By the time Wu Dingyuan reached White Dragon Mountain, it was already the following evening. Through the swirling mist, White Dragon Mountain appeared and disappeared mysteriously, truly profound and lofty.
Wu Dingyuan’s matter was urgent, so he traveled through the night up the mountain. Though the mountain path at night was treacherous, he possessed martial arts skills and didn’t mind the difficulty. At this moment, he only sought to solve the case quickly, and was willing to endure any hardship.
Around midnight, thunder rumbled in the distance—it seemed rain was coming. Wu Dingyuan hurriedly searched for shelter and with great difficulty found a large tree. He hid beneath it, watching the pitch-black night sky. Before long, the sound of pouring rain began, and indeed a torrential downpour started.
The falling rain inevitably soaked his clothes. Wu Dingyuan furrowed his brow and thought: “Sigh… lately everything has been going wrong. Even leaving home brings such bad luck.” He tried to move closer to where the leaves were thickest to avoid getting completely drenched, which would surely make him catch cold.
While dodging the rain, he suddenly heard whistling sounds carried through the rainfall. Though the rain continued relentlessly, that whistling was so magnificent and powerful that it wasn’t masked by the rain at all, remaining crystal clear.
Wu Dingyuan was greatly surprised and listened intently. The whistling seemed to come from deep within White Dragon Mountain. He pondered: “This whistling is so powerful—could it be that monk Zhi Guan practicing his breathing exercises and martial arts in the middle of the night?” After listening for a while, he felt the whistling was desolate and magnificent, like dragon’s roar, seeming endless.
Wu Dingyuan was startled and thought: “This whistling is so sustained—it’s definitely not from Zhi Guan. Who could be making such a long whistle here?”
He had met Zhi Guan several times before and knew that though this monk wasn’t weak, he definitely couldn’t reach such a level. He truly didn’t know what master had arrived at White Dragon Mountain. Wu Dingyuan listened intently for a long time, feeling that within the rain sounds, the long whistle would suddenly rise high—heard in the rainy night, it was as if some fallen hero was singing passionately and sorrowfully. Wu Dingyuan lowered his head in contemplation, suddenly thinking of the massacre at Yanling Escort Agency. His blood surged hot, momentarily stirring his stubborn spirit, and gnashing his teeth, he seemed almost entranced.
After an hour, the whistling gradually lowered and slowly faded away. The dark clouds dispersed, the rain gradually stopped, and all around became peaceful and serene.
Wu Dingyuan was like awakening from a great dream. He looked up at the starry sky and thought: “This mountain is called White Dragon—could there really be a divine dragon residing here?”
By dawn, Wu Dingyuan finally reached the mountain gate of White Dragon Temple. Visiting so early was quite improper, so he slept at the gate until the hour of Chen before knocking to request an audience. A young monk answered the door. Wu Dingyuan explained his identity and purpose. Seeing he was a court official and a famous constable of Xiliang, the young monk didn’t dare be negligent and hurriedly invited him into the inner hall. After a moment, an old monk slowly emerged. Wu Dingyuan recognized him as Monk Zhi Guan and quickly stood to greet him.
Zhi Guan pressed his palms together and said: “Benefactor Wu, we haven’t met for five years. You still look as handsome as ever.”
Wu Dingyuan laughed: “Not at all! I’m entangled in official duties daily and have gained quite a few white hairs. Master, you haven’t changed a bit.”
Zhi Guan smiled slightly, and both sat down together.
Wu Dingyuan said: “I’ve come to visit this time hoping to inquire about some information from Master. I wonder if Master has heard about the tragic case at Yanling Escort Agency?”
Zhi Guan lowered his eyes, showing a compassionate expression, shook his head and sighed: “When will this mutual slaughter among people end?”
Wu Dingyuan was inwardly startled and thought: “This old monk is remarkably well-informed. He never leaves the temple yet knows about major events under heaven.”
