Chapter 21#
If You See SnowCh21 - I’ll Wash Your Socks#
Su Ruhui asked the snow-shoveling servants if they had seen Su Yu. Su Yu had just arrived, and no one knew him. Su Ruhui described his appearance for a long time before a servant finally remembered him and said he had gone in the direction of the inner affairs hall. “Could he have been taken away to do work for people?” Su Ruhui wondered. That boy was so honest, he looked like he’d be easily taken advantage of.
When he got to the inner affairs hall, he saw Su Yu. The youth was receiving blades, firearms, and bows, and was wearing an official robe he had just tried on earlier. He wore a crisp, black, lapelled robe with a split hem, leather armguards on both wrists, and a belt from which a crossbow and a saber hung. His frame stood tall and upright like bamboo and pine. The military attire transformed the previously honest and unassuming young man and gave him a few points more of fierceness and killing intent.
“Lord Jiang is here,” a minor official from the inner affairs hall stepped forward to greet him, handing him the standard issue equipment one by one. “These are your robes and leather armor, two sets in total. They’re easy to change out and wash. The weather here is dry, so the clothes will dry overnight after washing. This is a meteorite iron saber, an automatic spirit fire gun, and a single-shot crossbow. The gun has a range of one thousand paces and can fire five shots in a row, with thirty rounds of ammo. The single-shot crossbow has a range of three hundred paces, with thirty short arrows. Lord, please remember that spirit fire guns are not to be used within the border capital unless authorized.” He then handed him a set of keys. “This is the residence the commander has arranged for you, located on South Street in the Shunkang community. You arrived so suddenly, so I didn’t have time to find a better place. If you find it uncomfortable, please let me know, and we can find another place.”
This was the advantage of being a noble heir. Su Ruhui sighed inwardly. With a single letter from Jiang Huaicang, he didn’t even need to look for a house, and probably wouldn’t have to pay rent either. Su Ruhui repeatedly expressed his gratitude, readily accepted the items, and discreetly slipped a bag of silver to the minor official, who immediately smiled so hard he couldn’t open his eyes.
Su Yu was not from a noble family and had a humble background. No one paid him any attention throughout this entire process. He collected his stuff by himself and prepared to head out. Su Ruhui caught a glimpse of the youth’s lonely back out of the corner of his eye. He quickly said goodbye to the official, picked up his own bundle, and hurried after him.
“Didn’t you say you’d wait for me?” Su Ruhui asked, “Why did you go to the inner affairs hall without me?”
Su Yu stopped his footsteps, turned his face away, and said softly: “It’s cold.”
It was so cold outside that the ground was practically frozen solid. Su Ruhui suddenly realized he wasn’t being considerate enough and said apologetically: “You probably don’t have a place to stay, how about you come live with me? The courtyard they gave me must be huge, it’s a waste if I stay in there all by myself.”
Su Yu shook his head, “I’ll live by myself.”
Su Ruhui stared at him for a long time before letting out a “tsk,” saying: “That’s not right. What’s gotten into you, kid? You’re mad at me aren’t you? Spill it. Why are you mad at me?”
Sang Chiyu pursed his lips, not uttering a sound. He couldn’t understand Su Ruhui, this guy. Despite his true thoughts, he still maintained a facade of deep brotherly affection. Perhaps that was why Su Ruhui was so well-liked. He never embarrassed anyone, never put anyone in an awkward position, was kind to everyone, and was always smiling and friendly. He was able to easily strike up conversations and become fast friends with people after just a few words.
This naturally included Sang Chiyu as well. Even though he found him dull, he treated him kindly, providing three meals a day and showing him constant care.
He suddenly felt a deep aversion to Su Ruhui’s demeanor and didn’t want to speak.
Su Ruhui stroked his chin as he studied the young man’s expression, then suddenly smiled. “You little brat. Were you eavesdropping on them interrogating me?”
Sang Chiyu’s expression remained impassive, “No.”
He started to walk away, but Su Ruhui grabbed his wrist. Su Ruhui used too much force, causing him to stumble and accidentally crash into Su Ruhui’s arms. His current form was too small, a whole head shorter than Su Ruhui. The feeling of being enveloped by Su Ruhui was unpleasant. He stiffened his face and tilted his head back, projecting a cold, unapproachable expression.
“Let go.” His tone was cold and hard.
“What are you gonna do if I don’t let you go? Bite me?” Su Ruhui grinned like a guy who needed a spanking, “Why are you getting so mad over me badmouthing Sang Chiyu?”
Too close. Sang Chiyu’s ears flushed red. Gritting his teeth, he warned again, “Let go.”
“Could it be that…” Su Ruhui scrutinized him from head to toe, ”You’re Sang Chiyu…”
His eyes narrowed. Discovered so quickly?
