Chapter 402: Homeland, Old Friends (Part 1) [Two-in-One]

Maybe, possibly, probably...

Mr. Chu is really different from usual...

Before arriving at Yonggu Pass, Lü Jue hadn't taken Xu Quan's doubts to heart at all, even finding the young man more talkative than Xianyu Jian—were all young men these days so chatty? But after arriving at Yonggu Pass…

Lu Jue watched as Chu Yao's aura suddenly changed, and whispered something to Xu Quan when no one was paying attention.

“…Wen Shi, you are not alone.”

Xu Quan's mind and eyes were filled with the majestic and perilous Yonggu Pass, and he had no idea what he had complained about just two or three days ago.

Upon hearing this, he looked confused.

He asked, "What do you mean, not a person?"

Lü Jue said, "It seems like the clerk has come to collect a debt."

Look at Mr. Chu Yao's tall, imposing, and murderous back! Even Yonggu Pass, one of the three most dangerous passes in the Northwest Continent, cannot suppress his aura; in fact, it only makes his aura appear even more unparalleled! Lü Jue has no doubt that if there were any foolish enemies blocking his way, Mr. Chu Yao would draw his sword! Kill one person in ten steps, leave no trace for a thousand miles!

Xu Quan remained silent, speechless: "???"

Is Brother Lü Shousheng's reaction that slow?

He silently swallowed his complaints.

He said, "We may lose the battle, but we won't lose face. The clerk probably wants to show off his strength and intimidate the garrison!"

Chu Yao was originally the Chief Clerk of the River Governor, but he was transferred to Longwu County along with Shen Tang, still holding the same position. The others were in the same situation, except that the prefix changed from "River Governor" to "Longwu".

Representing our lord on this mission, we cannot afford to lose face!

Lü Jue glanced at Chu Yao's back and then at Xu Quan.

He always felt it wasn't as simple as "losing the game but not the battle," but he didn't have a better explanation at the moment. He blinked and accepted Xu Quan's reason. Lu Jue pondered for a moment, then conjured half a suit of armor, gripped a large cleaver, and walked with his toes pointing outwards, each step a meter long!

Xu Quan saw this and followed suit.

One guard on the left and one on the right, a fierce and menacing combination.

Chu Yao, who sensed the fluctuation of martial energy behind him: "..."

The tense messenger: "..."

Is this...is this really a war?

Fortunately, apart from those two, the other soldiers remained silent, and the messenger's tense nerves gradually relaxed. However, he still remembered to send a message to the clerk and the others, urging them to be on high alert!

In short, the group was led into the Yonggu Pass military camp in this strange atmosphere. The sentry tower soldiers, having received the news, had already gone to report ahead of time. The messenger welcomed Chu Yao and his companions into the guest tent and ordered hot tea to be served.

Chu Yao's attention was not on this.

He asked the messenger, "I just saw the flag on the city wall. The characters were strong and vigorous, like the upright pine trees, and had a lot of character. It was probably not the work of a famous calligrapher, but it was close enough. I wonder who wrote it? I have always loved this kind of thing, and I was delighted to see it."

The messenger felt quite proud upon hearing this.

"The words on the flag? Those were written by the army's chief clerk."

Chu Yao then asked, "Registrar? May I ask your surname?"

The messenger said, "The registrar's surname is Yu."

Chu Yao responded with an "Oh".

His face showed no anticipation or joy at the prospect of meeting a calligraphy master; instead, his eyes held a complex mix of emotions that Lü Jue couldn't decipher. These emotions made Chu Yao's eyes appear even deeper, as if they could swallow up even the light itself.

He then asked, "Is the commander's surname 'Chu'?"

The messenger nodded: "Yes."

The question that puzzled me was one I already knew the answer to.

Isn't the "Chu" on the flag obvious?

Chu Yao gave another faint "oh".

He picked up the steaming tea, took a sip, then closed his eyes to rest, preparing for a long wait. And as he expected, they were left waiting in the tent for over an hour, until Lü Jue and Xu Quan were both getting increasingly impatient.

The messenger could only force a smile and keep ordering people to bring in more tea. Pot after pot was poured down, like adding fuel to the fire.

Lü Jue managed to remain silent.

Xu Quan, however, was not one to be patient.

He is the beloved cousin of the head of the Xu family.

Even without working hard, one could live a comfortable life as a rich playboy, never having to worry about food or drink.

He said, "What kind of hospitality is this?"