He coughed lightly and said: “This case has been going on for several days now. Hatefully, the culprits are cunning and intelligent, still at large. I, as Xiliang’s head constable, am truly ashamed to face the people of Xiliang.”
Zhi Guan sighed: “This isn’t your fault. You needn’t blame yourself.”
Wu Dingyuan sighed and said: “This case has several major suspicious points that I still can’t figure out and remain unanswered.”
Zhi Guan made an “oh” sound and said: “Please speak, Benefactor. This old monk would like to hear the details.”
Wu Dingyuan said: “In this murder case, many of the escort guards had valuable silver and jewels on them, yet they were left intact at the scene—not a single item was missing. This is very strange. Ordinary bandits are usually greedy and unrighteous types who would never ignore gold and silver when they see it. I don’t know what background these killers have—how could they regard treasure so lightly?”
Zhi Guan frowned: “Looking at it this way, this group probably wasn’t after wealth. This old monk guesses this case should be classified as a revenge killing.”
Wu Dingyuan shook his head: “Not necessarily. Though these bandits didn’t want the pearls and precious stones, they carefully rummaged through the items in the escort carts. These people were extremely arrogant—not only did they search the scene thoroughly, they even searched my room.”
Zhi Guan exclaimed in surprise: “They searched your room? What kind of mad criminals are these to be so bold?”
Wu Dingyuan sighed: “Currently I have no clues at all. Magistrate is furious about this. It seems my position as head constable won’t last much longer.”
Zhi Guan pondered for a moment and asked: “What exactly was Yanling Escort Agency transporting? Does Constable Wu know?”
Wu Dingyuan shook his head: “I don’t know that either. Qi Runxiang is very tight-lipped and refuses to say no matter what.”
Zhi Guan nodded and pressed his palms together: “It seems this escort job that Yanling took is definitely the key to the case. As long as Constable Wu can find the clues within, this case can surely be solved.”
Seeing that Zhi Guan had hit the key point in just a few words, Wu Dingyuan secretly admired him. He nodded and continued: “This case is strange everywhere. On the night Yanling Escort Agency was attacked, Young Escort Leader Qi Bochuan led people to kill the blacksmith Tong San, then disappeared. His whereabouts remain unknown to this day. Thinking about it, this is simply incomprehensible. Qi Bochuan’s own family was broken into and slaughtered, yet he had the mind to go kill a worthless blacksmith—isn’t this utterly absurd?”
Zhi Guan said: “Perhaps that blacksmith had some special quality. This is hard to say.”
Wu Dingyuan nodded: “That may be true, but Qi Bochuan still hasn’t shown himself to explain the case circumstances, so no one knows the real reason. Currently he’s both victim and suspect. I’ve sent people everywhere to find him but with no results. I’m afraid those bandits are also looking for him—if that group of killers gets to him first, this case will be finished.”
Zhi Guan sighed: “Hopefully Young Escort Leader Qi will have heaven’s protection and won’t encounter such tragedy again.”
Wu Dingyuan said: “Master, let me ask you something first—do you know if Qi Runxiang has any enemies?”
Zhi Guan shook his head: “This old monk’s relationship with Benefactor Qi Runxiang is ordinary. I really can’t think of anyone who would deal with him this way.”
Wu Dingyuan made an “mm” sound and asked again: “Could it be that Shaolin Temple has some enemy, thus implicating Qi Runxiang?”
Zhi Guan said: “Shaolin Temple’s power is mighty. For thirty years they’ve dominated the martial world. Who would have the audacity to provoke them?”
Wu Dingyuan said: “That’s not necessarily true. Perhaps there are such madmen in the martial world. In this Yanling Escort Agency case, some died from strange causes—the deceased were pierced through the heart with miraculous martial arts, creating a hole but with no external wounds. It’s extremely bizarre. Even Xiliang’s top coroner couldn’t determine the method, showing it was done by a mysterious master. Facing such a first-rate expert, the three words ‘Shaolin Temple’ won’t be intimidating.”
