Chapter 45 Plan behind the scenesⅠ

　　It was still dark when a strange sound appeared at the entrance of the tavern. Everyone woke up, lit a lamp, and went out to investigate. They found a black cloth sack at the door.

　　Jia Yong instinctively kicked it, and it felt soft, unlike anything dangerous. When he opened the sack, tears welled up in his eyes.

　　"Third brother... Third brother, I told you not to go, but you sneaked off anyway. Now look what's happened. You've gone and gotten yourself killed before you even accomplished anything. Waaah..."

　　Starving Ghost saw the scratch on his brother's face and exclaimed, "Mr. Qing, look! Look at this!"

　　Qing Hu thought to himself, I saw it already. His death will be very valuable. It can force He Muxian to give in. If that doesn't work, we'll add more pressure. After all, it was Yu Pingnian who set up the challenge. He'll have to take responsibility for the final reckoning.

　　Xia Yue was very perceptive. She dipped her finger in water and wiped it on Qing Hu's eye. Qing Hu squeezed out of the crowd, pretending to cry but without shedding any tears. "Brother, who didn't try to stop you? There are plenty of good women in the world. Why did you have to mess with the He sisters? Sigh, you even got a scratch on your face before you died. Such a tragic end, tragic indeed..."

　　His fake crying was both ugly and annoying to hear.

　　Gambling Ma Zheng was the most impulsive. Without saying a word, he picked up a big stick and walked out.

　　Gan Ping stopped him. "Fourth brother, what are you doing?"

　　"Avenging Third Brother!"

　　"Who are you going to avenge him on?"

　　"The He family!"

　　"Did you or I see anyone from the He family lay a hand on him?"

　　"He... Second Brother, we just got here and one of us is already gone. How can we just let this go?"

　　"We can't let it go, but we'll have to remember it for now. Dealing with Third Brother's funeral is more important."

　　After much fake and real crying, Jia Yong bought a top-notch coffin and sent the body back to his ancestral home.

　　As the sky began to brighten with a hint of dawn, Dang Liaoze got up to wash up and eat breakfast. It was very cold outside, with occasional small snowflakes falling.

　　While standing at the door drinking hot tea, he saw a sneaky-looking martial arts student approaching.

　　He walked over directly, sensing that the man had no intention of running away.

　　"Erm... Who are you looking for?"

　　The man thought to himself, what's with the weird noise? Why is he making that sound when he's talking?

　　"Oh... I'm looking for Second Master Yu. I heard that Second Master has come to the North to pay respects to the prefecture. My master sent me here to take a look. How many Zhou family taverns are nearby?"

　　"There's only this one. Where are you from?"

　　"This is the only one? Finally, I've found the right place. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Xu Wenyuan. I'm a martial arts student at the left National Master's mansion, and I'm also a guard for our young master, Wen. My master asked me to come here ahead of time to see if his young brother, Second Master Yu, has arrived. I've been inquiring for several days. Is Second Master staying here?"

　　Dang Liaoze's heart started pounding nervously. Could it be that someone from the Left National Master's mansion has come?

　　"You're an official from the Left National Master's mansion?"

　　"Just a martial arts student there. Is Second Master here or not?"

　　"Yes, of course. He might not be up yet, but I'll go and get him."

　　He brought the man into the tavern and had someone attend to him while he went upstairs to knock on the door and call for Yu Pingnian.

　　Instead of going to Yu Pingnian first, he went to see Qing Hu, who hadn't slept all night. Qing Hu opened the door very quickly.

　　After patiently listening to Dang Liaoze explain the situation, Qing Hu was still a bit skeptical. He looked down from the upstairs balcony and saw a stranger sitting by the door, indeed.

　　After some consideration, he decided that with the main character present, he shouldn't attract any unnecessary attention to himself. He immediately went to Yu Pingnian's room.

　　Yu Pingnian was sleeping soundly when he heard the knocking. It took him a while to open the door.

　　When he came out and inquired about what was going on, Qing Hu and Dang Liaoze explained the situation to him.

　　Xu Wenyuan was someone Yu Pingnian know. He was one of the skilled guards of his brother, Wen Yan.

