#245 - The water is cold and the wind is like a knife (Part 2)
The first watch of Zi Shi (11 PM - 1 AM).
“Report!”
“The imperial army has crossed the boundary of Yi Shan County, with the Imperial Guards as the vanguard, heading straight for Ji Zhou City!”
When a messenger soldier hurriedly knocked on the teahouse door and anxiously uttered these words, Wei Yan Yu's expression showed no panic, but rather a sense of relief.
“Young Master Wei.”
She took a deep look at Wei Chang Tian and said calmly, “I must excuse myself.”
“Madam Wei, please go ahead.”
Wei Chang Tian smiled. “I await your good news.”
“I hope I won’t disappoint you, Young Master.”
Wei Yan Yu gave a meaningful reply, then slightly bowed in a half-blessing, before turning and walking out of the teahouse with the messenger, clearly to arrange the city's defense.
“This woman is indeed calm.”
Watching the two leave, Wei Chang Tian smacked his lips and muttered to himself in a low voice:
“Although I don’t know who the imperial spy is within the Xu family, it seems that Ji Zhou City should be able to be defended.”
“Unless Ning Yong Nian has a backup plan.”
“Sigh, this is really troublesome.”
“A Child of Destiny plus the ruler of a nation, this is too much of a cheat.”
“But fortunately, my cheat is even bigger than his...”
“...”
The fragrant tea in the cup was already a bit weak. Wei Chang Tian tilted his head back, poured the last cup of tea into his mouth, and got up to leave the teahouse.
Probably because Wei Yan Yu had given instructions in advance, the guards standing outside the house did not stop him, but allowed him to walk around in the Xu mansion, only following him from a distance.
The courtyard was planted with many flowers and plants, well-maintained and quiet. In front of him was a small building of unknown purpose, with gray walls and black tiles, carrying a strong ancient atmosphere.
With the imperial army approaching, the Xu mansion was not in a state of panic. Apart from a few mansion guards, not even a single soldier could be seen.
Perhaps Wei Yan Yu really had no intention of leaving a way out for the Xu family.
After standing in the courtyard for a while, Qin Zheng Qiu also walked out of the house.
“Chang Tian, where is Madam Wei?”
“She left, probably to arrange the city's defense.”
“So, the imperial court is indeed heading straight for Ji Zhou City?”
“Yes.”
Wei Chang Tian nodded: “Grandpa, there is a high probability that the imperial court will not be able to break the city tonight. When they retreat, we will leave.”
“Okay.”
Qin Zheng Qiu had no objections, thought for a while, and then asked: “What about the old man and grandson living in Luo Guo Alley? Are they going with us as well?”
“This...”
Wei Chang Tian hesitated for a moment: “I’ll go ask them. If they are willing, we’ll go together. If they are not willing, then forget it.”
“Alright, I’ll accompany you there later.”
Qin Zheng Qiu suddenly remembered something, and then said: “By the way, about the matter you asked me about yesterday... I suddenly remembered someone just now.”
“Star River Sword, Zhang Ben Chu.”
“This person's surname is Zhang, he is a sword fanatic, he once reached the second rank, and his age seems to match.”
“However...”
“However what?” Wei Chang Tian suddenly turned his head.
“However, he died fifty years ago.”
“Died?”
Wei Chang Tian's first reaction was a situation like faking death, but Qin Zheng Qiu seemed to have guessed his thoughts, shook his head, and explained:
“Yes, he really died.”
“There were many people who saw this scene at that time, and it could not be faked.”
“...”
The shadows of the plants and trees beside him were heavy, and the wind whistling through the upturned eaves and deep corridors sounded like cranes crying.
After Qin Zheng Qiu finished speaking, Wei Chang Tian was silent for a while.
It seemed that Old Zhang Tou really couldn't be that Zhang Ben Chu.
After all, his head was chopped off. Even with a system, it would be impossible to save him in this situation.
“Forget it, let's not worry about this for now.”
Shaking his head, Wei Chang Tian didn't continue to ask.
He looked up at the night sky, and suddenly remembered what Old Zhang Tou said yesterday while eating.
“This master once, with one sword, severed Yama.”
Although he still didn't quite believe it.
