Chapter 34 A new storm Ⅲ

　　Encountering Shen Huan, Hao Yun felt a sense of foreboding, even though he didn't recognize him directly. After discussing with his wife at home, they decided to leave immediately for her hometown, Caoqiao Town in Yue Region. The journey was uneventful, and they arrived smoothly. While tidying up and packing their belongings, his wife realized she had forgotten a stash of private money, a classic case of losing amidst the hustle. She informed her husband, and Hao Yun quickly turned back.

　　Upon his return, a heavy downpour began. Fortunately, due to a mistake made by the guards at Yangjiao Mountain and Yangjiao Road, he was able to slip back into the prefecture unnoticed. It was during this time that he happened upon Lu Ying in distress.

　　Hao Yun was indeed a thief, having started his trade in Hongsu at a young age. Fate had brought him to Beici County in Shaowen Kingdom, where he continued his thieving ways. It was easy to fall into the life of a thief, but much harder to extricate oneself from it.

　　His thieving was purely a matter of survival, and he differed from some thieves in that he couldn't bear to see a defenseless woman in peril. So, he stepped in to help.

　　Dawn broke, the rain stopped, and the sky cleared. The two of them walked towards the town, one behind the other. Hao Yun's heart was pounding, praying that he wouldn't bump into anyone familiar, especially the one who had broken into his house at night.

　　Once in the city, their first order of business was to arrange for Lu Sheng's burial. They went to a coffin shop and bought a thin wooden coffin, along with some offerings. Then, hiring a cart, they returned to the desolate courtyard outside the town.

　　Hao Yun had always been lucky, and this time was no exception. He didn't encounter anyone who recognized him. After the burial, with a wooden plaque erected and the rites performed, Hao Yun prepared to take his leave.

　　"Miss Lu, I should go now," he said.

　　Alone and destitute, Lu Ying had no idea what to do next. Hearing that her savior was leaving too, she began to cry again. She had cried so much that her tears were long gone.

　　Hu Yun's heart softened once more. "Look, where is your home? I'll take you there," he offered.

　　"No! I won't go back to Caoqiao Town!" she exclaimed tearfully.

　　"Where do you want to go, then?"

　　"I...I have no place to go," she sobbed.

　　After some contemplation, Hao Yun decided to help her until the end. Since he was heading back into the city anyway, he would look for someone who might take her in. Even being a maidservant was better than being stranded on the streets.

　　He proposed his idea, and Lu Ying, though unsure, saw no better alternative. Together, they entered the town of Muyang for the second time, searching the streets. After wandering through several streets and alleys, they found no suitable takers.

　　While resting on the roadside, a voice called out from behind them.

　　"Is that Master Hao?"

　　Hao Yun's heart sank. Slowly turning his head, though his neck didn't quite make the full rotation, his peripheral vision caught sight of the man behind him.

　　The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with a five-foot-long sickle hooked to his waist. Upon closer inspection, Hao Yun breathed a sigh of relief. "I don't believe we've met before," he said.

　　"Of course not, this is our first meeting. Your reputation precedes you, which is how I know of you. I, on the other hand, am Qi Xiang, the leader of the Twin Water Fortress in Yue Region. What brings you here? And who is this with you...a newly acquired concubine? She could use some better clothes...looks quite shabby."

　　Hao Yun racked his brain but couldn't recall ever hearing of this man before.

　　"Ah, so you're Castellan Qi," he acknowledged.

　　Lu Ying understood the situation; this man was not just a thief but also a leader of thieves. She dared not speak, taking a half-step back and trying her best not to tremble visibly.

　　Qi Xiang's face was wreathed in smiles. "Master Hao, let's not chat here. Come, come, let's go somewhere else. I'll treat you. Hey, you there, don't be afraid. You're in good hands with Master Hao. Master Hao, allow me to show my appreciation. I'll cover the cost of her clothes."

　　A sudden idea struck Hao Yun, and he realized he had found a place for Lu Ying.

　　"Well, I couldn't possibly..." he began, feigning reluctance.

　　"A dress is no big deal. Come, let's go get her fitted for some," Qi Xiang insisted.

　　They turned down a street and arrived at a tailor shop. Hao Yun walked over to Lu Ying and whispered, "His money isn't clean. Don't hold back, get a few outfits."

