After the doctors bustled about, Qi Batou slowly regained consciousness.

The doctor shouted angrily: “When visiting patients, don’t let them get too excited! Do you understand?”

The person claiming to be Huang Fa Rong’s daughter nodded slightly: “Sorry, sorry.”

After the doctor left, the woman sat between mine and Qi Batou’s beds, smiling eerily: “So, how have you two Batous been doing these years?”

“If you keep spouting nonsense, I really will call the police!” I shouted.

She blinked, completely fearless, and pulled out a “big brother” phone from her pocket: “Do you want to use my phone? In China it’s 110, in America it’s 911.”

Qi Batou looked at me blankly. My brain raced rapidly: Those who fear not death, how can death frighten them? She wasn’t afraid at all!

The woman sneered coldly again: “For you old Batous, is there anything more important than seeing Zu Ye one last time before death? You can call the police, but you’ll never get any information about Zu Ye again. If you cooperate obediently, I guarantee you can see Zu Ye again in your lifetime!”

The woman spoke with complete confidence. Qi Batou and I felt waves of chills.

“Who exactly are you?” I asked her.

She remained all smiles: “You’d better hurry and nurse those half-dead bodies of yours back to health, then come with me to Guangzhou.”

“Why?”

“Come, smile.” She didn’t answer me but directly pulled out a camera from her pocket. Before we could react, she clicked the shutter with a snap.

“What are you doing?”

“Remember, take good care of your health. Don’t die! If you die, you won’t see Zu Ye!”

With that, she turned and left.

Qi Batou and I lay at our bedsides, looking at each other, staring blankly, not knowing what sacred being this was who understood the inside story of the “Jiang Xiang Sect” so thoroughly. What was her purpose in photographing us?

We racked our brains carefully combing through the jianghu of the past, from the 1930s to the 1990s—generation after generation of A’Baos, generation after generation of swindlers, generation after generation of grudges and enmities. Two bottles of IV fluid were completely infused, and we still couldn’t guess this woman’s identity.

Zu Ye once said that powerful opponents aren’t frightening. The reason they’re powerful is because you know of their power—their might and reality, their viciousness and cunning—you see it all clearly, so you have countermeasures. What truly makes people afraid are those opponents whose background you don’t know. They’re in the shadows, you’re in the light. You know nothing of their strength and past, like a traveler encountering a pool of dead water on the road, not knowing how deep the pool is, not knowing how many dragons coil beneath.

We were both in our seventies and eighties, our mental and physical strength severely deteriorated. We no longer had the energy to calculate, ponder, and strategize day and night like when we were young. Old Qi had serious heart disease, and my bladder wasn’t good either—at night I couldn’t hold my urine. Finally, I sighed deeply: “Old Qi, let’s stop guessing. Just do everything as told!”

“Not calling the police?”

“Don’t you want to see Zu Ye?”

Old Qi smiled helplessly: “Who knows if this swindler is telling the truth? What if she’s deceiving us? If we go to Guangzhou, who knows what calamity awaits!”

I got up and patted his shoulder: “Don’t worry, you’ve already paid off your debts.” I knew that after being tormented by Zhou Yulang last time, he had developed lingering fears.

“Jiang Xiang A’Baos fear not life, fear not death. Through ten thousand rivers and mountains we start anew, one life’s gratitude settled in one life. If I can see Zu Ye again in my lifetime, even giving up this old life is worth it!” I said loudly. “If you’re afraid, I’ll go alone!”

Old Qi, provoked by me, instantly recovered his A’Bao nature: “Fifth Brother, am I a timid person? As long as it doesn’t involve our families.”

“It won’t involve family. She’s coming after us two old devils, nothing to do with family. Otherwise, if we’re pushed to desperation, we’ll definitely call the police. Do you think she really doesn’t fear us calling the police?”

“Mm mm.” Qi Batou nodded repeatedly, smiling: “Fifth Brother’s blade is truly not dulled by age. Your analysis makes sense!”

Two weeks later, we received an anonymous letter with train tickets enclosed. Qi Batou and I made up a lie to our families, saying we’d just recovered from serious illness and wanted to go out and have fun for a few days. Seeing us traveling together, the family didn’t stop us.

