Chapter 3: The Journey of Death (2)

Then what are we hesitating for? Hurry and save him! If he passes away, won't we have been daydreaming here for half a day?" Han Xin looked at the man with concern, seeing him motionless, as if he had lost all breath, which made him anxious.

A gentle breeze swept by, and the figure immediately vanished in the swaying. Then, a rush of wind was heard coming swiftly from the forest, and a robust man in his thirties stood before them

Ji Kongshou and Han Xin simultaneously felt a sense of breathlessness, as if they were suffocating, and involuntarily closed their eyes

He walked slowly, circling around, carefully scrutinizing the two young men. His eyesight was indeed remarkable; in just a moment, he had already detected a hint of flaw.

At that moment, the two individuals were using both their hands and feet, busy for a while, and had just managed to hide the person when a cavalry unit arrived fiercely.

"Mr. Ji, I always feel that something is not quite right." Han Xin turned around, glanced behind him, and did not notice anything unusual. However, for some reason, cold sweat had already begun to seep from his back

However, as he turned his head, he suddenly noticed that the young man behind him let out a sigh, and his face seemed to show a hint of relief, as if a burden had been lifted. This immediately aroused suspicion in his heart

He made up his mind, glanced at Ji and Han with a slight smile, and without looking back, he urged his horse onward

Who are you?" Ji Kongshou took a deep breath, suppressing the fear within his heart, and then asked.

The person remained expressionless, extending a hand to grasp the air, and suddenly a seven-inch flying knife appeared between his index and thumb, emanating a chilling aura beneath the mottled light and shadow

He stepped forward a few paces and said, "Gentlemen, may I ask once more, have you seen the appearance of that floating corpse?"

Ji Kongshou raised his eyes and exclaimed, "How strange!" It turned out that the corpse had been washed up onto the riverbank.

"Mr. Ji, this person is probably just boasting, right? Could it be that he deliberately sought out someone's reputation to trick us into coming to his aid?" Han Xin, feeling uncertain, raised his head to look at Ji Kongshou.

The person smiled and said, "Who I am is not important; what matters is that I am a friend of Liu Bang, not an enemy. Is that not enough?"

The blade emerged from the void, and the killing intent it exuded caused a sudden increase in the air pressure within the forest. Ji Kongshou felt that the approaching figure was like a solitary cliff standing proudly at the edge of an abyss, its overwhelming and fierce aura instilling a sense of unattainability.

The subordinate pays respects to the Lord! Ji Kongshou pulls Han Xin, and the two kneel down, repeatedly bowing their heads.

You need not worry about this for me; I, the illustrious Ji, have never known what trouble is since the day I was born. Ji Kongshou sensed the concern in Han Xin's words, patted his shoulder, and spoke in a manner that belied his age.

This flaw was revealed on the sandy ground where they stood, as a small strand of red tassel woven from genuine silk unexpectedly appeared at Han Xin's feet

Oh? Fan Kuai glanced at him, "Then how did you save Liu Bang again?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao He felt a surge of excitement in his heart: "If this is the case, Liu Bang must still be alive. I must find him before Murong Xian and then devise a plan to rescue him"

He had been contemplating how to avoid raising Murong Xian's suspicions after finding Liu Bang, while also ensuring Liu Bang's safe escape. After exhausting all his thoughts, he ultimately found no solution, feeling truly distressed. At this moment, upon witnessing such a situation, he realized that a monumental problem had been effortlessly resolved, and he felt an indescribable joy in his heart

Ji Kongshou shook his head: "Of course we must save him, but we also need to devise a foolproof plan. Just think about it, Liu Bang has such a great reputation, and it is said that his skills are remarkable. If even he has been manipulated into this sorry state, it is evident that his enemies are formidable. If we are not careful, we might not only fail to save him, but also lose our own lives in the process, becoming mere pawns in his grand demise"

Hán Xìn, upon hearing this, felt his blood boil and said fiercely: "That's right! Let's go all out; I refuse to believe that we will definitely lose this life-and-death match!"

However, it is strange that the abdomen of this corpse is flat and does not exhibit the swelling that occurs after drowning. Ji Kongshou pondered for a moment and said: "This indicates that the body was disposed of after the murder; only in this way would the phenomenon of abdominal swelling not be evident"

Since you are friends of Liu Bang, there is no need to be afraid. I wield this knife only to prove that I am indeed Fan Kuai, for Fan Kuai's signature skill is the flying knife! The man took in the astonishment of Ji and Han, smiled, and then spoke very sincerely.

