February 16th, a small county town near Sipinggang.

The rainy days had passed for two days, and the weather had cleared up. On the earth, which had already shed the winter chill, all things were growing. As the carriage stopped by the inn, a big shot from the capital stepped down.

Recently, with Sipinggang as the center, the surrounding towns and villages had been uneasy. Of course, such unease could only be sensed by those with keen senses. To ordinary people, it just meant that more bandits had appeared in the vicinity, and a few bloody cases had occasionally occurred. If it didn't affect their own families, they didn't need to care. After all, even in normal times, there were always ruffians and scoundrels fighting and shedding blood in the villages and towns.

For the underworld figures near Sipinggang, or those involved in the matter, the days following the sudden attack by Tie Tianying, Zong Feixiao, and others on February 11th were truly filled with bloodshed and suspicion. In five days, the surrounding towns and villages had actually been combed through several times by the people from the Ministry of Justice. Not only were the remnants of the Yongle Dynasty swept away, but some local ruffians and underworld figures were also affected. Although Sipinggang and its vicinity were generally peaceful places, there were actually several relatively fixed bandit strongholds in the surrounding mountains—such a situation was common everywhere except in the most prosperous Jiangnan—they usually didn't casually harm people's lives, and what they did most was to collect protection fees from passing镖隊 (镖队, biāo duì, escort caravans). Of course, sometimes they would act tyrannically in one area, which was unavoidable. Under the great pressure of the past few days, several bandit strongholds had been forced to disband and flee.

The decline in public security felt by ordinary people, and the chaos among the underworld figures, were yet another situation for another kind of people. For them, the current matter, even if it affected one side, was not even a small matter. Sometimes, they would take a look at it, often for a specific result. Zuo Houwen, who had just arrived here, was one of these people.

As the person in charge of the Zuo family in the capital, and the cousin of the great scholar Zuo Duanyou, he came here more because it was conveniently along the way. For him, among the complex situation of the past few days, what he cared about was just a simple sentence: "How is the situation?"

"The remnants of the Yongle Dynasty led by Fang Baihua are already at the end of their rope. Although they are still fleeing for the time being, Iron Catcher and Catcher Zong mainly intercepted the escape routes in the southwest direction. They have been narrowing the circle in recent days, and I believe it won't be long before..."

After getting out of the car, Zuo Houwen walked towards the inn. Greeting him next to him was Fan Zhong, the third chief Catcher of the Ministry of Justice, who had arrived here yesterday. Counting now, three of the seven chief Catchers of the Ministry of Justice had gathered here. Fan Zhong had close ties with the Zuo family, so he was summoned by Zuo Houwen. However, after saying a few words, Zuo Houwen waved his hand as he walked.

"How Fang Baihua and Fang Qifo are doing is something for Wang Shaoshi's people to care about. How is the matter of the accounts?"

Fan Zhong nodded: "This time, the one carrying the accounts north is Deng Yuanjue, nicknamed Baoguang Rulai (宝光如来, Buddha of Precious Light), who was one of the four great generals under Fang La and is quite difficult to deal with. But they are now deliberately making a lot of noise, and we have already intercepted their routes of advance and retreat. Now, Fang Baihua and others are in the southwest, while the bandits like Deng Yuanjue are in the north, seemingly trying to create an attitude of attacking the capital to publicize the accounts, creating an opportunity for Fang Baihua and others to escape. But... their chances of escape are not high. It is estimated that the outcome will be known in three to five days at most."

"How reliable are the accounts, Chief Catcher Fan?"

"This... this humble official dares not speak rashly, but it seems that there are indeed many people who care about this matter."

As they spoke, Zuo Houwen had already arrived at the back of the inn. Servants and maids led the way, opening the door to the arranged room. Zuo Houwen waved his hand, signaling Fan Zhong to come in and sit. His appearance was simple, but his gestures had an air that did not allow questioning. After Fan Zhong sat down, he waved his hand, signaling the maid to leave, and then personally poured a cup of tea for Fan Zhong and placed it in front of him.

"Since everyone wants it, it must be a good thing. Chief Catcher Fan is most skilled in this area, and I, as an outsider, won't say much. The implications of this account can be big or small. It has some relationship with my Zuo family, but it is not a big deal. However... it is always better to have it in our own hands than in someone else's. I will leave everything to Chief Catcher Fan."

Fan Zhong took the tea and drank it. When he was about to leave, he remembered something: "I wonder how long Lord Zuo will stay this time?"

"Probably just two or three days, waiting for your good news. What's wrong?"

