His father was dead. When he ran home, he found the house completely empty and everything of value gone.

The refugees said that his mother and younger brother had also fled.

He did not blame his mother for leaving him behind. She must have searched for him for a very long time before she had no choice but to take his younger brother and go.

Twenty years had passed. Were they still alive? If so, how were they living? He felt such urgent, desperate longing to know.

He admitted it — there was not a single moment when he did not miss them.

“What do you want me to do?” Zuo Liang raised his eyes — like the surface of a stagnant pool — and fixed them intently on Shi Ting. “If you want me to betray the Second Young Master, then there is nothing more to say. I would rather die than betray the Second Young Master.”

“I want the other two maps,” Shi Ting said. “I will help you find your family, and you hand the other two maps over to me.”

Zuo Liang suddenly let out a cold laugh: “So you want that cache of treasures too? Of course you do. The sum is enough to sustain an entire army. Obtain it, and your forces will grow vastly more powerful — at which point the Second Young Master will naturally be no match for you.”

“Those goods belong to the Chen, Xu, and Qiao families. They should naturally go to these three families. Even if no one in the Chen and Xu families survives, the Qiao family is still here. How to dispose of this wealth is a matter for Old Master Qiao to decide. These three families killed your father back then, yet you had them pay with the lives of their entire households — not only that, but you intend to take away what was rightfully theirs. In doing so, your conduct far exceeds what those three families did all those years ago.”

Zuo Liang was left speechless by Shi Ting’s words. He could only let out a cold laugh and turn his face to the side, unwilling to engage further.

“Zuo Liang, let me ask you again — are the several massacre cases in the Huxi Town area also related to you?”

Zuo Liang turned his head with a dismissive air: “In any case, I already have countless lives on my hands. A few more makes no difference. You’re right — I also killed those people in Huxi Town. After killing them, I set fire to it all.”

“Even if you don’t admit it, it doesn’t matter — because you left evidence at the scene.” Shi Ting took from Bai Jin a lighter that was nearly beyond recognition, scorched almost beyond identification.

“This lighter was found at the scene of the Lin family massacre. After you killed Lin Zhi’s entire family, you poured some gasoline from your vehicle over the rooms, then used this lighter to ignite the fire. Fortunately, some of the engraved patterns on the lighter survived the flames. We took it to every shop in Shun Cheng and the surrounding areas that sells ‘PIPO’ lighters and made inquiries — and eventually found where it had come from.”

Zuo Liang looked at the lighter, a flash of disbelief in his eyes. “How — how did you find it?”

He had assumed this lighter would be reduced to ash. He had not expected it to be preserved.

“The shopkeeper at that shop happened to know you — because you had once gone there to buy three lighters.” Shi Ting said, unhurried. “So the moment she saw this lighter she thought of you. The characteristic of this type of lighter is that each design is made only once — it is absolutely one of a kind. With this lighter as evidence, even if you deny everything, it is useless.”

Zuo Liang said coldly: “In that case, I have nothing more to say. After all, with so many lives on my hands, a few more make no difference.”

“In all the years you’ve spent at Shi Guang’s side, the evil you’ve committed surely doesn’t end there.” Shi Ting said coldly. “He stands in the light, you operate in the shadows. The glorious things are his to enjoy; the things that cannot see daylight are yours to handle. In these past few years, you have killed who knows how many people for him, done who knows how many unconscionable acts.”

“The Second Young Master showed me recognition in the days when I had no one. For him, I can do anything.”

“Very well.” Shi Ting returned the lighter to Bai Jin. “I’ll give you one day to consider — whether or not to use the maps in exchange for a lead on your mother and younger brother.”

Zuo Liang stared at Shi Ting for a moment, then without a word turned his face away.

—

Qiao Yiran had good physical constitution and recovered relatively quickly. The moment she felt better, she went to look for Old Master Qiao in a hurry.

And Old Master Qiao was being helped along as he walked out of the Citang.

“Father.” Qiao Yiran stepped forward and asked with concern: “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Old Master Qiao smiled at her. “This time’s plan — only the Young Commander and I knew of it. For the sake of certainty, I didn’t tell any of you, including you as my own daughter and your brother. You won’t hold it against me, will you?”

“I suppose I do hold it against you — but what can I do about it? You are my father after all.” Qiao Yiran wrinkled her nose at Old Master Qiao. “I had no idea what was happening at the time and was nearly frightened out of my wits. Fortunately, it was a close shave with no real harm done.”

Old Master Qiao rubbed her head and smiled.

At this moment, the eldest and second young masters of the Qiao family also came over.

The instant Qiao Hanlin caught sight of Old Master Qiao and Qiao Yiran, he immediately shrank behind his elder brother.

“You wretched boy.” Old Master Qiao took one look at Qiao Hanlin and flew into a rage. “Get down on your knees — now.”

Qiao Hanlin heard this and immediately, obediently, dropped to his knees.

“Have you seen clearly now? What true colors those so-called drinking companions of yours have?” Old Master Qiao said furiously. “If the Young Commander hadn’t made arrangements in advance, your whole family would have died because of you.”

“I was wrong.” Qiao Hanlin sniffled. “Father, I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong.”

When Zuo Liang had gone toward Madam Qiao to kill her, Qiao Hanlin had been so terrified he nearly soiled himself. In that moment, apart from fear, all he felt was remorse.

He hated himself for insisting on going his own way. He hated himself for being unable to distinguish loyalty from treachery. He hated himself for gambling the lives of his entire family away at a drinking table. If he had not let the wolf through the door, he would not have brought catastrophe down on the Qiao family.

