Chapter 979: Heading to Shu City (2)
Editor: Henyee Translations
Chu Tang casually responded, “As you wish.”
The waiter brought over the dishes, “Young master, here are the first few dishes; the others are still being prepared.”
“Alright,” Chu Tang nodded, “I need to hit the road soon, so if you could hurry the rest, that would be great.”
“Of course, I’ll urge them on,” the waiter responded familiarly.
Shang Zixing observed the four signature dishes already on the table, wondering how there could be more. Was Chu Tang able to eat all that?
Chu Tang began eating and noticing Shang Zixing’s hesitation, he urged, “Go on, eat. Why are you spacing out?”
“Oh,” Shang Zixing seemed to snap back to reality.
After eating half his meal, Chu Tang asked, “Is this your first time here?”
“No, I live here. I often travel, though, and I just got back a few days ago,” Shang Zixing answered openly.
Chu Tang didn’t ask further. He needed someone familiar with the area to answer his queries, and while Shang Zixing wasn’t the right person, being too cautious, a more suitable candidate soon appeared—the restaurant waiter.
“Young man, can I ask you something?” Chu Tang called the departing waiter back, slipping him some silver.
The waiter gleefully accepted the silver, “Ask away, young master. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Chu Tang posed his question nonchalantly, “Have there been people frequently moving things in and out these past few months?”
The waiter thought for a moment, “There were. I saw them once from this window, but they were quite fierce, so I only looked once before closing the window.”
That was all Chu Tang needed to hear, “Can you tell me exactly where?”
The waiter pointed towards a location three streets away, where a building hung with red lanterns stood, “Over there. They moved stuff in and out through the window. I don’t know what they were transporting; I only caught a glimpse.”
Chu Tang handed another silver ingot to the waiter, “Thanks, that’s all I needed to know.”
Overjoyed, the waiter bowed repeatedly, “Thank you, young master, thank you.”
Shang Zixing watched, puzzled, but said nothing.
Chu Tang, without explaining his inquiry to Shang Zixing, finished his meal, left money on the table, and departed the restaurant.
Shang Zixing hurried after him, “Let me come with you.”
“No need,” Chu Tang glanced back, sizing him up. What was this man’s angle for approaching him?
Shang Zixing pursed his lips, “I’m a local; I can show you around.”
“I don’t need it,” Chu Tang quickly vanished from sight, leaving Shang Zixing stunned by his agility.
…
Chu Tang arrived at the location described by the waiter—a warehouse. It was now empty, clean, and clearly had been used recently.
Suddenly, Chu Tang noticed a few feathers in a corner. Picking them up, he recognized them as feathers from arrows.
It seemed this was where the arrows were stored.
But now that he found the place, it was of no use. The arrows had already been sold, and he had no idea who on this side was coordinating the receipt.
The trail ended there.
Chu Tang stared out the window at the water, realizing his only option now was to confront the mastermind directly.
Thinking this, he flew out the window towards Shu City.
Shang Zixing spotted Chu Tang’s departing figure and quickly followed, “Can I come with you?”
“I prefer to work alone!” Chu Tang frowned, wondering if Shang Zixing was some kind of persistent annoyance.
“I can help you,” Shang Zixing insisted with a hopeful smile, as if saying he would follow regardless of Chu Tang’s wishes.
“Then prove your worth,” Chu Tang’s figure blurred with spiritual power and vanished before Shang Zixing could react.
Shang Zixing, “…”
…
Midnight.
Chu Tang rested in a tree when suddenly he heard whispers below, “Everyone, get in position. The convoy with the supplies will pass soon. We strike from inside and outside to seize it.”
“Understood,” the cloaked figures dispersed, hiding among the bushes. In the dark, they were invisible unless they moved.
Chu Tang, “…”
He had been rushing through the night using his techniques, draining his spiritual energy and was recuperating in the tree, not expecting to stumble upon such an event.
Curious, he decided to see which unfortunate soul’s supplies were targeted by these robbers.
The night was eerily silent, punctuated only by the distant rumble of wagon wheels. As the sounds grew clearer, torchlight and figures with carts emerged in the distance.
Chu Tang watched from his perch as the group below readied themselves. They silently drew their blades, prepared to ambush the oncoming convoy.
Chu Tang recognized the flag on the carts—it bore the insignia of “Chen”. Were these General Chen’s supplies?
Hearing the earlier conversation, it seemed that there were traitors among the soldiers escorting the supplies, collaborating with the attackers.
Who would dare to orchestrate such a bold robbery against a military convoy?
Chu Tang silently observed.
As he watched, the attackers surged forward, initiating combat without hesitation. The soldiers escorting the supplies were quick to respond, drawing their swords and engaging the robbers in fierce combat. The quiet night was suddenly alive with the clash of steel and shouts of battle.
Chu Tang took out a sugar bean from his pocket, placed it between his fingers, and flicked it with precision. The sugar bean struck one of the attackers in the forehead, embedding itself and dropping him instantly.
The soldier fighting the fallen attacker looked up in surprise and saw a figure in white sitting in a tree, casually dispatching his enemies with sugar beans as if watching a play.
As the soldier watched, Chu Tang flicked another sugar bean, saving the soldier from another assailant sneaking up behind him.