Chapter 274: The Tianbao Bank Silver, Disguised as a Man

Li Yanchu unleashed his movement technique to its utmost, dodging the razor-sharp sword edge at the very last instant. A flicker of anger was already rising in his chest.

Boom!

The young man’s sword qi blasted apart the cottage door. Then, a delicate, beautiful face frozen in astonishment was revealed.

Lady Yun’s small, rosy lips parted slightly as her eyes widened at the sudden intruders, on the verge of tears. Her beauty and fragile air seemed to brighten the entire farmhouse.

The young man’s longsword sang like a dragon, humming incessantly.

“You must be sick in the head to attack the moment you show up!” Li Yanchu cursed.

He was already preparing to strike hard and subdue this sword-wielding youth. If the fight dragged on, the cottage would be torn to shreds by his sword qi!

But unexpectedly, upon hearing his words, the young man actually stopped. His sharp gaze, like the edge of a blade, locked onto Li Yanchu’s face. The burly men beside him, whose temples were bulging and backs broad like bears, thought for a moment that the youth had fallen victim to the Immobilization Spell.

They charged over together, fists and palms stirring up fierce gusts of wind. Clearly, they were all experts with surging qi and blood.

“Stand down!” the young man barked.

At once, the hulking fighters halted. The crisp obedience in their movements seemed less like wandering ruffians of the

jianghu

and more like hardened soldiers trained on the battlefield.

The impossibly handsome youth spoke, “Not him.”

Then he turned to Li Yanchu with a smile. “Daoist Master, I mistook you for someone else just now. Please don’t take offense.”

Li Yanchu sneered. “You think you can wave this off with a simple ‘mistook me for someone else’? If I didn’t have some skill, I’d already be dead!”

Though he was rebuked, the young man was not offended. Instead, he smiled apologetically. “Truly, it’s my fault. I’ve been hounded all along the road by a sorcerous fiend, and I mistook you for him.”

Li Yanchu answered only with a cold, wordless smile. The young man pulled out a thick stack of silver notes from his robe and handed them over with a calm, almost otherworldly air. “Daoist Master, please don’t be upset. Consider this silver as my apology.”

Li Yanchu’s expression remained composed, though his gaze was edged with hostility.

Trying to pay me off?

He accepted the notes, glanced at them casually, then raised his brows.

Three thousand taels!

It was a full stack of Tianbao Bank notes, worth no less than three thousand taels.

“This young master is truly generous. Since it was only a misunderstanding, let’s not dwell on it.”

After a moment of silence, Li Yanchu suddenly chuckled. Though his words were forgiving, the notes slipped smoothly into his pocket.

And just like that, the deadly tension of moments ago seemed to dissipate, as if the confrontation had been nothing more than a passing breeze. The scene of swords drawn and life hanging by a thread transformed into one of cordial conversation, almost as if they were long-lost friends reunited.

At this time, Lady Yun’s body trembled uncontrollably. She clutched her thin garment tight against her chest.

Li Yanchu glanced at her and began to walk forward.

“D-don’t come closer...” Her voice shook, her delicate face drained of all color. She instinctively stepped back, the taut fabric outlining her graceful figure.

Even the stern-faced, burly warriors couldn’t help but glance sidelong at her. Only the handsome young man remained utterly calm. Aside from the flash of admiration at first sight, he betrayed no other emotion.

He watched Li Yanchu with interest, an expression that was hard to decipher.

Li Yanchu smiled gently at Lady Yun. “Madam, there’s no need to fear. Just now... it was nothing but a misunderstanding.”

Since the moment Li Yanchu had entered the cottage, his demeanor had shifted again and again, showing one face after another.

Lady Yun shuddered at his words, her fear only deepening.

***

In a peasant’s home on a desolate, windy snow-swept mountain...

On the stove, a large pot of meat soup was set to boil once more, its rich fragrance quickly filling the room and stirring the appetite. The house had been tidied, and the crackling fire in the hearth spread warmth against the wintry cold outside.

The handsome young man now sat upright and dignified with a treasured sword at his waist, his entire bearing radiant with vigor.

