Military Intelligence Bureau Manhunt

In 1943, the four great halls convened a grand Council Meeting in Chongqing. That time, Zu Ye brought along Fengzi Shou. Due to the Western Sect’s leader Qin Baichuan’s failure to properly handle relations with local warlords beforehand, they nearly got wiped out in one fell swoop. The deeply cunning Zu Ye himself almost seized the opportunity to eliminate Qin Baichuan by borrowing another’s knife.

Qin Baichuan was the prized disciple of Sichuan’s “Great Immortal” Liu Congyun. Who was Liu Congyun? The 14th generation leader of the Western Sect’s “Dragon Whisker Sprout” hall, founder of the “Consistent Primordial Great Way,” and former military strategist to the great warlord and “King of Sichuan” Liu Xiang. Back when Zhang Dancheng was basking in glory, the Western Sect’s leader was Duan Jinshan, and Liu Congyun was merely a Xiao Jiao under Duan Jinshan’s hall. But Liu Congyun was exceptionally clever, bold and resourceful. After Duan Jinshan’s death, he quickly rose to become the hall’s leader.

In 1936, Liu Xiang saw through Liu Congyun’s schemes (details to follow later) and issued a kill order. Liu Congyun fled in terror and went into hiding. In 1938, Liu Xiang died of illness, and Liu Congyun returned to Sichuan hoping to retake control of the hall. But Qin Baichuan had already pulled the rug out from under him, leaving no place for Liu Congyun. Liu Congyun ground his teeth in hatred but could do nothing. Qin Baichuan could finish him with a single sentence: “Before Liu Xiang died, he left behind a will stating: First, resist the invasion to the end and avenge our national humiliation. Second, hunt down Liu Congyun to satisfy my heart’s hatred.” The implication was clear—you’re lucky to be alive, Liu Congyun, and you still dare show your face as a grand master? From then on, Liu Congyun hid in Shanghai. After liberation, the Chengdu Intermediate Court sentenced him to death with reprieve, and he later died of illness.

Qin Baichuan was a ruthless man who cared deeply about face. He hadn’t informed everyone that he was currently in conflict with a certain warlord. On the second day of the Council Meeting, the outer scouts came rushing in to report that a squad of armed men was heading their way.

Qin Baichuan immediately flew into a rage, pulled out his gun from his waist, and shouted: “Damn it all! They dare bully me!”

Zu Ye sensed something was amiss and immediately said: “Don’t panic! Let’s hide first and assess the situation!”

Several Batou pulled out their guns and chambered rounds as everyone began to evacuate. Regular troops were different from mountain bandits—they had strategy. That first squad was creating a diversion, like herding ducks, to flush everyone out and count heads. In reality, ambushes had already been set along all the mountain routes leading out. The dozens of people attending the grand Council Meeting had just reached a bend when a squad burst out from the woods and opened fire immediately.

Fengzi Shou threw himself over Zu Ye, knocking him to the ground. He himself took a bullet directly in his left arm.

“Little Sixth!” Zu Ye cried out in anguish.

Zu Ye knew this was serious trouble! These were all regular troops! The mess Qin Baichuan had stirred up was too big!

Several Xiao Jiao running ahead were shot dead. The rest hid in a cluster of civilian dwellings and returned fire. Sichuanese dwellings mostly evolved from stilt houses into penetrating frame structures, built along mountains and shaped by terrain—tall and deep, perfect for maneuvering. Though Fengzi Shou was injured, he still stayed close to Zu Ye, ready to shield him from bullets at any moment.

Zu Ye frowned, contemplating an escape plan. Looking at the others, Qin Baichuan was bold enough, wielding his gun while shooting and cursing. That Qian Yuelin, after hearing the gunfire, had his eyes darting back and forth. He was frightened inside but didn’t want to lose the dignity of a grand master, so he put on an act. As for Jiang Feiyan, she was very calm, watching Zu Ye. Er Batou was also present at the time. After they escaped danger later, Er Batou told the hall brothers: “Jiang Feiyan’s eyes were only on Zu Ye then.”

In fact, the hall brothers privately discussed among themselves that Jiang Feiyan liked Zu Ye, because she showed everyone a cold face, but only smiled for Zu Ye.

While Zu Ye was thinking, he suddenly heard the soldiers outside shout loudly: “Capture Qin Baichuan alive!”

Zu Ye heard this and saw the solution. This sentence revealed two layers of meaning. First, they were coming for Qin Baichuan specifically. Because Council Meetings were highly classified, no one knew this was a gathering of the four great halls, so the enemy only knew Qin Baichuan was here and didn’t know what the others were doing. Second, “capture alive” meant they wanted prisoners, not immediate execution.

Zu Ye thought for a moment, then said to Qin Baichuan: “Master Qin, I have a plan that could let everyone escape danger!”

Qin Baichuan bent down and said: “Escape or not doesn’t matter—at worst, we die!”

Zu Ye said: “If we die, it doesn’t matter, but look at these dozens of brothers—can you bear to let them die in vain?” As he spoke, Zu Ye surveyed the dozens of people around them. This statement warmed the hearts of the Batou and Xiao Jiao, and everyone looked at Zu Ye with expectant eyes.

Qin Baichuan sighed and said: “What brilliant plan does Zu Ye have?”

Zu Ye glanced at him and said: “I heard them shouting to capture Master Qin alive. I suspect there must be some misunderstanding between Master Qin and them, because they don’t seem eager to harm Master Qin…” After finishing, Zu Ye stared at Qin Baichuan.

Things had reached this point. Though no one said anything, everyone was beginning to resent Qin Baichuan. Opening a meeting on your territory, then getting surrounded without your knowledge—what kind of grand master are you!

Qin Baichuan looked at everyone and said: “It’s still old business from Master Liu’s time (referring to Liu Congyun). Master Liu swindled too many people. Recently, a regimental commander from the Kuomintang Independent Regiment came to my door demanding I repay the money Master Liu had swindled years ago. I said grievances have their source, debts have their creditor—I don’t have a cent! I didn’t expect him to get serious!”

Zu Ye listened and understood somewhat, but immediately felt something was wrong. Qin Baichuan was also a prominent figure in Sichuan with regular contact with high-level government officials. For an independent regiment commander to dare directly order his subordinates to capture Qin Baichuan alive, he must have gotten approval from above, because after all, Chongqing was the capital of the Nationalist Government at the time. To mobilize regular troops to start trouble in this place, ordinary people didn’t have that kind of courage.

Zu Ye saw through the intricacies here but still said: “I feel it’s nothing serious, just a misunderstanding. I do have a delaying tactic, but…”

Qin Baichuan asked: “But what? Please speak, Zu Ye!”

Zu Ye said: “But it would require wronging Master Qin somewhat!”

Qin Baichuan was startled: “How so?”

Zu Ye said: “Right now we’re surrounded with only a few guns. Either we all die fighting and the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ perishes, or Master Qin pretends to surrender. We’ll all pose as your subordinates, tie you up, and hand you over. After we escape, we’ll immediately work our connections to rescue Master Qin!”

Qin Baichuan froze. Zu Ye looked at him, then quickly continued: “How about this—I estimate few of those soldiers outside truly recognize Master Qin. I’ll disguise myself, stick on a beard, wear a hat, and impersonate Master Qin. You tie me up and hand me over, then escape when you get the chance!”

When Jiang Feiyan heard this, she involuntarily cried out: “Zu Ye!”

Zu Ye was using retreat as advance. Things had reached this critical juncture, and everyone was watching Qin Baichuan. Qin Baichuan was now caught between a rock and a hard place! Zu Ye was truly ruthless.

“Live for brothers, die for brothers”—this was a phrase hall leaders often repeated. When it came down to it, as the grand master, Qin Baichuan had caused such a huge mess that he should have stepped forward himself to resolve it. Now he needed someone else to remind him—this was truly inappropriate!

Qin Baichuan hated Zu Ye to death! But the duck was already on the rack being roasted with no way out. Qin Baichuan had to strike a noble pose: “What kind of talk is this from Zu Ye! One takes responsibility for one’s own actions! From the day I, Qin Baichuan, joined the hall, I’ve looked past life and death! What Zu Ye just said reminded me—quickly tie me up and hand me over. If anything happens to me, the ‘Dragon Whisker Sprout’ shall pass to my chief disciple Fang Huatian! I ask Zu Ye and all the masters to wholeheartedly assist him and not let the ‘Dragon Whisker Sprout’ foundation collapse!”

Qin Baichuan was also devious enough. In front of brothers from all four great halls of the east, south, west and north, he spoke passionately and clearly arranged his posthumous affairs. His meaning was: even if I die, you Zu Ye better not try to interfere with Western Sect hall matters. Today both old and young are here witnessing this—if you try anything later, that would truly be treachery!

Several Xiao Jiao tied up Qin Baichuan. Zu Ye shouted outside: “Officers, we’ve captured Qin Baichuan and will hand him over to you! Please spare our lives!”

The people outside immediately responded: “Throw out all your guns!”

Zu Ye gave everyone a look, and they all threw out their few guns.

The people outside shouted again: “Bring Qin Baichuan out!”

Two Xiao Jiao escorted Qin Baichuan in front while the others followed behind with hands raised.

Walking up to the leader, Zu Ye put on a smiling face and said: “Officer! We’ve captured Qin Baichuan! We’ve long wanted to stop working for him! Today we finally have this opportunity! Please spare us lowly ones—we all have elderly mothers at home and wives and children below, please…”

Before Zu Ye could finish, that fellow came up and slapped Zu Ye across the face. “Get lost, damn it! Who the hell has time for your nonsense!” Then he waved to his subordinates, “Take them all back!”

