Chapter 16: Brotherly Affection

Zu An also chuckled, "It would be wonderful to have Brother Twelve looking out for me on the road." He was now certain that this person harbored malicious intentions, and this was a good chance to investigate who truly wanted to harm him.

The two left the city together, each harboring their own secret agenda. Only now did Zu An realize how fortunate he had been on his first day. When he had first awakened near the city, it wasn't truly the wild outskirts yet. That area was still a human activity zone, patrolled by soldiers and cultivators who protected the borders to prevent fierce beasts from entering and causing harm. Beyond that, however, lay the true wilderness. Near Mingyue City, the continuous Dragon Concealed Mountain stretched out, home to an unknown multitude of fierce beasts.

Fierce beasts occasionally emerged from the mountain's edge, posing a threat to people. For this reason, soldiers had established checkpoints and outposts between the true wilderness and the city's outskirts, serving both as a warning system and to deter unsuspecting commoners from venturing too far.

Fortunately, Plum Blossom Twelve was accompanying him; otherwise, Zu An alone likely wouldn't have been able to pass the checkpoint. Plum Blossom Twelve produced a pass-like item and also demonstrated his cultivation level, prompting the checkpoint personnel to allow them through.

After leaving the outpost, Zu An gazed at Plum Blossom Twelve with feigned admiration. "Brother, what's your current cultivation rank? Those soldiers seemed quite impressed by you just now." He aimed to gather information while his companion was unaware of his own circumstances, allowing him to plan strategically later.

Plum Blossom Twelve clearly relished Zu An's tone. "It's decent, only a Second Rank, Third Stage."

Zu An mused that it wasn't particularly high, comparable to his own progress after just one day of cultivation.

After speaking, Plum Blossom Twelve anticipated worshipful compliments from Zu An, after which he would modestly deflect them, subtly showing off. To his surprise, however, the fellow merely stood there blankly, like an oaf.

He quickly dismissed it, concluding that such a good-for-nothing probably didn't even understand what cultivation entailed, and therefore wouldn't comprehend the difficulty of reaching Second Rank, Third Stage at his age.

Zu An then continued, "You're so formidable; you must be the highest-ranked among your brothers, aren't you?" He recalled how, in the novels he used to read, defeating one villain often led to a multitude of their relatives, friends, and powerful backers emerging. It was only natural, then, to gather information beforehand.

"Not really," Plum Blossom Twelve replied with a proud tone. "There are several others around my level, and the strongest is Brother Thirteen; he's already reached Third Rank." Their thirteen sworn brothers had enjoyed immense prestige over the years.

"If you're all so powerful, then your gang leader must be even more formidable?" Zu An remarked cooperatively.

"Naturally, the gang leader, he's already..." At that moment, he suddenly seemed to realize something and changed his statement. "You don't understand cultivation anyway, so why am I telling you all this?"

Zu An felt a slight disappointment but had still managed to gather a good amount of information.

Shortly after they left the outpost, a figure approached. From a distance, the person's expression shifted the moment they saw Plum Blossom Twelve; they swiftly pulled down their hat and turned to walk away.

Plum Blossom Twelve took a few long strides and quickly caught up. "Brother Tan, why the rush?"

Realizing he had been recognized, the man stopped fleeing, turned around, and tightly clutched the knife at his waist. "Plum Blossom Twelve, are you here to capture me?"

Plum Blossom Twelve raised his hand, indicating no ill intent. "Brother Tan, it's one thing to suspect others, but why would you suspect me? During the skirmish with the Azure Dragon Gang, if you hadn't risked your life to carry me to safety, the grass on my grave would be tall by now."

"So you still remember those events." Hearing these words, Brother Tan's expression visibly softened.

"How could I ever forget a life-saving kindness?" Plum Blossom Twelve said with a sigh. "You and the gang leader merely have a misunderstanding; simply explain things clearly. Why run? It would be so much better if we brothers could feast on meat and drink large bowls of wine together. Now, I can't even find anyone to share a drink with."

Brother Tan's eyes reddened instantly, and veins bulged on his hands. "Don't defend that Mei," he said. "No man can endure the hatred of having his wife taken. My only regret is that my knife failed to kill him."

"I can't comment much on the grievances between you and the gang leader, but from my personal standpoint, I truly sympathize with you," Plum Blossom Twelve said, patting his shoulder comfortingly. "A capable man need not worry about finding a wife. With your skills, you'll thrive anywhere else. Don't lose heart."

Brother Tan's face showed gratitude. "For all these days, the brothers in the gang have been hunting me, and only you still treat me with such kindness."

"Of course," Plum Blossom Twelve chuckled. "We're brothers who've faced death together; how could I be like the others?"

"Brother," Tan said, moved, "could I entrust you with a task?"

Plum Blossom Twelve thumped his chest. "Tell me anything you need. As long as it doesn't involve me betraying our creed, I will absolutely not shirk my duty!"

"Of course, I wouldn't put you in a difficult position," Brother Tan explained. "The thing is, I fled so hastily that I couldn't bring anything with me. I've accumulated a hundred taels of silver over the years from my dangerous life, and it would be a shame to simply abandon it. Brother, could you go into the city and retrieve it for me? I'll give you half of it!"

"Brother Tan, you're treating me like a stranger," Plum Blossom Twelve said, waving his hand. "It's merely a small favor. How could I accept money from the man who saved my life? Rest assured, I will retrieve it for you."

"You truly are a good brother!" Brother Tan exclaimed, delighted. "Don't worry, once it's done, I'll definitely give you half. I hid the silver behind the bricks in the sixth row, ninth column, of my backyard wall..."

