Chapter 36: Ingenious Use

"Seventh, what is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?"

Gong Baonan appeared perfectly innocent. He kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the heated kang, and placed his plate on his stomach. He began eating meat, asking the question even though he knew full well what he was doing.

Guan Wei cursed, "Bullshit! Can't you see I'm schooling the kid? What are you doing here? Trying to steal my trade secrets?"

Gong Baonan sneered, "Forget it! I have no interest in your petty thievery."

"Go, go, go! Get out!" Guan Wei waved his hand, shooing him away.

To pass on one's craft is a sacred duty; bystanders are meant to withdraw. This was the code of the underworld. By all rights, Gong Baonan had committed a major taboo, yet he maintained an "and what are you going to do about it?" expression, stubbornly refusing to leave.

"It's freezing outside, where do you want me to go? I'm not going anywhere. I’ll just lie here. Teach him or don't, it's up to you."

"Seventh, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

Guan Wei knew perfectly well that Gong Baonan was "nursing a grudge" because he hadn't been woken up for the sauerkraut hotpot the night before, and he was here specifically to cause trouble.

Gong Baonan turned his attention to Jiang Xiaodao and asked, "Xiaodao, are you really planning on becoming a thief?"

Hearing this, Guan Wei retorted, "Don't insult the man, don't insult the craft! Seventh, what's that supposed to mean? What's wrong with being a thief? Isn't it better than being a bandit?"

Gong Baonan ignored him and tilted his chin toward Jiang Xiaodao.

"Xiaodao, I’m asking you! Do you really want to be a thief? There’s no need. Your father has plenty of money in Fengtian, enough for you to spend. Why learn this?"

However, ever since he had gained some worldly wisdom from Old Cui, Jiang Xiaodao no longer dared to look down on any trade.

"Seventh Uncle, you can never have too many skills. Knowing one more trade can't be a bad thing, right?"

Gong Baonan scoffed, "I bet you just want to steal money to save Old Cui, don't you?"

"What?" Upon hearing this, Guan Wei immediately warned, "Xiaodao, once you learn the craft, don't go using it recklessly. Especially in the city—don't start working until you've paid your respects to the local bosses. Otherwise, your peers won't tolerate you! Remember that!"

Jiang Xiaodao smiled. "Sixth Uncle, why are you so nervous? Even the Monkey King had to learn his skills before he could wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace. I’ve only just started; what kind of trouble could I possibly cause?"

"You stubborn mule, who knows when you might decide to go rogue!"

"Don't worry, I promise to follow the rules!"

"That's good."

Guan Wei breathed a sigh of relief, then picked up where Gong Baonan had left off, adding, "Nephew, don't listen to your Seventh Uncle's nonsense. The trade I'm teaching you isn't just for snatching gold and silver—sometimes, it can even save your life!"

"Right, right!" Gong Baonan chimed in sarcastically. "Not only can it save your life, it can accumulate merit and grant you a long, prosperous existence!"

Guan Wei glared at him and threatened, "Seventh, one more word of nonsense, and I’ll steal every cent you’ve saved!"

At that, Gong Baonan immediately clamped his mouth shut.

Jiang Xiaodao, however, remained puzzled. After all, the skills of the Rong family trade seemed to have nothing to do with saving one's life.

"Sixth Uncle, are you pulling my leg?"

"Pulling your leg?"

Guan Wei chuckled. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly struck Jiang Xiaodao’s chest with his palm.

Though the force wasn't great, Jiang Xiaodao still landed squarely on his backside.

"Sixth Uncle, what are you hitting me for!"

Jiang Xiaodao stood up, brushing off his pants, and was about to flare up when he looked up and saw Guan Wei holding a Mauser pistol, the muzzle pointed directly between his eyebrows.

The air froze. Both Jiang Xiaodao and Gong Baonan were shocked.

After a moment, Guan Wei curled his lips into a smirk and asked, "Xiaodao, did your father give you this gun?"

Jiang Xiaodao’s expression turned panicked as he reached into his jacket.

Sure enough, it was his gun!

"Give it back!"

Jiang Xiaodao shouted, reaching out to grab it, causing Guan Wei to quickly raise the muzzle.

"Damn it! Don't grab, you little ancestor, aren't you afraid of an accidental discharge? Here, take it back!"

Jiang Xiaodao snatched the pistol, shoved it back into his jacket, and patted it. When he looked at Guan Wei again, there was a newfound sense of caution in his eyes.

