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墨書 Inktalez
Time flies, indeed. Three years in the military, fighting bravely without ever calling for a retreat. Even amidst the hail of bullets and the piles of corpses, no matter how harsh the environment, we stood together through thick and thin.
Third remained silent. Second also stopped talking. The group sat in silence, exchanging glances. After a while, Wang Er Gou spoke softly, "I really shouldn't have let you take risks for me."
Second replied, " Er Gou, I will definitely help you!" Seven echoed similar sentiments.
Finally, Third added, "We are brothers! If you go, I will go too!"
After hearing this, Second took a moment to react before bursting into laughter and patting Third on the shoulder. "Now that's what I'm talking about! That's a true brother!"
They had faced countless life-and-death situations together and had traveled many roads. If they were to part ways, they would have done so long ago. Now, out of the eight of them, two had already fallen, and the remaining three were left in uncertainty about their fates.
Seven said, "First, we need to head towards Eastern Pass and then figure things out from there."
After discussing their plans, they decided to sneak back to South Town without letting Old Zhang find out; otherwise, who knew what trouble might arise? That old man was too cunning.
Under the cover of darkness, they made their way back to South Town and found Wu Qingshan!
Wu Qingshan was a significant figure in this area, with connections in both the underworld and legitimate circles.
When they arrived unexpectedly, Wu Qingshan seemed to have anticipated their visit; he showed no surprise and naturally invited them into the back room.
Ah Si had become the second-in-command in Wu Qingshan's organization after the last incident.
Wu Qingshan was a man of the streets and didn't adhere to many formalities. As soon as they entered the room, he said, "Feel free to sit down; don't be polite."
When they first met, Wang Er Gou greeted Wu Qingshan with a simple "Wu Ge."
Wu Qingshan didn't respond verbally but merely nodded at him. Many things didn’t require words; a single gesture could convey everything they needed to understand.
Wang Er Gou fell silent again.
Ah Si did not give Wang Er Gou a good look, after all, it was closely related to A-San's death. No one would take a life lightly.
Once everyone was seated, Second spoke frankly, "We need four horses and four guns, along with enough ammunition!"
Seven added, "We will pay for it!"
Wu Qingshan's expression changed as he said, "Brother, what do you take me for?"
Hearing this, the others felt a bit tense. Wu Qingshan continued, "This little matter, giving me money is like slapping my face."
The group relaxed slightly, thinking he wasn't going to cause trouble after all.
Second said bluntly, "You rascal, I thought you were going to extort us again."
Wu Qingshan felt a bit awkward. After Second finished speaking, he burst into laughter. Second was simply not a scheming person. If others were willing to be his friends, he would never treat them as enemies.
Seeing that Second was joking too, Wu Qingshan laughed along. The two could be considered similar types of people, both straightforward in nature.
After chatting for a while longer, they quickly began to develop a brotherly bond.
Wu Qingshan readily instructed to prepare food and drinks. Second timely remarked, "You won't be drugging us this time, right?"
Wu Qingshan laughed and replied, "How could that be!" He pointed at Third and added, "That brother over there is quite the expert! How could I dare to show off in front of him?"
Second agreed, "That's true! Last time we didn't drink enough; this time we must drink until we drop!"
Wu Qingshan responded, "Of course we should drink! As the saying goes, 'A thousand cups are few when drinking with a confidant!'"
Soon the food and drinks were served. Third timely reminded them, "Don't forget the main business!"
"Wu Qingshan replied, 'Don't worry! I, Wu Qingshan, always handle things efficiently! There won't be any mistakes.'
This was the best approach. Third calmly finished this sentence and fell silent.
'Let's drink!' Wu Qingshan raised his glass, and the few of them clinked their cups together. After finishing his drink, Second said, 'This is really good wine!' Seven also chimed in, 'This wine is indeed excellent!'
Wu Qingshan set down his cup and said, 'This is my treasured Flower Carving that I've kept for several years. It must be good wine. Usually, I wouldn't even dare to drink it myself. But on an occasion like today, if I don't drink, it would seem ungrateful of me, Wu Qingshan.'
Hahaha... Laughter erupted once again.
The group drank until they were all quite intoxicated. Third was so drunk that it wasn't until the following afternoon that they fully regained their senses.
When they first woke up, their bodies ached all over. Wu Qingshan got up a bit earlier, and after the others had tidied up, the horses were already prepared along with their weapons and gear.
As they stepped outside into the courtyard, they saw four tall horses grazing! It was clear they were all fine steeds.
Second asked, ' Er Gou, can you ride a horse?'
Wang Er Gou smiled and replied, 'Back when my family had money, I rode before; I suppose I can manage!'
'Then let's go!'
After bidding farewell and expressing gratitude to Wu Qingshan, they followed the route he pointed out and exited Nanzhen City! They arrived outside South Town!
The last time they went to Stone Forest, they took a different route. Although Stone Forest separated Eastern Pass from South Town, it did not completely block off the connection between the two regions.