True, his behavior was too suspicious. He shouldn’t have gotten angry.
Su Ruhui’s words didn’t stop there, “You’re Sang Chiyu… ‘s loyal fan?”
Sang Chiyu’s heart skipped a beat. Although he had a fearsome reputation, he was still a member of a noble family and had high status. There were some strange stories circulating about him that attracted a few ignorant admirers. He clenched his fist, and let out a low hum, which served as acknowledgment.
Su Ruhui chuckled, “You actually admire him? Xiao Yu, he’s joined the Underworld now. You gotta distance yourself from him. If others find out that you look up to him as a role model, the Secret Sect will definitely kick you out of the border capital.”
Sang Chiyu lowered his eyelashes and replied: “Got it.”
“Besides,” Su Ruhui released him, tilting his head with a smile as he looked at him, “What’s so great about that guy? He strings people along just to abandon them and has a heart made of stone. He even secretly stole two of my salted egg yolk beef rice balls.”
Hearing this, Sang Chiyu’s body stiffened.
He didn’t mean to take both rice balls. He just thought… perhaps he’d never get to eat Su Ruhui’s cooking again.
Su Ruhui seemed oblivious to his unusual behavior and continued: “You tell me, isn’t he annoying?”
Sang Chiyu pressed his lips together, finally opening his mouth after half a day, “Annoying.”
“Isn’t he awful?”
“Awful.”
“Doesn’t he deserve to be fucked?”
“He deserves…”
Just as he was about to follow Su Ruhui’s words, Sang Chiyu suddenly realized what this guy said and braked his speech.
“Sorry, I misspoke.” Su Ruhui’s expression didn’t change, still wearing that mischievous grin. “I meant, doesn’t he deserve a beating?”
Sang Chiyu: “…”
He didn’t want to speak anymore.
Having had enough fun, Su Ruhui crossed his arms: “Anyway, I promised to look out for you, so I hope you’ll stay with me. But I won’t stop you if you want to go out alone. Just be careful and come find me on South Street if anything’s up.”
Su Ruhui was right. Sang Chiyu suddenly remembered He Sheng. They had sworn brotherhood with He Sheng, and Su Ruhui was close to him. Perhaps He Sheng would go looking for Su Ruhui. Given He Sheng’s strange circumstances, Su Ruhui was likely to find himself in danger.
Just as Su Ruhui was about to leave, a corner of his clothes was tugged. He turned around and saw the top of Su Yu’s dark hair. He looked pitiful, like a little mushroom shrouded in dark clouds.
Su Yu averted his face: “I’ll go with you.”
Su Ruhui twisted his mouth in a grin: “Didn’t you want to live alone? Why are you backing out now? I’m not happy anymore, I’m not taking you.”
Su Yu remained silent, his hand still clutching the hem of his robes.
Su Ruhui was relentless, telling him to let go. He suddenly spoke up. Although his voice was quiet, it was enough for Su Ruhui to hear.
“I’ll wash your socks.”
He lowered his head, his long, curled eyelashes resembling two butterflies resting peacefully beneath his eyebrows. Su Ruhui paused for a moment, as if remembering something, and then smiled.
“Xiao Yu,” Su Ruhui pinched his cheek and drawled, “You’ve never been to the Underworld, have you? Do you have any idea what it means to call someone gege and jump to move in with them over there?”
Su Yu slowly furrowed his brows.
Su Ruhui flashed a smile, “It means offering up your body.”
Su Yu froze instantly. His face turned pale, but his ears were bright red, as if all the blood had rushed to them. He clenched his fists silently and pressed his lips together.
How frivolous. Sang Chiyu knew his true nature. Facing a stranger he had just met, he immediately started spouting vulgarities—truly the number one scoundrel in the world. Sang Chiyu closed his eyes briefly, regained his indifferent expression, and opened his mouth: “I…”
Su Ruhui burst into laughter, tossing his bundle of weapons into Su Yu’s arms.
“Don’t worry, I’m not interested in you. I don’t care if it’s a guy or girl, I like big breasts, a slim waist, and a perky butt. You’re as skinny as a bean sprout, no appeal. As you said, from now on, you’ll be washing my socks.”
With that, he swaggered out with his hands behind his back. Su Yu carried his luggage and followed gloomily.
The two arrived at South Street. Xia Jing was quite generous and gave him a small courtyard. The main gate faced the street, and inside was a main hall and two side rooms, with a kitchen at the back. It was just enough space for Su Ruhui and Su Yu to live in. The furniture and other necessities were all there, presumably left behind by the previous owner. Su Ruhui was dizzy with hunger. He asked Su Yu what he wanted to eat so he could go buy groceries.
