A’Xiu’s background was quite strange. In the past, Qiong Fang had never wondered why Gu Qianxi’s son was already ten years old when she had only married into the Yang family for four or five years. It wasn’t until today, when Shu Ning and others ridiculed her in every way, that she suddenly remembered this matter. This child was definitely not Yang Suguan’s biological son, but who was his father? For this reason, Qiong Fang had also entertained the wild idea that A’Xiu was Lu Yun’s child, but now hearing Gu Qianxi speak, A’Xiu’s background not only had nothing to do with Lu Yun, but he probably wasn’t even Gu Qianxi’s biological child either. This child had another origin. This trip to Hongluo Temple was to meet A’Xiu’s “birth mother.” Seeing Gu Qianxi lower her phoenix eyes as if resting and dozing, Qiong Fang was quite tactful and wouldn’t ask too many questions at this moment, so she also closed her eyes to rest.

The carriage headed north and soon reached Anding Gate. Suddenly they heard a loud shout from the roadside: “Stop the carriage for inspection!” Qiong Fang’s heart jumped in alarm, and she quickly opened her eyes to look. She saw horse hooves thundering ahead as a cavalry unit galloped past. The lead horseman held a banner with the characters “Divine Strategy.”

In no time, another column of infantry ran past quickly, everyone with swords at their waists, quivers on their backs, and carrying large, heavy shields – fully armed. Qiong Fang was puzzled and quickly asked the driver: “What’s happening? Why are there so many soldiers?” The driver shook his head wordlessly, apparently not knowing either.

Below the city, voices clamored as if large numbers of troops were gathering. Looking ahead, the road was congested with two-wheeled carts, four-wheeled carts, horse carts, mule carts, and ox carts of all kinds, lined up for over a li, all waiting for inspection. The city guards looked fierce and menacing, shouting at everyone they met. Many vehicles, unable to wait long, were forced to turn back.

One citizen couldn’t stand it and started arguing: “What’s going on? Yongding Gate and Fucheng Gate are sealed, and now you won’t let people pass here either?”

“Military exercises! Large military exercises in the western suburbs!” The military officer raised his riding whip and struck the ground, shouting: “Without exit documents, no one is permitted to enter or leave the capital! Quickly turn back!”

The citizen was also angry, pointing and cursing: “Turn back your mother’s head! You country militia dogs dare to cause trouble at the capital gates! Quickly give your name! This master will write a complaint to the Ministry of War to report you!”

The military officer said sternly: “Go report! This general is Duan Fengjie, Commander of the Divine Strategy Vanguard Guard of the Divine Strategy Division of the Royal Army Vanguard Camp! Did you get that?”

The citizen was stunned: “What kind of nonsense is that long string?”

A small soldier rushed up, roaring: “I’m Zhang Yuangen! Report me too!” He kicked the horse cart, frightening the citizen into quickly turning his cart around and fleeing in panic.

Qiong Fang wondered to herself: “Strange, military exercises outside the city? How come I haven’t heard about it?” In the past ten years, there had been great droughts across the land, with popular uprisings everywhere. The court’s anger at heaven had led to consecutive years of warfare. However, no matter how urgent the fighting at the front lines, the capital remained unfortified, and the common people in the rear continued to celebrate the New Year and drink wine as usual, even more prosperous than during the Jingtai Dynasty. But what was this military entry into the city about?

Qiong Fang felt slightly alarmed and was about to discuss with Gu Qianxi, but she had curled up her legs and fallen asleep. Gu Qianxi was tired – last night she had first talked with Qiong Fang through the night, then cared for the old madam, sleeping less than two hours. Having this rare opportunity to rest, she naturally fell into exhausted sleep. But with military horses coming and going and inspections outside the carriage, how should they handle this?

Qiong Fang was someone who had seen situations before, so she wouldn’t be helpless because of this. Looking left and right, she suddenly noticed that a side gate was also open below the city, apparently for high officials to pass through. Even better, the gate was guarded by civil officials with no military officers in sight. She quickly directed the driver: “Go through the side gate.”

The driver obeyed and drove the horse cart out of the waiting queue. After traveling only a short distance, they heard hurried footsteps as a large group of officials surrounded them, shouting: “Hey you! Who told you to go this way? Get to the back!”

While they were still scolding, Qiong Fang had already leaned out the window and said coolly: “Where is your chief? Please have him come over to speak.”

The official was slightly startled and looked carefully, only to see a great beauty dressed in new clothes. He couldn’t help but sneer: “Have him come over to speak? What’s this? Is the child in your belly his? Come to acknowledge daddy?”

The officials on both sides laughed heartily, but Qiong Fang’s face had already darkened: “Say one more word and I guarantee you’ll regret it for life.”

The official laughed: “Crazy woman.” He was about to drag her down from the carriage when he saw this woman’s gaze was stern and fearless, as if she had a thousand ways to kill him. He couldn’t help but exclaim and change his tone: “You… please wait a moment… I… I’ll go take a look…”

The most fearful people in the world were precisely these officials. As the saying goes, “small impatience ruins great plans.” These people had swallowed their anger all their lives, seeking nothing more than “promotion.” If they offended imperial relatives, wouldn’t all their hard work be in vain? So he hurriedly left.

Qiong Fang closed her eyes proudly, resting, when hurried footsteps came outside the carriage. A squad leader came trembling: “This humble one has come. May I ask which noble person this is?”

Qiong Fang glanced sideways at the newcomer, who was just a small constable. She didn’t know if he was from the Ministry of Justice or North Zhili, and she was too lazy to identify him. She said coolly: “Your rank is too low to recognize me. Find your highest superior.”

The squad leader was terrified and ran back again. Soon came a fat-bellied man. Although Qiong Fang didn’t recognize who this person was, seeing his excessive corpulence, she figured his official position must be high. As she watched coldly, indeed that person, upon seeing Qiong Fang’s face, first exclaimed, then thought hard for a long while: “You… you seem to be…”

Qiong Fang said calmly: “My surname is Qiong.”

The official was shocked and screamed: “So it’s the Young Pavilion Master! This official failed to welcome you from afar!” With a thud, the high-ranking official fell to his knees, and all the officials naturally prostrated themselves, kowtowing repeatedly. The surrounding common people naturally discussed among themselves, and some even bowed down with them, probably thinking the Emperor had arrived.

Qiong Fang was quite satisfied and said calmly: “This lord, I need to leave the city to have an audience with His Majesty. Please kindly let me pass. Is that acceptable?”

The official was overjoyed: “Acceptable! Of course acceptable!” He turned and roared: “Someone! Clear the road! Respectfully escort Young Pavilion Master Qiong out of the city!”

In an instant, the road ahead was completely clear and unobstructed. The officials beat gongs and drums, playing strings and woodwinds to send off the Young Pavilion Master. Qiong Fang smoothed her hair and instructed the driver: “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

The wheels rolled and the horse cart set off again. Officials on both sides bowed respectfully, escorting the great personage’s departure. Just as they were about to exit the north gate, they heard someone say: “Wait a moment.”

The horse cart was stopped again. Qiong Fang was displeased and stuck her head out the window, only to see a military officer had arrived on the road, sitting high on horseback, saying coolly: “Where are the exit documents?”

The official quickly said: “This is the Duke’s granddaughter, exempt from document verification.”

The military officer said “Oh”: “What? You’re in charge here?”

The official said tremblingly with a smile: “You… you’re in charge.”

The military officer said coolly: “Good that you know. My vanguard camp is ordered to guard the north gate. Even if the Heavenly King came, he’d still have to submit documents for inspection.” Looking at this military officer, he seemed to have just fought a battle – his armor was dirty and his face had bloodstains. Though he looked disheveled, it actually added a few points of killing intent. He drove away the officials and rode forward to the carriage side, leaning down: “Miss, submit your documents, or get down for inspection.”

Qiong Fang’s face darkened: “Military lord, I don’t want to get down.”

The military officer said: “That’s fine too. You produce exit documents and then you won’t need to get down.”

Qiong Fang had left in haste last night. Never mind exit documents, she hadn’t even brought identification papers. What did she have to submit for inspection? Looking at Gu Qianxi, she was breathing softly, already sound asleep. She snorted and simply became unreasonable: “I have no documents and don’t want to get down either. What should be done about that?”

The military officer sat high on his horse and said calmly: “Then don’t blame me for dragging you down and thoroughly searching you.” As he spoke, he waved his hand, and with a clattering sound, a squad of infantry rushed from outside the city, ready to arrest and search people.

But Qiong Fang wasn’t afraid either, only saying coldly: “Military lord, do you know what my surname is?”

The military officer said: “What your surname is depends on who slept with your mother, no need to ask me.”

The soldiers around all laughed heartily. Qiong Fang was furious, kicked open the carriage door with a bang, jumped down, and said coldly: “I am the Duke’s grandson, the Empress’s niece, the eighth-generation descendant of the Duke of Ying, Purple Master Qiong Fang. Please repeat what you just said, and I will certainly relay every word to my aunt.”

The soldiers’ laughter froze and they dodged away. Qiong Fang glared at the military officer: “Military lord, what is your distinguished name? May I know it?”

The military officer also knew he had provoked a powerful person and immediately dismounted, bowing slightly: “I am Geng Guozhen, Military Supervisor of the Divine Strategy Division under the Royal Army.” This “Divine Strategy Military Supervisor” was no small official, but a fourth-rank important official of the Emperor’s personal army, backed by the four princes “Lin Hui De Qing.” But since Qiong Fang was imperial family, why should she fear anyone? She thought: “Good, you Royal Army, who shouldn’t you provoke but you provoke me? Let’s wait and see – I will definitely get revenge later.”

She got back into the carriage and instructed the driver: “It’s fine now, let’s go.” The wheels had just started moving when Geng Guozhen blocked them again: “Wait a moment.”

Qiong Fang slammed her hand heavily on the carriage door and roared: “What did you say?”

Geng Guozhen said: “Miss, my vanguard camp is ordered to guard the north gate. No matter who enters or exits here, they must have proper documents for inspection.”

Qiong Fang said coldly: “And then?”

Geng Guozhen said: “Nothing after that. Even if you were the Duke of Ying himself, you’d still have to produce credentials to verify your identity. Otherwise, don’t blame me for detaining your person and carriage, taking you back to camp for body search and inspection.”

Qiong Fang exploded with anger and shouted: “You want to search my body? Do you want to strip my clothes too?”

Geng Guozhen was silent for a long while, then said: “If necessary, this general won’t be polite either.”

The other side was serious. Qiong Fang took a deep breath, remembering the situation on the Jingzhou battlefield, and finally knew to be afraid. She became somewhat discouraged and could only shake awake Gu Qianxi, whispering: “Sister Gu, do you… do you have identification papers with you?”

Gu Qianxi, drowsy-eyed, rubbed her eyes: “No.”

Qiong Fang knew things were going badly and instructed the driver: “Let’s… let’s turn around and go back…”

The driver was about to turn the carriage around when Geng Guozhen stopped him, saying sternly: “Miss, there are military exercises in the western suburbs – the situation is critical. You trespassed at the north gate. According to law, if you cannot produce documents, you must return to camp with me. This general cannot arbitrarily let you leave.”

Every time Qiong Fang encountered military people, she suffered endless hardships. With no other options, she could only soften her tone: “How about this – please trouble yourself to make a trip to Purple Cloud Pavilion to find Master Fu… he has documents to give you…”

Geng Guozhen was impatient and said sternly: “Miss, I’ve already been very polite to you. I’ll say it once more – if you have credentials, produce them quickly. Other redundant words are useless.” Suddenly he raised his voice in a shout: “Someone! Surround them!”

Qiong Fang had no way out, but was unwilling to return to camp with them. Looking at this “Royal Army” – they were the Emperor’s personal troops. Though the officers were arrogant and the soldiers fawning, they had the pride of the orthodox army but lacked their backbone. If she were dragged into camp later, who knew what might happen? She could fight with her martial arts skills, but Gu Qianxi was delicate and weak. When dozens of big men surrounded her for search and inspection, the consequences would be unthinkable.

A wise man doesn’t suffer immediate losses. Qiong Fang was anxious and just wanted to think of an escape plan. She steadied her breathing, first calming herself: “Military lord, how about this – don’t look at the monk’s face but look at the Buddha’s face. It’s fine if you make things difficult for me, but do you know who the lady beside me is?”

Geng Guozhen shrugged: “I don’t care who she is.” He waved his hand: “Drag them both out.”

Qiong Fang said sternly: “Bold! She is the wife of Grand Academician Yang of the current Zhongji Hall, one of the Five Assistants. Anyone who dares touch a hair on her head is making an enemy of Yang Suguan!”

The soldiers were too lazy to listen and surged forward to pull the two women down from the carriage. But at this moment, a hand reached from behind and placed itself on the military officer’s shoulder: “Military lord, please ‘get lost’ to the side, will you?”

The Royal Army was in front, yet someone dared to openly provoke them – were they tired of living? Geng Guozhen angrily looked back, only to see a golden ring glinting before his eyes. Geng Guozhen was slightly puzzled and stepped back, steadying himself. He saw an old servant standing before him, white-haired but with a long sword at his waist, looking quite strange.

Geng Guozhen said coldly: “Who are you?”

The old servant said nothing in response, only slowly walked toward the carriage. Seeing Qiong Fang staring at him in confusion, he tucked both hands into his sleeves, hiding the ring, and bowed to ask Gu Qianxi: “Madam, do you wish to leave the city?”

The newcomer was respectful and polite. Gu Qianxi didn’t even raise her head, only nodded lightly. The old man bowed in salute: “Madam, may you go early and return early, have a safe journey.” He then nodded to Qiong Fang: “Let’s go. With me here, no one in the world can make things difficult for you.”

The newcomer was precisely the old servant they had seen at the Yang residence earlier. Qiong Fang had also seen this person in Yangzhou before. She knew he recognized no relatives – when he met officials he beat officials, when he met civilians he bullied civilians. He had once swept through several hundred people at Yangzhou wharf in one breath as if it were an everyday meal. Who would have thought that today he’d become her protector? Qiong Fang was somewhat amused and instructed the driver in a low voice: “Hurry up and go. I’ll give you more silver later…”

The driver was clearly terrified, lowered his head and shrank down, quietly lifting the reins. The carriage had just started moving when they heard a sharp sound – Geng Guozhen had already drawn his blade and said coldly: “Presumptuous. Surround them.”

At his command, large numbers of soldiers surrounded them with fierce gazes. Geng Guozhen walked to the old servant and said menacingly: “Friend, what official position do you hold? How dare you give orders here?”

The old servant lowered his head and said softly: “I’m not an official.”

Geng Guozhen said coldly: “If you’re not an official, then what right do you have to speak here? Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”

The old servant was silent for a long while, then slowly took something from his clothing and handed it to Geng Guozhen. He looked down and saw it was a token with an engraved divine eagle, wings fully spread, looking imperious and commanding, with the four large characters “State-Guarding Iron Guard” inscribed!

At the sight of this token, though Qiong Fang already understood the other party’s identity, she still couldn’t help but gasp. Geng Guozhen’s face turned iron-gray and he trembled slightly. The soldiers nearby saw this token but were completely confused, whispering to each other, apparently not understanding its origin.

The highest token in the world came from the hands of the “Asura King of Maposa Palace,” and only its messengers were qualified to wear it. Being not of the mortal world, only the wise could recognize it.

The old servant said calmly: “Military lord, do you have any more questions?”

Geng Guozhen’s expression was ugly. He looked at Gu Qianxi in the carriage, seeming to want to ask something. After a very long time, he finally stepped aside and said quietly: “Pass down the order – clear the road.”

Qiong Fang was secretly amazed, seeing that this “State-Guarding Iron Guard” commanded such reverence that it seemed even more awe-inspiring to subjects than imperial authority. Seeing the old servant looking toward her, Qiong Fang quickly patted the driver’s shoulder: “Let’s go, let’s go.”

The driver was like a startled bird, shrank his head into his collar, lifted the reins and set off again. In the clip-clop of hooves, they had already reached the gate and were about to exit the city when they heard someone say: “Has the country…” “…already fallen?”

The two white horses neighed in fright as they were stopped again. They saw a military officer slowly emerge from below the city. Looking at his battle armor, it was disheveled, his face covered in blood, with a dragon-patterned red belt around his waist. Looking at his hands, they were remarkably bound with steel handcuffs.

He slowly came before the carriage and said quietly: “Friend… stop the carriage for inspection…”

This person seemed to be a prisoner, yet was dressed in military uniform – quite strange. Qiong Fang looked him over repeatedly and suddenly felt this person looked familiar, but couldn’t remember where she’d seen him. As she pondered, soldiers on both sides had already started shouting: “Xiong Jun! Stand back! This is the Royal Army, not the Orthodox Army! It’s not your turn to give orders!”

Hearing the name “Xiong Jun,” Qiong Fang couldn’t help but open her mouth wide. Truly enemies are bound to meet – years ago when she caused havoc at the Jingzhou battlefield, she had encountered this “Xiong Jun.” At that time, both sides had fought fiercely in a temple, creating an uproar. Now returning to the capital, she had run into this monster again – truly the worst luck in three lifetimes.

Xiong Jun lowered his face and ignored all the shouting, only blocking the front of the carriage and saying quietly: “Friend, stop the carriage for inspection.”

Seeing these military men coming one after another like madmen, the old servant also smiled. Geng Guozhen, fearing trouble, quickly came forward to persuade: “General Xiong, these people are court officials, not rebel spies. Please step aside quickly.”

“What?” Xiong Jun turned his face away and slowly looked askance: “Has the country already fallen?”

Geng Guozhen was also annoyed and shouted: “Xiong! You caused a disturbance at the Capital Garrison Camp last night, repeatedly insubordinate – isn’t that enough? Step aside quickly, or don’t blame military law!”

Xiong Jun shook his head: “Old Geng, who violated military law, who took bribes and perverted justice – you know in your heart.”

Seeing this man was truly stubborn, he waved his hand and actually pushed away the soldiers, then walked to the carriage side and was about to drag Gu Qianxi down when he saw an age-spotted large hand approaching to block him.

