C17 (1/2)

The winter this year was indeed a little strange.

Not only was the cold wind blowing through his bones, there was also a continuous stream of snow!

It had been snowing heavily for more than ten days, but there was no sign of it stopping. The whole of Kaifeng City was a vast expanse of whiteness. It was almost impossible to see the mountains or distinguish the houses. Even the birch forest had become a lot emptier. It seemed that a lot of the trees had already been crushed by the snow and buried deep in the snow.

Other than the noise from the ”Drunken Flower Lodge”, there was basically no one else in the large town, not even in front of their own home. None of the little fellows who used to run out to play with the snow after it had snowed in the past.

It was too cold!

Master Diao, however, did not seem to feel the cold at all. However, the bonfire of the Abao clan was only ten feet away from him.

At this moment, in the living room of the Niu Yang Yamen, he was still writing. He had not expected that the county magistrate would have such a soft spot for calligraphy that he would write as soon as he had time.

However, from his right hand that was holding the brush, it seemed to be very different from before. Furthermore, his expression was also very different. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, his five fingers were full of strength, but the brush that was usually so soft now seemed like a sharp blade, ready to pierce through the table with a single stroke! And the look in Master Diao's eyes changed according to the force of the brush. His eyes were as cold as the winter wind.

Normally speaking, this kind of weather was definitely the same as staying in the courtyard to accompany his wife and daughter. Unless something happened, and it was something that he thought was more important.

The windows of the living room were open to the outside all the time. Occasionally, a cold wind would blow and snow would flutter towards the house from the outside.

Master Diao stopped writing and stared at the tip of the pen, then looked out the window. He frowned slightly and continued writing. As he was writing the fifth half of the letter, the sound of footsteps on the snow came from outside. Master Diao's face relaxed a little. Swift flying with his right hand, he finished writing the fifth character. When he placed the brush on the ink tray, he heard the sound of stamping feet at the door and the rustling of clothes. Then the door opened, and he had just closed the window.

”Sigh, big brother …”

A gust of cold air followed the door in, and the fire in the brazier flared up. A man in a light yellow cotton coat came in and quickly closed the door. There was still a lot of snow on her body.

”Hey, second brother is here!” Master Diao immediately called for someone to sit by the fire.

The people who had come were from the Piercing Wind City.

”Ai, could it be that Big Brother is in a hurry to recruit Little Brother? Could it be that there's something urgent?” The moment Tu Feng City sat down, both of its hands extended towards the fire and began rubbing it with all its might. The scar on its face was also twitching non-stop.

”Sigh, it's not too urgent …” Master Diao brewed a cup of tea and passed it to the Piercing Wind City. Then, he sat down opposite to them.

”Wasn't it like last time? I wonder how second brother is doing …” He took a sip of his tea.

”Sigh, I've already sent over fifty brothers to search around. He found out from He Changzhu that an old man woke him up at midnight on the night of the fifth day of the tenth month and bought a carriage from him. He said that the carriage had been used by his family for three generations and would not have been sold if he had not seen that the person who had arrived was Old Man Chu of the Five Peaks Academy. ”He also said that he looked very anxious at the time …”

”Well, if that 'Ming Nan eight prodigies' was really killed by him, then this old man's background is not so simple... ”But as far as I know, this old man normally looks gentle and elegant, and his reputation has always been very good. He doesn't look like someone who knows martial arts, does he?” Master Diao was deep in thought, his fingers drumming on the tea table.

”Yes, that bald donkey, 'Ku Chan', is too harsh on his words. However, I can tell from his expression that there's definitely something fishy about this matter. However, I'm not sure if the person that Shang Shaolin sought him out for is that old man Chu …” When he spoke of 'Grandmaster Witherwood', a cold light flashed within Master Diao's eyes.

”Mm, then do you have any more information on where the carriage went after that?” Master Diao picked up his teacup and asked.

”The Hidden Dragon led the brothers to follow the trail to the junction of the three forks ten miles outside the city. They saw some ruts on the northern road, so they lost their trail after chasing for forty miles …” Tu Feng City also picked up the teacup and took a sip.

”North? ”The north?” Master Kai-shek stared at the coals in the basin.

”This north should be the direction that leads to Jiangxi...” The only ones close to the city were Guangdong and Fujian … ”It seems like we need to expand our scope …” Master Diao raised his head. ”I think we should look for the help of the 'Beggar Gang' if necessary. However, the 'Beggar Gang' has less contact with the government …” Master Diao was hesitant, but his brows were knitted together again.

”That's right, why didn't I think of that idea?” ”Pa! Pa!” Tu Feng City slapped his right palm on Dao Ba with a ”pa” sound. Light shone in his eyes.

”Hmm?” When Master Diao heard this, he slowly tilted his head and stared blankly at the Piercing Wind City.

