Chapter 63 (Second Update) The Horse Thief
Chapter 63 Horse Thief
"Little White, would you like some fruit?" Wang Sumo asked gently from outside the carriage.
The old man watched her from afar. Although he was tidying up other things, his mind was constantly glancing at Wang Sumo. In fact, he didn't do much of what he was doing.
On the contrary, it was Zhao Tong who was efficiently tidying up.
Zhao Tong didn't expose him.
It was the same when the old bald monk was around; we traveled together, and there were bound to be some frictions. Sometimes he thought the old bald monk was too talkative, and his retorts were a bit harsh, and the old bald monk would remain silent for a long time.
Reciting scriptures without speaking is actually a sign of anger that isn't really taken seriously.
He doesn't speak or chant scriptures, he just sleeps. His condition gets worse, but after a good night's sleep, he feels better again.
He doesn't speak, doesn't chant scriptures, and doesn't sleep; he just sits there in a daze. This is when he's most irritable, and he might even blurt out a few words in response. It's not that the old bald monk can't argue; he just doesn't prioritize arguing. He only does it when he's truly angry.
The old man now is just like him back then, carefully observing him.
I'm afraid the old bald monk will get too angry, but I also don't know just how angry he will be...
He was too familiar with the old bald monk, while the old man was not as familiar with Bai Cen, which would make him more nervous.
In fact, anyone with eyes can see that Grandpa Qu really likes Bai Cen.
But the more he likes someone, the louder he shouts and the more he smokes, as if he's afraid others will know how much he likes Bai Cen, his junior.
Bai Cen is very worldly-wise and can also provide emotional support to the old man.
He rushed out of Shanhe Town and greeted the old man generously, even though he knew he was likely to get a beating, he didn't flinch. The old man grumbled that he shouldn't have risked provoking the Eagle Gate, and he listened obediently. It was the last part, "petty thieves," that reminded Bai Cen of the Night Armor incident...
He wasn't too worried that the old man and Bai Cen would be in a difficult position in the future.
The two of them would bicker every day. In fact, Bai Cen also cared about the old man. He would call the old man "old man" all day long. Even when the old man chased and beat him, he would ask the old man the most. "Why don't we take a break and run again after we've rested enough?"
The old man didn't know about Ye Jia's matter, so he really thought Bai Cen had bad habits.
I felt a little resentful that he was so useless!
This led to his subsequent reckless remarks.
It's just a thin veil; once you break through it, everything will be fine.
As Zhao Tong packed his things, he couldn't help but miss the old bald monk.
I wonder if Master He and the old bald monk also encountered these messy things from the imperial court.
But they're heading west, so it shouldn't be the same direction...
As the old man said, if Master He were here, many things would be much easier to handle; Master He and the old bald monk would be more secure than him and the old bald monk.
Having thought it through, Zhao Tong's worries were put to rest.
However, after this experience in Shanhe Town, he seems to have gradually gotten used to the way a large group of people in a carriage look after each other. There will be adjustments, blame, and awkwardness, but there will also be moments of mutual care.
At the carriage, after Wang Sumo asked a question, the old man originally thought that someone would have to wait a long time, but almost as soon as Wang Sumo finished speaking, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing a big head.
The old man paused.
Although Bai Cen's eyes were on Wang Sumo, his peripheral vision was actually darting around everywhere.
Zhao Tong found it amusing.
Others may not know, but this person is Bai Cen, and it truly is a case of the sun shining brightly after the rain.
Perhaps finding it inconvenient to glance at him out of the corner of her eye, Wang Sumo pointed generously, "Look, the old man's over there, see him? He's secretly watching you~"
Bai Cen: "..."
Bai Cen followed the gaze and indeed saw the old man wiping the carriage frame for a long time.
Bai Cen coughed lightly twice and whispered, "Boss, you're being too blunt."
Wang Sumo smiled and was even more direct, "Eat it or not? If you don't want it, I'll take it away!"
Bai Cen quickly reached out from the window, "Eat, eat, eat! We haven't eaten anything since last night! Brother Zhao has already eaten two steamed buns, a baozi, and a twisted roll!"
Although he was hitting her, he could see everything clearly!
Next time he finds out, he can eat while getting a beating, but he won't have to go hungry.
A full stomach is more important than saving face!
