41 Lives, Part One

The next day.

Inside Qinghe Temple.

Zhang Rongfang and Xiao Jiu sat at the table with the others, eating. Outside, the sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze brushed the leaves, making them rustle crisply.

"Last night, Chen Ling, Sister Yu Feng, and I went to the Black Awning Boats by the river. It only costs five copper coins per try to fish there, with no time limit. I got lucky and actually caught a crucian carp weighing two jin!"

Ever since coming to the County Town, Xiao Jiu had been in high spirits. Compared to the dull life on the mountain, this place was better by who knew how much.

Every day, there were different ways to have fun.

At the Daoist Temple, Temple Master Li Heng was absent all day and paid no heed to its affairs. No one here supervised whether they did morning lessons or evening lessons.

Nor did anyone supervise whether they practiced literary studies or martial arts. With the nature of youths, Xiao Jiu and the other three quickly became fast friends, happy beyond measure every day.

"Fishing, huh? Five copper coins is well worth it if you can catch a good big fish. The Wang Family Rice Shop on the next street buys fish. You can sell them there, and the price is better than at the fish market." Xiao Wang, one of the two Servant Disciples, said with a quiet smile.

"The Wang Family Rice Shop? When I went out to sell morning tea just now, I saw that rice shop seemed to have been sealed up?" Xiao Jiu asked in surprise.

"I saw it too. I heard some big shot from the Rice Gang was suspected of hiding military weapons and got arrested for investigation," Xiao Wang replied.

"Military weapons? Swords and sabers?"

"No, crossbows." Xiao Wang lowered his voice.

The others all sucked in a breath, their faces immediately showing surprise.

"Why would the owner of a rice shop hide crossbows? Is he trying to rebel?"

"Who knows? You can never understand what those rich people are thinking."

Beside them, Zhang Rongfang ate while listening to their idle chatter. He picked up a slice of garlic twice-cooked pork with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth.

When he heard that the Rice Gang's rice shop had been sealed, his expression did not change, but inwardly, he felt relieved.

Hiding military weapons was not a charge ordinary people could bear. This time, as the one who had hidden them, Chen He would be lucky to escape with his life; even if he did, he would lose a layer of skin.

And he was not even the mastermind. If the interrogation uncovered that the mastermind was the Rice Gang leader, the entire Rice Gang would be thrown into chaos.

Even if Chen He clenched his teeth and refused to speak, where had that military crossbow come from? Through what channels had he acquired it? All of that would inevitably be investigated.

So long as those noble officials did not want to be suddenly shot dead by a crossbow bolt while walking down the road, they would certainly pursue the matter relentlessly.

When that time came, the gang leader, Shao Quanhu, would surely be implicated and held accountable.

So long as Shao Quanhu lost her power and subordinates, she would no longer be qualified to send people after his Master and senior brother.

Everything would then unravel like a knife through bamboo.

Feeling refreshed, Zhang Rongfang ate much faster.

After finishing his meal, he rested for a moment, then packed his things, took his Wen Die, and headed for the County Town gates.

The matter with the Rice Gang was temporarily resolved. Next came his own affairs.

The day after tomorrow was his senior brother's engagement day, the First Day of the Month.

He had nothing much to give his senior brother as a gift, so he might as well head deep into Red Mountain, hunt something good, and make it into fur for a present.

With his newly broken-through martial arts secret techniques—the Returning Spring Purifying Time Talisman Classic at Second Grade, combined with the Dragon Snake Movement Technique at First Grade—even in a direct fight without a sneak attack, Zhang Rongfang could now kill the former Chen Wuyou and Jiao Teng.

By now, he had basically gained some ability to protect himself.

Leaving the County Town, he followed the Official Road onward.

After walking some distance, Zhang Rongfang deliberately left the Official Road and turned into the deep forest to the left.

He did not go too far or too deep, merely roaming within a range of a dozen li nearby.

At noon, the sunlight shone brightly, making the leaves in the forest even greener and more lustrous, like translucent jade carvings.

Before long, Zhang Rongfang spotted a mountain goat grazing with its head lowered.

The goat was over twenty meters away from him, leisurely and unhurriedly chewing its food.

Zhang Rongfang lightened his footsteps and slowly approached it.

But after only a few steps, a faint crack sounded beneath his foot.

The goat immediately became alert, turned and ran, vanishing into the dense forest in an instant.

Zhang Rongfang lowered his head and looked at the ground beneath his feet. Layer upon layer of all kinds of leaves carpeted the forest floor.