Fengzi Shou got anxious and wanted to kill him, but Zu Ye grabbed him tight.

Zu Ye was contemplating when would be the most appropriate time to escape. Earlier in the house they’d discussed that if the enemy released everyone, that would be best. If not, then during the escort on the road, when they reached a place with hidden terrain and favorable geography, while the enemy was off guard, they’d seize the opportunity to flee.

Zu Ye told everyone that when escaping, no one should worry about anyone else—everyone run separately, dispersing into small groups. This would both distract the enemy’s attention and prevent the young from dying while trying to save the old. After breaking through, everyone would meet at the agreed location.

When escaping, they’d listen for Zu Ye’s signal. Zu Ye would cough once, then he and Fengzi Shou would simultaneously throw darts. All the hall brothers knew these two had formidable dart-throwing skills. Though guns were confiscated, they had nails in their pockets. After Zu Ye and Fengzi Shou threw their flying nails, the enemy would inevitably fall into chaos, giving everyone a chance to escape.

Zu Ye glanced at Fengzi Shou. Fengzi Shou’s left arm was still dripping blood. Zu Ye nodded at him, and he nodded back at Zu Ye. Zu Ye looked at Jiang Feiyan once more. Jiang Feiyan said nothing, and Zu Ye also said nothing. This was a moment of uncertain life and death. Once fighting broke out, bullets don’t have eyes—who would live or die was uncertain.

Fate’s turning points always seem so miraculous. Just as Zu Ye was walking while observing the surrounding terrain, suddenly a wailing sound came from the sky. In that war-torn era, everyone was sensitive to this sound—air raid!

Starting in 1938, Japan conducted five years of frenzied bombing of Chongqing, attempting to destroy the Kuomintang’s accompanying capital. Actually, besides bombing, Japan had no other way to deal with Chongqing. Chongqing’s terrain was naturally advantageous—protected by the Yangtze River’s natural moat as a trench and embraced by surrounding mountains as a screen, perpetually shrouded in thick fog, easy to defend and hard to attack, virtually impregnable.

So the Japanese began implementing the insane “indiscriminate bombing” mode, eliminating distinctions between front and rear, combatants and civilians. After each airstrike, shrapnel flew everywhere and Chongqing became a sea of flames. Countless common people were bombed to death—streets and alleys were strewn with corpses after the bombing.

At this moment, planes were already overhead. The enemy leader shouted: “Get down!” The twenty-some soldiers all hit the ground holding their heads.

Zu Ye saw the opportunity had come and waved his hand: “Escape!”

All the A’Bao scattered and fled. Those soldiers lying on the ground shot at the A’Bao. After firing just a few shots, bombs began dropping from overhead. One landed right in the middle of the road—with a tremendous boom, dust flew up and large trees toppled. Jiang Feiyan and several female A’Bao happened to be not far from this bomb. The powerful shockwave knocked them over. Zu Ye, who had already run far away, saw this scene and rushed back through the explosions. Jiang Feiyan had been knocked unconscious. Zu Ye picked her up and ran toward the forest. Another bomb fell, its fire suppressing those twenty-some military men so they dared not raise their heads. Fengzi Shou followed closely behind Zu Ye, and they quickly disappeared into the vast mountains.

At the second watch, everyone regrouped at the back mountain. Each hall did a headcount—seven people were missing in total, including Qin Baichuan. It was unclear whether he’d slipped away on his own or been killed in the chaos.

Jiang Feiyan gradually regained consciousness. A piece of shrapnel had embedded in her left shoulder. Zu Ye tore a strip from his own long robe and bandaged her to stop the bleeding. Zu Ye said to everyone: “Sister Yan and Little Sixth are both injured—we need to quickly find a doctor!”

Er Batou said: “We should return to Master Qin’s hall first. Maybe Master Qin is also there. Once there we can find a doctor!”

The Jiang Xiang Sect had a rule: whenever holding a grand Council Meeting, to avoid drawing attention, they never met at the hall itself but found a quiet, unfamiliar place to prevent having their home base wiped out. The meeting location was kept absolutely secret from everyone except attendees. Grand Council Meetings gathered the grand masters of each hall plus some elite members from each hall. If problems arose, it would relate to the Jiang Xiang Sect’s very survival, so this was the highest secret! The meeting location this time was about twenty li from the “Dragon Whisker Sprout” hall—a place Qin Baichuan had carefully selected.

Zu Ye looked at Er Batou and shook his head: “Master Qin’s hall has most likely already been raided.”

Everyone gasped in surprise.

Qian Yuelin, who’d been silent, spoke up: “Zu Ye’s analysis makes sense! Since they could surround us, it means they already have our movements under control. Since they dared to capture Master Qin alive, his hall has probably already been destroyed!”

At this point, a Xiao Jiao from the “Dragon Whisker Sprout” hall said: “Zu Ye, in that case we can’t look for doctors in the city. The moment we show our faces we’ll definitely be arrested. Over this mountain there’s a village with a country doctor. I often have him treat my family. Let him see if they can be saved!”

San Batou was also present then. Hearing this, he immediately said: “This mountain has two ranges running through it with steep terrain. Crossing the mountain at night could be dangerous.”

Zu Ye ignored him and said to Qian Yuelin: “Master Qian, I think we should do this—I’ll take a few people to find the doctor. The rest of you will be led by Master Qian to descend the mountain in the dark. After descending, disguise yourselves and hide, waiting for an opportunity to find out about Master Qin’s whereabouts…” Halfway through, Zu Ye put his mouth to Qian Yuelin’s ear and whispered a few sentences. Qian Yuelin kept nodding.

Thus they split into two groups. Going with Zu Ye were Er Batou, San Batou, Fengzi Shou, several female A’Bao from the Southern Sect’s “Crossing Sea Hall,” and the Xiao Jiao from “Dragon Whisker Sprout” who knew the way. They took turns helping Zu Ye carry Jiang Feiyan on their backs.

At the fifth watch, they finally reached the place the Xiao Jiao had mentioned. Zu Ye looked and saw it was a Miao village. That Xiao Jiao knocked on the doctor’s door. The doctor came out wearing clothes, and upon opening the door, seeing over ten people standing there, he was startled. The Xiao Jiao quickly bowed respectfully and said: “We apologize for disturbing you, sir. These friends of mine are in the mule and horse trade. During the day while crossing the mountain, they unfortunately encountered Japanese bombing and were also chased by bandits. Two people were injured. Please save them, sir!”

The doctor said: “Come in quickly!”

After entering, under the dim lamplight, Zu Ye could finally see clearly—this was an elder over fifty years old with a flowing beard, looking like an immortal.

The old doctor carefully examined the injuries of Jiang Feiyan and Fengzi Shou, then walked into the inner room and brought out a box. When opened, everyone saw knives, pliers, tweezers, silver needles, plus a bunch of bottles and jars containing medicinal liquids.

The old doctor was going to perform surgical operations on Jiang Feiyan and Fengzi Shou. For traditional Chinese medicine, surgical operations had a very rigorous procedure. Jiang Feiyan’s injuries were more severe, so the old doctor would operate on her first.

The old doctor first took out a package of powdered medicine, placed it in a clay pot, added water then added several herb stalks, boiled it for a while, poured it into a bowl, and had Zu Ye support Jiang Feiyan while slowly feeding it to her.

“Sleeping Saint Powder—drink it down and you won’t feel pain,” the old doctor seemed to mutter to himself. Zu Ye recognized it immediately. “Sleeping Saint Powder” was recorded in many medical texts. Drink it before surgery and one becomes completely anesthetized.

Seeing Jiang Feiyan finish drinking, the old doctor took out a sharp knife and heated it over charcoal fire—this was high-temperature sterilization. While heating, he said to Zu Ye: “Lay her flat on the bed and unfasten her upper garment.”

Zu Ye froze, quickly reached out to beckon the female A’Bao standing nearby: “You come help the doctor.” Then he said to the others, “You all come outside with me to wait.”

After drinking the medicine, Jiang Feiyan was somewhat unconscious, but in her heart she retained one last thread of awareness. She forcefully tugged Zu Ye’s hand, meaning she didn’t want Zu Ye to leave. Zu Ye slowly removed her hand and said softly: “Sister Yan, we’re all waiting outside. You’ll be well very soon.”

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the old doctor came out, wiping his hands while saying to Zu Ye: “The shrapnel has been removed. The wound has been medicated and sutured. She still needs to take oral decoction for several days. With a week of quiet rest, she can fully recover.”

Zu Ye went in and saw Jiang Feiyan still sleeping. He quickly bowed to the old doctor: “Many thanks, sir!”

The old doctor said nothing and began boiling “Sleeping Saint Powder” again. Fengzi Shou saw this and laughed, saying: “Old sir, I don’t need it. I can endure it. My gunshot wound isn’t deep. You just quickly remove the bullet.”

The old doctor seemed not to hear Fengzi Shou’s words. After boiling for a while, he poured the medicinal soup into a bowl and handed it to Fengzi Shou. Fengzi Shou looked helplessly at Zu Ye, tilted back his neck, and drank it down in one gulp.

Only then did the old doctor speak: “In this Sleeping Saint Powder, I added Blood-Stopping Lotus. It not only provides anesthetic effect but also has blood-stopping efficacy.” Zu Ye nodded upon hearing this.

Before long, Fengzi Shou grew drowsy and lay down on a bed.

The old doctor similarly wielded his knife, sterilized with charcoal fire, then cut open the wound. The wound had been open too long—the congested blood inside had already turned black. The old doctor carefully cut through layers of skin and flesh, slowly used tweezers to clamp out the bullet, then applied a mass of yellow medicinal paste to the wound. Finally, using small clamps, he extracted a bundle of silk thread from a small bottle, threaded it through a needle, and stitch by stitch sutured the wound.