He continued, "We represent our lord and have been traveling for two or three days. Did you not make any preparations at all? The watchtowers along the way have been heavily monitoring us. I don't believe you only sent someone to receive us at the last minute! Even if the commander is not here, shouldn't the clerk who can handle things be here? Such a sudden departure, are you deliberately looking down on us?"

His right hand was already on the hilt of the knife at his waist, and his eyes were wide open.

Although the blade was not drawn, it exuded a hint of the killing intent of a martial arts master, enough to make the messenger break out in a cold sweat.

The messenger had to rack his brains to come up with an excuse.

"Young General, please calm down. It's not that we've been negligent, but recently the Ten Black Horse bandits have been rampant, often taking advantage of insufficient patrol forces to dig through the city walls and sneak into the pass. In order to protect the common people inside the pass, the general and his men will go out to patrol from time to time..."

"Oh? Really?"

The messenger nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, this time it must have been unfortunate. The general and his men have gone out on patrol again. Usually, they take two or three hours to return after a trip."

He wasn't exactly lying.

However, their general, as the garrison commander, rarely left, needing to be stationed at Yonggu Pass for extended periods to prevent the Shiwu from amassing forces for a sudden attack. Minor tasks such as patrolling the city walls and apprehending bandits who had dug tunnels were generally left to his subordinates.

Although the messenger didn't know why the garrison commander hadn't come, he had a rough idea—he was probably deliberately keeping them waiting to test their morale and give them a hard time. But he didn't know how long they would have to wait, so he could only estimate that it would take a long time.

Xu Quan gave a heavy snort.

Clearly, they did not believe the messenger's lies.

But there was nothing wrong with their excuse on the surface, so I could only swallow it down, while cursing them in my heart.

The only one present who wasn't in a hurry—

That was Chu Yao.

He wasn't in a hurry at all; instead, he had people keep refilling his tea.

The messenger secretly observed his demeanor, thinking to himself that this man had great composure. But as he watched, he inexplicably felt that Chu Yao's tea-making skills were very familiar, even some of his small movements seemed familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before...

Chu Yao noticed the envoy's thoughtful gaze.

He laughed and said, "What's wrong?"

The messenger said, "Sir, you are an excellent tea maker."

Actually, he couldn't figure out anything special either. He just thought Chu Yao's movements were fluid and entertaining, giving the impression that "this guy's tea must be very expensive." He could just blindly praise him; after all, people like to hear nice things.

Xu Quan's attention was also drawn to it.

Lü Jue, however, had absolutely no interest in this.

It's just throwing some green leaves into hot water, isn't it?

What's there to say about it?

Compared to this strange way of drinking tea, he preferred the tea his wife used to brew for him in their private quarters, which could be described as tea porridge. Anything colorful could be thrown in.

The flavor is rich and fragrant; two pots are enough to fill you up.

Unlike Mr. Chu, who liked to drink leaf tea.

"Tea porridge" is the authentic "tea"!

Xu Quan said, "This kind of tea ceremony is quite rare."

The most popular drink at the moment is still the "tea porridge" mentioned by Lü Jue, which includes ingredients such as scallions, ginger, garlic, orange peel, and dogwood. The wealthier the family, the more ingredients they add. Frying tea leaves to make tea is generally popular among small countries or common people, probably because the ingredients are relatively easy to obtain.

Xu Quan drank mostly "tea porridge"...

Emmm...

Actually, I don't like either kind of tea.

He still enjoys drinking.

Tea was something only his cousin, a cunning old fox who was always scheming, would like. Martial arts masters and strong liquor were a perfect match! But it must be said that watching the gentleman brew tea was a pleasure, as if even his anxious emotions could be soothed.

"I learned it when I was young, but I haven't practiced it for many years, so I've become quite rusty." Chu Yao was smiling, but when he mentioned "when I was young," his eyes seemed to turn colder.

The messenger suddenly remembered.

He laughed and said, "No, no, no, how can you say we're not familiar with each other? In my opinion, you're almost as good as the registrar!"

Chu Yao's smile deepened slightly.

Xu Quan noticed the messenger's words and was surprised that this clerk, whom he had never met before, shared so many interests with his own clerk. If the other party hadn't deliberately kept them hidden, Xu Quan's impression of the clerk would have been even better.

"really?"

The messenger laughed and said, "Of course it's true."

