Chapter Sixteen: Unexpected Turns

The group settled down in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. Lao Ying Luo took the lead in proposing a toast, and everyone began to eat and drink freely.

“Come, Second Master Wang, Mr. Han Wang, I, Lao Ying Luo, raise a cup to you both—consider it an early celebration for our future cooperation!” Seated in the tiger-skin chair, Luo raised his bowl, swaying it slightly as he looked toward Wang Qing and Han Wang, who lifted their cups in return.

Wang Qing and Han Wang raised their glasses and toasted back to Luo.

“Master Luo, since you sincerely wish to cooperate with Commander Liu, I am naturally pleased. But cooperation requires sincerity, don’t you agree?” Han Wang’s eyes sparkled as he fixed Luo with a steady gaze.

Luo furrowed his brow, somewhat puzzled by Han’s words.

Han smiled faintly and continued, “Master Luo, I’ve heard you recently came into a windfall, which has made the Ma Gang and Mad Hu quite envious.”

Luo offered an awkward chuckle. “Haha, Mr. Han, you jest. What windfall? It’s just… just…”

“Master Luo, no need to be nervous. We’re partners now, and Commander Liu certainly won’t take your benefits without reciprocation. However, if he wants to maintain a long-term partnership with the Wang family, some goodwill must be shown. So, he wishes to ask you…” Han’s smile was ambiguous, leaving the rest unsaid.

Luo immediately understood—Han meant that Commander Liu wanted that batch of arms to open the door to the Wang family’s territory, and Luo himself was expected to contribute something.

Wang Qing was also uncertain. Neither Luo’s Eight Tiger Mountain faction nor Commander Liu behind Han Wang were forces the Wang family could afford to offend. Wang Qing knew it was best to remain silent for now.

Meanwhile, Wang Xian, Ma Yuan, and the others sat at the lower end of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, their eyes darting nervously. They had never seen such a formidable gathering before and dared not speak.

Luo’s expression darkened but only briefly. After a moment’s resolve, he said, “Mr. Han, since Commander Liu intends this way, I, Luo Lao Ying, will naturally cooperate.”

---

“Second Master Wang, I, Luo Lao Ying, was remiss before. That batch of arms—I will immediately arrange for them to be delivered to Gao City. Furthermore, from now on, any goods of the Wang family will be handled by Eight Tiger Mountain without a single cent in commission. Should the need arise, I am willing to dispatch men to escort shipments all the way to Jizhou City,” Luo turned to Wang Qing and said solemnly.

Anyone with discernment could tell Luo was displeased.

Han Wang seemed oblivious to Luo’s mood and looked directly at Wang Qing. “Second Master Wang, before coming, Commander Liu instructed me to visit Gao City if time allowed, to gauge the intentions of your two families and see which is worth cooperating with.”

“But no one expected to meet you here at Eight Tiger Mountain, which saved a lot of trouble. Now that I have resolved the problem for the Wang family, will you give me a promise?”

Wang Qing fell silent, knowing that if he agreed today, the Wang family would have no way out. In essence, it meant abandoning other alliances to tie their fate to Commander Liu. If Liu flourished in Jizhou City, the Wang family would profit greatly; but if Liu fell, the Wangs would be doomed.

Han Wang seemed to guess Wang Qing’s thoughts and smiled slightly. “No need to rush your answer. I can wait until you return to Gao City and discuss with your head of the family.”

Wang Qing nodded slightly and smiled apologetically at Han. “Please forgive me, Mr. Han. I cannot decide this matter alone. I must confer with my elder brother. Our family is not wealthy and cannot bear such risks. I hope you understand.”

“Haha, Mr. Han, the Wang family is not like my Eight Tiger Mountain. We live on the edge, scraping by day to day. The Wang family still has future generations,” Luo broke the slightly awkward atmosphere by raising his cup.

After Luo’s words, Han looked toward Wang Xian, Ma Yuan, and the others sitting at the lower end. “It seems these are the Wang family’s younger generation, each quite valiant.”

Han then turned back to Wang Qing. “Second Master Wang, it seems cooperating with Commander Liu was indeed a wise choice, don’t you think?”

Wang Qing looked up at Han, sensing a different undertone in his words.

“Haha, don’t be nervous. I was just asking casually. Come, come, let’s continue drinking,” Han laughed heartily, as if it had been a mere offhand question.

---

The gathering continued late into the night. Since it was so late, Wang Qing and the others stayed overnight at Eight Tiger Mountain. The next day, after completing the handover of the arms, the Wang family returned to Gao City.

After the exchange, Luo dispatched men with Wang Qing’s group as they left Eight Tiger Mountain, marking the end of this trip.

Wang Xian, Ma Yuan, and Hou Xinjie sat in the carriage transporting the arms, surrounded by Wang family guards, all alert and ready. Though the arms were now secured, the journey remained perilous.

Ma Yuan’s heart churned with emotion. Growing up in Huixiang, if he had apprenticed under Ma Jianguo as a carpenter, he would never have encountered such affairs. Unlike Wang Xian and Hou Xinjie—one involved in arms trading, the other with family in the military—he had little exposure.

“Ma Yuan, Hou Xinjie, how about it? Has this trip made you want to take the Huali Military Academy entrance exam even more?” Wang Xian suddenly asked in the carriage.

Before Ma Yuan could answer, Hou Xinjie straightened up. “Wang Xian, I, Hou Xinjie, promise you this: I will definitely take the academy’s entrance exam in a year. In these turbulent times—just in our largest city, Jizhou, several commanders vie for territory—if I want to establish myself, enlisting is the only way.”

Wang Xian and Ma Yuan stared wide-eyed at Hou, hardly recognizing this new, determined version of him, even feeling inspired.

“Don’t just look at me like that. Though I usually speak casually, I rarely make promises lightly. So just wait—one year from now, I’ll also be stepping into Huali Military Academy,” Hou said, feigning confidence as he felt the weight of their gaze.

Wang Xian laughed heartily. “Good! I’ve already set my sights on Huali Military Academy. Now I’ve got company. How about you, Ma Yuan?”

Seeing their eyes on him, Ma Yuan exhaled deeply. “You two are different from me—this is a big decision. I want to discuss it with my family back home in Huixiang. But after this experience at Eight Tiger Mountain, if my father agrees, I will also apply to Huali Military Academy in a year.”

“Well said, good brothers. The three of us will surely make great achievements,” Wang Xian, Hou Xinjie, and Ma Yuan laughed heartily together.