Volume Two: Bandits in This Place, Chapter 109: A Drunkard?

The two men, with hands tucked into their sleeves, squatted atop the city wall, watching the bustling traffic in the streets below.

"Xu Lao-nian, how long can you stall?" Lin Changtian spoke first. The prosperity below only fueled his irritation. Dammit, it was as if his own home were so well-off that he had to go snatch food from someone else’s mouth.

Xu Yong squinted his eyes, looking somewhat leisurely. He glanced at Lin Changtian; the man’s hands were trembling, though it was unclear whether from cowardice or rage.

"I’ve been watching for a while. The rumors are likely true. It means there is a piece of bad news and a piece of good news in front of us, forcing a choice."

"You can see the clues just by standing on the city wall? You’re making fun of me again!" Lin Changtian’s face flushed red. He lost his footing and nearly tumbled off the wall.

Xu Yong, assuming he was having another episode, retorted impatiently, "Didn’t they say yesterday that Anma City was reinforcing the Weinan Pass? Look closely at the patrols in the city. It used to be one squad of ten for half a district; now? At most, it’s three squads per district, scattered and thin. No matter how they try to cover it up, it’s useless. It seems Kuisheng and his lot have truly driven Anma City to desperation."

"If that’s the case, doesn't it mean that while our odds of winning have increased, the risk of the Weinan Pass being breached has also grown significantly?"

"That’s the logic. If the city’s defenses are insufficient, we strike at the heart. Target the noble families and force the guards to come after me. When that happens, you just charge in. Don't dally—you must catch either Du Zhaolin or Ma Hui!"

Lin Changtian fell silent. He took off his bamboo hat and pulled up his hood.

"If you truly cannot overcome them, leave. Don’t worry about me. A Boundary-Walker can traverse the heavens; staying behind to handle petty matters will only lead to both our deaths."

He leaped, jumping from the hundred-foot-high wall and plunging into a haystack at the corner. The movement was dashing, yet Xu Yong faintly heard a scream from below, followed by a string of curses: "Who has so little class? Why leave a steel pitchfork in a haystack!"

Indeed, those without faith could never pull off such a jump with any grace.

Xu Yong pursed his lips and strolled down the stairs. He wandered through the crowd toward the center of the city, his posture relaxed and his gait steady. Bored, he even chatted with the patrolling soldiers.

By midday, the young guard beside him had warmed up to Xu Yong and insisted on taking him somewhere to enjoy life. Xu Yong draped an arm over his shoulder and laughed, "The places of romance and moonlight are no place for a decent man. Do you know where one might find a refined young lady for us brothers to pursue?"

The guard scratched his head and looked around. Thinking this fellow he’d met today was quite agreeable, he gritted his teeth and said, "Big brother, you don't know—those girls have hearts higher than the heavens. They fancy themselves phoenixes in the paulownia trees, obsessed with pedigree and unwilling to marry down. If you go, you’ll only find embarrassment. However, my family is quite prominent. My elder sister is still unmarried. If you don't mind, I could introduce you. How about becoming my brother-in-law from now on?"

"Is the local culture... this bold?" Xu Yong thought to himself. Outwardly, he feigned hesitation, struggling for a long while before acting with righteous indignation. "No! We just met, and you don’t even know my character; how could you do something so rash? Besides, I’ve never met your sister; it’s not right to entrust a life like this. And what of her virtues, her way of dealing with matters..."

"You can rest easy on that. I come from a prominent family as well. My sister may be a bit spoiled, but her upbringing is sound. As for you, I have an excellent eye for character. I always befriend mature and steady men; you won't go wrong. I used to have two other righteous brothers, Liang Ji and Yu Zifan, but unfortunately, they both met their ends..."

Xu Yong’s eyelid twitched. This boy truly did have an "excellent eye for character." Because of Gongsun Twelve, the former had lost his life in the ring, and his whole family had been sent to their deaths by Ma Hui. As for the latter—heh, the second master of the Yu family who dared to take five hundred light cavalry against two thousand of Chu Ji’s men? Quite the "mature and steady" type, indeed.

"But come to think of it, big brother, you do look familiar. Who knows, we might have met before." The guard scrutinized Xu Yong’s face, rubbing his hands in excitement, thinking he had encountered an old friend.

"This... brother, you’ve been on duty for a long time; have you ever seen any major events?"

The guard squinted, thinking hard before saying, "Only when Liang Ji was beaten to death in the ring. Tsk, tsk, that killer was ferocious. The cold air around him felt like it could freeze a man to death. I only got this job through my father’s influence, so I stayed in the back and didn't dare go up. What a pity, what a pity! If I’d known I’d never have another chance to see him, I would have gone up to trade a few blows just to brag to my children later!"

"It’s fine. Aren't you getting your chance today? It might even be enough for you to pass down to your grandchildren." Xu Yong blinked, and a chill quietly spread. The soldier’s smile stiffened; he finally remembered who this man was.

***

The tranquility of Anma City shattered with a bang. Xu Yong chose a secluded spot, settled the terrified guard, and turned back into the bustling streets.

He looked at the sea of people in every direction—some bewildered, some cowardly, some worried for their families, some looting in the chaos...

Regardless of their form, it all distilled into the word "escape." Countless soldiers rushed over in disarray, clearly a disorganized rabble patrolling the streets. Lacking courage, they broke into a panicked retreat at the first sign of contact, scrambling to hide at the back of the line, using their comrades' lives as shields.

