Vol. 2 - Ch. 48 - Opportunity

February 25th, noon.

Wuchang Prefecture.

A light drizzle fell from the sky, dampening the cobblestone streets.

Stepping on the stones, the splashes of water echoed “plop plop.”

Droplets scattered to the sides.

Sun Sheng held two paper bags wrapped in greasy paper, warm and fragrant with the scent of roast chicken.

He kept his head down and hurriedly ran toward the dilapidated temple.

This year’s peach blossom flood was severe, already reaching Wuchang Prefecture.

At every street corner, ragged disaster victims sat in worn-out clothes, their faces haggard.

Their eyes were dull, gazing at the locals bustling about.

In those eyes burned envy and jealousy.

Sun Sheng glanced at them and sighed inwardly.

After yesterday’s deductions, Sun Sheng knew all this was the demon cult’s scheme.

The demon cult, in its zeal to spread its faith, cared nothing for the lives of common folk.

Thinking this, Sun Sheng bit his teeth with fury.

But compared to his hatred for the demon cult, he hated Zhang Maoxiang, the provincial governor of Huguang, even more.

Zhang Maoxiang, holding power over a whole province, was in league with the demon cult.

What a betrayal to the people.

A damn corrupt official!

Sun Sheng wished he could kill him right now.

But now was not the time.

Sun Sheng recalled the news he had just heard and felt his mood ease slightly.

He could let that corrupt official live just one more day.

He lowered his head and quickened his pace on the cobblestones.

After several steps, he suddenly saw small groups of passersby gathered, as if looking at something.

Sun Sheng stopped, curious, and approached.

There was a notice pasted where the crowd was.

“Jianghu bandit — Qiong Aohai, blood debts on his hands, vicious and brutal, once killed the magistrate of Chizhou.”

“Last night, he also killed the magistrate of Jingzhou, Zheng Hanwen, and is now on the run in Wuchang Prefecture.”

“Anyone with information, report to the authorities for a reward of one hundred taels; those who capture him and deliver him to the authorities will be rewarded a thousand taels!”

Next to the notice was a portrait of Qiong Aohai.

The painting was vivid, depicting a man with strong, resolute features.

But the artist deliberately gave Qiong Aohai eyes that looked cruel and wicked.

Just by looking at the portrait, one could believe this bandit Qiong Aohai was a ruthless murderer.

Sun Sheng frowned at the notice.

He pulled his gaze away and quickly headed toward the ruined temple.

Passing through several streets, Sun Sheng returned to the hideout he shared with Qiong Aohai.

Pushing open the still-intact worn wooden door, the crackle of burning firewood came out.

In the center of the ruined temple, a fire blazed.

Qiong Aohai sat cross-legged on the floor, holding a branch to add to the fire.

The flames caught the damp wood with a crackling sound.

Smoke rose from the fire.

Qiong Aohai casually raised a palm, a gust of wind dispersing the smoke.

Hearing the door open, he looked up.

Seeing Sun Sheng return, Qiong Aohai nodded.

Sun Sheng smiled, walking over to sit by the fire.

He handed one of the roast chicken bags to Qiong Aohai.

“I bought roast chicken — one each for us,” Sun Sheng said as he set down the paper bags and reached into his bosom to pull out two brown ceramic bottles.

He chuckled, “And I got some wine too.”

Qiong Aohai’s face lit up at the sight of the wine bottles.

He hadn’t had a drink for several days; seeing the wine made his mouth dry and his throat long for a gulp.

Qiong Aohai opened the paper bag; inside the chicken lay two steamed buns on top.

The two brothers clinked their bottles together and tilted their heads back, drinking deeply.

Half the wine drained in one go, then they stopped, satisfied.

They set down their bottles and exchanged a smile.

Sun Sheng tore off a piece of chicken, mumbling, “Second Brother, I just heard some news.”

“I think it’s a good chance to kill that corrupt official.”

Qiong Aohai swallowed a bite and asked, “How so?”

