Chapter 31: Family Reunion Part 1
Qingxu is a bit more prosperous than Yangquan, with wider streets and shops lining both sides.
Every blade of grass and tree, every street and alley was both familiar and strange to Hong Yuan.
Hong Yuan felt no sentiment about revisiting his old haunts.
He had already released the horse back into the mountains before entering the city, and now he was hurrying along the Bluestone Long Street toward the Huang Mansion in Rongqing Alley in the east of the county town.
After all, he and Huang Shaotang were surface brothers, and though he had never personally set foot in the Huang Mansion, he knew its location.
Hong Yuan strode forward with large steps.
By now the daylight was bright, warm sunlight spilled down, the county town had come alive, the streets were thronged with people, and as Hong Yuan walked, he even spotted a few acquaintances.
Hong Yuan had no intention of greeting them, and some of these acquaintances looked his way but did not recognize him.
Though it had only been half a month of kung fu, Hong Yuan’s change was already a complete transformation, earth-shattering.
Previously he had been handsome yet frail, with the refined image of a scholarly young man; now he wore neat and trim martial attire, a long saber at his waist, and he had even grown a few inches taller, presenting the demeanor of an exceptionally heroic wandering knight.
In no time, Hong Yuan passed a three-story pavilion, from which emanated a thick scent of cosmetics and the chirping laughter of young ladies.
With a “creak,” a second-floor window swung open, and a colored ribbon fluttered down, landing at Hong Yuan’s feet.
Immediately after, a woman in her thirties or forties, dressed in red and green with lingering charm, poked her head out, smiling before she spoke: “Oh dear, I’ve been rude! I accidentally nearly hit you, young master. I’m so sorry—I’ll come down right away to apologize to you.”
Heh heh! Luckily it wasn’t a bamboo pole thrown down, or Hong Yuan would have taken it as intentional.
The pavilion beside him was the famous Tan Chun Pavilion in Qingxu County for seeking flowers and asking willows; that woman just now was precisely the brothel madam inside.
Hong Yuan had once been invited by the fat Huang and come to this Tan Chun Pavilion once—after all, the original owner was a man of culture; without some romantic flair, how could he be considered a refined gentleman?
But he had only come once and been scared enough; the young ladies in the pavilion looked at him like female demons eyeing Tang Monk’s flesh, each one seeming full of strength and tricks.
The original owner had been trembling with fear and hadn’t dared to do anything carnal, only listening to a pure courtesan in the pavilion play the qin all night.
The next day, the fee had still been paid by the fat Huang.
Two of the three iron bonds were fulfilled; in a certain sense, this fat Huang really was the original owner’s “good brother”!
Hong Yuan was in no hurry to leave.
It wasn’t that he wanted to relive old dreams, but rather he was wondering if Huang Shaotang might be inside the Tan Chun Pavilion right now.
Soon, the brothel madam twisted her waist and came out from the building, fixing her eyes on him, and her eyes lit up at once.
What a handsome young man!
With this heroic and upright figure, he must be extremely robust under his clothes—not at all like those silver spearheads with wax heads.
With her vast experience, the brothel madam quickly sized him up, discreetly wiping away her drool; for such a handsome and upright young man, even if he threw hundreds or thousands of silver taels at her to accompany him for ten days and nights, she would be willing!
“Oh dear! Young master, let me apologize to you…”
The brothel madam laughed so hard she shook like flowers in the wind.
Hong Yuan waved his hand and directly asked: “Is Huang Shaotang inside?”
“Hm?” The brothel madam steadied her dazzled mind and hesitated as she looked at Hong Yuan; those in her line of work dared not casually reveal patron information.
“Shaotang brother and I are classmates, dear friends and kin. Today I heard that Master Huang is holding a joyous event, so I came to celebrate. If Shaotang brother is in the pavilion, we can go together.”
Hearing this, the brothel madam giggled again, waving her handkerchief: “So the young master and Young Master Huang are friends! Young Master Huang had a night of fun last night and has only just gotten up. Shall I go fetch him for you?”
“No need. It’s been many days since I’ve seen Shaotang brother, and I miss him dearly. Please, brothel madam, show me the way.”
Seeing that Hong Yuan was not a patron, the brothel madam was not annoyed. She picked up the colored ribbon, twisted her waist, and turned: “Please follow me, young master.”
Just as he stepped into the pavilion, the spacious hall came into view, filled with all sorts of people: men walking with arms around waists, yawning incessantly and looking quite weary; women dressed provocatively, full of laughter and chatter.
“Brothel madam!”
