Chapter Sixty-Four: Lu Da's Fury

“So it’s really that simple?” blurted out Yu Rou Zhang, her face full of disbelief. Yet Ding Li, standing off to the side, found himself in a bind, fully aware that Lu Dachi was doing his best to distance himself from this mess. His so-called ‘choices’ were nothing but a way to probe into Ding Li and Zhang Yu Rou’s backgrounds.

“It’s really that simple,” replied Lu Dachi. Despite the roughness of his features, his narrowed, smiling eyes were every bit the fox’s—shrewd and glinting, fixed unwaveringly on Yu Rou Zhang as he grinned and steered the conversation. “May I ask which family this young lady comes from? Appearing here at this hour, dressed so, and being pursued by assassins… Surely, you are no ordinary person. I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to escort you home?”

“I…” Yu Rou Zhang glanced at Lu Dachi’s expression. Lacking any experience in the ways of the world, she found it hard to connect this man to any nefarious intent. Hearing his seemingly kind proposal, she looked at him again and found that the face, once so menacing, now seemed almost brotherly. She was about to answer when Ding Li drew her back with a firm tug.

“I’ve long heard of Brother Lu Dachi’s reputation,” Ding Li began slowly, his tone laced with an unspoken scorn, his dark eyes shimmering with an inscrutable light. Then, under the baffled gazes of Lu Dachi and his men, Ding Li chuckled softly, the corner of his mouth curling. “And yet, the Lu Dachi I see tonight is nothing like the man of legend. Who would have thought that the righteous and bold Lu Dachi would stoop to tricking a young lady with a few sly words? Truly, I am enlightened.”

At this, even Yu Rou Zhang, who had been left in the dark, realized Lu Dachi was fishing for information. Her anger flared, and she shot him a glare, undaunted by the hundred or so men at his command.

As for Lu Dachi’s reputation for heroism, Ding Li knew nothing of it. He had simply chosen to provoke the man at a crucial moment. After all, with the lines between friend and foe blurred, and Yu Rou Zhang’s identity so sensitive, he dared not reveal everything. If Lu Dachi proved an enemy, Ding Li would have no chance of escape with Yu Rou Zhang surrounded as they were.

Lu Dachi, hearing Ding Li’s words, seemed a bit embarrassed. He had to admit, Ding Li was right. Saddled with the reputation Ding Li had just handed him, Lu Dachi scratched his head, then raked his fingers through the tuft of hair on his chest, as if wrestling with himself, before finally making up his mind. He looked up to explain himself, “You do me too much credit, brother. I’m only wary of bringing trouble upon myself. You must know, there are many families in Fuxu Town I dare not offend—including those who hunt you tonight. So, I had to resort to this; forgive me, it was my only option.”

With that, Lu Dachi raised his arms and clasped his fists in a respectful salute to Ding Li, then turned away, voice low and resolute, “I was a bit forward just now. But I must ask the two of you for a reason—otherwise, I cannot risk offending those people for your sakes.”

His words were forthright and unambiguous. Ding Li could no longer evade. Lu Dachi had laid his cards on the table—without a good explanation, he would not let them go, much less offer help.

“Very well! In that case, there’s no harm in telling you,” Ding Li said, the calculation already made in his mind. But then his tone changed, and he looked at Lu Dachi as if seeking a compromise. “But, as I said, if it comes to it, I alone will stay and bear the consequences. The young lady beside me—she is blameless.”

Without hesitation, Lu Dachi nodded his agreement. The whole business was already a headache for him. Though he knew full well that the murderers were from the Cao Trading House, he had to pretend ignorance and watch matters from the shadows. Now, finding himself face-to-face with Ding Li and his companion, Lu Dachi had no wish to offend the powerful Cao family for Ding Li’s sake, with whom he had no connection.

“I am Ding Li,” he announced, stepping forward with unusual decisiveness, shielding Yu Rou Zhang behind him, eyes wary and posture ready for a fight to the death.

“Ding Li? Ding Li…” Lu Dachi’s face was clouded with confusion, brows furrowed as he muttered under his breath. He could not recall anyone of that name in Fuxu Town, and it puzzled him—surely the Cao Trading House would not go to such lengths for a nobody. His nimble mind began to consider the larger powers at play.

Suddenly, a flash of surprise lit his eyes. He snapped his head up, shock mingling with suspicion, and asked in a low, tense voice, “Did you say Ding Li? As in Brother Li of the South Sea Gang?”