Zhi Guan was startled and questioned carefully about the victims’ wounds and the appearance of the heart damage. Wu Dingyuan said: “Master, have you thought of someone?”
Zhi Guan’s expression became grave: “Monks don’t lie. This old monk knows who did this, but for your safety, I cannot reveal his name. Please forgive me, Benefactor.”
Wu Dingyuan had traveled for days hoping to find clues, but unexpectedly Zhi Guan knew but wouldn’t report it. However, this old monk’s martial arts were superior to his own, so he couldn’t use force. He pleaded: “Master, if you don’t speak, that’s helping the wicked and allowing these violent criminals to remain at large. Can you bear this in your heart?”
Zhi Guan shook his head: “Benefactor Wu doesn’t understand. This person’s martial arts far exceed both yours and mine. Even if you knew his name, you’d only be throwing away your life.”
Wu Dingyuan was displeased and said curtly: “Since Master is unwilling to tell the truth, Wu will take his leave.” He stood up as he spoke.
Zhi Guan said: “Benefactor Wu, as the saying goes, ‘In the government office, one can cultivate virtue well. The martial world has its own principles.’ Karmic retribution in this world cycles repeatedly without fail. Constable Wu, being in government service, should understand this principle.”
Wu Dingyuan said sternly: “I hold the position of constable, and my duty is to maintain justice in the world. Master speaks to me of reincarnation and retribution—that’s like playing music to a cow. To want me, Wu Dingyuan, to stand aside and wait for Heaven to administer justice—that’s absolutely impossible!”
Zhi Guan lowered his eyes and said: “Recently in the martial world, it’s widely spread that at the end of the Wu-Chen year, a Dragon Emperor will descend to the world to handle worldly disputes. Then justice and righteousness will naturally be restored to you.”
Wu Dingyuan made a surprised sound: “What Dragon Emperor descending to the world? Master, why don’t you tell me about it?”
Zhi Guan said: “There’s a saying in the martial world: ‘At Wu-Chen year’s end, Dragon Emperor moves in the world, heaven’s will remains true, gods and ghosts are free.’ Just wait until next year—there will surely be a great master appearing in the world. Benefactor Wu needn’t be anxious now.”
Wu Dingyuan couldn’t help but laugh aloud: “Master actually believes such absurd words?”
Zhi Guan didn’t get angry and said calmly: “This old monk has said all he can. Benefactor may do as he pleases.”
Wu Dingyuan said: “This visit has been very presumptuous and I feel quite sorry. I’ll take my leave now.”
Though he spoke politely, he was already calculating in his heart, thinking: “Since this old monk knows the killer’s identity, I can’t just let this go.” He exchanged a few more pleasantries then left the temple.
After traveling several li, Wu Dingyuan returned to White Dragon Temple and hid outside the mountain gate. Only when it was completely dark did he climb over the wall into the temple to carefully search for suspicious places. When he reached the kitchen, he saw the temple’s rice vat was nearly empty. He thought: “White Dragon Temple has always housed only Zhi Guan and his two young disciples. They usually have surplus grain stored. Could there be some unknown guests here?”
While Wu Dingyuan was investigating, he suddenly heard someone talking outside. He quickly crouched under the window and heard Zhi Guan’s compassionate voice: “Hui Qing, why haven’t you gone to deliver food at this hour?”
Hui Qing said: “Master, that person is so frightening. He never says a word, and at midnight he makes tiger roars. I’m afraid to go. You should send Senior Brother instead!”
Zhi Guan said: “Good child, this person once saved Master’s life. Since he’s rarely come to the temple, how can we not treat him well? Go quickly!”
Hui Qing grumbled a few words but dared not say more. Before long, Wu Dingyuan saw a young monk carrying a food basket hurrying toward the mountain peak. He quickly followed behind the young monk from a distance, watching secretly.