The entire scene fell silent. Qiong Fang was also sweating in her palms. The old servant said calmly: “Military lord, do you still want to see my token?”

Xiong Jun said quietly: “No need. I know who you are.”

The old servant smiled: “Since that’s the case, why don’t you ‘get lost’ to the side?”

“How…” Xiong Jun raised his head and asked gently: “Has the country already fallen?”

Xiong Jun spoke little because he killed like mowing grass, so he never argued. As for that old servant, since he could even beat princes, how would he yield? Both sides were deadlocked, neither giving way – one side was the “Big Shopkeeper’s” people, the other belonged to Wu Dingyuan’s command. They were probably going to fight.

The two fiercest tigers under court rule were precisely these two before them. Since leaving the capital, Qiong Fang had first encountered the “Orthodox Army,” then met the “State-Guarding Iron Guard” – each more fierce than the last, all stubborn and unreasonable, seeing everyone as an enemy to fight, never backing down. Now with two tigers confronting each other, who would win and who would lose?

Qiong Fang felt somewhat nervous, also worried about Gu Qianxi being frightened. In her busy moment, she took time to look, only to see her untying A’Xiu’s small bundle and actually reading the Three Character Classic, as if all the people outside the carriage were madmen not worth worrying about.

At this time, not only the Royal Army was watching, but common people and officials were also pointing and discussing. Qiong Fang took a deep breath, knowing that all this strife was caused by herself. But with the situation as it was, even if she wanted to step forward to mediate, she was willing but unable.

For a very long time, neither man moved. Xiong Jun waited for a while, seeming to know he had no chance of winning, and turned around. Everyone relaxed, when suddenly they heard the iron chains clatter loudly – Xiong Jun struck horizontally with both hands, the handcuff chains whipping over. The old servant dodged sideways, his right finger harboring cold energy, striking right at the Shanzhong acupoint. Xiong Jun’s whole body shuddered with cold, his feet went soft, but suddenly he roared and charged forward with his head.

With a loud bang, Xiong Jun took a kick to the chest and flew backward, knocking down more than ten Royal Army soldiers – truly like a mantis trying to stop a cart, his martial arts greatly inferior.

The old servant grabbed Xiong Jun’s foot and was about to drag him away from the city gate when he heard a cold laugh: “Old dog, you’re dead.”

Everyone looked closely and saw that Xiong Jun had somehow gotten hold of a crossbow, firing a volley of arrows with continuous sounds, forcing back the old servant. Then his right hand suddenly extended, snatching a horn from a soldier’s waist. Geng Guozhen was shocked: “Stop him quickly!”

“Wu… Wu… Wu…” Xiong Jun lifted the horn and blew with all his might, the sound three long and one short, as if calling for help from someone. The sound carried far, and immediately distant horns responded.

“Wu… Wu… Wu…” The sound of rushing footsteps arose below the city as a fiery red banner moved in the distance, showing the characters “North Might.” They heard soldiers shouting: “The Third Regiment of North Pass has arrived! Which troops are requesting aid?”

“The Three Hundred Divisions of Jingzhou are here!” Xiong Jun roared majestically: “Brothers! Come to the rescue!”

Rumble! Rumble! Rumble rumble! Rumble rumble! Hundreds of soldiers, shields in left hands and sabers raised in right hands, had already formed battle array and approached. Xiong Jun threw the horn far away and with a sharp sound, had also grasped his saber, saying sternly: “Orthodox Army! Advance!”

Xiong Jun wasn’t a martial arts hero – he was a military general, so he never fought alone. From the very beginning, he had been waiting to form battle array for combat.

The Royal Army soldiers were shocked and all avoided them. Xiong Jun said sternly: “Order the people to get down from the carriage! Abandon weapons and surrender! Follow me back to camp for interrogation! Otherwise, kill without mercy!”

Seeing this place in chaos, Gu Qianxi was disgusted and was about to get down from the carriage to leave when she heard the old servant shout: “Miss Qiong, hold onto Madam! Don’t let her get down!”

As he spoke, he pulled out a flute from his chest and blew with all his might. Qiong Fang exclaimed in surprise, only feeling that faint, ethereal flute music seemed to reach her ears, quite pleasant. But Xiong Jun had already covered his ears in pain: “Catch him! Don’t let him call for outside aid!”

The soldiers rushed forward and were about to approach the horse carriage when the old servant, duty-bound to protect his master, also drew his sword. Both sides surged forward, and suddenly “clang clang clang clang” crisp sounds rang out – all the soldiers’ steel sabers were cut in two. The commanding officer didn’t panic and immediately shouted: “Someone! The weapons are unusual! Raise shields for protection!”

The first row of soldiers raised round shields to protect their faces, crouching low to approach, while the soldiers behind raised long spears to thrust through the shield gaps. The old servant breathed deeply and raised his sword to strike. Golden light could be seen swallowing and spitting, all brilliant and magnificent. The long spears were all broken, but the Orthodox Army shields were forged from hundred-times refined divine steel, both tough and strong. The golden light attacked several times but couldn’t pierce through.

The infantry had excellent offensive and defensive coordination, pressing closer to the horse carriage. They heard a military officer shout sternly: “First row, raise mighty clubs! Strike!”

The horses neighed in fright and bolted. The old servant blocked in front of the carriage, his sword light dancing like an eight-armed vajra, single sword against hundreds of iron clubs, blocking the large numbers of troops in one move. But the enemy force was vast with many people, and he was still retreating step by step. Just as the horse carriage was about to be surrounded, they heard flute sounds from all directions as black shadows jumped down from the city walls, holding weapons and forming a protective circle around the horse carriage.

The “State-Guarding Iron Guard” reinforcements had arrived. The old servant transferred his sword to his left hand and revealed the golden ring on his finger, saying sternly: “State-Guarding Iron Guard! Hear my command!”

The black shadows remained silent but all gripped their weapons tightly. Suddenly with a sharp sound, the old servant raised his sword point and shouted: “Protect the carriage and horses! Advance out of the city!”

“Kill!” The reinforcements had arrived – over thirty black-clothed men. Immediately both sides raised shouts of battle. Hundreds of military clubs fell in succession, the black-clothed men were all martial arts masters, each fighting ten to one, still not falling behind.

Below the city gate, sparks flew everywhere. One side wanted to drag Gu Qianxi and Qiong Fang down from the carriage, the other wanted to protect them in leaving the city. Both sides engaged in direct combat, neither giving way to the other.

But this fight was completely without reason. Rather than saying Qiong Fang was arrogant and abused her power, committing great wrongs, it was more accurate to say the “State-Guarding Iron Guard” was arrogant and conceited, encountering Xiong Jun who was like a mad dog. Both sides repeatedly misjudged the situation, finally resulting in large-scale armed conflict. Who knows how “Wei Wu Wen Yang” would handle the aftermath when they received the news.

The Royal Army stood there stunned – firstly unable to intervene, secondly not knowing whom to help, so they avoided the conflict from afar. The common people cheered loudly, watching it as good entertainment.

That Xiong Jun was extremely fierce, grabbing his single saber and wielding it like a mad tiger breaking free from its cage. But the black-clothed men all had superb martial arts skills and couldn’t be subdued. In an instant, he stretched his voice and shouted: “Entire army… spread out and prepare… ox crossbows…”

Ox crossbows weighed a hundred pounds each and could shoot a horse carriage over. The old servant shouted sternly: “Miss Qiong! Quickly get to the front seat! Quickly!”

Things had reached this point, surrender was useless. Qiong Fang knew the opportunity must not be missed and jumped onto the driver’s seat, snatching the reins from the driver’s hands, shouting loudly: “Make way! Clear the front!”

“Kill!” “Block them!” “Drag this woman down!” Amid curses invoking fathers and mothers, poor Qiong Fang was positioned at the front seat like a target of all arrows. Several times blades and spears struck at her, and though black-clothed men blocked and parried for her, she still faced constant danger. Frightened and scared, she repeatedly cracked the whip, shouting: “Run quickly!”

The two white horses, pained, galloped wildly. A hundred soldiers rushed forward to block them, dozens of black-clothed men also surged up. The sky and earth were filled with gleaming white weapons, as if they had fallen into a mountain of knives and sea of swords. Qiong Fang was so frightened her beautiful face turned pale, covering her face and screaming: “Help!”

The constant clinking sounds were endless, and beside her were continuous crisp sounds as if a large shield covered her. But Qiong Fang knew nothing, only closing her eyes and screaming, desperately cracking the whip, afraid the horses weren’t running fast enough. She heard thunderous hoofbeats, constantly jolting up and down, seeming to have already rushed out of the city gate. But Qiong Fang still covered her face screaming, not daring to open her eyes to look.

After an unknown period, the sounds of killing gradually faded, her throat gradually became hoarse, but she still didn’t dare open her eyes. Suddenly hearing clicking sounds, the wheels gradually slowed as if climbing a dirt slope. Qiong Fang finally opened her eyes and gasped: “Am I… am I still alive?”

Snowflakes fell one by one, bringing great coolness. Qiong Fang looked around and saw herself on a small hill, already ten li from the city gate. Not only had she broken through, but she was completely unharmed. Looking at the driver’s seat, only she remained – the driver had disappeared, probably having fled for his life when the situation became chaotic.

Qiong Fang’s soul had just settled when she quickly climbed down from the driver’s seat and turned to ask: “Sister Gu, are you… are you alright?” She hurriedly looked into the carriage, fearing to see a corpse. Fortunately, Gu Qianxi was still sitting there prettily, reading a book while eating a steamed bun. Hearing the question, she blinked her phoenix eyes in surprise: “Have we already left the city?”

Qiong Fang was both angry and amused. Looking at how the killing sounds had risen greatly at the city gate earlier, causing heaven and earth to turn upside down, Gu Qianxi had remained completely composed, as if children were fighting outside the carriage, not even glancing once.

Qiong Fang smiled bitterly a few times but couldn’t scold her, so she turned around to look back and see what had happened earlier. With this look, she couldn’t help but feel slightly terrified. She saw continuous camps layered north of the city, not knowing how many hundreds of thousands of people were gathered there. The central camp bore the inscription “Vanguard Camp Divine Pivot.” In the distance was another smaller banner with red background and gold characters reading “North Might” – this was the “Third Regiment of North Pass” that had entered the city to arrest people earlier.

Looking at the northern suburbs full of soldiers – both Orthodox Army and Royal Army had arrived. Qiong Fang was full of suspicion, thinking to herself: “What… what is this about? Didn’t they say military exercises in the western suburbs? Why are large armies also gathered in the northern suburbs?”

After one night’s sleep, the capital seemed to have turned upside down. The severity of the situation rivaled the time of the Orthodox Restoration years ago. Not knowing what had happened, she wanted to go west to investigate, but recalling the frightening dangers just experienced made her abandon the idea. The great battle at Anding Gate earlier – if reinforcements hadn’t arrived in time, she and Gu Qianxi might have been dragged into the camp and had their clothes stripped off. Why seek more trouble here?

Shaking her head, she stopped caring and walked to the carriage: “Sister Gu, do you know the background of those black-clothed men earlier?”

Gu Qianxi finally finished eating the steamed bun and put away her book: “Those people are my husband’s subordinates, living in the back courtyard of our residence.”

Qiong Fang nodded, thinking: “So Sister Gu had already seen these people, no wonder she wasn’t afraid of them.” This morning at the Yang residence, she had seen with her own eyes how those black-clothed men were respectful and obedient to Yang Suguan, treating him like a leader. From this, it seemed this person was either the big boss or second-in-command. Remembering how grandfather still claimed to be the “Third Boss” of the State-Guarding Iron Guard, Qiong Fang couldn’t help but smile bitterly, feeling this world was so chaotic that nothing could be understood anymore.

By this time, Anding Gate had long since restored calm. Looking at the main gate where common people queued for inspection waiting to leave the city, the side gate area seemed to have experienced a great battle. Orthodox soldiers supported each other, picking up shields scattered around. The black-clothed men from the city also left shoulder to shoulder, staggering away. It seemed that when tigers and bears fought, neither could overwhelm the other, resulting in mutual destruction.

As she stood dazed, she heard Gu Qianxi say: “Sister, shouldn’t we be going?”

Qiong Fang nodded, just remembering she was still waiting to go up Red Snail Mountain. She returned to the driver’s seat and grasped the whip, when suddenly her eyes swept over and she saw another person.

Below the hill, white snow covered a deep forest peacefully. She saw a man hidden among the trees, wearing a large felt hat and properly dressed – it was the “driver” from earlier. Qiong Fang exclaimed in surprise, suddenly feeling strange. She saw the driver remove his large felt hat and smile at her. Looking at that rectangular face and sword-like eyebrows reaching his temples – wasn’t this the “big water monster” from White Water Falls!

Qiong Fang cried out in alarm. Only now did she realize who that “driver” was. It turned out Lu Yun had been hiding nearby all along, escorting her and Sister Gu out of the city. If not for this, who had blocked the forest of blades and rain of swords for her earlier? Who had kept her completely unharmed?

The two looked at each other from afar. Qiong Fang’s face was completely red, her eyes also slightly red. She saw Lu Yun smile at her, then put his finger to his lips and bowed deeply to the ground, apparently asking her to keep the secret. Slowly, step by step, he retreated and returned to the forest.

Qiong Fang stared at the forest in a daze, suddenly choking up and crying, tears falling like rain. As she was crying, someone behind her supported her and asked gently: “Sister, what’s wrong with you?”

Qiong Fang was startled and only then realized Gu Qianxi had come. She quickly looked for Lu Yun again – this “big water monster” was truly swift, having disappeared again. Seeing Gu Qianxi gazing at her, her phoenix eyes carrying inquiry.

Qiong Fang quickly lowered her head to wipe away tears: “The wind is so strong here… sand… sand blew into my eyes…”

Gu Qianxi took out a handkerchief: “Come, let me take a look for you.” Just as she was about to wipe the corner of her eyes, Qiong Fang stepped back to avoid her and suddenly cried out: “No need! What can’t be forced, can’t be forced!”

Seeing Qiong Fang step backward, constantly avoiding her gaze, Gu Qianxi stopped her hand: “Sister, come here.” Seeing Qiong Fang unwilling to move, Gu Qianxi said again: “Sister, Sister Gu is asking you to come over.”

Hearing her repeated calls, Qiong Fang finally turned around as instructed. She heard Gu Qianxi say: “You have something bothering you, don’t you?”

Qiong Fang looked toward the hill below and slowly wiped away her tears: “Yes.”

Gu Qianxi said: “Do you want to talk about it?”

Gu Qianxi had seen through it – she knew Qiong Fang was hiding something from her, so she simply went straight to the point without any pretense.

The morning had been clear with thousands of miles of blue sky, but by noon the sky had become overcast. Qiong Fang sighed in a daze. She was originally a straightforward person, but after encountering Gu Qianxi, everything went wrong – not only becoming irritable and angry but also becoming calculating.

She stretched out her hand to catch the snowflakes falling from the sky, saying quietly: “Sister Gu, aren’t you still anxious to go to Red Snail Temple? Must we talk now?”

Gu Qianxi lowered her phoenix eyes and said softly: “Of course. If we don’t talk today, we never will in the future.”

What a wise woman – no wonder men in the world competed to have her. Qiong Fang sighed slightly in her heart. She gazed at this “Sister Gu” before her, and the jealousy in her heart suddenly became clear.

Both remained silent, neither speaking. Qiong Fang looked at Lu Yun’s hiding place, not knowing where this man had hidden. She sighed lightly, raised her head to look at the gray sky: “Sister Gu, how old were you when your father passed away?”

Gu Qianxi said: “Twenty-four.”

Qiong Fang sighed quietly: “Then you were already an adult.” She paused and said in a low voice: “My father died by suicide. When he passed away that year, I was only ten years old.”

Gu Qianxi moved slightly and turned around. She heard Qiong Fang say quietly: “That night I hid outside the family temple and watched him drink the poisoned wine, then blood flowed from his eyes and nose… When he saw me before dying, he began crying loudly…”

This was the first time in all these years that Qiong Fang had revealed the pain of her family background. Though many years had passed, her eyes still couldn’t help but redden slightly. She looked at the million troops below the city and said quietly: “From that day on, I learned one thing… everything in life is like fleeting light and passing shadows, gone in the blink of an eye…”

She slowly turned to gaze at Gu Qianxi before her: “So whenever I encounter what I love and want, I fight for it regardless of everything. If I fail, so be it – I can be ruthless enough to let go.”

Life was bitterly short, too short to grasp, so Qiong Fang was bolder than anyone. Once she made up her mind, she would give it her all.

In the past, when Qiong Fang came before Gu Qianxi, she always pretended to be a cute little sister. Now having spoken her heart’s truth, she felt much more refreshed.

The cold north wind blew, disturbing the hair of both women. Gu Qianxi quietly looked at Qiong Fang before her, seeing her eyes carry a trace of stubbornness, her cheeks seeming to hold a ball of fire. Though snow was falling from the sky, it would melt away.

She couldn’t help but reach out to tidy Qiong Fang’s hair, saying gently: “Sister, you’re too impatient.”

Qiong Fang avoided her hand and said sternly: “What do you mean?”

Gu Qianxi said: “Many things in life cannot be rushed. You must wait patiently and watch slowly to get what you want.”

Qiong Fang secretly pondered her meaning: “What if you can’t wait?”

Gu Qianxi shook her head: “That won’t happen. Everything in life has a beginning and an end. As long as you wait patiently, you will definitely see a result.”

In life, suffering was more than joy, and many things couldn’t be rushed. As long as one kept faith in the heart, no matter how difficult and distant the journey, one could still wait for a result.

Qiong Fang thought in a daze and suddenly said: “Wrong. Life isn’t like that.”

Gu Qianxi said: “Then what is it like?”

Qiong Fang opened her palm to show the melting snowflakes: “After people die, there’s nothing left. What’s there to wait for?”

Both fell silent, each looking toward the distant capital, neither speaking. The snow gradually increased, making the hill even more desolate. They heard Qiong Fang say: “Sister Gu, I’ll speak honestly. I came to visit you last night actually to make a decision. Once this determination is made…” She gazed at the deep forest below the hill: “My whole life will be different.”