If Wang Sumo hadn't come, he would have gone hungry for a while longer.
Wang Sumo then took out a pancake from her sleeve and handed it to him, saying, "Here!"
Bai Cen's eyes practically lit up!
Wang Sumo knew how much he loved pancakes. He was still upset about the pancake that Dahuang had taken from him last time, and hesitated whether to snatch it back from Dahuang.
There's nothing a pancake can't appease.
If that doesn't work, then two.
But she still prepared two.
So, when Bai Cen took the fruit plate from her hand with one hand and the pancake with the other, and then saw her take out a second pancake, Bai Cen was almost moved to tears, "Master~"
Wang Sumo sighed softly, "Don't cry, the pancake is too salty."
Bai Cen nodded quickly.
"Eat quickly, we're leaving after we finish," Wang Sumo reminded him.
Bai Cen was about to pull back when, as if remembering something, he poked half his head out again and asked in a low voice, "Master, has the old man eaten?"
If the old man went to Shanhe Town to find him and Zhao Tong in the morning, then he probably didn't have time to eat anything either, just like him.
Wang Sumo leaned closer, smiling, and said, "Go ask him yourself~"
Bai Cen: -_-||
Wang Sumo turned around happily, "Eat quickly, we need to get going. We've lingered here too long. We still have to head east, we don't want to get caught by the dogs the Eagle Gate released!"
Bai Cen remained silent.
But with the two cakes stacked together, Bai Cen still hesitated.
Wang Sumo was clearly doing this on purpose, giving him a way out. If he really ate both of those two pancakes, the old man would go hungry...
Bai Cen sighed softly.
How could someone who can drive the Eight Treasures Pavilion all over the world by himself not be perfectly intelligent?
Bai Cen glanced at the cake in his hand, smiled faintly, and then lifted the curtain to get off the carriage.
Wang Sumo has long since disappeared.
Not only Wang Sumo, but Zhao Tong also didn't know where she had taken him.
Only the old man was still wiping the carriage frame. Bai Cen looked down at the cake in his hand, then slowly stepped forward.
The old man certainly heard his footsteps.
There are only four people in the Bazhenlou restaurant. It's just as easy to recognize someone's footsteps as to recognize their voice.
Even so, the old man felt a moment of tension, but the voice behind him was as casual as ever, yet also carried a hint of sincerity, "Have you eaten, old man?"
Although the old man finally breathed a sigh of relief, he still couldn't shake his awkward habit of uttering a soft hum, even though he clearly didn't mean it that way.
I regretted it immediately after humming it!
What are you doing?!
He had clearly been speaking recklessly, and now he was arguing with others.
But the old man was concerned about his image, and this stubbornness remained firmly in his heart.
Bai Cen wasn't angry at all. Instead, he smiled and said, "I happen to have two cakes here. I wonder where the owner bought them. One for each of us?"
After Bai Cen finished speaking, he waved the cake in front of him.
The old man subconsciously turned his head away, but he still smelled the aroma of scallions from the pancake.
Good heavens!
It actually smells pretty good!
He turned his head away, and Bai Cen followed suit, hissing softly, "They're still warm~, how about I eat two by myself? When we get to the next place, I'll ask the owner to buy you more?"
"Hmph!" This time, the old man snatched it away.
Bai Cen wanted to laugh, but suddenly he couldn't. The old man had snatched two from his hands, not letting him get away with either one.
"Hey, hey, hey! Grandpa! Leave one, leave one!" Bai Cen was really anxious.
I'm starving!
I've been hungry since last night, and I'm still starving. It was only with great difficulty that I could smell something!
Seeing the old man take a bite, Bai Cen's heart broke!
Wang Sumo and Zhao Tong watched from afar, both of them frowning.
"Could it be that they really won't leave a single bite for Bai Cen?" Zhao Tong was shocked.
Wang Sumo blinked and had just said "maybe" when she saw the old man take a bite. Bai Cen then came over, and the two of them took a big bite on their second bite, leaving Bai Cen stunned.
Then, the old man ate the third bite.
Wang Sumo: "..."
Zhao Tong: "..."
Even the notorious villain Zhao Tong couldn't bear to watch anymore, feeling that Bai Cen was about to cry, and said, "I'm not watching anymore."
Wang Sumo glanced back at Zhao Tong and smiled. She was originally thinking about how to save Bai Cen's broken heart, but the next second she saw Bai Cen choking the old man.
