"What do you find strange?"
Clerk Yang did not seem surprised. He asked calmly,
Xiao Hui thought for a moment before saying, "The fact that it happened in front of the Lin Jiang Department is strange enough."
"And then?"
"The one who rode his horse through the street was a member of the Liu family, born to nobility. Normally speaking, we wouldn't dare offend him."
"People from powerful families riding through the streets—such things aren't rare. Couldn't the incident taking place in front of the Lin Jiang Department have been a coincidence?"
"But Banner Bearer Liang... Liang Hu. He arrived too conveniently, appeared at exactly the right time. Besides, as the Banner Bearer of Qing Shan Ward, he originally had no right to interfere in this matter."
"That does make some sense."
"But there was also the Deputy Commander from the Outer Southern Prefecture Office. He, too, arrived at a convenient time, and he appeared together with Liang Hu."
Xiao Hui's expression turned solemn. "One coincidence might truly be a coincidence, but several coincidences inevitably mean that someone plotted this in advance."
"I hadn't noticed, but your mind is rather sharp."
Clerk Yang laughed heartily. "But do you think Fifth Master couldn't see through the things you noticed?"
Xiao Hui's heart trembled faintly. He lowered his voice. "Fifth Master knew?"
Clerk Yang nodded gravely. "Before Fifth Master drew his blade, he had probably already understood. That was why his slash was so magnificent!"
After a pause, Clerk Yang drew another deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Actually, I was afraid Fifth Master's murderous intent would rise again. Unable to swallow his anger, he might take up his blade tonight and butcher both Liang Hu and Zhao Yuan."
"But now, Fifth Master chose to leave the city and offer sacrifice to the