After walking for about half an hour, the young monk stopped before a mountain peak. Wu Dingyuan looked up and saw the peak was extremely steep and towering, standing alone, surrounded by swirling mist, appearing eerily bizarre in the black night.
The young monk called loudly: “Benefactor Fang, I’ve brought your food!”
Hearing this, Wu Dingyuan immediately thought: “Benefactor Fang? Who is he?”
The young monk called forcefully twice, but no one answered from the peak top. The young monk wasn’t surprised—he placed the food basket on the ground and turned to leave. Wu Dingyuan looked up at the mountain peak and thought: “This person lives in such a precipitous place—his martial arts must be extraordinarily high. Zhi Guan stubbornly refuses to reveal the killer’s name—could it be because this killer is his friend?” Thinking of this, he felt even more alarmed.
Wu Dingyuan waited for the young monk to enter the woods, then grabbed him. The young monk was greatly startled, not knowing who had caught him. He opened his mouth to shout, but Wu Dingyuan covered his mouth and whispered in his ear: “Little Master, don’t be afraid. I’m Constable Wu who visited during the day. I have something to ask you.”
The young monk Hui Qing, seeing it was Wu Dingyuan, felt slightly less afraid but still trembled: “Benefactor… you… what do you want with me?”
Wu Dingyuan said: “Who lives on the peak top?”
Hui Qing said: “Benefactor, I… I can’t say. Master has warned me.”
Wu Dingyuan feigned anger: “If you don’t speak, you’re deceiving a court official—that’s imprisonment. Are you afraid or not?”
Hui Qing was indeed frightened and trembled: “I… I…”
Wu Dingyuan urged: “Speak quickly, stop stammering.”
Just as the young monk was about to speak, Wu Dingyuan suddenly felt someone grab his collar, and his body rose into the air—someone had lifted him up.
Wu Dingyuan was greatly shocked. Just as he was about to turn around, he felt a great force transmitted, throwing his whole body out. While airborne, Wu Dingyuan kept his composure and quickly gathered his internal energy, straightening his back, hoping to land steadily. But when he gathered his internal energy, he felt his acupoints become sore and numb—only then did he realize that person’s casual grab had penetrated his meridians with internal energy.
Wu Dingyuan was horrified and thought: “This person has such formidable martial arts!” In an instant, he was thrown far away and fell face-first into the dirt.
Wu Dingyuan lay on the ground and quickly stole a glance, seeing a man with his back to him. This person was tall and sturdy, and the moonlight illuminated his full head of black hair—his age couldn’t be determined for the moment. Hui Qing showed a face full of fear, bowed to that person, then fled down the mountain in panic.
Wu Dingyuan struggled to stand and called: “Who are you exactly? Did you kill everyone at Yanling Escort Agency?” He pulled out his “Flying Silver Shuttle” and was about to throw it at that person.
At that moment, the person suddenly raised his head and gave a long whistle like a dragon’s roar. Wu Dingyuan only felt a loud “buzz” in his ears, and immediately felt dizzy in his head. He quickly covered his ears with his hands, but that whistling sound was like thunder, still penetrating his ears.
Wu Dingyuan’s eardrums swelled painfully. For a moment he felt nauseous and wanted to flee, but his legs were extremely weak. After a while, he really couldn’t bear it anymore—his eyes suddenly went black and he fainted.
He didn’t know how long had passed when Wu Dingyuan slowly awakened. Seeing the sky was slightly bright, it was already morning. He felt his head was about to split with pain and his brain was swollen. As he was about to sit up, he suddenly saw a figure standing in front of him—it was the same person who had attacked him last night.
Wu Dingyuan recalled the powerful whistling he’d heard when entering the mountain—it must have been from this person. Looking at this person’s martial arts level, it could truly be said to cover the contemporary era, something he’d never seen in his life. He was secretly afraid and thought: “If this person is the killer of Yanling Escort Agency, I’ll die without a burial place today.”
