Have You Met My Brother?[Comprehensive Martial Arts + Sword Three] Chapter 11

The lanterns were lit, but the city’s bustle showed no signs of slowing. The popular restaurant, filled with guests, stood three or four stories high. Large red lanterns bearing bold characters hung high beneath its upturned eaves. Inside, the light was as bright as day. Some were clinking cups, others were chatting and laughing, and still others were quietly enjoying their meals. The noise was deafening, and the aroma of food permeated the air.

Chu Liuxiang had reserved a private room on the second floor. Once the door was closed, the outside clamor faded from being right beside them to a distant, ethereal hum.

When ordering, the Bandit Chief recommended a few delicious dishes, then deferred the final decision to Yan Bugui and Guo Xiang. The swordsman glanced at the menu, not particularly concerned with food, and shook his head, telling the “locals” to decide for themselves. Miss Guo readily ordered several dishes. Chu Liuxiang could tell immediately that they were a mix of high and low prices, guaranteed to be tasty, and just the right amount for three or four people.

As the waiter left, only the three of them remained in the room. Given the soundproofing here, as long as they didn’t speak too loudly, the people in the adjacent rooms were unlikely to overhear their conversation. Knowing that “Brother Chu” probably had something he wanted to discuss, Yan Bugui quietly drank his tea, having removed his bamboo hat and placed it along with his horizontal saber across his lap, waiting for the other man to initiate the conversation.

After a period of unspoken understanding, Chu Liuxiang finally asked a question that the swordsman had anticipated. The former first looked at Guo Xiang, then asked, “Young Hero Yan, have you found the person you were looking for?”

Yan Bugui had already mentally prepared for what “Brother Chu” might say, and this question was one he was ready for. He immediately pulled out four portraits, spreading them one by one on the table, and replied frankly:

“No. I haven’t heard any news of my two elder brothers throughout my journey. I even asked about Little Yu and Xueling, the pets we raised, but unfortunately, I’ve found nothing so far. Brother Chu, I know you have other important matters on this trip and may not have time to notice others. But I still want to ask, have you seen the people or birds in these paintings these past few days?”

Chu Liuxiang lowered his head and scanned the images. The two portraits were of two unfamiliar men wearing clothes he had never seen before. Beside the portraits were drawings of a large, strangely shaped umbrella, unlike any ordinary weapon, and a… saber stand? At first glance, it looked like some kind of exotic weapon, but upon closer inspection, it resembled a stand holding two sabers, one long and one short. It was unclear whether the odd shape was due to the artist’s skill or the original design.

As for the two bird drawings, he recognized one as a parrot and the other as a sea eagle. However, overall—the Bandit Chief, who had traveled extensively and prided himself on his wide knowledge, shook his head. “It is truly regrettable. I don’t believe I have encountered your two brothers or those two beloved pets.”

Yan Bugui remained composed. He nodded and collected the portraits. It was as he thought: unless Chu Liuxiang had encountered Little Yu or Xie Donghai’s Xueling alone, if this “Brother Chu” had truly interacted with Xie Donghai or Liu Yuan, he wouldn’t have asked such a question.

The swordsman then cupped his hands and said, “I must shamelessly ask Brother Chu to keep an eye out while traveling the jianghu in the future. If you happen to meet my two brothers, please just mention that I am looking for them.”

This was a small matter, and Chu Liuxiang agreed immediately without a second thought. Just then, a few appetizers and cold dishes were delivered by the waiter, and the three of them picked up their chopsticks and ate a few bites before continuing the conversation. This time, Guo Xiang spoke first: “Brother Chu, we just arrived. We initially thought we might be late, but now we hear that the Beggar’s Sect assembly has been suddenly postponed. Do you know why?”

Chu Liuxiang, who had previously mentioned having friends in the Beggar’s Sect, couldn’t very well say he didn’t know. However, he had promised Nangong Ling not to spread the news of Chief Ren’s wife’s disappearance. So, he simply offered the Beggar’s Sect’s official explanation: “I heard they are waiting for the arrival of Chief Huang and Guo Daxia, the esteemed couple.”

Upon hearing this, Guo Xiang first took a small, sharp intake of breath, then gently exhaled, smiling sweetly. She raised her tea cup in lieu of wine and thanked him. “I see. Thank you for the explanation, Brother Chu.”

Neither Yan Bugui nor Chu Liuxiang missed Guo Xiang’s small reaction. Chu Liuxiang secretly felt his suspicion confirmed, and replied, “You would have heard this widely known news yourselves if you stayed a few more days. It’s nothing remarkable.”

Yan Bugui didn’t dwell on “Miss Guo’s” expression either. Instead, he asked, “I have lived overseas for a long time and don’t know much about the Central Plains martial arts world. From what you say, Chief Huang and Guo Daxia seem to be very formidable masters, and they are a married couple?”

At the swordsman’s words, Chu Liuxiang focused on the phrase “lived overseas,” while Guo Xiang clapped her hands excitedly. “Of course! Those two are universally recognized great heroes of the jianghu!”

Yan Bugui glanced at the proud young woman. “I’d like to hear more.”

Guo Xiang seemed to realize she was overly excited and cleared her throat dramatically, though her cheeks were flushed with enthusiasm. “This happened over ten or twenty years ago. Mongolia and Oirat have always intended to invade our lands, and border residents are frequently pillaged.

“My father—our Guo Daxia—has repeatedly assisted the border troops in defending the nine border towns. He has also led many righteous heroes to repel the Mongolian and Oirat armies, fighting selflessly to protect the borders and bring peace to the people! Chief Huang is Guo Daxia’s wife. She assists Guo Daxia in fighting enemies and defending the city. She is also a female Zhuge, predicting things like a god and possessing countless strategies, having thwarted many enemy conspiracies!”

