Chapter 215

The leaves were still green, but they were listless and drooped. The road was not easy to walk on. After the snow, it quickly turned into water. Carriages and pedestrians stepped on it and turned into mud. When the mud solidified, it turned into an indescribable abstract painting. This painting was spread out at the foot of the mountain, winding all the way to the horizon.

As a result, it became even more difficult for the pedestrians to walk. Even if Ye Xiaotian was burning with impatience, he could not speed up. Some of the mud solidified and became very firm. Even if a horse the size of a bowl stepped on it, it might not shatter and could easily break the horse's leg. So he could only be patient and walk along the rugged mountain road step by step.

Guizhou's winter was not like the capital's, where water would freeze and snow would cover the sky. However, the cold and damp air here was actually more unbearable than the weather in the north. Only their group walked on the ancient road at the foot of the mountain. There were much fewer merchants.

The flags fluttered, and there was an oppressive atmosphere. The people accompanying them already knew about Ye Tushe's sudden death in Tongren City. Most of Ye Xiaotian's bodyguards did not feel much about this Lord Tushe. Those who knew more about Ye Xiaotian even secretly sighed in relief.

However, that was Ye Xiaotian's brother. No matter how unhappy the two brothers were, they could not cut off this kinship. Ye Xiaotian's grief caused his group to also maintain silence. Ye Xiaotian rode on a horse, wearing a large cloak. His expression was indifferent. The entire group silently followed behind him.

Turning around the foot of the mountain, a group of people and horses suddenly appeared. It looked like a caravan. Several large carriages bumped and jumped on the muddy mountain road. They were empty carriages. They probably knew that the road was difficult, so after selling goods in Guiyang, they did not immediately buy local goods and returned with empty carriages.

Ye Xiaotian did not look sideways. The group of fast horses quickly caught up with the caravan. Just as they were about to pass them, a surprised voice suddenly called out from the side of the road, "Little Tian, it's you?"

Ye Xiaotian subconsciously reined in his horse and turned around. He was slightly surprised and quickly dismounted. He cupped his hands and said, "Ah, it's Uncle Hong. Little Tian has been impolite."

On such a road, it was better to ride on a horse than a carriage. The person was also riding on a horse. He had a kind face and a round body. It was the tycoon's father, Hong Baichuan. Although Ye Xiaotian was now a chieftain, he and the tycoon were sworn brothers. He treated Hong Baichuan as a nephew. and never looked down on him because he was a merchant.

Hong Baichuan dismounted and greeted him with a smile, "Nephew, are you returning to Tongren Province?"

Ye Xiaotian nodded. "Yes, Uncle, are you returning to Tongren as well?"

Hong Baichuan laughed, "That's right. It's almost New Year. I've finished my business and am going home to celebrate with my grandchildren. Haha …"

Hong Baichuan smiled and said to Ye Xiaotian, "In this weather, it's difficult to travel on the mountain road. I had no choice but to turn here. Nephew, you must have the same reason?"

Ye Xiaotian forced a smile and said, "That's right. The road through Narrow Valley Pass isn't easy to traverse during the winter, not to mention the Sheep Intestine Valley. The tribes under the Bozhou Yang Clan and the Shuidong Song Clan are in conflict again, turning that area into a battlefield between the two clans. Moreover, in such weather, traveling by water seems to be a long detour, but it's actually faster. So nephew is also going to Horse Field River. "

Hong Baichuan said happily, "It's boring to travel alone. Why don't we travel together? I'll be your companion then."

With regards to this suggestion, Ye Xiaotian naturally agreed. The two of them got on their horses and traveled side by side. Hong Baichuan was very talkative. He was in high spirits when he met an old friend on the road. However, he soon noticed that Ye Xiaotian was in low spirits. He could not help but ask, "Nephew Ye Xiaotian, you've conquered such a large territory with your bare hands. At such a young age, you've become an outstanding talent in Qiandong. You have a beautiful wife and you're blessed by God. What else is there to be unhappy about? You seem … to be in a bad mood?"

Ye Xiaotian said sadly, "Life is not going according to plan. My brother died suddenly. I'm returning to Tongren this time to attend his funeral."

"Ah …" Hong Baichuan let out a soft cry. His face was full of surprise. After a while, he said, "Nephew, please restrain your grief."

Ye Xiaotian nodded lightly. He did not say anything. Only the clattering of the horse's hooves could be heard, making one's heart feel empty.