Zu Ye had seen this type of silk thread before. Years ago when Da Batou was injured in a gang fight, he’d also been sutured with this kind of thread. This was called “mulberry bark thread”—made by taking the root bark of a mulberry tree, peeling off the outer rough bark, slowly tearing off the inner layer’s fibers, then wrapping the individual fibers in the outer bark, rolling them several times, then removing them. Those individual fibers would become smooth, soft silk threads. These silk threads were kept in small bottles containing medicinal liquid to maintain moisture and softness. When needed, they’d be taken out, threaded through fine needles, and used to suture wounds.

The greatest advantage of “mulberry bark thread” was that it didn’t need to be removed. These fine threads would grow into the flesh as the wound healed, becoming one with the human body.

After daybreak, both Jiang Feiyan and Fengzi Shou had awakened. Zu Ye said with relief: “Finally awake. Sister Yan and Little Sixth rest here peacefully for a few days. I’ll take the other brothers back to the city to scout around.”

Jiang Feiyan, due to severe blood loss, was still very weak. She said softly: “Thank you, Zu Ye, for risking your life to rescue me.”

Zu Ye said: “Family doesn’t speak of two separate matters. Sister Yan, rest well and recover.”

Fengzi Shou sat up, stretched his arm, and said with a smile: “I’m fine now, Zu Ye. I’ll go back to the city with you.”

Zu Ye waved his hand. “No. I’m having you stay to protect the grand master beside you—Sister Yan.”

Hearing this, Jiang Feiyan’s eyes reddened and she turned her head to the side.

The Kuomintang’s Highest-Level Extermination Order

After disguising himself, Zu Ye led several other A’Bao down the mountain. Winding around, Zu Ye actually led everyone back toward yesterday’s grand Council Meeting location.

Er Batou saw this and was bewildered. He quickly asked: “Zu Ye, why are we coming back here? We just had trouble here yesterday.”

Zu Ye smiled and said: “Tell me, where is safest right now?”

Er Batou said: “Home. Back to our own hall.”

Zu Ye said: “Wrong! Here is safest!”

Er Batou was completely confused.

San Batou understood, saying: “Zu Ye is right! We were captured here yesterday. Those people would never dream we’d dare come back!”

Zu Ye continued: “This time regular troops mobilized to surround Master Qin—I always feel there’s a big figure behind this. We know absolutely nothing about the enemy’s situation. Everything must be done with utmost caution!”

As he spoke, Zu Ye had everyone disperse. He himself raised a medicine banner, appearing exactly like a traveling doctor, walking while calling out: “Miraculous healing hands, specializing in bruises and injuries! Young sprouts emerge, old emptiness and broadness none.”

This was a code phrase. Usually after a hall “jumped location,” if they re-emerged in the martial world, they’d call out such slogans in places where A’Bao gathered. This contained several underworld terms: “young” referred to girls, female A’Bao; “sprouts” referred to young men, male A’Bao; “old emptiness” and “old broadness” both referred to enemies. The key was in the latter half of the sentence, meaning to tell everyone the storm had passed and A’Bao could reopen for business.

Before long, a white-haired old man walked toward Zu Ye: “Sir, is this an ancestral secret recipe?”

Zu Ye smiled and said: “One recipe from ancestors, blessings for ten thousand generations.”

The old man smiled: “Sir, come with me and look at my son’s leg.”

Zu Ye then followed the old man into an alley, with the other A’Bao following one by one.

That old man was Qian Yuelin, disguised to look seventy or eighty years old. Last night, the few sentences Zu Ye whispered in his ear told him to lead the brothers back to the incident location first—that place was temporarily safest. Then everyone would regroup using code phrases. Why whisper? Because Zu Ye didn’t know if there were any moles among the Xiao Jiao present then. Zu Ye also told Qian Yuelin to watch every Xiao Jiao and not allow anyone to move around freely.

Entering a hidden house, Zu Ye looked and saw everyone was there, except only Qin Baichuan was missing. Zu Ye couldn’t help but frown: “Still no news of Master Qin?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Zu Ye wasn’t afraid of him dying but rather feared the Kuomintang had captured him, because they still couldn’t figure out what the enemy really wanted to do. If they wanted to destroy the entire “Jiang Xiang Sect,” then after capturing Qin Baichuan, they’d certainly torture him thoroughly. At that point, tiger benches and pepper water would all be employed. If Qin Baichuan couldn’t hold out and confessed everything, all four great halls would be completely finished! Zu Ye rather hoped Qin Baichuan had been shot dead in the chaos.

Over these years, what Zu Ye had always worried about was precisely the Western Sect’s “Dragon Whisker Sprout” hall controlled by Qin Baichuan. Qin Baichuan’s steps were too big—he was bold, ruthless, and clever enough to get along well with various western warlords and government officials. This was both good and bad! Zu Ye never advocated the “Jiang Xiang Sect” getting too close to the Kuomintang. Though there were mutual benefits, conflicts would inevitably arise. Once they knew you inside and out, eliminating you would be too easy.

Privately, Zu Ye had also reminded Qin Baichuan, but Qin Baichuan wouldn’t listen and even looked down on Zu Ye somewhat. It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered what Zu Ye worried about—he was just too confident. He said: “I’ve already whitewashed myself! Almost no one thinks I’m fake!”

This statement wasn’t false. Qin Baichuan excelled at cheating, setting up perfect schemes where truth mixed with falsehood and falsehood with truth, ultimately achieving such authenticity that many Kuomintang officials believed he had real abilities. A clear example was that when his master Liu Congyun was exposed by Liu Xiang and hunted down, not only did Qin Baichuan not flee with him, he actually propped up the hall instead. The reason was that many people in the Military Intelligence Bureau protected him.

He could spin Liu Congyun’s manhunt as political struggle. The implication was that it wasn’t that Liu Congyun’s predictions were inaccurate but rather too accurate. Liu Congyun had always been Liu Xiang’s right-hand man. Someone grew jealous and wanted to poach Liu Congyun away from Liu Xiang’s side. Liu Xiang, fearing he couldn’t keep Liu Congyun, therefore conceived murderous intent.

Aside from a few old A’Bao in the hall who knew Qin Baichuan’s history of rising to power, everyone else was deceived by false appearances. They all believed he was another true great immortal after Liu Congyun, someone who truly understood Yi Jing.

But false is ultimately false. As Zu Ye said: “People act, Heaven watches.” Qin Baichuan was finally targeted by the Military Intelligence Bureau. The entire matter’s origins were later clarified by Jiang Feiyan.

That day, after Zu Ye and Qian Yuelin deliberated, they decided: given the current confusing situation, all four great halls would collectively jump location! Without orders, no one was permitted to open for business!

A month later, Zu Ye accompanied Jiang Feiyan back to southern Guangdong. Zu Ye understood that Jiang Feiyan had close relationships with several people in Military Intelligence. To find out what mess Qin Baichuan had truly stirred up, only Jiang Feiyan could gather information.

The relationships Jiang Feiyan had cultivated over many years showed their power at this moment. Several days later, a major general from Military Intelligence sent word. Upon hearing this news, both Zu Ye and Jiang Feiyan broke out in a cold sweat.

Zu Ye’s initial judgment had been correct! That day when regular troops captured Qin Baichuan alive, it wasn’t as simple as Liu Congyun’s old money-swindling affair. This was an extermination order issued directly by the Kuomintang’s highest level! The entire incident stemmed from a batch of military pay.

As the War of Resistance reached the stalemate stage, the Kuomintang’s finances were already stretched thin. Combined with corruption and inflation, people’s livelihoods became unbearable and complaints were rampant. The Kuomintang’s wartime supreme financial institution, the “Four Allied General Office,” concocted various pretexts and created a pile of systems and policies to squeeze the people’s fat and blood, resulting in the national economy nearing collapse.

In spring 1943, they finally managed to raise a sum of money to serve as military pay. Then someone reported that this sum had inexplicably lost a large amount. Old Jiang flew into a rage and demanded thorough investigation! Later, someone in the Military Intelligence Bureau provided a clue that left Old Jiang flabbergasted. It turned out a certain high-ranking financial official had used this sum to adjust his family’s feng shui and change their fortune. The feng shui master was named Qin Baichuan.

Old Jiang was also deeply devoted to traditional Chinese learning. Upon hearing this, he thought it might be some expert immortal. Upon further inquiry, he learned this Qin Baichuan was actually the disciple of Liu Congyun, the fraud who’d once swindled Liu Xiang!

Even at this point, certain people in Military Intelligence still spoke up for Qin Baichuan: “This person differs from Liu Congyun. He has real abilities.”

Hearing this, Old Jiang angrily slammed the table: “Damn it! Are you all pig-brained? When the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam is askew. Can a fraud’s disciple be a good person? Investigate this matter thoroughly, and make sure to follow the vine to find the melon and catch them all in one net!”

Old Jiang was enraged, and Military Intelligence became compliant. But Qin Baichuan’s relationship network woven over many years was intricate and complex. Factions abounded within the Military Intelligence Bureau, and those responsible for investigating didn’t dare act rashly. They originally wanted to send a spy to infiltrate Qin Baichuan’s inner circle, but Qin Baichuan watched new members closely, making penetration impossible for the time being. So the Military Intelligence Bureau sent people to tail him, tracking Qin Baichuan constantly. As it happened, during that period Qin Baichuan went to Xinjiang, and for several months they couldn’t find even his shadow. The Military Intelligence people thought Qin Baichuan had connections reaching heaven and godlike calculation abilities, that he’d hidden himself away.