　　Leaning over the second-floor railing, he looked down and saw Xu Wenyuan for himself.

　　He quickly got dressed, put on his hat, and ran downstairs.

　　"This is Xu Wenyuani, isn't it? Why are you sitting by the door? Come inside."

　　The three of them brought him up to the second floor of the tavern and asked about his purpose for coming.

　　Xu Wenyuan didn't hold anything back and explained everything clearly.

　　Second Master had left for the Beici County several days ago, and it was only then that his elder brother, Wen Yan, learned of his departure. Wen Yan knew his adoptive brother well. He was unschooled, easily attracted to beautiful women, and had always wanted to see He Muxian, the beautiful lady of the He family. Going there was only asking for trouble.

　　He didn't want his sixth junior sister to see Yu Pingnian, not just her, but the other He family as well. The reason was simple. His brother was too much of a disgrace. If he went out there, he would only embarrass himself. That's why he had always tried to stop him.

　　However, one moment of carelessness led to his sneaking away. When Wen Yan found out, he was extremely anxious. He searched and inquired along the way, and Xu Wenyuan was the advance scout he sent.

　　When he saw that Second Master Yu was injured, he knew that something had happened. It was obvious that Second Master had offended the He's family.

　　Qing Hu spoke very directly, giving a clear and detailed account of Yu Pingnian's courtship and subsequent beating.

　　Xu Wenyuan felt a little disgusted but continued to ask, "There's one more thing I don't understand."

　　"What is it?"

　　"It's about Miss He's challenge to find a husband. Everyone says that Miss He entrusted the arrangements to Second Master. Is that true?"

　　"That's..." Yu Pingnian was at a loss for words, and his eyes turned to Qing Hu. Qing Hu thought to himself, Fifth Brother, this isn't my doing. You wanted to come, so don't blame me if you really end up in the Beici County. Since you're here, there's no way I'm letting you off the hook. You might as well stay and help me out.

　　He smiled and said, "Ah, that's not true at all."

　　"Really? But how did it..."

　　"It's all because of your Second Master's infatuation. I tried to persuade him, but others did too. There are plenty of good women in the world. Why fixate on just one He Muxian? But he wouldn't listen. First, it was love at first sight. Then, he pursued her passionately. Finally, he went to propose marriage. All the ridiculous things he did were for the sake of love."

　　As he said these words, he felt a sour taste in his stomach, and waves of nausea washed over him.

　　Yu Pingnian listened with annoyance, thinking to himself, why isn't he speaking up for me?

　　Xu Wenyuan also felt disgusted. "Qing, are you sure about what you're saying? It can't be true, can it?"

　　"It's true, absolutely true. The challenge was also for her sake. Yu thought that if he set up a challenge and bribed a few experts to deliberately lose to him, he could show off in front of everyone. Maybe He Muxian would take a second look at him. Worst comes to worst, even if He Muxian remained unmoved, he would still get to see her again. Brothers, did any of you not try to persuade him? We all did, but he wouldn't listen."

　　"This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. Qing, you should persuade him more."

　　"I'll try, I'll try. But who knows if he'll listen? Anyway, I'll keep trying to persuade him to call off the challenge."

　　After learning the ins and outs of the situation, Xu Wenyuan mounted his horse and returned.

　　After he left, Yu Pingnian was very unhappy. "Third Brother, what's going on in your mind? Why did you betray me?"

　　"Brother, don't worry.I have a plan."

　　"What plan?"

　　"Let me ask you, would it be better for Wen Yan to stand by your side or blame you when he enters Beici County?"

　　"Of course, it would be better for him to stand by my side."

　　"Then just wait and see." He glanced behind him.

　　Xia Yue understood what he meant. "Third brother, is it my turn now?"

　　"Yes, it is."

　　" She's quite good-looking. I'm a bit reluctant."

　　"What are you thinking? Stop it."

　　"Alright, I'm always with you, day and night. Don't be jealous. I'll reward you when I get back." Xia Yue said, went back to her room to get her belongings, and rode off to catch up with Xu Wenyuan.