There was still a dedicated road for trade between the two areas. Additionally, there was also a route for smuggling."
Illegal trades used to pass through the Stone Forest, but it was later discovered that a law dictated that traveling through the Stone Forest was akin to facing a ten percent chance of death. It could be said that one would lose both life and wealth! However, if one could succeed in navigating it once, they could offset losses incurred twenty times over.
Despite this, many still chose to take the risk.
Eventually, someone discovered that besides the main road and the Stone Forest, there was another obscure mountain path available. However, this path was known only to those involved in underground smuggling.
Of course, those with clear eyes would not abandon the main road for a small path. Even if they knew about it, they wouldn’t dare venture forth.
A group hurried towards this small path, choosing it to avoid prying eyes.
As dusk approached, Wu Qingshan remarked, "There’s an inn along the way where we can stay! We should reach it by around eight or nine tonight!"
Determined to arrive at the inn, the group pressed on without resting.
The sky gradually darkened. Second said, "The inn should be just ahead."
Wang Er Gou replied, "It can't be far now."
Indeed, within a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the inn as expected!
It stood alone in the wilderness, a two-story establishment that appeared quite simple from the outside, constructed from thatch. Yet inside, it was brightly lit with no signs of closing down!
The four dismounted and led their horses to the entrance. At that moment, a young attendant approached with a smile and helped tie their horses to the hitching post.
They entered the inn. The interior was much better than the exterior suggested. The main hall had four or five tables, one of which was occupied by patrons drinking and playing games.
The Innkeeper was a middle-aged man with a plump figure and a large belly. He had a cheerful demeanor and a friendly face. As soon as they walked in, he greeted them warmly and led them to the counter. He then took out an abacus and asked, "Are you here for a meal or lodging?"
"Stay here, four single rooms!" Seven replied.
Third glanced around the inn and said, "Let's go with two double rooms instead." Seven had no objections, so he changed his mind and said, "Boss, let's follow Third's suggestion and get two double rooms!"
The Innkeeper smiled and responded, "Alright! Two double rooms it is!" Seven pulled out two silver coins from his bag filled with silver dollars and tossed them over. "And prepare a table of good food and wine!"
The Innkeeper shouted back, "Sure thing! A table of fine food and wine coming right up."
The group followed the Waiter upstairs, while the Innkeeper cast a glance at Seven's bag. He murmured to himself, "A newcomer with goods! This is excellent."
At that moment, a young waiter approached and asked, "Boss, should we make a move?"
The Innkeeper stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "Go notify Zhou Mazi in the mountains. Tell him there's meat available!"
The Waiter acknowledged and hurried out. The Innkeeper called him back with a hand gesture. The young waiter understood immediately and replied, "Got it, let's split it thirty-seventy!" The Innkeeper nodded with a smile.
The four upstairs were unaware that just a few words had already set in motion the plan to divide their silver coins.
After placing their luggage down, they came back downstairs. However, the bag containing the silver coins remained on their backs! It was indeed inconvenient to carry so much money while traveling, Second remarked.
"If only we had left it with Wu Qingshan."
It was quite odd for them to come down for a meal still carrying their luggage; the table of diners who had been there earlier had already dispersed. Now there were only a few people left.
Seeing the group eat while still carrying their bags only reinforced the Innkeeper's earlier judgment.
He thought to himself that he was about to make a windfall! With that in mind, he became even more enthusiastic towards them! After all, they were just sheep waiting to be sheared!
Second joined in with the Innkeeper's banter.
The Innkeeper flattered, "Just looking at you all, it's clear you're travelers on important business!"
The Second, mimicking the First's earlier response, said, "Not at all! We're just a bunch of jokers, not here for anything serious."
The boss felt a bit annoyed by the gray-haired man and was ready to step away. However, the Second pulled him into a conversation, asking, "How's business here? Can you make a decent profit?"
He continued, "I'm also thinking of opening a shop here. If I get started, who knows where it might lead?"
The Innkeeper found himself unable to escape. Just then, a waiter called out to him!
Finally having an excuse to leave, the Innkeeper stepped through the inner door to speak with the other man. The Third glanced at the curtain still swaying and said to the others, "I need to take a quick leak!"
"Go ahead!" The Second and Wang Er Gou had already started drinking.
About five minutes later, the Third returned.
The Second complained, "Why did you take so long? Come on, let's drink!"
At that moment, the Third replied, "When you're out and about, it's best to drink less. Don't forget we still have so many silver coins on us!"
As soon as money was mentioned, everyone became alert. The Second immediately set down his cup and said, "The Third is right! Let's drink less and eat more!"
"Yes, drink less and eat more!" Wang Er Gou echoed.
Watching from the side, the Innkeeper felt anxious as he saw them only eating vegetables and not drinking at all, though he didn't show it.
The Waiter anxiously remarked, "These guys are only eating vegetables and not drinking. Do you think they're being cautious?"
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