"Uh, recently, this area is a mixed bag, and it is really uneasy. The Ministry of Justice's extensive search has scared away some people, but after all, Fang Baihua and others have bounties on their heads, and many underworld figures have come here in recent days, seeking fame and fortune, or dark lines arranged by some other people, including... people from the Right Prime Minister's office and the Secret Detective Division... Although there are not many, it is inevitable that unexpected things will happen. Lord Zuo is staying here, please be sure to be careful and take care."

Zuo Houwen nodded and smiled: "I know, thank you for the reminder, Chief Catcher Fan." After the Sipinggang incident, Fang Baihua and others were surrounded and intercepted in this area. Some underworld figures were driven out, but more came from different channels, barely able to hold half a英雄 (hero) assembly. This was the reason why Fan Zhong came over. However, the Zuo family had a deep foundation, and Zuo Houwen naturally had experts to protect him. He just mentioned it and let it go, but one of them caught his attention: "The Secret Detective Division is also here. Who are they?"

"Not many people, about twenty or so. The leader is a scholar from the Prime Minister's office named Cheng Zhouhai. They arrived late, their roots are not deep, they can't find out too much, and they are quite disciplined. Cheng Zhouhai can't do much. Now, he has to visit Iron Catcher once every day, ostensibly to exchange information, but actually he may want to probe for information. However... he can't find out too much."

Zuo Houwen nodded: "I know. Cheng Zhouhai... I've heard of him. He is Qin Siyuan's disciple. He won't be simple. Just be careful."

"Yes." Fan Zhong nodded, and was about to leave, then hesitated for a moment, "This humble official has heard that the Secret Detective Division is now dealing with matters related to the underworld through a person named Ning Yi. I heard that this person's actions are unconventional. When Lord Zuo was in the capital, I wonder..."

"Just a man who married into wealth for 求富贵 (qiú fù guì, seeking riches)." Zuo Houwen smiled, tapping the table casually with his fingers, "Perhaps because of this, he acts a little ruthlessly. Prime Minister Qin is good at using this kind of person, but it deviates from the way of君子 (jūnzǐ, gentleman), and cannot be brought to the forefront. No need to pay attention to him."

"Yes, this humble official takes his leave."

"Go."

The two sides answered casually. After Fan Zhong left, Zuo Houwen frowned slightly. Immediately, he shook his head to dispel his thoughts.

***************

In the small town, matters relating to the lives and fortunes of hundreds of people occupied only a small part of Zuo Houwen's thoughts. But for the people involved, it was an arrangement and busyness that required risking their lives. As time went by, the situation, which had once become chaotic, had begun to become clear again.

Leaving aside the few people who were completely scattered, at least on the two sides where people were now gathered, one side was led by Deng Yuanjue and An Xifu, holding the account books, and posing as if they were going north. The other side was still led by Fang Baihua. This group of people were fighting and fleeing, suffering heavy casualties, wanting to cross the southwestern hills and enter the branch of the Dabie Mountains, seeking a glimmer of hope.

However, in just a few days, the changes and progress of the entire situation were actually quite fast. From the night of the eleventh, when Tie Tianying and others took action, the subsequent pursuit and escape had never stopped. The joint search and arrest by several prefectures and counties, on the one hand, dug out the scattered bandits, and on the other hand, the fighting was going on at any time. Fang Baihua and others were shifting directions and hiding their tracks in the process. Tie Tianying and Zong Feixiao were also desperately dispatching troops and generals in the midst of the chaotic and complex information. Every day, the people who were arrested, the people who were killed or injured, or the mysterious underworld experts who appeared, were all compiled together. It would be enough to prove their experience in this area if they could sort out the clues from them and ultimately suppress the traces of the two groups of people within a certain range.

When all the information became clear again, everyone understood that the matter would be resolved in the next day or two at most. Although there was a possibility that Fang Baihua and others would escape, this possibility was already quite slim.

When the water dries up, the fish will die. For Fang Baihua and others, what they are facing now is exactly this situation. When they were suddenly scattered, the surrounding prefectures and counties still had room for everyone to move around. However, as time passed, and Tie Tianying, Zong Feixiao, and others gradually sorted things out, the truly available space for maneuver was becoming less and less. In just a few days, the only way out left for them was to escape into the mountains to the southwest. But at this time, the direction leading to the Dabie Mountains had also become the focus of Tie Tianying's deployment.

And these things, for them, were understood in themselves.

The afternoon sun shone on the rocks in the mountains. When Du Sha looked up at the sunlight, he pursed his lips. On his pale face, a trace of blood color floated, and then returned to a terrifying paleness.

He only had one hand left.