The old man's face was almost red from being pinched.
Wang Sumo: ? ? ?
Wang Sumo suddenly remembered the pancake that Dahuang had snatched away...
Wang Sumo was absolutely certain that if it weren't for that half-bag of disaster relief grain, Bai Cen would have definitely gone to Dahuang's mouth to snatch the cakes.
Wang Sumo had a headache.
But judging from his appearance, the old man didn't seem to be in much pain even though Bai Cen was pinching him so hard.
Wang Sumo understood; these two were the same. This was one way for boys to rebuild friendships, including friendships between people of different ages.
Wang Sumo stopped looking and turned to hug "Weiwu".
Wow, how did you grow up so fast?
Wang Sumo felt that the dog seemed to have grown much bigger after only a few days of ownership.
Everyone says that once you bring a puppy home, it changes every day. Wang Sumo didn't believe it before, but now she does.
It grows much faster than those few crucian carp!
I didn't see it eat much in a day, it just liked to run around, and because it was so small, it kept falling over.
I don’t know if it’s because Zhao Tong always liked to “kick” it down, but now it will lie down and turn its belly up whenever it sees Zhao Tong.
Wang Sumo sighed, "Tell me, did Bai Cen or Brother Zhao secretly feed you?"
His majestic yet clear eyes were filled with adorable silliness.
We're still a long way from becoming a majestic apartment-watching dog. Take it slow, little puppy, little puppy will grow up someday...
Finally, when Bai Cen's stomach ached from hunger and the old man's neck ached from being choked by him, Bazhenlou finally set off.
The carriage started moving, and the two of them finally calmed down.
This time, Zhao Tong drove the carriage.
Zhao Tong wasn't actually that skilled yet. After all, he had ridden in an eight-horse carriage before, but driving one was another matter entirely.
With Wang Sumo around, it's not that hard to get started.
But the old man and Bai Cen in the carriage were already exhausted. With Zhao Tong's constant stopping and starting, fast and slow speeds, and his inability to avoid small stones and obstacles on the road, they were jolted from one bump to another.
The old man and Bai Cen were about to throw up!
Immediately, all he could do was stop thinking and lean his head and body against the carriage.
Especially the head, which had to be tilted back to avoid being thrown out by the carriage.
Zhao Tong frowned. "I don't think I'm very familiar with it yet. How about I switch with the old man and Bai Cen first?"
Zhao Tong probably also felt the jolting of the carriage. He didn't mind driving the carriage himself, but he was worried about the two people inside.
Wang Sumo quickly stopped him, then encouraged him, "That's good, keep going. It's a rare opportunity to practice, so try it out however you like and get familiar with the carriage's habits. It will take time."
Wang Sumo spoke eloquently, and Zhao Tong did not expose his lies.
Wang Sumo must have done it on purpose. After all, the old man and Bai Cen were having such a good time choking each other, and even after we left, they weren't done. They only stopped for less than fifteen minutes before starting to make a ruckus again, completely unruly. All my worries about them were for nothing…
Zhao Tong chuckled softly, suddenly finding the journey surprisingly enjoyable.
At least, it was more interesting than when I was in the Rakshasa Alliance.
In particular, the scene of killing Ying last night, and the moment just now when I saw the old man and Bai Cen choking each other, are things that you probably can't see anywhere else.
Beside her, Wang Sumo leaned leisurely against the carriage, flipping through her abacus booklet.
Although she wasn't as skilled with counting rods as her mother, she still enjoyed playing with these counting rod booklets, which were a great way to pass the time during her travels, much like reading storybooks.
However, storybooks require too much time investment, while counting rods are different; you can read them anytime, do them anytime, and stop anytime without interruption or having to think about them. When you get hooked on storybooks, you don't even want to open a shop.
Sometimes she would cry so loudly in the carriage that it would startle the old man, who would ask what was wrong.
With her swollen eyes, she said, "This storybook is meant to make people cry."
The old man was speechless.
In short, Bazhenlou's journey this time has truly been "bumpy".
Zhao Tong was very nervous, afraid that the carriage would bounce and overturn.
Wang Sumo was very relaxed. Her mother said that doing some arithmetic exercises in your spare time would help you relax, keep your mind active, and prevent you from becoming stupid.
