Chapter Thirty-Seven: Master Zhang Is Attacked

According to Zhang Wu, it would be more accurate to say Ding Li joined him not for discussion, but for a free meal and drink. By the end of the feast, not a scrap of meat remained on the plates, and Ding Li had polished off three jars of the finest wine. Zhang Wu and Saiyijade, who accompanied him, were no less enthusiastic, the three of them drinking as if they could never have enough in the company of kindred spirits. The banquet stretched for more than two hours, and by the time they parted ways, the first pale light was already streaking the horizon.

Zhang Wu, drunk and reluctant to let Ding Li go, clung to him, repeating his words several times. With arms around each other's shoulders, they stood outside the door for a quarter of an hour before Zhang Wu finally agreed to let Ding Li and Saiyijade leave. Staggering, Zhang Wu leaned against the doorframe, grinning as he watched Ding Li’s departing figure, so absorbed that he didn’t notice the hurried footsteps approaching from behind. It was only the urgent shout that startled him awake: “Brother Wu! Something terrible has happened! Second Master, Second Master has had an accident at Fuxu Harbor!”

The shock wasn’t limited to Zhang Wu; even Ding Li and Saiyijade, who had walked some distance away, were jolted alert, most of their drunkenness evaporating instantly as they turned and hurried back.

“What? Second Master’s in trouble? At Fuxu Harbor?” Zhang Wu was clearly tipsy. He heard the words, but his mind was slow to catch up. Still, his body moved, his steps now steady, a cold sweat forming on his brow, his face anxious as he gripped the messenger’s arms and pressed urgently, his speech slurred: “Tell me! Quickly! What happened? What’s wrong with Second Master?”

“Yes, Brother Wu!” Zhang Wu finally focused on the messenger, who was drenched in sweat. He recognized him as one of those who had accompanied Zhang Mingzhi to Fuxu Harbor a month ago. The man freed himself from Zhang Wu’s grip, wiped his grimy face, glanced at Ding Li who had arrived, nodded, and explained: “Brother Li, you’re here too! Yesterday at noon, Second Master was dining at a restaurant in Fuxu Town when he was ambushed by the Cao clan!”

“What? The Cao clan?” Hearing that their master had been attacked, Zhang Wu was struck as if by lightning, his remaining drunkenness vanishing. He was about to erupt in anger, but Ding Li restrained him, and feeling Ding Li’s strength, Zhang Wu forced himself to suppress his fury and pressed the messenger urgently: “Is Second Master hurt? How is he now? You were supposed to accompany him—what were you doing? And how do you know it was the Cao clan?”

“Well, Brother Wu, Second Master didn’t want us following him closely. He was upstairs, and we were all stationed downstairs…” The messenger looked aggrieved at Zhang Wu, then cast a complex glance at Ding Li, and continued dejectedly: “But no matter what, it was indeed our oversight! As for the attackers, the leader was Cao You of the Cao clan! When they withdrew, we saw Cao Hai’s men waiting outside to assist them! Second Master was outnumbered and received two knife wounds, but his life is not in danger.”

“Cao You, Cao Hai? So soon?” Zhang Wu frowned deeply, then glanced at Ding Li, clearly uncertain. He shook his head to dismiss his own doubts and began to analyze in a low voice: “Brother Li, Second Master’s attack likely has nothing to do with last night’s events. But one thing is clear: the Cao clan came prepared!”

“Not only that—there’s a traitor close to Young Master.” Ding Li’s reaction was far calmer than Zhang Wu’s. He shook his head slightly, but his expression was resolute as he spoke, dropping a bombshell in Zhang Wu and the messenger’s ears.

“That’s impossible! How could anyone close to Second Master be a traitor? Those men have followed him for years, they would never betray him!” Zhang Wu shook his head without thinking, more out of refusal to accept Ding Li’s suspicion than reason. After all, few can accept the reality of betrayal by their own people.

Judging from the circumstances, Cao You and Cao Hai were not only prepared—they were fully equipped for the ambush. Ding Li saw through Zhang Wu’s thoughts but had to spell it out. He pondered for a moment and analyzed quietly: “Second Master was simply going out for a meal. If Cao You and Cao Hai hadn’t received advance notice, they couldn’t possibly have been so well prepared. Brother Wu, I know you don’t want to believe there’s a traitor close to Second Master. I don’t want to believe it either, but given the facts, there’s no other explanation.”

“Brother Li, I need to go to Fuxu Harbor!” Zhang Wu clearly didn’t want to dwell on the issue of traitors and changed the topic abruptly. He glanced at the messenger, his tone becoming much colder: “Second Master’s safety is paramount. I must go personally to bring him back or I won’t be at ease!”

