Chapter 107: Finding Him

Zhen Siwen returned to the county office.

“Chief Magistrate, the message has already been sent out.”

“Good.”

Yang Xuan nodded, deeply nostalgic for Bao Dong’s natural ease in spreading rumors and pouring tea.

No doubt Bao Dong was currently in Chang’an City, peddling his medicinal tonics.

His gaze shifted. “The old thief still needs to be kept alive for a while longer. The second brother has coughed up a lot of blood; he’s weak.”

“Not weak,” Wang Erhao flexed his arm, muscles bulging.

Yang Xuan smiled gently. “The cavalry is just being formed. I’ll take a few men and go myself.”

Yiniang hurried over. “Sir, are you going out?”

“Hmm, I’ll be gone for a day or two. If things go quickly, I’ll be back today.”

“Wait.” Yiniang dashed off.

Yang Xuan continued his orders, “Old Cao will stay in the city to maintain order. The main concern is to prevent any uprisings. Deal with those troublemakers decisively.”

Cao Ying responded affirmatively.

Yang Xuan turned to Nan He. “You just arrived. Keep a close watch on the Death Squad. If anyone stirs, do you know how to handle it?”

Nan He’s voice was cold: “Kill them.”

Yang Xuan nodded. “Then I will go.”

Yiniang returned at a sprint, carrying a bundle.

“Here, sir, remember to eat.”

Yang Xuan caught the scent of dried meat.

“My jerky,” Wang Erhao muttered, but under Yiniang’s sharp gaze, he crouched beside the old thief. “Our jerky.”

The old thief lounged contentedly. “It’s mine.”

Wang Erhao jumped up, raising his palm.

“Let’s talk this out—no hitting!” The old thief backed away quickly, glancing back. “Yiniang, be fair.”

“Ruckus, ruckus, ruckus!” Yiniang went over, wielding a duster and smacking each of them.

Nan He was surprised, but a long-lost feeling quietly blossomed inside him.

This was...

The feeling of home!

Diao She waited with a dozen or so brothers by the city gate.

Qian Mo paced anxiously. The sound of hooves clattered, and when he looked up to see Yang Xuan, he hurried over.

“What will he say?”

Diao She gripped his battle axe. “What did Captain Qian just say? How dare they entrust the Defense Squad—those ruthless scoundrels—with guarding the Chief Magistrate?”

Lin Da, also chosen this time, looked somber. “I heard the same. How could we allow those fiends to protect the Chief Magistrate?”

Diao She’s tone was icy. “In their eyes, we are the villains, harboring ill intent.”

“Chief Magistrate!” Qian Mo cupped his hands respectfully. “I have prepared men to escort you on your journey.”

He left unsaid his suspicion of the Defense Squad’s background.

A group of criminals given the opportunity to leave the city on horseback—what if they fled?

If they ran away, it would only mean losing some horses. But what if they tried to capture Yang Xuan and defect?

Qian Mo’s worries were understandable.

“You’re diligent,” Yang Xuan nodded, then said, “But I trust them.”

He lifted his gaze.

Before the city gate, the dozen or so soldiers of the Defense Squad stared at him with near-stunned expressions.

Yang Xuan spurred his horse forward.

“Let’s move out!”

Qian Mo turned away, dejected.

Beside him, Deputy Captain Zheng Shao whispered, “Captain, look.”

Qian Mo turned back.

He saw the dozen Defense Squad soldiers all looking toward Yang Xuan.

Tears shimmered in their eyes.

If Yang Xuan faced a thousand troops now, these once ruthless criminals would follow him without hesitation, willing to die for him!

Zhang San exited the city from another gate.

He had been instructed that four li northwest of the city, a few large trees stood. All he had to do was stuff the bamboo tube containing the letter into the hollow of the largest tree.

It was a light task.

Thinking of seeing his sister once the task was done and earning ten wen in reward, a smile crept onto Zhang San’s pale face.

He quickened his pace, walking briskly at first, then breaking into a jog once away from the city.

Meanwhile, Yang Xuan, who had initially headed east, issued orders.

“Turn around!”

The dozen riders followed silently.

“Two men per team, search toward the north of Taiping City. If anyone is found, signal accordingly.”

The riders split up. Diao She rode with Yang Xuan.

Diao She dared not ask why Yang Xuan changed direction, silently following.

About the time it took for incense to burn halfway, a man appeared from the right search direction.

“Chief Magistrate, someone was found near the big tree.”

Zhang San climbed the tree and found the hollow. It was small, but he managed to stuff the bamboo tube inside. Worried about retrieval, he tested it once.

“Not bad.”

Soon, he would see his sister.

What should he buy with the ten wen?

Perhaps maltose from Chang’an at the general store—something sweet for his sister.

The contact had always told him she was making clothes, but once, he had glimpsed her dressed flamboyantly, anxious and unsettled.

He knew there were courtesans in the city, but the man swore his sister was only sewing clothes.

He would ask her tomorrow.

Relaxing, Zhang San climbed down and turned around.

A dozen men holding horses watched him from about a hundred paces away.

Silent!

They were soldiers of the Death Squad!

Zhang San shivered but feigned nonchalance. “Are you here to rest too?”

Someone behind the group said, “Seize him!”

Zhang San drew a short knife. “Stay back!”

A man stepped forward, raising a battle axe.

Zhang San panicked, backing until he pressed against the tree. He shouted, “Don’t come closer! I’ll fight to the death! I’ll kill as many as I can!”

