47 Taking Initiative
The atmosphere in the mountain forest suddenly became tense.
Jiang Ming looked at the young man in front of him and also remembered the notice posted at the city gate when he first entered the prefecture city. The person with the highest bounty on their head was Wei Yan. The man was accused of massacring over a hundred people.
However, Jiang Ming could not help but think that the fierce-looking bearded man in the portrait looked nothing like the scholarly-looking young man who stood before him.
“It’d be a miracle if they could catch him!” Jiang Ming rolled his eyes.
“Massacred a hundred people?”
The young man shook his head and smiled, “These officials have given me a bad reputation! I only stole some rice and took some official silver.”
Everyone was speechless.
Peng Lu was a little nervous and turned to look at Guan Feng. After all, this was a wanted criminal.
Guan Feng was calm as he said, “I’ve heard a lot about you. May I know why you’ve come here?”
Only then did many people realize that this was not a chance encounter in the mountains. Wei Yan had specifically come here.
“Hahaha! As expected of you, Master Guan. You have such sharp eyes!” Wei Yan laughed and cupped his hands. “Then I’ll get straight to the point. I’m here on behalf of the Flying Cloud Castle to discuss cooperating with the Tiger Hunting Village.”
“You’re from the Flying Cloud Castle?” At this moment, even Guan Feng was shocked.
The Flying Cloud Castle was rumored to be a powerful force that dominated the Cloudy Dream Mountain Forest. They had been in the limelight in recent years.
It was rumored that the Flying Cloud Castle robbed the rich to help the poor. They had even killed several corrupt officials and destroyed countless nests of bandits who had hurt innocents. They were well-known in the Great Cloud Prefecture and even among the people in the surrounding prefectures.
Wei Yan nodded and was about to continue speaking.
Guan Feng waved his hand. “Just say your piece. We’re straightforward people.”
Jiang Ming laughed internally. Guan Feng was intentionally acting this way to throw off Wei Yan’s rhythm.
As expected, Wei Yan was rendered speechless for a while. In the end, he could only bitterly smile and say, “If that’s the case, then I won’t waste any more time. Here’s a letter, please pass it to Master Zhong on my behalf. After he reads it, he will understand.”
As he spoke, Wei Yan waved his hand. An unremarkable middle-aged man beside him immediately walked up and handed a letter to Guan Feng.
Guan Feng accepted it with a calm expression. Suddenly, he struck the man with his palm!
The middle-aged man’s expression did not change, and he also returned a palm strike.
Muffled bangs ensued and the air was filled with the sounds of fighting.
Guan Feng and the middle-aged man fought for a while before they retreated.
“A second-class martial artist, huh? He’s actually following the lead of a young man who has seemingly never practiced martial arts.”
Guan Feng did not look at the middle-aged man. Instead, he stared at Wei Yan with a meaningful look and suddenly laughed, “You can’t be the mysterious leader of the Flying Cloud Castle, right?”
“Master Guan, you’re such a comedian.” Wei Yan laughed and then said seriously, “Master Guan, you’re a smart man. I won’t force you to hand this letter over. It’s up to you to decide.”
Peng Lu and the others were confused when they heard this.
Jiang Ming somewhat understood. The Flying Cloud Castle’s modus operandi was to rob the rich to help the poor, strengthen their power, and build a reputation among commoners.
It was obvious why they were doing this.
As for the reason why Wei Yan came here, Jiang Ming believed that Master Guan had figured it out.
Guan Feng nodded and did not immediately refuse. Instead, he threw over a full wineskin. “It doesn’t matter whether this cooperation works or not. Have some wine.”
“Master Guan, you flatter me.” Wei Yan laughed and sat on the ground. He opened the wineskin and took two big gulps.
Guan Feng then said, “I heard that the Flying Cloud Castle has dominated several prefectures. You’re like the clouds in the sky, and you never stay in one place. Thus, you’re naturally more experienced than us. I wonder if you’ve seen the Green Mountain Army in the north?”
Everyone perked up their ears. The rebellion in the north had been going on for more than a year, and many people were wondering if there could be a change of dynasty. However, no one had ever seen the legendary Green Mountain Army.
Wei Yan smiled. “Of course we’ve met. We even drank and chatted with the soldiers and generals in the army. The army is strong, and the camp is full of food. But with all due respect, the Green Mountain Army will not achieve much.”
“Why?” Guan Feng’s eyes were calm.
Wei Yan continued, “Their timing is not right!”
Everyone was puzzled. Guan Feng pondered for a moment and asked, “Then, when do you think the Green Mountain King will be defeated?”
“The army was defeated in Great Cloud City!” Wei Yan pointed at the surrounding mountains and said with a faint smile, “The Green Mountain King is coming from the north and wants to enter the capital. Thus, the army must pass through Great Cloud City outside the Cloudy Dream Mountain Forest, but the terrain here is tricky. If the Green Mountain Army comes here, Great Cloud City will send troops to intercept and destroy them in one fell swoop.”
“Does the royal family still have soldiers that can be used?” Guan Feng frowned. The decline of the royal family of the country of Yan was not new information. Otherwise, no one would dare raise an army.
“The country of Yan doesn’t just belong to the royal family. It belongs to the aristocratic families too.” Wei Yan chuckled, “This country still has rich resources. Those aristocratic families will not let it fall. Only when the land is bled dry will the aristocratic families abandon it.”
Guan Feng was stunned. After a long time, he sighed and looked up at Wei Yan. “I’m guessing you’re thinking of defecting to another country?”
Wei Yan’s eyes were calm, “We must all do everything we can to survive.”
Guan Feng stared at Wei Yan for a moment and finally smiled, “Alright, I’ll deliver your letter. Goodbye.”
“Thank you, Master Guan!” Wei Yan also smiled.
* * *
On the way down the mountain, Guan Feng and Jiang Ming were walking side by side. He smiled and said, “What do you think?”
“I’m not experienced enough to have an opinion.” Jiang Ming shook his head.
Although he could deduce Wei Yan’s intentions, he still could not predict what would happen in the future.
“However, once this letter is handed over, Tiger Hunting Village will also be involved,” said Jiang Ming. “No matter whether we agree to cooperate or not, Tiger Hunting Village will not be able to stay out of this in the future.”
“Yeah.” Guan Feng sighed. “Alas, times are always changing. If we don’t take initiative now, it will be too late!”
“This situation is dangerous and unpredictable. I hope that in the future, no matter where we are, we can still be friends, Master Guan,” Jiang Ming said seriously.
Guan Feng smiled. “Thank you for your kind words. I hope so too.”