Gu Qianxi said: “I know you’ve always had something you wanted to ask me, right?”

Gu Qianxi was very smart – nothing could be hidden from her. This wasn’t Qiong Fang’s first time experiencing this. She nodded frankly: “Yes. I want to ask you about a few things. If you care about me, please tell the truth. Is that acceptable?”

Gu Qianxi nodded: “Go ahead and ask.”

When the words came to her lips, Qiong Fang became somewhat nervous. She paced back and forth several times before saying: “Sister Gu, before you married Master Yang, you had another fiancé, didn’t you?”

Gu Qianxi said: “Who told you this?”

Qiong Fang said: “Never mind who. I just want to know about this person. Are you willing to tell me?”

Gu Qianxi folded her handkerchief and said coolly: “His name was Lu Yun. He was a northerner who used to serve as an aide to my father.”

Qiong Fang said: “He’s dead, isn’t he?”

Gu Qianxi smoothed her hair, her expression peaceful, showing no joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, and didn’t respond verbally.

Qiong Fang had waited all night to finally speak these words and wouldn’t stop here. She took a deep breath and said: “Sister Gu, when you married Master Yang back then, was it willingly?”

Gu Qianxi said: “What do you mean?”

Qiong Fang said: “I’ve always been curious – if your fiancé had stayed by your side perfectly well, would you still have married Master Yang?”

This was somewhat offensive. Gu Qianxi was silent for a long while, then slowly lowered her head: “Sister, you underestimate me.”

Qiong Fang was startled to hear this, but heard Gu Qianxi say: “I am neither Cai Wenji nor Zhuo Wenjun. I am Gu Siyuan’s daughter, Gu Qianxi.”

Qiong Fang was stunned, not understanding the meaning. But Gu Qianxi only hinted at this much without adding a word of explanation.

This “Cai Wenji” was the daughter of the great Eastern Han scholar Cai Yong, who was married three times – first to one husband, then far away to the Xiongnu, and finally redeemed by Cao Cao and given to a captain named Dong Si. Having suffered fate’s torment, she expressed her feelings through “Poems of Sorrow and Indignation.” That “Zhuo Wenjun” was quite the opposite – she had once abandoned everything for her husband Sima Xiangru, eloping by night to sell wine at a tavern. But when Sima Xiangru rose to prominence and took another lover, she couldn’t bear it and sent him a “Farewell Poem.”

Cai Wenji was helpless, Zhuo Wenjun struggled hard but still couldn’t do anything about it. From this, it seemed Gu Qianxi was afraid of being manipulated by men, so she cut off her arm like a brave warrior and bid farewell to the past herself.

Qiong Fang nodded: “So marrying Master Yang back then was your own decision?”

Gu Qianxi looked at her silently and suddenly said: “Sister, do you know what I’m better at than you?”

Qiong Fang glanced at her sideways, thinking: “This woman is really arrogant.” But she said: “Sister Gu, please speak. Qiong Fang is all ears.”

Gu Qianxi said: “I have one good quality – I never complain in my life.”

Qiong Fang was stunned, not expecting this to be her meaning. She pondered: “No matter what you encounter, you don’t complain?”

Gu Qianxi said: “Yes.”

The woman before her had enjoyed glory, suffered great hardships, gained love, but also lost loved ones. Now hearing her reveal her heart, she seemed able to accept fate’s ups and downs with resignation.

Qiong Fang shook her head and said softly: “Sister Gu, you shouldn’t say this. When your father died by crashing into the prison wall, abandoning you, don’t you resent him either?”

These words were truly heavy. Gu Qianxi heard them but showed no displeasure, only saying quietly: “Sister, you don’t know that there are many people in this world who, from birth, know who they are and understand what they should do. Because of this, they never complain or regret. No matter whether the result is sweet or bitter, they will do everything they should do, one by one.”

Qiong Fang said: “Even if the result is a dead end, they must continue?”

Gu Qianxi said: “Yes. Because if they don’t do this, their lives would be lived in vain.”

Qiong Fang took a deep breath: “Are you also such a person?”

Gu Qianxi said: “Yes.”

Unknowingly, Qiong Fang thought of moths flying into flames and said quietly: “This is due to your temperament, isn’t it?”

Gu Qianxi said: “This isn’t temperament – this is my destiny.”

Qiong Fang exclaimed in a low voice: “Destiny?”

Gu Qianxi said: “Destiny is thus, so there’s no need to complain or regret. I can only summon courage to go forward until Heaven grants me an answer.”

Qiong Fang murmured: “Have you… have you received Heaven’s answer?”

Gu Qianxi lowered her head and fell silent again.

Qiong Fang was stunned. She had originally thought Gu Qianxi was a simple housewife with no power or influence throughout her life, at most seeking a good husband and finding a good destination, so she questioned her about her marriage back then. Who would have thought this woman harbored hidden aspirations and was so conceited?

Destiny was mission – like moths flying into flames, burning their remnant bodies. Fate’s ups and downs were just a joke to her. She deliberately crashed into it.

Qiong Fang stared at her in a daze and suddenly said: “Sister Gu, what… what is my destiny? Can you tell me?”

Gu Qianxi shook her head: “I’m sorry. A person’s destiny must be sought by themselves.”

Knowing destiny and fearing destiny – this was the final test for a gentleman to achieve the Way. After a person finds their destiny, they won’t regret their life. From then on, they can know what cannot be done yet do it anyway, becoming a person of great courage.

“The Master’s literary works can be heard,” but “the Master’s words on human nature and Heaven’s Way cannot be heard.” Qiong Fang was essentially lectured. She sighed softly and didn’t ask more, saying quietly: “What about Master Yang? Do you know what his destiny is?”

Gu Qianxi was silent for a long while: “He is a hero.”

Qiong Fang said in surprise: “A hero?”

Gu Qianxi said: “To speak fairly, my husband is truly a hero of our time, able to shoulder the entire world. Looking at today’s world, there is no second man who can compare.”

She gazed at the distant capital and said softly: “If one day he loses power and steps down, I will weep for all the people of the world.”

Qiong Fang cried out in surprise, never expecting Yang Suguan to hold such a lofty position in her heart. She took a deep breath: “Then… what about your former fiancé? Couldn’t he compare to Master Yang either?”

Gu Qianxi said: “His aspirations weren’t in that.”

Qiong Fang said: “Really? Then where were his aspirations?”

Gu Qianxi said: “You and me.”

Qiong Fang said in surprise: “What?”

Gu Qianxi said: “You and me, me and him – these are all matters between two people.”

The benevolent person is two people. Though there are countless billions in the world, when traced to the root, it’s all just matters between two people.

Qiong Fang heard her words carried hidden meaning, seeming to have double entendre, and couldn’t help but feel confused. She wanted to ask more, but heard Gu Qianxi say: “Let’s go. I’ll take you to meet Ruyu. She knows even more clearly than I do about many things that happened back then.”

Qiong Fang’s heart shuddered, not knowing who this “Ruyu” was. But Gu Qianxi had already gotten into the carriage herself. Qiong Fang understood she wouldn’t say more and nodded, about to climb onto the driver’s seat when Gu Qianxi took the whip first: “Let me drive the carriage. You should rest too.”

Qiong Fang said in surprise: “Sister Gu, do you… do you know how to drive a carriage?”

Gu Qianxi grasped her hand and smiled: “Don’t look down on me. I also ran away from home back then.”

Qiong Fang felt the roughness of her palm and couldn’t help but shudder slightly: “Yes, she had also worked hard.”

As she was thinking, Gu Qianxi had already raised the whip and lightly cracked it in the air. With a snap, the horses awakened and immediately set off with clip-clop sounds.

In the cold weather, Qiong Fang breathed warm air onto her hands, but her eyes looked back, seeming to watch whether anyone was following. As she looked, Gu Qianxi grasped her hand and said gently: “Cold?”

Qiong Fang hummed and nodded. Gu Qianxi said: “Sit closer – two people will be warmer.” Without waiting for Qiong Fang’s agreement, she found a blanket from the carriage, first draping it over her shoulders, then pulling it over her own shoulders.

The two women sat shoulder to shoulder, looking like a pair of close sisters, intimate and warm. Qiong Fang felt her body heat and for a moment felt she was very wrong to always be calculating against her. She only turned her face away and said quietly: “Sister Gu, I’m… sorry…”

Qiong Fang rarely said these three words in her life and couldn’t help but stutter.

Gu Qianxi smiled slightly: “Why are you apologizing to me for no reason?”

Qiong Fang lowered her face and shook her head but didn’t respond verbally.

Gu Qianxi didn’t ask more, only raising the whip to drive the carriage toward Red Snail Mountain.

The carriage headed north, the clip-clop of hooves quite pleasant. But until now, no one had thought of one thing – they still hadn’t paid the carriage fare.

This carriage was expensive – the horses were white horses, the carriage was new, with twin horses in harness, worth at least a hundred taels of silver. But strangely, now the driver was gone, yet the two women drove away with someone else’s carriage. Wouldn’t they feel guilty?

Qiong Fang was preoccupied and from beginning to end hadn’t noticed the carriage’s origin, nor had she noticed that the whip in Gu Qianxi’s hand was carved with characters: “Grand Academician of Zhongji Hall – Yang Residence” – eight small characters.

Official items often had emblems and marks to prevent theft. It turned out this carriage came from the Yang residence. Someone had apparently borrowed this fine carriage from the “Grand Academician of Zhongji Hall,” carrying his wife all the way out, carefully protecting and attending to her, and finally not forgetting to return the property to its owner, returning the carriage to the owner while doing all the owner’s husband’s work.

Ordinary people, sitting in their own carriage, would have awareness even if they fainted in the carriage. Gu Qianxi held the whip and drove skillfully – her fingertips should have touched the carved characters on the whip. Didn’t she realize where this carriage came from? Didn’t she realize that despite her own carriage falling into outsiders’ hands, it was still being used on the street to pick up passengers and earn money? Gu Qianxi seemed to know nothing about it all.

Perhaps the city was too chaotic and the weather too cold. Anyway, no matter how strange things were, she seemed like A’Xiu taking the imperial examination – never thinking about it.

On the sixteenth day of the first month, not yet noon, both inside and outside the city were in chaos. But this place was completely quiet, without a sound to be heard.

So cold, so icy… The surroundings were cold and damp. A’Xiu slowly awakened, opened his eyes, and saw darkness before him, misty and indistinct. He confusedly got up and suddenly touched a fire gun. In an instant, his heart awakened – he remembered he had stolen “Huo Tianlong’s” fire snake gun but unfortunately fell into an underground cave.

He became frightened and was about to cry out when suddenly a large hand reached over and covered his mouth and nose.

“Wu wu… wu wu…” A’Xiu was extremely afraid and wanted to cry, but his mouth and nose were stifled and the large hand still wouldn’t let go. Just as he was about to open his mouth to bite fiercely, his head was patted a few times with comforting intent.

That person’s palm was very hot, sending flame-like breath that seemed able to heat a person’s blood. Unknowingly, A’Xiu’s courage strengthened and his heart relaxed slightly. His eyes turned slightly and he saw a face with high nose and eagle eyes, and the character “Criminal” on the forehead.

Seeing the imperially-decreed criminal appear, A’Xiu was naturally frightened out of his wits. He realized he had not only fallen into an underground cave but also into the hands of a demon. Just as he was about to cry for help, he heard voices from above the cellar: “Strange, I clearly saw that child just now. How did he disappear again?”

Hearing the voices, A’Xiu quieted down again, knowing that “Snake Gun” Huo Tianlong was still chasing him. He swallowed cold saliva and looked toward where the sound came from, seeing light faintly shining down from above through a crack.

A’Xiu thought for a moment and said to himself: “Right, it’s that plaque.” Before fainting, he had seen a plaque inscribed “Western Expedition Grand Commander’s Office.” He hadn’t expected that drilling behind the plaque would cause him to accidentally fall into this underground cave. From this, it seemed there must be a large hole behind that plaque.

“Damn brat!” Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard an angry roar from above: “I caught him! I’m going to cook him and eat him!”

This voice was coarse – it must be that “Zhang Pangzi’s” voice. He heard banging and smacking sounds – this person was carrying a board axe and was probably chopping things to vent his anger.

A’Xiu was scared witless, afraid that Zhang Pangzi would discover his traces and he’d lose his little life. As he trembled, his head was patted again – naturally the demon was comforting him.

A’Xiu’s heart relaxed, knowing a great demon was hiding here. If Zhang Pangzi rushed in, he’d inevitably be eaten by the demon. Just as he felt reassured, he thought again: “What am I happy about? If he can’t eat Zhang Pangzi, he’ll cook and eat me later.”

With wolves outside and tigers inside, A’Xiu didn’t know what bad deeds he had done to end up in this situation. For a moment he choked up and cried, but his mouth and nose were covered so even his crying made no sound.

As he grieved, the ceiling above banged loudly – the group above was still ransacking the place. Zhang Pangzi searched for a long time but never saw A’Xiu’s figure and couldn’t help but rage: “This is great! The snake gun was stolen – how are we going to kill that fellow?”

A’Xiu regretted in his heart, knowing he should never have stolen someone’s fire gun, thus provoking this group of fierce demons.

As he was regretting, he heard Huo Tianlong say: “No fear, I carry a short gun with me. It can barely manage and cope with situations, though its range doesn’t match the snake gun…” Hearing that Huo Tianlong still had a gun, A’Xiu naturally breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Pangzi was also overjoyed: “You should have said so earlier! Look how worried I was…” He roared: “Let’s go! Handle the main business first, we’ll settle accounts with this little brat later!”

After the loud shout, footsteps gradually faded – the group was apparently leaving. A’Xiu felt relieved but was also afraid they’d go far away, leaving him to face the great demon in the cellar alone later. Frightened and anxious, he just wanted to find a way to make this gang of villains perish together.

As he panicked, he suddenly heard someone shout: “Boss, Young Master Huo, come quickly and look – there’s a plaque here.” Hearing that their hiding place had been discovered, A’Xiu was again frightened out of his wits. Indeed, hurried footsteps approached as everyone turned back. Zhang Pangzi murmured: “Western Expedition Grand Commander’s Office…” Then angrily: “What rubbish – smash it!”

This Zhang Pangzi had a cruel nature. When he brought his axe down to break the plaque and poke his head through to see himself dozing here, what would happen then? A’Xiu trembled all over, waiting to die, when Huo Tianlong stopped him: “Zhang Pangzi, put down your axe. Don’t cause trouble.”

Zhang Pangzi said dismissively: “It’s just smashing a broken plaque – what trouble could that cause?”

Huo Tianlong said: “Look at the inscription below the plaque.”

Rustling sounds came from outside as Zhang Pangzi seemed to crouch down and read: “Wude fifteenth year, ninth month, yinwu time… hey, there’s even a damn seal here…”

Huo Tianlong said: “Watch your language. This seal is the imperial treasure.”

A’Xiu was slightly puzzled. The people outside were also stunned, asking one after another: “What? This is the imperial seal?”

Huo Tianlong said: “Now you understand? Whose inscription is this plaque?”

Zhang Pangzi said in shock: “What? This… this is the current Emperor’s imperial calligraphy?”

Huo Tianlong said: “You’re right. If you casually smash the current sage’s imperial calligraphy, you’re bound to invite trouble.”

Everyone said in confusion: “That’s not right. If it’s the Emperor’s imperial calligraphy, why isn’t it properly hung up? How could it be carelessly thrown here?”

Huo Tianlong sighed: “That’s a long story. This ruined house was originally called ‘Marquis Wude’s Residence.’ Its owner was the greatest hero of the Wuying Dynasty, having achieved countless military merits. The Emperor, grateful for his hard work, personally inscribed this plaque. Unfortunately, Heaven envied this talent – before this golden plaque could be hung, the house was sealed by authorities.”

Everyone was surprised: “Why?”

Huo Tianlong said: “The imperial expedition failed, the Emperor was defeated and captured, and the owner here met the fate of having his entire family executed.”

Zhang Pangzi was shocked: “Good heavens, who exactly was the owner of this house?”

Huo Tianlong said: “The owner of this residence was surnamed Qin – the first loyal minister of the Wuying Dynasty, Western Expedition Grand Commander Qin Baxian.”

Everyone exclaimed: “Qin Baxian? Ah… no wonder this plaque couldn’t be hung…”

Huo Tianlong sighed: “I heard that before New Year, the Emperor came here to pay respects. Seeing the golden plaque he had inscribed, he was moved by the scene and cried bitterly. But even he himself dared not move this plaque back to the palace. It can only be left here to gather dust.”

Everyone murmured: “No wonder… who told him to father that beast…”

Zhang Pangzi said: “Wouldn’t have guessed it – Young Master Huo, despite your young age, you know about these past events.”

Huo Tianlong sighed: “I lived in the nearby neighborhood as a child. All the neighbors called this place ‘West City Ghost House.’ This house has been in ruins for over forty years and is finally going to be demolished…”

After a few sighs, Zhang Pangzi had no patience to listen more: “Let’s go, let’s go. Stop talking about these idle matters. Who knows, while we’re chatting here, that Tiangou Li fellow might have already gone to find people!”

Everyone agreed and was about to leave when suddenly someone said: “Wait, if this is the Qin family’s old residence, could Qin Zhonghai be hiding here?”

At the mention of “Qin Zhonghai,” everyone fell silent. A’Xiu’s heart also jumped in alarm, afraid that fellow was also hiding here. As he looked around, he saw another strange person crouching beside him, and his heart was greatly terrified: “Is this person Qin Zhonghai?”

A’Xiu was so frightened he nearly fainted. Of all the people he could encounter, he had to meet “Angry King” Qin Zhonghai. Would he still have his life later? He tightly closed his eyes, hoping he could faint and remain unconscious. But overhead came Huo Tianlong’s voice again: “This reasoning has some merit. Zhang Pangzi, go lift the plaque and check what’s behind it.”

As soon as these words were spoken, all fell silent. A’Xiu was naturally panicked, but the people overhead also quieted down. Suddenly hearing two sinister laughs, Zhang Pangzi said menacingly: “Young Master Huo, do you take Zhang Pangzi for a newcomer? If you want to lift it, you go lift it. Don’t order me around.”