But it had to be said that Old Zhang Tou's aura when he said this was indeed quite intimidating.
Half an hour later, Luo Guo Alley.
“Old Zhang Tou, the imperial army will soon be at the city walls.”
“At that time, the city will definitely be very chaotic, and you probably won’t be able to set up your chess stall.”
“If nothing unexpected happens, I will leave the city and return to Shu Zhou tomorrow...”
Inside the leaky broken house, not even an oil lamp was lit. Facing the yawning old man and child, Wei Chang Tian rolled his eyes and issued a “sincere” invitation.
“If you and A’Gou are willing to come with me, then hurry up and pack up now!”
“Heh ~”
Another earth-shattering yawn. Old Zhang Tou mumbled vaguely while half-lying on the bed: “It’s the middle of the night, can’t you let people sleep?”
“Aren’t you leaving tomorrow? Then you can come and ask tomorrow.”
“I clearly didn’t sleep all night last night...”
“Sigh, those three young ladies were too proactive, it must be because this master’s charm is still as great as it was in the past...”
Good heavens, can you look in the mirror before saying that??
“You...”
Wei Chang Tian suppressed the urge to curse and patiently asked again: “Are you leaving or not, give me a straight answer!”
“Not leaving.”
“...”
If you're not leaving, why are you saying all this nonsense?!
Wei Chang Tian was frustrated for a while, turned his head, and asked A’Gou, who was rubbing his eyes next to him.
“A’Gou, do you want to come with me?”
“Heh ~”
A’Gou opened his mouth and yawned slightly: “I’ll listen to Grandpa.”
Alright, you two stay here then.
“Alright, if you don’t want to leave, then forget it.”
Wei Chang Tian didn’t try to persuade them any further: “But don’t blame me if you die in this war-torn Ji Zhou.”
“Disciple, you underestimate this master too much.”
Old Zhang Tou glared, seemingly a little unhappy: “Back then, this master was also...”
“Stop! Keep that boasting to yourself.”
Wei Chang Tian waved his hand, took out a thousand tael silver note from his pocket, and threw it casually onto the kang.
“Old Zhang Tou, you and I can be considered to have a connection, but I think we won’t have a chance to meet again in the future.”
“Save this money, don’t foolishly spend it all on those brothel girls, save some to prepare a dowry for A’Gou in advance.”
“Also, if you die early and A’Gou has no one to take care of her, then ask someone to take her to Shu Zhou to find me.”
“But let me say it in advance, don’t expect me to come to Ji Zhou to put flowers on your grave at that time, I don’t have that kind of free time.”
“Alright, you guys continue sleeping, I’m leaving.”
After speaking, Wei Chang Tian simply got up and prepared to leave.
However, Old Zhang Tou suddenly reached out at this time.
“Disciple, wait!”
“What? Changed your mind?”
“That’s not it... Disciple, can you call me master again?”
“...”
Since they were going to part ways forever anyway, Wei Chang Tian didn’t care about being taken advantage of by Old Zhang Tou one more time, so he perfunctorily replied.
“Master.”
“Hahaha! Good!”
Old Zhang Tou responded with a smile, the wrinkles on his face squeezed together, like an ancient tree that had experienced countless years of wind and rain.
Wei Chang Tian didn’t know why he was so happy, but he was too lazy to think about it. He just asked one more question as a last resort before leaving.
“By the way, Old Zhang Tou, have you heard of the name Zhang Ben Chu?”
“Zhang Ben Chu?” Old Zhang Tou looked blank.
“Never mind, just pretend I didn’t ask.”
Wei Chang Tian shook his head, and then, in the next second, his attention was attracted by a loud noise that suddenly came from afar.
“Boom!”
“Boom boom!”
“Boom boom boom!!!”
From one or two sounds to a continuous series.
The rumbling sound, one after another, was accompanied by the trembling of the earth. Even the tattered roof beam above his head was shaking, scattering wood shavings.
Without a doubt, the battle had already begun on the city wall.
Through the broken window, Wei Chang Tian turned his head to look at the clusters of “fireworks” exploding in the night sky, no longer observing Old Zhang Tou’s situation.
Nor did he notice the intense pain and struggle in the latter’s eyes.