To accommodate the registrar's hobby, several cold-resistant tea trees were specially planted near the military camp. Although the brewed tea was rather bitter, the registrar loved it and treasured the tea trees. Just how much did he treasure them?

At first, those few tea trees couldn't adapt to the environment of Yonggu Pass, and the registrar was so anxious he was practically fuming. Coincidentally, a group of bandits ran into their trap, were captured, killed, and their bodies used as fertilizer to nourish the soil around the tea trees. And miraculously, the trees came back to life!

Since then—

Some veterans liked to use this story to scare new recruits, such as "If you're not enthusiastic about training, you'll be dragged off to be fertilizer for the clerk's tea trees," and they even made it sound very convincing. A bunch of unsuspecting new recruits actually thought that the clerk was keeping young by being fertilizer for the tea trees.

Xu Quan said, "He is also a refined person."

Are these refined gentlemen nurtured at the Iron Pass?

He was starting to have some expectations for that person.

The chief clerk, whom Xu Quan had been eagerly anticipating, was currently playing chess in the main tent against their commander. Their skills were evenly matched; the clerk excelled at strategic planning, while the commander preferred an offensive approach to defense. However, the latter's chess skills were still taught by the former, and ultimately, he was a move too weak. The commander had no choice but to resign, laughing helplessly, "I'm done, I'm done. The sand table battlefield is much more enjoyable..."

His eyes hurt from playing a game of black and white pieces.

The so-called "sand table battlefield" is a "game of strategy" that requires both literary and martial talents to play. It combines the strength of both sides to construct a relatively stable "alternate space" created by literary and martial energy, where each side leads an army and defends a city.

The game features fantastical battles between soldiers, creating a grand and exciting spectacle.

However, one can only be both a scholar and a warrior; they cannot coexist.

→_→

It's like having two separate servers; the data isn't shared between them.

Simply put, it's just a difference in the channels.

He would ask his subordinates to play "sand table battlefield" if he wanted to, while the chief clerk could only ask other literati to play.

The registrar glanced at the sun.

He said, "Those people have been left out in the cold for about two hours?"

The commander said, "More or less."

Registrar: "We should go and take a look."

The commander-in-chief did not want to see the new governor's troops of Longwu County, so he sent his chief clerk to go in his place so he could take a break.

The registrar had to go alone.

On the way there, he secretly guessed what Chu Yao and his group were thinking at this moment—they had been left hanging for two hours, and they were bound to be furious. They had something on their minds, and it was a time when their emotions were unstable. He could take advantage of this to use the ways of a scholar... Just as he was thinking this, he saw a messenger running out of the tent to get some fresh air.

Why aren't you inside keeping me company?

The messenger said with a bitter face, "I'm afraid I'll be beheaded."

The registrar laughed and said, "Are the people who came so fierce?"

The messenger thought for a moment and said, "If we're talking about ferocity, those two young martial artists are the only ones who can't hold their tempers and are eager to show off their strength to intimidate others. They're just fierce on the outside. But that clerk is not simple. Sitting next to him, I always feel uncomfortable."

How exactly does it feel bad?

The messenger honestly said, "It's as if you, the clerk, are watching me every second, and I could be captured and fattened up at any moment."

The chief clerk was amused by his confidant's words.

"Well then, I'd like to meet this person."

The messenger followed the registrar like a lackey.

As a result—his family's registrar's imposing manner came to an abrupt end the moment he lifted the heavy curtain! Very abruptly!

As if someone had acupunctured him, all his muscles were stiff and fixed, and he was unable to move an inch while maintaining one position!

The messenger was puzzled. What's wrong?

Did I get struck by lightning on a sunny day and feel numb all over?

At this moment, a cold laugh came from inside the tent from the clerk surnamed Chu, who successfully stopped the chief clerk who was trying to pull his right foot back: "What's wrong? Are you too scared to come in? Why don't you give it a try, Attendant-in-Ordinary Yu!"

The messenger was completely baffled: "???"

Xu Quan, inside the tent, was dumbfounded: "???"

Inside the tent, Lü Jue was puzzled: "???"

The messenger couldn't see the clerk's expression, but Lü Jue and Xu Quan inside the tent could see it clearly. The clerk's face turned pale instantly, and when his gaze fell on Chu Yao inside the tent, his pupils trembled and his eyebrows twitched.

Just as they were wondering what was happening, Mr. Chu Yao, who had been elegantly brewing tea, suddenly drew his sword.

