Dust is like the autumn wind, and life is like falling leaves.

During the months in Datong, Shi Jin often felt a sense of rootlessness and desolation. This feeling wasn't because of himself, but because of the lives of the Han Chinese slaves he constantly witnessed.

After the second assassination attempt on Nianhan, Shi Jin was rescued during the subsequent pursuit and woke up in the slave settlement outside Datong.

In the decades since the Jurchen rose to power, they had successively conquered the Liao and attacked the Wu. In these battles across the country, it wasn't just Han Chinese who were enslaved. However, conquests happened at different times. As the Jin regime gradually stabilized, those who had been enslaved earlier had either died or gradually assimilated into the Jin state. In the past decade, the largest group of slaves within the Jin territory was mostly Han Chinese from the Central Plains.

From the initial Jurchen southward advance to the mountain searches and sea raids a few years ago, millions of Han Chinese were captured and brought to the Jin territory over several years. Regardless of their wealth or poverty, they were indiscriminately reduced to forced labor and slavery, living a subhuman existence. Resistance had occurred, but it mostly met with even more brutal treatment. In recent years, the Jin state's policy towards Han slaves had begun to soften. Arbitrarily killing slaves would result in the master having to pay compensation. Moreover, even when raising livestock, it was impossible to maintain constant high-pressure whipping for ten years. After a beating, a sweet date had to be given. Some Han slaves gradually gained some living space.

Within the Jin territory, there were many private slaves now, but the majority still belonged to the Jin court, working as miners, laborers, and forced laborers. This settlement outside Datong was where slaves from nearby mines and workshops gathered. Chaotic shacks, muddy roads, and a simple fence surrounded the settlement. Soldiers occasionally came to guard, but they were perfunctory. Over time, it finally formed the lowest-level settlement ecology. During the day, they worked to obtain some food to maintain their lives, and at night, they finally had some freedom. Escape was not easy. Slaves with tattooed faces and skin-and-bone bodies, even if they could escape this settlement, would find it extremely difficult to cross the hundreds of miles of Jurchen land. Shi Jin woke up here.

He didn't know who had rescued him at first.

In the dark shack, he was taken in by a skinny old man. After some initial conversations, Shi Jin learned that beneath the desperate stagnant water of the slave settlement, undercurrents of resistance had always existed.

The millions of Han Chinese who had been abducted from the Central Plains by the Jurchens had, after all, lived relatively stable lives and were not pigs and dogs accustomed to inhuman treatment. Under the initial high pressure and butcher knives, the thoughts of resistance were repeatedly extinguished. However, when the surrounding environment eased slightly, these Han Chinese included Confucian scholars, officials, and gentry. They could still remember their past lives to some extent, and they had more or less some thoughts of resistance. Life was inhuman, but as long as they united, there was hope of returning.

It was like those "heroes" who had been secretly opposing the Jurchens, like certain "benevolent people" who were operating in secret. These forces might not be large, but there were always some people who, through various channels, managed to escape or cause some harm to the Jurchens. The old man belonged to such a small organization, which was said to have some contact with people from the Wu Dynasty. On the one hand, they struggled to survive in this inhuman environment, and on the other hand, they held a small hope that one day, the Wu Dynasty would launch a northern expedition, and they would be able to see the land of the South again in their lifetime.

As for who had rescued him, the old man couldn't say for sure.

Shi Jin's injuries were severe, and he stayed quietly in the shack for more than half a month, during which he heard about the massacre of Han Chinese that had resulted from his actions. The old man was a scholar before he was captured and roughly guessed Shi Jin's identity. He didn't care about the massacre outside: "They wouldn't live long anyway. The sooner they die, the sooner they are reborn. Hero, you don't need to care." There was a sense of death in his words.

There were many people gathered in the shantytown area. Even though the old man belonged to a small force, it was inevitable that someone would know Shi Jin's whereabouts and choose to inform. For more than half a month, Shi Jin hid and didn't dare to go out. During this time, Jurchen stewards came to search outside. It was not until one day more than half a month later, when the old man had gone out to work, that someone suddenly broke in. Shi Jin's injuries had almost healed, so he was about to fight, but the person clearly knew Shi Jin's origin: "I saved you. There's a problem. Follow me quickly." Shi Jin followed that person out of the shantytown area, which saved him from a major search.

