The weather was fine and the sun shone brightly.
Outside the eastern gate of Luoyang, the Divine Capital, on the canal dock in the suburbs, several hundred operatives from the West Factory stood upright, bearing dragon flags and clutching their waist knives, sealing off the entire dock.
The head handler from the West Factory, Cao Ying, paced anxiously back and forth on the dock, ceaselessly scolding the operatives on guard.
"Come on, straighten up those backs, if anyone dares to embarrass us in public, watch out for your hide!"
"You, you, you... talking to you, why are your legs shaking? Are you tired? Do you want me to carry it for you?"
"Are you hot? Would you like me to invite you to cool off in the river?"
Already extremely tense, the West Factory operatives became even more nervous as they were indiscriminately berated, their hands bearing flags and grasping knives now slick with sweat, yet they dared not move a muscle...
Wei Heng stood with his hands clasped behind him at the very front of the drawbridge, he remained rather calm but continuously glanced up at the sun.
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"Director General!"
After making several rounds, Cao Ying bent over to return beside Wei Heng, wiping the sweat from his forehead he whispered a complaint, "Should we make another trip to the Northern Town Prefectural Commissioner’s office? Even if we can’t pull Shen Fa out, at least we can get some associates to share in the beating. Why should we men take the fall for the mess those Embroidered Guards caused?"
Hearing this idiot’s mumblings, Wei Heng’s fists nearly clenched in frustration.
Share in the beating?
Do you think just anyone is entitled to take a beating from that little bastard?
For Shen Fa, it’s a beating; for others, it’s a death sentence!
Their deaths are a minor matter!
The blood getting on us is the major issue...
Although Cao Ying wasn’t the brightest, he did have good observational skills. Noticing that his superior’s fists were clenched, he very perceptively shut his mouth.
"Report..."
Timely, a horse rider kicked up a trail of dust as he galloped from the east and dashed into the dock. Dismounting, he knelt on one knee and reported, "Reporting to the Director General, Lord Yang Erlang’s boat has arrived, less than ten miles away."
"Ten miles?"
Wei Heng could no longer keep his composure and waved his hand, commanding, "Go, gather the trackers, welcome Lord Yang into the capital!"
After a pause, he stepped forward and slapped the kneeling messenger’s cap askew, loudly scolding, "You fool, Lord Yang Erlang is not for you to address so casually! Address him as Lord Yang!"
The messenger, flustered and hastily adjusting his cap, said in a panic, "This subordinate acknowledges his mistake!"
Behind him, Cao Ying, like ants on a hot pan, hurriedly conveyed the order...
Soon, all operatives of the West Factory saw a huge fleet of ships bearing dark, gloomy sails slowly approaching; the oppressive, heavy atmosphere made them all involuntarily swallow several mouthfuls of saliva.
Wei Heng, with hands clasped behind his back, paced back and forth on the drawbridge, his aged face shifting expressions as he practiced smiling.
After several rounds, he suddenly scowled towards Cao Ying who was not far away, "Why are your legs shaking?"
Taken aback, Cao Ying exclaimed, "Ah," and was about to respond that he wasn’t shaking, but as he looked down, he discovered his right leg was trembling like a willow branch.
Unable to help it, he bowed his head as sweat poured down, "This subordinate..."
Wei Heng snorted, "Hmph!"
Turning his head, he watched as the approaching fleet of ships made its way up to the dock and waved both hands towards all the West Factory operatives.
All operatives of the West Factory enthusiastically shouted, "Lord Yang, welcome home..."
In an instant, gongs and drums rang out, firecrackers roared.
The lively atmosphere diluted the heavy air hovering over the dock, and all the West Factory operatives seemed to relax, taking deep breaths of relief.
Amid the shouting, Yang Ge, his face half covered by a mask, dressed in ordinary hemp clothes with the Cold Moon Blade on his back, slowly walked out of the ship’s cabin to the bow, looking down expressionlessly at the bustling scene on the dock.
Facing his gaze, the noisy scene at the dock quickly quieted down, and all the West Factory operatives unconsciously lowered their heads, none daring to meet his eyes.
Even the smile on Wei Heng’s face, which had just become a bit more natural, stiffened again...
At this moment, every second seemed extraordinarily long and excruciating.
After what seemed like an eternity, Yang Ge finally said with a light smile, "Wei, how have you been? Where is Shen Fa?"
Wei Heng suddenly snapped back to reality, his smile then becoming much more natural and warm. He laughed and clasped his hands together, "Lord Yang, may you be well. Today, the emperor informed me of your triumphant return to the capital and specially commanded me to greet you... As for Lord Shen, he is tied up with official duties today and could not come to meet you. He has specially entrusted me to invite you to the Northern Town Prefectural Commissioner’s office after your duties are done; he will welcome you with open arms!"
"You two... really are good brothers who love each other as much as you fight!"
Yang Ge said softly, smiling, and then without turning his head, he casually pointed at the fleet of ships behind him and stated, "The goods are all here, unload and tally them yourself; we shall catch up later."
Seeing this, Wei Heng immediately gestured, "Don’t rush, I have already commanded someone to prepare a welcoming banquet for you. It’s not just about going to see... not just about catching up with Shen, we should eat well and drink well first, right?"
If we don’t eat well, how will we have the strength to fight?
Moreover, such a joyful occasion, how could we not witness it with our own eyes?
Yang Ge did not reply, but simply waved his hand and leaped several meters high, a trail of golden brilliant blade energy sweeping toward Luoyang, close at hand.
Wei Heng gazed at the brilliant blade energy, the words of retention unspoken vanished down his throat, silently bellowing for a while before suddenly slapping his thigh, "Disaster!"