Lu Dachi’s question left Ding Li momentarily stunned. He had been pondering how to resolve the standoff, but now, thrown off balance by being recognized, he paused before nodding calmly. “South Sea Gang, Ding Li. Your reputation precedes you, Brother Lu Dachi, but I hardly deserve the title of ‘Brother Li’.”

Lu Dachi’s inner turmoil showed on his face, but understanding dawned. He knew the South Sea Gang was tied to the Zhang Trading House, and the actions of the Cao Trading House now made perfect sense. As he glanced at Yu Rou Zhang, he seemed to catch a hint of her identity as well, though this only deepened his dilemma.

“I’ve long heard of your reputation, Brother Li,” Lu Dachi said at last, clasping his fists in respect and managing a strained smile, though his twisted features made it almost grotesque. After that, he was at a loss for words. Neither the Zhang nor Cao Trading Houses were powers he could afford to cross. Life caught between such giants was fraught with peril.

“Not at all,” Ding Li replied with a slight shake of his head, returning the gesture with equal formality, though he remained on high alert, unwilling to waste a moment. He pressed on, “So, Brother Lu Dachi, will you let us take the first path, or the second?”

“Well…” Lu Dachi’s brow knitted in indecision, and he lowered his head in thought, but before he could respond, there came a clamor of footsteps and an icy voice cut through the night: “Lu Dachi! These two are wanted by the Young Master of the Cao Trading House! If you know what’s good for you, take your men and leave!”

The newcomers were many, and both Ding Li and Lu Dachi recognized them at once: it was none other than Cao You, the Cao Trading House’s man in Fuxu Town. His words were meant to intimidate, but Lu Dachi was not cowed—if anything, he was angered. He stepped forward, unflinching, and retorted coldly, “Cao You! The Cao family may be powerful, but don’t take me, Lu Dachi, for a pushover or a fool!”

He beckoned to Ding Li, but his next words were for Cao You. “These two belong to the Zhang Trading House. If something happens to them on my turf tonight, you may not care, but the Zhang Trading House will not let me or my brothers off so easily!”

“So, you’d risk offending the Cao family for the sake of the Zhang Trading House?” Cao You exploded in fury. He had just learned of his brother Cao Hai’s death, and if not for Lu Dachi’s impressive numbers, he would have ordered a bloodbath already.

“I wish to offend no one! But I am no fool, and I refuse to be caught between your two houses!” Lu Dachi’s voice rang out, proud and unyielding. “While you are in my territory, I will not stand by and see my interests or those of my brothers harmed! If you want trouble, Cao You, go to the city or the Zhang residence in the eastern camp! You will not run amok here, nor will I take the fall for your family’s deeds!”

In Lu Dachi’s mind, the Zhang Trading House, long known for honest dealings, was far more trustworthy than the Cao family. Even if their power had waned in recent years, they were still formidable. To take the blame for the Cao Trading House would be sheer folly—harmful to all and beneficial to none.

“Lu Dachi, if that’s how you want it, don’t blame me for showing no mercy tonight!” Cao You, driven by rage and grief, raised his war blade and pointed it across the way, voice thunderous.

“Hmph! In all these years, I, Lu Dachi, have never bowed to threats!” Lu Dachi snorted coldly, giving Cao You a contemptuous glance. “Especially not from you, Cao You! Without the backing of your family, would you dare speak to me this way?”

As the two quarreled, Ding Li paid them little heed. He was already edging Yu Rou Zhang towards Lu Dachi’s side—after all, from his words, Ding Li was sure that even if Lu Dachi wouldn’t help, at least he wouldn’t turn on them.

“Lu Dachi! You’ll regret this decision!” Cao You could wait no longer. He sheathed his blade, raised his left hand in a signal to his men, and his narrowed eyes gleamed with murder.

“Cao You! How dare you boast here?” A sudden shout rang out from behind Lu Dachi’s men. Torches scattered, revealing the calm, smiling figure of Zhang Mingzhi, hands clasped behind his back. With him were Zhang Wu and the now-awake Aguda, and behind them, an endless stream of Zhang Trading House enforcers poured into the alley.

“You ran quickly before and escaped with your life—yet here you are, returning to throw it away?” Zhang Mingzhi strode to Lu Dachi’s side, giving him a meaningful look before his gaze swept over Ding Li and Yu Rou Zhang, now standing nearby. A gratified smile appeared on his face as he regarded Ding Li, then he turned to face Cao You, his expression frost itself, his laughter cold. “Cao You, I hear Cao Hai has recently died. Perhaps it’s time you considered joining your dear brother below?”