Arriving at the Cheng family was no different from arriving at one’s own home. In the old Cheng family residence, there was a courtyard specially reserved for Yun Ye. Xinyue, Na Rimu, and Little Lingdang, taking the children, went directly to that small courtyard near the rear garden. They were so familiar with it—just like younger generation returning from elsewhere who, after paying respects to their elders, all scattered away in a rush.
The reason Old Cheng liked the Yun family people coming was precisely this. So seeing Yun Mu riding a big dog chasing servants, he wasn’t offended in the slightest. Instead, he laughed even more loudly.
Chumo’s wife, Princess Qinghe, came out to meet Yun Ye, then went to the small courtyard to find Xinyue, still holding a large stack of account books in her hand. Seeing Yun Ye’s curiosity, Madam Cheng said with a smile, “Auntie has handed all the household business over to Dexian to handle. She just took over and isn’t very familiar with it yet. It looks like she wants to consult with Xinyue. You men talk about your business. I’ll also go see the two children.”
After Madam Cheng left, Cheng Yaojin chased out Chuliang and Chubi before asking quietly, “Boy, why did you let the big fish you caught escape? Don’t put me off—I know your temperament. If there weren’t other reasons, you would have struck to kill at the first opportunity. Where would you give him a chance to escape? Speak.”
Seeing Cheng Chumo also lean his head in, Yun Ye put down his tea bowl on the table and said quietly, “Your nephew originally thought they were just a small group and planned to follow the trail to catch them all in one net. Who knew that after engaging them, I discovered these people’s forces are extremely vast, their connections intricate and complex. We can’t afford to provoke them. There’s still a whole household of people at home. Offending them to death brings no benefits. Uncle, never underestimate these people. Their methods are ruthless, their actions unconventional. If your nephew hadn’t pulled them into an area of combat where I excel this time, it would be hard to say who would win or lose.”
“Using my strengths to attack their weaknesses is the reason why Han Zhe failed. What they’re best at is hiding in the shadows stirring up storms, not competing with your nephew on the merchant’s path. Most laughable is that they actually jumped out to organize an army and compete in strength with me, a professional general. This is seeking death.”
“Two eagles nearly cost a valiant general like Zhangsun Chong his life. Not using such methods, but instead seeking their own death—you don’t know. When I discovered their forces were extremely vast, I decisively abandoned military confrontation. I treated Han Zhe to a meal of dumplings, showed him extra courtesy, and collected his brothers’ bodies—all to limit the struggle to a gentleman’s contest. Han Zhe has surfaced and is now the enemy we understand best. If we rashly kill him, the enemy will send someone else out. When we know nothing about the enemy—that’s what’s truly terrifying.”
“Chumo, remember this: once you discover your enemy is that group of divine men, immediately withdraw. Never engage in conflict with them. As your brother, I’m telling you plainly—you can’t outplay them, nor can you afford to play.”
Old Cheng nodded thoughtfully. Seeing Cheng Chumo still looking somewhat unwilling, he gave him a slap on the head and said angrily, “Only your brother would tell you these things. Little Ye didn’t even tell Zhangsun Chong this. You need to listen carefully. What are you unconvinced about? With your brains, going to fight with those people—first give me a grandson!”
Yun Ye, seeing Cheng Chumo nod in agreement, only then recounted the entire sequence of events from beginning to end. Old Cheng gasped repeatedly. When Yun Ye mentioned using wooden balls to lure and kill two foolish slaves, he wiped his forehead and said to Yun Ye and Cheng Chumo, “Those were Yellow Turban Warriors. Such people have appeared four times in total. The first time was pummeling to death the Wei general Jin Bi. The second time was the hammer strike at Qin Shi Huang at Bolang Sands. The third time appeared at Tu Sui’s banquet—he was beaten into meat paste by an iron awl among a hall full of guests. The fourth time, hehe, Little Ye, was at your place. Each of the first three times they appeared, the realm descended into great chaos. Only your time was silent and unnoticed.”
“This person Wei Tianjue—I know of him. He’s the most accomplished among the great Jinyang families, always priding himself on his courage and strength. Legend says he’s well-versed in military arts and strategies, and has achieved much merit in Li Ji’s army. Who could have thought he’d end up like this? Ugly Ox, don’t be complacent. Little Ye, don’t be self-satisfied. Careful prudence is the best strategy. If you can avoid forming a blood feud with them, don’t.”
“When His Majesty broke the formation at Luoyang City back then, it was said strange men assisted him. I don’t know if there’s any connection with these people. His Majesty has never mentioned it. We had just surrendered then and only heard vague rumors. Old Niu is different—when you go to his house, ask him. Though he probably won’t tell you. He’s never let slip anything even to me.”
The longing in Cheng Chumo’s eyes couldn’t be concealed no matter what. The warrior pummeling Jin Bi to death, Zhang Liang’s earth-shattering hammer strike at Bolang Sands—these were all heroic stories that made one’s blood surge. Only this time, the warriors were trying to kill his own brother, which inevitably brought some regret. As a military man, Cheng Chumo most loved such stories.
“Don’t look at me like that. I haven’t done anything harmful or immoral. Those few people Uncle just mentioned weren’t necessarily villains either—they were only killed because there was a need.”