Ji Kongshou let out a cold laugh: "This military gentleman is quite strange. Here we are trying to dry the pants that got wet from swimming, and upon seeing the floating corpse, we already feel an overwhelming sense of misfortune. Who would still have the mind to take a closer look?"

Han Xin shivered in fear, his face showing signs of cowardice: "This is no joke. I have lived my whole life without ever having encountered a woman. If I were to die here, wouldn't that be a great injustice?" He forced a smile and said, "How about we pretend we saw nothing and sneak back to the city to continue with our promising careers."

As I approached, I realized that this corpse had only been in the water for a few hours; its skin had not yet completely bleached, and its clothing was torn into threads. There were no fewer than thirty or forty burn marks all over its body, making it look extraordinarily terrifying, almost unrecognizable as a human form

The two individuals hid in the forest, straining their ears to listen. After a considerable amount of time, they heard nothing but the sound of the wind. Both of them let out a sigh of relief and exchanged smiles.

However, you will know soon enough. At that moment, Han Xin's expression suddenly changed, he pursed his lips and his eyes turned towards the back of Ji Kongshou.

After a while, he stood up and said: "How many years have you been following Wen Hu? What position do you currently hold?"

Ah... this time it truly frightened Han Xin to the point where he lost two of his three souls, collapsing weakly to the ground with a thud

Ji Kongshoudao: "We are actually not under the command of Master Wen, we are just using his name to make a living in Huaiyin City."

Han Xin sat down to catch his breath and said: "Everything else is not a problem, but I fear that we will have difficulty returning to Huaiyin City!"

Han Xin scrutinized his attire with suspicion and disdainfully scolded, "You want me to set the price? What audacity! On what grounds should I believe you?"

Ha, this is great. I have been troubled by not having enough money to acquire a good sword, and now it has been delivered to me. Young Master Ji, do you think I can still pretend to be aloof and solemnly say 'no'?" He unceremoniously pried open the corpse's large hand, snatched the sword, and held it in his hands to examine it closely, continuously praising, "A fine sword, a fine sword; I fear there isn't a second one to be found even in Huaiyin City.

He also knew that as long as someone took action, he and Han Xin would have only one path to follow, which was the path of death

The two individuals suddenly reached out to slap their hands together, signifying their determination. Just as they were contemplating how to accommodate this person, they suddenly heard the sound of hooves echoing along both banks of the great river.

I also find it strange, as if someone is following us from behind. " Ji Kongshou said in a lowered voice

Han Xin nodded slightly, and suddenly noticed that the corpse's hand was tightly gripping a long sword. Although it was unremarkable, the blade glimmered under the sunlight, emitting a faint blue light

As the two exchanged glances, Han Xin leaned over and said to the man: "It is not difficult to save you, but please specify the amount of compensation; otherwise, we are not foolish and see no reason to invite trouble upon ourselves"

The two individuals carefully lifted Liu Bang out of the tree hollow and laid him flat on the thick grass. After checking Liu Bang's breath and finding it gradually stabilizing, they could not help but feel relieved

Ji Kongshou quickly recounted the events in detail, paying attention to Fan Kuai's expression as he spoke. However, Fan Kuai remained inscrutable, only listening intently. After finishing, he then began to reassess Ji and Han.

He spat a thick phlegm onto the body, only to see the corpse suddenly convulse, which frightened him into a scream as he turned to run away

At the moment when Xiao He reined in his horse and came to a halt, Ji Kongshou was taken aback, almost simultaneously noticing that slender sword tassel.

The person grimaced in pain, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I am... Pei... County... Liu Bang..." As he spoke, he fainted again from the pain

Cold sweat immediately oozed from his forehead. Suddenly turning around, he saw on the grass behind him, the mottled shadows of the trees appearing eerie and grim. Amidst the crooked branches, a vague figure stood there, like an unvanquished specter.

Han Xin shook his head: "Without evidence, who would dare to believe that what you say is necessarily the truth"

In fact, he had no intention of discovering who the other party truly was; he merely wanted to buy time and seek a countermeasure. However, faced with such a master in an instant, neither fighting nor fleeing was a viable option, leaving Ji Kongshou in a predicament of having no plans to resort to.