Upon hearing the commotion, the messenger, without bothering to know what had happened, rushed forward to protect his chief clerk.

Lu Jue and his companion also made their move.

The three confronted the two.

The atmosphere inside and outside the tent was subtle yet tense.

The registrar and Chu Yao's gazes met in mid-air, past the guards blocking their path. The meeting was seemingly silent, yet thunderous, a clear sign that the two were using their spiritual power to clash. Were they really going to fight? But no, they didn't.

The registrar pushed aside the messenger and stepped forward, his gaze landing on Chu Yao's waist: "When did your literary heart return?"

As everyone knows, there is only one way for a scholar who has suffered the extreme punishment of being imprisoned to regain his literary heart. Furthermore, considering that Chu Yao came as the new prefectural governor, and that this new prefectural governor is a lackey of King Zheng Qiao.

so--

Is Chu Yao now loyal to Zheng Qiao?

The registrar's expression was quite interesting.

Chu Yao asked, "Is this important?"

The registrar recalled the imposing presence of Wenxin, who had completely overwhelmed him in terms of sheer force. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but none of them were suitable to be uttered. He exhaled a breath of stale air.

"I never imagined... that the person who would come would be you!"

If only I knew—

He was assigned to patrol duty today and spent the night in the city cave.

This task with Chu Yao should be left to the commander.

If manners allowed, the registrar would already be cursing. Seeing their reactions, Lü Jue kept his curiosity to himself, while Xu Quan asked directly, "Sir, are you and this registrar... old acquaintances? Do you know each other?"

Registrar: "...Hehe."

We're more than just acquaintances.

This TN is a terrible debt, and Chu Yao is the creditor.

Xu Quan, ever the curious one, asked again, "Why does the clerk call this Registrar Yu...Attendant-in-Ordinary?"

Although the actual power and status of the position of Attendant-in-Ordinary vary from country to country, they are all legitimate royal court officials, qualified to participate in court discussions. Could this Registrar before me be a former Attendant-in-Ordinary of the State of Xin?

He doesn't remember.

It seems that no courtier in the Xin Kingdom had the surname "Yu".

"He was once a court attendant in the State of Chu." Chu Yao didn't keep them in suspense and directly revealed Yu Zhubu's former identity.

"Chu Guo?" Xu Quan didn't know Chu Yao's identity, but he vaguely guessed that he was extraordinary. A second-grade upper-level Chinese spirit was not something that could be found on the street; its owner was usually not a bad person.

The name of Chu Gongcao was similar to that of a prominent figure from many years ago, which made Xu Quan suspicious, but he had no evidence. He tentatively asked, "Is Chu State your former country, sir?"

"Yes," Chu Yao admitted.

Xu Quan: "..."

His intuition told him there was a story behind this.

To be precise, it was Chu Yao, the garrison commander surnamed Chu, and the registrar Yu—three people—and a messy affair from over a decade ago.

Registrar Yu: "...Go and invite the general here."

The messenger looked at Chu Yao and the other two with concern.

"But...but..."

Yu, the registrar, said with slight anger, "In this military camp, who can harm me? Just quickly invite the general over."

The messenger had no choice but to suppress his worries and obey the order.

Now it's three against one.

Yu, the registrar, suddenly felt an increase in pressure.

He chose a mat that was neither too close nor too far away to sit down.

He said, "I didn't expect Wu Hui to still be alive..."

Apart from her hair, she looks exactly the same as she did back then.

Chu Yao said, "So it is Yu Shizhong as well."

Upon hearing this title, Registrar Yu felt a pang of bitterness and said, "There is no such thing as Attendant Yu anymore. He is just a lowly registrar who will spend the rest of his life in this place."

After he finished speaking, there was another silence.

Until the metallic sound of armor joints rubbing and clanging came from outside, a powerful aura pressed down on the tent, and then the heavy tent curtain was forcefully lifted open.

"Who dares to cause trouble here!"

This person's voice was like thunder, deafening.

Chu Yao looked up.

General Chu looked down.

Then--

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

General Chu: "..."

urgent!

What do you do if your childhood friend who died years ago suddenly comes back to life?

(へ╬)

I haven't been feeling well lately. I've been constantly sleepy and tired, and it feels like I can never get enough sleep.

These past few days, I've been trying to make each chapter as long as possible.

I'll update more in a few days when I'm feeling better.

PS: Old Master Chu Yao came here this time with his sword, looking for a fight.

(End of this chapter)