Bloodkiller - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Adventure

The sun had already fallen below the skyline, and only a dull amber shimmer remained.

The trail winding through the countryside was deserted, save for a few bird whistles from afar. Suddenly, a distant creaking could be heard — the rolling of wheels. The noise grew louder by the second, shaking the ground ever so slightly. A horse cart darted into view, kicking up a whirlwind of dirt.

This cart was quite peculiar. The body of the cart looked old-fashioned and unimpressive, but the two tall stallions leading it were unusually strong. The driver wore faded gray cloth and had a wide hat pressed low over his brow, making it hard to distinguish his identity. Even more bizarre was the back of the cart — it had several extra planks nailed on, extending the bed longer than usual — and, strangely, a lamb was fastened to it.

All of a sudden, the wailing of a newborn came from within the cart. The driver tugged the reins and hollered something, bringing the cart to a crawl. He glanced back and said, “What’s going on? The little one’s awake again? Must be starving.”

His face was streaked with smudges, but his features were bold and defined. Who else could he be but Yao Chuan?

Inside the cart, a long sigh answered him. “Riding this fast, Brother Yao, how could the baby not wake up?”

A pale hand reached out and pulled back the curtain. The inside of the cart was surprisingly cozy, with cotton bedding layered across the floor. Lin Yi sat cross-legged, holding a sobbing infant — none other than Qian Qiongli, the youngest of the Qian family.

Seeing the child bawl so hard his cheeks flushed, Yao Chuan’s heart stung with guilt. “I saw smoke up ahead, thought there’d be people living nearby. Figured we’d better rush over while it’s still light.”

Lin Yi gave a faint chuckle. “No need to hurry — that farmhouse isn’t running off anywhere. Might as well stop for a while and quiet the child. He’s starting to get on my nerves.”

Yao Chuan pulled the cart over, untied the lamb from the back, and fastened it to a nearby bush. The poor animal had been rattled around for days and could barely keep upright. He took a wineskin from the cart and milked the goat by hand. Shaking the skin, he turned back and said, “We should find shelter soon. This nanny goat’s exhausted. If she dries up, we’re in real trouble.”

It had been over a week since the pair had left Hangzhou for the north. They traveled with a baby in tow but avoided major roads — they were too dangerous and time-consuming. Passing through town gates might mean questioning, and the two couldn’t predict the local law’s reaction, so they kept to the shadows.

Left with no other option, they made do. They bought a lactating goat from a local bazaar and took whatever back paths they could find.

Lin Yi glanced at the dimming sky and sighed, “Let him finish eating first.”

Yao Chuan said nothing more. He picked up the child, poured out some milk, and carefully spooned it into his mouth. The baby was surprisingly obedient, crying only when hungry or uncomfortable, and quieting again as soon as he had something to suckle. His tiny lips pursed and opened eagerly, blinking at Yao Chuan with teary eyes.

Moved by this, Yao Chuan playfully dabbed milk on the baby’s lips. But when the child realized there was no more, he began to pout again, his little face twitching. Yao Chuan chuckled, quickly popped a spoon in his mouth, and the baby calmed again.

Watching this, Lin Yi snorted, “Yao the Great Hero, I thought you said we were in a rush?”

Yao Chuan didn’t respond directly. He simply pinched Lin Yi’s chin and asked, “What, you don’t like kids?”

Throughout the trip, Lin Yi had rarely interacted with the child, only holding him when absolutely necessary and never attending to his needs.

Lin Yi’s face twitched as if he had tasted something bitter. “It’s not that. I just find them noisy.”

That made Yao Chuan pause. “Wait… do you have a kid?”

Lin Yi glared coldly. “What, planning to be the kid’s stepmother?”

That wiped the smile off Yao Chuan’s face. He shrugged off the jab and said softly, “I just… like this one. Reminds me of my junior.”

Yao Chuan was the eldest disciple of Shuanglongmen. Aside from him, Master Fang Zhentian had six other apprentices, each representing a branch of the sect. The second was Ye Xiangming — known for his scholarly grace. The third and fourth, Kunqing and Kunyuan, were twins from a Luoyang noble family. Fifth was Zhou Xing, a cousin on their master mother’s side. Sixth was Fang Ruyun, Master Fang’s daughter. The youngest, Li Er — nicknamed “San Niu’er” — was a twelve-year-old with a rough background.