Xu Yong felt no urge to slaughter; he took no pleasure in toying with prey. He simply killed a few officers, and the mob scattered like birds and beasts, their greed extinguished.

He remained calm. A moment later, his eyes filled with complex emotions, and he let out a long sigh. He heard the sound of truly solid, disciplined footsteps.

Clang and heavy. The killing intent was rising.

Weapons were drawn. The officer, with a cold face, assumed Xu Yong was a henchman sent by Lin Yuan or Cheng Yu. Seeing only one thief, a sneer crossed his face.

"So it was just a reckless fool acting out of violence. What a waste of my time." The officer squinted, turned around, and gestured for his men to turn the arrogant idiot into a sieve. He stroked his chin, calculating how to report his success to Master Du in a way that would earn him a wink of approval for his own greed.

"You really should have called for more support." Xu Yong snapped the last arrow feather. He looked at the sun. Hmm, a nice day.

The officer didn't speak. He drew his blade and charged, having already decided to tell Master Du that he had personally slain the culprit.

He was fast. In the blink of an eye, he was behind Xu Yong. The officer slowly rose, sheathed his blade, and said coldly, "The enemy general has been slain. Regroup and return to camp."

The soldiers didn't move. Xu Yong scratched his head, finding the local culture rather naively dull.

The officer frowned in surprise. Holding his sword, he lowered his stance and darted out again. He went back and forth countless times with great force, enough to flatten the hem of Xu Yong's robe.

"Is he always this dramatic?" The soldiers covered their faces, not daring to respond. Xu Yong snapped his fingers, and a shard of ice appeared in the officer’s path, tripping him. He stumbled and fell, struggling for a long time before crawling up to say, "I didn't expect... a hard nut to crack. Your cultivation is profound; my eyes were dim. Don't just stand there! Surround and kill him!"

Xu Yong shook his head. He envied his opponent's enemies—they were as handsome as him, yet also merciful.

"Time to collect the debt from Ma Hui." He thought to himself, the cold air around him thickening. His eyes held a trace of mockery, as if looking down on his own tendency to be soft-hearted, only to have it spawn more killing intent.

The weapons formed a forest, staring at Xu Yong, oblivious to the fact that this purgatory was whispering back.

***

A figure crawled out of the haystack. He looked proud, his back straight, standing there motionless.

He watched the commotion in the center of the city, gritted his teeth, and finally made up his mind, ruthlessly pulling the steel pitchfork from his rear.

Then, with a complex look at the sky, he hesitated for a long time before putting the weapon back into the haystack.

Hmm, leave a surprise for the next foolish thief who jumps down. I shouldn't be the only one who got poked.

After finishing this, Lin Changtian left quietly. He wandered the streets, moving slowly like a drunken man. The roads were emptier and colder. The night lights were beautiful, but the warmth of human life was missing; everyone was rushing, either escaping or heading to the battlefield.

The chill spread from the center, but Lin Changtian was in no hurry. He knew whom he had to kill; worry and fear would only be in the way.

A long time later, he reached a mansion.

"The residence of one of the Three Heroes of the Northern Territory, is it really this modest?" Lin Changtian muttered. It wasn't that the house was dilapidated—it was elegant and even grand, with a solemn plaque and lush greenery by the gate, making it look... quite vibrant.

But it couldn't compare to the noble estates he had passed along the way.

There was no one outside the mansion; it was pitch black. If not for the greenery, it would have been utterly lifeless.

Lin Changtian, feigning the "drunkard," sobered up. Looking at the ajar gate, he sneered, "This fellow is truly cunning. It’s likely full of hidden arrows and traps, waiting for someone to take the bait. With such clumsy tricks, how could a genius like me be fooled?"

Lin Changtian looked around, then moved with agility, vaulting over the wall.

The scene inside was unique. The reason it felt strange was that the ground was slippery; Lin Changtian stumbled as he landed, viewing the courtyard upside down.

"Not a soul? Such a strong smell of wine. Did I get lost again?" Lin Changtian was frustrated, assuming his old habit had flared up. Just as he was about to leave, a slurred voice drifted from a pavilion deep in the house. Lin Changtian found it familiar. Following the sound through several twists and turns, he reached the place and walked straight into the courtyard.

Lying on the ground was a drunkard, curled into a ball, looking physically and mentally exhausted.

Lin Changtian squinted. Even though this thing looked less than human, he recognized him. No matter how disheveled or insane this guy appeared, it couldn't hide the labels countless people had plastered onto him.

One of the Seven Greats of Old, a man who rose from the grassroots, a man who killed a Master in the City of Masters. Tyrannical, ruthless, cruel, and savage—a character blended from countless evils:

The hero of the Northern Territory, the King of Anma City, the master of Chu Ji—Ma Hui.

The man was snoring loudly, the stench of alcohol and decay wafting off him.

Lin Changtian let out a long breath and pulled his blade from his waist. He had just taken a step when he heard Ma Hui mumble, "You've come?"

"This fellow is leisurely. He’s turned two territories upside down, yet he sleeps soundly. I wonder which dog he’s dreaming about," Lin Changtian cursed under his breath, walking forward with his blade.

"It’s not good to curse yourself. The one I’m thinking of really is you." Ma Hui opened his eyes abruptly, staring at Lin Changtian with a playful expression.