Chapter 10 Zhang's Purpose: Seeking Revenge, Not Visiting Relatives

The most luxurious place in the Zhang family's residence was actually a waterside pavilion.

At the very center of the Zhang family compound, on the shimmering lake, stands a pavilion made of glass, seashells, pearls, and gemstones. It is a collection of the most beautiful and precious things in the world, a token sent to humankind by a goddess.

The waterside pavilion stands in a position where sunlight and moonlight shine perfectly. In the darkness of night, the moonlight drapes this crystal pavilion in a hazy and gentle veil, and the smoke-like light floats on the lake surface, like the Milky Way reflected on earth, making the waterside pavilion seem like a fairyland.

Zhou Ziheng stood not far away, marveling at the exquisite craftsmanship of the waterside pavilion. Each glazed tile was carved with a different pattern, but most of them were related to marine legends and stories. With the embellishment of pearl shells, they were lifelike and vivid.

"It's called the Chasing Shadows and Scattering Clouds Pavilion. Young Master Zhou seems to have a particular fondness for this pavilion and waterside terrace."

Zhang Yuanqian's voice came from behind. Zhou Ziheng turned around. In the gentle and bright moonlight, even the scar on his face looked soft.

"Who doesn't like beautiful things?" Zhou Ziheng smiled.

Zhang Yuanqian harbored some hostility towards Zhou Ziheng. On the one hand, it was impolite of Zhou to stare at his face when they first met. On the other hand, Zhou claimed to be an old friend of Xu Yi, but had never offered any condolences to Xu Yi over the years, which was not the behavior of a friend.

Thinking this, he asked, "Young hero, you claim to be an old friend of Xu Yi. Why didn't you lend a helping hand when the entire Xu family was slaughtered?"

Zhou Ziheng feigned surprise: "He actually revealed the massacre of the entire Xu family? You two must have a very deep relationship, otherwise, given Xu Yi's personality, he wouldn't have reopened those wounds."

Zhang Yuanqian remained noncommittal, but his expression grew even more somber. He retreated to a place where the moonlight couldn't reach him, like a ferocious beast, scrutinizing Zhou Ziheng as if Zhou Ziheng would pay the price if he couldn't say anything nice.

Zhou Ziheng frowned inwardly. The two young masters of the Zhang family really had completely different personalities. The eldest son was gloomy and unpredictable. A scar made him look ruthless, but he also seemed to value Xu Yi and care about Zhang Yuanhan. The second son was lively and carefree. He was well protected by his family, but he could also make the guess that "my eldest brother wants to harm me".

Zhou Ziheng pondered: "A year before the Xu family was wiped out, he came to see me, but I was seriously injured at the time, and my sect was in turmoil, so I did not see him one last time."

Master, please forgive me for this lie I made up on the spot.

Lin Youbie, far away on the sacred mountain, sneezed and muttered to himself which brat was talking about him again.

Zhang Yuanqian didn't say anything more, and it was unclear whether he believed his story or not. After a long time, so long that Zhou Ziheng began to doubt whether he had managed to fool them, he finally emerged from the shadows and said, "Xu Yi has had a very difficult time these past few years. I reckon he'll be returning to Zhuanglan in three days. You can talk again then."

Zhou Ziheng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that it was much harder to fool Zhang Yuanqian than Zhang Yuanhan. That one was just a child, and he could be easily fooled. But this one was the actual "helmsman" of the Zhang family. It would be difficult to gain his trust without saying some half-truths.

Zhou Ziheng knew about the massacre of the Xu family. Five years ago, Xu Yi, for some unknown reason, also entered the Sword Tomb. After coming out, he wanted to visit him, but Zhou Ziheng had never liked Xu Yi and saw through his wolfish ambitions, so he never agreed. Not long after, he went to Xibao with Xi Bingyi and traveled to other places. A year later, although he heard about the tragedy of the Xu family, what did that have to do with him?

Zhou Ziheng thought coldly.

It's a pity about the inheritance of the Broken Goose Blade. I heard that Xu Yi now only has half of the blade technique, and the other half was lost in that massacre of his family.

Rather than saying that the tragedy at the Xu family's residence shocked the martial arts world, it would be more accurate to say that the title of "Red Dust Sword Master" was more renowned at the time. A tragic case, it became a topic of conversation over tea and dinner, and aside from sighs, it was just a thing of the past, submerged in the passage of time.

With all the descendants gone, no one will care about Xu Yi, whose family was destroyed and who perished. After all, isn't it obvious which is more important, a half-finished Broken Goose Blade or the rising star of the martial arts world, the Red Dust Sword Master?

Thinking of this, Zhou Ziheng smiled slightly and replied, "Of course, I have been looking forward to meeting Xu Yi for a long time."

Xu Yi, Xu Yi, why is the martial arts world now praising you for your loyalty and righteousness, and for being worthy of being the successor of the Broken Goose Saber? Zhou Ziheng thought with amusement, "Weren't you still an arrogant and disdainful young master on Holy Mountain? The massacre of your entire family has changed you so much?"