…

In the evening, Ye Xiaotian and his group stayed at Goat Horn Village. This place was only four or five miles away from the Horse Field River. However, it was already late and sailing at night was very dangerous. No captain would agree no matter how much money they offered. If they rushed to the pier overnight, they could only stay at the pier. They had a large group and might not have a suitable place to settle them. Therefore, staying at Goat Horn Village was the best choice.

Goat Horn Village was not a village, but a city. Perhaps many years ago, it was just a village. Today, it had developed into a city, but its name had never changed. The name Goat Horn Village was also very common. Not to mention the entire Great Ming Dynasty, there were at least four or five places with the same name in Guizhou alone.

This place belonged to the east of the river. Knowing that Ye Xiaotian was passing by, the big-headed man, Jia Yuntong, personally went to welcome him and wanted to host a banquet. Ye Xiaotian was going back to attend his funeral. How could he be in the mood to socialize with him? He politely declined his good intentions and stayed in the large residence that Jia Yuntong had arranged for him. As Ye Xiaotian's uncle, Hong Baichuan naturally moved in as well.

It was deep into the night. Outside Ye Xiaotian's residence, four armed guards stood ramrod straight. A figure suddenly appeared in the veranda. In his arms was a round object that looked like a watermelon. Behind him was a manservant who was carrying a tray.

With a 'cha' sound, four sharp long sabers were unsheathed. Someone shouted in a low voice, "Who is it?"

"It's me!" Hong Baichuan walked out with a smile. The round object in his arms shone with a jet-black luster under the light. It was a black jug with a piece of red paper pasted on the side. It was a jug of aged wine. Hong Baichuan stopped. "The journey is lonely. This old man has come to accompany Nephew Xiaotian for a few drinks to ease his mood."

"This …" The four guards looked at each other in dismay. After traveling together for a long time, they already knew Hong Baichuan. This was an elder that even their masters treated with respect. It wasn't good for them to refuse, but they couldn't agree on behalf of Ye Xiaotian.

"Is Uncle here? Invite him in!" Ye Xiaotian's voice suddenly came from the room. The four guards immediately separated and sheathed their sabers. One of them took a step forward and opened the door for Hong Baichuan. Hong Baichuan nodded to them in acknowledgment and walked through the door leisurely.

In the room, under the light, Ye Xiaotian was drinking by himself. He was already a little tipsy. Seeing Hong Baichuan come in, Ye Xiaotian stood up and bowed deeply without saying anything. Hong Baichuan walked over and placed the wine jug on the table. He patted Ye Xiaotian's shoulder. "It's not good to drink alone. Uncle will drink with you."

There were a few simple dishes on the table that went well with wine, but they were already scattered all over the table. Hong Baichuan pushed the dishes to the side, and the manservant who was holding the plates placed the dishes on the table one by one. Hong Baichuan sat down on the opposite side. He glanced at Ye Xiaotian and said, "Nephew is still sad?"

Ye Xiaotian revealed a bleak smile and didn't say anything. Hong Baichuan grabbed the wine jug with his big hand and slapped it. The solid mud seal fell off. Hong Baichuan pulled out the cork and poured wine for Ye Xiaotian's empty bowl. He poured another bowl for himself and put down the wine jug. He glanced at Ye Xiaotian with a smile in his eyes.

Hong Baichuan raised his bowl and said in a loud voice, "Only Du Kang can solve my worries. My dear nephew, uncle will drink with you. Come, let's toast! "

…

At the dock of Horse Field River, a large ship was anchored on the shore. The hull of the ship rose and fell along with the rolling river. A string of lanterns hung on the eaves. The lights in the cabins were bright or dark, interweaving to form a quiet and beautiful picture.

In a cabin on the top floor, Tian Binfei sat cross-legged with his brows slightly furrowed.

Opposite him, a man in blue had a faint, bitter smile on his face. "It looks like they are going to drink for the whole night. I can't do what you asked."

If Ye Xiaotian could see this man in blue, he would definitely be shocked. This was because this person was the mayor of Goat Horn Village, Big Head Jia Yuntong of the Water East Song Clan. He had just arranged for Ye Xiaotian to stay in the evening and was going to hold a banquet to welcome Ye Xiaotian. Now, he actually appeared here, in front of Tian Binfei.

Jia Yuntong didn't know this masked man with a crippled body, but he recognized the copy of an item this masked man gave him. He was from the Water East Song Clan, but he once owed the Tian family … or more accurately, he owed Young Master Tian Binfei a big favor. Therefore, when this masked man who called himself Tian Feifei used this favor to ask him for help, he had no choice but to agree. After doing this, he would have repaid the favor, and from then on, they would be done.