Boarding the southbound train, our emotions rose and fell. I thought of that first time riding a train with Zu Ye. Half a century had passed, yet those events were still vivid before my eyes. This was perhaps the “Jiang Xiang Sect’s” final grudge. Once this trip ended, the “Jiang Xiang Sect” would completely vanish into smoke and clouds.

Along the way, the train successively passed through various provinces. Looking at the fields, forests, and hills outside the window, Old Qi and my hearts surged. We had been to all these places. Back then, following Zu Ye, we traveled across the great rivers and north and south—crossing mountains when we met mountains, crossing waters when we met waters—almost every inch of land bore our footprints. Back then, there were large groups of brothers. Back then, friends and enemies filled the world. Back then, we were full of vigor. Back then, we had boundless ambition. In those days of not knowing life from death, drunk was intoxicating, joy was intoxicating. Now the yellow millet dream had awakened. Old people had passed, new people would emerge. We old undead had no choice but to step forward and untie this final knot of the “Jiang Xiang Sect.”

“Old Qi, are you afraid?” I asked Qi Batou.

Qi Batou smiled wearily: “Have we had few frightening experiences in this lifetime?”

“This is a question Zu Ye once asked me. When I accompanied Zu Ye to western Sichuan, Zu Ye asked if I was afraid. I said I wasn’t, and Zu Ye laughed.”

“Fifth Brother, honestly, back then I looked down on you a bit. You didn’t fit the characteristics of an A’Bao at all. But after all these years, I think Zu Ye was right to recruit you.”

“There’s no right or wrong, only fate.”

Two days later, we arrived at Guangzhou train station.

As soon as we got off, several people ran up to greet us.

I saw they were those little A’Baos who had pretended to be monks near People’s Park to swindle people some time ago—the disciples of that person claiming to be Huang Fa Rong’s daughter.

They drove a Santana and took us directly to a residential complex. After entering the room, one of the A’Baos smiled and said: “Two Master Fathers, please rest for a moment. There’s water and food here. Don’t wander around.”

With that, the four left. The security door slammed shut with a bang, followed by the sound of locking.

Qi Batou and I sensed something wrong and rushed over to pull the door—it was already locked!

Qi Batou’s forehead began to sweat: “They’re not going to kill us here, are they?”

“If it’s fortune, it’s not disaster; if it’s disaster, we can’t escape.” I instead calmed down. “Since we’re here, let’s accept it. Old Qi, let’s eat instant noodles and drink tea!”

Old Qi was still somewhat anxious: “Old Fifth, back then I really didn’t see you had such guts. If the era hadn’t changed, I think the current you could completely take over Zu Ye’s banner and lead the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’ to continue forward!”

“Heh heh heh heh.” I laughed. “What guts or not—we’re both so old. If we sleep tonight, we don’t know if we’ll wake up tomorrow. I’ve been cautious and careful my whole life. This time for Zu Ye, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Qi Batou looked out the window and let out a long breath: “Fifth Brother is right. What’s there to fear? At this age, not dying when old makes one a thief. I don’t believe we two old thieves can’t beat these shrimp soldiers and crab generals!”

My eyes flashed with light: “Now that’s the Qi Batou of the ‘Jiang Xiang Sect’!”

At dusk, the door opened. An A’Bao brought over two newspapers: “Two Master Fathers, read slowly. Zu Ye will appear soon!”

With that, he locked the door and left again.

It was a local daily newspaper. In the literature section was an article: “Former Jiang Xiang Sect, Now Gathered Again.” To the left of the article was the photo that female thief had taken of us in the hospital that day.

“Heh heh.” Qi Batou and I exchanged smiles. “Still the old method—create momentum, lure the snake from its hole. If Zu Ye really is alive, this is for Zu Ye to see.”

Over the next several days, this section ran continuous articles. During this time, the little A’Baos kept photographing us, and these photos appeared successively in the newspaper.

By the seventh day, the person claiming to be Huang Fa Rong’s daughter finally appeared.