Sun Sheng spoke vaguely, “Yesterday, the peach blossom flood pushed south, breaching riverbanks many times, damaging farms and villages nearby.”

“Many people have fled far from the river, seeking refuge in surrounding towns.”

“Wuchang Prefecture, close to the river, also suffered floods in the north, submerging fields and houses.”

“Now, many displaced flood victims are gathering inside and outside the city. Zhang Maoxiang has decided to distribute porridge tomorrow in the eastern part of the city.”

Sun Sheng swallowed chicken and bit into a bun.

“I think tomorrow’s the perfect chance — kill that corrupt official in broad daylight with all eyes watching. It’ll shake the entire court and government.”

“This can’t be suppressed!”

Qiong Aohai chewed thoughtfully, then nodded.

“I think it’s feasible.”

“But Zhang Maoxiang, as provincial governor, will have soldiers guarding him during the porridge distribution.”

“Tomorrow, we strike fast and kill him with one strike, then leave.”

“If it doesn’t work, we can use the floodwaters and river.”

Both Sun Sheng and Qiong Aohai knew the “Water Walking” lightness skill from Nan Yiyun.

Skimming briefly across the water was no problem.

Sun Sheng nodded after hearing this.

He raised his bottle and clinked it again with Qiong Aohai.

Together they drained the rest of the wine in one gulp.

Thus, the assassination plan for tomorrow was hastily settled.

---

Orphanage 

Chen Ye sat in a recliner, lazily basking in the sun.

The spacious courtyard of the Orphanage was filled with children running and laughing joyfully.

The atmosphere was peaceful and harmonious.

Xiao Lian wore black clothes, her face covered by a veil.

She stepped lightly inside.

The children playing lowered their voices and steered clear at a distance upon seeing Xiao Lian.

Their gazes held a trace of fear.

In the orphanage, Chen Ye and Xiao Lian played the roles of the “good cop, bad cop.”

Xiao Lian punished disobedient children,

While Chen Ye comforted their tender hearts.

Though Chen Ye looked kind and often indulged the children’s small requests, the children all knew that if Chen Ye got angry, the consequences would be worse than upsetting Sister Xiao Lian.

The screams when Brother Sun Sheng got a beating could be heard across the street.

The children watched Xiao Lian approach Chen Ye but ignored them.

Only then did they relax and return to play.

Chen Ye opened his eyes, seeing Xiao Lian, he asked, “What is it?”

Xiao Lian pulled a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Chen Ye.

“This came from Huang San by pigeon post. He has made a major discovery,” Xiao Lian’s clear voice paused before continuing, “Also, it seems Sun Sheng is having trouble over there.”

Chen Ye casually tore open the letter.

He lightly shook the pure white paper to unfold it.

A line of neat regular script appeared before him.

After reading the intelligence, Chen Ye held the letter between two fingers and passed it back to Xiao Lian.

She took it and read through the contents again.

Her delicate brow furrowed, “Relief silver?”

Chen Ye yawned, still half-asleep.

“This batch of relief funds is very important to the people.”

“Send word to the nearby Jiangling faction to dispatch the funds.”

“You said Sun Sheng’s side is in trouble. What kind of trouble?”

Xiao Lian folded the letter and said, “Sun Sheng and Qiong Aohai snuck into the Huguang Administrator’s mansion at night. Qiong Aohai is accused of killing the Jingzhou magistrate.”

“In Jingzhou, Governor Zheng Hanwen and his entire family were wiped out. The writing on the wall says Sun Sheng did it.”

Xiao Lian’s voice faltered at this.

“I’m afraid the Ming court already knows. I worry…”

Chen Ye smiled lightly.

“It’s nothing. The Ming court can be ignored for now.”

He lightly tapped the armrest, thinking deeply, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

“This demon cult is getting out of control.”

“Send word — the Yuye Hall is to hunt down the demon cult members. Kill one and waive one mission fee.”

Comments