164: Huang An

In addition, there were five or six people sitting on long benches inside the house, gripping their knives in readiness. Only after Huang Ling entered the room did they sit down.

Each of them carried large and small bags, looking travel-worn and somewhat fatigued.

Han Yi casually scanned them. Most were Martial Artists in the Late Stage of Refining Bone or the Refining Blood, far weaker than him and Bai Sanren, and only comparable to Qian Xue in strength.

But even so, he was a little surprised, not expecting a mere caravan heading to Fu City to have such a strong personnel configuration.

“Friends, please be seated. Father, you chat with them first. I’ll go boil some hot water and make some food for dinner for everyone…”

“Also, Da Mao, bring a few more long benches…”

After entering the main house, Tao Gu busily and eagerly directed everyone, displaying the demeanor of a mistress of the house.

And the Martial Artists sitting on the long benches, though chatting, kept their eyes unconsciously drifting towards Tao Gu.

Then, Tao Gu bloomed a sweet smile at everyone and softly said, “Everyone, our family is poor and has nothing good to eat. I can only make some flatbreads and other pastries. Please humble yourselves…”

“No problem, no problem. You rest. I’ll go chop firewood for you…”

“That’s right, Tao Gu, I’ll go with you. I’ll help you boil water!”

“Heh, Lao Liu, weren’t you just complaining about being tired? Why are you so eager now? You should rest. Let me help Tao Gu cook…”

As soon as Tao Gu finished speaking, the men brought by Huang Ling rushed to their feet, eager to help Tao Gu. As for whether it was out of kindness or other inexplicable motives, only they themselves knew.

“Oh, how can I trouble you heroes with such rough and dirty work? Although my husband died a few years ago and I can only raise my child alone with my elderly father, I’m used to these tasks. You all should rest and drink some water here…”

Tao Gu said in a delicate, soft voice, and as she spoke, a layer of mist appeared in her beautiful peach blossom eyes, as if she was thinking of something sad and difficult. She turned her back and prepared to leave.

“Stop arguing, let’s all go together!”

The Martial Artist surnamed Liu immediately stood up and pulled his companions, who were just arguing. Tao Gu’s delicate and charming demeanor only further aroused their protective instincts.

Han Yi secretly chuckled. People who practice martial arts have abundant Qi and energy, and strong male hormones, so this phenomenon often occurs when they encounter beautiful women.

Moreover, as members of a caravan, they probably travel year-round, and in the wilderness, let alone the opposite sex, even a female ghost is hard to come by.

These Martial Artists, unable to vent for a long time, would find even a sow attractive, let alone a gentle and compliant young woman like Tao Gu.

Furthermore, Tao Gu spoke in a soft, sweet voice, delicate and boneless. Although her appearance was slightly inferior to Qian Xue, her mature beauty and pitiful, charming demeanor were beyond Qian Xue’s comparison. Even Han Yi, who was accustomed to Qian Xue’s beauty, found it a bit hard to resist, let alone these Martial Artists who loved mature young women and hadn’t seen a woman in months!

“Hmph, all of you, sit down for this old man!”

Finally, Huang An, who couldn’t bear it any longer, scowled and let out a cold snort.

“When you’re out, all of you, you keep doing such shameful things! Have you forgotten what you promised before we set off?” Huang An said sternly.

“Hehe…”

The Martial Artists exchanged glances, chuckled awkwardly, and sat back down on the long benches.

“Tao Gu, no need to trouble yourself. Just boil us some hot water. We have our own dry rations and can just make do.”

Huang An turned around and offered Tao Gu an apologetic smile.

“How can that be? All who come are friends. Friends, please don’t be polite. Just treat this as your own home.”

Before Tao Gu could reply, Tao Wu jumped out and insisted.

“This…”

Seeing Tao Wu’s insistence, Huang An felt it would be rude to refuse again, so he took out some money from his pocket and paid the village for the meal.

After Tao Wu politely declined a few times, he accepted the silver with a beaming smile.

Then, Tao Gu turned and went to the kitchen.

“Han Boy, you and Qian Xue sit here for a bit. I’m going to the back kitchen to check…”

Bai Sanren, as expected of a mature and steady person, whispered a few words in Han Yi’s ear.

When traveling, caution is paramount.

“Lao Liu, Xiao Li, you two replace the ones guarding the goods. Oh, and don’t forget to call Zi An over for dinner!”

Seeing Bai Sanren heading to the kitchen, Huang An immediately moved, going with Bai Sanren. After standing up, he instructed his subordinates.

“Oh… Understood, Huang Tou…” Lao Liu replied reluctantly, drawing out his words.

At this moment, inside the main house, two distinct groups of people sat on either side of the stove.

After Huang An’s reprimand, his Martial Artists straightened their faces, sat upright, and became vigilant.

Han Yi also found it awkward to approach them for conversation, so he quietly chatted with Qian Xue instead.

A creak.

The main house door was pushed open again, and a biting cold wind poured in with the open door, making people involuntarily shrink their necks.

A young man dressed in luxurious clothes, holding a white paper fan, with his hair tied back with a white scarf, and gold-inlaid jade ornaments on the end of his fan and the hem of his clothes, walked in, dressed like a Young Master. Behind him followed two Martial Artists, who appeared to be the guards Lao Wang had replaced.

“Ah ha, is dinner ready? I haven’t had enough sleep yet…”

The young man yawned and said nonchalantly.

“Young Master Huang, please wait a moment. Lao Wang said that Huang Tou has already gone to arrange it.” One of the Martial Artists behind him quickly stepped forward and said fawningly.

“It’s truly boring. Every day is just traveling and traveling, without any fun. My old man said following the caravan trains people, but I think it only trains the ability to eat cold flatbreads and drink cold water every day; it’s useless otherwise! At least today I can finally eat something hot!”

This Young Master Huang complained repeatedly, disregarding the increasingly grim expressions of the two Martial Artists behind him.

‘Damn it, to ensure this Young Master doesn’t suffer a bit of harm, we brothers don’t know how much effort we’ve put in, and yet you’re here picking and choosing, grumbling away. Do you really think this is a sightseeing trip!’

The two Martial Artists cursed inwardly at the same time. They knew that the journey had been long, arduous, and fraught with danger. If it weren’t for this route mostly following official roads and having transported goods many times before, they didn’t know how many brothers would have been lost.

Yet this Young Master was here complaining about everything!

Of course, although they thought this, their faces showed no abnormality. There was nothing they could do; after all, he had a good father!