Chapter Twenty-Three: Zhou Zhu

At this moment, the young man was holding the mountain berries the group had set aside on a nearby rock, tasting them one by one, his gaze drifting idly across the crowd as if searching for someone.

“You little—”

The hot-tempered youth’s expression changed, about to lash out.

“Shut up, Second!”

But before he could finish, the young man beside him smacked him across the head.

Without sparing another glance at the bewildered youth, the sturdy young man stepped forward with a cupped fist and introduced himself. “My name is Liang Chuan, acting leader of Team Nineteen. May I ask what brings Third Brother here? My men failed to recognize you; I beg your pardon.”

“It’s nothing. You know me?”

The youth was none other than Hu San. He glanced at the robust young man and nodded slightly. “The fruit tastes good.”

“Third Brother jests. Who in the stronghold doesn’t know your name? I was fortunate enough to join in a previous raid and caught a glimpse of your golden mask,” Liang Chuan replied, with a flattering but tense smile.

Though Peng Fei was nothing in Hu San’s eyes, he had been the strongest recruit to emerge from the first course. Yet, after only three days of joint operations with Hu San’s team, he died mysteriously at the foot of the mountain, his body smashed to pulp.

No one knew exactly what happened, but everyone could guess. Peng Fei must have been unhappy with Hu San’s reputation and sought to challenge him—only to end up thrown off a cliff, dead before any other bandits could even react.

Given Hu San’s fearsome reputation, any rookie in the training camp who still didn’t know how to choose sides was truly a fool. Even Leader Zhao of Team Nine treated Hu San with utmost respect—how could they do otherwise?

Though unspoken, it was an open secret that Hu San was the uncrowned king of the entire training camp. He was the only one in the second course who dared to wander alone during training and the first course, and remain unscathed.

One only had to see the indifferent glances of the seasoned bandits supervising nearby to realize that Hu San’s authority now extended beyond the camp itself.

Liang Chuan, however, didn’t know that the death of the bandit surnamed Zhong—while never officially explained—was widely attributed by his peers to Hu San. Even the third chief of the stronghold suspected as much, though he dismissed it due to Hu San’s youth. But beneath the surface, no one dared underestimate him any longer.

These days, when Hu San roamed the camp and ran into lone bandits, he frequently earned the respectful title of “Third Brother.”

Facing such a figure, Liang Chuan may have been a team leader, but it would have been a lie to claim he wasn’t nervous.

Under the complicated gazes of those present, Hu San finished off the plate of wild berries with perfect nonchalance, wiped his mouth, and asked, “I’m not here for anything major. I heard your team has a new recruit named Zhou who was literate before joining the stronghold. Is that true?”

“Is that what Third Brother wants?”

Liang Chuan’s heart immediately brightened, regaining his leaderly composure. He ordered, “Second, fetch Zhou Zhu. And bring two more plates of green fruit. Since Third Brother likes them, we can’t be stingy.”

The hot-tempered youth nodded at once. “Alright, we won’t let Third Brother down.”

Now that he knew Hu San’s identity, he was grateful his earlier insults hadn’t slipped out, and was eager to please.

Hu San had already become the absolute idol among the new recruits—whether in the first or second course.

“Third Brother, what do you want with that Zhou Zhu? Aside from being able to read a couple words, he’s got neither strength nor courage,” said another burly youth by the rocks, flexing his muscles as if to suggest he was the more suitable candidate.

“Leopard, mind your manners!”

Liang Chuan rebuked him, then smiled at Hu San. “But truly, we can’t imagine what business you’d have with him. Is there some secret?”

“No secret at all.”

Seeing their respectful attitude, Hu San replied with a smile, “Life in the mountains is dull. I thought it’d be useful to know a few characters. I heard this Zhou fellow has some family learning, so I’d like to invite him to Team Nine for occasional instruction—if Brother Liang is willing to part with him?”

“Oh, so that’s it! Third Brother, you are a man of refinement—we admire you,” Liang Chuan and his men exclaimed, thumping their chests. “Don’t worry, Third Brother. If anyone else asked, maybe not, but for you, if Zhou agrees, fine; if not, we’ll tie him up and deliver him to Team Nine ourselves. Leave it to us.”

