I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 164: Chapter 70: Startling Thunder

Night fell on a side room in the Xia Family estate.

Two rows of eighteen smokeless red candles illuminated the entire room as if it were day. A table of yellow rosewood was covered with an embroidered silk tablecloth, upon which were laid out delicacies from the mountains and seas: bird’s nest soup, shark fin, bear paws...

The cost of this feast alone was more than an ordinary family could earn in ten years.

”Come, come, Sister, Brother Risheng, please eat!” Xia Yunzhao urged.

There were no maids in the room. To his left was a stunningly beautiful sixteen-year-old girl dressed in a gauze robe—his own sister, Xia Yunxiang. To his right was an unremarkable-looking young man with a sallow complexion and a scar on his forehead. He appeared to be in his twenties and was none other than Zuo Risheng, son of the Rebel Army’s Fourth Grade Martial Artist, Zuo Boyang.

The weak can’t overcome the strong. After some unpleasantness with the Rebel Army, it was the Xia Family that ultimately had to yield.

Although the Xia Family had decided to ease tensions with the Rebel Army, they couldn’t have the old patriarch make the first move—that would be too humiliating. As a roundabout approach, they let the younger generation take the lead.

And so, Xia Yunzhao hosted a banquet for Zuo Risheng to foster goodwill. With certain intentions in mind, he even had his own sister attend.

”Brother Risheng, has the Rebel Army managed to find that master of Medical Skill?” Xia Yunzhao asked, personally pouring Zuo Risheng a cup of wine.

”No.”

Even someone as arrogant and unruly as Zuo Risheng sobered his expression at the mention of the master of Medical Skill, putting down his chopsticks as a sign of respect. ”That master was most likely just a wandering expert who passed through, developed a cure for the plague, and then left!”

Influenced by his father, Zuo Boyang, he too placed great importance on talented individuals—especially a great healer who could save the dying and cure the plague of an entire city.

”I suppose so.”

Xia Yunzhao nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, ”The unknown Martial Artists hiding in the city... there’s at least one Fifth Grade with accomplished Swordsmanship, a Fifth Grade who killed the Gang Leaders of the Tiger Gang and the Wild Wolf Gang, and another Middle Grade Martial Artist. Such a formidable force is a real threat to the Rebel Army’s rule.”

”I wonder, does the Rebel Army have any plans to conduct another sweep?”

For the past two days, his right eyelid had been twitching incessantly. The more he analyzed the city’s situation, the more he felt that something was amiss. It seemed he had overlooked something, but no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t grasp what it was, leaving him utterly perplexed.

Xia Yunzhao could only attribute his unease to those hidden Martial Artists. He wouldn’t be able to rest easy until they were found.

”Didn’t we just conduct a sweep a few days ago? In my opinion, those two Fifth Grade Martial Artists were probably bodyguards for that passing master of Medical Skill. They’ve already left with him.”

”As for that last Sixth Grade Martial Artist, the one who delivered the wooden plank, he must have a grudge against the Lin Family! Someone who skulks around hiding their identity, a coward as timid as a mouse...”

Zuo Risheng narrowed his eyes and grinned. ”If I ever meet him, I’d be happy to test just how sharp my blade is!”

”Such bravado, Brother Risheng! It’s just as they say: a tiger father doesn’t sire a dog son. Your honorable father is a Fourth Grade Transforming Force expert, and you, Brother Risheng, are already a cut above, having reached Middle Grade at such a young age. It’s not impossible that you will surpass him in the future.”

While Xia Yunzhao offered compliments, he was secretly shaking his head. ’He’s all brawn and bravado, and so arrogant. He might be a capable fighter, but he’s not very bright...’

’Still, that’s a good thing. It makes him easy to control.’

He himself was limited by his natural aptitude, making it difficult for him to advance in Martial Arts. Despite consuming vast resources and squandering his years, he was still only at the Seventh Grade.

Zuo Risheng, in contrast, had limited resources but was already a Sixth Grade at such a young age, with a promising future of reaching the Fourth Grade.

As for the Upper Three Grades?

That was no longer just a matter of talent; it also required special resources.

But the prospect of reaching Fourth Grade was enough. A potential Transforming Force expert like him was absolutely worth winning over. Having his sister Xia Yunxiang attend today was, in fact, done with the thought of a marriage alliance.

”Sister!” Xia Yunzhao gave his sister a meaningful look.

”Young Master Zuo, please.” Xia Yunxiang nodded slightly. With a flourish of her Flowing Cloud Water Sleeve, she personally poured a cup of wine and offered it with her fair hand. Her movements were elegant, and her voice was as crisp and melodious as an oriole’s song.

”Wonderful, wonderful! A cup poured by Miss Xia—I must drink it all!”

Zuo Risheng stared fixedly at Xia Yunxiang, his throat bobbed, and he drained the cup in one gulp.

’These high-born ladies from the great families are really something else,’ he thought lecherously. ’This figure, this air, this voice... to have her in my bed, to handle and play with...’

They continued to eat and drink, exchanging toasts for some time.

Xia Yunxiang let out a yawn, shaking her head slightly. She suddenly pressed a hand to her forehead, looking drowsy.

”Sister?!”

Xia Yunzhao called out to her softly, wondering why his sister would be so impolite in front of a guest.

”It’s nothing!”

But Zuo Risheng waved his hand and smiled. ”Brother Xia, did you add a restorative tonic to the food and wine? It seems to be from a master’s hand, no? This tonic is certainly nourishing, but an ordinary person can’t absorb it all at once. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit drowsy and weak.”

He came from a background of bandits, and back when he was in the mountains, resources were scarce, so he had learned to concoct his own medicinal meals. He knew a thing or two about the properties of herbs.

Coupled with his heightened senses as a Middle Grade Martial Artist, it was only natural that he would notice.

’Brother Xia must be doing this on purpose! Is he creating an opportunity for me? If so, I might be taking this beauty home with me tonight!’ A thrill went through Zuo Risheng.

”Hm?!”

Hearing this, however, Xia Yunzhao’s brows furrowed deeply.

Others might not have known, but how could he not? He had certainly not given any orders to add a restorative tonic to the meal.

And as for Zuo Risheng’s thought—that he was trying to play matchmaker? That was complete nonsense.

”This food... something’s wrong with it! And it’s far too quiet outside!”

Xia Yunzhao’s expression shifted drastically. He shot to his feet and went outside to see.