His words were met with a slight nod from Liu Yuanwu.
"Yes, the sooner we find the precise location of the dragon's eye, the better my father can leverage it against the Crown Prince and the Imperial Tutor. We'll see who offers a better price."
Military Advisor Ma nodded, "Then I will immediately lead men into the mountains."
Liu Yuanwu shook his head, "No, it's not you leading men into the mountains. We're going together. I want to see Qingniu Mountain with my own eyes, and witness what this dragon vein truly looks like, to the point where my younger sister would break ties with our father for it."
"But, Young Master, we are not familiar with Qingniu Mountain. It would be safer for you to remain at home."
Liu Yuanwu burst into laughter, "So what if we're not familiar? Remember when we ventured deep into the desolate desert and slew Peng Tianyun? Were you familiar with the terrain then?"
Hearing this, a man in white beside him couldn't help but chuckle, "Second Young Master is right, Ma Biao. If you're so timid, you can just stay home and cook for us."
Ma Biao, the military advisor, cast a sidelong glance at him, "Young brother Zhang Qian, if I recall correctly, you were not present when we charged into the desert. Slaying Peng Tianyun was the Second Young Master's deed. What makes you so proud?"
"You!"
Seeing the two clashing, Liu Yuanwu waved his hand, "Enough, the two of you, stop arguing. Prepare as I said. Tomorrow morning, we head into the mountains."
Just as Liu Yuanwu entered Qingniu County town, Wengongling was also abuzz with activity.
Xiong Fei accompanied Tiebi Shenquan Li Tong.
Looking at Li Tong's sturdy and powerful build, Da Lao Hei let out a hearty laugh, "Excellent! Just looking at Brother Li Tong's physique, the title 'Iron Arm Divine Fist' is well-deserved."
Xiong Fei, beaming with pride, patted Li Tong's shoulder and said loudly, "Brother Li Tong, why don't you show our Great Chieftain your skills?"
Li Tong nodded and took a bow from his person, handing it to Da Lao Hei.
"Great Chieftain, please examine my bow."
This bow was more than half again as large as a normal bow. Its frame was forged from fine steel, and the string was made of bull sinew, as thick as a thumb.
Da Lao Hei attempted to draw it but gave up after pulling it only halfway. He then smiled and passed it to Yang Chun.
"Brother Yang Chun, what do you think?"
Yang Chun took it, weighing it in his hand, and praised repeatedly, "A good bow, a good bow! Brother Li Tong, please enlighten us."
Li Tong smiled, took the bow back, and drew an arrow from his quiver.
Upon seeing the arrow, everyone gasped again. This arrow was at least five feet long, almost as tall as a short person.
Li Tong pointed at a large locust tree in the distance and asked Da Lao Hei, "Great Chieftain, how far is it from here to that locust tree?"
Da Lao Hei rubbed his head and estimated, "At least one hundred and fifty paces."
Li Tong smiled calmly, nocked the arrow, aimed at the locust tree, and shot.
The long arrow whistled through the air with a sharp wind, its trajectory like lightning. Under everyone's gaze, it struck the locust tree with a "thump," embedding itself firmly.
Silence. A brief moment of silence, followed by earth-shattering cheers.
Yang Chun was inwardly shocked by this display. The distance from their current location to the locust tree was far greater than the distance they would need to ambush on Qingniu Mountain.
In other words, if Li Tong were to ambush on Qingniu Mountain, shooting down someone dangling from a steep slope would be effortless.
After witnessing Li Tong's performance, Da Lao Hei ordered a banquet to be set up in his chambers.
Of course, only Yang Chun, Hou Liu, and Xiong Fei were invited to accompany him.
Da Lao Hei raised his wine bowl and drank three cups with Li Tong in quick succession.
"Brother, your arrival has put me at ease. I have an enemy, and I've recently gotten wind of his movements. I'd like to ask for your help in taking him down."
Li Tong laughed heartily, "Great Chieftain, you are too kind. Xiong Fei and I are sworn brothers. His elder brother is my elder brother, and my elder brother's business is my business."
Da Lao Hei smiled and raised his wine bowl again, "Come, come, let us drink until we are thoroughly drunk today."
Li Tong drank another bowl, then set it down and cupped his fists at Da Lao Hei, "Great Chieftain, when might this enemy of yours reveal himself!"
Da Lao Hei laughed, "Don't rush, don't rush. I have already set up informants. If there's any wind of movement, someone will report it."
As they were speaking, someone knocked on the door outside, "Great Chieftain, a message from the county town has arrived."
Hearing this, Da Lao Hei glanced at the assembled company and laughed again, "Ha, talk of the devil! The news has arrived!"
Hou Liu stepped forward to receive the message from the person outside and respectfully handed it to Da Lao Hei.
Da Lao Hei's eyes widened with joy after reading it, "Excellent! My enemy has arrived in Qingniu County town and will likely head towards Qingniu Mountain soon."
Li Tong's expression turned serious as he stood up, "Great Chieftain, then we shall head to Qingniu Mountain immediately to ambush him."
Xiong Fei, seeing this, couldn't help but advise, "Brother, don't be hasty, don't be hasty. We can eat and drink our fill first, and then head to Qingniu Mountain."
Li Tong's expression became solemn, "Alas, it's better to kill that scoundrel first, and then we can drink celebratory wine. It's not too late."
Hearing Li Tong's words, Da Lao Hei and Yang Chun exchanged glances and laughed almost simultaneously.
"Good. After this meal, we will accompany Brother Li Tong to the mountain."
Meanwhile, in Xiaojia Town.
Because Chen Xiaobei had brought the children to school late, it was already noon by the time he finished delivering the apples.
Feng Xiaoyue repeatedly urged Chen Xiaobei to stay for a meal.
"Brother Xiaobei, you have to go to the county town later. Since you'll be eating on the way, why not do it here? I'll have a couple of drinks with you before you leave for the county town."
Alright, Chen Xiaobei nodded in agreement.
He followed Feng Xiaoyue to the second floor and chose a seat by the window.
Feng Xiaoyue brought him a pot of tea, "Brother, please wait here for a moment, I'll prepare the food and drinks."
Chen Xiaobei nodded in response, poured himself a cup of tea, and idly looked out the window.
Suddenly, his gaze was captured by three people.
"Huh? Isn't that Hu Lao Qi, Liu Mazi, and Cao Bei?"
The three men had their left and right hands wrapped in white bandages, which were particularly conspicuous.
They were talking as they hurried along.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei became suspicious. He immediately ran downstairs, greeted Feng Xiaoyue at the counter, and quietly followed.
The three men walked straight ahead, out of the bustling part of town, heading north towards a solitary courtyard by the roadside.
Two pine trees were planted by the courtyard entrance, which was rather unusual.
The three entered the courtyard. After about the time it takes for a cup of tea to brew, they emerged and returned the way they came, finally entering an inn.
After waiting for a while longer and seeing that the three did not come out, Chen Xiaobei was sure they were staying at this inn. He then turned back.
When he returned to Sihai Restaurant, Feng Xiaoyue had already prepared the food and drinks.
"Xiaoyue, let me ask you, there's a courtyard south of town by the road with two pine trees at the entrance. Do you know what that courtyard is for?"