The Legend of the Condor Heroes: I became one of the Five Great Masters by drawing cards

Chapter 151 Hongmen Banquet

Gu Ping'an was watching outside the door, frowning slightly.

"If what Master Lu said is true, it's been over half a month since those escorts were killed, and the seven-day mourning period has long passed. Why are they still here?"

"Are you also here to see Captain Wang off for the last time?"

Before he could finish his words, a doorman came out from the courtyard and bowed to ask.

"My name is Gu Ping'an. I'm here to see Chief Escort Niu Han. I don't know anything about Chief Escort Wang."

"Gu, are you the hero Ping An?!"

The doorman exclaimed, and as soon as the words "Hero Ping'an" came out, everyone in the courtyard stopped talking at the same time, and more than ten eyes were cast over.

"Hero Ping An? Is this doorman joking?"

"How old is this boy?"

"The hero Ping An, who massacred 462 people from the Yellow River Gang in one night, is so young?!"

A man came out of the courtyard. The gatekeeper saw him and called out "Young Escort Leader", then bowed and left.

"My name is Niu Cheng, nice to meet you, Hero Ping An!"

This young escort leader was about thirty years old, seven feet tall, strong and sturdy, with a dark face and short beard. He looked like a brave man at first glance.

His attitude was quite humble, and it was obvious that he had no doubt about Gu Ping'an's identity.

Everyone greeted each other, and Niu Cheng led the group into the house, around the front yard, through the martial arts training ground, and to the east wing to wait.

"Please sit down for a moment. I will go and get my father."

This chief escort and his son seemed to be cut from the same mold, except for their gray hair and beard, even their voices were 70% similar.

"I've long heard of the great hero Ping An, but I never thought he could be such a young hero!"

"Captain Niu, you are too polite."

Gu Ping'an said something polite and introduced everyone one by one.

Upon hearing that Jing Rong and Huang Rong were Hong Qigong's top disciples, and that Huang Rong was the new leader of the Beggars' Sect, Niu Han showed even more respect.

"It's a rare opportunity for you all to come here, so we should host a banquet to entertain you. However, the escort agency is currently attending a funeral and it's taboo to serve meat to guests."

"That's fine. We're planning to go burn some incense later."

Niu Han still couldn't hide his guilt and asked everyone why they came.

Lu Zhanyuan first talked about what he saw and heard on the small road outside Chang'an City, and then gave a general idea. Niu Han's face became obviously gloomy.

"Speaking of this, Ping An is also a little confused. Calculating the time, it has been more than half a month, why hasn't the funeral been completed yet?"

"Young Master Gu doesn't know something"

Niu Han sighed deeply, looking sad.

"Today's funeral is already the third in the past half month."

"The third game?"

Everyone was shocked. Generally speaking, in the escort business, 20% depends on skill, 20% on luck, and the remaining 60% depends entirely on the reputation of the escort agency.

Even bandits have their own code of conduct. If they encounter a caravan of escorts while robbing others on the road, all they have to do is step forward and identify themselves, exchange a few pleasantries, and nine times out of ten a fight will not break out.

Especially for a century-old brand like Fengxiang Escort Agency, there are only a handful of big and small strongholds in the entire Jingzhao Prefecture Road who dare not give it face.

Breaking three darts in a row is unprecedented in the past hundred years.

"Also, what the escort who escaped back half a month ago said was completely different from what Master Lu said."

"It seems that the chief escort has also noticed it."

"I initially thought someone was jealous of the escort agency's business and was targeting our group. Now it seems the trouble is actually caused by internal strife."

Veins popped up on Niu Han's forehead and he clenched his hands into fists.

"Thank you for the reminder, Master Gu. This matter may be related to an old incident. Unfortunately, my father has ordered that it not be mentioned to anyone."

"We are not necessarily outsiders."

Gu Pingan smiled and took something out of his pocket. "The second thing Pingan mentioned is related to whether or not it's an outsider."

"This is this"

Niu Han looked up, and his eyes suddenly widened as big as copper bells.

"How did the Rebel Token end up in your hands?!"

"Since the Chief Escort knows about the righteous army, I'm sure you can guess my identity, right?"

"Mrs. Gu?!"

Niu Han held the token and examined it carefully, and suddenly an idea came to him.

"It's my grandmother."

In fact, Gu Ping'an was not the grandson of the great-grandmother, but no one knew about it, so he didn't have to explain it anymore.

Niu Han was both surprised and happy, and it took him a long time to sort out his thoughts.

"Is the old lady okay?"

"My grandmother now lives in seclusion at the foot of Mount Zhongnan. She is in good health and content."

"That's great!" Niu Han was so happy that he didn't know where to put his hands. "My dear nephew, you don't know that when I was still a baby, it was Old Madam Gu who held me in her arms!"

He was also a straightforward person. Once he started talking, he immediately put aside his previous worries and it took him a long time to get back to the main business.

"Now that the Jin Kingdom is doomed, my nephew has come here with a token. Has he decided to raise an army and start a rebellion?"

Gu Ping'an nodded: "That's indeed my intention, but before that, we need to eliminate the internal troubles first."

"That makes sense. The escort agency has been repeatedly targeted. Someone must have disregarded the wishes of our ancestors and has other plans!"

"The last wish of our ancestors?"

"When the righteous army was defeated, Senior Wang hid in the ancient tomb and refused to come out. My father and his colleagues handed the token to Madam Gu and returned to Fengxiang Mansion to live in seclusion."

When Niu Han saw the token, he knew that Gu Ping'an was not an outsider, so he naturally stopped hiding it.

"This wait lasted for decades. The old people have grown old and left behind their instructions. They diligently studied military tactics and practiced martial arts, waiting for the day when the token would appear again."

Gu Ping'an remembered what his grandmother had said, and took the token to Fengxiang Mansion to find out the answer after a try.

As she said, the former members of the rebel army actually passed on their wishes to the next generation.

"Now that war has broken out again, the people north of the Yellow River are suffering. I once gathered everyone to discuss rising up again. Many responded, but some were used to a peaceful life and were unwilling to take the risk."

Mu Nianci frowned and asked, "Could it be that the commotion at the escort agency today is related to these people?"

"What my niece-in-law said makes sense. I wasn't sure at first, but after hearing the news today, I think it's almost certain."

When Niu Han said this, he became angry again.

"These spineless people are afraid to deal with the Golden Dog, and now they're plotting against their own people! I'll gather them together again tomorrow. Anyone who refuses to obey the token is undoubtedly a traitor!"

"We can't rush this matter; we need to consider it in the long term."

Niu Han was puzzled and was about to ask, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Father, the deputy chief escort said the banquet is ready, and sent me to invite you and a few guests to join us. Although it's only vegetarian food, there will be plenty of fine wine."

Seeing that it was almost time for dinner, everyone left the rooms and went to the hall for the banquet.

The deputy chief escort was busy in the hall. When he saw them come in, he quickly invited them to sit at the main table.

The man looked to be in his forties or fifties, slightly plump, with a round face and a warm smile.

At this time, most of the guests in the hall had already started eating, so he sat down with them, raised his glass and greeted them.

"I'm really sorry for my poor hospitality today. I didn't realize you came from so far away. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Old Pang, I'll drink three cups as punishment!"

Gu Ping'an also drank it all in one gulp, then frowned, took Mu Nianci's hand that was holding the glass, and moved his lips.

"Don't drink it, there's something wrong with this wine."

(End of this chapter)