After being frightened for a long time, that person only gazed at the distant mountains without coming to harm Wu Dingyuan. He couldn’t help but become suspicious. That night when Yanling Escort Agency was massacred, his own room had also been invaded and searched. If this person were the killer, he would definitely come to interrogate him and wouldn’t just let him lie on the ground. He thought: “No, if this person were really the killer, knowing I’m Xiliang’s head constable, why wouldn’t he come interrogate me? It seems this person has another background and may not be related to the Yanling Escort Agency case.”
Thinking this, he felt slightly reassured. He looked at that person’s back and pondered deeply, but couldn’t think of any expert surnamed Fang in Xiliang City. For a moment he only felt confused and puzzled.
After another half hour, that person continued facing the mountains without ever turning around. Wu Dingyuan saw he truly had no intention of harming him and knew he had wrongly suspected the person. He thought: “This Zhi Guan monk usually provides charity to the people with limitless benevolence. He would never harbor a killer who massacred entire families. I should quickly apologize to avoid offending someone needlessly.”
Remembering his threatening words to Hui Qing last night, he felt slightly guilty. He coughed and stood up, saying respectfully: “This junior is a constable from Xiliang City, surnamed Wu, named Dingyuan. Last night I disturbed you, Senior—I deserve death ten thousand times. Please forgive me, Senior.”
That person snorted but didn’t respond.
Though Wu Dingyuan didn’t know that person’s background, seeing his martial arts were extraordinarily high, his knowledge must be extraordinary. He quickly said: “Junior came up White Dragon Mountain hoping to ask Master Zhi Guan for help in investigating the Yanling Escort Agency case. I wonder if Senior has heard of this bloody case?”
Wu Dingyuan saw that person neither agreed nor disagreed, as if he hadn’t heard his words. He thought: “This person has supreme martial arts and lives on White Dragon Mountain—he must know something. I need to find a way to get some information from him.” He boldly said: “Reporting to Senior, a few days ago Yanling Escort Agency was first robbed on the road, then their compound was broken into and the whole family slaughtered. They died miserably, but this junior has searched everywhere and still can’t find clues to solve the case. Sigh… I really don’t know what to do, so I came to find Master Zhi Guan to ask him to guide me through this confusion.” He then briefly recounted the case details.
He feared that person would lose patience, so he spoke extremely quickly. That person neither shouted to stop him nor asked questions, only kept his back to Wu Dingyuan, making it impossible to read his emotions.
When Wu Dingyuan finished his account, he added: “Senior’s martial arts are supremely strong—truly the greatest I’ve seen in my life. I wonder if Senior has any clues? Could you provide some guidance?”
As soon as these words were spoken, that person suddenly looked up and laughed loudly, his manner extremely arrogant. Wu Dingyuan quickly covered his ears, deeply afraid he would whistle again. Fortunately, that person only laughed for a while without intending to hurt anyone with his laughter. Even so, it shook the mountain valley with echoing sounds, startling beyond measure.
When that person finished laughing, Wu Dingyuan carefully asked: “Senior, with your martial arts and knowledge, do you have any insights?”
That person suddenly turned around, his gaze sweeping over coldly as he said: “With my martial arts and knowledge? Do you know who I am?”
Wu Dingyuan saw that person was about fifty years old. Though aged, he still had clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, but carried a faint melancholy. His behavior revealed an inherent stubbornness. Wu Dingyuan couldn’t think of anyone in the martial world with such appearance and didn’t know how to answer.
Seeing Wu Dingyuan couldn’t answer, that person said indifferently: “You don’t even know who I am, yet here you babble nonsense and flatter shamelessly? Just get lost!”
Wu Dingyuan’s face was full of shame: “Seeing Senior’s divine martial arts covering the world, I boldly sought guidance, but didn’t know Senior’s background.”
