0032 The Younger Brother of a Scion from a Distinguished Family

After leaving A Zi’s place, Jiang Mingzhe did not return to his own small building but went straight to the warehouse.

The Star Lodge’s warehouse was a sprawling complex of buildings, with various necessities neatly arranged.

Jiang Mingzhe had been here once before, so this time he navigated with ease and went directly to a small room—

The property management center of the Star Lodge.

The disciple on duty inside was none other than the chubby Ouyang Baoyu.

The last time he had helped Jiang Mingzhe assign a room and clean it, this little fatty had shown great eagerness. Now, seeing Jiang Mingzhe again, he was even more enthusiastic, bowing and scraping, eager to invite him in for tea.

Ordinary registered disciples, prideful of their status, would never deign to accept such tea, but Jiang Mingzhe smiled and said, “Sure, after such a journey I’m quite thirsty. Thank you, Brother Ouyang.”

Ouyang Baoyu, delighted that Jiang Mingzhe remembered his name, grew even more embarrassed about how to comport himself.

He first invited Jiang Mingzhe to sit down, poured out the remnants of tea from a clay pot, carefully washed the pot and tea bowl, then fetched a porcelain jar from the cabinet, flattering, “This is snow mountain water, the purest you can find. If it weren’t for you, brother, no one would be allowed to drink from my jar.”

He poured the water into the clay pot, then took a small container, pinched out some dark tea leaves, and smiled, “This is top-grade black tea from the Dali Kingdom—five jin of it could trade for a fine horse. Brother, please have a taste.”

He brewed the tea leaves directly in the pot, and while waiting, he asked, “Brother came looking for me—did something go wrong with your lodging?”

Jiang Mingzhe shook his head, “My room is fine. It’s just that Senior Sister A Zi’s door has a hole. I wanted you to send someone to repair it.”

Ouyang Baoyu nodded repeatedly, “Such a small matter—why would brother trouble yourself to come personally? Don’t worry, I’ll arrange for it immediately.”

He stood up, called for several people from somewhere, gave them brief instructions, and they nodded eagerly before rushing off.

Returning to the room, Ouyang Baoyu grinned, “I’ve assigned the best craftsmen among our disciples, the most meticulous hands. Since the door is broken, no need to repair it—we’ll just replace it with a new one for Senior Sister A Zi.”

At that moment, the tea boiled. Ouyang Baoyu quickly poured tea for Jiang Mingzhe. The tea was bright amber and clear. Bringing it closer, Jiang Mingzhe detected a hint of longan and red date fragrance. After blowing on it, he took a small sip—mellow and smooth, with a distinctly sweet aftertaste. Surprised, he said, “This tea is quite good.”

Ouyang Baoyu immediately said, “So it turns out brother is a tea connoisseur. Unlike me, who just drinks like a cow, knowing only that expensive tea is good but not how to distinguish quality. When this tea was with me, it was like a cow chewing on peonies; only in your hands does it truly come to life.”

He then placed the small container gently beside Jiang Mingzhe’s hand.

Jiang Mingzhe blinked, feeling this scene was all too familiar—wasn’t this exactly how he used to win over clients with small gifts when he was a young salesman?

He remembered the anxious feelings then: afraid of seeming too sycophantic and being looked down upon, yet worried the gift might be too modest and rejected outright.

Looking at the humble, flustered smile on the little fatty’s face, the hopeful, bright eyes, he thought to himself, surely he had looked just like this once.

He smiled and nodded, “Alright, Brother Ouyang, since I call you brother, I’ll shamelessly accept this brotherly gift.”

Ouyang Baoyu was overjoyed. “Brother Jiang, please enjoy it. When my family sends more tea, I will repay you.”

This boy, quick to seize the moment, no longer called him senior brother but “big brother.”

Jiang Mingzhe said, “When shoulders are level, we’re brothers. Among brothers, there’s no need to speak of repaying favors. We are both refined tea lovers sharing with each other. When I find good tea, I’ll invite you to taste it too.”

Ouyang Baoyu grew even more excited, grinning and nodding rapidly. Suddenly, his mouth twitched and his eyes reddened; he seemed on the verge of tears.

Jiang Mingzhe teased, “I’m your big brother, not a pretty older sister. Do you have to be this emotional?”

Ouyang Baoyu shook his head repeatedly, his expression a mix of pain and smile: “Big brother, don’t blame me. I am of Western ethnic descent. In the Star Lodge, if one is not Han, then they are either Tibetan or Western Xia. Because of this, everyone looks down on me and secretly calls me ‘fat mongrel.’ Only you don’t despise me and care for me like this.”

Western ethnic descent?

Jiang Mingzhe looked closely. Indeed, this little fatty had a high nose bridge, deep eye sockets, slightly blue-tinted irises, and light brown hair. But because he was plump and his face full, those features weren’t obvious.

Jiang Mingzhe thought, coming from the Western regions, he was probably one of those so-called “Colored-eyed” people. Yet since the Mongols had not yet risen, that term hadn’t come into use.