Meanwhile, Lady Yun stirred the simmering broth with a large wooden ladle, her cheeks flushed red.

Just earlier, Li Yanchu had explained to Lady Yun that he had mistaken her for a mountain spirit that beguiled travelers, and had deliberately provoked her. The handsome young man had also compensated her for her losses.

Thus, the scene now appeared harmonious. Though outside, the wind and snow bit to the bone, inside the cottage it was warm and tranquil.

Li Yanchu did not pry further. He simply took out some dry rations and began to eat, not sparing a glance at the pot of meat broth.

The young man introduced himself as Lu Ying[1], a native of Qingzhou. The six burly retainers with sharp, predatory gazes were his attendants.

“Daoist Master Li, are you headed for Donglin Prefecture?” Lu Ying asked.

“Indeed,” Li Yanchu replied casually, taking a swig of wine and tearing into a golden-roasted chicken.

Lu Ying’s eyes lit up. His gaze drifted briefly to Li Yanchu’s bundle before he smiled. “I too am bound for Donglin. Perhaps I could travel together with you, Daoist Master Li? What do you say?”

Li Yanchu shook his head. “I’ve long been used to traveling alone, sometimes hurrying, sometimes slowing down along the road. I appreciate your goodwill, but I must decline, Young Master Lu.”

At that, Lu Ying did not press further. He carried himself with a certain proud nobility and was not one to impose on others.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Thump, thump, thump!

Suddenly, a rapid knocking echoed from the door. Hearing this, Lady Yun lifted her head, brows knitting slightly. She set down the ladle in her hand and started toward the entrance.

“Wait!” Lu Ying said sharply.

Lady Yun turned back to him, her eyes questioning.

Lu Ying’s tone grew grave. “I fear what lies beyond may not be human. Madam, it would be best not to open the door.”

Lady Yun’s eyes widened at his words, gaze flickering nervously to the door.

The knocking continued outside. It was steady and unhurried, and each knock was nearly identical in weight and rhythm.

Lady Yun blinked, then forced a smile. “I have a timid heart, Young Master. Please do not frighten me so.”

Lu Ying only gave a faint smile and fell silent.

A fragile, beautiful woman, alone in a cottage in such desolate mountains... how could that be normal? Why am I worrying for nothing?

Lady Yun cast him one last look, then steeled herself and walked toward the door.

As the door swung open, the howling wind and snow rushed inside. Yet outside, amidst the icy desolation, there was nothing; save for Lu Ying’s horses. No trace of another soul.

The color drained from Lady Yun’s charming face.

Suddenly... A white shadow flickered past in a blur. This time, not only Lady Yun, but also Lu Ying’s burly retainers caught sight of it. Their broad, calloused hands tightened on their weapon hilts, a murderous glint flashing in their eyes.

Lady Yun instinctively staggered back a few steps, her body faltering with fright. By chance, she collapsed into Li Yanchu’s arms. Their eyes met, just for a breath.

A blush bloomed across Lady Yun’s face. Like a startled bird, she tore herself free from his embrace, let out a cry, and fled back into the inner room. The sway of her full, shapely hips drew several sidelong glances from the hardened warriors, though they quickly returned to vigilance.

Just then, one burly retainer stepped forward and shut the heavy door tight, then he stood there with a grim expression.

These men were clearly seasoned fighters, and the bulging veins at their temples marked them as true martial adepts. Yet the respect they held for Lu Ying was striking. They had not merely polite deference, but naked reverence in their eyes, which was plain for anyone to see. It could not be explained by his identity alone.

Li Yanchu found himself curious about Lu Ying’s true background.

“Cross-dressing as a man... What a boring old trope.” Li Yanchu smirked.

1. 陆 means “land” or “continent,” often associated with steadiness or grounding. 英 can mean “heroic, outstanding” or “flower, blossom,” symbolizing both strength and grace. The full name 陆英 (Lù Yīng) thus conveys a balance of solidity and refinement, and it has a simple, elegant sound to my native Chinese ears. ☜