Although the legend of the Half-Face Ghosts once struck terror in Gannan, that was before Shen Du’s arrival. After encountering Shen Du, Half-Face Ghosts sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain, only to be cut down just as swiftly.
Shen Du charged forward with his blood-dripping sword but came to an abrupt halt. Wang Buzui held a dagger to Zhu Yan’s throat, looking at him with a smug expression, as if eagerly anticipating the anguish on Shen Du’s face upon witnessing this scene.
“How does it feel, Director Shen?”
Seeing Wang Buzui address him directly, Shen Du dropped his pretense and removed his mask, revealing his handsome and resolute features.
The women couldn’t help but gasp softly, surprised to see the White King of Hell infiltrate this place alone. They all turned to look at Zhu Yan, their eyes filled with envy and delight.
Shen Du gritted his teeth in anger and threatened, “If you dare harm a single hair on her head, I’ll raze your Guangchun Hall to the ground.”
“Hah! Such big words,” Wang Buzui sneered. “Let’s see if you can even make it out of Guangchun Hall first!”
Never mind Guangchun Hall, the Fire Moth’s influence spread throughout the entire Great Zhou. How could he claim to raze it so easily? Such arrogance – he should be careful not to bite his tongue.
“Thud.”
A corpse was thrown down the stairs, landing heavily in front of Wang Buzui. Blood splattered, staining even the plain clothes he had changed into earlier.
Jing Lin descended the stairs with his sword, his steps unhurried. “Guangchun Hall? Nothing but autumn grasshoppers – how much longer can they jump around?”
With their Grand Director’s skills, calling Guangchun Hall unguarded territory wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Seeing Jing Lin enter, Shen Du breathed a sigh of relief, confirming that reinforcements had truly arrived.
In an instant, chaos erupted outside, with shouts of battle ringing out like the clamor of gongs and drums.
This sudden turn of events caught Wang Buzui and his men off guard. The Master wished he could turn invisible.
Zhu Yan seized the opportunity, stomping on Wang Buzui’s foot. Taking advantage of his moment of pain, she stabbed the needle in her hand into his arm holding the dagger. The dagger clattered to the ground with a “clang.”
“Ah!” A piercing scream rang out, comparable to that of a slaughtered pig. Wang Buzui turned to yell at the Master:
“Hurry up and grab her! Do you want to die?”
The Master knew he couldn’t escape and realized this woman’s relationship with the man before him was different. He immediately moved to grab Zhu Yan, but she stabbed her autopsy knife into his eye.
Blood seeped through the Master’s fingers as he covered his eye, his face contorted like a demon’s.
“You little wretch, I’ll chop you up and feed you to the dogs!” the Master snarled. “Wang Buzui, hurry and catch her so I can deal with her. Otherwise, when the Commander returns, he’ll flay you alive!”
The intense pain had robbed the Master of his reason, especially upon seeing the culprit cowering to one side.
Wang Buzui refused to be ordered around. “Useless fool! You can’t even restrain a woman, and you dare command me, the Branch Leader?”
“If you weren’t so stingy, denying me even proper meals, how could I be so weak?” the Master retorted.
The two men began arguing publicly, resembling a dog-eat-dog situation.
Zhu Yan seized the chance to flee. Wang Buzui, seeing this, couldn’t let her escape. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he raised his blade and leapt toward Zhu Yan’s back.
Shen Du’s flying sword intercepted Wang Buzui’s attack. Taking advantage of this opening, Shen Du swooped in and pulled Zhu Yan behind him, shielding her with his body, ready to face any threat, be it god or demon.
“Jing Lin, capture Wang Buzui alive.”
“Yes, sir.”
Wang Buzui couldn’t help but panic. He shouted, “Stop them!” while retreating.
The brainwashed Half-Face Ghosts obeyed without question, attacking Jing Lin and Shen Du.
In an instant, the three of them, including Zhu Yan, were surrounded by Half-Face Ghosts.
The girls who could run fled in terror, while those who couldn’t huddled in corners, sobbing pitifully.
On the table, Du Xiaowan lay unconscious, oblivious to everything. Xiuxiu closed her eyes, wishing for death to end her misery.
Death would be a release; if she didn’t care so much, she wouldn’t suffer so greatly.
Zhu Yan hid behind Shen Du, enveloped by his unique scent. Perhaps it was her earlier composure crumbling at this moment, but Zhu Yan’s eyes grew hot. She almost hugged Shen Du from behind. Realizing this, Zhu Yan’s cheeks flushed pink. She quickly covered her mouth and nose, not daring to breathe deeply, fearing she might distract Shen Du.
Her eyes fixed unblinkingly on him as he wielded his sword, cutting down the charging Half-Face Ghosts as easily as slicing radishes.
In truth, the Fire Moth organization was stratified. The lower ranks were like servants and maids, washing clothes, cooking, and cleaning. The middle ranks guarded homes and acted as loyal dogs. The upper ranks were the ones who caused trouble outside.
Thus, the middle and upper ranks were in the courtyard, engaged with the Imperial Guard and constables.
In the secret hall, only lower-ranked members remained. They were barely stronger than ordinary people and no match for Shen Du and Jing Lin.
Seeing them temporarily occupied, Wang Buzui turned to flee. However, just as he reached the top of the stairs and was about to exit the secret hall, he found himself face-to-face with Sun Tan and his men.
Sun Tan grinned mischievously, “Where do you think you’re going?”
This spot was the entrance to the secret hall, narrow enough for only one person to pass. Sun Tan and his men blocking it here was intended to corner their prey.
Wang Buzui nearly coughed up blood in anger. No wonder they hadn’t given chase – they had been lying in wait here all along.
Undoubtedly, he had been surrounded, caught between hammer and anvil.
“Despicable! Shameless!”
“Using numbers to bully the few – what kind of heroes are you?”
Sun Tan continued smiling, “Why, thank you.” What’s so despicable about being clever?
In the secret hall, almost all the Half-Face Ghosts had been defeated, including the Master whose eye Zhu Yan had stabbed.
Shen Du and Jing Lin nodded at each other in silent understanding. Shen Du turned back to grasp Zhu Yan’s arm, examining her up and down. Seeing her cheek swollen and bruised, his throat burned with anger. Disregarding everything else, he pulled Zhu Yan into his arms.
Zhu Yan’s ears turned red, unable to push Shen Du away. She resigned herself to his embrace, resting against his chest and listening to his strong heartbeat. She could no longer hold back her tears.
Hearing the faint sound from his chest, Shen Du guessed what was happening. He gently patted Zhu Yan’s back, saying, “I’m here.”
Zhu Yan’s tears flowed more fiercely. Remembering there were many others present, she felt embarrassed. She wiped her tears and pushed Shen Du away, intending to check on the other women. However, she noticed Wang Buzui reaching into his sleeve.
“Sun Tan, be careful! He’s up to something!”
As soon as Zhu Yan’s words left her mouth, Wang Buzui pulled out a paper packet and shook out the powder inside.
Thanks to Zhu Yan’s timely warning, she covered her mouth and nose as Wang Buzui made his move. She then kicked Wang Buzui down the stairs.
However, the constables behind him weren’t so fortunate. They inhaled the powder and immediately collapsed unconscious.
Taking advantage of Wang Buzui’s fall, Jing Lin pounced on him, stepping on his chest and knocking him out with a punch.