“Two seniors, shall we go?”

“Where?”

“Hong Kong.”

“Hm?”

“The travel permits are already arranged. We’ll cross the border tonight.”

We didn’t know what medicine she was selling in her gourd, but we dimly felt something big was about to happen. No choice but to follow. This was the first time in my life I came to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong in 1998 was still much more impressive than the mainland, but I had no heart to linger in this modern atmosphere. My mind was full of Zu Ye’s image.

Causeway Bay, near Qingfeng Street overpass, we turned into an alley.

A little A’Bao said cheerfully: “Two seniors, have you seen ‘Young and Dangerous’? Causeway Bay’s boss Chen Haonan dominates this area!”

I glanced disdainfully: “My son has seen it.”

Old Qi also smiled: “My daughter watches it often too.”

The little A’Bao’s face reddened: “Ginger is indeed spicier when old—can’t even win verbal sparring with you!”

At this moment, I suddenly had a flash of inspiration and shouted: “Aihua, where are we going?”

Several people didn’t respond. I shouted again: “Aihua!”

Only then did the person claiming to be Huang Fa Rong’s daughter react: “Uh… you’ll know when we get there!”

I laughed wildly in my heart: You’re not Huang Fa Rong’s daughter at all! How could anyone hearing their own name react so slowly? Hu Aizhong, Hu Aihua—these were the names of Huang Fa Rong’s two daughters. She claimed to be Huang Fa Rong’s younger daughter, yet only reacted after I called twice—completely a fraud! But this fraud was no ordinary one. She knew almost all the secrets of the “Jiang Xiang Sect.” She was determined to force Zu Ye out. Although we still didn’t know her ultimate purpose, the deep conspiracy and cold murderous intent were already fully exposed.

The triumphant expression on my face didn’t escape her eyes. She suddenly stopped: “Things have come to this—telling you doesn’t matter. My real name is Qin Fu, Fu as in revenge!”

“Miss Qin, whose revenge do you seek?” I asked.

“Shangguan Chengming, and you accomplices who helped a tyrant!”

“What grudge does Zu Ye have with you?”

“They say old people are long-winded, and you’re truly long-winded enough. When you meet that even older thief in a moment and you all go to heaven together, you’ll understand!”

I was startled. At this moment, two little A’Baos had already pressed two hard objects against mine and Old Qi’s lower backs. “Feel that?”

Old Qi and I nodded slightly.

“These are guns. Follow us obediently. If you keep babbling and accidentally anger this young master and the gun goes off hitting the Master Father, that would be unfortunate.” The little A’Bao said viciously.

Qin Fu sneered and added: “Blame yourselves for living too long. If you’d gone west early like the other Batous, you wouldn’t need to be hostages today! You’d better pray that old bastard shows up as agreed today. Otherwise, next year today will be your death anniversary!”

Old Qi and I instantly understood: They tricked us to Hong Kong as hostages to lure Zu Ye out.

At that moment, I felt both terrified and excited—terrified because I didn’t know if today would bring life or death, excited because Zu Ye was really still alive?

We passed through the alley to a residential area.

Entering the building, we went up a shabby elevator. The elevator stopped on the 8th floor.

My heart pounded—not from fear, but from excitement.

Exiting the elevator, we turned right and stopped in front of room 818. Several A’Baos chambered their bullets, all pressing against both sides of the door.

Qin Fu pressed the gun against our backs, poked us, and said: “Open the door!”

I pushed with my hand—the door wasn’t locked. It opened with a creak.

The nearby A’Baos quickly flashed into the room, checking every corner: “Nobody!”

Old Qi and I tremblingly walked into the room. Upon entering, we saw a Buddhist shrine in the hall with a couplet on both sides.

Upper line: A lifetime’s fame is dust and earth.

Lower line: Half a wisp of breeze, half a folding screen.

Horizontal inscription: Turn back to shore.

My heart nearly leapt to my throat. This was clearly Zu Ye’s handwriting—the upright Liu-style calligraphy like strong bones. My tears instantly welled up.

Qin Fu alertly surveyed the surroundings: “Old thing, come out!”

