Han Li set out from his hometown and struck out southeast, making straight for Lanzhou.
Along the way, there were times when he joined forces with other travelers to cross bustling cities together, and other times when he walked alone through desolate wilderness, seeking a shortcut. No major dangers befell him during the journey. The only close call came when he camped in the open one night and encountered several starving wolves with eyes red from hunger. They ended up becoming his dinner instead.
Day after day of dusty travel carried him through two more provinces before he finally, with considerable effort, arrived in Lanzhou.
The moment he crossed the provincial border, Han Li was struck by amazement at the intricate web of waterways that crisscrossed the landscape. In Yuezhou, where he had previously lived, the terrain was mostly wild mountains and hilly ridges. Grand canals and great lakes were unheard of—there weren't even many respectable streams. People relied on wells and trickling brooks for their water.
Naturally, Han Li found the various vessels navigating the canals utterly fascinating. Driven by curiosity, he eventually chartered a small boat and experienced for the first time the sensation of drifting swiftly downstream with the current.
After ten days of smooth sailing, he arrived at Jiayuan City—the very place Doctor Mo had mentioned in his letter—and set foot on the modest little dock.
His first impression of the place was that it was a wreck.
The entire dock was constructed from rough-hewn wooden planks. Not only was it cramped and crude, but rotting baskets and torn sacks were piled haphazardly everywhere, lending the place a thoroughly filthy air. Within the two ramshackle bamboo shelters that served as the dock's only structures, several dozen burly men stood waiting. They wore either bare torsos or short jackets, every one of them radiating a rough, dangerous energy.
These men were now staring at him and Soul-Summoner without blinking, and some had a distinctly eager gleam in their eyes.
Han Li blinked in mild surprise, then offered a faint smile.
Before stepping off the boat, the boatman had cheerfully warned him about an unwritten rule at Jiayuan City's docks: regardless of how much cargo a traveler carried, he was expected to hire a local porter to help carry his belongings. Refusal could result in rough treatment—or even a beating.
As a newcomer, Han Li had no intention of breaking anyone's local customs. He called out obediently.
"I need a porter! Is anyone available?"
Sun Ergou had already turned his attention back. After sizing up the scene, he had concluded that this young man who had just disembarked was likely the son of some country landlord, while the giant was probably a bodyguard with nothing but brute strength. Such combinations appeared in Jiayuan City every year—young lords from rural estates who came to gape at the city sights, spend a little money, and then return home to boast about their adventures. Nothing worth worrying about.
But precisely because of that, such people were the perfect marks. They loved to save face and show off. With a few flattering words, these country bumpkins would not only pay the agreed-upon carrying fee but usually throw in a generous tip as well. For whoever got picked, it was a lucrative job.
Unfortunately, this particular piece of business wouldn't be going to his side. By prior agreement with Black Bear, they took turns accepting incoming jobs, and neither was allowed to compete. The size and quality of each job depended on luck. Since his crew had taken the last job yesterday, this one fell to Black Bear's men.
Sun Ergou glanced across the dock and saw Black Bear whisper a few words to his surrounding subordinates. One of the men then bolted out of the crowd, heading straight for the young man.
"No, one person won't be able to carry it. You'd better call another." Han Li looked at the robust man before him, then at the enormous pack on Soul-Summoner's back, and shook his head gently.
"Young master, I can lift this with one hand. No need for anyone else." The man didn't want to share his tip with another porter. Besides, he didn't believe that even an oversized pack could be beyond his strength—unless it was filled with rocks.
With that, the porter strode up to Soul-Summoner and grabbed for the pack without waiting for permission.
Han Li sighed. Inside that pack were several thousand taels of silver along with various other items. Its weight was substantial—far beyond what any ordinary person could bear.
But seeing the man so enthusiastic, Han Li had no choice but to silently signal Soul-Summoner to hand over the pack without resistance.
Sure enough, the moment the burly porter took the pack, his face changed dramatically. He struggled to hoist it onto his back and had barely taken a few steps before his face turned red and his breathing became ragged. Embarrassed, he set the pack down and went back to fetch another man.
When two porters finally managed to carry the load between them, Han Li nodded in satisfaction and quickly left the dock, heading into the city along the road.
Han Li didn't realize that his lack of worldly experience had already attracted two pairs of greedy eyes. Trouble was heading his way, and he was walking straight into it.
Sun Ergou watched the young man's retreating figure until it was nearly out of sight. He finally tore his gaze away from what might as well have been a treasure chest. Suppressing the thrill of excitement within him, he glanced across at Black Bear. He was certain that the enormous wealth hidden in that pack had not escaped the other man's notice either.
Sure enough, Black Bear wore the same look of delighted avarice. After a moment's hesitation, he caught Sun Ergou's eye and gestured discreetly. Sun Ergou immediately understood, and the two slipped behind a nearby trash heap to confer.
Faced with such a sum of money, Sun Ergou would have cooperated with the man even if they shared a blood feud. After all, the old saying held true: men die in pursuit of wealth, just as birds perish seeking food.
"Fifty-fifty split!" Sun Ergou cut straight to the point in a low voice.
"Thirty-seventy. It was our turn to take the job." Black Bear rejected the proposal without ceremony.
"Sixty-forty. That's my final offer. You know perfectly well your reason doesn't hold water." Sun Ergou's face was grim as he struck at the heart of the matter.
"This..." Black Bear hesitated, obviously reluctant to give up that extra share.
"Hmph! Keep thinking, and some other gang will have their eyes on this fat sheep by the time you decide." Sun Ergou snorted coldly.
"Fine! It's settled then. Let's seal it with a handshake." Black Bear was clearly shaken by the prospect of losing out, and finally agreed.
They each spat into their palms and exchanged three slaps of handshake, forming a temporary alliance.
"Good. Now let's catch up with him before he disappears into the crowds," Sun Urged.
"Heh heh! Don't worry. I already had my two men lead them toward Black Water Alley. If we hurry now, we can cut them off right there." A cunning grin spread across Black Bear's face—an expression quite out of keeping with his rough features.
"Well played, brother!" Sun Ergou said with outward delight. Internally, however, a chill ran through him, and he quietly resolved to be more wary of Black Bear from now on.