　　Lu Ying, though confused, followed Hao Yun's instructions without question.

　　With Hao Yun's guidance, she selected four nice outfits and two silver hairpins. The final bill came to eighty-seven silver coins, the most she had ever spent in her life.

　　Qi Xiang produced a gold coin and placed it on the table. "Keep the change and get her some toiletries. The rest is for you," he told the shopkeeper.

　　Delighted, the shopkeeper quickly helped with the selections. Half an hour passed, Lu Ying emerged in one of the new dresses, her appearance slightly refreshed.

　　It was already late in the day, so the trio casually entered a nearby tavern and booked a private room. Qi Xiang, as generous as ever, ordered a top-tier banquet.

　　After some light chatter, they got down to business.

　　"Master Hao, it's a shame you couldn't make it to Fangding Mountain. With you there, we could have formulated an even better plan," Qi Xiang lamented.

　　Hao Yun knew this man hadn't appeared out of nowhere; he was somehow connected to Fangding Mountain and Qing Hu.

　　Playing dumb, he replied, "Indeed, Leader Qi, it is a shame."

　　"If you were there, we could have at least captured He Muxian or even gotten rid of Shen Huan."

　　Hao Yun understood that "Shen Huan" was the man who had chased him for so long in Xiyue. If it weren't for his good luck, he would have died several times over. Getting rid of Shen Huan? It wasn't that easy.

　　Without contradicting him, he agreed, "I suppose you're right. Without someone to strategize, the mountain feels incomplete."

　　"That's why Master Qing holds you in such high regard. I ask you, if given another chance, would you join us?"

　　Hao Yun had been waiting for this question. "Another chance? Where would that be?"

　　"Since you're one of us, I'll let you in on a secret. Right now, Master Qing is gathering forces at Hutou Mountain outside Xu Town. If you could join us, it would be a great boon."

　　Hao Yun feigned surprise. "Hutou Mountain? Isn't that..."

　　"That's right, the very place where we started. Prefect He would never expect Master Qing to return to the Hutou mountain."

　　"Ingenious, truly ingenious," Hao Yun praised.

　　"So, will you join us?"

　　"Well, I do have some matters to attend to at home. But I tell you what, once I'm done, I'll personally make my way to Hutou Mountain. How does that sound?"

　　"Excellent! Where do you reside now? I'll send someone to escort you there later."

　　"Er...do you know Caoqiao Town?" Hao Yun asked, knowing full well that Qi Xiang wouldn't.

　　As expected, Qi Xiang shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

　　Hao Yun's heart rejoiced. By the time you find out, I'll be long gone, he thought to himself.

　　"It's alright. I'll draw you a map," he offered, procuring paper and ink. He sketched out a rough map, deliberately omitting directions and drew more forks in the road.

　　Qi Xiang received the map with great delight.

　　"Master Hao, let's drink to our future collaboration," he proposed, raising his cup.

　　"Not so fast. Tell me, who else is coming, and what are your plans?" Hao Yun inquired.

　　Qi Xiang chuckled. "To be honest, there aren't many of us yet. Just the three leaders of the Twin Water Fortress and Master Qing. As the saying goes, 'many hands make light work,' but we can also make do with what we have."

　　"How so?"

　　"Have you heard? Miss He is reviving the Trial Prefecture, and Master Qing is thinking about finding fault with her and the new Inquisitor.

　　"The new Inquisitor is..."

　　"I have found out that Shen Huan brought a friend named Zhou Ge. He is a short man who has no idea what he is capable of, so he just took this opportunity to explore."

　　Hao Yun after listening to panic, Zhou Ge more to find him identity, send arrest capture? That's too soon... The more he thought about this, the more he thought about it, He more feel that it is no longer safe in Beici County.

　　Act like nothing's happened and keep talking.

　　Each of them asked for a room.

　　Lu Ying followed him into the room, bewildered.

　　"Benefactor, do you think..."

　　Hao Yun low voice to manage the doors and Windows, low voice: "Lu, I have found a place for you."

　　"Huh? It can't be Hutou Mountain..."

　　"Hutou Mountain is a den of thieves, how can you go there? Later I will write a letter, you overnight to the shogunate to find Zhou Ge, so say, do so, will certainly succeed."