Wuxia: Drinking with Spring Breeze

The next morning at dawn.

In the eastern market, dressed in new clothes and looking particularly spirited, Shopkeeper Liu and Liu Mang walked a long line of colorfully decorated wedding gifts towards Deng the butcher's home, making a lively sound.

The joyous sound of firecrackers erupted as Deng, also dressed in festive new clothes, led a group of relatives and friends to greet them with a booming voice calling "In-law" that could be heard across the street.

The two groups converged, filling the street with voices shouting "Congratulations."

Not far away, Yang Ge, holding Huang with a muzzle, cheerfully watched the men from the Liu family enter Deng's home.

"How wonderful..."

He whispered, then turned around, "Let's go, Huang, we're heading home!"

Huang wagged his tail, casting a reluctant glance at Shopkeeper Liu amidst the bustling crowd, then turned to follow the steps of his master.

Father and son went in the opposite direction of those heading to congratulate Deng, casually walking towards Chaimen Street.

"Today there's a celebration at Liu's house, let's have something good for lunch to celebrate?"

"Woof, woof..."

...

Yang Ge was carrying a carp.

The man and his dog casually walked into Chaimen Street, moving towards their house through the narrow alley.

Yang Ge shook the fresh fish in his hand, "Son, how do you want to eat this fish? Do you fancy sour cabbage fish?"

But Huang suddenly stopped.

Yang Ge tripped a bit due to him, also halting and looking at him with curiosity.

That's when Huang looked towards their home for a moment, suddenly retracting his tongue, perking up his ears, and looking serious.

Yang Ge looked up just to feel a gust of wind hitting his face.

"Woof, woof, woof..."

Yang Ge quickly yanked the leash, throwing Huang behind him, while his right leg violently kicked out in a snapping kick, meeting the oncoming blast with a powerful air-burst sound.

"Bang!"

The two legs crossed heavily, the invisible gust of wind clashed, creating a wave of energy that spread in all directions.

"Chaotic Wind Leg?"

"Chaotic Wind Leg?"

Two voices of surprise sounded at the same time.

Yang Ge stepped back, taking a closer look, he saw a man in a gray robe standing in front of him, wearing a conical hat, face covered with stubble, bearing a fierce look like a hungry wolf, and carrying a black knife on his back.

"Woof, woof, woof..."

Huang rushed forward again, barking fiercely, standing in front of Yang Ge with splayed legs and baring his teeth menacingly at the man in gray.

The man in gray continued to stare straight at Yang Ge, not even blinking.

Expressionlessly, Yang Ge threw the carp he was holding to the side and walked with Huang towards a nearby hitching post.

The man in gray kept watching him silently, not attacking.

Once Yang Ge secured Huang, he turned to face the man in gray and asked coldly, "Are you here for revenge or to scout?"

The man in gray spoke, his voice as harsh as his appearance, carrying a familiar Yan Yun accent, "Both revenge and scouting."

Yang Ge stood firm, his gaze gradually growing fierce, "Then bring it on!"

"Clang..."

The man in gray silently raised his hand, slowly drawing the thick-backed black knife from behind.

Yang Ge's body bent slightly, his muscles tensed and ready to burst.

"Brother Five!"

Just then, a hoarse and deep voice came from behind the man in gray.

The gray-clothed man's movement of drawing his sword paused at the sound.

"Let's go."

The voice spoke softly.

Without hesitation, the gray-clothed man sheathed the black sword and turned towards the direction of the voice.

Yang Ge's mind suddenly relaxed, he turned his head and saw a dark silhouette standing outside his door... Even though they were five or six yards apart, the silhouette still gave Yang Ge the sensation of a cold, hard iron sculpture.

He watched silently as the two figures walked away, his gaze gradually focusing on the familiar black sword.

It was only when Huang's barking turned into a low whine that he let out a long breath, turned around, and picked up the carp to inspect it, "It's been ruined..."

...

"Smack."

The dusty carp slammed hard into the center of the long dining table, piled high with large cuts of fish and meat.

A group of stocky, inexperienced guards turned around, dumbstruck, looking at the suddenly emerging general banner bearer.

Yang Ge, expressionless, led Huang forward, and the inexperienced guards hurriedly stood up, knocking over stools before huddling against the wall with their hands bound and heads lowered.

Yang Ge sat at the dining table, picked up the untouched roast leg of lamb from the center of the table, and fed it to Huang at his feet.

Huang sprawled beside the roast leg of lamb, gnashing his teeth and feasting voraciously.

Yang Ge also grabbed a sauced hock with his bare hands and tore into it vigorously.

Two or three dozen sturdy men surrounded the feasting man and dog, not daring to make a sound.

The intangible pressure had everyone trembling in fear and sweating profusely.

The man and dog, oblivious to others, picked out the biggest pieces of fish and meat to devour; even if they couldn't eat it all, they would grab it to take a bite before throwing it back.

Not until they had spoiled every bit of the large feast on the table did Yang Ge slowly wipe the grease from his hands with a towel from his waist.

"City Gate group, report the numbers and whereabouts of martial artists entering the city recently."

He spoke indifferently.

Fang Ke quickly stepped forward from among the crowd, responding loudly, "Reporting to the master, in the past ten days, 324 martial artists entered the city, 273 passed through Luting County, 18 were visiting relatives, 33 were here for business, and all heading towards the capital have been reported to the household. Those still lingering in Lu Ting are under full surveillance by our brothers."

Yang Ge was noncommittal and spoke again, "Waterway group, report the numbers and whereabouts of northern martial artists traveling south recently."

A junior flag bearer stepped forward and responded loudly, "Reporting to the master, within the past ten days, 41 northern martial artists have traveled south, 35 have entered the city, and all are listed in the City Gate group's registry."

Yang Ge, "Land group, report the numbers and whereabouts of northern martial artists traveling south recently."

Three junior flag bearers stepped forward, responding, "Reporting to the master, within the past ten days, 34 northern martial artists traveled south via the official road and entered the city, 32 are listed in the City Gate group's registry."

"Reporting to the master, within the past ten days, 25 northern martial artists traveled south via the horse path and entered the city, all 25 are listed in the City Gate group's registry."

"Reporting to the master, within the past ten days, 17 northern martial artists traveled south via the trail and entered the city, all 17 are listed in the City Gate group's registry."

Yang Ge turned his body, his expressionless face sweeping back and forth over the five men.

After a while, he suddenly laughed, "Good, very neat. It sounds like you've put some thought into it!"

The five junior flag bearers all hung their heads in unison, not daring to meet his gaze.

Even if they weren't clever, they could still understand the implications!

Yang Ge was still laughing, "So, I'd like to ask you gentlemen, when did 'The Yan Yun Five Ghosts' travel south, enter the city, and reach my doorstep!"

Aside from Fang Ke, who was suddenly startled, the other four men looked at each other in confusion.

Seeing this, Yang Ge picked up a pot of chicken soup, his smile gradually vanishing, "It seems consuming too much rich food can cloud the mind, and even blind the eyes... if this matter isn't cleared up, you'll be stuck eating mixed grain pancakes from now on!"

"Smack."

The chicken soup, pot and all, was fiercely smashed to the ground, splashing soup on the faces of the five junior flag bearers.

Yang Ge stood up, expressionless, and led Huang outside.

The group of inexperienced guards quickly made way, their heads lowered as they watched him leave.

After Yang Ge left the station, Fang Ke suddenly set his face in a stern expression and shouted loudly, "What are you standing around for? Scatter and find out how The Yan Yun Five Ghosts entered the city, or prepare for family punishment!"