Chapter 68: A Bewildering Fight

She glanced at the chubby boy who was so famished he seemed to have lost his shape, swaying as if a mere breeze could topple him. Yet here he was, still attempting to waylay and rob her. Lu Liao couldn't help but let out a snicker.

Amir shot Lu Liao a look, then took out some slices of smoked meat and flatbread along with a water pouch, handing them to Han Yougui with a gentle voice, “You must be starving. Here, eat.”

Han Yougui stared blankly as he took the food, then began devouring it ravenously.

“Ah!” Amir sighed and shook her head. “Such a plump, adorable youth—how did you end up so starved?”

On hearing this, Han Yougui nearly burst into tears. In all his life, this was the first time anyone had called him plump and adorable. And the one saying it was a young lady of celestial beauty.

Lu Liao couldn’t help but laugh again.

As he ate, Han Yougui glared resentfully at Lu Liao. That wretched fellow was clearly mocking him—he could tell.

“Slow down, don’t choke. By the way, little brother, what’s your name? And why, when you’re so hungry, would you try to rob people on the road?” Amir smiled kindly as she asked.

“My name is Han Yougui, from Lingwu in Lingzhou. I’ve lived in the mountains with my master all my life. My master’s passed away, and I wanted to see Luoyang. When I ran out of money, I went hungry for two days. I wasn’t after your money—I was trying to save you, miss.”

He spoke as he crammed more food in his mouth.

“To save me?” Amir asked, puzzled.

“Yes!” Han Yougui nodded earnestly. “You’re so beautiful, more so than any fairy in heaven. That shifty-eyed, sneaky-looking fellow is clearly up to no good. I figured he must have kidnapped you.”

Lu Liao nearly spat out blood, but Amir burst into laughter, her face blooming like a flower. “Indeed! He did abduct me. Little brother, do you really think you can save me?”

Lu Liao pointed at Amir in exasperation. Amir gave a sly smile, leaning against Lu Liao and gazing at him with gentle affection. “Didn’t you forcefully carry me off in the first place?”

Lu Liao forced a bitter smile, but inside he felt an overwhelming sweetness.

Han Yougui finally finished eating. He drank a few gulps of water and regained some strength. Dusting off his hands, he drew a broad-bladed longsword from behind his back and fixed Lu Liao with an imposing glare.

“My master always said to finish what you start. This is my first robbery for a good cause—I can’t give up halfway. Come, you sneaky rascal!”

Amir’s mouth hung open in astonishment. She and Lu Liao had been so openly affectionate—how could this silly, chubby boy not realize she was joking?

Lu Liao laughed. “Very well, let’s see what you’re made of, little turtle.”

Han Yougui glared at him, annoyed. “My name is Yougui—‘You’ as in ‘to travel’, ‘Gui’ as in ‘rose’. I’m not a little turtle!”

“Haha! ‘Gui’ as in ‘rose’? Isn’t that a girl’s name? You’ll kill me with laughter,” Lu Liao roared.

“Is it? I had no idea,” Han Yougui scratched his head in confusion. The old man who named him was long gone, and he truly didn’t know it was a girl’s name.

Suddenly, the sound of barking dogs and the pounding of hooves echoed from behind.

“Lu Liao! You shameless thief, where do you think you’re going? Come and face your Grandpa Li in a three-hundred-round duel!” Li Huaiguang shouted as he galloped up on horseback, hunting dogs at his heels.

“Seriously? What grudge have you got that you’d chase us for days and nights without rest—even bringing hounds?” Lu Liao stared at him in disbelief.

Li Huaiguang leveled his spear at Lu Liao. “You shameless scoundrel! We agreed to a fair duel, but you attacked me by stealth, tied me up all night, and stole the family heirloom sword, Chengying. You think I’d let you off?”

“Ha! Just a glance at my sword and you call it your family heirloom. If you want to seize my sword by force, dream on,” Lu Liao retorted.

Before he finished, more hoofbeats sounded on the road.

Hou Zhongzhuang came riding up on his own slow horse, an iron spear at his side and a money pouch held high. “Brother Lu! Brother Lu!” he called.

Li Huaiguang’s eyes flashed as he recognized his own money pouch. Fury seized him and he galloped toward Hou Zhongzhuang, thrusting his spear.

Hou Zhongzhuang dodged sideways, swung his own spear in riposte. Li Huaiguang parried the blow, and the two began to duel fiercely on horseback.

While chaos reigned on that side, the chubby boy, hearing Li Huaiguang’s yells, became convinced the man was up to no good. He hefted his sword and shouted, “Scoundrel, face my blade!”

His pudgy body leapt lightly into the air, bringing his sword down on Lu Liao.

Lu Liao hadn’t taken the boy seriously, but as he drew his sword Autumn Water in an arc to parry, he felt his arm go numb—a stroke that nearly unseated him came from this unremarkable chubby boy.

