Volume 2 Chapter 4: Magical Hands Changing Appearance
At this time, a pair of people who looked like a master and a servant came from afar outside the city gate. The one in front was dressed like a wealthy businessman, with a very bloated figure. He kept wiping the sweat off his face with a handkerchief, and his eye circles were slightly dark. The servant behind him had a dark face, and was dusty and sweaty. There were black lines on his face, which was very funny . He was carrying a load on his shoulders, both ends were heavy, and he had to free up one hand to lead two horses. The horses were also carrying luggage, which looked very heavy, obviously cargo or something like that.
The two men entered the city and stood at the gate for a while to catch their breath before continuing to walk forward. They saw an extremely old beggar chasing them a few steps, grabbing the servant's trouser leg and shouting, "Master, please have mercy on me and give me some money!"
The servant's trousers were pulled, and he was already carrying a heavy load, so he stumbled forward a few steps and fell to the ground. Both horses neighed loudly, and the two boxes on their shoulders rolled to the ground. The rich businessman walking in front hurriedly turned around, kicked and scolded, "What's wrong with you? You can't even carry a box steadily?"
The servant stood up timidly and was about to point at the old beggar, but the rich businessman was very impatient and threw two or three copper coins on the ground and said, "Hurry up, hurry up, I've been walking for half a day and I'm so tired. Let's find a place to stay!"
The servant was scolded and glared at the beggar fiercely. He bent down to pick up the box, put it on his shoulder again, and followed unsteadily.
The old beggar picked up a few copper coins and walked back to the city gate wall, still staggering. He shook his head at everyone. These disciples immediately showed disappointment on their faces and continued to turn their heads to stare at the city gate.
Time passed quickly, and by evening, the faces of the people entering the city could no longer be seen clearly. A disciple of the Beggars' Sect walked up to the old beggar, bowed, handed him a short stick, and said respectfully, "It's too late, I will just guard here."
The old beggar took it with a frown, sighed and said, "Well, you guys step up your patrol." After that, he clamped the stick under his ribs and was about to leave the city gate when he heard a quarrel at the door. It turned out to be a peddler who was in a hurry to enter the city, and the city guard refused to let him in because it was closing time.
The old beggar saw the peddler panting and arguing with the city guards intermittently. A thought flashed through his mind and he shouted "Oh no, no!" All the Beggar Gang disciples were stunned and stood up and looked at him. He paused and said, "I am really old and confused. I tried it myself but let them go!" Seeing that the disciples were still standing there, he asked anxiously, "What are you doing here? Why don't you go and look for them?"
A disciple daringly asked, "Elder Qi, who do you want us to look for?"
Elder Qi said angrily, "Idiot! The two merchants who passed by at noon were Master Lin from the Kuangyi Gang and that bastard!"
The disciples were reprimanded, but they were not convinced in their hearts: "Since you called us stupid, why didn't you see it at the time?" But they asked one after another: "How did Elder Qi see through it?"
Elder Qi said, "I tried to pull the servant's trousers myself, but he fell to the ground. He looked like a man without martial arts skills. Then I saw that their boxes were heavy, so I didn't suspect anything. I haven't seen Master Lin in person, but I have seen Lei Kan. The two men don't look alike in appearance or figure."
A disciple said, "If they were really the young master of the Kuangyi Gang and the traitor Lei Kan, how could they dare to enter the city gate in such a grand manner? Moreover, I saw that they entered the city but did not rush in. Instead, they rested for a while at the gate."
Elder Qi nodded and said, "Yes, this is how bold they are! If I hadn't seen the peddler just now, I would not have noticed anything unusual. They came from a long way, and although people can pretend to be tired, horses cannot. When the servant fell, both horses neighed loudly, but the sound was from their noses. The boxes on the horses' backs are so heavy, but they don't show any signs of fatigue. Isn't it strange?"
Another disciple asked, "Elder, how do you know that they didn't rest for a while before moving on?"
Elder Qi said impatiently, "Why are you all so stupid? Let me ask you, if you could walk a short distance and find an inn to rest in the city, why would you waste time outside the city?"
The disciples nodded suddenly, and Elder Qi pointed at two people and said, "You go to the branch to report the news. Be sure to describe the appearance of those two people clearly. The rest of you go around and ask around for inns!"
Everyone nodded and ran away quickly. However, Elder Qi felt that he had been greatly fooled. He was still angry and jumped onto the city wall on tiptoe. He looked around and ran towards the west gate along the city wall.