Regret had come too late then; now it was as if he had been given a second life. If even after this he could not reform, then he was truly beyond saving.

“I think Second Brother truly knows he was wrong this time.” Qiao Yiran had seen the remorse in Qiao Hanlin’s eyes at the time. His acknowledgment of fault now was genuine, and she believed that after this ordeal, Qiao Hanlin would certainly change.

“Whether you truly know your wrongs or not — starting today, you are to go to the Citang in the back and copy scriptures. You don’t come out until I say you may.”

Qiao Hanlin meekly bowed his head and said: “Yes.”

At this moment, Old Master Qiao saw Shi Ting and his group emerge from the path through the trees. He strode forward to meet them.

Old Master Qiao brought both hands together in a deep bow — one that approached ninety degrees. “I must thank the Young Commander for saving us today. Qiao is unable to adequately express the depth of gratitude for the Young Commander’s great kindness and generosity, and will not forget it for as long as he lives. From this day forward, whenever the Young Commander has need of Qiao, Qiao will lay down his very life.”

Behind him, the members of the Qiao family bowed as well, one after another, in deference to Shi Ting.

Shi Ting stepped forward and steadied Old Master Qiao with a hand. “Master Qiao, you are too kind. Safeguarding the peace of Shun Cheng and the well-being of its people is the Military Police Headquarters’ obligation by right — you need not carry on so.”

Old Master Qiao said with deep feeling: “That Bei Di should have the Young Commander is a blessing for Bei Di, and a blessing for its people.”

And standing behind Old Master Qiao, Qiao Hanlin was stealing glances at Shi Ting. This man was of much the same age as himself, yet already sat in the position of Young Commander. Setting aside the fact that he was the Commander’s son, his ability and his methods were unquestionable — at the very least, whenever the Military Police Headquarters was spoken of among the common people, there was no one who was not full of praise.

He had both courage and resourcefulness, could distinguish right from wrong, and held justice in his heart. This made Qiao Hanlin feel, all at once, how small and useless he himself was.

Qiao Hanlin — from goodness knows where — suddenly found the courage to step forward and said: “May I ask the Young Commander — is the Military Police Headquarters still recruiting? I am unworthy, but I have practiced martial arts for a few years. If the Young Commander does not mind, even if I were to serve at the Military Police Headquarters doing odd jobs and fetching tea, I would be eternally grateful.”

Qiao Yiran looked at her second brother in astonishment. This man who had always immersed himself in wine and pleasure — was actually voluntarily offering to do odd jobs and fetch tea?

Yet past her surprise, she felt a deep sense of relief. He had already taken the first step toward change. As long as he held that resolve, the Qiao Hanlin of the future would only grow better and better.

Shi Ting glanced at him and said: “Director Zheng, this matter — you arrange it.”

“Yes, Young Commander.” Zheng Yun stepped forward, then suddenly dealt Qiao Hanlin a firm slap on the shoulder.

Qiao Hanlin’s legs wobbled twice but he remained standing upright.

Zheng Yun said: “Too much drinking, no exercise — but not bad. He held up under my slap.”

Qiao Hanlin smiled: “So I’ve passed, then?”

“If you want to come to the Military Police Headquarters, you must rid yourself of those bad habits of yours. Furthermore, we have no time there for you to indulge in rich food and drink every day.”

“Director Zheng, rest assured — I’ll quit, I’ll quit everything. As long as the Director is willing to take me, I’ll do whatever you say.”

“It’s settled, then. Report to the Military Police Headquarters in three days.”

The entire Qiao household came out in a grand procession to see Shi Ting and his group to the gate. Once outside, Old Master Qiao and Shi Ting stood off to one side for a private word.

“Young Commander — regarding Zuo Liang’s disposition, what is to be done?” Old Master Qiao naturally hoped he could be shot immediately. Keeping such a dangerous individual alive, the Qiao family would never be able to sit easy.

“Master Qiao, the other two maps are still in Zuo Liang’s hands.”

Old Master Qiao said: “Although my father says he no longer wants that wealth, it is after all the fortune our Qiao family’s ancestors painstakingly accumulated — earned honestly without stealing or robbery. There’s no reason to simply discard it. My view differs from my father’s — I hope to recover it.”

Old Master Qiao brought his hands together in a bow: “Then I must trouble the Young Commander.”

“Zuo Liang has not yet agreed. I’ve given him one day to consider it. If he agrees to use the maps in exchange, I will return them to their rightful owners once I obtain them.”

“Qiao’s gratitude exceeds all words. The Young Commander’s great kindness and generosity, Qiao engraves upon his heart.”

Shi Ting had not only saved his entire family, but was also helping him recover the treasure from all those years ago. A kindness of this magnitude was one Old Master Qiao would naturally never forget.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“Young Commander, safe travels.” Old Master Qiao clasped his hands together in the direction of Shi Ting’s departing figure.

After leaving the Qiao household, Shi Ting went to the Blue Brick Building. The moment he stepped inside, he saw the Commander’s aide-de-camp coming toward him.

“Young Commander.” The aide-de-camp bowed.

“Has the Commander already boarded the train?” Shi Ting sat down at his own desk and picked up the documents on the table.

“The Commander boarded last night. The train should arrive tomorrow evening around nine o’clock.”

The Commander had gone to Hai Cheng on official business and had originally intended to return before the fifteenth of the first month. But a heavy snowfall had set in, and he was delayed by two days.