Xiangzi’s Record of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 65: Back on the Mining Route, Meeting Li Gui Again

At the break of dawn, the second-class courtyard of Harmony Rickshaw Yard buzzed with activity.
The sounds of splashing water, chewing on meat buns, and the clatter of rickshaws mingled into a chaotic stew.
After three days of festival rest, the pullers, yawning and listless, were reluctant to return to the grind of the mining route.
But the moment the tall figure with a short spear strode into the yard, silence fell like a blade.
With Jin Fugui and Skinny Monkey gone,
who’d dare challenge Xiangzi’s authority
?
Xiangzi counted heads and barked orders for the men to grab their gear.
Since the last run-in with refugees and bandits, he’d asked Old Tang to secure a batch of long spears. Experience proved that, without firearms, these long weapons were the most reliable.
The team formed up, with Xiangzi and Liu Tang leading the way.
At the gate, they ran into a towering, iron-like figure striding in.
Girl Hu rarely visited the second-class yard. Her dark face bore a smile, but to the pullers, it looked more awkward than a grimace. “Liu Tang, Fourth Master needs you at the front yard to discuss something. The mining route can wait.”
Liu Tang’s brow furrowed. Fourth Master was a stickler for routine—
calling someone last minute was unheard of
.
He gave Xiangzi a few instructions, unstrapped his long saber, and followed Girl Hu.
Xiangzi watched his retreating figure, his own brow creasing slightly.
The Buddha Light Festival was over.
Today, refugees would start flooding into the city.
As the team passed Yongchang Avenue, they glimpsed porridge stalls lined up in the west, sparking excitement. The men chattered about pocketing a few silver dollars to scout for prospects.
New refugees, clueless about city ways, might sell a pretty bride for a single dollar.
Wen San, ever the rogue, shouted loudest, declaring he’d lead the hunt for beauties after the route, claiming first pick.
A lifelong bachelor, he’d been waiting for this day
.
The yard erupted in laughter.
South City’s seven gates opened Guang’an and You’an Gates for refugees, both in the west.
The team took Yongchang Gate in the center, guarded by Master Liu, and the journey was smooth.
At Yongchang Gate, they met Master Liu. Uncle Jie tossed him a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes, and the old friends chatted a bit.
Uncle Jie casually mentioned teaching Xiangzi the first few moves of the Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Spear, shocking Master Liu.
Having known Uncle Jie for over a decade, he understood how much those spear techniques meant to him.
As the team passed, Master Liu took a closer look at Xiangzi, who was guarding the rear. Recent rumors about this big guy had even reached the Police Bureau.
Sleeves tucked, Master Liu chuckled to himself:
Forty-Nine City might just see a new rising star
.
“Ajie, be careful on the mining route. My eyelids have been twitching lately—
something feels off
,” Master Liu said, exhaling a smoke ring.
Uncle Jie laughed. “Left eyelid, huh? If you strike it rich,
don’t forget your old pal
.”
Master Liu scoffed. “A gatekeeping officer like me?
What riches
?”
His voice dropped. “But seriously, watch out. The Police Bureau’s been restless. I’ve heard higher-ups mention the mining route—might be yours.”
Uncle Jie’s face hardened, nodding gravely.
Master Liu, a seasoned bureaucrat, may not have clout, but his nose for trouble was sharp.
Bidding Master Liu farewell, Uncle Jie secured his two short spears and rejoined the team.
After three days of clear skies, today was overcast, with heavy clouds.
The air was sticky, the blowing sand harsh and choking.
“Brothers, pick up the pace! Don’t get caught in the rain,” Xiangzi called from a small hill, scanning the barren landscape.
With Marshal Zhang’s mercy, most refugees had flocked to South City’s gates, leaving only a few scattered, frail figures wandering like walking corpses.
Xiangzi pushed down his unease, feeling a slight relief.
This trip should be smoother
.
At the edge of the Li Family mining area, a stranger approached.
“Harmony Rickshaw Yard, right?” The sallow-faced, short man smiled, holding documents.
“You look unfamiliar. May I have your name?” Xiangzi asked, clasping his fist.
“No worries, call me Liang Hua.”
“Liang, huh? Where’s Chen Fan?”
“Chen Fan’s in the city with the Third Miss for the festival. I’m in charge for now.”
Liang Hua offered Xiangzi a cigarette, all friendliness.
“Nah, not used to those foreign things.” Xiangzi waved it off, pulling out a pack of Daqianmen.
Liang Hua accepted with a smile.
Everything proceeded as usual.
Per routine, two Li Family guards accompanied the team, but Liang Hua insisted on joining, explaining politely, “Just so happens I’m heading back to the mining camp.”
Xiangzi said nothing, but his eyes lingered on the sallow face.
Liang Hua only smiled warmly.
Through dense woods, the grand mining camp came into view.
At the entrance, Li Gui, the overseer, greeted them.
He’d grown even fatter since last time, his small eyes nearly lost in flesh.
Seeing Xiangzi’s group, Li Gui approached eagerly. “Well, if it ain’t the heroes of Harmony Rickshaw Yard! Heard about that business last time—
impressive
!”
Thumbs up, he grinned. “Our Li Family’s master heard too. Says he’s gotta meet you all sometime.”
Li Gui’s “master” was the low-profile Lord Li, rumored to have ties to the Great Shun Dynasty’s royalty years back.
Li Gui’s enthusiasm made Xiangzi warier. Old Tang’s junior brother had hinted Jin Fugui was close to this man.
Li Gui might be tangled with Ma Liu Rickshaw Yard too
.
Xiangzi kept his thoughts hidden, smiling. “We’re just pullers, scraping by under Fourth Master and Old Tang. Can’t live up to your praise.”
Li Gui chuckled, glancing at Xiangzi’s clearance papers and waving them through.
In the bustling mining area, the gate blocked all eyes.
Inside, bare-chested miners stacked ore baskets neatly.
Outside, Harmony’s pullers loaded them onto rickshaws.
But as the team prepared to leave, chaos erupted inside.
Several Li Family guards in tight uniforms rushed out, whispering to Li Gui.
Sweat rolled down Li Gui’s fat face.
He approached Xiangzi, his smile strained. “Sorry, folks, there’s a delay. The camp ed a high-grade beast bone missing. Might’ve been smuggled in an ore basket. We need to check again.”
Xiangzi’s brow furrowed, a sinking feeling in his gut.
A beast bone was serious business.
But why did it have to happen
now
?
He exchanged a glance with Uncle Jie, both seeing the same doubt in each other’s eyes.