“Excellent! Then I’ll count on you. If you ever have the time, you’re welcome in Team Nine—I, Hu San, extend the invitation to all of you.”

Hu San was delighted and offered them the olive branch.

Hearing this, Liang Chuan and the others were overjoyed. If they could just latch onto Team Nine’s support, their days would improve immensely.

Soon, the hot-tempered youth returned, leading a pale, frail young man. The newcomer was strikingly handsome but looked exhausted, swaying as he walked, clearly in poor health.

Seeing all the leaders present, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat, his hands trembling in terror.

“This is Zhou Zhu.”

Liang Chuan quickly introduced him to Hu San and barked, “This is Third Brother from Team Nine—pay your respects!”

At his shout, Zhou Zhu nearly collapsed.

“Greetings, Third Brother!”

Barely managing to stand upright, Zhou Zhu gazed at the youth before him with surprise, unable to reconcile this figure with the legendary Hu San.

“Mm.”

Hu San nodded, sizing Zhou Zhu up as Zhou Zhu did the same to him. This young man carried a faint scholarly air, but was clearly frail—he must have suffered greatly these past months; making it this far was likely already his limit.

“I hear you’re well-read, a true scholar. Is that so?”

Faced with Hu San’s question, Zhou Zhu hesitated slightly, then forced himself to answer, “I wouldn’t dare claim so before Third Brother. My ancestors came from the outside world; fleeing disaster, we settled in these Qilian Mountains generations ago. By family tradition, the Zhou clan has passed down the study of literature and etiquette.

But over the years, our book collection dwindled. After war and misfortune, only a dozen or so volumes remain. Since childhood, I learned to read a little, know some introductory texts, and have read the Four Books and Five Classics. But I dare not call myself a scholar.”

“Oh,” Hu San replied, nodding, though he was baffled. Unlike Liang Chuan and the others, he maintained a look of understanding. Coughing, he changed the subject. “Impressive. That’s rare in our stronghold. Do you know anything about acupuncture points or meridians?”

In the mountain villages, when people fell ill, they relied on old family remedies or witch doctors—there were no real physicians. Hence Hu San’s question.

Even in the stronghold, injuries were treated with ointments from the outside, but illnesses were left to folk cures.

Zhou Zhu seemed to sense where Hu San was going and, easing his nerves, answered, “Our family once had a medical text, but most of it was lost over the years. Only a few pages remain. I barely recognize a few acupoints, but as for meridians, those are secrets never passed on—there’s no way to know.”

He finished, then anxiously awaited Hu San’s response.

Sickly since birth, Zhou Zhu had learned a little, but it was of little use in the Qilian Mountains. His parents had pushed him to join, likely hoping he’d serve as a scapegoat.

Though he was fed and clothed in the stronghold, he knew he’d never survive a month outside the camp. Even within, life was increasingly difficult due to the emerging social hierarchy; he now hovered on the edge of hunger.

He’d resigned himself to waiting for death, never expecting such an opportunity to fall into his lap.

So, though he only knew of a few famously lethal acupoints, Zhou Zhu exaggerated his familiarity to catch Hu San’s attention.

“Very good!”

To Zhou Zhu’s relief, Hu San seemed pleased, clapping his hands and glancing at Liang Chuan before addressing Zhou Zhu: “Brother Zhou, I’m sure you’ve guessed why I’m here. To be frank, I want you to teach me to read and help identify acupoints—what do you say?”

“Heh, Brother Zhou, quick—thank Third Brother for his generosity! Do you know how many in the training camp dream of joining Team Nine in vain? And you—just for knowing a few words, you get this chance! Truly enviable. If I’ve ever wronged you, forgive me,” Liang Chuan said, handing Zhou Zhu two green fruits, both to help Hu San and to smooth over old grievances.

Seeing Zhou Zhu accept the fruit gratefully, Liang Chuan smiled, letting bygones be bygones.

“Thank you, Third Brother, for your trust. I will do everything in my power to help you,” Zhou Zhu said, clutching the green fruit tightly. Hearing the former leader’s warm encouragement, he began to shake—not from fear, but from excitement.

He knew, at this moment, that his life was about to change forever—and all of it was thanks to this spirited young man before him.