Chapter 46: It Is Time to Leave

At this point, complete trust had been established between Jiang Chen and Old Wu. Yet, when Jiang Chen heard Old Wu’s words, he sensed a heaviness in his demeanor, as if there were matters weighing on his mind. The request to entrust him with the wooden box at the turn was clearly a charge of great significance.

Sharp as he was, Jiang Chen immediately connected this to earlier events and asked why Han Yuyang had come seeking Old Wu in Shanguan Town before anyone else. Logically, having gotten himself into such grave trouble, Han Yuyang should have sought out someone in high office at court, someone with the power and influence to help clear his name and investigate the truth.

So why would Han Yuyang risk everything to find Old Wu—a butcher who had long since left the Iron Cavalry of Qishan, living in seclusion in a remote town? Considering the constant risk of exposure along the way, there had to be a compelling reason for Han Yuyang to brave such danger and insist on coming. Unless, perhaps, Old Wu held some crucial key to helping him. Yet how could a man so far removed from the officialdom still wield any real power? The question left Jiang Chen perplexed.

“It’s true. It’s related to why I left the Iron Cavalry all those years ago. He came to see me because this incident is connected to what drove me away twenty years back. As for those old affairs, I have no intention of speaking of them.”

“In short, there’s a score I’ve yet to settle. Since fate has made it so I can’t live out my days here in peace, perhaps I’ll have a chance to resolve it myself. But I don’t want to drag you all into this, so don’t ask any more.”

Jiang Chen nodded solemnly, showing respect for Old Wu’s decision.

“Father, Brother Chen, what are you two talking about? I’ve been waiting so long for you both to come over,” Wu Yue finally appeared, unable to hold back her curiosity. Old Wu laughed heartily, “This lad is soon to be my son-in-law, so I must give him some earnest advice. If my precious daughter were to be bullied by him in the future, how could I bear it?”

With that, Old Wu strode home laughing. Wu Yue’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Father, what are you talking about? Brother Chen treats me very well; he would never bully me.”

“Brother Chen, you come too. The dishes are getting cold.”

That meal was both a celebration of Old Wu’s narrow escape from disaster and a chance to nourish his battered body.

Although Old Wu claimed to be in robust health, that the few lashes from Wu Da were of no consequence, everyone could see he was only feigning nonchalance to keep them from worrying. Nearly seventy years old, it was hardly so easy to recover. Knowing Old Wu’s pride, no one voiced their true concern.

Moreover, this meal carried the sense of a farewell to life in Shanguan Town. As Jiang Chen noted, the three officials who died were no small matter—others would certainly be sent to investigate soon.

Wu Qingshan said, “Tang Yong mentioned that a man named Zhao led some people to Tiger Head Mountain. He might be with Wu Da’s group. Do you think they’ll come after us again?”

“Don’t worry, not for now,” Jiang Chen replied. “But we must be prepared to leave at any moment. In the coming days, everyone should pack lightly—take only what you can easily carry.”

“Jiang Chen is right. I, Wu Kuishan, am not afraid of trouble, but I don’t want you all to be implicated,” Old Wu added.

Wu Qingshan was surprised to find his father and Jiang Chen, who had never quite gotten along, now sitting together in harmony, their opinions perfectly aligned. It was a rare sight.

Having been stifled for so long, Wu Qingshan was now excited at the prospect of venturing out into the wider world. With great anticipation, he declared, “Just watch—when I, Wu Qingshan, leave Shanguan Town, I’ll be like a dragon entering the sea. Sooner or later, I’ll be a famed figure in the Great Qian Empire!”

Old Wu scolded him at once, “Enough of that nonsense, you ignorant boy. Just surviving will be enough of an achievement.”

Wu Yue laughed happily by their side. To her, being with her family was all that mattered—wherever they went, home was where her family was.

That afternoon, Jiang Chen began his own preparations. His first concern was the medicinal wine he had been brewing in batches—how to sell it all in a short time was now his most pressing issue. Leaving Shanguan Town would be easy, but to settle elsewhere, they would need ample silver. When it came to money, the more the better; he could not afford to be careless.

He took several jars of wine from home and made his way to Shuima Post before sunset.

When Luo Tiancheng saw Jiang Chen arrive, he exclaimed in delight, “Ah, Brother Jiang, please come in!”

Though this was only their second meeting, the two spoke with such ease that it felt as though they’d known each other for years.

“Tiancheng, that’s the situation. I don’t want to keep anything from you, but I also worry you might be implicated. That’s why I came today—to be forthright with you.”

After Jiang Chen recounted how he met Han Yuyang and the events that unfolded in Shanguan Town, Luo Tiancheng simply nodded seriously, showing no sign of anger.

“Brother Chen, when Han Yuyang came to me, he made everything plain. He said he was a fugitive, and that helping him into Ziyang City was a capital crime. He told me to think it over before committing to help.”

Remembering that day, Luo Tiancheng wore an expression of excitement and yearning.

“You are both upright men. It’s my honor to call you friends. I only regret I could do so little to help.”

So that was how it was. Jiang Chen hadn’t expected Han Yuyang to be so forthright—this proved he was a man of integrity.

Thus, an unspoken bond of trust formed between the three. Jiang Chen trusted Han Yuyang, giving him silver and sending him to Luo Tiancheng. Han Yuyang, in turn, trusted Jiang Chen enough to confess his situation to Luo Tiancheng, without fear of being reported. Finally, Luo Tiancheng helped Han Yuyang into Ziyang City out of his trust for both, feeling only pride in having such friends.

“Come, taste the wine I’ve brewed!”

Jiang Chen had promised Luo Tiancheng a drink before, so today he brought two jars of Jiangyue White, and two more of his newly infused medicinal wine.

After several rounds, Luo Tiancheng said, “Brother Chen, I never imagined you were so skilled. This fine wine ought to be sent to my father as well.”