Huo Tianlong said: “You’re being overly suspicious. Didn’t you hear Ximen Song say that fellow was severely injured and can’t move before noon? What are you afraid of?”

Zhang Pangzi sneered: “Since that’s the case, what are you afraid of then?”

A’Xiu heard them mutually declining and understood that this gang of villains was fearful, with no one willing to act and reveal anything. After a very long time, Zhang Pangzi suddenly shouted: “Enough! None of us will move! Little Xu, you come!”

From outside came the sound of chattering teeth as someone stammered: “I… I twisted my hand moving cargo yesterday…”

Zhang Pangzi roared: “Bullshit! I see you fondling women every day without your hand getting sore. When did you twist your hand? Come here!”

Sounds of slapping came from overhead, followed by wailing and crying. It seemed this gang of villains was useless. A’Xiu slowly calmed down and stole glances at the strange person, thinking: “Is this person the great demon king of Angry Cang? But didn’t someone riding a demon horse enter the city this morning? Who was that then?”

A’Xiu loved hearing ghost stories since childhood and had heard playmates mention the “Angry King’s” appearance. They all said this person was twelve feet tall with three heads – the left had a tumor, the right had horns, and the middle one had a large single eye. Before eating people, he would cry. But the person before him had two eyes and one mouth, not looking much like the description. From this, it seemed he might be an impostor.

As he was thinking wildly, he heard shouting from overhead: “Boss! Boss! Come out quickly! The constables have already led their forces out!”

Zhang Pangzi made a sound: “Good old Tiangou Li, finally some movement! Everyone, let’s go quickly!”

A man said: “Boss, should we still uncover this plaque or not…”

Zhang Pangzi scolded: “Idiot! Even if we wanted to uncover it, let the constables do it! Otherwise, will you uncover it?”

Loud footsteps came from the room as everyone rushed out. As for what was behind the plaque, no one bothered to care anymore.

The footsteps gradually faded, and the large hand finally moved away. A’Xiu, freed from restraint, immediately breathed deeply while struggling to push the person’s body, about to escape. But he heard a “bang” as the massive figure hit the wall with a thunderous sound.

A’Xiu was startled, not expecting such divine strength from himself. He turned to look and saw a big man lying on the ground, dead or alive unknown. A’Xiu exclaimed in surprise, thinking: “No way? I killed the Angry Cang Demon King?”

He picked up a stone and threw it at the person’s corpse. Seeing him lying motionless as if completely dead, he boldly walked back to examine closely. The big man was bare-chested, face down, revealing his bare back. A’Xiu could see clearly that there was a tattoo on his back with a flying tiger, and beside it were verses. He read quietly: “If one day I achieve my aspirations, dare to laugh that so-and-so is not a true man.”

After reading for a while, he said in confusion: “What strange poetry is this?”

As he was puzzled, he heard a “puchi” sound as the big man, lying on the ground, actually giggled. Seeing the dead man come back to life, A’Xiu naturally ran for his life. But the big man didn’t chase, only slowly got up and sat against the wall, looking weak and breathless.

A’Xiu thought: “This person’s martial arts are truly poor – he’s definitely not Qin Zhonghai.” Even so, he still didn’t dare talk to him, looking around to see if there was a way to leave this place.

After examining for a while, he knew he was in a cellar. There were stone steps by the wall, mostly destroyed – this seemed to be the exit. He hurried up and jumped up and down, hoping to climb out. The stone steps only had three to five levels remaining, but the cellar was several zhang deep. A’Xiu was naturally unable to reach, and after jumping over ten times, he was panting heavily. Just as he wanted to try again, his foot suddenly slipped, and with an “aiya” sound, he was about to fall backward when someone grabbed his back.

A’Xiu looked back in alarm and saw it was that villain who had saved him. He saw the man’s eyes rolling around his face as if examining something. A’Xiu felt afraid and wanted to call him “master” or something, when suddenly he saw the villain’s eyes widen and extend his fingertip directly toward his brow. A’Xiu was greatly startled, quickly shrank his body, and hurriedly escaped, saying tremblingly: “You… what do you want to do?”

The big man said nothing, only repeatedly examining him. A’Xiu was so frightened he trembled and shrank into the corner, not daring to move. The two confronted each other without moving, neither speaking. Suddenly hearing an “achoo,” the big man actually sneezed and had two streams of blood flowing from his nose.

Ordinary people sneeze and have runny noses, but this big man bled from his nose. It looked bright red, expanding and contracting with his breathing. In the darkness, it faintly emitted firelight, looking extremely strange.

A’Xiu stared at him blankly and suddenly said: “You… you rarely eat fruit, don’t you?”

The big man was stunned and somewhat confused. A’Xiu murmured again: “My mother said people who don’t eat fruit have excessive internal heat and will have nosebleeds when it’s cold.”

Just as he was thinking of advising him to eat more fruit, but distant water can’t quench immediate thirst – the uncle’s nosebleed was almost dripping to the ground. He quickly reached into his bosom and took out the small handkerchief his mother had prepared for him, saying timidly: “Here, use this.”

Seeing the big man bare-chested with only a pair of pants, he figured he was a poor person who definitely had no money to buy tissue paper. Who knew he looked at the handkerchief and only grinned, then with a “hai” sound, expelled his nosebleed and snot onto the ground.

A’Xiu was stunned, not expecting his good intentions to be unrewarded – he only got back a mouthful of spit? No wonder mother always glared at him – now he understood this feeling. Seeing the big man’s eyes carried a trace of contempt as if seeing a woman, A’Xiu secretly became angry. He immediately raised his nose to inhale air and also expelled a thick glob of spit onto the ground, refusing to show weakness.

Just as he was feeling proud, the big man also took a deep breath and, with a sinister laugh, spat another mouthful onto the ground – more and thicker, far surpassing A’Xiu’s. A’Xiu was shocked, never expecting someone would dare compete with him in spitting! Wasn’t this like wielding an axe before Lu Ban? His pride wouldn’t allow it, so he immediately looked up to the sky, gathering saliva in his mouth, and spat it onto the ground.

“Ptu!” “Spit!” One big and one small, eye to eye, face to face, immediately began spitting at each other, one mouthful after another. After spitting for a while, A’Xiu ran out of saliva, but the big man kept spitting endlessly – apparently he had won.

A’Xiu spat: “Forget it! I’ll let you win this time.” Seeing the villain uncle close his eyes to rest, A’Xiu also snorted and turned away to freely search for an exit in the cellar.

Northern households mostly built cellars – some for storing pickled vegetables, some for hiding treasures. If they were wealthy families, they often built secret passages too. A’Xiu had heard his uncle mention these things since childhood, so he felt around on the ground looking for secret passages and mechanisms.

As he was examining, he heard splashing sounds and a terrible stench – the big man had actually taken off his pants and was urinating against the wall. The urine splashed everywhere and flowed toward his feet. A’Xiu was both shocked and angry, jumping east and dodging west. Unable to bear it anymore, he scolded: “You… why are you urinating?”

The big man shook his bottom and let out a loud fart with a terrible smell. A’Xiu thought: “You can fart, can’t I?” He gathered his strength and let out a loud, smelly fart that made people want to vomit.

The cellar was sealed and poorly ventilated. Now with urine, farts, and spit, there wasn’t even a place to sit. The big man covered his mouth and nose, apparently also finding it smelly. A’Xiu pointed and scolded: “Now you know how powerful I am, right?”

The big man didn’t answer but bent down to pick up the fire gun, playing with it – it was the “Hundred-Step Piercing Snake Fire Gun” that A’Xiu had risked his life to steal. A’Xiu hid in the distance watching and scolded: “That’s my thing, don’t play with it.”

The big man wasn’t very interested, only pinched his nose and with a “hm” sound, sprayed all his nosebleed mixed with snot onto the wall. A’Xiu watched in amazement – he’d never seen this move before. Just as he was thinking of imitating it, the big man casually threw the fire gun away with a splash – it was thrown into the urine.

A’Xiu finally got angry and rushed forward to kick the big man, cursing: “Damn!” With a thunderous sound, the big man actually fell backward, his head hitting the stone steps with the sound of a breaking egg.

A’Xiu was startled – first, he didn’t expect such divine strength from himself; second, he didn’t think the big man was so fragile. He tiptoed forward to examine him when the big man sat up again. He saw him pat the back of his head, causing dusty powder to fall – the stone steps had been broken and shattered by this person’s head impact, but the person was completely unharmed, only still bleeding from his nostrils. He looked truly strange.

A’Xiu felt slightly apologetic for almost hurting him, but still spoke harshly: “Serves you right – this is what you get for bullying me.” As he was coldly laughing, the big man suddenly stood up as if to hit someone. A’Xiu was greatly alarmed and cried: “Don’t, don’t.”

With a “pulu” sound, the big man let out another loud fart, then lay down with his arm as a pillow, not forgetting to raise his feet high and shake them.

A’Xiu stared blankly, feeling this person was stranger than strange – truly the most unusual he’d ever seen in his life. He then boldly examined the newcomer’s appearance. With faint light penetrating, the uncle before him had two thick, bold eyebrows, mixed black and white like a ruined brush, and a “Criminal” character on his forehead. Looking at his appearance, he wouldn’t be good at selling rice or flour – he was naturally born to be a villain.

A’Xiu felt somewhat afraid and, remembering Huo Tianlong’s words, asked quietly: “Uncle, who… who exactly are you? You couldn’t be that Qin… Qin…” The demon’s name was taboo and couldn’t be spoken. After stammering a few sounds, he didn’t dare say it. The big man only closed his eyes and raised his feet, completely ignoring him.

A’Xiu swallowed his saliva. Seeing that person’s left foot faintly glowing as if made of iron, he couldn’t help but be curious and extended his small hand to touch it. Just as he was about to grab it, the person’s eyes suddenly opened, shooting out two beams of light that scared A’Xiu into screaming and turning to flee. Before he could run two steps, he heard the person say quietly: “No guts.”

Hearing these two words, A’Xiu froze and slowly turned back, gritting his teeth: “You… what did you say?”

The big man closed his eyes and pillowed his arm, ignoring the question. A’Xiu quickly ran back and said loudly: “What did you just say?”

The big man squinted: “I didn’t say anything.”

A’Xiu said hatefully: “You did! You said it! You… if you have guts, say it again!”

The big man said: “I said you’re really gutsy – a good hero.”

A’Xiu said angrily: “Bullshit! That’s not what you said just now.” Just as he was about to throw a punch, he suddenly saw the big man’s eyes drifting over with a hint of amusement, saying calmly: “Little brother, you really can’t take provocation.”

A’Xiu’s heart awakened – he realized he’d been tricked. Apparently, direct invitation wasn’t as good as provocation – to make him obediently return, one had to provoke him. The person patted the ground beside him: “Come sit down, let’s talk and get to know each other.”

This person’s background was unclear – nine out of ten chances he was a villain. A’Xiu’s head cleared and he became somewhat afraid, about to turn and leave when the person grabbed his back and dragged him back.

A’Xiu cried loudly: “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me.” Though A’Xiu was bold, he was only a ten-year-old child after all. As he cried in fright, the big man had already let go: “Little brother, do you think I’m a bad person?”

A’Xiu turned around and timidly nodded. The big man raised his feet lazily: “That’s fine. Hurry up and escape – with so little guts, don’t let me scare you to death.”

Hearing these words, A’Xiu’s anger flared up, and suddenly he didn’t care about anything. He ran to the big man and said loudly: “Who has no guts? You’re just relying on being bigger – what’s so great about that? If you were my age, wouldn’t you just get beaten up by others every day? What’s there to boast about?”

Remembering all the grievances he’d suffered today – first Shu Ning and Zai Jing, then the restaurant waiter – tears flowed down and he began crying out loud. The big man frowned: “Why are you crying for no reason? Did someone bully you?”

A’Xiu lowered his head as tears dropped one by one, but he only shook his head vigorously, unwilling to say anything. The big man said calmly: “Little brother, don’t cry. The martial world is treacherous – crying is useless. If someone bullies you, we should think of ways to get revenge later. Don’t you think so?”

Hearing these words, A’Xiu’s whole body burned with anger as he shouted: “Right! I must get revenge!”

The big man smiled: “That’s the spirit! I was already killing and arson at your age. Come tell uncle – who bullied you?”

A’Xiu could no longer contain himself and cried loudly: “So many, many people! They scolded me and… and hit me…” He then told the whole story of how he was bullied by the waiter and how he sought help from Huo Tianlong, but skipped the part about being beaten by his father and running away from home.

The big man nodded and looked at the fire gun in the urine: “No wonder Huo Tianlong was chasing you – you stole his means of livelihood. How could he not be anxious?”

A’Xiu said loudly: “Who told him to hit me? I tell you! No matter who in this world hits me, looks down on me, or bullies me, I will hate them! I’ll seek revenge for my whole life!”

The big man stared at A’Xiu’s brow, listening to his crying and slowly lowered his head, but didn’t respond. The cellar quieted down, and A’Xiu felt much better after venting. He wiped his tears: “Uncle, do you… do you know that Huo Tianlong?”

The big man smiled slightly: “I don’t know him, but he should know me.”

A’Xiu murmured: “Why… why?”

The big man smiled: “Need you ask? This Huo fellow is a small character, but I’m a Five Mountains person who can touch the sky with raised hands.”

The big man’s voice had an indescribable authority that made anyone who heard it believe. A’Xiu stared at him blankly and said tremblingly: “Uncle, are you… are you really Qin… Qin…”

The big man lay on the ground, supporting his cheek with his left hand, and smiled: “Little brother, if I told you I was that Qin Zhonghai, would you be afraid of me?”

A’Xiu was stunned for a while, then laughed: “You’re lying.”

The big man was puzzled: “I… who am I lying to?”

A’Xiu laughed: “Do you think I’m a fool? If you were really Qin Zhonghai with such great martial arts, you would have gone out to kill and commit arson long ago. Why would you still hide here with a little kid like me?”

This argument was quite convincing. Looking at how Qin Zhonghai commanded thousands of troops with the world following him – he was the master of Angry Cang’s seven hundred thousand strong army. Not to mention his subordinates were full of experts; his own martial arts alone were enough to overturn the martial world and shake the capital. How could he be trapped here in distress, facing a three-year-old child in mutual tears?

The big man was stunned for a while: “This… this reasoning makes sense…”

A’Xiu snorted a few times proudly: “Uncle, I advise you not to impersonate him in the future. Be careful or people will drag you to the authorities.”

The big man laughed heartily. After laughing for a moment, he sighed and scratched his head: “Sigh… whatever you say. By the way, what’s your name? Can you tell me?”

A’Xiu said: “I’m called… I’m called…” Just as he was about to give his name, he felt it inappropriate and murmured: “I… I’m called Yang Erlang.”

The big man was surprised: “What Yang Erlang? Is your brother Wu Dalang?”

A’Xiu’s face reddened. This Yang Erlang was taken from “Erlang Shen” (the Second Prince God), which he couldn’t very well explain, so he said: “Never mind me. What… what’s your name?”

The big man said: “Qin Zhonghai.”

A’Xiu spat: “Impersonating again! Quickly tell me what you’re called!”

The big man sighed: “Angry Cang Qin Zhonghai.”

A’Xiu yawned: “So tired. I’ve met a madman. Let me sleep first.” The big man quickly said: “Alright, I… my surname is Ni, called…”

A’Xiu said: “Called Ni Qin’die (Ni Dear Dad), right? I’m also called Ni Yeye (Ni Grandpa). Three-year-old tricks – how embarrassing that you’d use them.”

The big man was slightly embarrassed: “You really see through everything. Now I have no name to use.”

A’Xiu laughed: “Who says you have no name? I’ll give you one. You’ll be called…” After pondering for a while, he suddenly clapped his hands and shouted: “Iron Foot Uncle!”

The big man was puzzled: “What uncle?”

A’Xiu pointed at the big man’s left leg and laughed: “Iron Foot Uncle! Look, your foot is made of iron. If I don’t call you Iron Foot Uncle, what should I call you?”

The big man laughed heartily: “That makes sense!” He reached out and patted A’Xiu’s back, while A’Xiu also raised his small hand to pat his shoulder. The two sat side by side and actually smiled at each other.

Strangely, A’Xiu had originally been extremely afraid of this person, but after spending a moment with him, he felt they got along well. He giggled: “Uncle, why are you hiding here?”

The big man sighed: “This is called ‘unexpected storms in the sky, sudden misfortunes for people.’ Last night I was hit with pressure points by an expert, and I can’t get angry before noon. I really have no choice but to hide…”

A’Xiu said in confusion: “Can’t get angry? Isn’t that quite good?”

The big man said: “The martial arts I practice are somewhat different – the angrier I get, the stronger my physical power becomes. But my mortal enemy is also quite formidable, forcibly adding fire to my pericardium meridian. Now my heart meridians contain a fire, and all my body’s meridians are filled with power. Think about it – if I get angry again, what would be the consequence?”

A’Xiu said in horror: “Would you have a stroke?”

The big man smiled bitterly: “Even if not a stroke, it would be a shock. In any case – smoke from seven orifices, blood from both eyes, and farewell to this life. Now even if I were slapped by an enemy, I can only ‘you get angry, I stay polite; today I’ll endure his momentary anger.'”

A’Xiu understood: “No wonder you keep having nosebleeds – so that’s the reason.”

The person laughed heartily, but with this movement, his nostrils dripped two more red streams. He wiped them with his hand and smeared them on the wall.

A’Xiu stared at him blankly, feeling this big man’s martial arts were sometimes high, sometimes low, his behavior sometimes righteous, sometimes evil. He seemed neither like a court expert nor an Angry Cang rebel – truly inexplicable. He thought in a daze and suddenly said: “Uncle, you… you’re from the Huashan Sect, aren’t you?”

The big man said in confusion: “What Huashan Sect?”

A’Xiu said: “You’re one of the Three Monsters of Huashan, right?”

The big man chuckled: “Boy, don’t fail to recognize Mount Tai when you see it. I never change my name when walking or my surname when sitting – Angry Cang Qin Zhonghai is…” Before he could finish, A’Xiu had already yawned loudly: “So tired, I want to sleep again. So annoying.”