Lin Yi sneered. “If that kid’s anything like this one, I’ll hate him even more. He’s unbearable. You need to discipline him when you get back.”

Yao Chuan coughed in embarrassment. He knew San Niu’er had a grudge against Lin Yi — not surprising, since kids pick up on adult tensions. Now the tables had turned, and he was the one catching flak.

“San Niu’er’s still a kid… don’t take it to heart.”

“San Niu’er?” Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. “What kind of name is that?”

Yao Chuan rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. “His family’s poor — only had two old cows when he was born. His father joked he’d be the ‘third cow,’ and it stuck.”

Lin Yi smirked, but then asked more seriously, “If I recall… among your group, only you and Ye Xiangming were orphans, right?”

Yao Chuan understood what he was getting at. The others had family ties or wealthy backgrounds. He and Ye were the only true strays adopted into Shuanglongmen.

He nodded. “If Master hadn’t taken me in… I wouldn’t be here.”

Lin Yi gave a noncommittal grunt, then looked like he wanted to say more. But in the end, he just gestured at the sleeping child and said, “It’s getting late. I’ll grab the goat. Let’s get going.”

———

As they expected, there were a few shacks tucked at the bottom of the hill ahead. Smoke curled up from chimneys, and the smell of stew drifted through the air. Delighted, Yao Chuan steered the cart forward and knocked on one of the doors. An old man with a dark face emerged.

Yao Chuan clasped his hands politely. “Elder, my brother and I are passing through toward Yaoshi. The road’s rough and it’s getting late. Might we stay the night? Here’s ten silver taels — just a small thank-you.”

The man waved his hands. “No, no need. Hey, old lady! There’s travelers wanting to stay!”

A kindly old woman shuffled out, took one look at the baby, and sighed. “Oh, poor thing! What parents leave a child like this to suffer?”

Yao Chuan gave a vague answer, and the woman continued, “We don’t need your money. This house is old, but it’s dry. If you don’t mind a bit of cold, make yourselves at home.”

Lin Yi handed over the child with a word of thanks. “What should we call you, aunt?”

“Oh, just call me Aunt Feng. My man’s surname is Feng,” she said cheerfully, waving them inside. “The old man’s bad with words, but he’s a decent cook. Our son’s gone off to sell herbs in the city, so it’s just us now…”

The old woman clearly missed having company and talked their ears off.

Yao Chuan remained alert. As they entered, he quietly checked the layout. The woodshed behind the house was bolted tight — suspicious.

Lin Yi didn’t bat an eye. “Aunt, we’re quite tired. I don’t suppose you’ve got some rice congee? Something light for our nephew?”

The woman clicked her tongue, glanced at the child, and said, “Poor baby. Don’t worry, I’ll see what’s in the kitchen.” She waddled off.

Yao and Lin exchanged a glance. Something was off.

Suddenly, footsteps. At least fifteen of them. They circled the shack — no mistake, they were surrounded.

Yao Chuan gripped his blade and held Qian Qiongli close. His expression froze.

A loud whoosh broke the silence. Three darts flew through the window. Yao Chuan hadn’t even drawn yet, but with one sweep of the knife’s back, knocked them to the ground.

Lin Yi eyed the weapons. Bone needles, coated red.

“‘Bone Thorn’ Kishiro?” he murmured.

“But he quit ten years ago. Why show up in this nowhere village?”

Before they could breathe, another barrage of needles came whistling in. Yao and Lin dodged deftly, guarding the child.

“This place is crawling with enemies,” Lin Yi muttered. “We’ll have to bait them out.”

He spotted the dinner table and shouted, “Yao — table!”

Yao understood. He finally drew his blade, sliced the dishes, and flung them through the window like throwing stars. The window shattered.

Outside — more than a dozen figures surrounded the hut. All wore plain work clothes like the old couple. But their eyes burned with killing intent.

One man had a jagged scar and thick chains wrapped around one arm, ending in a giant iron hook.

Lin Yi spat. “No way… that’s ‘Ghost Hook’ Lei Lianqun?! He fell off a cliff eight years ago!”

Yao Chuan added grimly, “That couple must be the ‘Silver Axe Twins,’ Han Liu and his wife.”

A dozen dangerous figures — infamous names — all gathered at this rundown shack.

Yao and Lin stood back-to-back.

The storm was coming.