Chapter 10 Trifles go on and on

　　Sheng Huan helped the man to his feet, and Zhou Ge brought him food and drink. The man wiped the blood from his nose and began to eat heartily.

　　After he had eaten and drunk his fill, Zhou Ge got off the carriage and saw a handsome young man standing before him. The man was around twenty years old, with regular and open features: brush-shaped eyebrows, leopard-like eyes, a melon seed face, a straight nose, square lips, and a commanding presence.

　　He was of above-average height, taller than Zhou Ge by more than half a head. The hair is tied with a gray headband, a elegant blue tunic on his upper body, and a light blue long trouser on his lower body. His feet were clad in a pair of tiger-head boots.

　　He had a long and a short sword at his waist. The short sword had a circular emblem on its guard, which was carved with an eagle's head. The scabbard of the long sword was wrapped in copper leather, and its sheath emitted a chilling aura. He also carried a bundle and had a python-patterned belt tied around his waist, indicating that he was a sword-bearer.

　　The young man introduced himself as Shen Huan from Shaowen Kingdom's Feng'an County. He currently worked as a police officer in Beici County and had been tasked with apprehending fugitives, one of whom they had just seen. He had been in this area for over half a year, and his travel expenses had run out, leading him to this point. He briefly described the fugitive, whose name was Hao Yun.

　　After introducing himself, Zhou Ge asked about the differences between the police forces of their respective countries. It turned out that the police in Shaowen Kingdom held a lower status compared to those in this country.

　　After hearing the introductions, Zhou Ge inquisitord that this man was trustworthy, so he gave him food and drink as well as ten silver coins to cover his travel expenses.

　　Shen Huan gladly accepted them and promised to return the favor in the future. Without much rest, he continued his pursuit of the fugitive.

　　After the episode, Sheng Huan looked at the carriage for a long time and asked, "Where can we repair it?"

　　Zhou Ge was very confident: "There are hammers and nails on the carriage, and we can use local materials for the plank."

　　The other two looked at each other and had no choice but to agree.

　　Zeng Gang walked to the horse and prepared to harness it properly. He casually said, "The carriage is broken, let's hope it doesn't rain."

　　Before they had even entered the forest, dark clouds covered the sun and raindrops began to fall.

　　Sheng Huan looked at it coldly: "Zhou's a genius with the sigils, and Captain Zeng is a powerful spell master. We will rely on Captain Zeng for the upcoming Competition."

　　"Stop talking nonsense and find somewhere to seek shelter from the rain!" Zeng Gang said as he rode off. The other two followed close behind.

　　After an unknown amount of time, they emerged from the forest and onto a main road. The road surface changed from square tiles to lime stones, and the roadsides changed from stone railings to shrubs and dwarf grasses.

　　"Inn！" Zeng Gang said excitedly.

　　At the end of their line, Zhou Ge looked up and saw what appeared to be an inn about a li away on the roadside. There seemed to be some figures moving around.

　　They followed closely and arrived at the location.

　　To their disappointment, they discovered that it was a deserted inn. The figures they had seen were just small trees swaying in the wind, which they had mistaken for people.

　　There was no one inside the inn, and the furniture, counters, and tables were all covered with dust, indicating that it had been at least half a year since anyone had been there. The three of them cleaned off a spot and took a break.

　　"There are many planks that can be used to repair the carriage roof," Zeng Gang comforted them.

　　Zhou Ge thought about it and agreed to do so.

　　As nightfall approached, he took out his dry provisions for dinner and opened his water flask for a drink. Looking outside, he saw that the rain had gradually stopped.

　　After having dinner, Sheng Huan went out to feed the horse with grass. Zhou Ge, who had a hearty meal, selected suitable lumber. Fortunately, there were fewer broken logs in the inn and more that could be used. He lit the lantern and repaired them overnight, finishing late into the night.

　　While sleeping soundly in the middle of the night, there was a sudden neighing of horses and then a loud "clang" sound, followed by the sound of hoofbeats fading into the distance.

　　The three men who were awake picked up lanterns and went out, seeing two wagons. One of them was empty with no horse, parked on the side of the road, while the other had a broken rear wheel, which happened to be the one they had just repaired.

　　Zhou Ge quickly ran to the side of the road where he saw some fallen objects. He immediately asked, "Is anyone there? Is anyone there?"

　　While asking, he shined the lantern inside.