He didn't know the specifics of the other's plan, nor did he know the other's true identity. He thought that this was a person sent by the Tian family to carry out a secret mission, and the target of the mission was, of course, Ye Xiaotian. He didn't know what the other wanted to do. Tian Feifei only told him to use the secret tunnel he had set up in the residence to wait for Ye Xiaotian to fall asleep. Then, he would secretly spread a drug that would make people fall into a deep sleep, and then send a few of his people in.

Tian Feifei told him that he wouldn't harm Ye Xiaotian's life, nor would he steal anything. They were only going in to search for an item, and would return the way they came after looking carefully.

Jia Yuntong trusted the Tian family's promise. The Tian family had already declined. Credibility and reputation were the Tian family's greatest protection. The Tian family wouldn't break their own promise. Therefore, in order to repay this favor, Jia Yuntong agreed.

Being prepared for danger in times of peace was a problem that the wealthy families had to consider. Therefore, the wealthy families usually had secret tunnels. The only difference was the number of secret tunnels, and how intricate the construction was. But how could they ensure that Ye Xiaotian would stay in Goat Horn Village?

In order to achieve this, Tian Binfei had put in a lot of effort. The road conditions along the way, and the battles between the two clans, all of these were secretly manipulated by him. The speed of Ye Xiaotian's journey was also within his precise calculations. Therefore, he had designed three locations to carry out the "Stealing Sky for Sun" plan. The first location was at Jia Yuntong's place.

These matters sounded simple, but in order to allow Ye Xiaotian to live in the place that Jia Yuntong had arranged for him, Tian Binfei didn't just use the forces that Yang Yinglong had secretly managed, but also the trump cards that he had kept hidden. The secret box that the Tian Family had passed down to Tian Jiaxin that could only be opened by the Sect Master had already been tampered with. A portion of the secret information that contained hidden powers was now in his hands.

But there were no absolutes in this world. No one would have thought that Hong Baichuan would appear out of nowhere. Moreover, in order to comfort Ye Xiaotian, he had gone to have a drink with him that night. Tian Binfei had carefully prepared, mobilized countless manpower and resources, and spent a precious favor. All of his efforts had been ruined because of this philanthropist Hong who had appeared out of nowhere.

But Tian Binfei's temperament was calm. He did not feel depressed because of this. After a long silence, he took out an item from his bosom and opened it in front of Jia Yuntong. He let Jia Yuntong take a look. After confirming the authenticity of the item, and looking at the signature at the bottom, Jia Yuntong moved closer to the lamp in front of Jia Yuntong. The letter was quickly lit by the lamp.

Jia Yuntong said in shock, "You are …"

Tian Binfei said indifferently, "Man proposes, God disposes! Although this matter did not succeed, Lord Jia has already fulfilled your promise. You have already repaid this favor! "

Jia Yuntong was excited. Everyone had their own little secrets that they did not want others to know, and he was no exception. But this secret was always a sore point when it was in the hands of others. Now that he had finally repaid the favor, he could finally relax after this letter was burned.

Jia Yuntong could not help but praise, "Anyone who was schemed against by Emperor Yongle would not be able to recover from this setback even if they were not smashed to pieces. Only the Tian Family had survived for more than a hundred years and still had their majestic spirit. There was indeed a reason for this. I am impressed!"

Tian Binfei smiled faintly. She let go of the letter, which was burnt to a small piece, and let it burn in the air. When it fell to the ground, it turned into ashes. She stepped on it and crushed it into pieces. "It's God's will that this matter didn't succeed! Lord Jia, when you go back, just pretend that this matter never happened! "

Jia Yuntong said cheerfully, "Of course! I'm not stupid. I obviously won't mention this to anyone and bring trouble upon myself! "

Jia Yuntong arrived with heavy steps and left in a relaxed manner. On the river, at the bow of the ship, under the lone lantern, Tian Binfei sat silently for a very long time. He clapped his hands gently, and a black figure immediately flashed into the cabin, standing there with a bow.

Tian Binfei said, "The first plan has already failed. Tomorrow, we will carry out the second plan on the river! Pass down my orders. We must also prepare for the third plan. The one who returns to Crouching Bull Ridge must be Ye Xiao 'an, not Ye Xiaotian! "

The night was traceless. A sinister plan had ended before it could even begin. The river surged, and an even bolder plan began to be deployed …