Inside and Outside the Wall

Third Watch—the promise of six updates over two days had been fulfilled.

Although no further mechanisms seemed to have been triggered after Su Xingfang threw himself forward and burst into grief-stricken sobs, Sun Shaozong cautiously remained at a distance until more yamen runners arrived before returning to the alley.

By then, the six yamen runners struck by arrows had all turned black in the face and died—the arrowheads had clearly been coated with a potent poison!

Chen Jingde was so shaken afterward that he had to be supported by others to keep from collapsing onto the ground.

Since there was no longer any need for a human shield, Sun Shaozong naturally could not be bothered with him. He directly borrowed an iron ruler from a constable and, keeping close to the wall, approached the spot where the poisoned arrows had been fired.

Only upon inspecting it up close did he discover that countless holes had long been dug into the earthen wall. But because this was deep within the alley and the wall was so weathered and mottled, they were impossible to notice without getting close.

Sun Shaozong tried poking at them with the iron ruler, but could not find an opening it would enter. He then ordered, "A few of you, climb over the wall and take a look. See what mechanisms have been set up inside!"

Having witnessed all the corpses on the ground, the nearby yamen runners appeared somewhat hesitant.

"I'll do it!"

Huang Bin stepped out from the crowd, briskly rolled up his sleeves, climbed onto the gatepost through the open gate, and then vaulted over the earthen wall from there.

"My lord!"

The instant he landed, his startled cry came from behind the wall. "There are actually quite a few hand crossbows set up back