At the same time, Huo Qin was also somewhat absent-minded in his warm and comfortable guest room.

Zhang Yuanhan arranged very nice rooms for his friends; they were dry and warm, and they didn't feel cold at all in the autumn. However, he felt a little uneasy, an unease that had started when they left Liyang, and it made him feel inexplicably worried.

He had a gut feeling that the "friends" Zhou Ziheng spoke of were not true friends, and that his visit to Zhuanglan this time was perhaps not to "visit relatives," but to "seek revenge."

What's more, his own father was nowhere to be found, and he was now beginning to regret his decision to travel the world with Zhou Ziheng out of momentary curiosity.

...

The next day, Uncle Chen took Zhou Ziheng and the other two to the dining hall for breakfast, only to see Zhang Yuanqian leave in a hurry, without even having time to nod and greet them politely.

Zhou Ziheng asked Uncle Chen thoughtfully, "What's wrong with the eldest young master?"

Uncle Chen sighed, looking worried: "Our caravan that went to Xiqinhe has run into some problems there. We are now stuck in Xiqinhe and unable to return. The eldest young master is about to go and deal with this matter."

"Is it the one Xu Yi escorted?"

Uncle Chen nodded.

Zhang Yuanhan yawned as the group met in front of the dining room. Zhou Ziheng was dressed in red today, exuding an extraordinary aura. The red clothes made him appear particularly flamboyant and radiant, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.

As soon as Zhang Yuanhan saw Zhou Ziheng, his eyes lit up, and he was wide awake, excitedly saying, "Brother Ziheng, your clothes look so good!"

Xi Bingyi nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, it seems that the Second Young Master and I share the same vision."

Zhou Ziheng chuckled.

The two lively characters started chattering away as soon as they met, filling the entire dining room with their enthusiastic voices, while Zhou Ziheng and Huo Qin quietly ate their porridge. Zhou Ziheng thought for a moment, then leaned over and asked him, "Brother Huo Qin, do you have any friends in the martial arts world?"

Huo Qin glanced at him, without a doubt that if he said yes, the next stop would definitely be to visit his friend.

So he shook his head: "I am all alone, and my life is in turmoil."

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ziheng clapped his hands and said, "That's great! From now on, Bingyi's and my friends will be your friends!"

"This Xu Yi is a friend of mine. It seems I have to introduce you to him."

Huo Qin: "..."

I hate that I can't keep up with Zhou Ziheng's train of thought.

Huo Qin sneered and refused, "I'm afraid there won't be that opportunity."

Zhou Ziheng extended an index finger and shook it: "That's hard to say."

After everyone finished breakfast, each with their own thoughts, Zhou Ziheng looked at Zhang Yuanhan and asked casually, "This morning I saw your elder brother rushing off to deal with the caravan. Is it the Zhang family's caravan or your elder brother's private caravan?"

As far as Zhou Ziheng knew, most of the Zhang family's ships were under the control of these two young masters. The old man, who had once built the family business with an iron fist, was now semi-retired, having handed over all affairs to the two brothers. In fact, the eldest young master Zhang was the one who did the most work, and even Zhang Yuanqian's caravan generated more profits than Zhang Yuanhan's.

Zhang Yuanhan didn't notice Zhou Ziheng's probing and said casually, "Oh, that's my older brother's private caravan. The only caravan that can make Xu Yi risk his life is my older brother's private caravan."

"So you have your own caravan?"

“Yes.” Zhang Yuanhan picked up a pastry. “My caravan hasn’t set off yet, but it’s estimated to depart tomorrow. Would you like to come and have some fun?”

Xi Bingyi became interested: "Is it okay? But won't this interfere with your caravan's business?"

"I couldn't be happier for you to come. Xu Yi only works for my elder brother. The other thugs in our family are all rather mediocre in martial arts. With you here, this trade will definitely be much more efficient!"

Xi Bingyi's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "This is my first time going to sea!"

Zhou Ziheng continued, "Which trade route is it?"

Zhang Yuanhan pondered for a moment: "It seems like we're going to Xiqinhe. Lately, most of our business has been with them. Do you want to go? If you do, I can help you get in." Zhang Yuanhan blinked.

Xi Bingyi cheered, "Go! Of course we have to go!"

Zhou Ziheng smiled and quietly leaned closer to Huo Qin: "Look, this opportunity has come."

"In the end, it's because you and Xu Yi are destined to be together!"

Huo Qin was speechless, his gaze shifting back and forth between Zhou Ziheng and Zhang Zihan, muttering to himself: What is he up to now?

Zhou Ziheng didn't actually have any grand plans. He just wanted to see Xu Yi as soon as possible, and he was also curious about what someone like Zhang Yuanqian would be in such a hurry for, and even more curious about the story of the two Zhang brothers.

A "life-saving charm," but it only protects the lives of Zhang Yuanqian's caravan; a chase, but it doesn't care about Zhang Yuanhan's life or death... Zhang's family really came to the right place.