The soldiers on both sides answered the call and surged forward. Their palm-leaf-fan-sized hands wrapped in the sound of wind as they struck him seven or eight times in succession. Fei Wu's cheeks swelled high, his lips turned inside out, and he looked just like he had two chunks of sausage stuffed in his mouth.
Bi Gan waved his hand, and the soldiers escorted the man away. He straightened his cuffs and bowed deeply to Su Yang. "May I ask your honored name, sir?"
Su Yang studied him quietly for a moment, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. This upright and incorruptible loyal minister truly lived up to his reputation. He gave a slight nod and said calmly, "I'm merely an idle wanderer from the countryside. My name is not worth mentioning."
The moment Bi Gan heard this, he understood that the other man had no intention of revealing his name. He did not press the matter, merely laughing heartily. "In that case, Bi Gan will not be so presumptuous. Would you be willing to come to my humble home for a cup of tea?"
Su Yang waved his hand. "There's no need to trouble yourself. My wife and I are merely passing through Chaoge. We'll look around for a while and then leave." As he spoke, he took a warm, lustrous jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Bi Gan. "Keep this on you. It will ward off every evil, and no Demonic Afflictions will dare approach."
Bi Gan's heart jolted. He accepted it with both hands and immediately felt warmth spreading through his palms. A clear, invigorating energy seeped from the jade talisman, flowing through his body like spring water entering his veins. His organs relaxed as they had in his youth, and even