Su Yu paused for a moment: “Rougamo.”
Su Ruhui agreed and put down his bundle to go shopping. Su Yu picked up a broom on his own initiative and began sweeping the house. Halfway through, the communication compass in his waist pouch vibrated. He took out the small compass, and the star array symbols automatically appeared. The voice of Hei Guanyin came through: “Young Master Sang, have you passed the trial? How is the scenery of Kunlun? Is it still the same as before?”
“What do you want?” Sang Chiyu asked.
“Besides you, all the other spies from the Great Compassion Temple sent to the Secret Sect have lost contact. Does Young Master Sang know why?”
“I don’t know,” Sang Chiyu replied. “They’re with the Scout Guard.”
“You’re not?”
“Mn.”
Hei Guanyin’s side was silent for a moment: “Young Master Sang, you kept something back. You haven’t told the Great Compassion Temple the whole truth. The undercover agent’s identity has been exposed. The Secret Sect has someone with the ‘Heaven’s Eye’ secret arts, right? It seems my people used secret arts during the trial, and the Secret Sect found out their identities.”
“You also kept something back.” Sang Chiyu placed the compass on the table and picked up the broom to sweep the floor again.
Hei Guanyin laughed hoarsely, “Alright, Young Master Sang. I need your help, and you need the Underworld as your refuge. Otherwise, you will be like drifting weeds, and being a lone army will not end well. Let’s be honest with each other from now on.”
Sang Chiyu ignored him and focused on sweeping the floor.
“Wuji powder is addictive, and its main ingredient is opium. If Young Master Sang feels unwell, a small amount of opium powder will provide relief. Opium powder is readily available in the slums. One tael of silver is enough to buy three bags. If Young Master Sang is willing, I can provide you with opium powder for free.” Hei Guanyin sighed, “Young Master Sang, rest assured, Wuji powder will not become a tool for me to control you.”
Sang Chiyu was busy sweeping and thought about ending the call.
“What do you want me to do? Say it.”
“I not only sent secret arts users to the Secret Sect, but also five ordinary monks. These five are newcomers who recently joined the Great Compassion Temple. The other undercover agents, including themselves, are unaware of each other’s existence. ‘Heaven’s Eye’ cannot detect them, and even the Secret Sect’s interrogators cannot get all their identities. Unless they handed themselves over or tried to escape, it’s impossible for them to lose contact with me.” Hei Guanyin said, “Young Master Sang, I request that you investigate the whereabouts of these five people. After dusk, I will place their names and portraits under the eaves of your residence.”
Sang Chiyu stared at the compass, saying nothing.
Hei Guanyin was threatening him, implying that his location had been exposed. Sang Chiyu furrowed his brow slightly. He had clearly altered his appearance, so how could Hei Guanyin have discovered his whereabouts in the brief time it took to exchange a few words?
— Su Ruhui.
Sang Chiyu realized that the person Hei Guanyin was monitoring wasn’t him, but Su Ruhui. The undercover agents from the Great Compassion Temple had disappeared, and it was highly likely that other trial participants from the Scout Guard were also missing. Among the trial participants, only he and Su Ruhui had walked out from the Secret Sect. Since Hei Guanyin was monitoring Su Ruhui, he naturally also saw him who was always by Su Ruhui’s side.
“Why are you watching Jiang Quexie?” His voice turned cold, tinged with an air of menace.
“I heard from the Paradise Pavilion that Young Master Sang and Young Master Jiang share deep affections. Perhaps the Wuji powder won’t be a cause of concern for Young Master Sang, but Young Master Jiang might be.” Hei Guanyin spoke slowly, “But we haven’t reached that point yet. I’m just reminding Young Master Sang to be absolutely loyal to the Great Compassion Temple. Well then, I’ll entrust the whereabouts of those five people to you. I await your good news.”
Sang Chiyu said: “I understand. I need two formless gate talismans.”
He didn’t expect Sang Chiyu to come to a compromise so quickly. Hei Guanyin understood Sang Chiyu’s type of person. Sang Chiyu was a welded shut box, persistent in silence and difficult to pry open. Sure enough, Jiang Quexie was his biggest weakness. As soon as Jiang Quexie was mentioned, this sealed box would open up on its own.
Hei Guanyin smiled and said, “It was my oversight. The border capital is vast, and since you don’t have a carriage or horses, it would indeed be inconvenient for you to travel to and from the Secret Sect. The talismans will be delivered to your residence along with the portraits of the five.”
Sang Chiyu put away his compass and pushed open the gate. The streets were full of people coming and going, but Su Ruhui still hadn’t returned.
He sat on the bottom of the steps, waiting for Su Ruhui. Tonight, he would return to the Great Compassion Temple and kill Hei Guanyin.