bao. "Liu, you've heard it. Second Master's words are Longshan Pavilion's stance."

Liu Bao's expression fluctuated, and after a few deep breaths, he finally restrained the words that had reached his throat, nodding slightly. "I understand. I will truthfully convey Second Master's words to the shopkeeper."

After seeing off Liu Bao, Old He seemed not to have the intention of talking to me. He just smiled contentedly and said, "Well done."

On the other hand, Zhao Muzhi, hands in sleeves, leaned against the front hall's door, staring at me. I touched my face and joked, "Do I look as good as Han Jing?"

Only Han Jing could make Zhao Muzhi, usually composed, slightly blush when we entered the hall. But soon, he returned to normal and said softly, "These words are quite pleasing to the ear."

"They were taught by someone else." I shrugged.

"Oh? By whom?" He asked curiously.

"An old man," I pointed to the master's chair in the front hall. "The old man who used to sit there. If he were still here, with your conservative temperament, you'd probably like him more than me."

He chuckled and said, "I think you quite like him."

Turning around, I walked back. "Dealing with smart people is not enjoyable."

A few days after the storm, my impassioned words spread with embellishments, leading several shops, including Qingbao Zhai, to change their attitudes towards Zhao Jindou from previous hesitation to open support. Longshan Pavilion, as Liu Bao had said, was truly in a precarious situation for a while. However, Old He and Zhao Muzhi seemed calmer than I had anticipated. Clearly, they were well-prepared, suggesting that even with the storm brewing, the final outcome was uncertain.

Regardless of the storms outside, as long as things were peaceful, I stayed in the backyard room sorting through the information left by Second Master. Some incomplete information was challenging to investigate, but it provided at least some direction, better than being at a loss.

To my delight, the photo I brought back from Riguang Station had some clues. Old He remembered the person in the picture, a man named Cao Zongwu, also known as Cao Yanzong. This man had a unique story, with a rebellious and domineering character, leaving the Cao family at a young age.

Yes, he was from the Cao family, but for some reason, he ran off to Xinjiang to join the military. This was quite sensational at the time. The Cao family even deliberately released news, expelling Cao Yanzong from the family register. Undeterred, he changed his name to Zongwu, emphasizing only himself.

Although the Cao family had great influence, geographical reasons limited their power. Until the 1950s, when the government established the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the situation there remained somewhat detached from the Central Plains. Simply put, the influence of the Cao family did not extend to that region.

Listening to Old He, I somewhat understood. It seemed that Cao Zongwu's departure was not unfounded. Going to Xinjiang was apparently to evade the Cao family.

Cao Zongwu joined the military in Xinjiang, disappearing from all records. In Old He's memory, Second Master mentioned him once when he was young. After that, he gradually faded away until the final farewell in the Tomb of the Morning Immortal.

I asked Old He if he could check Cao Zongwu's details. He shook his head, mentioning that he had used connections to investigate, but the information received from Xinjiang was only four words: no such person found.

Xinjiang, train, Cao family, Cao Zongwu, Second Master, my father, Platform 7.

Why did Cao Zongwu leave abruptly? Although I was curious, I no longer had the energy to trace it. I was only concerned about what happened in Starry Gorge back then.

The lead of Cao Zongwu had come to a dead end, and those related to the events back then were nowhere to be found. Now, the only direction to investigate was the "scrap train." In my anxious wait, someone came to my door, introducing himself as Liu Er.

Xue Dong

qing brought him into the courtyard. When I approached, the not-so-tall man who called himself Liu Er was inspecting the rubbings on the wall.

Seeing me enter, he greeted with clasped hands, laughing loudly, "Rumors outside say that the Second Young Master of Longshan Pavilion is very young, and indeed, heroes emerge in their youth."

"Exaggerations. Please, have a seat." I gestured for him to sit. Once he was settled, I inquired, "Are you Liu Er?"

He laughed again, neither denying nor confirming, replying, "We are all Liu Er."

I nodded, understanding that Liu Er was just a code name. I then asked, "How is your injury?"

"Haha, perhaps the King of Hell didn't want to take me." He tugged at the collar of his shirt, revealing a striking dark-red scar on his neck, casually saying, "If it was a bit to the side, someone else would be here chatting with you."

I internally clicked my tongue, not expecting it to be so perilous. I thought it was just a minor scrape. It seemed that the Cao family had indeed used lethal force last time.

"I'm really sorry for bringing you so much trouble," I apologized.

"It's us who should apologize." He shook his head apologetically, taking out a card from his pocket and pushing it toward me. "This is three times the deposit Second Young Master placed earlier. Don't refuse. According to your words, this is the rule in our line of work. If there's a leak of information bought by Second Young Master, it's our responsibility. I came this time to express our apologies, refund three times the deposit, and Third, Second Young Master specifically instructed to pay attention to the source of information. I came to tell you this personally."

I was puzzled. "Source of information?"

"Yes, the information was spread by a man named Liu Shengping."

Hearing the name "Liu Shengping," I felt an unusual sensation. It took me several seconds to recall that I had just come across this name recently. In the materials left by Second Master, there was a list without clear context. I diligently checked every name on the list, investigating each person, but they seemed to have evaporated into thin air.

Seeing my change in expression, Liu Er didn't rush to continue. Instead, he sat there drinking tea. I composed myself and asked, "Do you have any information about that person?"

"He is in the place you went to. The locals call him 'Liu Braids.'"

I looked at him in confusion. "Liu Braids isn't the... Ah!"

Suddenly, I woke up to reality. Liu Braids was the villager who discovered the dragon cave. Regardless of the Cao family or Xue Dongqing, everything started from this person.

Liu Braids was Liu Shengping. Since he was on Second Master's list, it indicated that he must be related to the events of that year.

The experiences in the old mountains of Qin played like a movie in my mind, one scene at a time. My suspicion of this person deepened, and, in the end, I took a cold breath, making a startling discovery. Perhaps this tomb-robbing incident was part of his plan all along.

After seeing off Liu Er, I quickly called Xue Dongqing. Remembering that I hadn't seen Liu Braids in the Qinling Tomb, I thought he might have met with an unfortunate fate. Now, it seemed that this person was not so easily killed.

As soon as Xue Dongqing came in, I pulled him over and asked, "When did Liu Braids come to your village?"

He looked at me strangely, puzzled, and said, "He's always been here; he's from our village."