　　After a while, a voice came from below: "Oh my... I'm shocked to death. You stupid guards, quickly move this away."

　　The other two heard someone and came over to help.

　　The three men, one holding a lantern and two carrying the wagon, lifted the person out.

　　The woman emerged and checked her arms, legs, and neck, finding that she could move all of them normally.

　　"Who are you guys? Where's my guard?" she asked.

　　Zhou Ge looked at the young woman who appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old. She had a very pretty face without any makeup on it, which made her look natural and charming. She was slightly shorter than Zhou Ge and was dressed in men's clothing with a willow sword at her waist and a black cloth purse slung over her shoulder.

　　She looked quite nice, but her first words were rather arrogant, probably because she had been spoiled by her family members.

　　"I saved you, but you haven't even said thank you yet..." Zhou Ge said with narrowed eyes.

　　The young woman looked around in every direction.

　　"Your house is really run-down," she said, placing two gold coins on the intact wheel of the wagon.

　　"So... is this a gift?"

　　"Is that all you want from me?" she asked. Then she looked behind her on the road as if she were looking for something.

　　Before long, a young martial arts student on horseback arrived at the scene.

　　He was about the same age as Shen Huan, give or take a few years, but he lacked Shen Huan handsomeness and had more of a delicate appearance.

　　After tying his horse, he quickly came over. "Miss He, I'm so relieved that you're all right," he said.

　　The young woman looked at him disdainfully: "Ji Yanshi, I knew I couldn't rely on you in a critical moment."

　　"Yes... Miss He is right," he said, looking at Zhou Ge and the others. He bowed deeply and said formally: "I assume these are the gentlemen who saved Miss He. Thank you very much."

　　Zhou Ge looked at him and saw that he was dressed similarly to the young woman with the same style of clothing, willow sword, and black cloth purse. Probably they came from the same place.

　　"As I said before, we saw it and there was no reason not to help," he said with narrowed eyes. Seeing their attitude, Ji Yanshi guessed what had happened. He knew Miss He very well; she was spoiled rotten at home and probably wouldn't say anything nice even after being saved.

　　"Once again, thank you very much. Could I ask for your names? I would like to pay you a visit and express my gratitude properly in the future."

　　Zhou Ge thought to himself that it was better to stay away from these wealthy families: "As I said before, we saw it and there was no reason not to help. It's pitch-dark and windy out; you should continue on your way as soon as possible."

　　After a few more words, a group of people arrived on the scene. They dismounted and stood by the roadside, with no one approaching.

　　Ji Yanshi had a more observant mind and inquisitord from their clothes that they were policemen.

　　"So you're the police," he said formally. "I am Ji Yanshi, a layabout from Beici County in Shao Wen. May I ask your benefactor's name?"

　　Zeng Gang beside him sighed: "Oh, why are there people from Beici County again..."

　　The young woman seemed to remember something: "Have you seen Brother Shen? Where is he?"

　　Zhou Ge inwardly thought that it was really one more sentence and one more trouble; he made preparations to take them to the inn.

　　After quickly tidying up, they introduced themselves to each other.

　　No wonder the young woman spoke arrogantly; the person they saved was no ordinary person. She was He Muyu, the daughter of the Beici County magistrate, who was only sixteen years old this year. She had come out to play and also to look for Shen Huan. It was obvious that she had a good impression of him.

　　Ji Yanshi, who arrived later, had an even more impressive background. He was the son of the Right State Priest of Shao Wen Tianshun County and claimed to have no interest in national or political affairs, so he stayed in his native Beici County as a wealthy layabout. He had accompanied and protected He Muyu for her safety. The reason for this was that his father and the Beici County magistrate were of the same party.

　　After introducing themselves and their destination, Zhou Ge and the others quickly explained how they had encountered Shen Huan in detail.

　　He Muyu listened carefully, almost without missing a word, but after hearing the end she felt disappointed again.

　　"So you don't know where Brother Shen went either..."

　　"Indeed, Miss He," he said, looking outside. "It's too late at night and we still have to travel tomorrow. I think we should all get some rest."

　　Ji Yanshi quickly added: "Miss He, what Zhou Ge said is right. People can't be found in just a few days, so let's rest first. I have already asked someone to prepare the room."

　　He Muyu agreed and yawned: "Okay."

　　The next day at dawn, Zhou Ge gave the carriage to them and left in a series of thanks from Ji Yanshi.