Chapter 11 Arrival at the Destination

Once the decision was made, the action became exceptionally swift. Zhang Qiling's efficiency, honed through years of tomb raiding, was on full display. He hardly asked any more questions about the shipment or the details of the trip to Henan, as if once Hei Xiazi decided to go, his only task was to ensure the safe completion of the mission.

Hei Xiazi called Xie Yuchen back, and said succinctly: "Send me the location, the contact person, and details about the other party. I'll bring an accomplice."

Xie Yuchen on the other end of the phone seemed a little surprised, but didn't ask any further questions. She simply said, "Be careful, I'll send you the information soon," and hung up. Soon, Hei Xiazi received the encrypted message on his old phone.

Zhang Qiling leaned closer to look, their heads almost touching. The information was brief: the location was a lawless town near the mountains in western Henan, known for its chaos; the contact was called "Old Chenpi," and the other party was a newly emerging force in the area, whose leader was nicknamed "Scarface Li," a ruthless man with a huge appetite.

“Scarface Li…” Black Bear squinted as he read the name, tapping his fingers on the table. “Never heard of him. Looks like he’s just started out and wants to use Flower Master to establish his authority and test my strength.”

Zhang Qiling's gaze swept across the information, finally landing on the three words "Old Chenpi," and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"What? Is there something wrong with this guy?" Hei Xiazi keenly noticed his reaction.

Zhang Qiling was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "The name sounds familiar." He paused, then added, "Be careful."

Hei Xiazi raised an eyebrow. Anyone Zhang Qiling recognized as "familiar" and specifically warned him to "be careful" was definitely not a kind person. This situation seemed even more murky than he had imagined. But his inherently reckless spirit was stirred up, and he grinned: "What's there to be afraid of? Don't I have you as my 'personal bodyguard' here?"

Zhang Qiling ignored his teasing and turned to pack his things. His backpack didn't contain much, but everything he brought made Hei Xiazi's eyelids twitch – a steel grappling hook, a specially made, highly effective blood-clotting agent, and even several small but incredibly powerful explosive devices. This wasn't a negotiation trip; it was equipment for raiding someone's lair.

“Hey, mute,” Black Bear pointed at the few small objects, “we’re going to rescue people and discuss business, not to demolish houses. We don’t need these, do we?”

Without looking up, Zhang Qiling skillfully categorized and put away the equipment, saying calmly, "Just in case." He placed a well-preserved dagger into Hei Xiazi's hand, "Take this."

The dagger felt heavy in his hand, its scabbard ancient and unadorned. Pulling it out half an inch, its cold gleam was chilling. Black Bear recognized it as a valuable item and clicked his tongue, "Alright, I'll listen to you."

His own equipment was much simpler: a short knife he always used, a few small hidden weapons, and sunglasses that he never took off.

That afternoon, the two boarded a train bound for Henan. To avoid attracting attention, they bought ordinary hard sleeper tickets. Zhang Qiling insisted that Hei Xiazi sleep in the lower berth, while he slept in the middle berth, a position that offered a clear view of the entrance to the compartment and Hei Xiazi's berth.

The train rattled along, the northern plains receding past the window. Hei Xiazi leaned against his berth, staring at Zhang Qiling's stubby leg and clean shoe sole dangling from the edge of the opposite middle berth, a strange feeling stirring within him. In the past, although he often cooperated with Zhang Qiling on tomb raiding expeditions, it was mostly temporary partnerships, each with their own goals. This was the first time they had traveled together with such a clear bond and shared objective.

Moreover, this silent man's protective instincts are simply outrageous. When he goes to get some hot water, Zhang Qiling will silently follow him to the connecting area between the carriages; when he goes to the toilet, he will find Zhang Qiling already awake and vigilantly observing his surroundings when he returns.

“Hey Zhang, you mute,” Black Bear couldn’t help but lower his voice, “relax. What danger could there be on this train? You’re acting like you’re going to war.”

Zhang Qiling looked down at him from the upper bunk, said nothing, but her eyes clearly said, "Better safe than sorry."

