Farewell

2024-07-31

"Indeed, it is I." The white-clad swordsman chuckled and casually tossed the lock of hair before his forehead behind his head.

"You go after them," Lu Zheng told the several patrol guards under his command.

"Yes."

That afternoon, at the eastern city gate.

Several farmers carried hoes on their shoulders and pushed a wooden cart forward.

On the cart lay an elderly man who appeared unable to move his legs properly, along with several sacks of grain.

"Stop. Open the sacks," a city guard said, pointing at the cart.

"Certainly, sir. It's all crops and grain." The farmer forced a smile and hurriedly opened every sack, revealing heaps of grain inside.

"Mm, what's wrong with this old man?" The city guard gave him a glance, then pointed at the old man lying on the cart.

"My father. He fell and injured himself yesterday, so I brought him to the clinic today," the farmer explained.

The city guard had intended to step closer, but then caught a whiff of an indescribable body odor. He immediately frowned and waved them away, telling the farmers to leave quickly.

Just as the farmers breathed a sigh of relief and pushed the cart toward the city exit, a patrol guard slowly approached them from the gate, making their heartstrings tighten once more.

"Don't panic," one of the farmers whispered.

The group lowered their heads and was about to pass the patrol guard when a hand suddenly pressed against the side of the cart.

The farmers exchanged glances, their bodies tensing imperceptibly as they prepared to spring into action at any moment.

"Next time we meet, let's have a drink together."

At those words, the old man on the cart, who had been lying with his eyes shut, suddenly opened them and looked toward the patrol guard walking past him.

Who else could it have been but Song Changming?

The injured old man on the cart was Liu Xiangnan in disguise, while the farmers were naturally masked men who had dressed themselves up as well.

It had to be said that their disguises were truly superb. Even an ordinary person who got close would have found it difficult to see through them.

Song Changming had only noticed because he had spent two days alone with Liu Xiangnan and discovered that the wounds on the old man's exposed hands and feet perfectly matched Liu Xiangnan's.

As for why he had come to the eastern side of the city, that had been purely his own guess. He believed Liu Xiangnan would leave the Prefecture City through this gate, following the Luolong River all the way out.

Of course, even if he had guessed wrong, it would not have mattered. He had not come to capture Liu Xiangnan and drag him back for another punishment. He had simply wanted to see him one last time.

Seeing that Song Changming did not stop them, the people pushing the cart did not linger. They swiftly took Liu Xiangnan out of the city.

"Did you find him?" Liang Chuanshan asked when he saw Song Changming.

"No sign of him. It seems the General Directorate hasn't found the fugitive either," Song Changming said, shaking his head.

Liang Chuanshan said helplessly, "Only at times like this do you realize how enormous this Prefecture City truly is."

Searching for someone in the vast Donglai Commandery City was no easy task. Especially as time passed, the longer the target remained hidden, the harder he became to catch.

Song Changming said no more. Inwardly, he weighed matters and decided that before this storm passed, he had best keep a low profile.

As for the martial arts Liu Xiangnan had taught him, he would practice them as little as possible and avoid using them, lest someone with ulterior motives recognize them and bring trouble upon him.

Afterward, because there had been too many witnesses at the execution ground when Liu Xiangnan was taken away, news of the incident quickly spread.

Those among the common people who admired Liu Xiangnan clapped their hands and cheered.

The General Security Department, however, was not nearly so pleased. With blame being assigned from above, someone had to carry the pot.

Thus, the old Director of the Patrol Guard Headquarters, who had already planned to step down, was removed from office ahead of schedule. The New Director was also directly decided upon.

In the end, Liang Chuanshan, whose achievements over the past two years had been outstanding, took over and formally assumed command of the Houli Street Patrol Guard Headquarters.

When the news came out, even Liang Chuanshan himself had not expected such a surprise to fall from the heavens.

The official post he had dreamed of day and night had finally fallen into his hands as he wished.

Now, throughout the entire Houli Street district, he could be considered one of the foremost figures!

Thus, while the lower-class commoners were still discussing Liu Xiangnan's escape from the jaws of death, figures from the middle and upper ranks had already turned their focus toward Liang Chuanshan.

Merchants, faction Leaders, and clan Patriarchs who had received word in advance, along with figures great and small from throughout Houli Street, all came to the Liang Residence to offer congratulations.

For a time, the reception hall and courtyard of the Liang Residence were packed with people every day.

Then, three days later, after Liang Chuanshan completed the handover of his post and returned from the General Directorate, he immediately held a grand banquet and invited guests from all sides.

As Liang Chuanshan's most capable right-hand man, Song Changming was naturally invited as well.

He was seated at the main table, which was enough to show how highly Liang Chuanshan regarded him.

"Changming, if not for your support over the past year, allowing me to repeatedly earn merit, this position might not have been mine. Now that I'm Director, you are still the confidant I trust most!"

At the banquet, Liang Chuanshan took the initiative to raise his cup with Song Changming, speaking with heartfelt sincerity.

"Brother Liang flatters me." Song Changming smiled and modestly said a few words, but he did not become carried away because of it.

"I mean it. Rest assured, as long as I'm here, I will never forget you. Just wait, Changming." Liang Chuanshan patted Song Changming's shoulder meaningfully, then went off to entertain the other distinguished guests.

That night, not only had figures from all sides of Houli Street come to the banquet, but Directors and Patrol Captains from other districts had also arrived one after another.

Even some figures from the General Directorate had come, giving Liang Chuanshan all the face he could want.

Such honor only came after reaching a position at the level of Director.

At the banquet, cups clinked and wine flowed, its fragrance filling the air amid the lively clamor.

Because of his status, Song Changming was merely an inconspicuous little figure at this gathering of heavyweights. Very few people knew him, and no one took the initiative to exchange pleasantries with him.

Song Changming did not mind in the least. He was happy to have some peace and simply ate and drank by himself in a corner.

The only person keeping him company was Lu Gang, whom he knew.

Though Lu Gang was a Patrol Captain, one rank above Song Changming, his own seniority as a Patrol Captain was likewise shallow. He had not yet built up enough connections, so he simply stayed in the corner with Song Changming.

"Changming, look at Zhao Dezhi and Qian Wen. Aren't their faces practically green?" Lu Gang quietly laughed as he looked at the two men nearby.

"I think if they weren't worried about offending Captain Liang, they would rather starve to death than attend this banquet today."

Song Changming shook his head, drank the wine in his cup, and smiled faintly. "It's not hard to understand. They failed to win this time, and if they want another opportunity like this, it'll be difficult. For all they know, they may have to live under Captain Liang's thumb for the rest of their lives."

"That's true enough." Lu Gang smiled, then suddenly turned to look at Song Changming.

"Now that Captain Liang has become Director, Changming, perhaps before long, I'll have to address you differently too."

"Let's not talk about things that haven't happened yet." Song Changming understood what Lu Gang meant and laughed.

"Hehe, drink up, drink up." Lu Gang said no more, smiling as he raised his cup.

The two had no additional duties that evening, and they ate and drank to their hearts' content before returning.

(End of chapter)