No one in the room responded. Quiet, only everyone’s breathing sounds.

Suddenly Qin Fu pressed the gun against the back of my head: “If you don’t come out, I’ll blow his brains out!”

Still no one responded.

Qin Fu smiled: “What? Is Zu Ye afraid? Since you arranged for us to come here, why don’t you dare show yourself? You’ve been hiding for decades. Aren’t you tired of hiding? I’m tired of searching! Come out! Old thief, come out!”

Listening to Qin Fu’s repeated shouts, my heart rose to my throat. I alertly looked around, then suddenly gathered courage and shouted: “Zu Ye! If you’re really alive, don’t come out! They have guns!”

Qi Batou also shouted: “Zu Ye, don’t come out! They have guns!”

Qin Fu, humiliated and angry, kicked me to the ground, the gun muzzle aimed at me: “How touching! Since you’re not afraid of death, I’ll fulfill your wish!”

I closed my eyes, waiting for that gunshot.

Suddenly there were several gurgling sounds, as if something rolled in from outside the door. Then thick smoke sprayed out, the pungent smell choking so we couldn’t open our eyes—tear gas!

Out of self-preservation instinct, I pulled Qi Batou, and we both hugged our heads and lay flat on the floor.

“Police! Police!” A commotion outside the door, a team rushed in, followed by several crisp gunshots. Old Qi and I held our heads tightly, not daring to move.

When the smoke cleared, Old Qi and I slowly climbed up from the floor. We saw Qin Fu and several Batous all shot and fallen to the ground.

Hong Kong police called for medical personnel downstairs, and several people were carried away.

A police officer patted mine and Old Qi’s shoulders: “Hong Kong Police. You’re safe! Please follow me back to the police station to give statements.”

I looked up bewilderedly: “How did you know?”

The police officer was also confused: “Didn’t you two report it?”

Old Qi and I exchanged smiles, understanding tacitly: “Right! Right! We reported it!”

“Can I stay in this room a bit longer?” I asked.

“Why?” The police officer didn’t understand.

“I… I’m so old, I was just scared shitless and pissed myself. My heart’s still pounding, blood pressure’s high. I want to rest a while.”

“Alright.” He instructed two other officers to guard the door and went downstairs himself.

Old Qi and I slowly examined everything in this room—the couplet, inkstone, vase, bedding, incense burner. All the arrangements were exactly the same as when Zu Ye was at the council hall.

I didn’t know if Zu Ye was really alive or if this was a memorial work by someone connected to Zu Ye. In any case, my thoughts immediately returned to the past.

I stroked the couplet on the wall, tears rolling down uncontrollably. Zu Ye, if you’re still here, come out and see your brothers!

I could only shout in my heart, shouting over and over…

Two weeks later, Old Qi and I were sent back to the mainland.

Mainland police came to see us several times. We honestly explained the situation.

When everything came to light, we finally figured out all the grudges and enmities involved.

Qin Fu was the granddaughter of Qin Baichuan, the old boss of the West Faction. When Zu Ye set up the trap that killed Qin Baichuan, she hadn’t been born yet. After Qin Baichuan’s son Qin Dabao escaped, he was imprisoned in 1952 during the government’s campaign against “cults and secret societies.”

Qin Dabao served eight years in prison. After his release, he never forgot this grudge. The scene of his father being blown up by cannons constantly replayed in his mind.

Later he secretly lurked in the Jianghuai area, everywhere inquiring about Zu Ye’s information. When he learned Zu Ye had long been executed by firing squad, he hated that he couldn’t personally kill his enemy. At this moment, a female A’Bao from the West Faction who had been recruited by Zu Ye back then found him and told him Zu Ye might not be dead, because with Zu Ye’s style of always keeping something in reserve all those years, nobody believed he just died like that.

Qin Dabao married this woman and gave birth to a daughter—Qin Fu.

The whole family resumed roaming around committing crimes and swindling. Then the Cultural Revolution broke out. Zeng Jingwu, who had handled Zu Ye’s case back then, was reported by someone, saying he used fake for real and secretly released a death row prisoner. This further strengthened this family’s belief that Zu Ye hadn’t died.

