Chapter 76 Returning to Earth Tiger Stronghold
"Then... then let's hurry and hide?"
Lu Li shook his head and smiled faintly: "It's too late, but... we don't need to hide either."
"Why?"
"See for yourself." Lu Li shifted his body slightly to clear the line of sight.
Ahead, a group of over a hundred people, each riding fine steeds, was approaching. At the forefront was a burly, rough-looking man with a face full of thick beard. To the right of the big man was a thin-faced old man in gray clothes.
To the left was a middle-aged man in cloud-patterned robes, his brow seemingly carrying a trace of urgency. This was Lei Ming.
When Lei Xiaoman saw Lei Ming, her body immediately trembled, but the next instant, she shrank back behind Lu Li, hiding herself completely.
Just as Lu Li was about to speak, Lei Ming had already ridden his horse over, his face full of joy: "Brother, you're back! Where's my daughter!"
Lu Li simply turned his horse sideways, "Take a look yourself."
"Dad......" Lei Xiaoman couldn't hide anymore, covering her eyes with both hands, only peeking timidly at Lei Ming through a tiny slit between her fingers.
"Xiao... Xiaoman!" Lei Ming choked up instantly, "You... you're fine, truly wonderful."
Seeing that Lei Ming didn't seem inclined to scold her, Lei Xiaoman finally lowered her hands, "Daddy, I'm sorry, it was daughter's fault... daughter should have listened to you."
"No... no matter, I was too harsh on you. It's fine as long as you're safe, it's fine as long as you're safe!" Lei Ming's eyes were full of affection. He rode up beside Lu Li and said with heartfelt gratitude:
"Brother, I truly must thank you this time. This favor, I, Lei Ming, will never forget for the rest of my life. Please, brother, come with me back to Earth Tiger Stronghold and let me properly host you."
"Hehe, Brother is too polite." Lu Li smiled, "I was planning to attend the exchange meeting five days from now, and also preparing to go to Earth Tiger City. In that case... I'll impose on you."
"No imposition, no imposition, let's go."
After speaking, Lei Ming turned his horse around, returned to the bearded burly man, and cupped his hands respectfully, "Big brother, he's the one I found. You said I was unreliable, but look, I wasn't wrong this time, right?"
The burly man chuckled, looking at Lu Li, "Kid, you actually dared to venture alone into the Roaming Dragon Stronghold. You've got guts! When we get back, I must have a good drink with you."
Then he also turned his horse around and shouted to the Earth Tiger Stronghold crowd: "Brothers, the task is complete. We'll deal with those Roaming Dragon Stronghold scum another day. Head back home, withdraw!"
"Yohoo--!"
Everyone shouted, turned their horses around one after another, and galloped off.
As for this Lei Xiaoman, she seemed to have latched onto him. Lei Ming also didn't call her to ride his own horse, instead allowing his daughter to cling to Lu Li, his face wearing a faint smile. It was really hard to tell what he was thinking.
The journey was swift as the wind, and before they knew it, another day had passed.
In the early morning of the third day, the group finally returned to Earth Tiger Stronghold.
The layout of Earth Tiger Stronghold was quite similar to Roaming Dragon Stronghold.
At Lei Ming's invitation, Lu Li didn't stand on ceremony either, following him to Lei Ming's private courtyard.
Later that evening.
Lei Ming had someone prepare a large table full of food and wine. The bearded big leader and the thin-faced old man in gray also came. The four of them sat together, chatting and laughing.
Through Lei Ming's introduction, the bearded burly man was named Li Chenghu.
The old man in gray was named Chu Fankong, the second-in-command and military advisor of Earth Tiger Stronghold.
Li Chenghu was straightforward and hearty, insistently pulling Lu Li to drink. Lu Li couldn't refuse and took a small sip, finding it bitter and pungent. He waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "Can't drink it, can't drink it."
This caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Li Chenghu laughed heartily: "Little brother, you need to practice! In this life, what's the point of living if you don't drink."
"Little fellow, don't listen to this brute. Drinking, having the occasional sip is enough. Like him, he'll drink himself to death sooner or later." Chu Fankong showed no mercy towards Li Chenghu.