Later, when the tailing agents saw Qin Baichuan again, it happened to coincide with the four great halls’ grand Council Meeting. The tailing agents saw Qin Baichuan enter a civilian dwelling and quickly passed the information to the Military Intelligence Bureau.

The Military Intelligence Bureau couldn’t figure out what Qin Baichuan was doing there or who else was present, but felt this opportunity couldn’t be missed. They decided to close the net and dispatched a company of soldiers, requiring them to capture Qin Baichuan alive. They planned to torture him after capture to find out if there were accomplices, then catch them all in one net.

The Military Intelligence Bureau never dreamed that attendees that day were all core figures of the “Jiang Xiang Sect”—all the nation’s fraud bosses were gathered there. Had they known all their targets were assembled there, they absolutely wouldn’t have bothered with “capturing Qin Baichuan alive”—they would have set up several cannons and blasted the place to smithereens!

The Military Intelligence Bureau missed an excellent opportunity to end the “Jiang Xiang Sect’s” fate!

Later, during the Japanese bombing, all the captured people escaped. The Military Intelligence Bureau had no choice but to rush to the “Dragon Whisker Sprout” hall, arrest the Batou and Xiao Jiao guarding the place, and after severe torture, learned they’d missed an excellent opportunity. Too late for regrets!

What made Old Jiang even more annoyed was that Qin Baichuan had also escaped—neither alive to be seen nor dead body to be found.

Where had Qin Baichuan actually gone?

Half a year later, Zu Ye finally found Qin Baichuan again. To be precise, Qin Baichuan found Zu Ye.

After the four great halls jumped location, everyone retreated to the countryside. Zu Ye also returned to his hometown, rarely showing his face again. Even when occasionally going out, he disguised himself beforehand. One day, Zu Ye was observing the scene on the street with Fengzi Shou when suddenly someone came from behind and patted Zu Ye’s shoulder: “Zu Ye!”

Zu Ye was startled. Looking closely, though the other person was disguised, he immediately recognized Qin Baichuan! “Master Qin!”

Zu Ye looked around and said quietly: “This isn’t a suitable place to talk. Come with me.”

After reaching Zu Ye’s private location, Zu Ye said happily: “Master Qin, where on earth have you been? The brothers have been so worried!”

It turned out that during the enemy air raid that day, Qin Baichuan ran desperately toward the mountains. He was physically strong and fast, disappearing without a trace in no time. But his hands were tied behind his back at the time. When a person’s hands are bound, their center of gravity becomes unbalanced—the faster you run, the easier to fall. As a result, focused only on running, he inadvertently slid down a mountain ravine about ten meters deep. Had some vines not broken his fall partway down, he would have died. Even so, he was knocked unconscious, lying in the ravine for two days. Later, a heavy rain revived him. He collected himself and figured out where he was, then found a protruding rock edge and ground through the rope binding his hands. With great effort, he finally climbed out of the ravine.

After climbing out and clearing his head, carefully recalling the entire sequence of events, he finally realized something was wrong. The independent regiment commander’s demand for swindled money might be unrelated to his capture—these two matters just coincidentally occurred together. He knew that given his prestige in Sichuan, a mere regiment commander wouldn’t dare move against him.

Qin Baichuan was clever. He first found a farmhouse, filled his belly, then used silver to exchange for several sets of old clothes. After disguising himself, at night he crept near his own hall to observe and discovered it had been sealed. He realized the situation was serious—someone from above wanted to target him! By then Zu Ye and the others had already left. Unable to find anyone, he dug up some silver he’d privately hidden in woods outside the city and rushed overnight to hide in the countryside.

Half a year later, when things quieted down, he went east to Jianghuai to find Zu Ye, only to discover Zu Ye’s hall was also gone. He felt the situation was very ominous!

Previously, various halls had experienced jumping location. He knew Zu Ye generally returned to the countryside after jumping. He didn’t know Zu Ye’s hometown’s exact location—only that it was in a certain town. Even this information was something only grand master-level figures could know. As for Batou and Xiao Jiao, they had no qualification to access such information. At the time, with no other options, he could only wander streets near Zu Ye’s hometown, hoping to encounter Zu Ye. After wandering for a week, he finally ran into him.

After Zu Ye told Qin Baichuan the information obtained from Jiang Feiyan’s side, Qin Baichuan also broke into a cold sweat. Finally, head lowered, he said: “Zu Ye, I’ve implicated everyone.”

Zu Ye said: “Master Qin speaks too seriously! Family doesn’t talk about such distant matters! That you and I brothers have reunited is the greatest joy! Master Qin, please stay at my place temporarily. Let’s drink and celebrate!”

In 1945, Japan was defeated and surrendered. The Liberation War began. The Kuomintang lost popular support and retreated steadily. The Military Intelligence Bureau (later reorganized as the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics) no longer had the energy to pursue the “Jiang Xiang Sect’s” affairs.

Zu Ye saw the time was ripe. After consulting with the other three grand masters, he announced the “Jiang Xiang Sect” would re-emerge in the martial world! Thus the four great halls recruited troops and bought horses. Days became prosperous again.

This conflict with Military Intelligence could be called thrilling but ultimately safe. Fengzi Shou came to appreciate Zu Ye’s wisdom even more. Foolish people see appearances; clever people see essence. The 21-year-old Fengzi Shou was a clever person. He perceived Zu Ye’s intention to put Qin Baichuan to death. Someone else who perceived this mystery was Qin Baichuan himself. From then on, Qin Baichuan buried seeds of revenge in his heart.

Senior Zhou Zhenlong Thirty Years Later

Now, Fengzi Shou was approaching thirty years of age. He was no longer that impulsive, ignorant young fool. He knew Zu Ye wanted to unify the realm. At this time of internal troubles and external dangers with crises lurking everywhere, he stayed inseparably close to Zu Ye.

Even I, this dull-natured person who’d joined the hall not long ago, could sense the tense atmosphere. National liberation was imminent. The four great halls were falling apart. Internal brothers’ morale was scattered and conflicts intensified. Northern Sect’s Qian Yuelin suddenly visited. Western Sect’s Qin Baichuan pretended to be reserved. Whether all this was blessing or disaster remained unknown! But Zu Ye remained exceptionally calm.

In early 1949, when the Three Great Campaigns ended, the Kuomintang was barely surviving. Out of self-interest, both the Soviet Union and United States demanded the Nationalists and Communists “divide and rule along the Yangtze”—essentially wanting to split China.

The Kuomintang took advantage to engage in massive false propaganda, terrorizing common people, saying how horrible the liberated zones were. Even grand master Qian Yuelin, who’d fled from the liberated zones, said life there was difficult.

Zu Ye, with his great wisdom, understood in his heart that the “Jiang Xiang Sect” was a fraud organization. Places where frauds couldn’t survive well were necessarily places where common people lived and worked in peace.

During that period, many people were misled by Kuomintang’s negative propaganda, desperately fleeing to Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Southern Sect “Crossing Sea Hall’s” leader Jiang Feiyan also frequently traveled between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

One day, Zu Ye said to me: “Da Tou, I’m taking you to meet someone.”

I asked: “Who?”

Zu Ye said: “You’ll know when we get there.”

Fengzi Shou still stayed inseparably by Zu Ye’s side. Zu Ye had someone obtain three train tickets. The three of us went to Suzhou. This was my first time riding a train since coming out of my mother’s womb. I felt it was very novel—inside the train were actually tables, chairs, and electric lights, just like Zu Ye’s parlor. What puzzled me most was how something this long moved forward—what pulled it?

Throughout the journey I was extremely excited, constantly looking out the window at the scenery. Fengzi Shou told me: “This is a luxury train. Taking a luxury car your first time—your fate is truly good!” At that moment, I hoped so much the train would never stop and would just keep running forever.

At 3 PM, the train pulled into the station. Passing through the bustling hall and exiting the station gate, people were already waiting. Three yellow rickshaws turned here and there, bringing us to a place at a mountain’s base. I looked—it was a temple.

The young monk watching the gate saw us arrive and led us inside. Turning past several Buddha halls and going left, we reached a meditation chamber. After the young monk announced us, he said: “Please enter, three benefactors.”

Fengzi Shou and I followed Zu Ye inside. Upon entering, we saw an old monk meditating, appearing eighty or ninety years old.

Zu Ye pressed his palms together and said softly: “Master Qingfeng, I trust you’ve been well.”

The old monk returned the courtesy: “Amitabha. Zu Ye’s party must be weary from travel. Xunzhu, serve tea.”

The young monk responded: “Yes, Master.” He turned to pour tea.

Hearing this, I realized this eminent monk knew Zu Ye! Zu Ye’s network was truly too vast!

Zu Ye said: “Many thanks, Master! This time I’ve brought a young disciple well-versed in tea ceremony.” He gestured toward me: “Da Tou, go help the little master brew tea.”

I said: “Yes.” I hurried to the inner room and took over the tea implements. Before long, I’d brewed a pot of Biluochun tea, brought it out, and poured for everyone.

Zu Ye said: “Master, please.”

Master Qingfeng took the teacup, tasted it, and smiled kindly: “Fresh and elegant. This benefactor truly has good spiritual roots!”

I didn’t quite understand the old monk’s words but vaguely sensed he was praising me.

Zu Ye smiled and said: “How has Master’s health been?”

Master Qingfeng said: “Thank you for Zu Ye’s concern. All is well.”

Zu Ye said: “Thirty years ago, having the fortune to meet Master was my ten-thousand-fold good luck! Over the years, whenever troubled by deep confusion, I’ve invariably received Master’s enlightenment. Master’s kindness toward me is as heavy as mountains.”

