Chapter 73: Wu Yue Has Been Found

Wu Qingshan swam in the river for quite some time. After coming ashore, plagued by worries of being followed, he circled around several times before daring to return to the inn.

Yet, in truth, his bedraggled appearance attracted curious glances wherever he went, doing little to conceal his tracks. Jiang Chen, however, kept silent so as not to dampen his spirits.

He gazed intently at Wu Qingshan and said, "All right, now tell me immediately what happened after you arrived in Longjiang City. Remember, every detail matters—leave nothing out!"

From Wu Qingshan's account, Jiang Chen learned that on the night they arrived in Longjiang City, Old Wu had suddenly departed without a word and vanished without a trace.

The next day, they searched the entire inn, spending a long time coming to terms with the fact that Old Wu had left them behind and gone off alone. Such a thing had never crossed their minds, and accepting it was all the harder.

For the past twenty years, Old Wu had lived uprightly, laboring day and night for his family. He had never disappeared inexplicably before; how could one believe he would do such a thing now?

Afterward, Wu Qingshan and the others split up to search, combing nearly every corner of Longjiang City. It was during this process that Wu Yue became separated from them, and she never returned to the Auspicious Rising Inn.

"Brother Gu said there was a wooden box hidden beneath the carriage, possibly connected to my father's departure. So I carried it with me and even opened it once on the road."

"But I don't know what the badge inside means, nor do I understand what that iron rod split into five parts is for."

It was because Wu Qingshan opened the box in the crowded marketplace that Yin Mufan took note of him. Later, Gu Jun was gravely injured while protecting Wu Qingshan, and Wu Qingshan himself was taken aboard that massive ship by Yin Mufan.

From that point onward, Jiang Chen knew the rest. Yin Mufan’s background was mysterious, and it seemed there was some deep-seated enmity between him and Old Wu.

The specifics of that past are unknown to Jiang Chen, but Yin Mufan’s ruthless determination made it clear they would stop at nothing to find Old Wu.

Jiang Chen bowed his head, silent for a long time. He thought to himself that Old Wu wasn’t the type to act so irresponsibly. At the very least, he should have left a letter, explained his whereabouts, or offered some words to ease their concerns.

Yet, after repeated questioning, Wu Qingshan's answer remained, "Nothing."

From Old Wu’s actions, it was evident he had long planned to part ways with them in Longjiang City; his departure was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.

But where had he gone?

Of course—Flag Mountain...

Amid the tangled thoughts, a place name surfaced in Jiang Chen’s mind. Northward across the river for two hundred miles lay Flag Mountain, home to the famed Iron Cavalry.

Old Wu had mentioned before that he had unresolved matters from his past but did not wish to implicate his family. If so, it seemed likely he had set out for Flag Mountain.

Jiang Chen’s formerly troubled expression eased somewhat, but another urgent matter remained—finding Wu Yue.

By rights, even without word from Old Wu, Wu Yue should have returned to the inn to rejoin them. Her prolonged absence could only mean she was unable to do so.

Wu Qingshan voiced his worry, "Could it be that my sister, like us, has run into danger and been captured by villains?"

Though Jiang Chen hated to imagine it, reality suggested the possibility was growing ever more likely—Wu Yue’s life might even be at risk.

Turning the matter over in his mind, Jiang Chen resolved to seek out the manager of the silk shop again, asking him to mobilize all his Lin family connections in Longjiang City to search for Wu Yue. With tens of thousands of people in the city, even with the Lin family’s resources, it was like hunting for a needle in the sea.

But Jiang Chen could think of no other way.

Without delay, he instructed Wu Qingshan to stay at the inn and care for Gu Jun. If Wu Yue returned, he would hear of it immediately.

Just as he stepped out of the inn, he came face-to-face with a man he could never have expected to see here.

"Jiang Chen."

"Li Yuanpei?"

Back in the western outskirts of Ziyang, Li Yuanpei and his companions had been swept up by a band of rebels, surviving by a hair’s breadth. After Jiang Chen drove the rebels away, he could not find Li Yuanpei.

Luckily, he had survived, but he should not have appeared here.

"Why didn’t you go home?"

Jiang Chen eyed Li Yuanpei’s clean, tidy clothes. He hardly looked like a man on the run, and suspicion stirred in Jiang Chen’s heart.

"I... I lost my way and didn’t know which direction to go. I met some kind people along the road, and they brought me here."

"I see. You look as though you’ve come to find me," Jiang Chen pressed further.

Li Yuanpei hesitated, then said, "Yes, I met Wu Yue in the city. She told me you’d be at this inn, so I came to find you."

"Wu Yue sprained her ankle and can't walk for now. Let me take you to where she is."

Hearing that Li Yuanpei knew Wu Yue’s whereabouts, Jiang Chen was immediately eager to go find her. Guided by Li Yuanpei, they crossed the bustling eastern districts and soon reached a quieter area.

Here, scattered riverside houses stood. Li Yuanpei pointed ahead, "I let Wu Yue rest in that empty house. She’s inside, waiting for you."

Jiang Chen thanked him and hurried toward the house.

With anxious heart, he pushed open the door—and indeed, saw Wu Yue. The two rushed toward each other, the joy of reunion after long separation surging between them.

Jiang Chen gathered Wu Yue into his arms and said with remorse, "It's my fault—I delayed so long in finding you. I know about Old Wu’s situation now, but don’t worry. I’ll find him."

"Brother Chen, now that you’re here, I’m not afraid of anything," Wu Yue replied.

At that moment, Jiang Chen noticed Wu Yue’s stance; she did not appear to be injured.

"Yue’er, your ankle isn’t hurt?"

"I’m fine—no injuries at all. Don't worry."

Just as she finished speaking, the door slammed shut with a loud “bang.” Jiang Chen realized danger was upon them, and quickly shielded Wu Yue while scanning the room.

He saw several black iron chains sprawled haphazardly at their feet. Such objects were out of place here, and their arrangement was deliberate—not carelessly discarded.