Wuxia: Starting Off With 60 Years of Inner Strength

"If force won’t work, then we’ll have to negotiate in good faith."

"If things really go south, it won’t be too late to make our move."

Shi Miao nodded.

"And then?"

"If they’re actually willing to talk, then have Chang Nian agree to their terms."

"...Why?"

"It’s a bit complicated to explain right now. I’ll tell you the reasoning later."

"Also, if they show up, remember to find a way to let me know."

"That way they won’t get any murderous ideas and decide to cut you down too."

What Jiang Ran didn’t tell Shi Miao was that Steward Liu had once mentioned that after leaving Benma County, the old drunkard had headed northwest.

’But a direction alone is hardly enough to go on. Tracking him would be a monumental task. The slightest deviation could lead one thousands of miles astray—a complete wild goose chase.’

’The people from Heterodox Manor are incredibly resourceful. Anything Steward Liu could find, they could likely find as well.’

’So for them to remain in Benma Town and go to such lengths, there must be another reason. Otherwise, it just doesn’t add up.’

’If the old drunkard and the ’old monster’ are truly one and the same, then maybe I can use them to figure out the old drunkard’s real goal.’

’And make him easier to track.’

Shi Miao’s slender brows were like drawn swords. She glared up at Jiang Ran, her eyes practically radiating Sword Intent, as if to show him what she was made of.

But Jiang Ran acted as if he didn’t notice, simply waving his hand.

"Just listen to me for now. If my plan doesn’t work, we’ll do it your way."

"I’ll charge into that bamboo forest with you, and we’ll turn the place upside down."

When she heard this, the icy expression on Shi Miao’s face thawed slightly.

"It’s a deal."

"Alright."

With their temporary agreement made, the two of them entered Benma County and went their separate ways.

Shi Miao headed to the county office to find Chang Nian. Having received instructions from Dao Wuming, she naturally had a way to prove her identity.

Jiang Ran, meanwhile, returned to the inn.

The trip back and forth had taken quite some time.

He had left in the morning, and it was now past noon.

When Jiang Ran arrived at the inn, he saw Tong Wanli sitting in the main hall, drinking.

The sound of Jiang Ran’s footsteps drew his attention. He turned, and a wide grin spread across his face.

"Young Hero Jiang."

"Senior Tong."

Jiang Ran cupped his fists in greeting and approached him.

"Why are you drinking alone? Has something happened to Liu Wenshan...?"

"You misunderstand, Young Hero."

Tong Wanli poured a bowl of wine and let out a sigh.

"We have you to thank for this, Young Hero Jiang. During the day, we gave Liu Wenshan the medicine as you instructed, and his condition has stabilized."

"Jingshuang and Mingyue are taking care of him now. I expect it’s only a matter of time before he wakes up."

"It’s just... whenever I think of Brother Ye, of the Ye family... my heart aches."

He paused, then continued.

"Jingshuang probably told you that my Tong family and the Ye family have been friends for generations."

"Brother Ye and I grew up together."

"When Jingshuang brought this terrible news, my heart... my heart... *Sigh*. And yet, I don’t dare show my grief in front of her."

"The poor child has suffered a great calamity; her grief is far greater than mine. If I were to lose my composure in front of her, I can’t imagine how much more upset she would be."

"As her elder, my heart truly aches for her."

Jiang Ran nodded.

"You’re right, Senior. With what happened to the Ye family, no one is more heartbroken than Miss Ye."

"So, Young Hero Jiang..."

At this, Tong Wanli looked at Jiang Ran.

"I can tell that Jingshuang treats you differently than she does others."

"Could I ask you to look after her in the future?"

"There’s no need to say that, Senior."

Jiang Ran smiled. "Miss Ye and I are close. What’s more, she’s my..."

He trailed off, not finishing the sentence with ’catalyst for the Life-extending Pill.’ After a moment’s pause, he smiled and said:

"Of course I’ll take care of her. I won’t let anyone harm a single hair on her head."

Tong Wanli seemed taken aback for a moment, but it passed in a flash. He then nodded repeatedly.

"Good, good. With your promise, I can rest easy."

"Come, Young Hero Jiang, have a drink with me."

Jiang Ran nodded, took a bowl, and poured himself some wine. He and Tong Wanli began to drink together, cup after cup.

As the wine flowed, so did the conversation.

They chatted idly about everything under the sun.

After about half an hour of drinking, Tong Wanli heard a noise from upstairs. It was Ye Jingshuang coming out of Liu Wenshan’s room.

A glance at Jiang Ran showed his eyes were glazed over, and he was speaking nonsense.

Tong Wanli quickly called out:

"Jingshuang! Come quickly! Young Hero Jiang has had too much to drink."

"Huh?"

Ye Jingshuang started, then rushed to the railing and looked down. Sure enough, Jiang Ran looked completely out of it.

She hurried downstairs and went to Jiang Ran’s side.

"Young Master?"

Jiang Ran looked at Ye Jingshuang with bleary eyes and smiled.

"What a pretty girl..."

"Young Master, you’ve had too much to drink."

Ye Jingshuang shot Tong Wanli a reproachful glance.

"Uncle Tong, why did you ply him with so much wine?"

"Well..."

Tong Wanli gave a sheepish smile. "Well, we got to talking, and one drink led to another. Don’t blame me, Jingshuang... Here, I’ll help him back to his room."

"I’ll do it."

Before Tong Wanli could move, Ye Jingshuang was already helping Jiang Ran to his feet and leading him upstairs.

As she passed Tong Wanli, she added a word of advice:

"You should drink a little less too, Uncle Tong. It’s bad for your health."

"Yes, yes, of course."

Tong Wanli nodded again and again. He watched them go upstairs, and only then did the smile vanish from his face.

He let out a soft sigh.

’Oh, Yan’er, Yan’er... For your sake, Dad is throwing all his dignity away.’

’You’d better not let me down.’

CREAK. Ye Jingshuang helped Jiang Ran into his room.

She hadn’t taken another step before the man she was supporting, whose body had felt as limp as a boneless doll, suddenly stood up straight.

She instinctively turned her head and saw Jiang Ran looking right back at her.

Their eyes met. Where was the slightest trace of drunkenness in his gaze?

"Aren’t you drunk?"

Ye Jingshuang was shocked.

Jiang Ran just smiled and casually shut the door.

"I practically grew up in a wine vat. A few bowls of wine? How could that possibly get me dead drunk?"

Ye Jingshuang froze.

"Then why...?"

"Because that Uncle Tong of yours just drugged my wine."

Jiang Ran wore a strange expression. He beckoned Ye Jingshuang closer and whispered a single word in her ear.

Ye Jingshuang’s face instantly went pale, then flushed a deep crimson—a mixture of shame, shock, and fury.

"How dare he! He... why would he do that?"