A “worker” walked towards them and formally greeted Wen Kexing, “Master, we’re late.”

Gu Xiang cut in, “We actually saw the marks you left behind long ago, but the Zhaos made quite a ruckus since there were two mysterious deaths going on, and all those cowards who came here after that stalled our progress—how did you two end up like this, anyway?”

Wen Kexing replied, “We saw a laughing owl.”

Zhou Zishu glanced at every other direction at once, like being dragged into this was the last thing he wanted.

“Huh?” Gu Xiang asked confusedly.

Wen Kexing explained, “A laughing owl signifies incoming misfortune, including death. That’s why we had to hide underground, that way the ghosts will think that we’re already dead and they will leave us be.”

“Oh!” Gu Xiang exclaimed in enlightenment.

Wen Kexing patted her head, continuing shamelessly, “Mm-hm, bear it in mind, it may save your life one day.”

Then he looked over to the worker-dressed man. “Old Meng, these clothes don’t suit you at all. Dress like a butcher next time.”

Old Meng replied dutifully, “Yes, Master.”

Wen Kexing waved his hand, “Go, we don’t need everyone gathering here and making people think that we’re a gang of criminals.”

Old Meng whistled, and the rest disappeared into thin air in a very organized fashion, their traces completely vanishing.

Zhou Zishu also said goodbye, but Wen Kexing told him, “Brother Zhou, how about I follow you?”

Zhou Zishu used silence to proclaim his objection, only for Wen Kexing to continue, “I’m a good man, so I can teach you the art of merit gathering on the way.”

Zhou Zishu remained silent.

Gu Xiang, currently watching this staring contest, felt like the atmosphere had gone very strange. Eventually, Wen Kexing delivered the killing blow, “And I’m gonna follow you whether you want me to or not.”

There was a stiff smile on Zhou Zishu’s face as he replied, “Then be my guest, Brother Wen.”

Looking at Zhou Zishu, Gu Xiang finally understood what the saying “a mule is only obedient when it received a beating”1 was all about. As for when she looked at Wen Kexing, she finally knew how a person could be so unabashed they would put the rest of the world to shame. She followed the two men, feeling extremely proud of herself for learning so much in just one night.

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Footnotes.

1 The idiom is used for people who are stupidly stubborn and only harsh treatment will make them conform to something.

Translator’s notes. Happy Lunar New Year everyone!! I’m sorry this came a little late, holiday activities are really distracting 😅

Chapter 15. Tavern

“Master, how are you so sure that once a person wears a disguise, it has to be uglier than how they normally are?” Gu Xiang asked.