It had only been two or three days since his arm was broken. He was able to wake up, speak, walk, and even kill again. The thin man in front of him seemed to have another incredible demon god supporting him at this time. Even when Luo Bingren brought him clear water, he made a weak but firm decision: "Go tell the Princess... we're not leaving."

In the nearby mountain gully, gathered at this time were the last dozens of people that Fang Baihua could bring, and most of them were injured. Making such a decision at this time was somewhat impulsive, but when Du Sha said this sentence, Luo Bingren understood his reason, and even in a sense, he had been waiting for Du Sha or someone to say it.

So he went to tell Fang Baihua about this. Sitting in the shadows of the strange rocks, the equally haggard but determined middle-aged woman looked up at him, then leaned on her spear and stood up. At this time, someone next to her had already opened his mouth: "What are you doing! Luo Bingren! You cowards of the霸刀 (Bà Dāo, Tyrant Blade) are going to withdraw! At this time!?"

"Shut up!" Fang Baihua scolded the person next to her, looked at Luo Bingren, and then looked at the several members of the Tyrant Blade around him, "You know that at this time, only going southwest, into the mountains, can we find a way to survive."

"That's not true either." Luo Bingren smiled, "The Princess also knows that at this time, sticking together will only lead to death sooner. If we split up, fewer people may be able to muddle through and leave a lifeline."

Everyone understood the reason Luo Bingren was talking about. The biggest goal of Tie Tianying and Zong Feixiao was to capture Fang Baihua. Although the search and arrest for those who were scattered was also strict, there were always a very few who could escape by luck. In these few days, some people had actually realized this and chose to leave alone - of course, most of them would still be captured and killed - as for those who remained, most were the loyal followers of Fang La and Fang Baihua. The uprising had failed, the rescue had failed, and the comrades had died or were injured. If they left alone again, they would have nothing left. Moreover, the chances of survival by leaving alone were not great.

But the reason why the Tyrant Blade and others wanted to stay would be understood by everyone after a moment.

Because Liu Xigua was missing.

Two days earlier, Liu Xigua, Fang Shuchang, and Qian Luoning went out to scout the situation. These were originally top experts in the team with the best martial arts. Later, Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning returned and told about the encounter with Lin Echan. They guessed that after the two of them left first, Xigua would definitely be able to run away, but later they discovered that they had been tricked, and Xigua had never returned. When they transferred that day, Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning felt guilty and chose to stay and wait for clearer news. It was said that they later fought against Zong Feixiao and left injured.

The next day, when they had a brief encounter with a group of Si Kongnan's subordinates, they found out the news that Liu Xigua was no match for Lin Echan and had been killed by their sect leader with a palm strike and thrown into the river.

This news was forced out after they caught several of them. The credibility was not nonexistent. Only the fact that there was no body to be found gave people some hope. However, as there was still no news at this time, Du Sha and others were unwilling to leave.

Fang Baihua couldn't say anything. Before long, the afterglow of the setting sun洒下来 (sǎ xià lái, sprinkled down), and the people in the valley were divided into two groups. One group went to the southwest, and the other group stood in the light, looking back at the way they came, not knowing where to go...

*****************

Large groups of soldiers and constables quickly walked through the mountain roads. On the nearby foothills, Zong Feixiao rode his horse, watching all this.

The location of Fang Baihua and others had been determined almost, and next was to sweep them away wave by wave. He was unwilling to disperse his forces to beat the grass and scare the snake. Without overwhelming force, even if he won, it would be easy to scatter these people again. The opponents were all experts. Once scattered, fewer people could be captured. Only by surrounding them with overwhelming force at once could he accomplish the task in one battle.

Anyway... they had already moved to despair. At this time, without strong external stimulation, the remaining people should still stick together.

One day... or at most two days, the matter would be settled, and they could go to the capital to report their merits.

Nothing unexpected will happen...

He calculated the situation again in his heart, including Si Kongnan, Lin Echan, the people on Fang Baihua's side, the force that Deng Yuanjue suddenly killed out, and the green forest heroes gathered around this time, even the small group of people from the Secret Detective Division... After thinking about all of these one by one, he confirmed again that there should not be too many factors beyond the calculations involved.

And just as he passed this mountain range, in a small town more than ten miles away, a team of more than twenty people was moving forward. The leader was about forty years old, with a strong physique and exquisite martial arts. He was a deputy of Tie Tianying named Tian Li. They came here today because of an intelligence, but just now, they had already met another group of people outside the town.

At this moment, the people around him were talking about this matter.

"Brother Tian, what is the origin of that scholar just now? He seems to be going in and out of our camp every day these past two days."

"People from the Secret Detective Division. There are only twenty of them here. They can't find out too much news. They want to trick our boss into talking. Why are you so curious? In this line of work, don't inquire about things you shouldn't."