Master Qingfeng said: “Zu Ye speaks too seriously. Zu Ye’s spiritual roots are not extinguished—naturally there will be karmic rewards!”

Zu Ye said: “Master, this time I’ve come with three matters requesting Master’s guidance.”

Hearing this, I nearly fainted. Zu Ye still needed others’ guidance? I looked back at Fengzi Shou. Fengzi Shou smiled helplessly and said nothing.

Master Qingfeng said: “Zu Ye, in this world of suffering, all phenomena are empty. If you cannot let go, you cannot see through.”

Zu Ye said: “This first matter is: should I leave or should I stay?”

This first question left Fengzi Shou and me completely confused. What did this mean? Leave or stay where? Leave for where?

Master Qingfeng said: “The ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ has continued for so many years, doing good deeds and evil deeds—more evil than good. Especially reaching the late Qing and Republican era, evil deeds piled upon evil deeds, sins reaching heaven. Whether Zu Ye leaves or stays isn’t important. The ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’s’ fate is what’s important.”

The old monk’s words made my body tremble. He also knew the “Jiang Xiang Sect’s” inside story? The hall had a rule—people who knew the “Jiang Xiang Sect’s” inside story, if not brothers, were enemies and must be eliminated. Not only had Zu Ye not eliminated him, he respected him. Who exactly was he?

After listening, Zu Ye fell into deep contemplation. After quite a while, he said: “Master, the second matter is: looking at these two disciples of mine, what fate awaits them?”

Fengzi Shou and I looked at each other, not understanding. What did “what fate awaits” mean? What was wrong with Zu Ye today, always speaking in vague terms?

Master Qingfeng pointed at me and said: “This benefactor has an honest and dignified countenance, with pure six senses. Though he suffered the loss of both parents in early years, after middle age, he’ll certainly receive karmic rewards, have both sons and daughters, and die naturally.”

Zu Ye sighed knowingly: “It seems I haven’t misjudged people.”

I was completely confused. What the old monk said sounded exactly like what we said when fortune-telling for foolish roe deer. Had Zu Ye been cheated? I smacked my lips, looking at Zu Ye doubtfully.

This thread of worry didn’t escape Master Qingfeng’s eyes. Master Qingfeng smiled at me and said: “Benefactor, you’ve confused yourself. Truth and falsehood, falsehood and truth—you can’t even distinguish truth from falsehood yourself. The ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ has committed two greatest sins. First, swindling money and sex, killing innocents indiscriminately. Second, defiling the Yi Jing’s reputation. The Book of Changes is the way of yin and yang. The ancients often said: if not becoming a good minister, then becoming a doctor or diviner. Divination is the essence of the Book of Changes, meant to avoid misfortune and seek fortune, benefiting the people. The ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ fundamentally doesn’t understand the Book of Changes, yet falsely borrows its name to swindle and deceive, causing the masses to doubt the Book of Changes. Chinese divination’s reputation is ruined in one stroke!”

I understood this passage only partially. The general meaning was that we were doing bad things. I dared not speak. Many years later, after truly studying Yi Jing, I understood Master Qingfeng’s words weren’t false. Yi aligns with heaven and earth, able to encompass the way of heaven and earth. The way of Yi Jing is the way of being human.

Master Qingfeng pointed at Fengzi Shou and said: “This benefactor has protruding sheep eyes. Though loyal and righteous, his murderous intent is too heavy. In time this will inevitably bring disaster. He should restrain himself early!”

I glanced sideways at Fengzi Shou. Regardless of whether this old monk truly understood or falsely understood, anyone hearing this string of words would feel stifled.

Fengzi Shou pursed his lips and said: “Many thanks for Master’s guidance. From the day I entered the hall, I’ve already placed life and death outside consideration.” Fengzi Shou’s words weren’t false. He truly wasn’t afraid of death. Every time the hall conflicted with outsiders, he was always first to rush forward.

Zu Ye chuckled, pointed at Fengzi Shou, and said to Master Qingfeng: “This is Little Sixth I recruited from Ninth Master’s hall. According to Ninth Master and Master Zhang’s reckoning, he should call Master ‘senior brother.'”

Fengzi Shou and I were completely dumbfounded. Could Master Qingfeng also have connections with Wang Yaqiao? Why had Zu Ye never mentioned this over all these years? Fengzi Shou and I stared wide-eyed, looking at Zu Ye doubtfully.

Zu Ye continued: “Master, may I speak openly about this relationship?”

Master Qingfeng said: “Amitabha. It’s all passing clouds now. Monks value rejoicing with others. Rejoicing with Zu Ye and the two benefactors’ joy—don’t leave them in the dark.”

Hearing the Master agree, we all looked at Zu Ye impatiently.

Zu Ye said: “You two both know my old affairs. Remember Senior Zhou I once told you about?”

My memory wasn’t good. My brain raced. Senior Zhou? Which Senior Zhou? Fengzi Shou quickly reacted: “So it’s Senior Zhou Zhenlong from years ago! Our deepest respects! Please accept this junior’s bow!”

Only then did I suddenly understand. Years ago, when Zu Ye avenged his younger siblings, he accidentally saved two people—one was Zhang Dancheng, the other Zhou Zhenlong. From then on he was drawn into the “Jiang Xiang Sect’s” grudges and enmities. Later, when Zhang Dancheng intended to pass the sect leader position to Zu Ye, both Zhou Zhenlong and Tu Yiming were Zhang Dancheng’s entrusted guardians. Zhang Dancheng required them both to wholeheartedly assist Zu Ye. Later, after Zhang Dancheng’s death, Zhou Zhenlong saw through the mortal world. After distributing his gold and silver treasures to poor people, he left the hall alone. From then on there was no word of him. It turned out he’d become a monk here!

Thirty years! Time’s wheel turning, passing in the snap of a finger!

Zu Ye said: “After Senior Zhou left the hall, I’ve always been concerned. Ten years later, I received a letter and learned the senior had devoted himself to Buddhism with the dharma name Qingfeng.”

Master Qingfeng sighed deeply: “Amitabha. The sea of suffering has no bounds; turning back is the shore. This poor monk also hopes all benefactors will turn back early.”

Zu Ye pressed palms together: “Amitabha.”

I’d never seen Zu Ye so humble. I felt he’d become a different person.

Master Qingfeng said: “Benefactor just mentioned three matters. There’s still one more…”

Zu Ye sighed. “Master, regarding the third matter, I already have my answer.”

Master Qingfeng said: “Excellent, excellent. The sky has darkened. This poor monk has nothing to entertain everyone with. I’ve had my disciple prepare vegetarian food. Three benefactors, please dine.”

That evening, I ate vegetarian food for the first time. Though without meat or fish, it was exceptionally delicious. I ate five bowls of rice and two large plates of cabbage stewed with vermicelli noodles in succession. Fengzi Shou kept staring at me and smiling.

We stayed at that temple for two nights total, then returned to the hall.

On the way back, I asked Zu Ye: “Does Senior Zhou truly understand the Book of Changes? When did he learn it?”

Zu Ye said: “When Buddha dharma is clear, all dharmas are clear. How he came to understand, I don’t know, but that’s true ability. However, he never reads for outsiders. If I hadn’t personally gone to ask, he wouldn’t have read. Using his words: whether reading or not doesn’t matter. Isn’t there a phrase in the Book of Changes? ‘Families accumulating good will certainly have surplus blessings; families accumulating evil will certainly have surplus calamity.’ If you grasp good and evil, you grasp fate’s essence.”

At that moment, I felt both Zu Ye and Senior Zhou were so profound. I thought to myself: how many times had they actually met? What had Zu Ye once discussed with him? Why did Zu Ye bring Fengzi Shou and me this time? Also, what was the third question Zu Ye wanted to ask? All this was like a riddle—an unsolvable riddle.

Fengzi Shou Falls Victim to Vicious Hands

Not long after returning to the hall, on April 21, 1949, the Crossing the Yangtze Campaign erupted. Chairman Mao waved his great hand: “Cross the Yangtze, liberate all China!” Instantly, America and the Soviet Union’s conspiracy to split China went bankrupt. Chiang Kai-shek’s plan to “delay time and reorganize military strength” also turned to ashes. The People’s Liberation Army’s million-strong force swept south with east, central, and west assault groups as vanguards. The Second, Third, and Fourth Field Armies responded to each other, with overwhelming momentum annihilating eleven Kuomintang armies and forty-six divisions—over 430,000 enemy troops. They liberated major cities including Nanjing, Shanghai, and Wuhan, plus all of Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, most of Zhejiang province, and portions of Jiangxi, Hubei, and Fujian provinces.

Under urgent circumstances, Zu Ye thought carefully and led the hall’s brothers south to Guangzhou, converging with the “Crossing Sea Hall.” But the two halls merged without mixing—Jiang Feiyan remained Jiang Feiyan, Zu Ye remained Zu Ye, Eastern Sect remained Eastern Sect, Southern Sect remained Southern Sect.

Not long after the hall relocated to Guangzhou and stabilized, in May, Sixth Master Fengzi Shou suddenly fell ill. When practicing martial arts in the morning, he coughed continuously. Later he began coughing up blood. Several doctors consulted said his pulse was weak, possibly from overwork. After taking several doses of blood- and qi-supplementing medicine, his condition improved somewhat. But within days he began losing hair. Finally even his eyebrows started falling out. His whole body was powerless, face wax-yellow, his entire person emaciated beyond recognition.

Zu Ye watched with anxiety in his heart. Zu Ye had Jiang Feiyan summon the local best doctor. After examining him, the doctor said: “All five organs and six viscera are failing. Cause unknown.”

Zu Ye asked: “Is it poisoning?”

