Chapter 2: Qingniu Town

Qingniu Town was more of a large village than a proper city, though locals from nearby mountain valleys insistently called it "Qingniu City." Such was the private thought of Zhang Er, a gatekeeper with over a decade of service.

The town had only one main street—Qingniu Street—running east to west. Its sole inn, Qingniu Inn, sat at the western end. Travelers who wished to avoid sleeping outdoors had no other choice.

A dust-covered carriage now raced through the town from the west, bypassing the inn entirely. It halted instead at Chunxiang Restaurant, an old but quaint establishment packed with midday diners.

Out stepped a round-faced man with a trimmed mustache and a dark-skinned boy of about ten. Regular patrons recognized the man as "Fatty Han," the restaurant's manager, but the boy was a stranger.

"Old Han, this kid looks just like you! Did you sneak him out behind your wife's back?" a patron teased, sparking laughter.

"Bah! This is my nephew from the family. Of course he resembles me!" Fatty Han replied, puffing with pride.

The pair were Han Li and his Third Uncle, who had traveled three days to reach the town.

Fatty Han led Han Li to a secluded courtyard behind the restaurant. "Rest here, Little Li. I'll fetch you when the sect's steward arrives. Don't wander off—the town's crowded," he warned before hurrying away.

Exhausted, Han Li collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep without a trace of homesickness.

That evening, a servant brought simple but hearty food. After eating, Third Uncle returned and asked, "Did you like the meal? Missing home?"

"A little," Han Li replied meekly.

Pleased, Third Uncle regaled him with tales of his adventures, easing the boy's nerves.

Two days later, as Han Li awaited another story, a black-lacquered carriage pulled by a rare golden mule halted outside. A small black flag with a crimson-bordered "玄" (Xuan) character fluttered from its frame—a symbol recognized by any seasoned martial artist in the region.

The flag marked the arrival of a high-ranking figure from the **Seven Mysteries Sect**, one of the area's two dominant factions.

Founded two centuries ago by the famed "Seven Extremes Sage," the sect once dominated Jingzhou and neighboring regions. After the sage's death, rival sects forced it into decline, and it relocated to the remote Immortal Mist Mountains. Now controlling a dozen towns, including Qingniu, it retained a shadow of its former glory.

Its rival, the **Wild Wolf Gang**, descended from bandits. Ruthless and bloodthirsty, they frequently clashed with the Seven Mysteries Sect over wealthy territories.

A lean, agile man in his forties stepped from the carriage. Third Uncle bowed obsequiously.

"Protector Wang! Why has the sect sent you personally?"

"Security on the roads is tight. The Elder ordered me to retrieve the boy," Protector Wang replied coldly.

Third Uncle discreetly handed him a heavy pouch. "Please watch over my nephew."

Protector Wang weighed the bribe, his expression softening.

"Fatty Han, you know how to grease palms. I'll keep an eye on the boy. Let's move—time's wasting."