That person waved his hand and didn’t answer. Wu Dingyuan was about to turn and leave when he suddenly thought of the death conditions at Yanling Escort Agency. His blood surged hot again, and gritting his teeth, he immediately knelt on the ground: “Senior, Xiliang City currently has bandits running rampant. They strike cruelly and have already killed eighty-two lives. This junior holds the position of constable but is powerless to bring these people to justice! I, Wu, kneel before you begging Senior to provide assistance!”
That person laughed coldly and suddenly said: “Yanling Escort Agency consists of Shaolin lay disciples. Now that they’ve been harmed, there’s a group of bald monks to avenge them. What are you rushing about?”
Wu Dingyuan gritted his teeth: “In the martial world, you kill me and I kill you—everyone only knows their own benefit. When have they ever put royal law in their eyes? Though I’m insignificant, I won’t tolerate these people having private fights in the city.”
That person, hearing him speak with such righteous indignation, suddenly showed approval and nodded: “You have great spirit and are different from the dog officials in court. Stand up and speak!”
Wu Dingyuan was overjoyed and stood up.
That person looked him up and down and asked: “You mentioned earlier that someone killed eighteen experts at once with a strange killing method. What exactly happened?”
Wu Dingyuan quickly said: “The victims’ hearts were pierced with small holes, yet there were no external wounds. I really don’t know who could have done this.”
That person’s manner was originally relaxed, but now he exclaimed “Eh!” and questioned closely about the wound conditions. Wu Dingyuan described everything in detail.
After listening, that person’s eyes flashed with brilliant light: “What a Zhuo Lingzhao! He’s even mastered the ‘Sword Gu.’ The martial world will have many troubles from now on! Many troubles from now on!”
Wu Dingyuan was startled: “Zhuo Lingzhao? Who is this person?”
That person shook his head: “Young man, in times of conflict, things aren’t as easy as you think. Don’t just focus on catching people—look after your own head first.”
Wu Dingyuan knew the killer’s martial arts must be extraordinarily high, and he definitely wouldn’t be a match. He immediately kowtowed: “Since the killer is so arrogant, this junior boldly requests Senior to lend me assistance.”
That person shook his head: “The Eight Tigers have run rampant in the world for a long time—they definitely can’t be stopped by just one or two people. Unless… unless…”
Wu Dingyuan knelt down: “Please don’t spare your guidance, Senior.”
That person said: “Unless one can solve four riddle sentences and obtain the absolute secret within, otherwise it’s still a dead end.”
Wu Dingyuan was stunned: “Four riddle sentences? Absolute secret? What are those?”
That person said: “Remember this: ‘At Wu-Chen year’s end, Dragon Emperor moves in the world, heaven’s will remains true, gods and ghosts are free.’ As long as you can solve these four riddle groups and find the secret within, then you won’t need to fear anything.”
Wu Dingyuan laughed despite himself: “Isn’t this just the strange tale that Monk Zhi Guan mentioned? So Senior also believes such absurd words?”
That person sneered: “Absurd? What do you understand? If you really knew the origin of these four sentences, you’d probably be scared to piss and shit yourself!” His figure suddenly shot up toward the mountain peak.
Wu Dingyuan shouted: “Senior, please wait!” But that person had already gone far. Wu Dingyuan stood at the base of the peak for a long time. Seeing that person wouldn’t come down again, and with the peak too high for him to climb, he had no choice but to go down the mountain dejectedly.
Walking to the mountainside, he suddenly saw an old monk standing in the path—who else but Zhi Guan? Wu Dingyuan felt embarrassed. His presumptuous questioning of Zhi Guan’s disciple was already a great offense. He could only smile apologetically: “Master, this junior has greatly offended you. Please severely punish me.”
Zhi Guan wasn’t angry but smiled: “Though Benefactor’s methods of pressuring this monk’s disciple were somewhat excessive, after all you’re running about for Xiliang’s justice. How could this monk blame you?”