Just as he was looking for a place to lie down, the big man quickly said: “Alright, alright, I’m not Qin…”

“…Zhonghai, I… I’m his friend. I used to drink with him.” A’Xiu was half-believing: “Really? You drank with him? Then… what does he look like?”

The big man thought for a long time and pondered: “Let me think… he… he’s very tall and big, handsome and clever…” Then he made a gesture: “His two fists are this big, and also, and also…” He pulled A’Xiu over and whispered in his ear. A’Xiu said in horror: “How could such a thing exist? How could he still fit in pants?”

The big man said excitedly: “Of course he can. You don’t know – when women see him, their skirts just fall down by themselves…” As he was talking nonsense, A’Xiu shook his head: “That’s not right. The Qin Zhonghai I heard about isn’t like that.”

The big man said in confusion: “Then… what is he like?”

A’Xiu looked around to make sure Qin Zhonghai wasn’t hiding nearby, then said quietly: “I’ll tell you – Qin Zhonghai has three heads and eight arms. The left head has no ears, the right head can’t smile, and the middle head has only one eye that can shoot lightning.”

The big man was stunned for a while, then cursed: “Nonsense! Looking like that, would he still count as human?”

A’Xiu said quietly: “He’s originally a ghost. That’s why we can’t mention his name – we can only call him ‘that fellow.'”

The big man said dismissively: “What ‘this fellow, that fellow’? Speaking so unpleasantly. Who told you these ghost stories?”

A’Xiu quickly said: “The butler uncle said so. He said that fellow is wickedly bad – if someone mentions his name during the day, he’ll crawl out of the black stove at night and grab you away!”

The big man said in surprise: “Such a thing exists?”

A’Xiu solemnly warned: “Of course it does. Hua Mei told me that in Shandong and Henan, it happens dozens of times every year. So ordinarily one must never say that fellow’s name, or you’ll disappear.”

The big man chuckled: “What a bunch of bastards… they could become storytellers…” He blew his nose and said: “By the way, is the Hua Mei you mentioned Wu Dingyuan’s daughter?”

A’Xiu was startled: “You… you also know Uncle Wu?”

The big man said: “Of course. He still owes me two books of ‘Flesh Cushion Chronicles.’ You think I don’t know him?”

A’Xiu was shocked: “What? Uncle Wu also reads those kinds of books?”

The big man sighed: “Nonsense. He’s not a eunuch – if he doesn’t read those books, what should he read?”

A’Xiu was stunned for a while and murmured: “No wonder he confiscated my ‘Jin Hailing Dies from Debauchery’ and still hasn’t returned it… turns out he kept it to read himself.”

As he was getting angry, he heard the big man say: “Wait, what is ‘Jin Hailing Dies from Debauchery’?”

A’Xiu quickly said: “It’s the kind with pictures! Four-color printing – haven’t you seen it?”

The big man murmured: “No, I only read the text ones.”

A’Xiu laughed: “Only text? That’s so old-fashioned. Uncle, you must not have been to the capital for a long time. Nowadays they sell them on every street and alley.”

Hearing this, the big man was actually stunned: “Yes… it’s been very, very long since I came back…” He touched his face, showing a rare serious expression, silent for a long time.

A’Xiu said in surprise: “Iron Foot Uncle, are you… are you crying?”

The big man came to his senses and quickly made a “hai” sound, spitting on the ground: “Bullshit, bullshit. I only know how to laugh, not cry.”

A’Xiu had spent some time with this “Iron Foot Uncle” and felt he was amusing and funny, not serious like ordinary adults, so he gained some fondness for him. But this person was still a villain and couldn’t be unguarded against. He lowered his voice: “Uncle, you… you seem like a good person. Why did you become a villain?”

The big man said angrily: “Who says I’m a villain?”

A’Xiu pointed at his forehead. The big man was surprised and smiled bitterly, touching the tattooed characters on his forehead, but had nothing to say. Since ancient times, only those who committed serious crimes received this whale-face tattooing punishment.

The big man sighed: “Don’t think of me as a villain. Let me tell you how it is – one morning the Emperor’s mother stripped naked and walked up to me, asking, ‘Big brother, you curse the Emperor with those three words every day but never act on it. Today, do you want to…'” Just as he was about to make up more nonsense, A’Xiu clapped his hands and said loudly: “I know! I know what crime you committed!”

The big man said in confusion: “What crime?”

A’Xiu said quietly: “You’re a deserter.”

The big man said blankly: “Deserter?”

A’Xiu quickly said: “You said you know Uncle Wu and lived in Beijing, so I guess you must be from the ‘Orthodox Army,’ right?” As he spoke, his face was full of concern: “Uncle, why… why did you become a deserter? Did Uncle Wu mistreat you?”

The big man laughed: “Well, you got half of it right. I was indeed a military man before, but not under the Orthodox Army.”

A’Xiu said: “Then you’re from the Royal Army.”

The big man said: “What Royal Army? Heavenly Maiden Army? When I was young, the court didn’t have such things.”

A’Xiu said in confusion: “Really? Then what army were you from?”

The big man sat up and leaned forward: “I served under Liu Gate, as the first general under ‘Northern Expedition Grand Commander’ Liu Angtian.”

A’Xiu exclaimed: “Northern Expedition Grand Commander? Is there such a person?”

The big man frowned: “What? You haven’t heard of him?”

“No… no…” A’Xiu shook his head in confusion: “Who is that?”

The big man sighed: “He was an old hero of the previous dynasty, my master in warfare. I, your father, and the Uncle Wu you mentioned all worked under him.”

A’Xiu exclaimed: “What? You… you also know my father?”

The big man said: “Of course. Your father was a staff advisor to the ‘Northern Expedition Grand Commander’ when he was young. I was Liu Gate’s top vanguard general. You think we didn’t know each other?”

A’Xiu heard him speak so convincingly that he couldn’t help but exclaim and murmur: “So strange… no one ever told me about these things…” After being confused for a while, he said: “Uncle, where does this ‘Marquis Liu’ live now? Is he still in the capital?”

The big man said: “He’s gone to the Western Heaven.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “Western Heaven?”

The big man sighed: “Dead.”

The cellar fell quiet. The big man leaned against the wall in silence, and A’Xiu was also full of wonder, not knowing whether the big man’s words were true or false. He sat with his head down, then looked around again: “Uncle, is there a way out of here?”

The big man made a sound: “You… you’re leaving?”

A’Xiu said: “Yes, I want to go home to find my aunt.”

The big man was silent for a long while, just not speaking or moving, as if somewhat disappointed. A’Xiu was a bit worried: “Uncle, you… you won’t let me go home?”

The big man came to his senses and quickly said: “It’s not like that. I… my power hasn’t recovered yet and I can’t exert strength. Wait until noon arrives and I can take you away.”

A’Xiu frowned: “You… you won’t lie to me?”

The big man quickly said: “Why would I lie to you? Are you worth money?”

A’Xiu murmured: “Alright… I’ll trust you once, so I’ll stay.”

Hearing this, the big man showed a relieved expression and turned away to scratch his head.

The cellar was several zhang deep – to leap up would be quite difficult. A’Xiu knew he couldn’t get out and walked around the cellar: “Uncle, I saw a plaque up there earlier called… called…”

The big man said: “Western Expedition Grand Commander’s Office.”

A’Xiu said: “Right, right, right! Who is this person? How is he also a Grand Commander? Is it self-proclaimed?”

The big man said dismissively: “Don’t talk nonsense. This ‘Western Expedition Grand Commander’ was surnamed Qin, named Baxian, titled Marquis Wude. Didn’t you hear what that Huo Tianlong said for so long?”

A’Xiu murmured: “I wasn’t listening carefully…” After looking around, he said: “Uncle, why did you hide here? Do you also know that Qin… whatever Grand Commander?”

The big man smiled: “He should know me, but I don’t know him.”

A’Xiu said in confusion: “Why?”

The big man pointed to the ground: “When I was this small, he held me.” He then raised his hand high up and laughed: “But when I grew this big, he had already died.”

Seeing this gesture, A’Xiu couldn’t help but exclaim, involuntarily thinking of the “Three-Eyed Uncle” he’d seen on the city wall. His heart jumped and he quickly said: “Right, right! Uncle, I want to ask you about someone… don’t laugh when you hear…”

“Haha!” The big man laughed a few times: “Alright, I’ve already laughed. Who do you want to find?”

A’Xiu said quietly: “I… I want to find my… my…”

The big man laughed: “Why are you stammering? At such a young age you want to find a wife?”

A’Xiu’s face reddened: “No! I… I want to find my…” He lowered his head and said softly: “Biological father.”

The big man had been laughing heartily, but hearing these words, his laughter froze. A’Xiu said timidly: “You… you can’t laugh after hearing this. I… when I was small I lived with my mother, then she married into someone’s family and brought me along…”

The big man touched his face but made no sound. A’Xiu quickly said: “Uncle, are you listening to me?”

The big man nodded: “I’m listening. Your mother married Yang Suguan, right?”

Hearing his father’s name, A’Xiu’s eyes suddenly reddened and he cried out loud. The big man said: “The Yang fellow doesn’t treat you well?”

A’Xiu lowered his head and sobbed, shaking his head. The big man said: “His family is harsh to you?”

A’Xiu cried loudly: “No! They all treat me very well! But… but I don’t want to stay with him!”

The big man said: “Why is that?”

A’Xiu said tearfully: “My father often hits me, but he doesn’t hit me for no reason. I know he truly treats me as his son. But I… I just don’t want to stay in his family.”

The big man said: “His relatives bully you?”

A’Xiu cried: “I don’t care about those people! Uncle, I just want to know why my own father doesn’t want me anymore!”

The big man took a deep breath and leaned against the wall but made no sound. Only A’Xiu could be heard crying: “Everyone has a father, but I alone don’t have one. When I live in the Yang family, people secretly laugh at my mother, saying she gave the Yang family a free son… Every time I hear these words I want to cry so much. I really want to ask my own father… why doesn’t he want me?”

The big man was silent for a long while, then said quietly: “Perhaps… perhaps he doesn’t know he has a child like you.”

A’Xiu said loudly: “Liar! He knows! He knows! I saw him this morning!”

The big man said in surprise: “You… you saw him?”

A’Xiu suddenly lifted his forehead: “Look here!” The big man raised his head and saw the mark on A’Xiu’s forehead. He took a deep breath and reached out to gently touch his brow.

A’Xiu said anxiously: “Look, this is our heavenly eye – I was born with it. I guess my father must also have one! Uncle, if you… if you know someone who also has this eye, you must tell me. I want to quickly go find him…”

The big man smiled bitterly but made no sound. A’Xiu said urgently: “Uncle, you… speak! Do you know anyone who also has this divine eye? Tell me quickly…”

The big man said quietly: “I… I know one person who also has this eye.”

A’Xiu said joyfully: “Who?”

The big man sighed: “Lu Yun.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “Lu Yun?” For a moment, he felt this name was very familiar, as if he’d heard it somewhere. He murmured: “Is this Lu Yun… is he my father?”

The big man said gently: “I don’t know, but if you’re willing, I can take you to find him.”

A’Xiu shouted joyfully: “Really? You can’t lie to me!”

The big man said: “Rest assured. I always keep my word.”

A’Xiu was beside himself with joy, jumping up and down. The big man sat blankly on the ground, his eyes slightly red, lost in thought. A’Xiu had been happy, but seeing this sorrowful expression, he said in confusion: “Uncle, what’s… what’s wrong with you?”

The big man blew his red snot and wiped it on the wall: “Nothing, just feeling a bit unwell.”

A’Xiu said quietly: “Uncle, do you… do you have children?”

The big man said: “Maybe.”

A’Xiu murmured: “What do you mean?”

The big man said: “Seeds planted outside, sprouting years later – who can figure it out?”

A’Xiu cursed: “Villain. Anyone who becomes your son must have committed sins in a previous life.”

The big man laughed: “How am I bad?”

A’Xiu glared: “Still not bad? Think about it yourself – if your father treated you this way, wouldn’t you be sad?”

The big man shrugged: “I don’t care. I’ve never seen him in this lifetime anyway.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “What? You haven’t seen your father?”

The big man said: “I was born all alone. I’ve only seen my parents in dreams. I don’t even know if they’re dead or alive.”

A’Xiu felt pity and said quietly: “Then… you must really want to find them?”

The big man said indifferently: “No need for me to find them – they found me themselves. At thirty-four, someone exposed my background and revealed my parents’ names. Within a few days, I lost my official position, was thrown in prison, had a leg chopped off, and got my head tattooed. Look…” He pushed back his forehead to show the “Criminal” character: “Now at over forty, I’m still separated from wife and children, disowned by relatives. If my son saw me, he’d probably roll his eyes and curse ‘screw your mother.'”

A’Xiu laughed dryly: “That’s… that’s really miserable. Uncle, how… how did you grow up? By stealing food?”

The big man sighed: “The world is cold. Trying to rely on yourself for everything is a dead end. Let me tell you – I had a master who treated me like his own son.”

A’Xiu said excitedly: “Master! Did he teach martial arts?”

The big man said sullenly: “What else would he teach? Visiting prostitutes?”

A’Xiu had never seen such a crude person and was stunned for a while, murmuring: “Then… where is your master now?”

The big man said: “We had a falling out.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “A falling out? Why?”

The big man said: “My master thought I was a bad person and disdained to associate with me.”

A’Xiu said quietly: “Then… do you have any other relatives?”

The big man said: “All relatives are dead, friends have run away, but I have plenty of enemies. If it weren’t for my mortal enemy poking me with a finger, I wouldn’t be stuck here talking nonsense with you.”

A’Xiu became suspicious: “Mortal enemy… wait, is the person who injured you called ‘Big Shopkeeper’?”

The big man made a sound of surprise: “How do you know about him?”

A’Xiu grinned, remembering how he’d eavesdropped in the wine shop earlier – now it came in handy as gossip. He said proudly: “I knew it! The fugitive they want to catch is you!”

The big man said in surprise: “What news did you gather?”

A’Xiu said solemnly: “Let me tell you – I saw a wanted poster outside with your head drawn on it, even with this ‘Criminal’ character. It said that catching you would earn… earn…”

The big man said: “Noble title of ten thousand households, one hundred thousand taels of gold, and an iron certificate with red writing.”

A’Xiu said happily: “Right, right, right! You know too.”

The big man chuckled but said nothing more.

A’Xiu continued: “Now many, many people are waiting to catch you. I also heard that the constables found a ‘Tiangou Li’ specially to smell your scent. Maybe he’ll come to the door any moment…” As he spoke, he couldn’t help but feel slightly alarmed and looked around, afraid that Tiangou Li really would come.

The big man smiled: “Boy, don’t worry about this – I predicted it long ago. Otherwise, why would I urinate in this room?”

A’Xiu was completely puzzled: “What? But… wouldn’t the smell be even stronger? How could people not smell it?”

The big man said: “I want Tiangou Li to smell it. The stronger the smell the better – best if he can smell it clearly from three li away, then he won’t come over.”

A’Xiu said in confusion: “What? You… you mean Tiangou Li would actually run away after smelling your scent?”

The big man smiled: “Yes. This Tiangou Li isn’t stupid – what benefit did the court give him? Why would he risk his life before me?”

A’Xiu saw him fold his arms across his chest with an air of looking down on heaven and earth, and couldn’t help but be slightly alarmed. It was as if this person truly was a contemporary hero, peerless. In his heart full of awe, he again guessed at this person’s background.

This person before him was very strange. If you said he was Qin Zhonghai, his martial arts were pitifully low, nothing like it. But if you said he wasn’t, he was incredibly arrogant, not putting anyone in his eyes. Unable to figure it out, he asked quietly: “Uncle, are you… are you Ning Bufan?”

The big man laughed heartily: “Stop guessing. Didn’t you say I was a deserter? Then just consider me a deserter.”

After laughing a few times, ignoring his bare upper body, he lay down on the cold floor, closed his eyes, and seemed to want to sleep.

A’Xiu saw his appearance and figured he wasn’t just a deserter – he probably embezzled public funds and stole quite a bit of military provisions, which led to hundreds of constables surrounding and capturing him. He was somewhat worried and said: “Uncle, so many people outside want to catch you. You can barely protect yourself – can you still take me to find my father?”

The big man said: “Who says I can barely protect myself? Once noon passes, I can leave this place at leisure. If you want to find Chang’e the Moon Goddess, I can drag her out too.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “You… aren’t you afraid of encountering those constables?”

The big man said with closed eyes and calm manner: “After noon passes, these people will cry when they see me and run away – who in the world dares block my path?”

A’Xiu covered his mouth and giggled: “Bragging. If you were invincible, how could you be injured by that ‘Big Shopkeeper’?”

The big man’s face reddened and he quickly said: “That was careless – I didn’t expect him to prepare strange moves against me… I guarantee it won’t happen again next time.”

A’Xiu said solemnly: “What if it happens again? Should we slap your palm?”

The big man chuckled and reached out to tickle A’Xiu’s armpit: “Tickle you to death.”

A’Xiu laughed and bent over, also tickling the man’s armpit, but this person was really dirty and smelly. After tickling for just a moment, he touched sticky sweat and coarse black hair under the armpit. He quickly withdrew his hand and didn’t dare play anymore.

The big man said in surprise: “What? Giving up so quickly?”

A’Xiu mumbled: “You… you win.”

He smelled his own hand and found it terribly foul, so he made a bitter face while wiping it and asked: “Uncle, who exactly is this ‘Big Shopkeeper’? His martial arts seem quite formidable.”

The big man chuckled: “This fellow is indeed tough. Bare-handed, there are few people in the world who can beat him. If you let him hold a divine sword, who in the world could resist?”

A’Xiu said in confusion: “What is a divine sword?”

The big man made a fist gesture: “It’s an iron gallbladder about this size, probably one to two hundred pounds. If you squeeze it hard, it will produce a sword.”

A’Xiu was full of suspicion, figuring Iron Foot Uncle was bragging again, so he didn’t want to ask more: “Uncle, why is this person called ‘Big Shopkeeper’? Does he run a restaurant?”

