At the stroke of midnight, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen got out of bed and headed to Mount Fan’an. There was light shining at the mountaintop, indicating that the Moon Worship ceremony was about to begin.
The two approached cautiously, hiding among the trees.
The followers of the Luna Worshipping Sect were all dressed in white, standing in perfect formation. The only person seated was a man in his thirties, with an expressionless face and a pale complexion. His narrow and deep-set eyes were eerie and intimidating. He was none other than Yin Sha, the leader of the Luna Worshipping Sect.
The Holy Maiden Mingyue stood beside him, dressed in a flowing white gown, radiating purity and elegance.
On a nearby altar, a white cloth was laid out, but it bore no object.
Yin Sha looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, gesturing to Mingyue.
The followers knelt to the ground, tilting their heads up toward the moon and closing their eyes.
Mingyue retrieved something from within her robe.
As Yan Ge focused his gaze, he confirmed that it was indeed a moon-shaped white gemstone. Mingyue placed it on the altar, her lips moving, but no sound emerged.
A strange scene unfolded. Under the moonlight, the gemstone emitted a faint white glow. With the passage of time and the progress of the ritual, the glow grew more intense, gradually spreading among the followers.
The entire ceremony was filled with a profound tranquility.
After about half of an incense stick, a figure dressed in white emerged from among the followers. This person had been chosen by the gemstone. His face bore a smile, with an expression that seemed dreamlike, as if he was lost in a trance. His feet moved forward on their own accord, approaching the altar.
However, immediately after, another person stepped forward from the ranks.
Yin Sha and Mingyue exchanged a momentary look of surprise. But neither of them said anything. They attached great importance to the ritual, and since the ceremony had chosen two individuals, both would be offered as sacrifices to the moon.
Yan Ge casually glanced at the second person and turned his head in astonishment to Huangfu Yuchen, blinking as if to say: ‘Am I seeing things?’
Huangfu Yuchen shook his head solemnly. Because the second person to step forward was that “useless” person? How did he end up here?
Yin Sha silently led the followers away, and in no time, only Mingyue and the two chosen individuals remained.
The two men, one on each side, knelt behind Mingyue, facing the moon.
Mingyue closed her eyes, murmuring softly.
Mei Chuxi quietly opened his eyes, gazing at Mingyue with a malicious smile on his face.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen immediately understood. Mei Chuxi was so daring that he had set his sights on the Holy Maiden of the Luna Worshipping Sect.
Seeing Mei Chuxi discreetly pull something out from his sleeve, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen both furrowed their brows.
“If we hadn’t agreed to let Mei Tianzhou’s proposition, it would have been a good idea to let him meet his end at the hands of the Luna Worshipping Sect,” Huangfu Yuchen said.
Yan Ge couldn’t help but feel helpless. “He should consider himself fortunate to have a father with unusually good luck.” Rescuing a scum like him was a truly unpleasant feeling.
Huangfu Yuchen silently flew out, swiftly hitting Mingyue’s acupoint before swiftly flying away with the person.
When Mingyue realized that there was one less person breathing beside her, she opened her eyes and only saw two distant figures. Her face was solemn and dignified, but she did not chase after them. Instead, she continued her devout moon worship ceremony and took out a dagger, stabbing the other sacrifice.
As the red sun rose, two horses—one black and one white—emerged from the city gates of Fancheng, running slowly ahead.
Yan Jin turned his head and looked at Yan Ge and then glanced at Huangfu Yuchen. Neither of them were speaking. Were they quarreling? It couldn’t be. When Yan Ge woke up this morning, he even used overnight iced tea to cool Huangfu Yuchen’s face.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen still felt annoyed at the thought of having to save “scum.” They handed him over to the people arranged by Mei Tianzhou that were wearing masks.
The “scum” realized that he had been “kidnapped” and he yelled at Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen for ruining his good deeds. This made Huangfu Yuchen furious and his face was dark. Even Yan Ge, who had a good temper, felt so frustrated that he wanted to cut him with a knife. Mei Tianzhou had to be admired, he endured this son for so long, and Guo Shengwei had spoiled “scum” this for too long!
The two people arranged by Mei Tianzhou were also skilled fighters. Seeing how furious they were, they quickly hit Mei Chuxi’s mute acupoint and saved his life. However, Yan Ge gave Mei Chuxi’s face a heavy punch.
Perhaps they could only feel more at ease when they were further away from Fancheng.
Not long after they left, a carriage driven by Mei Fu went out of the city. Four mounted soldiers rode alongside the carriage.
Seeing the familiar figures ahead, Mei Fu said, “Master, it seems that the two people ahead are Young Master Luo and Madam Luo.”
“Oh?” Mei Tianzhou lifted the curtain and said, “It’s them. They’re riding slowly, catch up.”
