Thinking of the fatty’s smug expression from that year, Meng Hao revealed a smile, then stepped into Yun Kai County.
Meng Hao had been to Yun Kai County a few times, mostly to buy some paper and brushes. It seemed there were quite a few wealthy patrons here who needed scholars to add a touch of refinement to their lives, so the prices for the Four Treasures of the Study were incredibly cheap here.
Even though three years had passed, the place was still the same. When he arrived at the town’s crossroads, he saw many shops with lanterns hanging outside, adorned with lines of characters written like dragons flying and phoenixes dancing…
According to the fatty, his father was the wealthiest patron in Yun Kai County. Almost half of the town belonged to his father. Besides land, their family also owned many shops. Any place with the character “Li” displayed belonged to their family.
After some inquiries, he learned where the fatty’s house was. As he prepared to go, the sky had already turned to dusk, and the sun was gradually casting faint rays of light.
Not long after, he saw a rather large area in the eastern part of Yun Kai County, with buildings closely packed together and extremely grand signboards. The two characters “Li Fu” were easily visible. Outside, there were many household guards on duty, and inside, people came and went, making it very lively.
Meng Hao glanced at it, then his body shot up, and he entered the mansion.
Li Fu was very large. In the center was a courtyard, where performers were singing opera and dancers were dancing. A plump middle-aged man, dressed in luxurious robes, somewhat resembled the fatty. He must have been the fatty’s father. At this moment, he stood there with a very cautious expression, while a young man sat upright beside him.
The young man had an arrogant expression and wore luxurious clothes, but his body was a bit frail, looking as if he had indulged excessively in wine and women. At this moment, he held a wine cup, a hint of lewdness in his eyes, constantly glancing at the performers and dancers.
“Why aren’t they here yet?”
The young man, bored with the sight, frowned and asked in a cold voice.
“They’ll be here very soon. Please wait a moment, Young Master Zhao. My daughter-in-law is a bit slow.”
The fatty’s father’s eyes showed humiliation, but he had no choice but to bow his head and endure the hardship. As he spoke these words, a group of maidservants approached from a distance. Behind them was a woman wearing thin, long silk trousers, with a phoenix hairpin in her hair. Her face was delicate and pretty, but at this moment, she wore an expression of panic, her body trembling slightly as she approached.
“Father.”
The woman approached the fatty’s father and bowed her head slightly.
“Xiang’er, this young master is Young Master Zhao from Yun Hai County. Quickly go and offer him a toast.”
The fatty’s father said softly. He had always felt guilty towards this daughter-in-law. His son had been missing for many years, yet this daughter-in-law had always waited, never uttering a single complaint, and moreover, she was extremely filial to him…
“Greetings, Young Master Zhao.”
Although the woman was afraid, she understood the family’s current predicament, so she could only speak softly. Then, she stepped forward, picked up the wine pot, filled a cup, and presented it with both hands to Young Master Zhao, whose eyes were shining brightly.
Young Master Zhao swallowed hard. The woman before him made him feel astonished, and his heart was already stirring. A lewd expression appeared on his face. As he took the wine cup, he also conveniently touched her small hand. The woman was startled and retreated, causing the wine cup to fall to the ground.
“How dare you!”
Young Master Zhao glared, kicking over the small table in front of him. Wine and food spilled everywhere. He pointed his finger at the fatty’s father’s face.
"Let me tell you, Li Daifu, my younger brother has returned. From now on, he is an immortal. He wants your Li family's assets, not for you to seek death. I pity your family, yet you dare to humiliate me!"
"Young Master Zhao, this..."
The fat man's father quickly spoke up.
"Shut your mouth! I'm telling you, I won't let this matter rest today. If you're sensible, bring your daughter-in-law to accompany this young master. Once this young master is satisfied, I will naturally speak well of you to my younger brother. Otherwise..."
The young man sneered, an extreme lewdness appearing on his pale face.
The fat man's father's face gradually turned ashen. The other party had initially only asked for a drink, which was why he had agreed. But now, it was too much. He gritted his teeth, thinking of his missing son. If he, as a father, couldn't even protect his son's wife, what was the point of living?
"Get out! Get out of here! Guards, kill this man for me! Even if my Li family goes bankrupt, we will not let your Zhao family humiliate us!"
He roared loudly.
"What a display of power..."
Young Master Zhao turned and left, a murderous intent in his eyes.
The banquet ended. The young woman bit her lip, two streams of tears flowing down, as if she wanted to say something.
"You don't need to worry about this. There is still law in this world! Take the young lady back."
The fat man's father spoke calmly. Immediately, several servants led her away. Only when the surroundings were completely quiet did his body tremble, and he staggered away, as if he had aged visibly.
He shook his head and walked straight ahead. Not long after, he arrived at a house and pushed the door open. At first glance, the place seemed quite luxurious, but it would have been much better if all the furniture in the room didn't have countless teeth marks on them.
"Fu Gui, where on earth did you go? Why haven't you returned yet..."
He sat on a chair, his figure looking even older, stroking the teeth marks on the table, and whispered softly.
"He is still doing very well."
Just then, a calm voice echoed in the room, causing the fat man's father to look up, immediately revealing a look of fright, because by the window, a person had appeared at some unknown time.
This person was dressed as a scholar, looking like a literati. It was Meng Hao.
"You..."
Li Daifu immediately stood up, a wary look in his eyes, then retreated a few steps.
"I am Li Fu Gui's good friend from the sect, from Yun Jie County, Meng Hao."
Meng Hao turned around, no longer looking at the teeth marks on the window, but directly at Li Daifu.
"Meng Hao!"
Li Daifu was startled. He suddenly remembered that when his son went missing that year, he had sent people to investigate and learned that during that time, a total of four people had gone missing, one of whom was named Meng Hao.
"Fu Gui, he..."
Li Daifu's body trembled, a look of excitement in his eyes, but there was still some hesitation in his heart.
"He is not in Zhao State right now, but he will be back soon."
Meng Hao walked over and sat on a chair.
"I saw what happened just now. I will stay here for a few days. I will handle this matter."
Meng Hao said indifferently, flipping his right hand. A piece of paper appeared in his hand, and he placed it on the table.
"According to the method above, create three long spears: one iron, one silver, one gold..."
After speaking, he closed his eyes.