The big man laughed heartily: “You could say that. With tens of millions of mouths in the world crying to be fed, if you say he runs a restaurant, that’s quite fitting.”

A’Xiu looked confused: “What? Don’t all people in the world depend on the Emperor for food? Could it be… could this ‘Big Shopkeeper’ be the Emperor?”

The big man said: “No knowledge. What is the Emperor? When Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang step down with bows, Xia Jie and Shang Zhou take the stage with painted faces. These clowns come and go, go and come – nothing remarkable. The truly formidable one is the ‘Big Shopkeeper.’ This person single-handedly holds up the entire theater stage. If he doesn’t die, the Orthodox Dynasty won’t collapse.”

Though A’Xiu was young, being from an official family, he knew the court had Five Assistants, Six Ministries, and various Grand Academicians, but had never heard of the official position “Big Shopkeeper.” He said in confusion: “So hard to understand. Is this ‘Big Shopkeeper’ a good person or bad person?”

The big man said indifferently: “He’s both a good person and a bad person – it depends on whether you follow his rules.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “What do you mean?”

The big man said: “If you’re willing to obediently listen and do things according to his wishes, he’s the greatest good person who gives you everything good. But if you want to trouble him and oppose him in everything, you’ll wish you were never born from your mother’s womb to avoid this living hell.”

A’Xiu said blankly: “This person… this person seems like my father.”

The big man laughed heartily, slapping his thigh: “Right! Really similar!”

Hearing the laughter, A’Xiu thought: “From this perspective, that ‘Big Shopkeeper’ is a good person.”

Though this Iron Foot Uncle was amusing and treated him quite well, he was still an imperially-decreed criminal and undoubtedly a villain. Since that “Big Shopkeeper” had acted to injure him, he must be the great enemy of villains everywhere and naturally counted as a good person.

A’Xiu murmured and thought, suddenly alarmed: “Oh no! Those who oppose bad people are all good people. If I become friends with a bad person, don’t I become a bad person?”

As he worried, he suddenly thought of Huo Tianlong and Zhang Pangzi, but felt something was wrong. Earlier, A’Xiu had encountered Zhang Pangzi and others in a narrow path, suffering humiliation and nearly losing his life. This gang bullied the weak and were naturally true villains. But since they were enemies of Iron Foot Uncle, could they count as good people?

No – those who oppose villains aren’t necessarily good people. Friends of villains also aren’t necessarily bad people.

A’Xiu understood this principle and suddenly had another thought: “Wait, enemies of bad people aren’t necessarily good people. What about enemies of good people? Should they count as bad people?”

A’Xiu murmured and pondered, suddenly alarmed as he thought of Wu Dingyuan. This morning on the city wall, he’d seen with his own eyes how the Orthodox Army fiercely brandished swords to frighten common people. Those starving people outside the city hadn’t really done anything bad – they were just hungry. What right did the Orthodox Army have to bully them? Could people who bully good people still have the face to say they’re good people?

A’Xiu thought blankly, feeling it was getting more and more confusing. It seemed like everyone under heaven was a bad person. Maybe in the end even he would become a villain – that would be terrible.

As he was in a daze, he heard the big man say: “What’s wrong? Why are you spacing out?”

A’Xiu quickly said: “Uncle, many, many hungry ghosts have come outside the city. Have you heard?”

The big man hummed and scratched his head: “I heard.”

A’Xiu said quietly: “Why… why did they run to the capital?”

The big man said lazily: “Need you ask? These people have nothing to eat, so they came to the capital to beg.”

A’Xiu said tremblingly: “Will they… will they eat people?”

The big man shrugged and asked back: “What about you? Do you eat people?”

A’Xiu said in panic: “Of course not.”

The big man said: “That’s right. You don’t eat, I don’t eat – why would they eat?”

A’Xiu was stunned for a while and murmured: “Uncle, these hungry ghosts came with Qin Zhonghai, right?”

The big man exhaled foul air: “Yes.”

A’Xiu said worriedly: “Uncle, is Qin Zhonghai going to kill us all?”

The big man shook his head: “No.”

A’Xiu said in confusion: “Really? Then… why did he bring so many hungry ghosts? If not to kill us all, what’s it for?”

The big man said: “Don’t know.”

A’Xiu frowned: “Uncle doesn’t know either? Didn’t you know everything?”

The big man said: “You didn’t understand my words. I mean Qin Zhonghai himself doesn’t know what this is for.”

A’Xiu said in shock: “What? Even he doesn’t know what he wants to do? Then… why is he rebelling?”

The big man said: “You don’t understand this. When a person rebels, he never plans to do proper things. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he practice medicine to save people, farm and weave to benefit the community? Why would he kill and commit arson?”

A’Xiu murmured: “That’s not right. I heard Master Meng say that rebels all want to become emperor. Could it be… he doesn’t even want that?”

The big man said: “What do those old masters understand? People truly born with rebellious bones don’t accept discipline. They don’t want to be managed, but if you want them to mind others’ business, they’re not interested either. That’s why Qin Zhonghai established a mountain stronghold – first, not letting others manage him; second, not wanting to manage others. He just wanted to eat big chunks of meat, drink large bowls of wine, and live by robbery his whole life. Who knew Heaven wouldn’t smile on him – as soon as the stronghold opened, it caused great drought across the land…”

A’Xiu nodded vigorously: “I know, I know. I’ve only seen rain a few times since I was small.”

The big man sighed deeply: “That’s it. Winters got colder, summers drier. Heaven wouldn’t send rain. Even rich people became paupers. The stronghold couldn’t rob money anymore, but instead came batches of hungry people, crying and wailing, insisting they wanted to join. That Qin fellow, pestered day and night, got so annoyed he had to attack the court hard to see if any grain would fall out.”

A’Xiu said blankly: “What happened next? Did they get grain from fighting?”

The big man said: “Grain is grown, not fought for.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “Then… what should be done?”

The big man reached into his pants and pulled out a black, muddy thing: “Little brother, have you eaten lunch?”

Seeing this thing came from his crotch area, looking like black mud, how could A’Xiu dare touch it? He said tremblingly: “No, no need.”

The big man laughed: “What are you afraid of? Watch me eat it.” He peeled off a piece and chewed it noisily. A’Xiu saw him squint his eyes and smile, looking like he was enjoying it, and couldn’t help but be curious: “This… can this really be eaten?”

The big man peeled off a piece of mud and handed it to A’Xiu: “Come try it.”

A’Xiu said in alarm: “No thanks, I… I’m full.”

The big man sneered: “No guts.”

A’Xiu saw his eyes full of contempt and suddenly felt anger rise. He opened his mouth, threw the mud in, and chewed angrily: “How’s that? Didn’t I eat it? Who has no guts?”

The big man gave a thumbs up in praise: “Well done! How does it taste?”

A’Xiu had eaten the mud in a moment of pride and was waiting to vomit when suddenly a sweet fragrance came from his mouth. He couldn’t help but exclaim: “Oh! It doesn’t seem too bad.”

The big man laughed: “Not only not bad, it’s actually delicious. Want another bite?”

A’Xiu blinked. This time the big man really wasn’t bragging. The black mud not only didn’t stink but melted in his mouth, bringing sweet honey taste – better than any flower cake or sweet cake. A’Xiu quickly said: “Good, I… I’ll try another piece.”

He took the black mud and stuffed another bite in his mouth. It melted instantly. Still not satisfied, he asked for another bite, then another, finally exclaiming: “What exactly is this? So delicious!”

The big man said: “This is called Divine Power Grass.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “Divine Power Grass? What’s that?”

The big man said: “This was invented by Angry Cang Mountain’s military advisor. In recent years with great drought across the land, nothing could be grown underground. The people of Angry Cang dug mud and boiled grass to make this thing. After disaster victims ate it, everyone praised it.”

A’Xiu said happily: “So amazing! I’ll eat this every day from now on and won’t need rice anymore.”

The big man said: “That won’t work.”

A’Xiu frowned: “Why?”

The big man said: “This only tricks the stomach.”

A’Xiu said in confusion: “Tricks the stomach? What does that mean?”

The big man said: “Divine Power Grass is cooked from mud and dry grass. After eating it, your stomach swells and feels full, but it’s actually still empty. Over time, your belly will bulge out while your limbs become thinner and weaker…”

A’Xiu murmured thoughtfully: “Bulging belly, thin limbs…” He couldn’t help but be shocked: “Isn’t that hungry ghosts?”

The big man said indifferently: “Right. Eating too much Divine Power Grass for too long turns you into a hungry ghost.”

A’Xiu said tremblingly: “This is terrible! Then… Qin Zhonghai still feeds them this – isn’t that cheating people…”

The big man said leisurely: “So what if they’re cheated? One stalk of Divine Power Grass a day, happy from morning to night, used to trick the stomach. At least there’s still some hope in the heart – better than hanging yourself, right?”

A’Xiu murmured: “I see. Then… why did those hungry ghosts still come to the capital?”

The big man said: “The Divine Power Grass ran out.”

A’Xiu said in horror: “Ran out?”

The big man said: “Though it’s mud and weeds, there’s still a day when it’s all cooked. Heaven just wouldn’t smile – refusing to send rain. What could be done? Poor them, after cooking for ten years, they finally finished all the mud. When the entire stronghold heard the news, chaos erupted. Everyone knew ‘Divine Power Grass’ was the disaster victims’ treasure. Once they heard it was finished, they were bound to come up the mountain to cause trouble. All the brothers in the stronghold were anxious, asking what the Angry King planned to do… Think about it – if you were Qin Zhonghai, how would you explain to the hungry ghosts?”

A’Xiu murmured: “Just tell the truth.”

The big man said: “You’re still too young. As the saying goes: ‘Eat the Buddha, wear the Buddha’s clothes – when there’s no firewood in the stove, burn the Buddha.’ Do you think hungry ghosts, hearing the good food is gone, wouldn’t cook old Qin and eat him?”

The hungry ghosts numbered in the tens of millions. Even the court feared them like tigers. If they wanted to demolish Angry Cang Mountain, it probably wouldn’t be difficult.

A’Xiu smiled bitterly: “What happened next? Did Qin Zhonghai come attacking?”

The big man shook his head: “Fighting can’t win. The Orthodox Dynasty is like a big stone – can’t be broken, can’t be pushed over. Unless you can eliminate the mastermind behind it, there’s absolutely no chance of victory.”

A’Xiu said coldly: “Then what can be done? Surrender?”

The big man said dismissively: “You’re as ignorant as Lu Guzhan. What does ‘great drought across the land’ mean? It’s universal water shortage, not just the northwest region. If you surrender to the court, will these dying common people in the capital be willing to share a bite of food with you? In the end, won’t they just quietly dig a big pit and push people in one by one – die one, one less.”

A’Xiu heard him curse fiercely and looked completely confused, murmuring: “Surrender won’t work either. Then… what should Qin Zhonghai do?”

The big man said: “What else can he do? Run, of course.”

A’Xiu said in shock: “What? Qin Zhonghai… he ran away?”

The big man said leisurely: “These past years, Angry Cang Mountain has been crowded with disaster victims, crying and making noise every day – really annoying. Qin Zhonghai has long wanted to run. Now that Divine Power Grass is completely finished and he’s at his wit’s end, if he doesn’t make a run for it now, should he hang himself with them instead?”

A’Xiu said tremblingly: “Where… where does he want to run to?”

The big man said: “Yihua Courtyard.”

A’Xiu said in shock: “Yihua Courtyard! Isn’t that a brothel?”

The big man said: “Yes, there’s food, drink, and sisters there – it’s paradise on earth. If Qin Zhonghai could get in there, he could at least hide for ten or eight years… wait for Heaven to send rain before coming out…”

A’Xiu murmured: “Then… what about Angry Cang Mountain? Without their boss, aren’t they finished?”

The big man said indifferently: “Go screw your mother, you bastards – say less, it’s not so noisy.”

A’Xiu was stunned: “Uncle, why… why are you cursing me?”

The big man’s face reddened: “I’m not cursing you – that’s Qin cursing you.”

A’Xiu snorted, not knowing why he was being cursed, and said coldly: “Forget it, I won’t argue with you. What happened next? Why did the hungry ghosts come to Beijing?”

The big man sighed: “This is called ‘life’s unsatisfactory events happen eight or nine times out of ten.’ That fellow has had bad luck ever since he started rebelling, getting unlucky every day. He finally made up his mind to run away, but just as he slipped down the mountain, the hungry ghosts discovered him. So everyone chased him, all wanting food. Old Qin, seeing himself surrounded, could only distribute his traveling rations on the spot. Who knew the hungry ghosts still wouldn’t leave, instead gathering more and more, all demanding he continue providing Divine Power Grass… or they wouldn’t let him go.”

A’Xiu said in surprise: “But… didn’t this grass run out? What could he give them?”

The big man smiled bitterly: “Fake it. ‘One stalk of Divine Power Grass a day, happy from morning to night’ – old Qin invented this saying himself. But without Divine Power Grass or food grain, he could only turn and run. How could the hungry ghosts let him go? They chased behind him. The more they chased, the more people joined – fathers calling mothers, mothers calling children, one pulling another, one village telling the next. Finally, all the people of the northwest followed him, chasing from Angry Cang to Jingzhou, from Jingzhou to Bazhou, and finally all crowding into Beijing…”

When one rebels, people must rebel against him. Hearing “that fellow’s” rather miserable end, A’Xiu was stunned and said tremblingly: “Uncle, how… how do you know these things?”

The big man smiled bitterly: “I’m well-informed – I know everything under heaven, understand everything.”

A’Xiu didn’t quite believe it and murmured: “Really? Then… do you know what my name is?”

The big man smiled: “Of course I know.”

A’Xiu snorted: “Bragging. I don’t believe it. What do you say my name is?”

The big man smiled: “Your name is Yang Shenxiu. Your mother is Gu Qianxi, your grandfather is Gu Siyuan. You used to live in a soy milk shop and were called ‘Gu Shenxiu’ then, right?”

A’Xiu opened his mouth wide in shock: “You… how do you know…”

The big man said: “I can tell fortunes. I just calculate with my fingers and know everything.” He opened his palm and shook it up and down, casting a spell: “Hmm, let me calculate – you peeked at your mother changing clothes last month, didn’t you?”

A’Xiu’s face reddened and he said quietly: “You… you’re amazing, really knowing everything…”

The big man laughed heartily, very cheerfully. Just as he was about to ask for details about the peeking, he suddenly stopped laughing, then sat up with a serious expression.

A’Xiu said quietly: “Uncle, what’s wrong?”

The big man took a deep breath: “The State-Guarding Iron Guard is coming.”

A’Xiu exclaimed, not knowing what “State-Guarding Iron Guard” was, and quickly asked: “Is that ‘Big Shopkeeper’ coming?”

The big man shook his head: “No. Right now I’m like a powder keg that could explode and kill thousands at any moment. How would he come over to risk his life with me? What’s coming now are all small fry, not worth worrying about.”

A’Xiu sighed in relief: “Then what’s there to fear?”

The big man didn’t say more, only lifted a stone under his foot: “Little brother, come over.”

A’Xiu bent down to look and saw a cave by the wall. The big man whispered in his ear: “Go out through here – it leads all the way to the back courtyard. Go quickly.”

A’Xiu laughed: “Uncle, you’re really bad, not mentioning you had a secret passage and keeping me here.”

Crawling into the hole, he indeed saw a tunnel two feet long and wide, more spacious than imagined. He crawled forward a few feet, didn’t see the big man following, so he crawled back out in confusion: “Uncle, aren’t you leaving?”

The big man shook his head: “No, going out would only make things worse. Better to hide here.”

A’Xiu understood and nodded. Just as he was about to crawl into the hole, he stopped again. The big man frowned: “Why aren’t you leaving? Forgot something?”

A’Xiu walked two steps forward and grasped the big man’s hand: “Uncle, you must promise me you’ll come out alive.”

The big man had been blowing his nose when he suddenly heard this and couldn’t help but exclaim, showing a smile: “You… you want me to live?”

A’Xiu nodded vigorously: “Yes! You… you must live well. I’ll still need you to help me find my father in the future.”

The big man bent down, knelt on one knee, reached out to gently stroke A’Xiu, and said softly: “Child, you’ve already found him.”

A’Xiu was stunned: “What?”

The big man turned his head away and patted his bottom: “Go on, don’t delay here.”

A’Xiu hummed and said bashfully: “Then… I’m leaving…”

The big man didn’t want to look at him anymore, only turned his back and remained silent and motionless. A’Xiu didn’t look back either, just crawled into the hole. As he was crawling, the cave behind slowly closed, and he heard Iron Foot Uncle say gently: “Goodbye, A’Xiu.”

A’Xiu exclaimed and looked back, wanting to see him one more time, but Iron Foot Uncle had already sealed the entrance – he couldn’t see anymore. For a moment, A’Xiu felt strange in his heart, wanting to crawl back to keep him company, but the tunnel was narrow and he couldn’t turn around now. In confusion, he could only crawl forward.

Crawling out of the secret passage, a cool breeze hit his face, then he saw a large bell and several Luohan statues. A’Xiu sighed in relief, knowing he’d returned to the human world.

He came to the courtyard and was about to find a way to leave when he suddenly heard voices outside the wall: “Stop ahead.”

A’Xiu was startled, not knowing who was shouting at him. Just as he was about to stop, he heard footsteps stamping outside the wall – “whoosh” one sound, then another, wave after wave, from near to far, seemingly endless. He didn’t know how many people had come outside the wall.

The speaker shouted again: “Bring Tiangou Li.”

Someone behind replied: “Bring Tiangou Li.” “Bring Tiangou Li…” “Bring Tiangou Li…” The shouts continued wave after wave. A’Xiu was greatly alarmed, knowing the pursuers had arrived. He quickly hid behind a Luohan statue, not daring to move.

Outside the wall, stumbling footsteps approached as someone came. The speaker said: “Tiangou Li, is there any strange smell here?”

A frightened voice came from outside the wall – presumably Tiangou Li – saying quietly: “Yes, that smell went toward the east of the city. I smelled it just now…”

The speaker said: “Really? Then there’s a urine smell here – how didn’t you smell that?”

Sniffing sounds came from outside the wall as the large group sniffed a few times and shouted: “Yes! There’s a strange smell.”