All these years, this family secretly tracked and monitored us undead old Batous, trying to find clues about Zu Ye. But we Batous had no idea there were so many stories involved. Aside from discovering that we went to Zu Ye’s grave to pay respects every Qingming Festival, they found no clues.

So they began committing crimes everywhere, swindling under the name of the “Jiang Xiang Sect,” trying to lure Zu Ye out. But Zu Ye remained without news. As time passed, they also repeatedly doubted—perhaps Zu Ye really was dead!

Just when the whole family was about to give up thoughts of revenge, Huang Fa Rong in America became gravely ill. Knowing her days were numbered, Huang Fa Rong still felt guilty toward her former husband Si Batou Zhang Zizhan. She didn’t want Zhang Zizhan to remain in the dark his whole life. After much thought, she sent her younger daughter Hu Aihua to the mainland to secretly meet Si Batou and reveal all the past events.

These matters were completely grasped by Qin Dabao and Qin Fu. Most critically, before Hu Aihua returned to America following Huang Fa Rong’s wishes, she made a trip to Hong Kong. The reasons why were unknown to anyone.

“Even Huang Fa Rong who’s been dead so long is alive? That old thief Zu Ye definitely didn’t die!” This family began desperate measures. On one hand, taking advantage of reform and opening up, they vigorously promoted fortune-telling and face-reading to gather followers. On the other hand, they secretly monitored us old Batous while dispatching large numbers of A’Baos to gather information in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

In 1998, Si Batou died. They felt they couldn’t wait any longer. If they kept waiting until all the “Jiang Xiang Sect” people died, there would be no more leverage to grasp.

Qin Fu analyzed that if Zu Ye wasn’t dead, he must be hiding in Hong Kong. If they captured Zu Ye’s former brothers and created a big stir in the newspapers, she didn’t believe he wouldn’t come out! The demented Qin Fu began taking desperate risks, impersonating Hu Aihua to contact me. After gaining my trust, she tricked Old Qi and me to Guangzhou.

Actually, up to this moment, Qin Fu still had no certainty whether Zu Ye was alive or dead.

Unexpectedly, during the time Qin Fu was creating momentum in Hong Kong, someone really did contact her, telling her to come to Hong Kong to settle old accounts.

Qin Fu was overjoyed and immediately brought us to the designated location for revenge. This led to the Causeway Bay shootout and the scene of Qin Fu’s capture.

Since reform and opening up, the largest superstition fraud gang was caught. The wanted criminals that the Ministry of Public Security had been hunting for over a decade were all brought to justice. The grudges of the “Jiang Xiang Sect” were thus settled.

1999 quickly passed too. A new century began.

I still brewed a pot of tea at night, watching my grandson and grandson from my daughter running around. I could only smile happily.

I never did see Zu Ye, still don’t know if he’s alive or dead, don’t know if the person who called the Hong Kong police back then was him. But this no longer matters. Zu Ye, as a symbol spanning the entire 20th century, had completed his historical mission. The “Jiang Xiang Sect” as a group, after 300 years of tremendous changes, had also completed its own redemption. In the future world, there will still be fortune-telling, still be fraud, still be various grudges and enmities, but these are no longer matters we can worry about. Each generation has its own mission. We did what we should do. Future generations will have even higher wisdom to solve their own matters.

I’m old but not dead, living on in the world. Perhaps heaven is letting me see the essential nature of fate—that life is but a dream.

I recounted this jianghu story to my great-nephew (the author of this text). He listened attentively, intending to bring this past onto the literary stage with heavy brush strokes. I agreed, with only one requirement—don’t deify us, be truthful, reflect this history with original flavor.

He feared he couldn’t handle such a grand subject. Each time he finished writing a section, he read it to me. When past events become a novel, there are inevitably some discrepancies. But Zu Ye’s soul and spirit—he depicted them with penetrating brushwork. Having this is enough.

Finally, he also wrote a long poem and read it to me. A hundred years of grudges all归under the brush. Using this as the ending for the entire text, we grandfather and grandson both agreed.