Leaping off his horse, Lu Liao hurried Amir aside before strolling over to Han Yougui, regarding him with surprise.

“Didn’t expect you to have some strength, little turtle.”

“You’re the turtle! If I hadn’t been starving for two days, I’d have knocked you off your horse with ease,” Han Yougui sneered.

“Alright, let’s see just how formidable you are.” Lu Liao attacked with his sword.

He seriously wanted to test the boy’s skills; each strike was quicker than the last. The repeated clash of blades rang out—over a dozen blows, all blocked by the chubby boy.

Impressed, Lu Liao increased his speed.

Another flurry of strikes sounded, now mingled with Han Yougui’s labored breathing.

“Ow!” the boy yelped as Lu Liao smacked his rear.

Han Yougui, fending off attacks left and right, cried out, “If I hadn’t been starving, you wouldn’t dare be so cocky—ouch! Hit me again and I won’t hold back!”

Annoyed by being called shifty and sneaky, Lu Liao showed no mercy.

Soon Han Yougui was dizzy and in pain, his backside and thighs stinging. He dropped his sword and covered his rear with both hands. With a kick, Lu Liao sent him sprawling.

Han Yougui lay on the ground, gasping for breath, unable to get up.

Meanwhile, Li Huaiguang and Hou Zhongzhuang continued their lively contest, spears whirling in a dazzling display.

Lu Liao darted in and slashed at Li Huaiguang. Li Huaiguang blocked, but Hou Zhongzhuang’s spear came at him from the side. With no room to dodge, Li Huaiguang tumbled from his horse, only to find Lu Liao’s sword Autumn Water pressed coldly against his throat.

“Two against one? What sort of hero are you?” Li Huaiguang twisted his neck and looked at Lu Liao with disdain.

“Listen, brute. If you’re going to fight, at least have a reason. What did my brother Hou ever do to you? You didn’t even ask—just attacked,” Lu Liao huffed.

“He called you ‘Brother Lu’ and was holding my money pouch. If he’s not your accomplice, what is he?” Li Huaiguang retorted.

“I was bringing Brother Lu his purse. He stayed at my house for two days and I felt bad for not being a better host. He left his coins behind—wasn’t that an insult? I didn’t know the pouch was yours,” Hou Zhongzhuang explained earnestly.

Lu Liao blushed, glaring at Li Huaiguang. “You spied on me! Taking your coins was a bargain for you, and you still want them back?”

Li Huaiguang laughed. “Let’s leave the purse aside—what about the heirloom sword?”

“Why do you insist my sword is your family’s inheritance?” Lu Liao grumbled.

“The Chengying Sword has been in my family for generations. I’ve never seen it, but I know it was once offered to Princess Yuzhen of the Tang when she visited Lingzhou over twenty years ago. How does it end up in your hands?”

Li Huaiguang spoke with suspicion, eyeing Lu Liao closely.

Lu Liao snorted and waved the blade, letting the phoenix pattern on Autumn Water gleam before Li Huaiguang’s eyes. “Satisfied now?”

Li Huaiguang’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh! So you’re the son of that illustrious one. No wonder you travel with such a beautiful foreign maiden.”

Lu Liao’s breath caught—if only it were true, but the son of that person was someone else.

“Wait a minute, if you were his son, your surname would be Li, not Lu,” Li Huaiguang said, growing suspicious again.

“I am the sole disciple of Master Taibai. If he wouldn’t pass Chengying to me, who else?” Lu Liao said proudly.

Li Huaiguang sighed deeply.

“What now?” Lu Liao challenged.

“I’m just lamenting how the Poet Immortal, Master Taibai—so open and unrestrained all his life—could have taken such a shameless student as you,” Li Huaiguang shook his head in regret.

“He’s not just shameless, he’s also a rogue who takes advantage of others and robs innocent women,” Han Yougui hobbled over, clutching his behind.

“Anything else? Why not all say it at once!” Lu Liao was nearly driven mad with rage.

“I only saw Brother Lu and his wife so loving—where’s this talk of robbery come from?” Hou Zhongzhuang scratched his head in confusion.

“My friend, you seem honest and sincere. Don’t let yourself be so easily deceived. Your spearwork is impressive. Interested in joining the army with me?” Li Huaiguang, admiring Hou Zhongzhuang’s skill as an equal, suggested warmly.

“My family are hereditary soldiers; enlisting isn’t necessary,” Hou Zhongzhuang muttered.

“These days, every army recruits their own men—who values old garrison troops? If you ever want to enlist, come to the Northern Army and find me—just mention the name Li Huaiguang, son of the Northern General,” Li Huaiguang invited eagerly.

But Hou Zhongzhuang, newly married, quickly shook his head, unwilling to agree.