The person who saved him was not old and wore a stiff mask. Judging from his actions, he seemed to be a "hero" figure active in the lower levels of Datong. After leaving the shantytown area, the person pointed out a place for Shi Jin to hide and then roughly explained the situation to him: "The great changes caused by Wu Qimai's stroke have already occurred. Zongfu and Zongbi's troop deployments have become a reality. The situation within the Jin territory is tightening. A great war is imminent..." In the end, he seemed to mean, "Go kill Zonghan quickly."

Shi Jin, guided by him, remembered another woman who had guided him to a hiding place and mentioned the events of that day. In Shi Jin's opinion, the fact that he was surrounded by Jurchens that day was likely because the woman had informed on him, so he asked the other party for confirmation. The other party nodded: "In a place like the Jin state, Han Chinese want to live a good life. What can't they do? Hero, since you've seen through that bitch's face, you should know that there's no warmth to be said here. Bitch and dog thief, kill them all next time!"

The person's words were fierce and extreme, but Shi Jin thought about it and could understand. It would be strange if those who opposed the Jurchens in this place didn't have this kind of ferocity and extremism.

He hid nearby according to the other party's instructions, but after all, his injuries were almost completely healed. With his skills, few people in the world could catch him. Shi Jin vaguely felt that surviving two assassination attempts on Nianhan was a blessing from heaven, and he would probably die on the third attempt. He had been fearless before, but now he had a few more thoughts in his mind—even if he was going to die, he should be more cautious. So he began to observe and inquire about news near Datong.

In April and May, the temperature gradually increased, and the situation near Datong was visibly becoming tense. Shi Jin took a break to visit the old man. During their conversation, the old man's small organization seemed to have noticed the changes in the overall situation and seemed to have contacted Wu Dynasty spies, wanting to do something big. During this conversation, another piece of information stunned him for a long time: "That girl, Wu Qiuhe, was split in half by the Jurchen's Gushen, Wanyan Xiyin, because she came forward to save you. Alas, over the years, Miss Wu and the others have secretly saved many people. They shouldn't have died, but they did..."

In this hellish life, people had become numb to life and death. Even when talking about this kind of thing, there was not much emotion. Shi Jin repeatedly asked, only to learn that she had been followed and had not betrayed him. He returned to his hiding place. Two days later, the masked man came again and was restrained by him with one hand and sternly questioned.

The other party's martial arts were not high, but he laughed sarcastically: "Why would I lie to you? What's the use of telling you? You're here to kill Nianhan. The way of the assassin is to move forward. Why are you thinking so much? Is it good for you? Two assassination attempts failed. When the Jurchens couldn't find you, they dragged out three hundred Han Chinese and killed them. They killed even more in secret. They're cruel, so you won't assassinate Nianhan? What's the point of me telling you the truth? To disturb your mind? You heroes like to overthink things. It's better to let you think that everyone in the world is bad. Anyway, the woman named Wu is already dead. She won't blame you. Go avenge her quickly."

"I thought about it. This kind of assassination will ultimately lead to nothing..."

"What result do you want? One person kill Nianhan and then kill Wu Qimai? Save the world? You, a Han Chinese, have assassinated Nianhan twice. Going to kill him a third time is the best result. Speaking of which, it's the breath in the hearts of the Han Chinese that hasn't dissipated! The Jurchens want to kill people, so they kill them. You haven't seen the time when they killed people at will."

Shi Jin looked at him: "Then what are you doing?"

"Doing what I think is interesting." The other party said a lot, and his emotions also calmed down. The two walked through the woods and looked far away towards the shantytown area. "What do you think this place is? Do you think there's really anything you can do to save this world? No one can do it. Wu Qiuhe was thinking of secretly buying one or two people and selling them back to the South. When the war is about to start, people like that want to cause trouble for Zonghan, want to blow up the Great Manufacturing Institute... The old man who took you in, they pointed to a big riot and then escape to the South together. Who knows how the Wu Dynasty spies tricked them, but... they're all right. It's better to do something than to do nothing."