Guan Wei smiled triumphantly. "The trade I’m teaching you can save your life—do you believe me now? Seventh, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Gong Baonan said nothing; he simply turned away, clutching his savings, and sighed with deep worry.

From then on, whenever he had spare time, Jiang Xiaodao followed Guan Wei to study the various arts of the Rong family. From the rules of the trade to practical techniques, to scaling walls and windows, and the light-foot skills that allowed one to land without a sound... No matter what Guan Wei said, Jiang Xiaodao learned with an open mind, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

After half a month, although he was still far from being an expert—hardly even a beginner—his physique had improved significantly. If nothing else, climbing the wall of the Wang residence again would certainly be no problem.

However, Jiang Xiaodao believed the most important reason for his progress was that he could finally eat his fill at every meal in the camp!

...

Night fell, and the camp gates slowly creaked open.

Someone led a horse into the camp at a brisk pace. The man was somewhat short, and though he possessed plenty of strength, he looked rather comical while leading the horse.

The two bandits on night watch nodded at the newcomer.

"Fourth Brother, you're back!"

"Yeah, you guys worked hard. I picked up a jug of wine in the city, and here’s half a jin of spiced meat. Enjoy!"

The two bandits quickly accepted the offering, smiling. "Fourth Brother, you're too kind."

Jin Xiaoyi waved his hand. "It’s only right! By the way, are my Big Brother and your leader still awake?"

"Oh, they're both inside waiting for you!"

"Good, you guys enjoy the drink and meat. I’ll head over."

Jin Xiaoyi walked over in long strides and lifted the door curtain. Jiang Chenghai was sitting on the kang with Wang Guihe, chatting.

Besides the two of them, the only other person in the room was the third brother, Sun Chengmo.

"Fourth Brother, you're back!" Sun Chengmo stroked his beard, stood up quickly to greet him, and handed him a cup of hot tea. "Any news in the city?"

"Nothing at all!"

Jin Xiaoyi took a sip of tea, then sat on the edge of the kang and said to Jiang Chenghai, "Big Brother, I spent the whole day scouting in the city. I didn't leave a trail, and the people from the Changfeng Security Bureau are indeed all cleared out."

Jiang Chenghai acknowledged this and asked, "What about the He family's residence?"

"Pah! Anything of value in the house was hauled away by the Russians, and the neighborhood folks picked up all the scraps like pots and pans. It's only been half a month, and it’s already turning into a ruin."

Jiang Chenghai nodded with a smile. "Good! Fourth, you've worked hard."

Jin Xiaoyi said, "Big Brother, I don't see any sign of trouble now. Why don't we pull out in the next couple of days?"

Hearing this, Wang Guihe immediately slapped the table.

"Fourth Brother, what’s the hurry? Stay a few more days—what’s the matter, am I not hosting you well enough?"

Jin Xiaoyi quickly cupped his hands. "Boss, don't say that. We’ve been nothing but a burden to you since we got here."

At this moment, Sun Chengmo approached as well. As the "strategist," he knew that although the plan had hit a snag with the unexpected variable of Jiang Xiaodao, it hadn't affected the big picture. Now, even a man as steady as Sun Chengmo felt it was time to return to Fengtian and report back to Zhou Yunfu.

"Big Brother, the old man is still waiting for word!"

Unexpectedly, Jiang Chenghai replied, "No need to rush! Whether the Changfeng Security Bureau matter is settled, the old man surely knows by now—he doesn't need us to tell him!"

Sun Chengmo understood that Zhou Yunfu had eyes everywhere, but he had other concerns.

"Big Brother, the old man has grown older in these last few years, and his suspicions have only deepened. It’s precisely because he knows it's done that we should hurry back."

Wang Guihe was indignant.

"Third Brother, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away—what are you afraid of? No matter how big a shot Zhou Yunfu is, that’s in the city. If he met me in the mountains, he’d have to call me 'Old Man'!"

"True, true." Sun Chengmo offered a perfunctory compliment, but continued to urge, "Big Brother, it’s best we don't delay too long."

"Wait another half month!" Jiang Chenghai said, then turned his head. "Guihe, it won't be a bother, right?"

"Brother, are you insulting me? I’d be happy if you stayed on the mountain with me forever!"

"That's good!" Jiang Chenghai smiled, then turned to Jin Xiaoyi. "Fourth, I want to discuss something with you. Can you do it?"

Jin Xiaoyi was startled. "Big Brother, is there another job for us on this trip?"

"Nothing like that. It's about my son, Xiaodao."

"What about him?"

"When you have some free time, teach him a few tricks. Nothing fancy—he started martial arts too late for that—just enough to defend himself!"