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"Maybe!" was all Third said, as if answering both himself and the old man's question.
The old man's face turned ashen. "After all these years, no matter what I've lost, I have to give it one last shot!"
Third remained silent.
He then woke a few people and returned to the room the old man had arranged for them to rest.
Until dawn, everything was as usual, but when they entered the reception hall, Old Zhang was already waiting there. A round table was set with a breakfast typical of South Town, quite lavish.
The old man sat upright, though he still coughed occasionally. This time, his "grandson" Three Purities was by his side. The old man frequently picked up a gray handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth. He seemed to be in much better spirits.
As Third took his seat, he cast a careful glance at Old Zhang.
Second sat down as boisterous as ever, immediately praising the breakfast prepared by the old man, noting that it looked delicious in taste, color, and aroma. Old Zhang smiled in agreement.
Seven and Wang Er Gou sat down without saying a word.
The breakfast went on like this until it was finished. Third spoke up, "We've taken care of your matters; we must take our leave now."
The old man paused with his chopsticks mid-air but quickly regained his composure, putting the food into his mouth and chewing. "This dish is essential for the people of South Town at every meal—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its preparation is extremely simple, yet the flavor is excellent." He took another bite after finishing his sentence.
Listening to Old Zhang, Second also took a bite and remarked, "It really does taste good! I didn't expect you to know so much about cooking!"
Old Zhang felt a bit awkward.
Meanwhile, Third frowned slightly. Seven seemed to catch on to something as well. However, Wang Er Gou remained oblivious and did not understand what this meant.
After a moment, Third said, "I'm done eating; I'll take my leave now." Without waiting for the others to respond, he walked out first.
Second looked puzzled at Third's departing figure and said, "He left without finishing his meal." Then he turned to the old man and added, "Sorry! Third doesn't understand manners!"
Without looking at the old man's reaction, he continued to eat.
Seven and Wang Er Gou naturally did not react either.
Seven tugged at Second's sleeve. Second glanced at Seven, ready to scold him. But seeing the look in Seven's eyes, Second understood.
Second clapped his hands and wiped his mouth. Smiling, he said to Old Zhang, "Old man, I'm full!" Following that, Seven and Wang Er Gou also expressed that they were done eating.
The old man slowly put down his chopsticks and gestured with his hand, saying, "Help yourselves." After that, he began to cough again.
Second led the others away, while the old man watched them leave with a smile. However, the smile faded as their figures disappeared from view.
Third was sitting in a chair in the room. Second pushed the door open and exclaimed, "Does this old man want to kill us to silence us?"
Third made a gesture for silence. Wang Er Gou, who was last in line, closed the door tightly behind them.
Only then did Second continue, "Let's go now and see who dares to stop us!"
Seven said, " Second, don't be impulsive!" At that moment, Third spoke up, "Let's see what this old man intends to do before deciding how to respond!"
Second replied loudly, "Aren't you just waiting for death?"
Seven calmly said, "Not necessarily! This old man probably doesn't dare to do anything to us."
Second asked after hearing this, "What do you mean?"
Seven continued, "The old man still needs us! After all, we know some secrets he doesn't."
"What exactly was he hinting at with what he just said?" Wang Er Gou suddenly asked.
"Seven" shook his head and said, "I really haven't grasped this, but I can say for sure that it's not anything good!" " Second " chimed in, "Just go ask the old man directly!"
The others were momentarily at a loss for words. Noticing their expressions were not very good, " Second " said, "Third, what do you think we should do? I'm listening to you."
"Third" paused for a moment before replying, " Second, don't worry. You all go back to your rooms and rest! We will definitely be able to leave by noon today!"
Seeing that "Third" had nothing more to say, " Second " sighed and left, a hint of disappointment in his tone.
"Seven" and "Wang Er Gou" followed him out.
Once outside, " Second " remarked, "Third doesn't have the same courage he had when we were on the battlefield. Now he seems hesitant in everything he does."
"Seven" laughed and replied, "Third is just being more thorough in his considerations. If only our big brother were here!" At this point, "Seven" stopped speaking.
Upon hearing the words "big brother," " Second " fell silent as well. The group stood still for a moment before " Second," in a calm voice, said, "You all should go back and rest!"
"Seven" agreed and returned to his room with "Wang Er Gou."
Still standing in his room, "Third," after hearing no noise outside, sighed and then stepped out in single file, quickly arriving at the basement that needed to be lit even during the day.
The old man was indeed sitting there. Upon hearing some movement, he spoke up, "I know you're a smart person!" "Third" walked straight to the table and sat down. He said, "I won't waste time with small talk; this is your territory!"
Then he whispered something to the old man. The old man's originally serious face gradually broke into a smile.
After finishing his words, "Third" left while the old man remained lost in joy, not paying attention to much else!
Returning to his own room, "Third" began to close his eyes and meditate. He was contemplating how to navigate the path ahead! After experiencing the swamp and the Stone Forest, many secrets had been revealed. He believed that soon there would be a storm brewing. It was essential to prepare early!