The doctor said: “No poison in the body.”

Zu Ye asked: “Can he be saved?”

The doctor shook his head.

Zu Ye was at his wit’s end, heartbroken to death. Not only Zu Ye—even all the Batou were extremely anxious.

During those days, Er Batou drank daily, always pulling me along. Once, after drinking much wine, he said in a daze: “Sixth’s body was the strongest. What the hell is this?”

I said: “Second Master, life and death are determined by fate, wealth and status by Heaven.” After speaking, I realized my words were inappropriate, but regret came too late. Er Batou came up and slapped me across the face. “What the hell are you saying!”

Covering my face, I said: “Second Master, I was wrong, I was wrong!”

Er Batou said: “Da Tou, don’t blame Second Master for hitting you. You know what? Sixth Master and I have been together over ten years. When Sixth Master came to the hall, he was still a child. I watched him grow up day by day. His heart toward Zu Ye and the brothers has absolutely no disloyalty. These years, through wind and rain, he’s handled all underworld matters. Every time setting up schemes and scouting locations, he’s first to rush forward. That year during the fire fight with the Azure Dragon Gang, Little Sixth took a knife for me, slashed right in the chest, flesh turning outward. I asked if it hurt. He smiled and said, ‘Second Master, it doesn’t hurt…'”

Speaking to this point, Er Batou cried. At that moment, I truly deeply comprehended the meaning of the word “brothers.” In my memory, this was Er Batou’s first time hitting me over brotherhood matters. After hitting me, Er Batou drank much more wine until completely drunk.

A month later, Fengzi Shou was dying. Before death, Zu Ye held him at the bedside. He struggled to open his eyes and said weakly: “Zu Ye, Little Sixth has followed you fourteen years. You’ve treated me well… From the heart, Little Sixth admires you and is willing to follow you. Back when you took me in at Ninth Master’s hall, I was ignorant and even contradicted you… Zu Ye, Little Sixth can’t accompany you further. You must take care of yourself. Didn’t Master Qingfeng say my murderous intent was too heavy? I’ve indeed killed many people. Now I’m dying. After death I won’t kill anymore… Zu Ye, following you this lifetime, I have no regrets. Next lifetime I’ll still be your Little Sixth… Zu Ye, after I die, burn more spirit money for me. Not for me to use, but for those wronged ghosts I killed. On the Yellow Springs road, I’ll use this money to placate them, not let them entangle me, so I can reincarnate well and return to serve Zu Ye…”

Zu Ye’s tears flowed down continuously, falling on Fengzi Shou’s face. I also couldn’t help crying. Er Batou lay at the bedside, wailing loudly: “Sixth, Second Brother can’t bear to part with you!”

Fengzi Shou finally closed his eyes. Zu Ye held him tightly in his arms. That scene—I felt it wasn’t like a hall boss holding a subordinate but more like an older brother holding his younger brother.

On the day of Sixth Master Fengzi Shou’s funeral, people from both black and white paths all came. Er Batou knelt before the spirit, crying until speechless. Especially during burial, Er Batou cried like he’d gone mad, pushing aside the Xiao Jiao responsible for covering with earth around the grave pit, lying on the coffin not allowing burial. Finally, Zu Ye had several Xiao Jiao forcibly carry him away. This was the first time since I’d known Er Batou that I’d seen him so heartbroken.

The other Batou were also grief-stricken beyond measure. San Batou wore mourning clothes, kneeling before the coffin, crying while reciting the eulogy he’d written himself: “Alas my brother, how painful my brother! You and I were brothers for over ten years, yet you departed before me. From now on, heaven and earth are forever separated. How can this foolish older brother bear it! Below me I had one blood brother who unfortunately died young. Since you came under Zu Ye’s command, I’ve regarded you as my own brother. Brother was outstanding in martial arts, valuing affection and righteousness. Heaven has no eyes, cruelly killing a talented hero, cruelly killing my heart…” Hearing this eulogy, everyone cried even more fiercely.

Every Batou was crying, every Xiao Jiao was crying, but Zu Ye knew in his heart—some cried truly, some cried falsely. Zu Ye was well-versed in history. Back when Zhuge Liang wept for Zhou Yu, it too moved heaven and earth, but behind the tears was laughter.

Regarding Fengzi Shou’s illness, Zu Ye always felt something was wrong but could never figure out what the problem was. At first, Zu Ye also thought it was caused by overwork. Later, after the condition worsened, Zu Ye suspected someone had poisoned him. They investigated thoroughly from top to bottom but found no problems.

Fengzi Shou himself was clever and wise. Combined with Zu Ye’s teachings over these years, he’d become extremely intelligent, very careful about food and lodging. He could even anticipate things Zu Ye couldn’t think of. He always carried various poison-testing silver needles that Si Batou had developed. Wherever he went to eat at unfamiliar places, he’d first test everything, then taste it himself before letting Zu Ye eat.

Therefore, poisoning him through his food to kill him was simply impossible. Moreover, the doctor had examined him—no poison in his body.

Though Zu Ye grew suspicious, he still couldn’t find any clues. During that period, Zu Ye always wore a stern face, drinking tea continuously at night. I carefully accompanied him at his side. Sometimes watching him stare blankly at the moon in the sky, I knew he was thinking of Fengzi Shou again. I didn’t dare speak, just quietly kept him company.

One deep night, Zu Ye suddenly said to me: “Come walk with me.”

I didn’t dare ask where, obediently following behind. Zu Ye actually walked toward the house where Fengzi Shou had lived. That house—after Fengzi Shou’s death, Zu Ye had it locked. Zu Ye took out a key, opened the door. Inside was pitch black. Zu Ye had me take out flint and light an oil lamp.

After groping around for quite a while, I finally found an oil lamp on the stove, lit it, and brought it over. Zu Ye said: “Go to the back kitchen.”

I didn’t know what Zu Ye meant but obediently held the lamp and followed Zu Ye to the back kitchen.

Zu Ye carefully examined every corner of the kitchen, again and again, afraid of missing anything.

Suddenly, Zu Ye’s eyes fixed on the wall. He said to me: “Bring the lamp over!”

I held the lamp above my head. Zu Ye brought the oil lamp close to the wall. I saw it too—a piece of yellowed, smoke-stained paper stuck there. Written on it was “Sixth Master’s Spring Season Menu.” Below were densely packed small characters recording the daily meals that should be prepared for Fengzi Shou and their preparation methods, cycling every seven days.

Fengzi Shou loved fine food—everyone in the hall knew this. He practiced martial arts, consumed much energy, had a large appetite, loved meat, always liked eating variety, eating until his face glowed red, punching with tiger-like power. For this reason, he’d specifically found someone from among the Xiao Jiao who could cook, solely responsible for his meals.

Zu Ye carefully peeled this menu off the wall. Returning to Zu Ye’s home, Zu Ye studied this menu carefully:

Day of Bingyin: Chaos Origin Pork, Yin-Yang Great Water Caltrop, Old Jar Chicken Strips with Cucumber, Nine Yin Drunken Peanuts

Day of Dingmao: Three Yang Prosperity Dog, Two-Color Secret Bean, Thousand-Cave Rabbit Meat, Old Ghost Celery

Day of Wuchen: Secret Salted Crucian Carp, Walking Horse Oil Wheat, Earth Dragon Fried Goose Liver, Phoenix Dance Egg Flower

…

Zu Ye looked for a very long time but found nothing amiss. Finally, holding this paper, he lay in his chair and drowsily fell asleep. I covered Zu Ye with a blanket and was just about to leave for my lodging when Zu Ye actually spoke: “Da Tou, sleep here tonight. The east wing room has no one—there are quilts inside.”

Only then did I realize Zu Ye hadn’t fallen asleep. He was pondering bitterly. Seeing him like this, my heart ached.

The next day, just as dawn broke, Zu Ye called me: “Da Tou, convey my order. Say tonight we’re having ‘Food Blessing.’ Have Master Qian, Sister Yan, and all the Batou come.”

Hearing this, I was somewhat bewildered. Hadn’t we just had Food Blessing a couple days ago? Recently the hall’s funds were also very tight. What was wrong with Zu Ye? Moreover, today was Fengzi Shou’s fifth seventh-day memorial—we should be sweeping the tomb and making offerings.

I didn’t dare ask, and successively notified each Batou and master.

That evening Zu Ye set up two large tables. Zu Ye, Jiang Feiyan, Qian Yuelin, Da Batou, Er Batou, San Batou, Si Batou, Wu Batou, and Qi Batou at one table. Other Batou and outstanding Xiao Jiao at another table. Zu Ye had me sit at his table, pouring wine and serving tea.

When the meal began, servants brought out dishes. I was shocked—these dishes were all from that menu taken from Fengzi Shou’s kitchen. San Batou’s brow furrowed. He glanced at Qian Yuelin. Qian Yuelin remained impassive.

Zu Ye raised his cup and said: “Master Qian, Sister Yan, all brothers—the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ has developed to this day, already over three hundred years. Back when Hong Gate’s Five Ancestors’ founder Fang Zhaoyu established the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect,’ resisting Qing and restoring Ming, eliminating evil and promoting good, it relied on brothers’ unity. All brothers internally united in heart and virtue, externally fighting with wisdom and courage—this allowed the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ to continuously flourish and expand. Unity is our long-lasting treasure. This first cup of wine is for brothers’ mutual unity and fraternal affection. Bottoms up!”

Everyone raised their cups together: “Brothers united in heart and virtue, ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ flourishing and expanding!” Everyone drank in one gulp.

