Chapter Fifty-Four: Disappearance

Yuwen Chengdu maintained his original posture. “Zhao Yun and Yang Hu? When I came back, weren’t they still running with you? Did something happen?”

“We don’t know yet if something’s happened. After we split up and ran for a while, we suddenly noticed that Hu and Zhao Yun were gone. Xiaoxuan and I retraced our steps, but didn’t see them anywhere, so we came back to ask if you’d seen them. I’ll go out and look again soon. With Hu around, things shouldn’t get too serious.”

“Wait, let me get dressed first. We’ll go search together. The town isn’t big, if they haven’t gone far, we should find them. Should we tell Master and the others about this?”

Yang Zaixing looked at Zhang Xuan, who shook his head. “Hu and Zhao Yun are together. There shouldn’t be any accidents. Let’s look for them first, then decide what to do.”

“That works. But if something really does happen and we don’t inform Grandpa Tong and the others in time, it’ll just be the three of us… will that be enough?”

“Come on, big brother. You called me a jinx just now, but your mouth’s no better! Are you doubting yourself? We broke through a bandit encirclement—what could be more dangerous than that? You have to trust yourself, and if not yourself, then trust me. Okay? Besides, Hu and Zhao Yun are lucky people; fate favors them, and good luck follows them. Don’t overthink it. Maybe they just went off to buy food. Relax. Maybe when we step outside, Hu and Zhao Yun will be heading back to the Yan home with breakfast for us.” Though Zhang Xuan spoke confidently, he wasn’t truly sure; it was more a way to comfort himself.

Once Yuwen Chengdu was dressed, the three brothers set out on their search. As soon as they stepped outside, they didn’t see Hu and Zhao Yun coming toward them with steaming breakfast—the ideal scene Zhang Xuan had imagined didn’t happen. Then again, neither Hu nor Zhao Yun had any money with them. The three discussed and decided to split up for efficiency: Zhang Xuan would search clockwise along the running route, Yang Zaixing would go counterclockwise, and Yuwen Chengdu, being more familiar with the town, would check the more hidden corners. They agreed to return to the Yan home if anyone found them. If they hadn’t found the missing pair by the agreed time, they would inform Grandpa Tong and organize a larger search—a last resort, as Zhang Xuan preferred not to trouble the elders unless absolutely necessary.

Zhang Xuan ran clockwise along the morning route, silently wishing nothing bad would happen. As he searched, he imagined himself in Hu and Zhao Yun’s shoes—especially Zhao Yun—trying to spot anything interesting enough to lure them away. Yet after a long time, he hadn’t found even a trace of their clothing. Zhang Xuan wondered if this was some prank orchestrated by Hu and Zhao Yun—maybe, after exhausting themselves searching, they would find the pair lounging somewhere, sipping tea, or even watching from the shadows as Zhang Xuan and the others scurried about. If it was a prank, he’d deal with them once found.

Eventually, Zhang Xuan and Yang Zaixing bumped into each other, both wearing expressions of concern. Clearly, neither had found anything.

“Xiaoxuan, where do you think those two could’ve gone without a word? Surely nothing bad happened?”

Zhang Xuan could only shake his head. “I wondered if this was a prank by Hu and Zhao Yun, but Hu doesn’t seem the type for that.”

While Zhang Xuan and Yang Zaixing talked, Yuwen Chengdu hurried over. From a distance, he called out, “Big brother, Xuan, I think I know where Hu and Zhao Yun went!”

Zhang Xuan and Yang Zaixing rushed toward him. “Did you find them? Where are they? I swear, when I see them, I’ll give them a good lesson. They’re learning to leave without a word now—what next?”

Yuwen Chengdu caught his breath. “I haven’t seen them myself, but I asked some locals if they’d seen a pair—a tall and a young boy, about ten years old, described their clothes from this morning. Someone did see them, said they were with a group heading south out of town. Should we follow that way and check, or go back and tell Master, let them decide?”

“With a group? I don’t recall seeing any group. Never mind, let's follow that lead. Second brother, show us the way. But the person you asked—how reliable do you think their information is?”

Yuwen Chengdu recalled the conversation. “I doubt he’d lie, but it’s possible he saw two similar people, not Hu and Zhao Yun. That’s not impossible.”

Zhang Xuan lowered his head, thinking, then looked at Yang Zaixing and Yuwen Chengdu. “Any clue is better than searching aimlessly. Time is life. Let’s split up: big brother, you head back to the Yan home and tell Uncle Yang and Grandpa Tong what happened. Let them follow the direction second brother pointed out. I’ll mark the way as I go. Second brother, which way? Point it out. Big brother, just follow this path later. Second brother and I will run ahead. If I catch those two, they’re in for it.”

Yang Zaixing nodded, agreeing. “Alright. Just be careful. If anything happens, stay calm and wait for us before making decisions. Don’t rush in—remember that, especially you, Xiaoxuan. Yuwen, if this kid gets impulsive, hold him back until we arrive. I’ll head back now, and we’ll catch up soon. Above all, stay safe.”

With that, Yang Zaixing ran toward the Yan home. Zhang Xuan, guided by Yuwen Chengdu, headed in the direction Hu and Zhao Yun were supposedly seen. Zhang Xuan didn’t forget to mark the way as they ran. After some time, he began to doubt the path. “Second brother, are you sure we’re not lost? Did Hu and Zhao Yun really go this way? We’ve been running forever and haven’t seen a soul.”

“I’m pretty sure. The person pointed right this way,” Yuwen Chengdu recalled.

“But maybe they changed direction as they walked. That person only saw a general direction, after all. If that’s true, this will be hard. I don’t know what got into Hu and Zhao Yun today—why would they leave us without a word? If I find them, I swear I’ll give them a good thrashing. Don’t hold me back next time. For now, we just have to keep searching. Any punishment will come after we find them.”