Wu Dingyuan, seeing Zhi Guan didn’t reproach him, felt relieved and quickly said: “My presumptuous disturbance is already inexcusable. Please stay, Master.”
Zhi Guan smiled slightly and pointed to the mountain top: “Benefactor, this chance encounter allowed you to meet Hero Fang. This trip wasn’t in vain.”
Wu Dingyuan was startled: “Hero Fang? You mean the person living on the mountain top?”
Zhi Guan nodded: “This Hero Fang is the ‘Nine Provinces Sword King’ Fang Zijing, who shook the world twenty years ago.”
Wu Dingyuan cried out: “No wonder his martial arts are so high! How disrespectful! How disrespectful!”
This “Nine Provinces Sword King” Fang Zijing became famous very early and was one of the few great masters in the martial world. His swordsmanship was reportedly supremely excellent with almost no match in the contemporary era. But for unknown reasons, twenty years ago he suddenly sealed his sword and retired, disappearing without trace. Unexpectedly he would appear here. Back then Fang Zijing’s fame was resounding. Though he’d been silent these recent years, Wu Dingyuan was now thirty-five, had been in the profession for a long time, and was considered an old hand in the martial world—naturally he’d heard of this person’s reputation.
Wu Dingyuan sighed: “Unfortunately, though Hero Fang’s martial arts are high, he’s a transcendent person. Otherwise, with his martial arts cultivation, if he were willing to get involved in this muddy water, there’d truly be nothing to worry about.” He’d greatly admired this person in his youth and unexpectedly got to meet him by chance—for a moment he felt mixed emotions.
Zhi Guan chuckled: “Benefactor, oh benefactor, the Nine Provinces Sword King is such a figure. You should be content just to see him once. How can you have such presumptuous thoughts?”
Wu Dingyuan, remembering what Fang Zijing had said, asked: “Hero Fang just mentioned a person’s name, saying it was ‘Zhuo Lingzhao.’ This person must be connected to this case. I wonder if Master knows him?”
Zhi Guan’s expression changed and he said tremblingly: “Zhuo… Zhuo Lingzhao… you still found out…”
Wu Dingyuan, seeing he knew, was delighted: “What exactly is this person’s background? Could Master please tell me?”
Zhi Guan showed an expression of reluctance and pressed his palms together: “Benefactor only knows to be loyal to duty without any consideration for yourself. This old monk truly admires you greatly. But this group’s power is enormous—absolutely beyond what Benefactor can imagine. If I speak, I’ll definitely harm you.”
Wu Dingyuan said urgently: “If this person is really the killer, how can I stay out of it? For the sake of the eighty-three lives at Yanling Escort Agency, Master, please speak!”
Zhi Guan sighed and took out a brocade pouch: “If Benefactor encounters difficulties in the future, please open this pouch—it can preserve your life.” He stuffed the pouch into Wu Dingyuan’s hands and added: “Hero Fang very much appreciates your chivalrous heart and specially asked me to guide you. This is also our sincere intention.”
Wu Dingyuan, seeing this monk stubbornly refused to speak, sighed: “After saying so much, it turns out to be just a pouch? Master is so unreasonable—it’s truly chilling.”
Zhi Guan pressed his palms together: “Amitabha, it seems this old monk is being meddlesome. If Benefactor doesn’t want this pouch, I’ll take it back.”
Wu Dingyuan saw his expression was displeased and thought: “Monk Zhi Guan has a compassionate heart. Though I don’t know what medicine he’s selling in his gourd, he probably won’t harm me. Why should I offend him?” He quickly bowed apologetically: “Master, don’t blame me. My mind is on the case, and my words were impolite.”
Though he didn’t know what wonderful use this pouch had, he thought it was Zhi Guan’s good intention and put it in his bosom.
Just as he was about to take leave, Zhi Guan added: “Benefactor Wu, this monk has other news to report.”
Wu Dingyuan felt alarmed and quickly said: “Master, please speak.”