The old man and Bai Cen were both very upset, but they were also competing with each other to see who would give in first and switch places with Zhao Tong...
And so, the Bazhenlou restaurant, pulled by eight horses, headed eastward.
We finally arrived at Xishui Village around dusk.
The Bazhen Tower is too large to easily enter the village; however, it is enough to send one carriage to the village for supplies.
Villages like Xishui are not a big problem. The old man didn't sleep much last night either. He's getting old and can't compare to Bai Cen and Zhao Tong.
Let the old man stay and look after the Eight Treasures Pavilion, and maybe take a nap.
Wang Sumo, Bai Cen, and Zhao Tong went to the village to replenish supplies.
Small villages like Xishui Village are almost invisible on maps. During my recent travels around Huzhen and Liyuzhen, I chatted with the innkeeper and gave him a tip. The innkeeper then started talking about whatever came to mind.
What impressed Wang Sumo the most was that most of the villagers in Xishui Village were surnamed Chen.
Villages like Xishui Village often have only a few surnames, and most of the residents are related.
Most of these villagers are simple, kind, and easy to get along with.
However, there are occasional situations where the same person can cause conflict with the entire village.
Therefore, Wang Sumo and the old man tended to visit larger towns more often.
If they absolutely had to go to a village like this, Wang Sumo would stay behind to look after the carriage while the old man went alone.
But overall, the vast majority of the people we encountered along the way were simple and honest villagers...
When traveling, you need to find out more or less about these things to know if you can go or if you absolutely have to go. Although yesterday you went towards Shanhe Town, Wang Sumo had already inquired about the villages around Huzhen beforehand, and finally chose Xishui Village, which has a simple and honest folk culture, from among several villages.
As the number of companions in the Eight Treasures Pavilion gradually increased, so did the number of things that could be avoided.
Eight horses pulled Bazhenlou for a day. Although the journey was slow, a day was enough to widen the distance between Bazhenlou and Shanhe Town, so there was no need to worry about the situation in Shanhe Town affecting the present.
The horse-drawn carriage stopped at the village entrance.
A few young children were playing at the entrance of the village.
Zhao Tong habitually crossed his arms and looked around, discreetly checking for any unsafe factors.
Bai Cen stepped forward and produced several candies as if by magic.
Candy is not common in these villages.
The moment they saw Bai Cen take out the candy, "Wow!" the children cheered and jumped for joy.
Wang Sumo was also stunned.
Bai Cen's magic trick-like performance surprised not only the children, but even she!
No child dislikes candy, and no child dislikes an unexpected surprise candy!
Now, Bai Cen is seen as the best person in the eyes of these children. No matter what Bai Cen asks, the children rush to answer, afraid of falling behind.
Wang Sumo had prepared many questions, but it seems that Bai Cen solved them all in a simpler way.
The children enthusiastically led them into the village, and several of them surrounded Bai Cen, making Bai Cen seem like the king of the kids.
Wang Sumo couldn't help but laugh.
Zhao Tong took a deep breath. Although he was still a little unaccustomed to this atmosphere, after all, he himself was a ruthless killer. The people around him before were either disciples of the Rakshasa Alliance or fake monks like the old bald monk.
He would avoid children whenever he saw them.
He doesn't hate it, but he doesn't like it either; if it's too noisy, he'll dislike it even more.
If they don't like it, their attitude will be terrible.
Seeing Bai Cen surrounded by several children, Zhao Tong felt an inexplicable strangeness, as if he had arrived at the Eight Treasures Restaurant and encountered all sorts of people and dogs he would never have seen before...
Yes, watching Bai Cen give candy to these children reminded him of that little puppy.
A strange thought suddenly popped into my head—could that little puppy eat candy too?
If babies can eat it, why can't puppies?
Zhao Tong never imagined that one day his mind would be filled with these strange, incongruous, eerie, and heartwarming thoughts.
Looking at the way those children surrounded Bai Cen, he really felt that it was somewhat like the scene where the little dog insisted on coming up to him.
He planned to find a place to buy candy on his way to the next town...
After the thought passed through his mind, Zhao Tong froze again. Was he possessed? What was he thinking about?
Led by the children, Bai Cen and Wang Sumo quickly bought all the ingredients and supplies they needed for the journey.
