Chapter 157: A Decision Made

Knock knock knock!

A soft knock sounded on the door.

“Master Gu, are you still awake?”

Hearing Han Yong’s voice outside, Gu Ning’an, who had been toying with the newly formed strand of Worldly Qi in his hand, revealed a look of “as expected.”

Earlier, as he was about to sleep, a strand of Worldly Qi belonging to the traveling merchant suddenly appeared.

Through this Worldly Qi, he saw the conversation between the merchant and Han Yong.

Learning that the merchant was deliberately stalling for time, he wasn’t upset. After all, this was human nature, and he could understand it.

What surprised him, however, was that this exchange between the merchant and Han Yong had unexpectedly gifted him a strand of Worldly Qi…

With a face full of worry, Han Yong stepped into the room, smiling awkwardly as he said, “It’s late. I hope I’m not disturbing your rest, Sir?”

“I’m not asleep yet.” Gu Ning’an replied, pouring two cups of tea with a smile. “Have some tea.”

“Oh, thank you, Sir.” Han Yong, a bit uneasy, quickly sat down and held the tea cup in his hands. After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke. “Master Gu, we’ve actually sold most of the furs and leather today. At most, we only need half a day to sell the rest.”

“That scoundrel Old Fan deliberately said it would take three days just to buy me some time. I hope you won’t blame him for it…”

“It’s all my fault for being indecisive. I apologize to you on his behalf!”

As he spoke, Han Yong stood up, preparing to bow deeply.

Seeing this, Gu Ning’an raised his hand to press him back into his seat. “No need to bow for everything. A day or two doesn’t make a difference, so there’s no need to apologize.”

“Sigh…” Han Yong gave an embarrassed smile, pursed his lips, and then pulled out a folded piece of rice paper from his chest, handing it to Gu Ning’an. “Sir, these are my younger brother’s birth characters. Could I trouble you to read them?”

Taking the paper, Gu Ning’an unfolded it and nodded. “So, you’ve made up your mind?”

“I have. No matter if my younger brother is dead or alive, I need to know the truth.”

“I don’t want to cling to some vague hope anymore.”

Looking at the hastily written characters on the paper, Gu Ning’an formed a hand seal and began calculating.

Across from him, Han Yong clenched his fists nervously, resisting the urge to run out of the room. Taking deep breaths, he tried to steady his emotions.

“Your younger brother passed away three years ago, succumbing to a severe illness…”

Hearing this, Han Yong’s chest heaved violently. Like a drowning man, he gasped for air, his energy visibly draining from him.

Gu Ning’an consoled him, “Fate is unpredictable. My condolences…”

“Ah… ah…” With his head hanging low, Han Yong’s large tears dripped steadily from his eyes, soaking the front of his shirt in no time.

After an unknown amount of time, Han Yong, pale-faced and hollow-eyed, opened his mouth. A hoarse voice escaped his throat. “Sir… can you locate his body?”

“I can… wait…” Gu Ning’an’s eyes lit up, his tone lifting slightly. “Based on your younger brother’s birth characters, he has a child.”

“What? A child?”

“My nephew! Where is he? Is he alright?”

“Right, and what about my sister-in-law? Is she doing well?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Han Yong stood up, leaning on the table with both hands, eager for good news.

“Your sister-in-law has also passed away… but your nephew is still alive.” Gu Ning’an had barely finished speaking when—

Tears streaming down his face, Han Yong immediately dropped to his knees in front of Gu Ning’an. “Sir, please help me find my nephew’s whereabouts!”

“With both parents gone, this child’s life must be so difficult!”

Gu Ning’an let out a sigh. “Get up already. Haven’t I told you before? I don’t like being bowed to.”

Hearing this, Han Yong quickly muttered several apologies and sat back down, waiting anxiously for Gu Ning’an’s response.

Continuing his calculations, Gu Ning’an’s lips curled into a faint smile after a few breaths. “Fate truly works in mysterious ways!”

“What do you mean by that, sir?”

“Your nephew is currently in Shouzhou County. In fact, I saw him today with Mu Sheng!”

“What?! Sir, where is he?”

“Calm down and let me explain.”

One incense stick’s time later…

“Yes, yes, yes! My younger brother always loved singing as a child. If his son enjoys singing too, that makes perfect sense!”

Han Yong, visibly excited, paced back and forth in the room. “I’ll bring him back to live with me… find him a wife… continue the Han family line…”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an smiled. “These matters can wait until after you reunite. Go get some rest now. We’ll head out together tomorrow.”

“Alright! Alright! Alright!” Han Yong nodded vigorously. His body trembling with joy, he was just about to bow in gratitude when he stopped himself and switched to cupping his hands instead. “Thank you, Sir. Rest well, I’ll head back and make preparations!”

Gu Ning’an waved him off. “Go on.”

…

At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight lit up the sky, the traveling merchant, still sound asleep, turned over and suddenly bumped into something. Letting out a groggy grunt, he cracked his eyes open.

Han Yong’s rough, weathered face was inches away, staring at him with a “strange” smile. “You’re awake?”

“Ahhhhhh!”

With a startled scream, the merchant shot up like a spring. His hair stood on end as he kicked Han Yong, who had been sitting by the bedside, and cursed loudly, “Han Yong! Have you lost your damn mind?! Sitting by my bed and smiling like that—what are you smiling at, your mother?!”

Even after being kicked, Han Yong wasn’t upset. He spun around in place, showing off his outfit. “Old Fan, tell me, how does this look?”

Only then did the merchant notice Han Yong’s attire. Normally dressed as sloppily as could be, today he was wearing silk robes.

This wasn’t just any outfit—it was the one Han Yong had spent a small fortune on during their trip to the desert, planning to wear it at his younger brother’s wedding if he ever found him.

Even more shocking, Han Yong had trimmed his beard and eyebrows. His hair, now neatly tied up, covered the gray at his temples with carefully combed black strands.

“Not bad. Did you find news about your brother?”

“How is he?” The merchant, quick to catch on, immediately asked.

Han Yong exhaled deeply. “He passed away… from illness…”

Passed away, and you dressed up for this?!

The merchant’s mouth twitched. After a long moment of silence, he finally managed to say, “My condolences.”

“Oh, right!” Han Yong suddenly clapped his hands and looked at the merchant with urgency. “We bought some premium rouge earlier, didn’t we? Where did we put it? I can’t seem to find it!”

Oh no… hearing the bad news has driven him mad!

The merchant put on his shoes and stood up, his expression stiff as he forced a smile. “Rouge? Why do you need rouge? Men don’t use that stuff…”

“Nonsense!” Han Yong glared at him, his voice sharp. “Who says men can’t use it?”

He’s lost it… he’s completely lost it…

The merchant raised his hands in a placating gesture and edged toward the door, smiling nervously. “Haha… I was just joking! Of course, men can use it. It’ll make your face look even better… I’ll go find it for you… I’ll go right now…”

Bang!

The door to the guest room swung open with a crash!

The merchant, his shoes still half-on, bolted out of the room. As he ran, he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Master Gu! Han Yong has lost his mind! Come quick and take a look!”