Chapter Forty-Five: The Origins of the Second Chieftain
The leading knight furrowed his brow slightly, intending to intervene, but before he could act, Hu San on the other side barked, “Hell, you really don’t stand on ceremony, do you? Brothers, don’t let these fools snatch all the tea! Honey Blossom Tea comes but once a year—today, I’m treating you all. If anyone leaves unsated, I won’t let it slide!”
With that, he urged the surrounding bandits forward, and they rushed at the cups, gulping the tea down greedily.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng gave a sycophantic smile. “Forgive our manners, brave knights. Please, help yourselves, or else when everyone’s had their fill, the young master might just pour the rest away. That would truly be heartbreaking.”
The leading knight’s lips curled into a smile as he looked about. Aside from a few bandits serving tea, most of the hundred bandits were sprawled on the ground, each clutching a large basin and pouring it down their throats.
Why basins, you ask? The answer was simple: Hu San had poured the tea from cups into basins, originally to prevent the knights from snatching them, but it made for a boisterous scene.
The bandits drank heartily, while the knights and guards watched, their mouths dry and parched, faint fragrance drifting through the woods, making their mouths water uncontrollably.
A few bandits, risking Hu San’s wrath, carried basins of Honey Blossom Tea to the caravan, inviting the knights and guards.
The leading knight finally nodded slightly. “Since the chief is so generous, we’ll drink a little to refresh ourselves. Everyone, help yourselves, but don’t overdo it.”
No sooner had he spoken than the knights and guards surged forward, showing no sign of deference to Hu San. The Honey Blossom Tea was indeed delicious, and they drank greedily.
Hu San, furious, cursed and raged, but he could not stop them; he could only urge his bandits to drink quickly, lest others finish it all.
“Sir, you should have some too. This weather is truly stifling; a drink will ease your fatigue.”
Zhao Feng picked a large basin and handed it to the leading knight.
The knight took it, and before even drinking, caught a whiff of its fragrance, instantly invigorated. He couldn’t help but praise, “Excellent tea! No wonder it’s called Honey Blossom Tea.”
With that, he tipped his head back and drank the whole basin.
At that moment, Zhao Feng finished his own basin and wiped his mouth.
Seeing the knight so pleased, Zhao Feng’s mind stirred and he smiled, “Sir Knight, do you want more? I’d like to have another myself. Today we’re just lucky to drink so freely, thanks to you.”
He called for several serving bandits, had them bring more basins, and drank another himself.
The knight shook his head, saying nothing more, and, accompanied by Zhao Feng, drank a few more.
Before long, the vast quantity of Honey Blossom Tea was gone. Hu San stopped cursing, bringing a bowl of tea to the leading knight, sitting down and studying him curiously.
“Little fellow, feeling heartbroken?”
“What use is heartbreak?”
Hu San’s eyes twinkled, then he asked, “Since you’re the leader of the Big Bend caravan, you must be a warrior. Could you teach me how to become one? That would repay my hospitality, wouldn’t it?”
“You’re quite amusing, but here’s a word of warning: outside these mountains, never ask such things—else you may invite disaster.”
The knight shook his head and explained, “Every warrior represents a secret manual, and every manual ties to a family or sect’s interests. Such knowledge cannot be lightly passed on.”
“But if you do well in the bandit stronghold, you might have a chance.”
“Stingy.”
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Hu San pouted, then asked, “I heard warriors have three realms. Which realm are you in? You seem very strong.”
“You know of the three realms? Your father must not be an ordinary man—surely, he’s a warrior as well.”
The knight nodded in realization and smiled. “Since I’ve drunk your tea, I’ll tell you about the three realms. The first realm is the meridians’ opening—reaching this stage, you surpass ordinary people entirely. No matter their strength or skill, they cannot compare to a first-realm warrior.”
“The second realm is formidable: internal energy flows outward, and even a tossed leaf or petal can kill. At this stage, you could be made a commander in my king’s army, and on the road, you’d be considered a master.”
“As for the third realm, those who reach it can dominate a region, be made a general in the army, and uphold a clan.”
“And you?”
Hu San nodded, feigning maturity.
“As for me, I’m at the peak of the first realm. Breaking through is not easy—it’s a hurdle that has trapped many heroes.”
Finding the child amusing, the knight was generous with his words.
