Arresting Office, inner hall.
"Brother Fang, what's with you today...?" Hou Ping walked in quickly.
Fang Xiao's eyes were bloodshot, leaning against the chair resting his head, fatigued as he opened his eyes at the sound.
Last night, he guarded Hou Ping's home all night, fearing the Tea Stall Owner and that little girl might make a move against Hou Ping in the dark.
Fortunately, the night passed uneventfully, and upon seeing Hou Ping out for breakfast, he returned to the Arresting Office ahead.
"Getting old, can't handle consecutive nights of staying up."
Hou Ping placed tofu curd and buns with deep-fried dough sticks on the table, brewed a pot of hot tea: "Brother Fang, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."
"What?"
"I feel our stakeout at Wheat Alley is a waste of time." Hou Ping suddenly exclaimed angrily, "Shao Pengshu and the others, clad in those disguises, drink tea at the stall opposite Wheat Alley every afternoon."
"Unless the killer is a fool or blind, we can't hope to catch them!"
At the door, disguised as Yuan Chengji, Zhang Yii was eating a meat bun, savoring it. Yet a sudden mention of 'disguises' made him freeze.
Fang Xiao's gaze swept outside, then meaningfully looked at Hou Ping.
"Brother Hou, may I have a word?" He said solemnly.
Hou Ping paused for a moment, his anger gradually fading.
The two went to the small courtyard at the back of the Arresting Office.
"What does Brother Fang want to say, making it so mysterious?"
Fang Xiao looked at Hou Ping, sighing, "Brother Hou, have you already noticed?"
"Ah?" Hou Ping feigned a smile, "Noticed what?"
"Brother Hou, at the courtroom that day, you cursed Shao Pengshu and the others heartless and wicked, wanting to poison them—it was intentional, wasn't it?"
Hou Ping's smile stiffened.
Fang Xiao continued, "Brother Hou knew Shao Pengshu and I were acting, yet pretended not to notice, cooperating with my performance."
"Fang Xiao, truly grateful!" He slightly bowed in respect.
Having served as a captain for over ten years, how could Hou Ping be a dullard?
"Brother Fang, don't be like this." Hou Ping hurried to assist, "You're aware of my wife's antics, if you told me, I can't guarantee she wouldn't spill the beans, delaying the matter wouldn't be good."
Hou Ping had long suspected some scheme by Fang Xiao and Shao Pengshu, but speculation remained speculation.
He then added, "If not for Brother Fang teaching me Body Refining Technique, I'd still be struggling for three meals a day as a porter. I trust Brother Fang."
"But, Brother Fang, how did you discern that my actions were intentional?"
"Eyes."
...
Outside Liuu Town, a carriage approached slowly on the gravel road heading into town.
"Lord Zheng, we're about to enter Liuu Town." The driver raised his straw hat, speaking respectfully to the back.
"Hmm, here is fine." Came the voice from within the carriage.
"Yes." The driver jumped down, bowing, "I still need to deliver the monthly salary to the third young master, I take my leave."
"Get lost."
A cold voice sounded, Qin Gui lowered his head and departed.
After walking over a mile, no longer seeing the carriage behind, the fear on his face gradually faded as he wiped sweat from his forehead.
Inside the carriage.
Zheng Xiguan lifted the curtain, revealing a bloodless face, sunlight upon it like an actor with a painted white face.
He reached out, impatiently shielding his eyes, gazing ahead indifferently.
With sparse foliage, Liuu Town loomed faintly.
He reached into the carriage, retrieving a small arrow, throwing it into the sky, transforming instantly into an unseen blood-red light.
With a faint sound, the blood-red light flew toward Liuu Town.
...
Liuu Town, North Street.
"Red Blood Flowing Light Arrow, a message from Guardian Zheng!" The Tea Stall Owner caught the light.
"Guardian Zheng?" The little girl's face changed slightly, "Why is he coming?"
"Where is he?"
"Outside the town."
"What does it mean? For me, the Young Master, to personally greet him?"
"Young Master, Guardian Zheng wants us to leave town quickly!"
"He dares command me?!" The little girl was furious.
"Young Master... we should go have a look." The Tea Stall Owner advised, "Guardian Zheng must have a reason for this."
The little girl sat in the chair, pouting, "It's not impossible, but Old Hong, you must stand by me."
"Don't worry, Young Master, I definitely stand by you."
One old, one young, two figures, packed up the tea stall, and left.
As they departed, Shao Pengshu, who was stationed nearby, discreetly followed.
Yet the more he tracked, the stronger the ominous feeling grew.
"They're leaving town!"
What to do?!
He didn't know whether to continue tracking or report to Fang Xiao.
In his indecision, a familiar figure appeared in the shadows.
Yuan Chengji!
No, it's Zhang Yii!
Why is Zhang Yii hiding here?
Wasn't he supposed to be disguised as a constable, following Instructor Fang?
Questions crossed his mind as he cautiously approached.
Zhang Yii was hidden in a dark corner, eyes fixed on the Tea Stall Owner and the little girl.
Then, he deliberately or unintentionally looked in another direction, precisely where Shao Pengshu was approaching.
When Shao Pengshu was just a few meters away, Zhang Yii seemed genuinely startled, flinching.
"It's me." Shao Pengshu restrained Zhang Yii, "What are you doing here?"
"Captain Shao?!" Zhang Yii exhaled, "Instructor Fang sent me to find Captain Shao."
"Instructor Fang is looking for me?"
"Yes." Zhang Yii replied impassively.
Shao Pengshu watched the Tea Stall Owner and little girl gradually distance, his expression serious, "Zhang Yii, follow them, be sure not to expose yourself, prioritize your safety."
"Alright." Zhang Yii nodded and followed, as Shao Pengshu hurried back to find Fang Xiao.
...
End of West Street, small courtyard.
Chu Ming sat in the center of the yard, flipping through "Poetry, Politics, and Military."
"Master, would you like some water?" Little Shan brought water.
"Just leave it." Chu Ming didn't look up.
This was already the fifth bowl of water Little Shan had brought, he really couldn't drink anymore.
This little girl's heart was all on him, yet Chu Ming knew he couldn't be hesitant at all.
"Would the Master like some snacks?"
"No snacks."
Little Shan still left a plate of pastries.
Emitting warm steam, it seemed the young maid had made them early.
Little Shan stood somewhat awkwardly by the side.
"Third Young Master."
At this moment, a voice came from outside the yard.
Through the courtyard wall, Qin Gui's cold voice knocked on the wooden door.
"It's Qin Gui!" Little Shan knew the voice well, "It's only been over twenty days, not yet a month, why bring the monthly salary now?"
She whispered, walked to open the door.
The courtyard door opened, outside was not just Qin Gui, beside him stood a youth, though his facial expression seemed odd.
"Brother Chu!" Huang Lu carried medicine bags in both hands, bumped Little Shan and barged into the yard.
Chu Ming closed "Poetry, Politics, and Military," frowned and looked.
Before he could speak, Huang Lu stacked the medicine bags on "Poetry, Politics, and Military," raising his arm, intending to rest it on Chu Ming's shoulder.
Chu Ming subtly shifted, avoiding Huang Lu, his eyes instantly sharpened.
Just as Huang Lu raised his hand, he smelled a certain odor, mixed with herbs, blood, and... the stench of decay.
This smell, last time seeing Huang Lu, didn't exist.
"Brother Chu, these are medicinal herbs my father specially prepared for you, not only curing all ailments but strengthening the body."