We originally thought that if we didn't go to Shanhe Town, we might not have enough supplies for the businesses we were selling along the way. But the villagers were so kind and hospitable that they bought us things and gave us things as gifts. Before we knew it, we had bought a lot of things, and the three of us couldn't carry them all.
Zhao Tong never imagined that one day he would be carrying two large bags of vegetables in one hand, a bag full of chickens, ducks, and fish in the other, and an annoying goose!
That goose just won't stay still!
The key issue is that he also likes to peck people, and pecking hurts. Even his threatening gaze can't intimidate the other party.
On the way out of Shuixi Village, Zhao Tong frowned the whole time, his only thought being that the first thing to do tomorrow was to slaughter this goose; he didn't want to wait a moment longer.
Bai Cen was quite happy. There was a big bag of vegetables and fruits, as well as several pancakes bought from the village, which he could share with his grandfather when he got back.
Wang Sumo was also happy. Many hands make light work. In the past, when the old man went to the village to resupply, he could only bring back very little. Therefore, Bazhenlou could only open for business after leaving the town.
But this time, along with Bai Cen and Zhao Tong, everyone was carrying a lot of things.
Oh, and this time I also bought Weiwu a proper dog cage. It's a new cage that a villager made for his puppy. Bai Cen begged the family for a long time before they finally sold it to him. From now on, Weiwu no longer has to squat in the makeshift dog cage that Bai Cen made!
In short, this trip to Shuixi Village was very fruitful. Not only did we get enough supplies, but we also heard from the villagers that if we continued east for another two or three days, we would pass through a village called Liu Village. The kitchen knives from Liu Village were very famous in the surrounding villages, and were no less than those in the town. If we were lucky, we might even run into the master chef in Liu Village and get a kitchen knife we had ordered.
Wang Sumo and Bai Cen both looked at Zhao Tong.
Didn't someone bury their fish-slaughtering knife in Shanhe Town?
I'm just missing a master chef's cleaver.
However, thinking that the kitchen knife that the great demon Zhao Tong would use in the future was made by a master chef in Liu Village, Bai Cen couldn't help but chuckle out loud!
What do the famous sword-making sects and masters in the martial arts world think?
But that's the beauty of the martial arts world—there are rules everywhere, yet everything is unexpected.
The trio, all smiles and bustling about, each carrying a huge load, left the village. But when they reached the village entrance, they were all shocked: (⊙o⊙)…
The carriage is still there.
But the horses pulling the carriage are gone!
this……
Bai Cen put down his things, leaped onto the roof of the carriage, and stood on the high ground looking around.
But whether the other party was running fast enough or the roof of the carriage wasn't high enough, in any case, there wasn't even a single person on horseback in sight!
They capsized in the gutter!
The road to the village was narrow, and they could only drive their horse-drawn carriage slowly. If someone wanted to steal their carriage, they would have to make a lot of noise, and the villagers could hear the commotion from inside the village.
But they only stole the horse!
Bai Cen remained silent.
Zhao Tong looked down at the footprints on the ground. Indeed, there were hoofprints on the ground, heading in other directions, but he couldn't see any further away. He would have to ask Bai Cen.
"Did you see that?" Bai Cen replied as soon as Zhao Tong finished asking, "Not a single ghost in sight."
Wang Sumo lifted the curtain, revealing a letter inside.
— I'd like to borrow your horse, young lady. I've come to know you now, and I'll return it to you in the future.
Wang Sumo got off the carriage, looked around again, and then his gaze fell on the haystack at the entrance of the village.
"I recognize the young lady" – indicating that the other party had just seen her.
But the other party did not follow them into the village, so they could only stay near the haystack.
While Bai Cen and Zhao Tong were talking, Wang Sumo walked towards the haystack, reached out and lifted it up. There was indeed a gap in the middle, where someone had been hidden before.
Wang Sumo sighed softly. She had never seen anything like it in her life. She had encountered horse thieves many times, but this was the first time she had been robbed.
The Bazhenlou restaurant is full of well-trained horses. The key question is how this person managed to steal the horses without making a sound?
This is what puzzles me the most, Wang Sumo.
The horse is one thing, but it's almost dusk, how are we going to get back?
Wang Sumo blinked, then looked at Bai Cen and Zhao Tong, who were standing one in front of the carriage and talking.
Wang Sumo: "..."
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