”Hehe, big brother, if you didn't mention the 'Beggar Gang' earlier, I wouldn't have thought of such a great idea. What a waste of resources. I'm quite familiar with this Kai Feng's' Mountain Split Hall 'Liu Qianshun, I used to often ask him for help in the past. Although he was only a disciple with three bags, he had a wide range of connections. Almost every hall had brothers that he was very familiar with. I think I'll try to find him... However, this person loves money as if it were his life. This is very different from the other disciples of the 'Beggar Gang' … ”

When Master Diao heard this, he also knew that the 'Mountain Opening Hall' was the biggest branch of the 'Beggar Gang' in Henan Province. Hearing that his second brother had someone familiar, he immediately became quite happy.

”Haha …” ”It's easier to love money than to love it. It's not convenient to not love money …” Master Diao picked up his teacup and laughed out loud, ”En, can you tell him to come over right now? …”

”It should work! He wouldn't go far in this kind of weather … ”Alright, I'll just head over …” Tu Feng City placed the teacup on the table and was about to get up.

”Hey, you actually ran away from something like this? ”Sit …” ”Master Diao waved his hand, allowing the Wind Slaying City to sit down.” ”Qin Gang!” Then he turned back and shouted.

”Sigh!” Master Diao — ”Immediately, he heard a short, fat servant running out from behind him. In the blink of an eye, he stood in front of Master Diao.

”En, make a trip to the 'Mountain Split Hall' and invite Liu Qian Sheng here …”

”Sigh!” Qin Gang turned around and ran to the door. ”Eh?” Master Diao, could it be that Liu Qian has committed some sort of crime … ” Just as Qin Yun reached the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Master Diao. This was because Liu Qiancai was already very familiar with this guy who often gambled together at the ”Drunken Flower Tavern”.

Haha …” Nothing, nothing... ”Just tell him that Master Diao wants to talk to him.

”Ok.” After a gust of cold wind, Qin Gang's footsteps gradually disappeared from the outside.

In the time it took to make a cup of tea, the sound of hurried footsteps was getting closer and closer. Soon, the footsteps stopped at the entrance.

”Master Diao, Liu Qiansui is here!” Qin Gang's voice.

”Mm, please come in …” Master Diao put down his teacup.

As soon as the door opened, a thin, middle-aged man in his thirties walked in. He wore a grey shirt, and although it wasn't fancy, he didn't look like a beggar. As soon as they entered the door, a pair of triangular eyes turned towards Master Diao and Tu Feng City. Qin Gang closed the door right outside.

”Aiyo …” Master Diao, you're busy. You're still busy all day in such a cold weather … Yo! So Tu Er was also there, hehe … ”It's so lively, it's so lively …” So this person was Liu Qianshun.

”Sit, come, sit …” Master Diao enthusiastically invited Liu Qiesong to sit down. Then he handed her a cup of tea.

”Aiyo …” ”Thank you, Master Diao, thank you, Master Diao …” Liu Qianjian had just sat down when he saw a cup of tea being served to him. Feeling flattered, he stood up again and bent down to receive the cup.

”Hey, Brother Liu, there's no need to be so polite. We're family … Haha … ”Sit …” Master Diao once again gestured for Liu Qian to sit down.

”Eh? I say, Master Diao, Second Master Tu, why don't you find me to drink some tea? … ” Liu Qiansheng thought that for no reason, Master Diao would not come looking for him, so he cautiously asked.

”Haha, ha-Brother Liu, there is no need to worry too much. I only invited you here to ask for a small favor …” He took another sip of tea.

”Aiyo …” Master Li, you … This is too polite … ”If there's anything you need, just tell this little one. This little one will not refuse it …” When Liu Qiesong heard that Master Diao had something to ask of him, he became even more shocked.

”Haha …” Actually, it wasn't a big deal. ”Of course, I know that your sect is powerful in the martial arts world, I just want to find Brother Liu to help me find someone …”

”Aiyo, hehe, Master Diao, you sure know how to joke around. If it's about finding someone, Master Diao, you just need to say a few words and someone will be right in front of you …” Then, he turned around and looked at Tu Feng City. ”Moreover, Second Master Tu is still here. If he finds someone, it'll be as simple as a game …” From the looks of it, this Liu Qianshun was indeed an expert in martial arts.

”Hahahaha …” Brother Liu, there is no need to be modest. Who doesn't know that your gang is spread all over the country. The person I'm looking for isn't that easy to find. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered to trouble you, Brother Liu … ”

”Aiyo …” Master Diao's words were too kind to me! But, I don't dare to say anything else about the 'Beggar Gang'. If you say you're looking for someone to run errands for, I'm sure no one in the world can match up to you... ”Haha …” His eyes were actually full of pride. He was no longer as nervous as he was before. Liu Qiesong finally took a sip from his teacup.

”Alright, please let this little one know what kind of person you are looking for.”