Chapter 31: Divine Weapon, Tiger Fang Spear

"Brother Gao, I wish to save this man. Would you do me this favor?" Li Yi said plainly.

Gao Yigong glanced at Sun Kewang. "It's a trifling matter. This man hasn't offended anyone of importance. You may simply take him."

With that, he took out a key, unlocked the chains, and released Sun Kewang.

Overjoyed, Sun Kewang knelt to the ground and knocked his head three times before Li Yi. "Benefactor, your great kindness is beyond my gratitude."

Li Yi nodded and asked, "Do you know Zhang Xianzhong?"

Sun Kewang's face betrayed surprise, but he quickly composed himself and replied with a forced smile, "I don't know him. Is he a friend of yours, benefactor?"

That fleeting expression did not escape Li Yi's notice. Yet he did not press, merely saying, "Just a passing question."

The prison reeked, and the group soon made their way out. Outside, dusk was falling, and the cold wind howled as they returned to Liu Zongmin’s blacksmith shop.

Li Zicheng brought back a jar of wine and some simple dishes, and the group ate and drank together. Once sated, Gao Yigong took his leave.

The rest spent the night by the forge, the warmth warding off the chill.

The next morning, the cries of a charcoal seller drifted in from outside. Li Yi rubbed his eyes, rose, and pushed open the wooden door. A blast of cold wind instantly sobered him.

He looked up to see a charcoal peddler in thin clothes trudging away and sighed inwardly.

Pity the man, his clothes so thin, wishing for cold weather so his cheap charcoal might sell.

Truly, when the world is in turmoil, it is the common folk who suffer.

"Brother Li Yi, didn't you say you lacked a weapon to your liking? What do you think of this spear?" Liu Zongmin approached, somewhat struggling, and handed a long spear to Li Yi.

Li Yi gripped the shaft with his right hand, surprised at its weight.

Stepping outside, he tossed the spear skyward and caught it with a sudden motion.

A roar like a tiger echoed as he thrust the spear's tip forward like a bolt of lightning. Snowflakes scattered into the air, swirling around the spearhead.

"What a domineering spear technique! On the battlefield, I doubt anyone could withstand even a single exchange with you," Liu Zongmin praised loudly.

Though it was but a simple thrust, the aura of unstoppable force left no room for resistance.

Li Yi put away the spear, delighted at heart.

He was born with great strength; ordinary spears always felt too light. But this one’s head was forged from fine steel, the shaft entwined with copper wire—a burden for others, but just right for him.

Turning back, Li Yi beamed. "Brother Liu, where did you get this spear?"

Liu Zongmin sighed. "This spear is called Tiger Fang. It was sold to me by a military household from Suiyuan. He said its former master once rode with it deep into the northern deserts. Sadly, as the hero aged and his descendants proved unworthy, it was pawned to me to pay off gambling debts."

"A shame for such a fine weapon," Li Yi remarked, examining the Tiger Fang spear.

The shaft was roughly eight feet long, the spearhead nine inches, its black blade glimmering with a dusky gold like a short sword. The shaft, made from mulberry and other tough woods, was wrapped in leather and bound with copper wire—a most exquisite piece.

Li Yi reluctantly handed the spear back. "Such a weapon is priceless to a capable warrior. This gift is too generous for me to accept."

Liu Zongmin hurriedly pushed it back. "Brother Li Yi, you saved my life! What is a spear compared to that?"

Li Yi shook his head. "I saved you out of goodwill, not to seek repayment."

Feigning anger, Liu Zongmin protested, "Brother Li Yi, will you not accept it? Do you look down on me?"

At this, Li Zicheng joined them. "Yi, it’s Brother Liu’s heartfelt gift. You should accept it."

After considering, Li Yi relented. "Then I’ll take the spear, but I owe you a hundred taels of silver. If you disagree, I will not accept it."

Liu Zongmin could only agree, and his respect for Li Yi deepened.

Li Yi was overjoyed to have found a perfect weapon—Tiger Fang would be his companion in battles to come.

He caressed the spear, unable to resist practicing his technique in the snow until sweat poured down his back.

When he finally stopped, Li Zicheng had already cooked a pot of hot porridge, and they shared the meal.

As Li Yi entered, Sun Kewang bowed and said, "Benefactor, I have already enjoyed two meals here, but I am ashamed to impose further. I must take my leave."

Li Yi held Sun Kewang in some regard, but knew the man already had his own path and would not follow him.

So he replied, "I saved you as a matter of course. If you wish to go, then go."

Sun Kewang nodded, gathered his things, and headed for the door. But at the threshold, he looked back. "Benefactor, I am the adopted son of Zhang Xianzhong. If you ever need me, come find me at Tiger’s Gully."

With those words, he hurried off.

Watching him go, Li Zicheng laughed. "That fellow seems simple, but he’s cunning as a fox. At least, in the end, he spoke the truth."

"Second Brother, do you know Zhang Xianzhong?" Li Yi asked.

Li Zicheng nodded. "Zhang Xianzhong was once a constable in Yan’an Prefecture—a man who’d read a little, but after committing a crime, he fled to the hills and gathered a band of outlaws. That's how he rose to power."

He then counseled, "Yi, you mustn’t mix with these bandits. Take my advice: enlist under Hong Chengchou as a standard-bearer. That’s the proper path."

Li Yi could only smile wryly.

In the future, Li Zicheng would become the greatest rebel leader, yet here he was, still urging him to join the authorities.

With Sun Kewang gone, Li Yi and the others had much to do.

First was securing grain for the granary. The coins they had brought were already spent. Fortunately, Li Yi still had six taels of silver; he spent four on grain and the rest on iron ingots and tools for forging weapons.

After making his purchases and returning to the smithy, Liu Zongmin packed up his tools and loaded them onto a mule cart.

He had angered the county magistrate and could not stay in town, so he decided to accompany Li Yi back to Lijiazhuang.

Meanwhile, Li Zicheng had obtained the necessary papers from the yamen—he was now officially recognized as the headman of Ganquan.

Li Zicheng did not return with them. He claimed he had to go to Yinchuan relay station to pay for the horses. But, seeing his uneasy demeanor, Li Yi suspected there was more to the story.

Since Li Zicheng would not speak, Li Yi did not press.

Leading the mule cart, Li Yi parted ways with Li Zicheng at the smithy.

A biting wind blew, and snow began to fall again.

Having bought too many supplies, Li Yi and Liu Zongmin walked alongside the cart as they left town. As soon as they passed through the gate, an archer ran back to report, and seven or eight archers soon followed them out.

By then, Li Yi had just passed the checkpoint—westward lay the mountains.

The snow grew heavier, and the road was deserted.

He and Liu Zongmin walked on, chatting as they went. Li Yi’s knowledge was broad and he could speak on any subject, earning Liu Zongmin’s admiration.

After pushing the cart up a steep slope, the cold wind stinging their faces, they found shelter in an abandoned sheepfold, built a fire, and rested, warming themselves before continuing their journey.