"You came here and assassinated Nianhan twice, obviously can't think straight. That's okay. You go kill your Nianhan, I'll do my thing, do my best, and leave the rest to fate. Maybe you'll really kill him. You have hatred in your heart, then continue to hate!"

The other party was really a Han Chinese mixing in the north, and he was completely self-defeating. Shi Jin's heart was slightly more trusting of this person. After that, he had two more contacts with the other party. From the other party's mouth and the old man's mouth, Shi Jin gradually learned more news. The old man seemed to be incited by Wu Dynasty spies and was preparing for a major uprising. The other underground forces were also eager to move. Among them, there were many people who had ideas about Nianhan, Gushen, the Great Manufacturing Institute, and the army. At this time, many things seemed to be happening in the Central Plains, such as Liu Yu's rebellion and the Wu Dynasty's preparations to face the Jurchens...

As for the young man wearing a mask, after some understanding, Shi Jin probably guessed his identity. He was the wanted man nicknamed "Clown" near Datong. This person's martial arts were not high, and his reputation was not as good as most of the Jin state "bandits" on the list, but at least in Shi Jin's view, the other party did have many skills and means. However, he was extreme in nature and appeared and disappeared unpredictably, so Shi Jin couldn't quite guess the other party's thoughts.

"The war is about to start. These guys from the Wu Dynasty are counting on these Han Chinese slaves to have a big riot and cause trouble for the Jin state... They really don't have any ambition..."

"That old man, they haven't thought of these things in their hearts, but anyway, it's a life worse than death. Even if many people die, maybe a few can run away. It's better to save as many as we can..."

"Me... I want to attack the Great Manufacturing Institute. Most of the craftsmen in the Great Manufacturing Institute are Han Chinese. Damn it, if they could all be blown to death, Wanyan Xiyin would really cry, hahahaha..."

Hearing the other party say this, Shi Jin looked at him sternly: "You... they are all Han Chinese after all."

"What's the difference between them and being dead?"

"You!" Shi Jin inherited Zhou Tong's mantle and could be considered upright in his heart. Hearing these words, he suddenly reached out and grabbed the other party's neck. "Clown" also looked at him, without any fluctuation in his eyes: "Yes, kill me."

"You... you shouldn't be like this. There are always... always other ways..."

"You assassinate Nianhan, I didn't interfere with you. You should interfere with me less, or kill me, or... I'm your senior. What do you know about this place in the Jin state? In order to save you, Mandu Dalu is checking on me all day long. I'm the one who suffered an unwarranted disaster..."

He muttered, and Shi Jin didn't kill him in the end. Hearing the name Mandu Dalu, he said, "I'll find a time to kill him." But he knew in his heart that if he were to kill Mandu Dalu, it would ultimately be wasting an opportunity to assassinate. If he were to take action, he would ultimately have to kill a more valuable target.

Time gradually passed, and the atmosphere in the dark became more and more tense every day. The weather became increasingly hot, and then on that day in late June, a major riot finally broke out.

On that day, Shi Jin witnessed and participated in that great failure...

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

The sudden outbreak of the riot was on the night of June 21. Rebellion and fighting rang out inside and outside the city. Someone set a big fire, and the Han Chinese heroes in Datong went to the Great Manufacturing Institute, causing a commotion.

Due to the disconnection of the entire intelligence system, Shi Jin did not receive first-hand information, but before that, he had already decided that once something happened, he would begin his third assassination attempt.

This time, the target was not Wanyan Zonghan, but a relatively simpler and perhaps more important strategist within the Jurchen, Wanyan Xiyin.

Shi Jin rushed to the Gushen's mansion, looking for Wanyan Xiyin's whereabouts. Before he arrived there, the sound of trumpets and drums had already been heard from the Great Manufacturing Institute. Judging from the results of his observations in the short period, the crowd rioting inside and outside Datong this time had fallen into Zonghan, Xiyin and others ambush plan.

A massacre and pursuit were unfolding.

Shi Jin remembered what the Clown had said. He didn't know if the other party had really participated, but until he quietly entered the Gushen's mansion, at least the flames had been lit at the Great Manufacturing Institute, but it seemed that the extent of the damage was not too great.