Not only could those outside the wall smell the stench, even A’Xiu found it smelly, thinking: “It’s over! Iron Foot Uncle’s urine was too smelly – the smell drifted out.”

Everyone covered their noses shouting “stinky,” but Tiangou Li seemed to have a broken nose, only desperately sniffing without noticing anything else. After a good while, he finally changed his tune: “Hmm, there really is a smell, I smell it too… Come, everyone follow me… this smell goes toward…”

Footsteps sounded as the large group was about to follow him away. After a few steps, someone suddenly cursed: “Tiangou Li! How are you heading toward the wine shop again?”

Tiangou Li said: “The smell goes toward the wine shop… you smell… if you don’t believe me, smell…”

As he was talking nonsense, a cold, stern voice suddenly said: “Tiangou Li, you’ve been going in circles – do you think we don’t know?”

A’Xiu heard this voice and was startled, recognizing it as “Huo Tianlong’s” voice.

Tiangou Li was quite clever and laughed apologetically: “That fellow… that fellow keeps running… I… I have no choice…”

“Bullshit!” The crowd stirred as the large group shouted: “This guy is an Angry Bandit spy! Let’s kill him!”

Tiangou Li had angered the crowd and was about to be beaten, when suddenly shouts came from behind: “Make way! Song Gongmai, Old Lord Song is coming!”

Footsteps clattered as the crowd seemed to part. A’Xiu glanced toward the wall and saw an official hat showing above the wall. This person was incredibly tall – his hat actually rose above the wall top. A’Xiu was slightly startled, thinking: “It’s over! Song Divine Blade has come – Iron Foot Uncle is doomed.”

Song Gongmai was very famous – almost every citizen of the capital knew him. A’Xiu had also heard his stories and knew this person had fought Angry Bandits when young and had formidable martial arts.

In the commotion, not only had Song Gongmai arrived outside the wall, but many martial arts experts had come too. Many couldn’t fit below, so they climbed up to sit on the wall to rest – their qinggong was apparently no less than that “Huo Tianlong’s.”

That “Song Divine Blade” sounded somewhat tired: “Officers, we’ve searched all night and it’s almost noon now. Must we keep searching?”

Mumbling voices came from outside the wall as the officers seemed panicked and couldn’t answer. After a very long time, someone finally said: “Old Lord Song, please be patient – we’ll find him soon.”

“Bullshit! You said the same thing an hour ago! When exactly will we find him?” “Right! Many people have already left! Why must we stay here?” Curses erupted everywhere as everyone shouted.

This reminded Song Divine Blade, who quickly said: “Right, where’s Gao Tianwei? How come I don’t see him?”

Someone sighed: “He ran away last night, went drinking with Lu Yingchang.”

“Beast! Animal! Cowardly creature!” Outside the wall was a tumultuous uproar with all sorts of people cursing loudly.

Suddenly someone said: “Master, Emei and Dian Cang have all left. Why must our Wudang keep holding on? Let’s leave too.”

This voice was calm and even, yet it covered all the surrounding noise. The voice carried over the wall, making even the large bell in the courtyard hum slightly. A’Xiu was shocked: “So powerful! Who is this?”

As he was thinking, someone outside the wall coughed lightly: “Feng’er, don’t speak.”

This voice was also mysterious – clearly speaking outside the wall, yet it seemed right by his ear, crystal clear.

Immediately shouts came from outside the wall: “Everyone make way! Wudang Sect Leader, Master Yuan Yi Daoist is coming!”

A’Xiu was shocked. Though young, he’d heard of the two great martial arts pillars – Shaolin and Wudang. He hadn’t expected this “Wudang Sect Leader” to also be in the group.

The crowd shifted, apparently the “Master Yuan Yi” had reached the front. He said: “Officers, to be honest, we must go to Red Snail Temple tonight for an imperial audience. We can’t search endlessly like this. Give us some guidance – where else should we go?”

“Right! Searched all night! Not even a ghost shadow!” “Speak up! Where else should we go?” Everyone angrily roared, taking out their frustration on the officers.

Several officers, pressed hard, could only shout angrily: “Tiangou Li! Get over here!”

Poor Tiangou Li – footsteps clattered as he was apparently dragged over again amid pulling and tugging. The officers shouted: “Tiangou Li! We’ve circled within ten li – did you smell anything or not?”

“Yes… yes… told you it went toward the east of the city…” “East of the city? East of the city is Yongding River! Did he jump into Yongding River?” “Yes… maybe really…”

Suddenly someone raged: “Stinking brat! Without giving you some pain, you won’t tell the truth! Someone! Use torture!”

Footsteps erupted as the officers apparently all surrounded him. That “Tiangou Li” squealed like a pig: “Spare me! Spare me! I’ve really tried my best! Don’t hit me!”

Amid pig squeals and dog howls, an aged voice suddenly said: “Where’s Gong Zhengyi? He hasn’t left yet, has he?”

Song Gongmai spoke again, and everything quieted down. A timid voice said: “My lord, I’m here.”

This voice carried some fear – though A’Xiu couldn’t see the person, he felt this person was unreliable.

Song Divine Blade said: “Brother Gong, let’s speak plainly – the hungry ghosts have arrived, haven’t they?”

At the mention of “hungry ghosts,” outside the wall suddenly fell silent – not a sound could be heard.

Only “Gong Zhengyi” said quietly: “Yes. The hungry ghosts surrounded the city at dawn.”

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like lighting gunpowder – outside the wall exploded again: “Bastard! Why didn’t you say so earlier?” “Scoundrel! No wonder they’ve been beating gongs in the western suburbs since early morning!” “Damn!” “Hell!”

In the commotion, someone shouted: “Run! Run! The capital can’t be defended! Everyone flee the city!”

“All of you… SHUT UP!” A wild roar like thunder, earth-shaking, made the roof tiles clatter. A’Xiu quickly covered his ears, trembling.

Song Gongmai took a deep breath: “Brother Gong, outside the city is Wu Dingyuan’s territory. Whether he can defend it or not, Song doesn’t care. I only ask one thing – how long does your ‘superior’ want us to search? Must we search endlessly like this?”

“Um… this… this…” Gong Zhengyi stammered without answering. Song Gongmai said coldly: “Brother Gong, if you don’t speak, I’m leaving now.”

After a long time, Gong Zhengyi finally responded: “In… in answer to your lordship, our… our superiors indeed gave instructions saying the inn brothers only need to search until noon. Once noon passes, there’s no need to search anymore…”

Everyone said in surprise: “No need to search anymore?”

Gong Zhengyi hummed: “No use even if we find him…”

Amid shocked speculation, everyone outside the wall discussed endlessly when another angry roar came: “Gong Zhengyi! Open your dim old eyes and look! Your superior is me! Who said we only need to search until noon? I say we must search until evening!” “Why evening? Might as well search until next year’s Lantern Festival! Wouldn’t that be good?” “Damn! Are you the official or am I?”

Amid the cursing, clanging sounds came from outside the wall as someone actually started fighting. A’Xiu blinked, finally understanding why the world was in such chaos – the source of disorder came from these heroes.

Everyone started a group fight, but Song Gongmai remained calm: “Fine, we’ll listen to you. What time is it now?”

Someone answered: “Almost noon.”

Song Gongmai said: “Very good. When the bell tower strikes noon, everyone can scatter like birds and beasts – those who want to flee can flee, those who want to leave can leave. No need to waste time here. Master Yuan Yi, Master Lingyin, what do you two think?”

Hearing “Master Lingyin” was also here, A’Xiu was secretly alarmed, knowing this person was his father’s senior brother with mysteriously high martial arts. If Iron Foot Uncle faced him directly later, would there be any chance of survival? He was secretly afraid and wanted to warn the uncle, but with officers right outside the wall, if discovered, it would be like “no silver here” – drawing attention.

As he worried, suddenly chase sounds came from outside the wall: “Catch him! Tiangou Li ran away!”

With a bang, someone fell to the ground, followed by kicking sounds. Someone roared: “Want to run? With so many experts here, where can you run to? Quick! Smell! Is there that fellow’s scent here?”

Sniffing sounds came from outside the wall as “Tiangou Li” said quietly: “Yes… that smell goes toward Daming Gate!”

“Bullshit! Just now you said it went east! Now it’s gone to Daming Gate? I suppose it went to South Heaven Gate too!” “Damn! I haven’t slept all night – I’ll kill you first to vent my anger!”

Amid slapping sounds, “Tiangou Li” cried: “Wait, wait, I smell it – that smell is just across the street…”

Footsteps scattered as the large group identified the direction and was about to move out again. The tall official hat passed by the surrounding wall, then paused slightly. Song Gongmai pondered: “Wait, how many times have we passed this ruined residence?”

Someone replied: “From last night until now, it’s the sixth time.”

Song Gongmai said: “How many times have we searched inside?”

At these words, no sound came from outside the wall – apparently everyone realized something was wrong.

Suddenly with a loud “bang,” the surrounding wall collapsed thunderously. Amid flying dust and sand appeared a monk in kasaya, palms pushing forward. A’Xiu actually recognized this person – it was his father’s junior brother “Master Lingxuan.”

In no time, several more people flipped over the wall – some like geckos crawling on walls, some like birds skimming through air, some like grasshoppers hopping – each with their own skills and special abilities.

Rumbling sounds rose and fell as a large section of the surrounding wall collapsed, and people from all sides appeared. A’Xiu stole glances and saw Song Gongmai walking at the front, followed by countless experts – immortal-like thin-boned Daoists, heroes in long robes, and more officers from various government offices. As for that “Snake Gun” Huo Tianlong and Zhang Pangzi, they were also in the group but didn’t stand out.

The courtyard was full of expert masters like clouds – holding whisks, carrying long swords, bearing fire guns – all stationed in the back courtyard with extraordinary presence.

A head constable strode into the courtyard and said sternly: “Someone! Bring Tiangou Li!”

Officers behind shouted: “Bring Tiangou Li!” “Bring Tiangou Li… Bring Tiangou Li…” The shouts continued one after another.

In no time, shouts came from outside the courtyard: “Tiangou Li ran away!” “Tiangou Li ran away… Tiangou Li ran away…” The calls echoed back and forth as an officer returned…

A constable reported: “Reporting to the chief, Tiangou Li has already escaped.”

The head constable raged: “If he ran away, why don’t you chase him? Idiots!”

The constables were in a panic, about to chase, when they saw someone raise his hand to stop them. A’Xiu could see clearly this person was Song Gongmai. He heard him say: “No need to chase. That fellow is right here.”

Everyone suddenly understood why Tiangou Li had been going in circles – he had long known “that fellow” was hiding here, so he kept away.

The entire scene fell silent. The head constable stepped forward and said sternly: “All heroes! When locusts are about to take flight, there must be a guide to lead the way! For the countless common people of the capital, we must fight here with no regrets even unto death!”

Clang clang clang, clang clang clang – someone in the distance struck bronze gongs, ordering the attack to begin.

Song Gongmai roared: “Master Yuan Yi! Please guard the back door! Master Lingyin, please lead the monks to the front gate! The rest follow me forward!”

Stirring his eighty-year-old body, he walked toward the ghost house. But after a few steps, hearing no sounds behind him, he turned back to see the martial arts experts looking at each other in silence.

Song Gongmai was irritated and turned to scold: “Young men should not betray heroic aspirations – the chivalrous oath is to eliminate harm for the people! What are you afraid of?”

Just as he was about to continue scolding, a quiet voice came from behind: “Well said.”

Everyone looked intently and saw that behind Song Gongmai had appeared several black-clothed men – one each front, back, left, and right, six in total. All wore masks and carried weapons.

“The Demon King has come!” Everyone shouted and was about to turn and flee when Song Gongmai quickly called: “Wait!”

He leaped backward and grabbed a constable, whispering: “Gong Zhengyi, are these your people?”

The constable was hunchbacked and bent, with a bitter old face – this was indeed the “Gong Zhengyi” who had spoken earlier. He nodded and whispered a few words in Lord Song’s ear.

Song Gongmai’s expression changed dramatically as he quickly stepped back several paces and took a deep breath. The others were even more shocked and confused, unable to speak for a long time. Finally, Master Yuan Yi coughed and cupped his hands: “Friends, if you have any instructions, please tell us.”

“By imperial decree!” The six black-clothed men straightened their bodies and shouted in unison. Everyone was startled, not knowing what they were about to do. One black-clothed man stepped forward from the group and said calmly: “By imperial decree. We have come specially to convey a message. Please listen carefully, fellow warriors.”

With the legendary black-clothed men appearing and speaking, the scene was silent as deep night – no one dared make a sound. The man concealed his face, showing only cold eyes as he surveyed the scene and said quietly: “Last night at the zi hour, we intercepted this person at Wanfu Tower. After a great battle, the target was surrounded by our full force and has been wounded.”

Hearing this, the martial heroes were suddenly startled, and discussion arose among the crowd.

Song Gongmai said sternly: “Friend, is this true?”

The black-clothed man said: “Absolutely true. That fellow’s meridians are paralyzed and martial arts completely lost before noon. If Your Lordship doesn’t believe it, just ask the ‘Big Shopkeeper.'”

At these words, the crowd erupted in discussion. Suddenly a constable shouted: “Imperial decree! Whoever can cut off that fellow’s head will be granted the title of Marquis within the Pass and rewarded with one hundred thousand taels of gold! Wealth and honor are right before us!”

“Charge! Kill!”

Before Song Gongmai could even move, heroes from all sides rushed forward, instead pushing him to the back. With a fallen dog before them, everyone competed to be first, rushing into the ghost house. Immediately the broken house and ruined walls echoed with desperate searches for the wanted criminal’s whereabouts. Huo Tianlong and Zhang Pangzi also got busy – one looking for a shooting position, the other sharpening his blade, just waiting to reap the profits.

As the saying goes: “When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when the wall falls, everyone pushes.” The various experts were like wolves and tigers, everyone risking their lives to become that “Marquis within the Pass.”

A’Xiu was worried and couldn’t leave, so he hid behind the Luohan statue, secretly praying for that “Iron Foot Uncle.”

Voices clamored in the ruined house like a marketplace – apparently it wouldn’t take long to find Iron Foot Uncle’s traces.

Amid the commotion, suddenly “bang!” – a knocking sound came from deep underground, as if something was about to crawl out. Everyone was startled and fled the house, hiding behind Song Gongmai.

“Bang!” Another sound, then another – strange noises kept coming from underground as if a demon king was about to emerge. Everyone’s hearts raced and palms sweated. Zhang Pangzi, who had been waiting to pick up bargains, now hid in the grass trembling all over.

Looking at Huo Tianlong, he had already climbed onto the opposite rooftop – whether to fire a cold shot or flee was unclear.

A dying camel is bigger than a horse. In the chill silence, none of the experts dared move rashly when suddenly a clear whistle rang out. A young man stepped forward from the crowd and said loudly: “Wudang’s Yu Danfeng is here! Please show yourself for a meeting!”

Suddenly “rumble!” – a great sound as dust flew from underground as if some monster had emerged. Everyone cried “Aiya!” in alarm and retreated. Yu Danfeng couldn’t help but cover his face with both hands and point his feet to the ground, floating back three zhang.

After the earth-shaking commotion, there was no more sound – only flying dust filled the sky. Everyone was uncertain and alarmed, not knowing what had happened.

A’Xiu was also greatly frightened. As he was watching, someone patted his shoulder. He turned and was shocked to see a big man gesturing for silence with a finger to his lips, then slowly crawling into the tall grass, planning to escape.

A’Xiu was stunned. Looking at that big man’s brilliance – a “divert attention” move, making a heaven-shaking noise while using “golden cicada escapes its shell” to quietly flee.

He carefully crawled into the grass, but after just a few steps, the grass rustled and a fat man jumped out, screaming loudly: “A bad man is coming! Help! Someone come quickly!”

Everyone turned to look urgently and were shocked to see a person crouching in the grass, sneaky and with tattoos all over his back – who else could “that fellow” be?

“Kill!” Several Daoists flew up, drawing swords in mid-air with exquisite body techniques. Master Lingxuan pushed forward with both palms and with a shout, unleashed his “Mighty Vajra Palm.” Other constables and martial arts veterans also raised their weapons, surrounding the enemy in layers.

A’Xiu knew the big man was about to die and immediately turned to flee, closing his eyes with tears: “Goodbye, Iron Foot Uncle.”

Just as tears were about to fall, he heard wild laughter: “Hahahahaha! Ah—hahahahahaha!”

A’Xiu turned back in bewilderment to see Iron Foot Uncle standing up from the grass with his head thrown back in laughter. He was tall and magnificent, about eight feet four or five, with a flying tiger tattooed on his back – the image majestic yet extremely fierce, like a fierce tiger emerging from the hills, striding forward.

“Oh no…” Everyone became afraid. Those who had been attacking stopped, those who had stopped retreated, and those already retreating lay down flat, pretending to be corpses.

In the terror, the big man strode forward laughing heartily toward the crowd. Suddenly his gaze swept over and stopped on a tall old man’s face, chuckling: “Lord Song, long time no see.”

Chattering teeth could be heard everywhere. Song Gongmai’s face was also iron-gray as he said hoarsely: “General… have you been well?”

Under everyone’s gaze, the big man twisted his neck: “Alright, enough nonsense. Are you coming one at a time? Or all together?”

A’Xiu was secretly puzzled. Earlier he’d heard Iron Foot Uncle mention that his martial arts would be completely lost before noon – how could he now be full of energy and actively seeking battle?

Looking up at the sun, it was hidden behind snow clouds – he couldn’t tell if it had reached the zenith. Song Gongmai was also uncertain, and the other experts looked at each other, no one daring to act rashly.

At this moment, no one was clear whether it was noon or not, nor did anyone know if “that fellow” was truly injured. They only knew he stood bare-chested, surveying the scene with an aura of dominance. Though hundreds were present, not one dared step forward to fight.

In the complete silence, footsteps sounded as a young man stepped out from the crowd, breathing steadily: “Old man, Wudang’s Yu Danfeng is here to play a couple moves with you.”

The big man’s gaze drifted sideways as he smiled: “What Feng?”