"No, I heard that this person came from the capital... We're just wondering, why would a scholar get involved in this kind of thing? This area is not very peaceful right now. Is he tired of living..."

"The Secret Detective Division, they always do strange things. We still don't know what they do specifically." Tian Li sneered, "A scholar who hasn't been exposed to these things much, always wants to intervene. It's not strange. I've handled cases in the past, and there were many scholars who had to point fingers because they didn't understand anything. They wouldn't even understand when they died..."

"But speaking of which, Brother Tian, there are really a lot of people interfering in this matter this time. The person named Lin Zongwu also said he wanted to challenge Zhou Tong. Is that reliable?"

"He is qualified to challenge Grandmaster Zhou, but he can forget about wanting to win." Tian Li smiled, "But speaking of which, there are too many experts around this time. Just on our side, Tian Li is usually considered first-class in the Jianghu, but now if I were to rank the positions, I can't even get into the top ten... Fang Baihua's side may be a little embarrassed, but they are all top experts. Fang Baihua herself is powerful, and Deng Yuanjue, the Buddha of Precious Light, is even more so. Three of me may not be able to withstand one of them. What Tyrant Blade Liu Dabiao... her father is really powerful, even challenging Zhou Tong would probably not be a problem. Although this Liu Xigua is a woman now, her skill is not inferior to Fang Baihua, but it's a pity I heard that she was killed by Lin Zongwu..."

He paused: "As for Lin Zongwu, he used to be called Lin Echan, the Demonic Buddha of more than ten years ago. He's quite powerful. When he became famous, I didn't know anything yet... Wang Nantu is also qualified to challenge Grandmaster Zhou. They also have many talented people under them, very strong... As for those green forest people who came to join in the fun this time, there are also many good fighters, but they are a little worse compared to these people... But honestly, if I were handling a case on a normal day, I would have detoured when I met these people. This time, there are also many people... Like the Secret Detective Division, they sent a scholar, just to watch the excitement... But there is no need to offend them, after all, they came from the capital, so I greeted him just now, and I was also quite polite, giving him some face, so we can see each other again in the future..."

Speaking of this, Tian Li stopped and looked ahead, then lowered his voice: "Almost there, it's just ahead."

He winked at the crowd, and a group of constables immediately stopped chatting and dispersed towards the surroundings and the front. Before long, they surrounded a small courtyard.

Everyone hid under the wall, ready to撞门 (zhuàng mén, break the door) or climb over the wall. Suddenly, there was a loud noise from the back of the courtyard, and the sound of the door breaking mixed with the sound of weapons clashing came over. Someone shouted: "Catch him..."

"It's a Tyrant Blade bandit..."

"Don't let him run... Ah--"

Everyone immediately rushed over there. Rushing out from inside at this time was Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning, who had been recuperating from their injuries here for two days.

The sunlight was slightly oblique, turning red. There were still a few hours before the expected, but unexpected, big battle. This was just a small interlude in the drama caused by Fang Qifo near Sipinggang, but after a moment, Tian Li, as a participant who was not very important among them, was shocked by a scene he had never expected.

That was what happened after chasing Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning, who were still injured, for several streets. At that time, everyone had already decided on a plan to pursue and block. Because Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning still had amazing skills after recovering from their injuries, they initially chose to avoid their sharp edge and use a strategy of圍堵消耗 (wéi dǔ xiāo hào, surround and exhaust). After the battle, the gong that alerted the town also rang. Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning ran to a street, saw people killing over from the front and back, chose the side road to prepare to escape, and then, they seemed to have seen someone.

The two of them simultaneously raised their sabers and killed them. The figure disappeared over there, and only heard a few banging sounds of fighting, heavy and amazing. A泓 (hóng, measure word for clear water) saber light flew into the sky, but it was Fang Shuchang's saber, which was cut into two pieces and flew out. The next moment, Fang Shuchang was knocked away, spitting blood across the sky, rolled a few times on the ground, and lost consciousness.

Qian Luoning shouted out. Everyone had already run to the intersection and looked over there. On the street, the one fighting with Fang and Qian was only one person. And at this time, after that figure simply and decisively exchanged a few moves with Qian Luoning, he suddenly pushed two palms on Qian Luoning's body. These two palms hit the chest and lower abdomen, seemingly silently, but the body moved extremely fast. Qian Luoning's footsteps seemed to have left the ground, rushed across the street half a丈 (zhàng, a unit of length), and crashed into the earthen wall on the side of the road with a bang.