“Oh, that’s impressive, much stronger than my father,” Hu San exclaimed, then blinked and asked, “Tell me, how far must one travel to leave these mountains? How long does it take? How dangerous is it?”
The knight laughed, “Why ask that? Planning to leave?”
He smiled and answered, “This is the border of the Qilian Mountains, far from the center. So leaving from here is easy. The distance is hard to measure, but as for time, with some maneuvering, half a year suffices. Danger? Just a few weak bandit strongholds—grease the wheels and it’s no trouble.”
“Half a year? So your whole Big Bend country spends half a year just bringing these goods?” Hu San asked, pointing disdainfully at the ten wagons.
“Who told you this caravan is the whole Big Bend caravan? This is but one branch. Do you think the warrior leading the whole caravan isn’t at least in the second realm?”
The knight retorted, feeling a bit dizzy, but a turn of his internal energy restored him, so he paid it no mind.
“I see, that explains it.”
Hu San nodded sagely, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He noticed the guards were starting to stagger in circles—clearly the drug was taking effect. Without delay, he pressed on, “Our stronghold’s second chief is Chen Zhou, apparently from your country. Is the Chen family powerful in your nation?”
“The Chen family? That’s remarkable.”
The knight sighed. “You know warriors are strong, but above them are cultivators—beings who pluck stars and seize moons. The Chen family’s ancestor was said to be such a cultivator. Though their lineage has faded, in Qinghe County, they remain a preeminent clan.”
“They wield great influence in the army, are allied with the royal family, and the Chen family head is a third-realm master—said to be just a step away from the fourth realm, true mastery of qi. So, are they formidable?”
“I heard Chen Zhou’s second son is here. Becoming a warrior is difficult, but if you befriend him, it’s as easy as turning a hand.”
Hearing this, Hu San was alarmed, sighing inwardly—he realized he’d stirred up trouble, and the Wolfheart Stronghold was no place to linger.
But now it was too late, and Hu San was not one to cower.
“We’ve talked so much—you must be parched. Take this last bowl of Honey Blossom Tea.”
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Hu San pretended to be pained, holding out the bowl.
A gentle breeze wafted, and a dense sweet aroma drifted through the air.
“Excellent tea!” The knight’s eyes brightened, and he drained the bowl without hesitation.
“Of course it’s excellent—how else could it mask the doubled dose of knockout powder?”
Hu San grumbled inwardly, signaling Zhao Feng, whose eyes were already glazed. Zhao Feng understood, staggered up, and moved far from the leading knight, finding a tree stump to sit upon.
He knew full well how much knockout powder had gone into the tea; it wouldn’t be long before he’d be sleeping like a dead pig.
This time, Hu San targeted the Big Bend caravan because they were too close to Wolfheart Stronghold. If fighting broke out, it would draw attention and leave hard-to-erase traces. If the plan failed, a few might escape. To avoid these troubles, Hu San devised this scheme.
Knockout powder was a staple for bandits, and Hu San had no difficulty concocting some. But the Honey Blossom Tea was bought with hard-earned silver; Hu San and the bandits spent nearly all their savings just to ensure the caravan drank the drugged tea.
To avoid arousing suspicion among the caravan’s experts, Hu San included his own men—meaning the bandits’ tea was drugged too, and not lightly.
Needless to say, Hu San’s plan worked. Soon, only he and a few bandits who hadn’t drunk tea would still be standing; everyone else would be sprawled on the ground, including the warrior before him. Of course, the knight might stay conscious, but with the final bowl’s massive dose, how much fighting strength remained was uncertain.
“One last question.”
Seeing guards and bandits dropping to the ground, Hu San drew a circle with his hand and asked, “Are warriors like you afraid of knockout powder?”
“Your questions grow stranger, little one. With internal energy, a small amount of knockout powder can quickly be expelled. But a large dose is different. Of course, our experience lets us spot it at once. Why ask?”
The knight was genuinely puzzled.
“So, did you taste the powder in the Honey Blossom Tea?”
Hu San gave a simple, honest smile. At that moment, the sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed all around—bandits and guards alike were asleep in the blink of an eye.
“You…”
The knight was startled, his mind suddenly clouded, limbs weak. Just as panic set in, he saw a small fist rapidly growing larger before his eyes.
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