Helpless, Hei Xiazi had no choice but to go along with it. That night, he was half asleep when he felt someone gently tucking the blanket around him, the movement incredibly gentle. He half-opened his eyes and vaguely saw Zhang Qiling standing in front of his bunk. In the dim light, those eyes shone with an astonishing light, filled with unwavering worry.

Black Bear's heart skipped a beat, and he mumbled indistinctly, "...It's okay, go back to sleep." He turned over and fell asleep again. This time, he felt much more at ease.

The next evening, the train arrived at a small station near their destination. The two got off the train and, following the route provided by Xie Yuchen, transferred to a dilapidated long-distance bus. After a bumpy two-hour journey, they finally arrived at the small town called "Huitudian".

The town lived up to its name, being drab and gray, with low, dilapidated buildings, dust swirling in the streets, and the air thick with the stench of cheap tobacco and animal dung. A motley crew of people mingled among them, most with wary and calculating eyes.

As agreed, they arrived at a place with a shabby sign that read "Chen Family Inn" at the west end of the town. An old man with dark skin and a face full of wrinkles was squatting at the entrance of the inn, smoking a pipe. His eyes, however, were gleaming with a sharp light. He was none other than their contact, "Old Chen Pi".

Old Chenpi grinned when he saw Hei Xiazi, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Brother Hei, I've heard so much about you." His gaze then fell on Zhang Qiling behind Hei Xiazi, his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, and his smile faded slightly. "And this gentleman is?"

"My brother," Hei Xiazi said succinctly, without going into further details.

Old Chen Pi sized Zhang Qiling up and down, especially the long, cloth-wrapped object (the Black Gold Ancient Sword) on his back, and chuckled twice: "Please come in, gentlemen. Scarface Li has been waiting for you for a long time."

The inn was dilapidated and dimly lit. Old Chen Pi led them through a narrow corridor to the door of the innermost room. Two burly men stood guard at the door, their eyes fierce.

Old Chenpi knocked on the door, and a rough, hoarse voice came from inside: "Come in!"

The door was pushed open, and a strong smell of smoke and sweat rushed out. The room was filled with smoke, and a burly man with a hideous scar on his face sat imposingly in the center of the armchair—it was Scarface Li. Several henchmen stood on either side of him, each with a hostile expression. In the corner of the room, two bound men with bruised and swollen faces lay sprawled on the floor—these were Xie Yuchen's detained henchmen.

Scarface Li, seeing Black Bear, gave a forced smile and bowed respectfully: "Brother Black, we've finally managed to invite such a great figure as you." His gaze swept past Black Bear, then fixed intently on Zhang Qiling behind him, a hint of apprehension and greed flashing in his eyes. "This friend, you look unfamiliar. May I ask your name?"

Zhang Qiling remained expressionless, not even lifting his eyelids, as if everyone in the room was invisible. His silence and the invisible pressure he exuded instantly made the atmosphere in the room even more tense.

Black Bear stepped forward, blocking Zhang Qiling's path by half a body length. He took off his sunglasses, revealing his eyes, which always held a hint of mockery. He grinned at Scarface Li and said, "Boss Li, enough nonsense. I'm taking the person and the goods. Let's settle this. What's the deal?"

Scarface Li chuckled and pointed to a dice cup on the table: "Blackie is a straightforward man. The rules are simple, we'll bet three rounds. If you win, you can take the people and the goods, and I, Scarface Li, will not say a word. If you lose..." He licked his lips, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Black Bear and Zhang Qiling, "You two, and that batch of goods, you'll all have to stay, to add some prize money for the brothers."

Hei Xiazi sneered inwardly, "As expected, he's up to no good." Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Qiling behind him suddenly moved.

He stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Black Bear, his cold gaze fixed on Scarface Li. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the room:

"No gambling."

He paused, and under the astonished gazes of Scarface Lee and his men, he uttered the following words, each one carrying an undeniable force:

"People and goods, we need them now."

"otherwise,"

Zhang Qiling's gaze swept over the scars on Scarface Li's face, his tone as calm as if stating a fact.

"Let me help you make the other side symmetrical too."

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