Only then did Cheng Chumo withdraw his gaze, poking Yun Ye and saying, “Next time you encounter those warriors, remember to call me. I want to see too what kind of fierce men could accomplish such thrilling deeds.”
“Don’t even think about it. Anyway, the first moment I see such people appear, I’ll run away. According to Liu Fang, those fellows are extraordinarily brave and fierce, and easily injure others by mistake. I heard the two fellows Little Ying killed relied on just two sections of iron chains to instantly smash thirty or forty fierce bandits into meat sauce. The scene was extremely disgusting.”
Old Cheng sighed, patted Cheng Chumo’s shoulder and said, “The Old Cheng family can’t produce children like Little Ye. We can only produce the same breed as me—knowing it’s dangerous but still wanting to see. Don’t speak of Chumo—even I want to meet such heroes.”
For a moment, all three fell silent, each thinking their own thoughts.
The matter of divine men could be told to Old Cheng, but the matter of being a thief should be forgotten. Once Old Cheng knew, he’d be scolded. If it came to taking a knife to find trouble with Lu Dongzan, Old Cheng would definitely support him wholeheartedly. But such a wretched thing as hiding in tunnels to steal people’s wealth—Old Cheng would absolutely oppose it, even though he’d been a highway bandit in his early years.
Less than a hundred zhang east of Xiliu Camp, the Tubo people happily frolicked at the edge of the willow grove. Two men were wrestling in pairs, surrounded by a crowd watching the excitement. Wine jars were already piled high on the ground. Many had stripped their old sheepskin robes to their waists, exposing their dark chests and bellies, loudly cheering for the wrestlers they favored.
Underground, Huang Shu was very busy. The Tubo people had brought so many treasures! Most rare were the natural gold nuggets, silver blocks, agate, and jade stones. Through his many years of cultivated thief’s eye, these were all rare top-quality goods. Such fine things were just casually packed in leather pouches—picking them up was truly too convenient.
Old Jiang and seven or eight old soldiers had already made five or six trips. Not only did they have to transport the treasures back, they also had to fill the leather pouches with stones. It was quite busy. Being busy wasn’t anything, but skeletons staring everywhere made one’s entire body cold. If above ground, old soldiers accustomed to seeing dead people naturally wouldn’t care. But this was underground—you could say it was the underworld, their territory—naturally it made one’s heart cold. In the entire team, only Huang Shu seemed to enjoy it greatly. The foul, stinking air in the tomb couldn’t help but make him recall his glorious years of the past.
The treasures in the leather pouches had all been switched out. Now only those few large chests remained. Needless to say, the most precious gifts must all be in the chests. Perhaps these were tribute offerings for His Majesty. But the Marquis said not to leave them even a single hair. Huang Shu very much liked this statement. Carefully emerging from the cave, guards were right outside the door. The entire room was pitch black. Feeling the chests, they were actually locked. But this couldn’t stump Huang Shu. This kind of lock only needed an iron bar to break open. Just as he opened one chest, he saw another head emerge from the hole, also masked. Huang Shu was so startled he nearly cried out, but that person covered his mouth. After pulling down the face covering, he discovered it was Gou Zi.
The two made several hand gestures, then each busied themselves. Large jade discs filled the chest, along with many painting scrolls. No time to look now—taking everything away was the principle. The white jade discs loaded in the hanging basket were pleasing to look at no matter how you viewed them. Who knew where the Tubo people got so many jade discs, but the craftsmanship couldn’t be praised. They were carved full of strange and bizarre heads—blue-faced with sharp fangs like evil spirits.
Two people working was much faster than one person. When the chests were emptied, Huang Shu was about to leave, but saw Gou Zi winking and grinning silently. A skeleton emerged from the hole. Gou Zi grabbed it and placed it in the chest, then carefully took the bones that hadn’t scattered and arranged them all, assembling them into a complete human form. Finally, he put two motionless large rats inside the skeleton before closing the chest. After treating all five chests the same way, Huang Shu swept away footprints while Gou Zi held two skeletal feet and continuously pressed out footprints on the ground, then put them in a bag. This was Sun Simiao’s model—after using it, it must be returned, or the old Daoist would beat him to death.
Just before diving into the cave entrance, Gou Zi’s playful spirit rose. He pulled out a white jade disc from his pocket and placed it in a withered hand, having Huang Shu arrange the cave entrance so this dead person’s hand grasping the jade disc was just barely visible.
When the sun reached its zenith, five unmarked carriages galloped along the official road. Soon at an intersection, they plunged into the Qinling Mountains and disappeared from the world.
Two thick cowhide pipes were pouring water into the tomb. When the sun was about to set, five or six people quickly extracted the bamboo strips from the cowhide pipes, folded up the cowhide pipes, and placed them on a dilapidated carriage.
A thick incense stick was tied to a rope. As long as the incense burned to the rope, the rope soaked in lamp oil would automatically ignite. The rope binding the boulder would break, and after the boulder fell, it would smash those last two pillars. The softened tomb walls soaked by water would collapse. As long as one small section collapsed, it would trigger a chain reaction, ultimately causing the entire tomb to completely crumble. This had all been calculated by the Yun family retainer Gongshu Pu—one could say it was foolproof.