Zu Ye raised the second cup of wine: “Over many years, the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ has experienced wind and rain. Many brothers lost their lives for the hall’s interests. Since this humble person took charge of ‘Mu Zi Lian,’ the hall has had twelve brothers successively depart. Just since this spring began, four brothers have been lost. In the future, more brothers will die. I may also die. This second cup of wine honors those brothers who died for the hall generation after generation!”

Everyone sensed Zu Ye’s words had hidden meaning. Looking at each other, they raised wine cups and drank in one gulp.

Zu Ye raised his wine cup once more: “The third cup honors Master Qian and Sister Yan. Master Qian traveled a thousand li to ‘Mu Zi Lian,’ bringing honor to the hall. These past months, Master Qian has presided over the hall, offering advice and strategies, sharing my worries and concerns. I’m deeply moved. Recently the situation has changed drastically. I led our brothers to southern Guangdong. Sister Yan came twenty li out of the city to welcome us, treating ‘Mu Zi Lian’ hall brothers with kindness as heavy as mountains. Master Qian, Sister Yan, this humble person honors you both!”

Qian Yuelin hurriedly stood up, face full of smiles, saying: “Zu Ye is too kind. This foolish elder is incompetent. That Zu Ye doesn’t abandon me—I’m already ten-thousand-fold grateful. I should be honoring Zu Ye!” Having said this, he drank in one gulp.

Jiang Feiyan said nothing, smiling faintly at Zu Ye. This was my first time seeing Jiang Feiyan smile up close. At 47 years old, she still looked like someone in her thirties, well-maintained, charm still present, spring feelings overflowing. What puzzled me most was that she didn’t have a single white hair. Later Er Batou told me she had people in Military Intelligence purchase a type of medicinal liquid from the West every year. Applied to hair, white hair became black hair. Many years later, I learned this was called hair dye, invented by a Frenchman in the early twentieth century.

Zu Ye said: “Sister Yan, please.”

Jiang Feiyan said: “Zu Ye, please.”

The two drank together.

Zu Ye continued: “Today is Little Sixth’s fifth seventh-day memorial. Sixth in life loved eating. The day before yesterday when servants cleaned his room, they discovered one of his menus. I looked—truly good dishes. He’s gone. I’m borrowing his menu to entertain everyone, which also honors Sixth’s spirit in heaven. Everyone, please!”

Everyone stood up, saying one after another: “Zu Ye, please accept our condolences.”

Zu Ye raised his wine cup again, saying loudly to the sky: “Sixth, the fifth seventh-day is the day souls return. If your spirit is in heaven, look back at the brothers, see how united they are. The path you didn’t finish walking, the brothers will walk for you. You can rest in peace!”

Before his words fell, with a “bang,” everyone looked toward the sound. It turned out Er Batou had accidentally knocked over his wine cup.

Zu Ye glanced at Er Batou, then tilted back his head, drinking the cup’s wine in one gulp, saying: “Everyone eat. Whatever tastes good, eat it. The more you eat, the happier Sixth’s spirit in heaven will be.”

Everyone looked at each other, then began eating.

I quietly watched Zu Ye. While eating, Zu Ye used his peripheral vision to scan everyone at the table. I ate silently. The food was really delicious. I ate through all these delicacies, thinking that Sixth Master in life truly had good fortune with food.

“Food Blessing” lasted two hours, finally ending at the hour of Hai.

Deep into the night, Zu Ye still had me brew tea for him. While brewing tea, I suddenly felt stomach pain, ran to the outhouse with a bout of diarrhea. I suspected I’d eaten too much. Just as I pulled up my pants, another wave of pain hit. After three consecutive bouts, it finally stopped.

Zu Ye sipped tea while saying: “Da Tou, tomorrow notify all Batou of this hall, plus Master Qian. Say we’re continuing Food Blessing.”

“Ah?” I thought I’d heard wrong.

“Ah what?” Zu Ye said. “Tomorrow we continue Food Blessing! You also participate. Remember, don’t eat dishes from all over the table. You only eat one dish.”

I didn’t understand. “Which dish?”

Zu Ye smiled: “Whatever suits your taste. Any dish is fine. Just don’t mix and eat.”

I was confused and didn’t dare ask more, only able to answer: “Zu Ye, I’ve noted it.”

Early the next morning, I went to notify each Batou. When I arrived at San Batou’s residence, I discovered Wu Batou and Qi Batou were both there. I said: “Third Master, Fifth Master, Seventh Master—Zu Ye said we’re continuing Food Blessing today.”

I’ll never forget those three masters’ faces at that moment—all turned green, eyes revealing a trace of alarm and incomprehension.

This Food Blessing didn’t include Jiang Feiyan or other Xiao Jiao—just Zu Ye, Master Qian, all the Batou, and me.

Looking at the food and dishes—still from Fengzi Shou’s menu. I vaguely sensed something was going on here.

Qian Yuelin said with a smile: “Zu Ye, didn’t we just eat yesterday? Recently the hall’s silver is scarce. Better to save it for other…”

Before he could finish, Zu Ye interrupted him: “We’re not short this bit. Haha, all Batou have followed me so long—it’s rare to have leisure. Recently business hasn’t been good. Perfect time to drink and celebrate.”

Da Batou laughed heartily, picking up a piece of meat and putting it in his mouth. “Eat, eat. Last night I had diarrhea. Perfect time to supplement.”

Er Batou said: “Big Brother, you also had diarrhea?”

Before Da Batou could speak, I couldn’t help but interject: “This junior also had diarrhea.”

Zu Ye laughed loudly: “All supplement yourselves. During this period, the hall moved, traveling by carriage and horse—you’ve all exhausted yourselves. Starting today, continuous Food Blessing for one month!”

San Batou said sorrowfully: “Sixth just passed away. I… can’t eat…”

Zu Ye said with grave expression: “Life and death are determined by fate. Everyone, don’t be too sad.”

Zu Ye continued: “Sixth is gone, but the hall’s business must continue. One turnip, one hole—his people need someone to lead. You all recommend someone.”

Hearing this, Er Batou quickly raised his head: “Zu Ye, I recommend Little Haizi.”

Little Haizi was a subordinate under Er Batou, real name Zhao Dinghai. He excelled at throwing darts, was bold, and had good standing.

Zu Ye shook his head: “Sixth’s subordinates aren’t easy to lead. Each is a master. Without some skill, it’s very difficult to lead them.” Zu Ye turned to San Batou: “Third, do you have a suitable person?”

San Batou looked at Qian Yuelin. Qian Yuelin smiled and said: “Don’t look at me for this. This is your hall’s internal matter. I won’t participate.”

San Batou said: “Zu Ye, I do have one candidate to recommend to you—one of Sixth’s subordinates, Fan Yifei.”

The Fan Yifei San Batou mentioned was Fengzi Shou’s capable assistant. His lightness skills rivaled Fengzi Shou’s. He joined the hall in 1942 with the nickname “Little Shi Qian,” meaning he was like the Liangshan hero Shi Qian—exceptionally agile, unmatched in lightness skills.

Hearing this, Zu Ye slapped the table: “Good! Exactly what I was thinking!”

Er Batou, mouth full of meat, stared blankly at Zu Ye: “Zu Ye… still consider carefully…”

Zu Ye waved his hand: “The hall cannot go one day without a Batou. These days I’ve been considering this person. Third and I thought of the same person. It’s settled then. Tomorrow at the hall meeting, we’ll finalize this!”

San Batou quickly said: “Zu Ye is wise!”

The next day, before nearly a hundred hall brothers, amid congratulatory sounds, “Little Shi Qian” sat in the sixth chair.

That evening, Food Blessing continued. I still followed Zu Ye’s instructions, eating only one dish. After eating a while, I was surprised to discover everyone at the table was only eating one dish. What was going on?

Nearly finished eating, Zu Ye said to me in front of everyone: “These days I’ve been too tired. Sixth’s death has exhausted my mind and energy. Da Tou, look into it—get some opera tickets these days. Let’s all go watch opera together.”

Da Batou and Er Batou said together: “Great! I haven’t heard Cantonese opera yet.”

The next day, I reserved over ten tickets. Zu Ye looked and said: “Good. Notify all Batou—tomorrow we’ll all watch grand opera together!”

That evening, I still brewed tea for Zu Ye.

Zu Ye sat in his rocking chair, sipping while saying: “Da Tou, how long have you followed me?”

I calculated carefully. “Zu Ye, one year and three months.”

Zu Ye sighed: “Mm, time passes so fast. Da Tou, what do you think of me as a person?”

I didn’t know why Zu Ye was asking this. Speaking honestly, I quite envied Zu Ye. Same as men, why was he so good-looking, with wisdom and methods? Looking at myself—ugly as a melon, dull and foolish. I’d vowed countless times that in my next life if I became human, I must become someone like Zu Ye! Though my heart was full of feelings, unfortunately my mouth was clumsy and I couldn’t find words. I ended up saying: “Zu Ye, you’re quite formidable.”

Zu Ye asked: “Formidable how?”

I said: “Formidable everywhere!”

Zu Ye laughed heartily, laughing for quite a while, then said: “Da Tou, remember? When I first took you in, I asked if you’d ever thought about becoming a master yourself someday.”

I said: “I remember. I said then my life was lowly, I couldn’t become a master. You even scolded me.”

Zu Ye said: “Yes. Prepare to be a master. You’re about to become one.”

Hearing this, I nearly threw the teapot on the ground. “Uh… Zu Ye…”

Suddenly, urgent knocking at the door. Zu Ye raised his head, both eyes shooting out two cold rays of light, startling me. I involuntarily asked: “Who’s knocking?”

The Qing Court’s Secret Food Killing Formula

Zu Ye made no sound, telling the steward: “Go open the door.”

The steward acknowledged and went to open the door carrying a lantern.