Yan Bugui thoughtfully looked at Chu Liuxiang, who was nodding in agreement with a smile, and then back at Guo Xiang. He suddenly asked, “Miss Guo, you also share the surname Guo. Are you related to Guo Daxia?”

Guo Xiang gasped, her eyes shifting nervously. “It’s just a coincidence that we share the same surname…”

Yan Bugui saw through her evasion but “considerately” chose not to expose her. He tilted his head slightly, looking out the window at the street below, and changed the subject. “The disciples of the Beggar’s Sect seem to be looking for something? And their demeanor and state are quite anxious and tense.”

Although the Beggar’s Sect disciples here were quite different from the ones he knew, recognizing them was not difficult, as some members of the Beggar’s Sect stood out from other jianghu people and common folk. He could clearly sense that the disciples’ gazes were searching for something or someone, and they scrutinized passing jianghu figures intensely.

Chu Liuxiang, who had been quietly observing, hadn’t expected Yan Bugui to possess such keen observation skills, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. Guo Xiang, even more puzzled, asked aloud, “What are they looking for?”

Finding himself the focus of two pairs of eyes, Chu Liuxiang gave a wry smile. “Well… I am merely an outsider passing through. If the Beggar’s Sect truly lost some treasure internally, there’s no way I would know.”

Guo Xiang now had both hands pressed against the window frame, leaning her upper body out to peer around the street below. “I don’t see many Beggar’s Sect disciples… Ah, I see them. Are they really looking for something? It couldn’t possibly be that the Dog Beating Staff is lost again, could it?” She said the last sentence very softly, but both Yan Bugui and Chu Liuxiang heard it clearly.

Compared to Yan Bugui’s calm reaction—a silent thought of, “Seriously, they lost their own weapon?”—Chu Liuxiang’s mouth twitched slightly, making it difficult to discern his expression or fathom his thoughts. Taking advantage of the waiter finishing serving the dishes, he quickly changed the topic. “Miss Guo, the food is all here. Let’s pick up our chopsticks and fill our stomachs first.”

Many people adhere to the maxim “eat without speaking, sleep without speaking.” Yet, strangely, many of these same people love to discuss business at the dinner or wine table. In fact, these two things are not necessarily contradictory. “Eat without speaking” generally means not talking while chewing food. Only those who are particularly strict and focused on etiquette extend this to not speaking at all during the meal.

People of the jianghu generally don’t adhere to such strict rules. The better ones speak in the interval after swallowing food and before taking the next bite; the less particular ones will chatter away even while chewing.

The two men and one woman in the private room were both particular and not too particular. Their dining habits showed that they had all received some level of etiquette training. It was pleasant to watch, without the fussy fastidiousness of wealthy noble children, yet retaining the straightforwardness of jianghu people.

The only difference was that Yan Bugui ate very quickly, silently throughout the meal, and was not picky at all. He seemed to lack a sense of taste, eating both meat and vegetables with the same bland expression, making it impossible to tell his preferences.

Chu Liuxiang, on the other hand, skillfully offered a review for every dish he tasted, with “good” being the minimum praise. He would also eloquently recount the small stories behind some dishes or describe the general cooking methods. Guo Xiang was undoubtedly an excellent listener and very supportive, though she had the smallest appetite. She put down her chopsticks shortly after the swordsman stopped eating.

After finishing his explanation of how the last dish, “Dongting Three Delicacies,” was prepared, Chu Liuxiang couldn’t help but look at Yan Bugui, who was leisurely sipping his tea. The swordsman had been quick and precise when picking up food, eating as if he were rushing. Yet, it didn’t seem like he was constrained by poverty or lack of food. It seemed simply that he… didn’t want to waste too much time eating?

He couldn’t immediately determine the fundamental reason for this “valuing time like gold.” Now that they had eaten their fill, he asked casually, as if making small talk, “Are you planning to stay here to await the Beggar’s Sect assembly, or do you have other plans?”

Regarding this question, Guo Xiang, who had run away from home, felt a little guilty and didn’t respond immediately. Thus, only Yan Bugui’s reply echoed in the room:

“I originally came here thinking my two brothers might come to observe the Junshan Beggar’s Sect assembly if they heard about it. Even if they didn’t, this place gathers heroes from all sides, which might help me inquire about their whereabouts. Therefore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I plan to stay here for a few more days.” After speaking, he looked at Guo Xiang but ultimately refrained from “burning the bridge” by mentioning his intention to send the young woman back home.

He didn’t know “Miss Guo’s” real name or identity, but he now had his suspicions. Furthermore, he had clearly seen the apprehension and timidity the young woman displayed as they approached Junshan. Clearly, even if her home or family wasn’t in Junshan, she had familiar relatives or old friends here.

Guo Xiang, however, said, “I… I suddenly remembered I have other things to attend to. I will leave in two days—no, I will leave tomorrow.”

No sooner had she spoken than an unexpected knock sounded on the door. Yan Bugui and Chu Liuxiang’s expressions subtly changed simultaneously, because before the knock, neither of them had heard footsteps stop outside the door or sensed anyone there. Even now, they still couldn’t!

They exchanged a glance. Yan Bugui shielded the bewildered Guo Xiang behind him, while Chu Liuxiang quietly approached the door. Just as he was about to ask who it was, he suddenly heard the sound of hurried running spreading from the stairs to the area outside the door, and then—someone kicked open their private room door!