Zhi Guan pressed his palms together: “Amitabha, Shaolin’s holy monks have arrived in Liangzhou.”
Wu Dingyuan’s whole body shook, adding both worry and joy to his heart. The joy was that Shaolin masters arriving in Xiliang were surely here for the Yanling Escort Agency matter and would certainly be of great help. The worry was that Shaolin’s eminent monks might not be willing to listen to his restraints and assignments. If group fights and private battles began, who knew what chaos Xiliang City would become.
Wu Dingyuan was stunned for a moment and said: “Thank you for Master’s guidance. I’ll definitely be careful in handling this and not let the situation escalate.”
Zhi Guan said: “Benefactor, take care of yourself. Be careful and attentive in everything—don’t lose your own life.”
Though Wu Dingyuan didn’t think much of it in his heart, he still thanked him and said farewell. He’d been away from the city for a long time and was anxious about official matters. He traveled day and night back to Xiliang City. When he returned to the yamen, the lamps were already lit. He called everyone together to inquire about the case, only to see all the constables hanging their heads dejectedly—apparently there was no progress. First, they couldn’t find Qi Bochuan; second, they couldn’t identify the perpetrator; third, they couldn’t guess the motive for the crime. Not a single thing went smoothly.
Feeling extremely bored, Wu Dingyuan went alone to stroll the streets. When he reached the vicinity of Yanling Escort Agency, he saw a group of neighbors discussing the escort agency: “This is the haunted house of Yanling Escort Agency! Look how gloomy and frightening it is inside!” “Who knows what those good-for-nothings in the yamen are doing? Such a big incident happened and they haven’t caught anyone.” “Exactly! They spend all day bullying us common people, but when they really encounter tough characters, they all become turtles hiding in their shells!”
Wu Dingyuan heard them embellish their words and thoroughly curse the yamen people—completely unlike their respectful admiration for him just days ago. Feeling helpless in his heart, he sighed and entered a small tavern nearby, ordering two small dishes to drink alone.
After drinking a pot of wine, he returned to the yamen with a bit of drunkenness. Suddenly someone called to him: “Constable Wu, please wait!”
Wu Dingyuan quickly turned around and saw it was a vendor selling lamb skewers. That person said: “Sir, you’ve been running around everywhere for the people of Liangzhou—it’s truly admirable. Please don’t take those gossip and rumors to heart.”
Wu Dingyuan was very pleased and nodded: “Brother, you’re too considerate. I, Wu, am not such a petty person. Speaking of it, our yamen has indeed failed the people, so we can’t blame them.”
That person laughed heartily: “Constable Wu is so straightforward—it truly makes this humble person admire you. But this humble person has nothing good to honor you with, only some lamb skewers for you to try!” He wrapped the meat skewers densely in oil paper, making a large package.
Wu Dingyuan firmly refused to accept it, but the vendor wouldn’t relent, saying loudly: “If Constable Wu doesn’t accept it, you’re looking down on this humble person!” Wu Dingyuan, seeing his sincere intention, agreed to accept it.
Returning to the yamen, Wu Dingyuan took out the oil package and smelled a burst of fragrant aroma. The meat skewers were made from tender lamb with soy sauce and spices, slightly spicy, delicious and juicy.
Wu Dingyuan thought: “The common people still know that I work hard—my years of toiling and hardship haven’t been in vain!”
His appetite was greatly aroused. He tore open the oil paper and was about to eat when suddenly a slip of paper fell from the oil paper package.
Wu Dingyuan was surprised, knowing something was unusual. He quickly looked and saw written on the paper slip: “Tonight at the third watch, Mawang Temple south of the city, seeking a good meeting. Qi Bochuan.”
Wu Dingyuan was overjoyed—Qi Bochuan had appeared! Now the case finally had a breakthrough. Knowing his subordinates were all incompetent fighters and going would only ruin things, he alone changed into night clothing and hurried toward the south of the city.