I didn’t know what was happening, staring blankly at Zu Ye, then turning back to look at the courtyard. Suddenly several whooshing sounds—many people leaped down from the roof. I saw it was Da Batou, plus many highly skilled Xiao Jiao from the hall, each holding a box cannon.

I knew the hall had several dozen box cannons total, usually locked in Zu Ye’s residence. For external missions, they’d take out however many based on the number deployed. After missions were executed, they’d be collected back into storage. Zu Ye didn’t allow any Batou or Xiao Jiao to carry guns privately. This time so many people were issued guns—my heart immediately rose: something major was about to happen at the hall!

Zu Ye waved his hand. Da Batou quickly hid behind the screen behind Zu Ye. The other Xiao Jiao also hid in darkness. Da Batou stuck his head out, quietly calling out: “Zu Ye, twenty more brothers on the roof. Er Batou’s side is also prepared. The outer perimeter—Lady Yan (Jiang Feiyan) has already arranged everything. All key routes have our brothers.”

Zu Ye nodded.

Before long, the steward led someone in. I looked—it was Qi Batou, Wang Jiaxian.

After Qi Batou entered the room, without saying anything, he dropped to his knees with a thud: “Zu Ye! This junior has come to confess!” Then banging his head on the ground: “Zu Ye, I was wrong! Zu Ye, spare my life!”

Zu Ye glanced at him, saying coldly: “Speak.”

Qi Batou spoke while crying. I listened from the side, heart pounding, flesh trembling. What a huge conspiracy!

It turned out Qian Yuelin, that old fox, had colluded with Western Sect’s Qin Baichuan long ago. They’d been preparing to eliminate Zu Ye all along!

Zu Ye was a heroic figure—everyone could see it. Zu Ye took charge of “Mu Zi Lian” at 21. When he first took over the hall from Zhang Dancheng, counting old and young the hall had only about twenty people total. The foundation was desperately thin—lacking both people and money. Twenty-some years later, Zu Ye had built the hall to over a hundred people, earning silver in the millions!

For several hundred years the four great halls had been equally matched in strength, relatively balanced. Everyone mutually checked each other—no one could threaten anyone. Then history reached the Republican era and Zu Ye appeared out of nowhere. “Mu Zi Lian” thrived under his management, standing out alone, stealing all the spotlight. This broke the several-hundred-year balance among the four great halls. This was a great taboo!

How could Zu Ye not understand this principle? In previous years, though the hall’s strength continuously increased, he remained low-key, treating each grand master with utmost respect. Only after 1945, when he absolutely had confidence in his own strength, did he begin a major psychological warfare campaign. In recent years, he continuously distributed large amounts of silver to other halls to win hearts. On the surface this seemed good—each grand master was profoundly grateful—but actually, aside from Jiang Feiyan, the other two great halls’ leaders harbored wariness. All hearts have been bought by you, Zu Ye—how can this be acceptable! Plus in 1943, when the four great halls were surrounded by the Military Intelligence Bureau in Chongqing, Zu Ye put Qin Baichuan on the hot seat, disregarding his life or death. Qin Baichuan harbored even deeper resentment.

Additionally, from the start of the War of Resistance, Qian Yuelin’s situation in the north became increasingly dire. After the Liberation War began, he basically couldn’t survive. He wanted to move south but feared conflict with Zu Ye’s hall. Actually he’d already secretly gone south several times to steal business. Zu Ye knew but hadn’t pursued it considering the bigger picture. Later, Qian Yuelin brought a group of A’Bao to southern Guangdong, targeting the southern four provinces, but was beaten back by Jiang Feiyan. His heart was full of resentment. Jianghuai was prosperous; southern Guangdong had little warfare. Everyone knew these were two chunks of fat meat. Qian Yuelin watched anxiously but both Zu Ye and Jiang Feiyan were very strong. He was anxiously helpless. Unwilling to humbly submit to Zu Ye, he thus colluded with Qin Baichuan.

Collusion was actually a manifestation of weakness. They’d privately discussed that if they didn’t unite against Zu Ye, in a few years the “Jiang Xiang Sect” would truly be unified under Zu Ye’s command!

Qin Baichuan and Qian Yuelin discussed that no matter what, they had to eliminate Zu Ye. After eliminating Zu Ye, Jiang Feiyan would be easy to handle. Then they’d re-divide territorial spheres. Qin Baichuan would still control the Western Sect, then bring the southern four provinces under his command. Qian Yuelin would control the Eastern Sect, taking over all of Zu Ye’s territory. These two even discussed dividing up the female A’Bao under Jiang Feiyan. If Jiang Feiyan agreed, fine. If not, eliminate her!

Finally the two decided to have Qian Yuelin pretend to submit to Zu Ye. Only by getting close to Zu Ye could they find out Zu Ye’s hall’s true situation, see if they could turn a few Batou, achieving internal cooperation with external forces to completely wipe out the Eastern Sect.

From the day Qian Yuelin came to the hall, Zu Ye grew suspicious. Zu Ye liked “playing chess”—directly killing Qian Yuelin would be no fun. So he played a big game of chess, deliberately letting Qian Yuelin participate in hall meetings, letting him participate in discussions of some major matters. The common saying goes “whether it’s a mule or a horse, bring it out for a walk.” Zu Ye wanted to see how deep he ran. Know yourself and know your enemy—only then can you fight a hundred battles without danger. More importantly, Zu Ye wanted to use Qian Yuelin’s hand to draw out the hall’s unstable elements. Zu Ye knew that although each Batou usually feared him somewhat, the “Jiang Xiang Sect” was ultimately a mob. These people were all masters in intelligence, scum in morality, each ruthless and merciless. Zu Ye forever remembered the incident when Batou under Zhang Dancheng rebelled. From the day he took office, Zu Ye remained wary of all Batou.

Zu Ye never let Batou unite, deliberately making them fight. The more fiercely they fought, the safer he was. After the Liberation War erupted, the hall’s days became increasingly tight. Economic foundation determines superstructure. When lacking money, the hall became unstable. Especially Zu Ye’s gifting hall silver to other halls—this was directly opposed multiple times by San Batou and Wu Batou. Since spring 1949 began, San Batou had suggested Zu Ye move forces south. The south he mentioned wasn’t formal—he meant seizing Jiang Feiyan’s territory. Zu Ye didn’t agree, so he suggested Zu Ye advance southwest, taking down Qin Baichuan’s several provinces.

Actually, San Batou thinking this way wasn’t wrong. The error was he wasn’t in step with Zu Ye—he moved too fast. Doing this would disrupt Zu Ye’s big chess game.

Zu Ye knew San Batou, Wu Batou, and Qi Batou had always been in cahoots. These three differed from Da Batou and Er Batou—they were all intellectual types, skilled in scheming. Zu Ye wanted to use Qian Yuelin’s coming to the hall to see just how far these three would rebel.

These three finally couldn’t withstand the test and were truly turned. The ringleader was San Batou.

Since following Zu Ye, San Batou always had ambition. He always felt his intelligence matched Zu Ye’s. He believed after Zu Ye retired, the hall would certainly be controlled by him. In his eyes, Da Batou had courage but no strategy; Er Batou was neither human nor ghost; Si Batou was just a bookworm; Wu Batou wore the same pants as him. Besides himself, no one could replace Zu Ye.

What he didn’t expect was that history reached 1935 when Zu Ye brought back a 14-year-old child from Wang Yaqiao’s place. This Little Sixth, who slowly grew up under Zu Ye’s protection, increasingly showed his distinctiveness. He had a clever mind, was bold and resourceful, plus had excellent martial arts skills. Moreover, he came from the “Axe Gang,” with extensive connections in both black and white paths. Now there was trouble—a competitor for the top position had arrived. So while sowing discord among other Batou relationships, he vigorously cultivated his own power. Recommending Wang Jiaxian as Qi Batou was one of his chess moves.

For a time, San Batou wanted to “fly solo.” Zu Ye saw through it. Considering the hall’s overall interests, he reprimanded him several times. He stopped making noise.

San Batou was also very greedy. He had considerable opinions about the hall’s “rake-off” system, had suggested to Zu Ye multiple times—of course using the pretext of stabilizing the hall’s morale. Zu Ye didn’t agree.

After the Liberation War began, all major halls’ business gradually withered. A’Bao across the nation became restless. Everyone didn’t know where history was ultimately headed, where their own fates would end up. San Batou probed Zu Ye’s attitude multiple times, wanting to know Zu Ye’s plans, but Zu Ye just wouldn’t speak.

At this critical juncture, Qian Yuelin arrived, also bringing San Batou a “backbone.” Qian Yuelin said: “Now is the perfect time for a great ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ reshuffle. The ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ can’t all be controlled by one person!”

Qian Yuelin promised that after success, he’d allocate several provinces to San Batou, letting San Batou independently shoulder responsibility, controlling one region. This was exactly what San Batou desired. He’d suppressed himself so many years—he dreamed of becoming a grand master.

So the two secretly colluded with Qin Baichuan, planning internal cooperation with external forces. They analyzed that to eliminate Zu Ye, they first had to eliminate Sixth Batou Fengzi Shou—this was Zu Ye’s personal bodyguard, both wise and brave, the biggest stumbling block. As long as they removed him, the other Batou weren’t worrying!

How to remove him? Direct fighting couldn’t beat him. Assassination even worse—whether poisoning or shooting would be equivalent to directly telling Zu Ye someone wanted to rebel. At the critical moment, Qian Yuelin, that old fox, played his role again. He produced a menu—something he’d obtained years ago in northern Zhili when swindling, from an old eunuch’s hands—an imperial “secret food killing formula.”