“Yes.”
“Young Master Luo, Madam Luo.”
Yan Ge’s mood worsened when he heard Mei Tianzhou’s voice. He thought of Mei Chuxi and his previously improved mood became worse again, so he didn’t say anything.
Huangfuyuchen spoke lightly, “Master Mei, what a coincidence. Where are you heading?”
Mei Tianzhou sighed, “We’re going to Lujiang County. There’s been some trouble there.” He had always regarded Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen as martial artists, so he didn’t conceal anything, but only briefly mentioned it.
“That scoundrel has already been taken away. I want to express my gratitude to you young heroes once again.”
“Master Mei, there’s no need to be polite,” Huangfu Yuchen said.
Yan Ge said, “Lujiang County? How coincidental. We are also heading there.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at him with confusion. He thought Yan Ge wouldn’t want to hear anything related to “Mei,” “Chu,” or “Xi” for at least a day or two. Moreover, Fancheng was not far from Blue Sea City, their original destination.
Yan Ge transmitted his voice with a smile, “Judging from Master Mei’s expression, the matter in Lujiang County is probably not small. It’s a good opportunity to vent our frustrations. Besides, it’s just a slightly longer route.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded in agreement.
Mei Tianzhou smiled, “I didn’t expect such a coincidence. If you two young heroes don’t mind, we can travel together. If the little master feels uncomfortable from being exposed to the sun for too long, he can come and sit in my carriage.”
“Thank you, Grandpa. You can call me Jiacheng,” Yan Jin said sweetly.
“Alright,” Mei Tianzhou looked at him fondly.
Yan Ge rode his horse to the side of the carriage. “Since that’s the case, the two of us will respectfully comply.”
“Jiacheng, would you like to get on the carriage now?” Mei Tianzhou asked.
Yan Jin nodded, and Yan Ge lifted him onto the carriage.
“By the way, Master Mei, may I ask what happened in Lujiang County? Zirui and I were planning to visit there as well. If there’s anything we can help with, feel free to ask.”
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were willing to put aside their past grievances with Mei Chuxi and help him. This gave Mei Tianzhou even more confidence in their character. After thinking for a moment, he said directly, “A few days ago, some boatmen from Lujiang County secretly came to find me. They said that the county magistrate of Lujiang County has been not only corrupt and accepting bribes but also imposing additional taxes privately, making it difficult for them to survive. They had no choice but to travel a long distance to report it to me. According to what they said, it doesn’t seem like a false accusation, but this county magistrate, Pan Longmen, and I studied at the same academy. I am quite familiar with his character, and I don’t believe he would do such a thing. I am going to investigate this matter during this trip.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s frowned.
“How many times have you frowned since we left the capital? If you frown any more, you won’t look handsome,” Yan Ge transmitted his voice.
Huangfu Yuchen raised his lips and replied, “I’ll listen to you.”
“If this matter is true, that Master Pan will definitely be on high alert. Since Master Mei is appearing as an official, it may startle him,” Yan Ge said.
Mei Tianzhou cast a approving look at them. “I planned to visit in plain clothes. The official attire is just in case we encounter bandits along the way. Once we get close to Lujiang County, I will change into casual clothes.”
“I see.”
“Zirui, how much do you know about Lujiang County?” Yan Ge asked.
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “Just the basic information. Master Mei must know more.”
Mei Tianzhou nodded. “Lujiang County is situated in the central region south of the Huang River. The Lu River runs through it from east to west, and there are wide official roads connecting the north and south. It has well-developed land and water transportation, and its prosperity is comparable to a bustling city. However, because of this, people from all walks of life gather here. When moving around in Lujiang County, one must be cautious in all aspects.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Master Mei, I heard that three years ago, there was a powerful salt gang operating in Lujiang, but it was eventually eradicated by the court. I assume such things no longer exist now, right?”
Mei Tianzhou replied, “There shouldn’t be. At least I haven’t heard of any.”
Yan Ge pondered for a moment. “The forces in Lujiang are so complicated. If Master Pan does have a problem, it might be dangerous for Master Mei to deal with him alone. If Master Mei doesn’t mind, Zirui and I can help.”
Before Mei Tianzhou could speak, Mei Fu spoke up first. “That would be great. To be honest with you, Master Mei only brought the five of us this time, and I’ve been worried. If the two young heroes can assist us, I would be immensely grateful.”
Mei Tianzhou chuckled. “Mei Fu, you worry too much. After all, I am a magistrate, an official appointed by the court. Can they really do anything to me?”
But after some consideration, he nodded. “The two young heroes are brave and resourceful. If we can have your assistance, things will go more smoothly. I am grateful for your help.”
“It’s settled then,” Yan Ge smiled.
