Chapter 1058: Schemes

"We have arrived at Fenggao in Mount Tai, sirs. Please disembark," the coachman knocked on the carriage and said.

"Bo Yan, Zijia, wake up! We've arrived in Fenggao. Let's hurry home," Ma Zhong nudged the sleeping Lu Xun and Lu Yu as he spoke.

"Ah, it's already Fenggao?" Lu Yu stretched and yawned. "But it's dark outside. We won't be able to enter the city tonight. Bo Yan, you sleep like a log," he added, pulling Lu Xun up.

"This carriage is really something, and the driver's skills are impressive," Lu Xun said while rubbing his eyes, poking his head out of the carriage.

"Now we’ll finally get an answer about Youping's condition," Lu Xun heard this remark the moment he peeked out, and it immediately jolted him awake.

Youping? Are they talking about the warrior Zhou? Lu Xun quickly pieced together everything. Judging from the timing and the destination, it was highly likely they were talking about Zhou Tai.

Zhou Tai was injured? He's so powerful, and he's at the level of Inner Qi leaving the body. How could he be wounded this badly? Lu Xun scratched his head, pondering.

While Lu Xun was deep in thought, Lu Yu stepped out and noticed his contemplative expression. "What are you thinking about?" he asked curiously.

"Waiting for you. Let’s go thank our benefactors together," Lu Xun replied, somewhat irritated. "Come on, let’s go."

Lu Yu didn't question it, and once Ma Zhong joined them, the three walked over to Sun Ce's carriage.

"We are deeply grateful to you both for giving us a ride to Fenggao. As you said, meeting is fate, and now that we've reached the outskirts of Fenggao, if there's anything you need, we come from respectable families and would be happy to show some local hospitality," Lu Xun courteously greeted Sun Ce and Zhou Yu.

Lu Yu nodded in agreement, thinking it was only right to show some hospitality after being given a ride.

"We should thank the three of you," Zhou Yu smiled. "However, it's already late, and the city gates of Fenggao are closed. We can wait here for the night, and you three can rest for a couple more hours."

"Then we’ll take you up on that," Ma Zhong said cheerfully, while Lu Xun and Lu Yu glanced at each other in mild exasperation.

"May I ask an inappropriate question?" Lu Xun scratched his head awkwardly.

Although the Lu family and Sun Ce’s forces had some old enmity, Lu Xun had never faced Sun Ce or Zhou Yu directly before. He hadn’t been involved in the battles at Lujiang or the naval battles on the Yangtze. So while he suspected that the person before him was Zhou Yu, he couldn't be entirely sure.

"There's no need to be so formal. Speak your mind," Sun Ce replied heartily.

Zhou Yu frowned slightly but said nothing, merely paying closer attention to Lu Xun, cautious as they were in enemy territory.

"Well, both of you seem to come from influential families, and the alliance of the noble families is currently gathered in Ye City. If you wanted to meet Lord Xuande, you would have headed to Ye City. Even if it were for business, that’s where you’d go. And if you were moving residences, just by looking at us, you’d know that isn't the case." Lu Xun scratched his head again, trying to appear harmless.

"We do come from noble families, and indeed, many have gone to Ye City for the alliance. But we are here in Fenggao to save someone," Zhou Yu replied with a smile. "One of our brothers was injured and hasn’t been able to recover despite seeing many doctors. We heard that the renowned doctor Hua of Fenggao possesses miraculous abilities, so we came to seek his help."

"I see. Well, if you're here in Fenggao, you can rest easy. Doctor Hua is very skilled. But since the injuries are severe, it’s best not to delay. Ah, this is the perfect opportunity to repay a favor," Lu Xun nodded repeatedly, then paused as if deep in thought, before suddenly lifting his head and speaking.

Zhou Yu had no idea what Lu Xun meant by repaying a favor. He watched as Lu Xun lunged toward Lu Yu, who had anticipated this strange behavior from Lu Xun and immediately jumped back.

"Zijia, give me your permit! Hurry, hurry! Saving a life is urgent!" Lu Xun shouted as he chased after Lu Yu.

"Why should I? They gave you a ride, but they also gave me a ride! Why should I give you the credit?" Lu Yu shouted back, running toward the city walls.

"What are you two doing?" Sun Ce asked, confused.

"Hmph, that guy Zijia has a permit to open the city gates at night. Though the permit is only for Fenggao and other major cities like Xiaopei," Lu Xun said proudly. "It was a special document from Master Jia to allow him to mobilize city defenses in emergencies. If it’s not used by the time we reach Fenggao, it’ll expire, so we might as well use it to save a life."

"Hahaha, good deeds are indeed rewarded!" Sun Ce laughed heartily. He had already noticed the torches on the city wall and a basket being lowered down.

After about half an hour of verification, the city gates of Fenggao were opened slightly, and the group entered one by one.

"Be careful. These three youngsters aren’t ordinary," Zhou Yu whispered to Sun Ce as they passed through the gate.

"I heard what the gatekeeper said. That one called Lu Zijia is Liu Xuande’s teacher’s only son and Jia Wenhe’s apprentice. Naturally, the other two must also be from distinguished families," Sun Ce replied with a smile, showing no concern. To him, this was simply good fortune.

"Be cautious. Although Liu Xuande’s main forces have left, Fenggao still has several layers of defenses akin to mental prowess," Zhou Yu warned, his tone more serious.

"Liu Xuande is truly surrounded by talent," Sun Ce agreed, his expression growing more solemn.

"Now that we're in Fenggao, let us guide you both to Doctor Hua’s residence," Lu Xun said confidently, leading the way and directing the coachman toward Hua Tuo's house.

"Who goes there?" Suddenly, a group of men appeared, blocking the carriage as they neared the area where special talents resided.

"The City Management Forces? Only five squads?" Lu Xun muttered under his breath. "We need to see Doctor Hua; there’s an injured person in need of treatment."

"At this hour, without special circumstances, no one is admitted," the centurion in charge stepped forward, holding his shield.

"This will allow us to pass," Lu Xun said as he flashed the special pass given to him by Chen Xi.

"People may enter, but the carriage cannot," the centurion said, his expression unchanged.

"Don’t worry, we won’t break any rules," Lu Xun said as he jumped off the carriage, calling out to the other vehicle. "You can come down now. No carriages are allowed past this point."

When Sun Ce and Zhou Yu disembarked with Zhou Tai, Lu Xun's pupils contracted as he saw Zhou Tai. Though he had been mentally prepared, seeing it with his own eyes still shocked him—so it really was Zhou Tai!

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