Ji Kongshou pondered for a moment and said: "I fear it may not be as it seems. Look, although he is dressed in rags, his garments are made of fine materials, and his sword is certainly not an ordinary one; it must have a significant background."

"Look!" Han Xin suddenly pointed at the riverbank ahead and exclaimed.

Ji Kongshou shook his head and said, "I fear that you truly cannot take this sword."

Fan Kuai and Ji Kongshou, along with Han Xin, exclaimed in unison, hardly able to believe that this was real

As soon as the person regained consciousness, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over his body as if being pricked by needles, and beads of sweat dripped down his face. He said: "As long as... you are willing to... save... I will... pay... whatever... you... ask..."

"Are you Ji Kongshou and Han Xin?" The man smiled faintly, seemingly without malice, but upon seeing his figure move so swiftly, Ji Kongshou realized that even though he knew he was an enemy, he could only allow himself to be at his mercy

In their eyes, the reputation of Fan Kuai far surpassed that of Liu Bang, and it was only after getting to know Fan Kuai that they became aware of Liu Bang. This does not imply that Fan Kuai's martial prowess was necessarily superior to Liu Bang's, nor that his fame was greater; rather, the elder brother they revered in Huaiyin, Wen Hu, happened to be a leader established by Fan Kuai's Wuque Gate in Huaiyin. They often heard Elder Wen boast, and naturally, they developed an admiration for the name of Fan Kuai. This does not imply that Fan Kuai's martial prowess was necessarily superior to Liu Bang's, nor that his fame was greater; rather, the elder brother they revered in Huaiyin, Wen Hu, happened to be a leader established by Fan Kuai's Wuque Gate in Huaiyin. They often heard Elder Wen boast, and naturally, they developed an admiration for the name of Fan Kuai.

Ji Kongshou had no idea what was happening behind him, but with his sensitivity and understanding of Han Xin, he knew that Han Xin was not joking

"I have indeed seen him, but given how much time has passed, he is likely already ten miles away at this moment, isn't he?" The speaker was Ji Kongshou, his face calm and composed, showing no signs of weakness. In contrast, Han Xin, leaning against Ji Kongshou, involuntarily shivered slightly.

Ji Kongshou's expression changed dramatically, and he exclaimed, "I fear trouble has arrived." He looked around and noticed that the low reeds on the riverbank provided no cover at all. As he stepped on the mud and sand, a sudden idea struck him, "Master Han, it seems we have no choice but to hide him in this mud and sand."

This is what is called a guilty conscience, " Ji Kongshou said with a self-deprecating smile

Fan Kuai was taken aback for a moment, and suddenly understood: "So you are disciples of Wen Hu." He reached out to help Ji and Han to their feet, and then walked over to Liu Bang's side to lean down and take a look.

Xiao He immediately recognized that this was the sword tassel worn by Liu Bang, and he could not help but feel a surge of joy in his heart: "This is good; if Liu Bang can receive their assistance, it will save me a lot of trouble."

If Liu Bang were to apply the miraculous medicine from the Rejuvenation Hall again, it is feared that in just a few days, he would be able to recover. Ji Kongshou took out the package of ointment, carefully following the instructions, applying it internally where needed and externally where required, and after a busy while, he finally completed the task

As soon as Liu Bang spoke these words, he immediately startled Ji Kongshou and Han Xin. Although Liu Bang was merely a small pavilion chief within the boundaries of Peixian, his reputation in the martial world was significant. Despite Ji Kongshou and Han Xin not being true figures of the martial world, they had some connection to it and had heard their leader, Wen Hu, mention this name. They had long admired him from afar, but unfortunately had never met in person, and they did not expect to encounter him under such circumstances

With a swoosh, the blade was drawn, resembling a flash of lightning piercing through the air. No one could describe the dominance of this strike, yet everyone felt the murderous intent that surged through the air as the blade flew.

Indeed! The fact that you know our names indicates that you are also a friend in this circle. A person leaves a name behind, just as a wild goose leaves its call. May I ask for your esteemed name?" Ji Kongshou clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect, trying to appear like an old hand in the game, but it came off as rather awkward.

Han Xin was reluctant to part with the sword in his hand and hurriedly grabbed him, saying: "Ji Shao, are you seeing things? This is not a resurrection!" Before he could finish his sentence, he saw a large hand reaching up from the ground, grabbing his foot

His heart suddenly sank, and he thought: "This time, I am truly doomed. I never expected that this would be my first time risking my life, and I lost completely and utterly!"