The person said: “Yu Danfeng.”

The big man said lazily: “Never heard of you.”

Yu Danfeng’s face showed great anger and he was about to step forward when a middle-aged Daoist stopped him, whispering in his ear: “Don’t act rashly. Look carefully around.”

The young man was slightly puzzled and looked around, suddenly noticing something – the six black-clothed men had disappeared.

Not only had the black-clothed men vanished, even that “Gong Zhengyi” had disappeared. Now not only Yu Danfeng was suspicious, but the other experts also sensed something wrong.

If “that fellow” was truly injured, why didn’t these black-clothed men act themselves? Instead, they left the scene to others? Could “that fellow” be poisonous? Or was there a barrel of gunpowder buried underground? Or what?

The middle-aged Daoist was Wudang’s leader “Yuan Yi.” Seeing everyone looking at his master and disciple, he immediately gave a clear whistle and said: “Feng’er! In the martial world, there should be proper order of seniority. Though you wish to eliminate evil and do something for the people, don’t the senior masters also wish the same?”

He waved his hand and said loudly: “All martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin! In terms of ranking by seniority, our Wudang True Martial Temple should yield to Mount Song’s Shaolin!”

The heroes were stunned to hear this. Wudang and Shaolin had competed for a hundred years, normally fighting openly and plotting secretly. At this moment, they were yielding?

Master Lingxuan coughed: “Very well. This battle will have our Shaolin take the vanguard.”

He stepped forward and was about to act when he saw Iron Foot Uncle lick his lips and grin wickedly. Lingxuan felt great foreboding and retreated, pressing his palms together: “Amitabha. The General is a tiger general of the world with great reputation. For this humble monk to presume one-on-one combat would inevitably insult the General’s great name.”

The big man laughed: “Alright, enough nonsense. How many do you want to bring?”

Lingxuan lowered his head silently as fellow monks stepped forward behind him, saying in unison: “We twelve Shaolin monks together request instruction from the General!”

Hearing twelve monks coming together, the big man remained completely calm: “Where is Master Lingyin? Will he also join?”

A short old monk stepped out from the crowd, pressing palms together: “Amitabha. For the people of the capital, this poor monk dares to experience the benefactor’s superior techniques.”

As he spoke, he breathed slightly and pushed both hands slightly forward, fingers curling inward – this was his famous ultimate technique: “Great Compassion Demon-Subduing Pestle.”

Seeing Lingyin secretly channeling divine power, the scene naturally erupted in discussion. Lingxuan also placed his palms upward and took a horse stance, displaying Buddhism’s fundamental palm seal: “Mighty Vajra Palm.”

With Shaolin high monks taking the vanguard, everyone’s morale greatly increased. Huo Tianlong leaped onto the opposite building holding a short gun, and constables in the distance also raised crossbows aimed at the scene, all wanting to assist the Shaolin monks.

Master Yuan Yi held back his disciple, indicating he shouldn’t act rashly.

Just as both sides were about to battle, the big man smiled: “Master Lingyin, before you act, I’d like to ask you something. Is that acceptable?”

Lingyin pressed palms together: “Amitabha. As long as it brings no harm to all living beings under heaven and no hindrance to the people of the capital, this old monk will naturally answer.”

The big man smiled: “Don’t worry. I only want to ask you three words…” Suddenly pointing to the sky, he roared: “What is Buddha!”

The roar echoed all around: “What is Buddha… What is Buddha… What is Buddha…”

Lingyin was also stunned, not expecting such a question. Just as he was about to press palms together and answer, Lingxuan whispered in his ear: “Senior brother, this fellow uses evil arts and definitely wants to disturb your mind. Don’t answer at all.”

Lingyin showed slight hesitation, wanting to speak but stopping. The big man said again: “Master Lingyin, your Shaolin Temple is full of fake benevolence and righteousness – bald thieves who worship Buddha by day and visit prostitutes by night. Only you are a true monk. Tell me, what is Buddha?”

Lingyin coughed and answered: “Faith is Buddha.”

The big man said coldly: “What is faith?”

Lingyin said: “Buddha said: ‘All of you should believe that your own mind is Buddha – this mind is the Buddha mind.'”

The big man made a sound and asked again: “What is Buddha mind?”

Lingyin pressed palms together: “Chan is Buddha mind, teaching is Buddha speech. Teaching only transmits the one-mind dharma, Chan only transmits the see-nature dharma…”

A’Xiu watched from the side and saw the big man nodding and agreeing continuously, but his eyes were watching the shadow at his feet. Suddenly he understood: “Great! Iron Foot Uncle is stalling for time!”

Though A’Xiu was only a ten-year-old child, his mind was clearer than these adults. He knew the big man was rambling just to pass time until noon when he could recover his martial arts.

Lingyin was still in a dream, continuing his long discourse: “Therefore, Bodhidharma came from the southern Tianzhu kingdom to China, transmitting the supreme one-mind dharma to enable your enlightenment and help all beings attain Buddha nature…”

After speaking for a long time, he finally pressed palms together and bowed: “Amitabha, excellent, excellent. This humble monk has finished expounding the dharma. Please bestow your techniques, benefactor.”

Noon hadn’t arrived but the Buddhist teaching had finished early. A’Xiu was covered in cold sweat and feeling worried when the big man smiled: “What a pity, what a pity. An enlightened high monk like the Master – die one, lose one. I really can’t bear to make a move.”

Lingyin said: “All people in the world have their destined relationships. The benefactor need not be polite.”

The big man laughed heartily and clenched his fists, about to stride forward when he suddenly said: “Wait, Master, about the Buddha mind you mentioned just now – could you explain it more clearly?”

Lingyin had no suspicions and was about to expound more on Buddhist dharma when Lingxuan beside him could no longer contain himself and roared: “You villain! Stop toying with my senior brother! Take a move from Lingxuan!”

He waved both hands and channeled his “Mighty Vajra Palm,” about to strike when the big man said sternly: “Lingxuan! Why did you kill the divine monk Tianjue?”

Lingxuan was greatly shocked. Despite his deep power, his steps still stumbled backward as he said tremblingly: “What nonsense are you talking?”

The big man said coldly: “Lingxuan, your Shaolin has long framed me, saying Master Tianjue died by my hand…” His voice rose as he said sternly: “Tell me! Why did you kill Master Tianjue!”

Lingxuan said in horror: “I… I don’t know…”

The big man said menacingly: “Don’t know? With just these three words you think you can deceive your own conscience? Lingxuan! You clearly knew of the conspiracy in advance and stood by afterward, allowing Master Tianjue to die at villains’ hands – how is this different from killing him with your own hands? Come here! After you kill me, you can silence the world’s gossiping mouths!”

Lingxuan was panicked and afraid, his voice carrying tears: “It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it… I don’t know anything…”

“Hahahaha!” The big man threw back his head and laughed magnificently. Just as he was about to continue scolding, suddenly his nose heated up and two streams of red blood flowed down, looking just like snot.

Seeing everyone stunned, A’Xiu felt miserable: “It’s over, he’s exposed.”

When do martial artists, who contain their qi and blood internally, have nosebleeds? Sure enough, everyone looked at each other and suddenly all woke up, raging: “This guy is stalling for time!”

Lingxuan’s teeth chattered with anger: “You villain… if I can’t kill you today, how can I face my Uncle Tianjue underground?”

“For all the people under heaven!” Master Yuan Yi drew his sword to the sky and said sternly: “Everyone – charge together!”

“Kill!” “Charge!”

Seeing that big man was just paper – he had no martial arts at all. The constables were angry, Zhang Pangzi was furious, even Master Yuan Yi drew his sword. Everyone rushed forward with flashing blades and swords, guns stabbing and palms striking – truly using every means. Huo Tianlong waited like a hunter, just waiting to fire a shot in the chaos.

This was the end. The big man’s nosebleed had revealed all secrets. Seeing blades and swords coming together, death seemed imminent any moment, when suddenly “dong, dong” sounds rang out – bell sounds had actually started!

“Ah—hahahahahaha!” Noon had arrived! The big man placed hands on hips and threw back his head in wild laughter, the sound reaching the ninth heaven – even if Chang’e the moon goddess heard it, her beautiful face would pale.

“Oh no!” Everyone cried out – those retracting moves retracted, those stopping steps stopped, and those running slowly even fell to the ground crying for their parents.

Once noon passed, “that fellow’s” meridians opened fully, yin and yang six channels had dragons and tigers meeting, water and milk blending, making him once again reach the heaven-high peak of the Five Mountains, becoming the world’s greatest demon.

Everyone cried in terror and was about to flee when suddenly someone shouted: “Wait! Everyone look over there!”

Everyone turned their gaze and were shocked to see a child with a pale face holding a stone block, standing by a large bell – he had been randomly striking it.

Zhang Pangzi raged: “That little brat again!”

The constables angrily said: “Damned thing!”

Seeing the bell sounds came from here, everyone was furious with shame. Those crying wiped their tears, those wiping tears turned red-eyed, and the red-eyed drew blades.

“For one hundred thousand taels of gold!” Zhang Pangzi raised his large axe and was the first to charge forward, roaring: “Kill!”

“Kill!” “Charge!” “My Marquis within the Pass!” Everyone had been fooled repeatedly and were now desperate like madmen, all waiting to dismember this person.

The big man was doomed. Here were Wudang experts, there were Shaolin high monks, weapons came like a flood and clubs fell like rain – how could there be life left?

Suddenly “bang!” – a gunshot rang out. Huo Tianlong had fired first, wanting to be first to claim the “Marquis within the Pass” throne. But suddenly the gunshot seemed rather dim, and from afar came several sounds… “Dong…” “Dong…”

Distant bell sounds were melodious – dong, one sound, then another, bringing ancient tranquil meaning. Everyone couldn’t help but be stunned. Looking at A’Xiu, that little brat was just sitting dumbly on the ground, far from that large bell, definitely not playing tricks.

These bell sounds came from the northern gate’s “Bell Tower Street.” This street had a giant bell, reportedly cast by “Emperor Yongle,” hanging high on the city tower, announcing time on schedule, consistent for a hundred years without ever being wrong.

In the great clanging, everyone swallowed cold saliva. Before they could flee, they heard the big man crunching something in his mouth and saying unclearly: “Time for lunch…”

With a “ptu” sound, a bullet was spat from his mouth. The big man’s whole body glowed red, the light slightly expanding then contracting. After a deep breath, he waved his arms up and down and beckoned to Master Lingxuan: “Little brother, have you eaten lunch?”

Lingxuan gritted his teeth: “I… I…”

The big man imitated his tone, cowering: “I… I… you… you…” He chuckled: “If you have something to say, go tell that old thief Tianjue.”

He grabbed Lingxuan’s collar and with a roar lifted him over his shoulder, then with a “whoosh” threw him far away.

After a muffled grunt, a scream of “Ah!” came from the distance. A’Xiu turned to look and saw Huo Tianlong falling from the rooftop. Looking at Master Lingxuan, he was still flying through the air, destination unknown.

The big man breathed warmth into his palms and said with a shiver: “Strange, it’s still so cold even though it’s the first month.”

He licked his lips and suddenly looked at a constable: “Hey, you take off your clothes.”

The constable trembled all over, still looking around. The big man angrily said: “Still looking at others? It’s you! Quickly take off your clothes!”

The constable cried: “Hero, spare my life! I… I don’t know that stuff…”

The big man said sternly: “Take them off quickly!”

The angry roar was like dragon’s song and tiger’s howl. Even A’Xiu was terrified and quickly covered his ears. Dozens of constables were on the verge of tears and, led by the head constable, everyone publicly stripped off clothes and pants – quite a spectacle.

The big man, bare-chested, leisurely selected fitting clothes on the ground. As he was trying them on, he suddenly heard abnormal breathing behind him and heard someone say menacingly: “Friend… what do you take us for?”

Golden light blazed as he heard: “Wudang’s Yu Danfeng…”

Someone raised both palms and said sternly: “Please bestow your techniques!”

Bang! That fellow’s body flew straight out, traveling a full two zhang before hitting that large bell and then rolling to the ground.

Song Gongmai saw the opportunity and quickly raised his treasured blade, flying forward and shouting: “Divine Blade Force!”

Old but not decrepit, Song Divine Blade channeled his lifelong power and raised his blade to chop down. Suddenly hearing a “weng” sound, “that fellow” swayed and stood up, actually holding that large bell and blocking Song Gongmai’s treasured blade.

The giant bell rang with great sound, numbing everyone’s eardrums. This bell weighed over a thousand jin, yet that fellow lifted it with one hand – there were few in the world with such divine strength.

As the whole scene was horrified, “that fellow” took a breath, his right arm swept back, and the great bell also swept back five feet. A fierce wind struck their faces as the thousand-jin bell crashed toward Song Gongmai’s face.

“Divine Blade Force!” Song Gongmai shrieked strangely and raised his blade to meet it, waiting for blade to break and man to die. But he heard a tremendous “dong!” – sparks flew before his eyes as an old monk appeared beside Song Gongmai holding an iron pestle. It was “Master Lingyin” from Dharma Hall who had acted.

Seeing Lingyin arrive so quickly, and Song Divine Blade barely able to continue, he immediately took an arrow step forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, blocking this earth-shaking strike together. But “that fellow’s” divine strength was astonishing – they heard him breathe deeply, his whole body emitting flame-like aura as he lifted the great bell to strike again.

“Dong dong dong dong dong dong!” Nine consecutive sounds as the giant bell rang greatly, striking nine times – one wave not finished, another beginning. The two seniors could handle one move but not the second. Their tiger’s mouths were already numb and their feet kept retreating, unable to withstand even a moment.

“Divine Blade Force!” “Divine Blade Force!” Song Gongmai roared to the sky, but the more he shouted, the less strength he had. Knowing his life was in immediate danger, he could only look back hoping fellow warriors would help. But with one look, he saw fellow warriors either fleeing with legs flying or climbing walls to escape. The righteous ones still helped lift the fallen, not forgetting to shout: “Old Zhang! We two escape together! We’ll never abandon you!”

“Divine Blade Force!” Song Gongmai’s sorrowful cry seemed to become a final song in the mortal world. Just as he was waiting to lose his life, he heard an angry shout from behind: “Old man, don’t cry! Let me lend you a hand!”

Dong! A golden sound as someone opened both hands to catch the giant bell and said sternly: “Wudang – Pure Yang Power!”

At this shout, internal force came like an avalanche. For a moment, the “Mingtang acupoint” blazed with golden light, robes streaming with precious light. Relying on the world’s number one hidden immortal divine power, he actually embraced the giant bell and pressed the great demon back step by step.

“Feng’er!” Master Yuan Yi was hiding far away but still desperately shouting: “Never wade into this muddy water! Leave quickly!”

A newborn calf fears no tiger, but when it grows horns it fears wolves. The newcomer was indeed Yu Danfeng – his blood running hot and youth impulsive, he ignored his master’s shouts. Drawing on heroic courage, he joined with Lingyin and Song Gongmai to resist the powerful enemy together.

These three great experts each had protective ultimate techniques – one was an eighty-year-old veteran, one was a Shaolin divine monk, and one was Wudang’s once-in-a-generation young genius. Together their strength reached ten thousand jin – no one could resist.

Yu Danfeng breathed deeply, knowing the opportunity must not be lost and he must pursue victory. Suddenly with a “drink!” he actually lifted the entire giant bell over his shoulder and was about to throw it out when someone patted his back and praised: “Young man, quite strong!”

Yu Danfeng was greatly alarmed and turned back to see “that fellow” had already released the giant bell and soundlessly come behind him. Looking at “Song Divine Blade,” he had already flipped over the surrounding wall and fled in terror, his body technique incredibly fast.

As for Master Lingyin, he was lowering his head reciting “Amitabha,” as if chanting a death sutra for himself.

Yu Danfeng was both shocked and anxious, about to kick backward when suddenly his hands lost strength and the entire great bell fell down, covering him inside. He heard “that fellow” laugh: “Come, I’ll send you to see Zhang Sanfeng.”

He kicked with his foot – dong di long dong – the entire great bell rolled out of the surrounding wall onto the downhill road and rumbled down, disappearing from sight.

“Feng’er! Feng’er!” Master Yuan Yi was greatly alarmed and shouted, also fearing his beloved disciple would die young, so he quickly chased after.

Seeing the entire scene had fled with not one person remaining, Iron Foot Uncle laughed heartily and again picked up clothes the constables had removed, dressing himself at leisure.

A’Xiu was trembling with fear and was about to quietly crawl away from the grass when suddenly his back tightened – someone lifted him up. He heard the big man laugh: “Little brother, we meet again.”

A’Xiu trembled and smiled bitterly: “Iron… Iron Foot Uncle, you… hello…”

The big man laughed: “Just now, thank you. Without you, little monk, ringing the bell for me, I’m afraid they really would have sent me to my end.”

A’Xiu laughed apologetically: “You’re welcome, you’re welcome. Uncle, you can stroll around casually – the capital is very fun. I… I’ll go home first…”

Just as he was about to slip away, he was dragged back and said in alarm: “Uncle, what… what do you want to do?”

The big man laughed: “Don’t be afraid. Didn’t you just say you wanted to find your father? I’ll take you to find him now.”

A’Xiu was terrified beyond measure – who still cared who his father was? He said tremblingly: “No… no need… I… I want to find my mother…”

“Great!” The big man said happily: “I just happen to want to find your mother too. Come, let’s go to Red Snail Temple together to play. When we find your mother later, we’ll have a family reunion.”

A’Xiu said coldly: “Family… family reunion?”

“That’s right.” Iron Foot Uncle smiled: “Don’t you go to Red Snail Temple every New Year’s Day to see someone? Who is that?”

A’Xiu said in shock: “Aunt Tangyuan? How… how do you know her?”

The big man said: “A lover from Yihua Courtyard.”

“Hahahaha!” Iron Foot Uncle threw back his head and laughed. Ignoring A’Xiu’s crying, he tucked him under his armpit. His iron foot kicked forward – with a thunderous boom, the surrounding wall collapsed. Then he strode out with great steps.

People on the street who saw this all cried for their parents and scattered in all directions – tomorrow morning they’d all have to go to temples to recover from shock.