“Who do you think you can kill?”

The front man stepped aside; another came forward.

“Chief Magistrate!”

Zhang San despaired. “It’s not me, it’s not me…”

Yang Xuan said, “Drop your knife and kneel. I’ll spare your life.”

“No!” Zhang San wept, sitting beneath the tree, clutching his abdomen with the knife. “Don’t come near me, don’t come near me.”

Diao She sneered, “Not everyone can commit suicide.”

Zhang San trembled, kneeling. “I’m willing to talk… just please, Chief Magistrate, one thing…”

“What is it?” Yang Xuan stepped forward.

“Chief Magistrate, be careful!” Lin Da gripped his sword, standing protectively before Yang Xuan.

Yang Xuan smiled slightly but said nothing of his cultivation that made such protection unnecessary.

Zhang San wiped his tears. “My sister was taken hostage by those people. I had no choice but to help them. I only ask one thing…”

“Speak.”

“My sister’s name is Fourth Lady. Two years ago, someone took a liking to her, saying she was to make clothes. But I suspect they treated her as a courtesan…”

Zhang San pounded his forehead in agony. “I was foolish. I beg you, Chief Magistrate… please save her. I am willing to be your servant in the next life.”

“That man… that man is Hu Laoliu. He’s dangerous and loves to frequent inns.”

The so-called inns in the city were shabby rooms, mostly housing government officials on business, but business was poor and the innkeeper also ran a coffin shop.

Lin Da whispered, “Chief Magistrate, those government men staying inside, there are women who go in.”

Isn’t that just a front for prostitution?

Yang Xuan narrowed his eyes. “Where is your sister now?”

Zhang San smiled bitterly. “Hu Laoliu always brings her. He watches over her every time.”

Lin Da said, “Chief Magistrate, that means he has a base.”

Suddenly, the voice of Zhuque came through the earpiece, “This one talks too much.”

You talk even more!

Last night, Yang Xuan wanted to sleep, but Zhuque muttered for a long time.

Zhang San looked up at Yang Xuan with hopeful eyes.

Yang Xuan nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

Zhang San kowtowed deeply, then pointed to the tree hollow. “The bamboo tube is inside. Hu Laoliu made me put it there.”

Someone was moving closer.

Zhang San raised his knife.

He suddenly stabbed toward his abdomen.

But the moment the blade touched his belly, he couldn’t bring himself to go through with it.

“I told you, I’ll spare your life,” Yang Xuan said.

Zhang San wept.

Tears streaming down his face.

“Hu Laoliu said if I don’t show up in two hours, he’ll kill my sister.”

This man’s mind was clouded… Yang Xuan said calmly, “If you kill yourself, he’ll still kill your sister.”

That’s true!

Zhang San’s grip loosened, and he was subdued by the soldiers who rushed forward.

The bamboo tube was retrieved.

“The dog went to Huilong County.”

Yang Xuan smiled. “Interesting.”

“Corrupt official!” Zhuque said.

“Leave five men here to wait. If anyone comes for the letter, kill them without question.”

“Understood.”

Zhang San had never ridden a horse before, wobbling on the saddle.

But pressed for time, he gritted his teeth and endured.

About a li from the city, Zhang San dismounted and walked back.

Two soldiers entered Taiping City through another gate.

Zhang San hurried to see Hu Laoliu.

Hu Laoliu was short and round, like a ball standing outside the inn.

But this ball was all muscle and looked fierce.

“Delivered?” Hu Laoliu asked.

Zhang San nodded. “Yes, delivered.”

Hu Laoliu’s expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, he drew a short knife and stabbed.

“Attack!”

Yang Xuan, who was waiting to spring his trap, was furious.

Zhang San slowly knelt, bowed his head to the ground, and looked up sideways at Yang Xuan, lips trembling.

“Chief Magistrate, Chief Magistrate…”

Hu Laoliu was already subdued. Yang Xuan approached and crouched down.

“Fourth Lady, I beg you… please…”

His mother had passed first, and his father died less than half a year later. Before passing, his father had held his hand and said, “Your sister is beautiful, but beauty is a curse. Protect her, protect her…”

Yang Xuan nodded. “I will.”

Zhang San lay down slowly. Blood pooled beneath him.

“Father, I failed…”

Yang Xuan bent down.

“I will help you succeed.”

In those eyes losing their light, a flash of brilliance sparked.

Yang Xuan swore he had never seen such depth, such richness in a human gaze.

It was gratitude.

Yang Xuan recalled his own past.

He turned sharply. “Take him to the county office and strip his skin!”

The surrounding townsfolk fell silent.

Several soldiers dragged Hu Laoliu away like wolves.

At the county office, the old thief arrived. Seeing his bandaged right hand, the crowd was speechless.

“Actually, I’m quite skilled with my left hand too!”

The old thief stroked Hu Laoliu’s round head with his left hand. “Nice skull!”

Hu Laoliu trembled all over, suddenly feeling a chilling dread.

The old thief picked up a knife with his left hand and deftly sliced open Hu Laoliu’s arm.

Slicing through the shoulder fabric.

“Solid meat!”

The old thief said fondly.

“Ah!”

A chunk of bloody flesh dangled before Hu Laoliu’s eyes.

“I tell you,” Hu Laoliu howled miserably, “It was Zhao Guan! Zhao Guan!”

Yang Xuan turned, eyes blazing as if aflame.

“Find him!”

...

It should premiere on New Year’s Day.