Ode to Jiang Xiang

In Kangxi and Qianlong’s reign the Hongmen established, Jiang Xiang first arose, the four seas returned.

Absorbing Yanfu’s yin-yang energy, commanding the six paths’ five elements’ might.

Opposing Qing, restoring Ming—cloud dragon ambition, replacing heaven’s way—wind cloud gathering.

Hundred schools assembled entering military horses, military horses neighing, ten thousand killing.

A’Baos again displayed Zha Fei matters, English glory southward transmitted—one branch flower.

One branch singing lotus—noble beauty, four brocade screens falling across the world.

Under heaven, divination arts chaotic as hemp, Jiang Xiang alone led one splendor.

Observing wind, observing objects, observing sounds, one inch yin-yang, one bagua.

Wealth, poverty, romantic affairs, fortune, longevity, death—gods and ghosts examine.

Violent death, early demise, feelings unfinished, Naihe Bridge planting peach blossoms.

Temple halls, merchants, bones turning, rouge and powder—thieves rule the house.

Heaven high, earth distant, ten thousand gold stored, green waters, blue mountains reveal the loyal.

Nine heavens azure fall, bronze bells ring, underworld yellow springs, six lines sway.

Always everywhere walking in schemes, everywhere always cunning thoughts arise.

Universe in sleeves playing with sun and moon, grassland tiger courage fighting hungry wolves.

Three teachings, nine streams become one line, talented scholars and beauties spend much thought.

Divining heaven and earth, life and death fortune,威風instantly killing White Party members.

Before life establishing five ancestor vows, who cares after death waves tower to sky?

Drunk universe seeking one pleasure, heaven father, earth mother in heart remain.

Master Fang transformed carrying military horses, imperial court’s eight prefectures carefully investigating.

Xuanye carrying Diamond Sutra scrolls, transformed into Chan contemplation enlightening this life.

Half life’s fame dust and earth, two sleeves breeze accompanying lonely lamp.

From this no more Ming restoration志, Jiang Xiang wielding blade toward all beings.

Several lifetimes, several years, several struggles, good and evil mixed, stumbling forward.

Kan, Li, Zhen, Dui four council halls, several heroes, several claiming supremacy.

One身silk robes, one身grievances, grievances repaying—when will they scatter?

Gold mountains, silver mounds齊with heaven,累累white bones brightening killing eyes.

White tiger shedding tears roaring to heaven, heavenly wolf trembling, horses not advancing.

Like water stirring feelings, water fully dyed, polluted waves澹澹, tears rippling.

Five ancestors underground perhaps有知, sadly bitterly how堪言?

Guangxu twenty-eighth year autumn, Shangguan line produced great sage.

Originally carefree family people, unexpected disaster cleaving the head.

Scholar and swordsman originally no fate, transformed completely into giant pillar.

From this横刀laughing toward heaven, Tieban divine calculation white paper fan.

Entering and exiting classics, hundred schools’ words, commanding yin-yang iron abacus.

Three hundred disciples crossing Republican era, thousand beauties百媚like cloud smoke.

Rivers and mountains叠叠beautiful as painting, years悠悠swift as blade.

In painting no more Feiyan’s laughter, under blade heartbroken任逍遙.

Like人like ghost walking world, unifying Jiang Xiang compassion生.

Wind sound, crane cry, limitless debts, thousand years blood tears one bowl soup.

This morning既遂凌云志, why fear exchanging death for rebirth?

Yin-Yang Guidance under heaven affairs, success and failure转头empty.

Seeing through, letting go still可为, wind moon reincarnation wedding garments.

Settling生前affairs后affairs, lotus pond氤氲one stick incense.

My life有涯knowing fate cheap, teahouses, wine shops much彷徨.

Fortunately receiving Zu Ye醍醐seal, human world正道is沧桑.

Entrusted orphan’s heavy生死concern, fifty springs秋ruler measuring.

Hundred years one dream fame burned, rooster once crows天下bright.

Human world no more Jiang Xiang Sect, Tieban divine calculation becomes绝响!

(End of Book)