Though his words were aimed at the messenger, the man knew he had indeed failed in his duties, and compared to Zhang Wu’s status, he could not object to the reprimand. He nodded meekly and stepped aside.

“Understood, Brother Wu. I’ll go with you, we’ll set out immediately!” Ding Li nodded, understanding, and patted Zhang Wu’s shoulder. As Zhang Wu seemed about to object, Ding Li gave him no chance, explaining firmly: “Brother Wu, Young Master is in trouble—I must go. Besides, now that this has happened, the Cao Commerce Association will surely make further moves. We’ll need to watch each other’s backs along the way.”

“But, Brother Li, what about the Nanhai Gang?” Zhang Wu knew Ding Li’s analysis was correct, but worried Cao clan might use the opportunity to strike at the Nanhai Gang, and hesitated.

“Saiyi, I’ll leave the Nanhai Gang in your hands for now. Is that alright?” Ding Li turned to Saiyijade, his expression grave.

“No problem! Brother Li, Brother Wu, you two go and bring Young Master back. With me here, nothing will happen to the Nanhai Gang!” Saiyijade would have liked to go with them, but he knew the Nanhai Gang could not be left without leadership at such a critical time. If the Cao clan seized the chance, the fledgling Nanhai Gang could be swept away like leaves in a storm.

“Brother Saiyi, are you sure you can hold the fort?” Zhang Wu was somewhat doubtful of Ding Li’s decision and Saiyijade’s abilities, but his tone was respectful, without any trace of contempt.

“Don’t worry, brothers! As long as I’m here, the Nanhai Gang stands!” Saiyijade was a little displeased but understood Zhang Wu’s concern. He thumped his chest, saluted with a heavy fist, and said solemnly: “The family has its rules, the gang has its codes. If I fail, Brother Li and Brother Wu may deal with me by those rules, and I will not utter a word of complaint!”

“Alright, don’t take it so seriously!” Ding Li patted him, but was just as serious in his instructions: “Saiyi, remember—don’t act impulsively. Brother Wu and I should be back in two days, three at most. Avoid conflict with the Cao clan’s forces if possible. Endure if you must.”

“Brother Li, what if they go too far and we can’t endure?” Saiyijade was dissatisfied with Ding Li’s order to take blows without fighting back, and protested.

“If you can’t endure, you must endure!” Ding Li frowned, his tone brooking no argument. After a pause, his voice turned icy: “If they dare go too far, when Brother Wu and I return, we’ll sweep them off the docks!”

“Alright! With Brother Li’s word, I can endure anything! Let them be arrogant for a few days!” Saiyijade was satisfied now. He looked around and said to Ding Li and Zhang Wu, “I’ll have the brothers prepare. You two get ready as well—we can depart anytime!”

“Alright! These two days will be tough!” Ding Li nodded, smiling and waved him off. Just as Ding Li was about to leave, Zhang Wu called after Saiyijade: “Saiyi…”

“Hmm?” Saiyijade paused, turning back, his brow furrowing as he asked, “Brother Wu? Anything else?”

“No, nothing!” Zhang Wu shook his head, opened his mouth, then stepped up to Saiyijade, clapped his shoulder heavily, and said gravely: “Brother, last night’s events were my fault. Don’t take it to heart. I’m entrusting the household to you these days. Extraordinary times call for hardship. Take care!”

“Brother Wu, saying that makes you seem like a stranger! Are you saying I’m not one of your own?” Saiyijade shot Zhang Wu a glare and shoved him, grinning. He looked up at the sky and feigned ignorance as he countered: “Brother Wu, did anything happen last night? I only remember drinking. If anything else happened, I don’t recall—surely your heart isn’t that small?”

“Hahaha! You rascal!” Zhang Wu, amused, shook his head and pulled Saiyijade in for a rough embrace, then once again gave him earnest advice: “Good brother, remember: in extraordinary times, take care! Whatever happens, think it through before acting!”

“Don’t worry, Brother Wu! You and Brother Li be careful on your journey!” Saiyijade smiled, touched, but was embarrassed by Zhang Wu’s sudden sentimentality. He scratched his head and slipped free, waving without looking back, calling out, “I’ll get the brothers ready! You hurry up too!”

“Heh…” Watching Saiyijade’s antics, Zhang Wu smiled again, turned to Ding Li, and asked, “Brother Li, do we need anything else?”

“Weapons. Good weapons.” Ding Li replied simply, and the two exchanged smiles. Zhang Wu gestured to the side and led the way toward the Zhang estate’s armory: “Come! Whatever you need, we’ve got it. Let’s see if anything impresses you, Brother Li!”