The earthen wall collapsed, smoke and dust rolled, and Qian Luoning's body fell among them, and there was no sound for a while. The figure who fought with the two of them bent down and threw the steel saber on the ground aside, stood up, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the blood on his face.

Not far away, the twenty or so people from the Secret Detective Division were rushing over quickly.

Tian Li opened his mouth, staring blankly at the figure of the scholar in a long robe in the smoke and dust. Because Fang Shuchang spat half his face with blood when he flew out, he wiped it again at this time, causing half of his face to turn into a strange red color. When the subordinates of the Secret Detective Division came over, they also stared blankly at this scene, but the scholar just said coldly and simply: "Arrest them."

This young man named Cheng Zhouhai looked over here. After a moment, a friendly smile appeared on his indifferent expression: "I was just saying how coincidental it is, Catcher Tian."

"You... you..." Tian Li frowned, his thoughts a little confused. He was now also a master in the green forest, and he and the constables around him could understand the level of Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning's skills. They had just thought that the Secret Detective Division only had about twenty people, so they could not intervene in this matter, but if they looked at the current scene, this young man's skills had reached perfection, and the few moves he exchanged with Qian Luoning just now were really exquisite and made people fearful. All of a sudden, the existence of the Secret Detective Division suddenly turned into a vicious wolf lying in ambush in their eyes.

Sure enough, I heard that the Right Prime Minister was shrewd, and the Secret Detective Division actually sent this kind of person, which was indeed not easy to provoke... Thinking this in his heart, the people from the Secret Detective Division had already bound Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning on their own. The man named Cheng Zhouhai said gently: "Catcher Tian looks like he has something to say. You and I are brothers, if you have anything to say, please don't be polite."

Tian Li swallowed: "These... these two people are actually being hunted by my Ministry of Justice..."

"Oh?" The other party's voice paused, and after a moment, his expression was a little intriguing as he tilted his head, "In that case, you want to..."

The voice came slowly: "...snatch food from the tiger's mouth?"

After a moment of silence, Tian Li suddenly laughed: "How could it be, how could it be, Mr. Cheng misunderstood, misunderstood..." He decided that, at his level, it was better not to negotiate with the head of this Secret Detective Division for the time being...

***************

When the setting sun turned orange-red, Chen Fan fed Ji Qian'er the last mouthful of porridge, and then looked at the sunlight.

Sometimes, it should be considered fateful luck. In two days, when he was prepared to die, the expected pursuit did not come this way. Chen Fan himself knew how to treat injuries and grab medicine. In two days, he saved Ji Qian'er's life and also made some other things begin to become clear.

Putting down the porridge bowl, he placed Ji Qian'er's Mandarin Duck Saber on the inside of the bed, revealing Ji Qian'er's somewhat cheerful smile by her hand.

"I'm leaving."

"Now?"

Ji Qian'er was looking at him there.

"I estimate that the time is about right..."

Two days were enough for him to go out and collect some news, including the approximate whereabouts of Fang Baihua, including Deng Yuanjue and An Xifu, and including the general actions of the Ministry of Justice, Si Kongnan and others, and even... Liu Xigua's disappearance. The water was about to dry up, and the fish would be revealed, so he had no reason to stay any longer.

Although, if they chose to stay out of it, he and Ji Qian'er might survive. And the outside world, no matter how you look at it, seemed to have no hope of recovery. But sometimes, men always have to do what they know is impossible.

Ji Qian'er understood these things.

"Xiao Fan..."

"Yeah?"

"What Master used to say, if people are going to die, they must hold their heads high."

"..." Chen Fan was silent for a moment, and then smiled, "I don't plan to die... but if I really have to die..." He tilted his head.

Ji Qian'er also smiled, "Xiao Fan, my old man has already died. If you also go, don't worry about me, I will kill a few more people, and then catch up with you."

Chen Fan smiled without a sound, but he was a little lingering and nostalgic. After a while, he said: "Sister Qian'er, I remember when I was young, I watched you practice saber, and then I wanted to beat you. I started later than you, but now I am better than you... I walk very fast, if you want to catch up, you have to hurry up."

He took a breath, and then suddenly said: "But, believe this impossible thing when you see my corpse. Someone calculated for me when I was a child, saying that I am the kind of person who 'one general succeeds with ten thousand bones withered', how could I die before I am invincible in the world. After all, you are a woman, and your knowledge is still shallow... I'm leaving, take good care of your injuries..."

While he was speaking, Ji Qian'er closed her eyes with a smile and turned her head to the inside. Chen Fan waved his hand and walked towards the door. Before long, when Ji Qian'er turned her head, the setting sun had already swallowed the resolute back in an orange-red color...

Night fell, the mountains were ghostly.

A fierce wind howled...

***************