"Yes, I've got it," Plum Blossom Twelve nodded repeatedly. "However, there's a slight complication. I need to take this young brother to Jackal Valley first. You know, I have some... difficulties."

Brother Tan glanced at the somewhat bewildered Zu An nearby and instantly understood. Jackal Valley was the ideal place to dispose of bodies, frequently used for targets that couldn't be openly killed. They had become very adept at such tasks over the years. "Don't worry, I'll take care of him for you."

Plum Blossom Twelve cupped his hands. "Then many thanks, Brother Tan!"

Zu An, standing nearby, watched Brother Tan approach him, his hand on his knife, and couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. *You two are putting on a show of profound brotherhood, but why am I the one who ends up suffering?* he thought.

He was contemplating whether to reveal his cultivation when his eyes suddenly went wide. Plum Blossom Twelve, moving like a leopard, suddenly pounced from behind, clamping his hand over Brother Tan's mouth before viciously slashing his throat with a knife.

Brother Tan stumbled backward, clutching his neck, and pointed at him with an expression of disbelief. "You... you..."

Plum Blossom Twelve wiped the blood from his knife with a handkerchief. "Killing you allows me to claim the gang leader's bounty and keep all your hidden money for myself. Why would I split it with you?"

"You... will... not... come... to... a... good... end..." Brother Tan fell to the ground, clutching his neck. His eyes remained wide open in death, never closing.

"Curses are merely the impotent rage of the powerless," Plum Blossom Twelve said, sheathing his knife and walking toward Zu An. "Brother Zu, there's no need to be afraid. He was a traitor to our gang, and such individuals are rightly executed by anyone."

"Oh." Zu An swallowed, suddenly finding the term "Brother Zu" particularly grating. After all, the man Plum Blossom Twelve had just been affectionately calling "brother" was now lying dead on the ground, eyes staring blankly.

The atmosphere for the remainder of their journey was somewhat somber. Zu An's mood only began to calm when he noticed how much fresher and sweeter the air felt compared to his previous life. He surmised this was due to the abundant elemental energy, which explained why so many in this world could cultivate.

There were no further dangers encountered along the way. This area was, after all, close to the town's edge. The formidable beasts of Dragon Concealed Mountain resided deep within the peaks; only one or two would occasionally venture out, and even then, their cultivation levels wouldn't be particularly high.

"Hey, what exactly are you going to Jackal Valley for?" Plum Blossom Twelve suddenly recalled something and asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Doctor Ji in the city posted a task to collect 'dog gallstones,' so I'm here to try my luck," Zu An replied, his expression as guileless as possible.

"Just you?" Plum Blossom Twelve burst into laughter. Even he only dared to venture along the edges of Jackal Valley. Yet this fellow, oblivious to the dangers, was heading in to search for dog gallstones?

Zu An chuckled, "I'm just going to try my luck. What if I happen to find some corpses of fierce black jackals?"

Plum Blossom Twelve looked at him with disdain, thinking to himself that the boy was incredibly foolish. However, he suppressed the urge to comment, knowing that if Zu An were to back out, his plan would be ruined. "But you're already the Chu family's son-in-law," he said instead, "couldn't you simply pay the doctor's fee directly?"

He had heard a thing or two about Doctor Ji's policies.

Zu An sighed. "Don't laugh, brother, but as a live-in son-in-law, I have no standing whatsoever in the Chu family. Everyone looks down on me, so how could they possibly give me money? It's good that you, brother, haven't forgotten me after all this time."

"Indeed, indeed, we're brothers through and through," Plum Blossom Twelve said, thinking to himself that this fellow at least had some self-awareness. "By the way, is Miss Chu truly as beautiful as they say?" He had never had the opportunity to meet someone of Miss Chu's elevated status; he only knew of her from rumors.

"A fairy descended from the nine heavens," Zu An stated truthfully. His nominal wife did indeed possess considerable beauty.

"Does it feel... satisfying?" Plum Blossom Twelve asked, winking with a lewd expression.

Zu An sneered inwardly but replied aloud, "So fair, so tender, and so smooth; it's simply exhilarating."

Plum Blossom Twelve swallowed, then said sourly, "You certainly are blessed with good fortune when it comes to women."

Rage value from Plum Blossom Twelve +99!

Zu An was immediately amused. *It seems he's another 'toad envying the swan,' unable to enjoy it himself but jealous of those who can,* he thought.

A foul stench wafted through the air. Not far off, scattered bone fragments lay, making it impossible to identify the animal. Plum Blossom Twelve chuckled, "If you fall into the jaws of other fierce beasts, at least a skeleton remains after death. But if you fall into the clutches of a fierce black jackal, even your bone fragments will be chewed to nothing."

They were now approaching Jackal Valley. With no one else in sight, he wasn't concerned about the other party backing out.

"Is that Jackal Valley up ahead?" Zu An asked, faintly discerning a valley in the distance. He feigned fear, grabbing Plum Blossom Twelve's arm. "Brother, you're so powerful; you must protect me later!"

"Yes, it is, and I will certainly 'protect' you well," Plum Blossom Twelve sneered. "Zu An, Zu An, I almost admire you. How can someone be so foolish? Last time the lightning didn't kill you, and now you've voluntarily walked right into my hands again."

Zu An's face showed "panic." "Brother, what do you mean?"

He had initially planned to ambush Plum Blossom Twelve, but upon hearing terms like "lightning strike," he decided to wait and observe. This was a good opportunity to gather more information and to familiarize himself with his body's newly acquired strength.

In any case, the opponent's cultivation level was slightly lower than his own, and Zu An still had trump cards like a dagger and paralyzing poison. He should be able to manage the situation without it spiraling out of control.