Martial King's Retired Life

“Yeah.” Bu’s tone made it sound as if Li Zizi asked a stupid question.

“No wonder why you’re being chased. Also, did you mention Feng Jiutian?”

“Yeah. I stole from him. Why? You think I’m a thief and don’t want to be associated with me. Am I right? Go on your way, then. I don’t need your care even if I die.”

Feng Jiutian was Li Zizi’s cousin. How could Li Zizi not frown when his friend and cousin were enemies?

“Drop the nonsense. You should return what you stole. The fact that he’s hired formidable assassins proves that it’s important to him. Return what you stole.”

Bu pulled a zany face. “Why should I? The more upset he gets, the happier I get. If you speak up for him, you’re wronging me, so why would I return it? Kill me if you can.”

Bu couldn’t be reasoned with when he wanted to reason. When he refused to reason, he rejected all reason. Zizi knew better than to try arguing with a wall, so he conveyed with a smile, “Who are you talking to? You know I dislike violence more than anything. Besides, when did I ever say I was siding with him? I’m worried for your safety. How about this: you return his belonging. Should he refuse to let it go, I’ll speak to him. Surely he would consider it water under the bridge on my account.”

Bu couldn’t find it in him to continuing being angry when his friend spoke so cordially and backed him in every sentence. Smiling once again, he pinched Li Zizi’s face, rubbed it and then kneaded it. “You friends with Feng Jiutian? Why would he let it go just because you speak up? Your face nicer to the hands than others or something?”

Li Zizi removed Bu’s face from his hands, and then they engaged in a friendly hand wrestling match. As Li Zizi hadn’t learnt much in that department, he paid particular attention to his proficient friend to learn. Instead of laying on the pressure as usual, Bu entertained Li Zizi for a dozen exchanges before abruptly stopping.

“Zi, do you really not want me stealing from him?”

“Not just him, but everyone else, too. If you steal, people will consider you a thief and curse you. What happens to you if they want me to join in on cursing and capturing you?”

“You think I’m scared of them? The only thing I’m scared of is that they’re too chicken to come for me.” Bu wore back on his usual stubborn and confident visage.

“Even if they don’t arrest you, I’d be uncomfortable if I heard people criticising you.”

Looking hesitant again, Bu asked in a low voice, “What would you do if you heard them?”

“Well, I’ll have to at least give them a beating.”

“If I’m captured?”

“I’ll go to your rescue, of course.”

Bu flapped his eyelids a few times before he beamed again, grabbed Li Zizi’s hand and enthused, “Really? You would come to my rescue?”

“Of course. With that said…”

“What?” Bu’s smile became stiff. “You got cold feet?”

“No. I was trying to say that, if you’re in the wrong, I can’t righteously stand up for you. I’ll have to fight with one hand covering my face when I go to your rescue. That will inconvenience me.”

Bu’s mood changed for the better right away. “Just inconvenience you? Rescuing someone with just one hand is just asking to be killed. Since you’re nice to me, I’ll reciprocate the favour. I won’t let anyone kill you.”

Bu got up and declared, “I don’t need it anymore. I’ll return it.”

Li Zizi jumped to his feet in joy. “Okay! I’ll go with you.”

“When did I say I was returning it today? He at least needs to track me down so that I can personally return it to him. I only said I’d return it, not that I’d return it for free.” Noticing Li Zizi staring at him, Bu swiped his nose again. “I went through so much to steal it, so I deserve to have some fun with it for a few days. Besides, are we just going to stop tailing your second brother? If you won’t let me have my fun, what am I supposed to do?”

Li Zizi scratched the back of his head. “We don’t know where my second brother has gone, though.”

“Hehe, finding someone is simple. However, you better think it through before you decide to continue tailing him because we don’t know how long it’ll take. Plus, I still have assassins on me. Night Sparrow aren’t pushovers.”

“I know them. They’re Yingfeng’s subordinates. Black Sparrow didn’t seem to be among the six of them.”

“If he was there, we wouldn’t have escaped so easily. Black Sparrow specialises in tailing and assassination, and he almost exclusively carries out dirty work for the imperial court. His subordinates also specialise in the same fields. Since Feng Jiutian has hired his crew, we can’t be careless. You mentally ready? We might be gone for a few days once we go.”

Li Zizi had gotten used to leaving Liu Shan Men daily as of late, but he never stayed out overnight. Therefore, he was hesitant upon hearing he’d have to be out for days. However, his father wanted to test him in the world outside the walls, and he didn’t want to leave his friend. Bu never stayed in one spot for long, while he himself was a Prince, so who could’ve known for sure how long their friendship could’ve lasted. Hence, every day together was a gift. It was Li Zizi’s first time experiencing these emotions. Although Bu looked indifferent to Li Zizi’s choice, there was a tinge of anticipation in his eyes.

“It’s fine. I’m usually out and about. It’s just a few days; should be fine.”

Bu clapped. “That’s more like it. We’ve barely had any time to catch up. Why go separate ways so soon?” Once he realised what he implied, Bu corrected, “I don’t care if we go our separate ways, though.” Worried that his friend would be upset about that, he subsequently asked, “Because you’ll still be back even if you leave today, right?”

Li Zizi deployed a firm nod and smile. “Of course!”

Bu cleared his throat. “Be it main streets or alleys, neither is safe anymore now that I’ve ran into Black Sparrow. I’ll show you a way to sneak out of the city.”

“We’re leaving the city?”

“What else? Where do you think your second brother went? Didn’t you hear his conversation with the criminal leaders? He arranged a meeting with them outside the city to kill someone called Ming Feizhen.”

“What?”

Bu jolted at the sudden loud voice. “Don’t tell me you’re against them killing, too.”

“Of course I am! Ming Feizhen is my shifu!”

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