The two merchants were Lin Jianlan and Lei Kan. On that day in Baiyun Temple, Duanmuer taught Lin Jianlan many disguise techniques, so he dressed up and deceived the beggars at the city gate. The streets were crowded with people and it was impossible to walk fast, so the two walked straight forward. When it was time to light the lamps, they reached the west gate and found an inn closest to the city gate to stay. Because the inn was close to the city gate, it was very remote and the business was very average. There was only one shopkeeper busy inside and outside.
The two of them ate something in a hurry and took off their disguises in the room. They remembered that except for the city gate, they could see Beggar Gang disciples scattered everywhere along the way. At every other street corner, there were two or three disciples strolling around, and they all had solemn expressions under the dim light.
But then he heard the door creak, and the innkeeper came in with a teapot and said, "Please have some tea, both of you!" He looked up and saw that the fat merchant and the servant in the room had turned into a sturdy man and a young pale-faced scholar. He was not too surprised, as Luoyang is located on a major transportation route with many connections. He had seen all kinds of people coming and going in this inn, and he knew very well that trouble comes from the mouth, so he did not ask too many questions.
Lin Jianlan said, "Boss, I heard that your Dongdu is very prosperous, why are there beggars everywhere when I get here today?"
The shopkeeper made a "hush" sound and said, "Those are not ordinary beggars. They are disciples of the Beggars' Sect. There are suddenly many more of them in the city. I'm afraid I can't even count them. They are running around the city gates and the streets every day. I'm afraid they have been there for more than 20 days!"
Lin Jianlan remained calm and looked at Lei Kan, his heart aching. Counting the days, it has been about twenty days since Lei Kan left Chang'an. It turned out that something big happened in the Beggar Gang at that time, and they mobilized people to search for Lei Kan everywhere.
The shopkeeper put down the teapot and wiped the table casually, but then he heard Lin Jianlan say, "Shopkeeper, do you want to make a fortune?"
The shopkeeper was about to leave, but when he heard the word "windfall", he turned around and said with a flattering smile, " What can I do for you, sirs?"
Lin Jianlan smiled and threw the silk clothes that he had just changed from the bed to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper quickly took them in his hands. Lin Jianlan said, "The two horses and the goods on them that we brought are also given to you!"
A good horse could be sold for more than ten taels of silver. The shopkeeper smiled and said, "I must have met the God of Wealth today. What can I do for you?"
Lin Jianlan said: "When you leave our door, immediately take the two horses to your father-in-law's house. If someone asks you if you have seen anyone dressed like us just now, you must not reveal it, otherwise..."
The shopkeeper nodded rapidly and said, "I know, I know! How could I be so rude?" Then he bowed and walked out.
Lei Kanfang smiled bitterly and said, "The old beggar at the city gate is Elder Qi of Qi Fan. It seems that I have made a terrible mistake. Elder Qi actually came to Luoyang to intercept me."
Lin Jianlan said, "Since the Beggars' Sect is trying every means to conceal it, then we have to rely on ourselves. Although we have been running around for days, we really have no time to rest. We still need to get information tonight. If there is any change, try not to conflict with your sect. Leave from the west gate immediately. I have already inquired. There is a mountain valley more than ten miles away from the official road outside the city. We will meet there and head straight to Chang'an." He paused and said, "I will go to your sect's branch alone tonight. Brother Lei does not have to go with me. I am afraid that not many low-level disciples of the Beggars' Sect know you. It is a good opportunity to inquire from them and perhaps we will gain something."
After experiencing the snake-catching battle in Hangzhou, Lei Kan knew that although Lin Jianlan was young, his martial arts attainments were much higher than his own. At this moment, most of the masters of the Beggars' Sect must have gathered in the Luoyang branch. His martial arts were low, and if he went with Lin Jianlan, he would be a burden to him. Seeing Lin Jianlan speak clearly about this, he felt relieved and nodded, "Mr. Lin, this is a good arrangement." After that, he changed into dark clothes and walked out.
Lin Jianlan knew that not many people in the Beggars' Gang would recognize him, so he did not change his clothes. The Beggars' Gang branch in Luoyang was quite large, and after asking a few vendors who had not yet closed their stalls in the city, he knew that it was the place where beggars gathered all year round. As he was walking along the road, he saw three or two Beggars' Gang disciples standing in front of an inn and asking questions. Lin Jianlan suddenly jumped onto the roof of a nearby house and ran towards the branch.
The branch was located in a remote area in the southwest of Luoyang City. It was already extremely dilapidated. Because the Beggars' Gang had been there all year round, officials and civilians did not dare to approach it easily. It became even more desolate and dilapidated over the years, with broken wells and dilapidated walls, bricks and tiles scattered all over the ground, and overgrown weeds.
