Lava

Kapitel 1

Volume 1

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On the third day of the eighth month of the second year of the Huangyou reign, Kaifeng was established.

The oil-paper lanterns swayed in the wind and rain, their flickering light casting an inconspicuous glow on the entrance of the official post station. Through the sound of the rain, an inconspicuous blue sedan chair turned the corner and stopped at the entrance of the post station.

The person who emerged from the sedan chair was dressed in a blue robe, with a cold expression, and went straight to knock on the door.

Before long, the official opened the door from the inside, looking impatient. Upon seeing the person who had entered, he hurriedly put on a smiling face and bowed deeply: "Sir!"

Where is Lord Bai, the Imperial Textile Commissioner of Suzhou?

"It's in the back room. I'll lead the way."

Seeing that the official had no servants with him, the officials hurriedly held up umbrellas and lanterns and led him to the back room.

"This is it! Would you like me to brew you a pot of good tea?"

"No need. I will call you if I need anything. You don't need to come over unless I give the order."

After the attendants left, he raised his hand to knock on the door.

"My lord! Please come in quickly, I have been waiting for you for a long time!" A man in his forties with a slightly round figure opened the door. Seeing that it was a man in a blue robe, he hurriedly ushered him in. "I delivered a letter to your residence these past two days. Did you see it, my lord?"

"I see it!" the man in the green robe said impatiently, "...Who let you into the capital!"

When Bai Baozhen, the textile commissioner of Gusu, saw his cold expression, he was stunned: "This humble servant believes that this matter is of great importance and should be discussed with you, sir."

"Xiang Shang!" he sneered. "Bao Zhen, what can I say to you? You only feel satisfied when you see me die under that tiger-head guillotine!"

"I wouldn't dare!" Bai Baozhen's knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground, his voice trembling with a hint of tears. "Why do you say such things, sir? Even if I had the greatest courage in the world, I wouldn't dare to think like that!"

Seeing him like this, the man in the green robe softened his tone, reached out to support him, and sighed, "I know you're not that bad. You're not like them. They're all cowards and incompetents who only know how to hide when trouble comes."

"Your Excellency is wise!" Bai Baozhen dared not rise. "But now that Bao Zheng has begun to suspect me, I am terrified, so I have come to the capital to ask for Your Excellency's instructions."

"Did you bring the account books?"

"No, this is a very important matter, how could I dare to carry it with me?"

"You did the right thing."

The man in the green robe nodded approvingly, casually tapping his index finger twice on the dark lacquered table. A cool breeze swept past him, and Bai Baozhen felt a chill on his back. Looking down in surprise, he saw a sharp sword piercing through his chest, blood still dripping from its tip.

"I had no choice. You should go now," the man in the green robe said calmly. "I will take care of your family. They will not be mistreated."

Bai Baozhen opened his mouth with difficulty, as if to say something, but the sword was suddenly pulled out, blood gushed out, and before he could catch his breath, he died.

"grown ups!"

The one wielding the sword was none other than the burly man who had carried the sedan chair earlier. He raised his hand to sheath the sword with fluid, graceful movements, clearly demonstrating that he was a master swordsman.

The man in the green robe looked at the bloodstains on his clothes with disgust: "Go inside and see what he brought. Make sure you search carefully."

"yes!"

Bai Baozhen, lying on the ground, had stopped breathing, but his eyes were still wide open. The man in the green robe, impatient with the sight, kicked the body, causing it to turn over.

"Reporting to you, sir! We've searched thoroughly, and found only some silver notes and clothing, nothing else." The burly man came out from inside and spread the items he had found on the table.

The man in the green robe checked the items and found nothing else. He nodded and said, "Make sure it's done cleanly, so that the Kaifeng Prefecture doesn't find any evidence against us."

"I understand!"

The wind and rain were fierce, and the sedan chair quickly disappeared into the darkness, as if it had never existed.

Chapter 1

Author's Note: I've finally started writing this! Please give it your support!

At midday, Jinfeng Restaurant was packed with guests, filled with laughter and chatter.

This restaurant was one of the top inns in Kaifeng Prefecture, and business was booming. Guests came and went, keeping the staff extremely busy. Even on a cool autumn day, their undershirts were soaked with sweat.

"This is it!"

Mo Yan, leading her horse, stood gracefully under the lantern, looking up at the words on the sign... After traveling for so many days from Sichuan to the capital, she had finally arrived. This was the first time in her life that she had traveled such a long distance by herself.

"Miss, please come in quickly! Be careful not to let the ash from the lamp tassels get into your eyes!" The waiter greeted her with a smile.

She smiled and handed the reins to her young servant, instructing, "This horse has injured its hind leg. Please take good care of it and find a doctor to examine it."

"Injured?" The waiter peered over and saw that the lower part of the chestnut horse's hind leg was wrapped in white silk, and blood could be faintly seen through it.

"Be careful, it has a bad temper," Mo Yan warned, subconsciously rubbing the bruise on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, we'll take good care of you. Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?" The waiter handed the horse to the inn's groom and ushered him inside.

Mo Yan took off her deerskin gloves and walked inside: "Checking in! I need a superior room. By the way, could you ask around for me if there's a Li Xu from Sichuan staying here?"

"Li Xu... from Sichuan..." The waiter froze, his expression strange, then lowered his voice, "Is he square-faced and has a mustache?"

Mo Yan exclaimed with delight, "Yes! It's him! You've seen him before?"

The waiter was speechless, silently lowered his head, and led Mo Yan to the wall outside the door. There were several notices posted on the wall there, and the portrait on one of the notices was eerily similar to Li Xu... Then look at the small print below: "Wanted: Notorious thief Li Xu. Anyone who has spotted him, please report to Kaifeng Prefecture immediately."

"Why isn't there even a reward?" Mo Yan read it three times from beginning to end, but couldn't find any mention of a reward. She was quite dissatisfied. Wasn't this a blatant mockery of Fifth Senior Brother, who was worthless?