Time passed quickly! Morning soon turned into noon!
The old man sent his servants to gather everyone in the hall. He spoke brightly, expressing his gratitude and similar sentiments. After finishing, he signaled to one of the servants, and soon two of them brought in a box!
The old man instructed them to open it. Inside was a pile of shiny silver coins! Second and Seven immediately rushed over, touching the coins, unable to believe their eyes!
"Damn! Is all this money for us?" Second asked. The old man readily replied, "Yes." Seven, being more cautious, inquired, "No regrets?" He received the same affirmative response.
Wang Er Gou was also drawn over; who wouldn't love money? However, a gentleman loves wealth but seeks it through proper means. Only Third stood still, not moving!
The old man said, "One thousand silver coins as my gratitude to you!"
At that moment, the others hardly registered his words!
The old man smiled and said, "Then I won't keep you for lunch! I have some matters to attend to; I'll take my leave."
Third merely nodded! The rest completely ignored him.
Not long after the old man left, the excitement among the group began to wane! Second said, "Let's go; we need to leave here immediately!"
They each returned to their rooms and quickly packed up.
They divided the silver coins from the box and packed them into their backpacks! Everyone carried some. This time, Third was no exception; he was forced by Second!
As they exited Zhang Residence, they suddenly felt a sense of lightness!
Meanwhile, inside Zhang Residence, someone stood before Old Zhang, seemingly reporting something! In the end, he made a gesture as if to kill. Old Zhang shook his head and said, "After all this experience, we should create less killing karma!" He added, "I believe they are smart people too."
The person said nothing further; with a plump figure yet agile movements, he swiftly retreated.
Old Zhang remained seated without moving and entered through a hidden door that only he knew about. After the old man disappeared from sight.
In a corner, Three Purities lay low, his eyes glimmering with light as he pondered deeply.
A group of travelers had already reached the exit of South Town, their luggage in tow. Behind them lay the north, while ahead was the Eastern Pass.
Seven gazed at South Town, acknowledging that it was indeed a nice place. However, this comfort was not yet his to enjoy.
Third spoke up, "Now that everything has been settled, brothers, have you thought about marrying and starting families?"
Upon hearing the word "wife," Second seemed somewhat taken aback. Seven chuckled and replied, "One wife is hardly enough; after all, we are wealthy now!" With that, everyone burst into laughter.
Everyone except Wang Er Gou, who remained silent.
Third had his own concerns; some matters were beyond what they could handle together. He didn't want to drag his brothers into trouble.
Third continued, "Seven, why not settle down here? You could marry and start a family, allowing Second and me to adopt a son soon!"
Second quickly chimed in, "Seven, this isn't just me saying it; Third makes a good point! How about I be the best man?"
Seven quickly countered, "If anyone is to marry first, it should be the eldest; how can the younger brother go first?"
Second kept bantering with Seven. Though Second wasn't as eloquent as Seven and couldn't win the argument verbally, he threatened to hit Seven instead. After some playful scuffling, they fell silent.
Then Wang Er Gou made a move that left everyone stunned.
Kneeling on the ground before the three of them, Wang Er Gou said, "I, Wang Er Gou, would like to ask for your help in investigating that matter regarding Eastern Pass!"
Seven hurriedly helped Wang Er Gou up and said angrily, "What are you doing?" Second added, " Er Gou, are you trying to shorten our lives?"
"Wang Er Gou" quickly denied, saying, "After all these years, I just want to find out who killed my family!"
"Third" looked at "Wang Er Gou" without speaking. Given the current situation, these matters had already been brought to light; some things could no longer be kept secret!
" Second " said, "By kneeling like this, are you treating us as outsiders? We have all experienced life and death together. ' Er Gou', I've long considered you a brother."
"Seven" echoed in agreement. "Third" nodded.
After hearing " Second's" words, "Wang Er Gou" replied, "You all don't hold past grievances against me and still consider me a brother. Hearing this, I feel a bit choked up."
" Second " quickly interrupted him, scolding, "' Er Gou', when did you become so sentimental? Since we are brothers, let's not stand on ceremony."
"Wang Er Gou" stopped hesitating, but in his heart, he had already remembered the kindness of several people.
Suddenly, "Third" said, "'Seven', you and 'Second' should not go into this matter! I will help him find out the truth!" "Third" spoke these words with utmost seriousness.
" Second " reacted strongly after hearing this, saying, "'Third', what do you mean? Do you look down on me?"
"Third" replied honestly, "I just don’t want you to take unnecessary risks!"
At this moment, "Wang Er Gou's" expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
"Seven" said, "'Third', we've already faced so many dangers together; what is there to fear now? We are brothers! We promised to live and die together!"
Upon hearing this, "Third" was momentarily speechless. He felt a bitterness in his mouth and couldn't find the words to respond.
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