Lin Jianlan held his breath and stood on a big tree. He hid his body and looked down, only to see disciples patrolling everywhere below, very alert. There were many candles burning inside, and the shadows of people were looming, so it was not easy to see clearly. At this time, a gust of night wind blew by, and the shadows of the trees around swayed, mixed with the sound of wind blowing branches and leaves. When the wind stopped, Lin Jianlan had jumped onto a tree very close to the center.
The voices below could be heard clearly. A tall and handsome man in the middle said, "From what Elder Qi reported, my guess is correct. They must enter Chang'an through Luoyang." The voice was very gentle, but faintly chilly. He sounded young. Lin Jianlan looked at him intently and was surprised. The man was holding a nine-bell staff! Lin Longqing vaguely remembered that several elders of the Beggars' Sect were all very old and highly respected in the Beggars' Sect. Unless someone died, they could choose a suitable person to fill his position. But this young man became an elder of the Beggars' Sect without knowing when.
Another person next to him said, "Elder Qi guessed that in order to leave Luoyang quickly, they would definitely look for an inn near the west gate to stay in, and he has already gone to inquire."
The man nodded slightly and said, "It would be best if we could capture the rebel in one fell swoop. If not, we will have to kill him on the spot and cut off his head for sacrifice! Alas, it's a pity that my martial arts skills are low, so I will have to trouble you all to take care of these bloody matters."
When Lin Jianlan heard the word "commemorate", it was like a thunderbolt. Looking down, he noticed that everyone below had a thin white silk tied around their foreheads. The candles they were burning were not the colorful candles that were usually put together, but all white candles. He leaned in and saw an extremely simple altar. The huge word "commemorate" was very eye-catching. Lin Jianlan almost fell down! He remembered that when he was at the city gate today, Elder Qi pretended to be an old beggar to test him. Although his clothes were patched with complicated patches, they were all plain colors. The Beggar Gang disciples gathered at the city gate were the same.
If the elders of the Beggars' Sect were all in mourning, Lin Jianlan took a deep breath when he thought of this. He had been trying hard to figure out what had happened to the Beggars' Sect. It turned out that something had happened to the old leader with disheveled hair and beard! He remembered that he had discussed with Uncle Qing and others about watching over and helping. Uncle Qing also privately asked him to find out about his parents. The old man didn't ask much, but just laughed and agreed readily.
Lin Jianlan couldn't help but feel sad. He calmed his mind and thought about the whole thing from beginning to end. He concentrated his mind and said loudly, "Kuang Yi's junior Lin Jianlan greets all the seniors in Luoyang Branch!"
Although the voice was very gentle, it seemed to echo in all directions in the forest. The people below did not panic when they heard it. The young elder raised his lips and said loudly: "I am sure that Master Lin of the Kuangyi Gang will definitely investigate our helm tonight. Master Lin is invisible, please show up!"
The young man looked around, and then turned back, only to see the disciples guarding the outer perimeter nervously surrounding a boy of similar age to himself, who was standing more than ten feet away and looking intently at him. His eyes were naturally curved, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, with a hint of smile. He looked sincere and confident. He hurriedly stepped forward and said with a smile: "I am Tang Zimu. I have heard of Master Lin's great name for a long time. I have long expected that Master Lin, who is so smart, would definitely not take that thief to Chang'an without knowing why."
Lin Jianlan raised his eyebrows and smiled, but thought to himself: "I'm new in the world, how can I have any reputation?" He saw that the young man had a decent look, and although his clothes were shabby, they were very clean, and his hair was neatly combed and tied with a cloth belt. Unlike other Beggar Gang disciples with dirty faces, his face and hands were clean, and he had a unique kind of majestic demeanor.
Tang Zimu saw Lin Jianlan looking at the people behind him, so he turned around and introduced them one by one: "These people are all people of high status in the Beggars' Sect. This is Diao Beidou, the leader of the Luoyang branch, who is also an elder of the sect. This is Chen Xing, the Dharma Protector, and Mu Yongan, the Dharma Protector."
Diao Beidou smiled and said, "I used to be very familiar with Gang Leader Lin. I didn't expect that Gang Leader Lin's descendant is so young and promising. Zhu the Dharma Protector praised you greatly."
Lin Jianlan thought to himself, "Although Zhu the Dharma Protector praised me, you probably hated me for stopping the capture of Lei Kan, yet you still acted so close to me. This Captain Diao is willing to be behind this man. It seems that this Elder Tang is quite important."