He smiled, “Being of a different ethnicity doesn’t mean being a demon or monster. The sages of Han said well: ‘When entering Huaxia, one becomes Huaxia; when among barbarians, one becomes barbarian.’ Your fluent Han speech naturally makes you Huaxia too.”

Ouyang Baoyu frowned, “Big brother, this is Tibet.”

Jiang Mingzhe thought the boy was slipping up. Though talented, he lacked experience. When he spoke to clients, he had always flattered them without fail.

He waved his hand, “That’s not the point. But since you say others look down on you, it seems everyone listens to your orders.”

Ouyang Baoyu smiled bitterly, “Brother, you don’t know. This is the power of money making the impossible happen! My ancestors followed Ban Dingyuan on a mission to the Western regions and were ordered to stay. Later, they married local women and passed down our lineage. Now we are a wealthy Western clan. If you ever go to the West, ask about the White Camel Manor—everyone knows it.”

White Camel Manor?

Jiang Mingzhe was secretly surprised. Could this little fatty be the grandson or great-grandson of the Western venomous master Ouyang Feng?

Curious, he asked casually, “So you come from a noble family. I read in the history books that Ban Dingyuan’s thirty-six riders struck fear into all the kingdoms. If your grandfather was among them, he must have been a formidable master. Why then did you still need to apprentice at the Star Lodge?”

Ouyang Baoyu glanced outside to make sure no one was around, then sat back down and lowered his voice, “You’re right. Our foothold in the West is thanks to family martial arts. But ten years ago, my father led a caravan to Persia and was killed by the most ruthless lone bandit on the route, Huo Shan. My father was an only son, and I have no elder brothers. At his death, I was only nine and had learned only a few rudimentary techniques. Now, it’s only through the loyalty of some old servants that we barely hold on.”

He looked sorrowful and sighed, “These old servants’ skills are decent but they’re all quite aged. So I came to my master with generous gifts, hoping to learn some special techniques to uphold the Ouyang family honor. But I’m limited by talent and have yet to be registered.”

He looked at Jiang Mingzhe enviously, “If I had even a tenth of your talent, I’d have been registered long ago. When I last saw you, you didn’t know any martial arts, but after two days, you defeated Senior Brother Mingzhuzi; after just three days, you could break down doors with one claw and withstand Senior Brother’s strikes. Now all disciples say you must have been the world’s greatest master in your past life, understanding and mastering any martial art with ease. Truly the master’s favored disciple.”

He nearly said “master’s own son,” but reconsidered, since Ding Chunqiu himself never mentioned it, nor did Jiang Mingzhe, so he wouldn’t expose them.

Jiang Mingzhe smiled, “You sure have the news. Ha, I’m no favored disciple. You see, registered disciples all look down on me. Senior Brother treats me like a thorn in his eye. Hmm, come to think of it, you’re bold to call me brother despite knowing I’ve offended Senior Brother.”

Ouyang Baoyu was unfazed, “To Senior Brother, we’re like insects. Unless one is registered, the others just treat you like nothing. As for the other brothers, I’m not boasting—only Senior Brother Mingzhuzi is a bit stubborn. The rest would love to see you and Senior Brother fight. They talk behind your back but who dares to provoke you directly?”

Jiang Mingzhe noticed the choice of words—“who dares” instead of “who would.”

He asked curiously, “Even if I train quickly, why don’t they dare to challenge me given my weak foundation?”

Ouyang Baoyu sighed. In the Star Lodge, if you, the young sect leader, have a shallow foundation, who else could be considered deep-rooted?

He smiled, “Brother, your talent is extraordinary. If they made an unbreakable enemy of you, wouldn’t they fear you... if you mastered that divine skill?”

Jiang Mingzhe laughed, “Senior Brother isn’t afraid.”

Ouyang Baoyu looked at him oddly, wondering if he didn’t know that Senior Brother was the master’s son. Had the master not told him? Perhaps the master was deliberately testing his resolve.

So he dared not reveal more and said, “Senior Brother has no retreat. Your talent is so strong, if you grow up to take his place, with all the enemies he’s made these years, things will be difficult for him. He’s only relying on the master not having officially declared you as the master’s most beloved disciple to find a way to undermine you, or at least make the master doubt your capability.”

No matter how clever, Jiang Mingzhe could not have guessed the rumors A Zi had spread. Though Ouyang Baoyu hesitated, he thought it was just talk about Mingzhuzi’s fears and accepted it with a smile.

He finished the tea in one gulp, stood, and patted Ouyang Baoyu on the shoulder. “The master forbids disciples from sharing techniques, but not from discussing martial arts. Tomorrow, I am to go out on a mission by the master’s order. When I return, come to my place and let’s see if those registered disciples are mostly at Mingzhuzi’s level. Getting registered may not be so difficult after all.”

With that, he took the tea leaves and left. Ouyang Baoyu was deeply moved, bowing deeply, “Farewell, Brother Jiang.”

Jiang Mingzhe went to the warehouse to collect some useful items before returning.