“Mama!”
A few sharp-eyed young ladies called out coquettishly, twisting their slim waists as they crowded up, their eyes brimming with watery allure, speaking in soft, seductive tones: “Mama, what’s this young man’s name? Which sister is serving him? Why not let me do it…”
“Get lost, you saucy vixens! This young master is here for Young Master Huang.”
The old brothel madam scolded away the flock of songbirds and led Hong Yuan up to the third floor, berating the young ladies who squeezed over along the way.
In front of a private room with bright lamplight shining through, the brothel madam stopped. Before she could knock, a soft pleading voice came from inside: “Young master, please hurry!”
“Hm?!”
Hong Yuan was about to push the door open but hesitated upon hearing this voice, afraid he might see something distasteful the moment he entered.
Though the voice was soft and delicate, it was undoubtedly a man’s voice.
He had never heard before that Shaotang brother had this kind of hobby!
“Got it, why the rush? Annoying!” A weary voice tinged with impatience rang out—it was Huang Shaotang.
“Young master, today is the master’s joyous day. It won’t do if you go late.”
Hong Yuan breathed a sigh of relief; he had almost thought Shaotang brother had undergone a nature transformation—it turned out to be the servant speaking.
“What’s wrong with that? My old man has taken so many concubines, every time with all this fuss—he doesn’t get annoyed, but I do! Hmph! Just a little concubine; carry her in through the side door and be done!”
“Young master, don’t say that in front of the master…”
“I’m not stupid, Huang Shaotang. Right, is the gift you were told to prepare ready? Don’t let my brothers and younger brothers outshine me again!”
Hong Yuan waved his hand at the brothel madam and smiled: “Thanks for leading the way. You can go now; Shaotang brother’s temper is flaring—don’t let him hurt you.”
“Alright then. If the young master has any orders, just call for me anytime.” The brothel madam left with a beaming smile.
Hong Yuan pushed the door, and it rattled but did not open—clearly barred from inside with a wooden bolt. With a burst of force from his palm, there was a “crack,” and the bolt snapped.
This clever use of force was precisely the manifestation of hard force turning soft.
Then the door was pushed open by Hong Yuan. Inside, the lamplight was bright, and a wave of hot steam rose, dispelling the late autumn chill.
The private room was elegantly furnished. On a large bed, the bedding was disheveled; only Huang Shaotang’s fat, greasy face with sunken eye sockets sat up in disarrayed clothes. No young lady from the pavilion was visible—perhaps she had left.
“Shaotang brother, it’s been many days, and I’ve missed you. But seeing you’re still alive puts my mind at ease.”
As Hong Yuan entered, he casually kicked the door shut with one foot.
Seeing this man enter uninvited, Huang Shaotang was stunned, while the servant spoke up: “Who are you? Young master, is this your friend?”
Seeing Hong Yuan address him so familiarly, he didn’t dare be rude.
“You… who are you?” Huang Shaotang’s mind was still foggy as he looked at Hong Yuan; though he felt somewhat familiar, he couldn’t recall when he had met this person.
But seeing the man’s extraordinary bearing, he refrained from scolding.
“Ah! Shaotang brother, we were classmates for years, closer than father and son. I’ve always treated you like a son, yet you don’t recognize me—truly disheartening!”
Hong Yuan sighed, stepped forward, raised one hand and grabbed, already pinching the servant’s nape.
The servant instantly felt his body go limp, his throat as if blocked, unable to move or make a sound, only terror in his eyes.
Huang Shaotang finally sobered somewhat, his expression angry: “Bastard, what are you talking about?”
Hong Yuan had already dragged the servant to the bedside, and with a light tap of the hand pinching his nape, there was a “pop” like a firecracker bursting.
As blood sprayed, Hong Yuan released his hand, and the servant fell face-down to the floor, with a bloody gash blasted open at his nape.
Not a single scream escaped before the man was dead.
Huang Shaotang watched this scene in a daze, and in the next instant, his eyes filled with terror as he opened his mouth to shout.
Suddenly, a chill hit, and a finger pressed to his glabella.
Huang Shaotang felt his heart and guts turn to ice, like a basin of cold water dumped over his head; the shout wouldn’t come out. Trembling, he looked up to see the other man smiling faintly at him, speaking softly:
“Shaotang brother, as long as my finger touches you lightly! Boom! Your head will burst open like an egg—quite the sight!”
Hearing this “Shaotang brother” again, Huang Shaotang’s body jolted, terror intensifying on his face: “You… you’re Hong Yuan? You’re actually still alive?”