The entire city was in serious chaos. Shi Jin observed the Gushen's mansion for a while and knew that the other party was not there at this time. He wanted to find a place to hide secretly and launch a surprise attack when the other party returned home. But then he was noticed by the Jurchen experts. After a fight and chase, Shi Jin crashed into a room in the Gushen's mansion and saw the things displayed opposite him.

The huge room was filled with the trophies collected by Wanyan Xiyin in his major and minor battles throughout his life. A thick, ancient spear was placed in front. Seeing it, Shi Jin seemed to see the moonlight more than ten years ago.

That was Zhou Tong's spear.

Its name in the Jianghu was—Azure Dragon Subdues.

It crossed more than ten years of time and quietly came to Shi Jin's front...

……

The suddenly launched rabble could not match Wanyan Xiyin's deliberate arrangement. That night, the riot gradually turned into a one-sided massacre—in the history of the Jurchen regime, such suppression was not uncommon, but it had gradually decreased in the past two years.

Shi Jin carried the spear and fled all the way. When he passed the slave settlement outside the city, the army had already surrounded it. Flames burned, and the stench of blood spread. In such chaos, Shi Jin finally got rid of the pursuing enemies. He tried to enter and find the old man who had taken him in, but he couldn't find him in the end. So he turned to the more remote mountains and came to the small thatched hut where he was temporarily hiding, but someone had already come ahead of him.

It was the "Clown" with half his body stained with blood. He came but couldn't find Shi Jin, knocked around, and then found a stone and slumped down.

Shi Jin walked out. The "Clown" glanced at him: "I have something to ask of you."

"You didn't blow up the Great Manufacturing Institute." Shi Jin said a sentence, then looked around, "Is there anyone following behind?"

The other party shook his head: "I didn't plan to blow it up anyway. The Great Manufacturing Institute is working every day. What does it matter to the Jurchen army if a bunch of military supplies are blown up today?"

"...What's the matter?"

"Liu Yu's regime's allegiance to the Wu Dynasty will awaken the last batch of unwilling people in the Central Plains to resist, but after all, the puppet Qi and the Jin state have controlled the Central Plains for nearly ten years. There are as many dead-hearted people as there are unwilling people. Last year, the Tian Hu regime had an incident. The newly appointed Tian Shi, Lou Shuwan and others joined forces with Wang Juyun, who planned to resist the Jin state, but of course, there are many people who will surrender to the Jurchens as soon as the Jin army goes south."

The Clown reached into his arms and took out something: "Wanyan Xiyin has such a list in his hands, belonging to Han Chinese officials who have been grasped, have had many past exchanges, and have expressed their willingness to surrender. I've been thinking about it for a while, piecing it together, after verification, it should be true..."

Shi Jin opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything. The other party handed out the thing: "Once the war in the Central Plains starts, we can't let people just start and immediately be stabbed in the back. This thing is very important. My martial arts are not good, and it's difficult to take it south. I can only ask you to take it and hand it over to Tian Shi, Lou Shuwan, Yu Yulin and others. The list is attached with evidence. You can take a look and don't give it to the wrong people."

"...Okay." Shi Jin took the thing. "You..."

"Anyway, you don't want to live anymore. Even if you want to die, please deliver the thing before you die." The other party stood up swaying, took out a small bag and shook it. "I have medicine, it's not a big problem. I have to go back later. There are still some people to save. Don't be long-winded. Wanyan Xiyin will soon realize what I've done. If you take this thing, it won't be just the Jurchens who will be chasing you all the way. Go, as long as it's delivered, these are all small things."

Shi Jin nodded: "Don't worry, I'll send it even if I die." When he turned to leave, he turned back and asked, "By the way, are you from the Black Flag?"

"Huaxia Army, code name Clown... Thank you." In the darkness, the figure reached out and saluted.

Shi Jin stood there for a moment, turned around, and ran south.

In the sky, there were eagles soaring.

Dust is like the autumn wind blowing, but life is like falling leaves. At this time, the wind is blowing. No one knows where they will drift next, but at least for now, feeling this blowing wind, Shi Jin's heart is slightly at peace.

The spear behind him seems to still carry Zhou Tong's shouts from ten years ago, accompanying him, moving forward!