Ji Kongshou struck him hard on the head with a blow and scolded, "How can you be so useless! A great opportunity has come, if you do not fight for it now, when will you?" He seemed to have made up his mind, reached out to feel the person's pulse, and although it was chaotic, he could still sense a heartbeat, which immediately eased his mind considerably

As soon as his voice emerged, it immediately caused Ji Kongshou and Han Xin to return the displaced souls to their rightful places. Although their faces were pale, the previous fear had dissipated.

Hán Xìn, upon hearing this, could not help but feel overjoyed, saying: "If he truly is Liú Bāng, then our fortunes will turn for the better. Haven't you heard what Wén Lǎodà said? This person is immensely wealthy, possessing vast riches, and he has connections with the seven factions of Jianghuai. If he is willing to take us under his wing, why should we have to endure the profession of a rogue until we die?"

Ji Kongshou kicked him in the backside and said, "You really are a pig's brain. Look closely, this is a case of murder. Even if the authorities do not investigate, his family and relatives will come looking for you, and you will find it hard to escape responsibility." He spat and added, "It's all your fault, causing me to be plagued by bad luck now. I spit!"

This knife may serve as proof the man said with a cold laugh, his laughter carrying a sense of arrogance

The one at the forefront is none other than Xiao He

Who says otherwise? Ji Kongshou expressed his feelings: "This scoundrel has reached our level, and should be content with the picture book. However, even if we have had our moment of glory, we still have to consider the opinions of others nine times out of ten. It is truly frustrating"

Both of these individuals are audacious to the extreme, and even under the broad daylight, they feel not the slightest fear. They exchanged a glance and simultaneously said: "Let's go take a look"

The air had become extremely oppressive, and both Ji Kongshou and Han Xin felt an overwhelming sense of fear enveloping their entire beings. At this moment, the most terrifying entities were no longer the ghosts and spirits; for them, the last thing they wished to encounter was a person

Xiao He was not offended, and with a shout of "I beg your pardon!" he urged his horse to move forward

However, Xiao He has always been cautious and remains composed in the face of events. He thought to himself: "At this moment, it is the early summer season, which is indeed a good time for swimming and playing in the water. If someone were to accidentally drown in this river, and the floating corpse were to be Liu Bang, would I not be endangering his life?"

Xiao He rode over and saw two young men lying bare on the sandy ground, their demeanor relaxed as if they were admiring a streak of red clouds on the horizon. He couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart and cupped his hands in greeting, asking, "Gentlemen, may I inquire if you have seen a floating corpse drifting down the river?" Although he was a general and had a request, he still displayed utmost courtesy.

"This ... ... little ... ... brother ... ... saved ... ... me ... ..." The corpse suddenly opened its eyes, but they were devoid of spirit, its face weary, and it struggled to speak as words burst forth from its mouth.

That is true. You don't even think about it; I only described the patient's characteristics to Master Liu, and he charged me ten taels of silver for this little bit of medicine, and it only lasts for three days. Damn it, it's more expensive than hiring a prostitute at the Xingchun Courtyard, which forced me to engage in a few more petty crimes. If it doesn't work wonders, just watch me smash the sign of his Rejuvenation Hall.

The flying knife struck the large tree behind Ji and Han, the blade embedded deep, the handle vibrating and emitting a buzzing sound

The further they ventured inside, the darker it became. Ji Kongshou and Han Xin relied entirely on their memories to locate a thousand-year-old ancient tree. The tree was so large that it was difficult for two people to embrace it. Within the tree, there was a hollow where Liu Bang was being concealed by them

He thought to himself: "However, entrusting Liu Bang's life to these two young men is ultimately difficult to feel at ease. I must first pretend to investigate further, and then find an opportunity to quietly return alone, so that I can ensure his life is safe."

Are we thieves? How do I feel that we are like two heroes rescuing people in times of danger, aren't we? The two of them burst into laughter and walked deeper into the dense forest, one in front and the other behind

Han Xin wore a puzzled expression and said, "Ji Shao, don't deceive me anymore. This time, even if you speak of the heavens, I will not listen. In any case, I am determined to obtain this sword."

Ji Kongshou and Han Xin turned their heads and were immediately stunned by the scene before them, seemingly unable to believe that this was the result of human effort. Their puzzled gazes returned to the face of that person.