The Great Tang's King of Provisions

Chapter 14: The Alliance at the Wei River in My Memories

“Rustle, rustle!” “Thud, thud!” “Who’s there!” Hearing Li Xuanba’s footsteps and the hooves of the “Chasing Wind Ten Thousand Li” cloud horse, Du Xingxuan’s shrill cry rang out from inside the dilapidated temple. “Xingxuan, Shuangshuang, I’m back!” Li Xuanba called out in response, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward as a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. Though Du Xingxuan was young, she was quite vigilant—very good! “Brother Xuanba” “Li Xuanba, you’re back!” Hearing Li Xuanba’s voice, Du Shuangshuang and Du Xingxuan both let out excited cries, though they addressed him differently—a difference that made Li Xuanba’s eyebrow twitch. “I’m back! Are you two okay?” At night, this dilapidated temple was pitch-black and somewhat eerie. Du Xingxuan and Du Shuangshuang were staring at Li Xuanba in the moonlight with shining eyes, their expressions a mix of relief and excitement. Li Xuanba, however, was completely unfazed by the darkness, for he could see in the dark as clearly as in broad daylight. Du Xingxuan took Du Shuangshuang’s hand and looked at Li Xuanba with a calm expression. “We’re fine! There’s nothing of value in this ramshackle temple, and it’s drafty on all sides—those street urchins won’t come here to spend the night.” After explaining their situation, Du Xingxuan narrowed her eyes at Zhui Feng Wanli Yun and declared in a clear, crisp voice, “So this is your magnificent steed, Zhui Feng Wanli Yun, isn’t it?” “Haha! That’s right! Wanliyun, these two are my younger sisters, Du Xingxuan and Du Shuangshuang. If I’m not home, remember to keep an eye on them,” Li Xuanba nodded, patted Zhui Feng Wanliyun on the flank, introduced Du Xingxuan and Du Shuangshuang to the horse, and gave it a few simple instructions. “Neigh! Chui Feng Wanli Yun’s mystical eyes glanced at Du Xingxuan and her sister, then it nodded its head in response, acknowledging Li Xuanba’s instructions. “Gurgle, gurgle!” No sooner had “Chasing Wind Ten Thousand Miles” acknowledged Li Xuanba’s words than Du Xingxuan’s stomach suddenly growled, catching Li Xuanba’s attention. Li Xuanba glanced at Du Xingxuan’s flat stomach, then looked at the now-cold roasted rabbit meat beside Du Hongzhuang. He nodded, understanding and filled with concern. She hadn’t eaten since they’d returned together; he suspected that after Du Hongzhuang’s death, she’d been so consumed by grief that she’d long since forgotten her hunger—she’d likely gone without food for a whole day. “Enough! Don’t pick up that rabbit meat—it’s been sitting out all day and is probably spoiled by now.” Seeing Du Xingxuan crouch down to pick up the spoiled roasted rabbit meat under his watchful gaze, Li Xuanba raised his hand to stop her, his compassion for her growing even stronger. Du Xingxuan was, after all, the daughter of a government official, yet now she had been reduced to a beggar—and her own foolish father was partly to blame for that. “I won’t eat that. We don’t have any food. We’re not like you—we can’t even wear nice clothes. We’re just beggars,” Du Xingxuan said, refusing to pick up the cold, charred rabbit meat after Li Xuanba stopped her. She didn’t give him a friendly look, because at that moment, Li Xuanba looked like a rich young master, while she and her younger sister Shuangshuang were still just beggars. “Haha! Since I, Li Xuanba, have accepted you as my little sisters, I certainly won’t just look out for myself and neglect you. Here, these are the clothes I bought for you. I’ll go out and get you something to eat—go ahead and change!” Hearing Du Xingxuan’s words, Li Xuanba laughed heartily, took out the clothes he’d bought along the way, and handed them to the two girls, whose faces lit up with surprise. Then, to avoid any appearance of impropriety, he turned and went out to get them something to eat. Li Xuanba didn’t go to an inn to prepare food; instead, he took an earthenware pot from inside the dilapidated temple, gathered some firewood, and built a makeshift earthen stove. After a little fiddling, he had a blazing fire ready for cooking. After placing the earthenware pot on the makeshift stove, Li Xuanba raised his right hand, formed a sword gesture with his index and middle fingers, and muttered toward the pot, “Bring water!” “Whoosh!” No sooner had Li Xuanba finished speaking than a jet of spring water suddenly spurted from the tip of his right hand’s sword-shaped fingers. Li Xuanba had directly channeled the spring water from his spatial pocket into the earthenware pot to use for cooking. “Heh heh heh! Just like in those novels I’ve read—the spring water in the spatial pocket is controllable after all.” Watching the water level in the earthenware pot rise bit by bit, Li Xuanba raised his eyebrows smugly. He’d always known he was exceptionally clever. For the sake of that humiliating Wei River Alliance, he had to make some preparations in advance. And if all else failed, then… Hmph! Don’t force this young master to take action! If I can’t kill you, surely I can still capture you, right?