"You know nothing!" Li Chenghu didn't mind either. He picked up a bowl of wine and downed it in one gulp, wiping his mouth roughly, saying, "What's the difference between people who don't drink and women."
Lu Li shook his head at the sight. He didn't think there was anything wrong with drinking, but it wasn't something he enjoyed.
At least, not at his current stage.
"Brother, if you don't drink, then eat more dishes. Don't be polite with me." Lei Ming said with a smile.
Lu Li smiled faintly, "Brother, rest assured, I'm not that kind of formal person. There's no need to worry about me."
"Mmm, that's good." After speaking, Lei Ming suddenly turned to look at the maid behind him and asked, "Where's the young lady? Why hasn't she come out for such an occasion?"
The maid thought for a moment, "She's probably still dressing and doing her hair."
"Dressing?" Lei Ming frowned, "What kind of dressing during mealtime? Go quickly and invite her out."
"Yes."
The maid acknowledged and was about to leave the room, but at that moment, a petite young girl in a water-blue embroidered blouse and skirt walked in through the doorway. The girl's hair was styled in cloud-like buns, with bright eyes and white teeth, a delicate nose and small mouth-truly embodying the graceful charm of a delicate young lady.
Seeing this, everyone's eyes couldn't help but light up.
Li Chenghu was momentarily stunned before joking: "Niece Xiaoman, this getup of yours... how come I've never seen it before?"
"Yes, it's truly bizarre." Chu Fankong also said with a smile.
Lei Ming was also taken aback. His daughter could be said to have a rather explosive temper, usually wearing red clothes all the time. When had she ever dressed like such a delicate young lady?
With everyone saying this, Lei Xiaoman's face flushed red all the way to her ears. She gave them a reproachful look: "What are you all saying..."
"Hahaha, won't say, won't say... Can I at least drink?" Li Chenghu wore an odd expression, burying his head in his drink.
Lei Xiaoman rolled her eyes, took dainty steps, and slowly sat down beside Lu Li. With a faint smile, she spoke softly and gently: "Thank you, young master, for saving my life. I still haven't asked for young master's esteemed name."
Hearing this, everyone was taken aback, only then remembering they didn't seem to know this young man's name either, and they all began asking.
Lu Li's brow furrowed slightly, then he smiled and said, "Esteemed name is too grand. This humble one is Qin Shouren."
"Beast?" Li Chenghu blurted out, "Or... Beast-man?"
Pfft!
Chu Fankong gave Li Chenghu an amused look, "You brute, how can you make fun of someone's name like that." That's what he said, but he too found it strange. How could there be such a peculiar name in this world.
Lu Li didn't think much of it; it was just a label after all. Besides, they used to often call Qin Shouren "beast," and he was already used to it.
"Ahem, Shouren... uh, no, Brother Qin, thank you for this time. Xiaoman offers you a cup of tea in place of wine." Lei Xiaoman nearly got led astray by Li Chenghu, only reacting after Lei Ming glared at her.
Lu Li's face twitched slightly. He nodded, picked up the wine cup, and took a small sip, "No need to thank me. I was only doing as Brother Lei requested."
Afterwards, the few of them sat together chatting, but because of Lei Xiaoman's arrival, the atmosphere at the table became much more restrained. Li Chenghu couldn't tell his off-color jokes anymore, really feeling stifled. After drinking several large bowls, he left with Chu Fankong.
Then Lei Ming sent Lei Xiaoman away, and only then took out a Storage Bag and handed it to Lu Li: "Brother Qin, this is what I promised you last time. Count it and see."
Seeing that this Lei Ming was a decent person, Lu Li originally didn't intend to accept it. But then he thought he might need it to buy a pill furnace, hesitated for a moment, and still accepted it, saying, "In that case, I thank you, brother. I happen to be short on money lately, so I won't stand on ceremony with you."
"No need, no need. I should be thanking you instead."
The two chatted a while longer. Lu Li felt somewhat fatigued, so he bid farewell and went to rest in the room Lei Ming had arranged.