He crouched and dug at them with his hand.

At the very bottom of the thick leaf layer were damp branches and leaves nearly rotted away, with layers of relatively intact leaves piled over them.

The leaves on the surface were almost all dry and brittle.

After thinking for a moment, he raised his foot and stepped forward.

There was still a sound.

He continued with a second step, then a third.

Standing where he was, Zhang Rongfang repeatedly tested different ways of placing his feet.

Every one of them made a sound.

He simply stopped walking and repeatedly tried to figure out how to move across the leaf layer while making less noise.

...The charge of hiding military weapons completely disrupted Shao Quanhu's plans.

Early the next morning, when she received the news, she was utterly stunned.

Upon hearing that her younger brother had been arrested because of it, she immediately withdrew a large amount of Treasure Notes from the gang and went to the County Office to bail him out.

The matter spread through the County Town like wildfire. Huaxin County was only so large.

Within one afternoon, the news had spread throughout the city.

By evening, when Zhang Rongfang returned from outside the city, the Rice Gang had already become the topic of every tea table and dinner conversation.

All the way from the city gates back to the Daoist Temple, he heard several groups discussing the Rice Gang.

Soon, more news spread. Shao Quanhu of the Rice Gang had likewise been placed under watch and was not allowed to move around freely.

The Government Office dispatched many people to take away Rice Gang members one after another and bring them back to the County Office for questioning.

Rice shops were closed one after another.

Zhang Rongfang deliberately took several turns outside the Chen Family residence. He found Chen He's front gates wide open, with officers searching inside.

The Chen Family's female relatives stood in the courtyard with worried expressions, watching the searching officers without daring to move.

Now Zhang Rongfang was completely certain that the Rice Gang, the Shao Family, and the Chen Family were already like the setting sun beyond the western hills.

He immediately returned.

The next day, he spent the entire day in the mountains. Near evening, he successfully brought back a sturdy stag.

He dragged it to the market to be slaughtered, cut off its antlers, and skinned it for tanning. It would make a fitting engagement gift for his senior brother.

...Rice Gang headquarters.

The Small Building at headquarters, once filled with people coming and going, had now become increasingly desolate.

Many people had been taken away by the County Office for investigation. Only a few workers entirely unrelated to the case of hidden military weapons remained to watch over the shops.

At nightfall, a Black Carriage slowly emerged from the mist and came to a gradual stop before the Rice Gang's Small Building.

The carriage stopped only briefly. After several people got out, it quickly departed.

Those who disembarked kept their heads lowered, wrapped in black clothes as they hurried into the Small Building.

Inside a small room on the inner side of the second floor.

With a creak, the room's door opened, and three figures in black capes swiftly entered.

The last person shut the door behind him and lit an oil lamp.

Only then did the three remove their black capes, revealing their faces.

The person in front was none other than Shao Quanhu, leader of the Rice Gang.

Her expression was calm as she let out a soft breath.

Looking at the empty room, turned upside down by the search, a flicker of loss passed through her eyes.

"Who exactly reported this matter? Have you found out?" another person beside her said solemnly.

The oil lamp slowly illuminated that person's face. It was none other than Daoist Chen Zhihan.

"Not sure. I tried asking when I delivered the money, but even the County Inspector did not know who it was.

"All we know is that someone stole the military equipment at night and threw it into Second Brother's home. He was framed." Shao Quanhu shook her head.

"Then do we proceed according to the original plan?" Chen Zhihan's brow furrowed tightly. In truth, he was not as resolute as his wife.

Since their son was already dead, they could simply have another. He had been heartbroken at first, but there was no need to gamble everything they had. He still wanted to rise again after a fall.

Of course, he also understood that his wife was gravely ill, and their son had been her only hope.

Now that their son was gone—"Of course we continue. I suspect Zhang Xuan was behind this. Or perhaps someone else from Qinghe Temple. In this world, there are plenty of people who do not want to see us doing well," Shao Quanhu said flatly.

"The person who reported us thought they could bring us down through the County Office. That is far too naïve. It does not seem like Zhang Xuan's style." The third person spoke.

The lamplight illuminated his face. This person was surprisingly Chen He, who should have been arrested and brought to justice!

"The person who reported us probably has no idea that our military equipment was sold by the County Office in the first place. The County Inspector gets a cut from it too. Arresting us is nothing more than extorting another sum of money," Chen He said, somewhat pained.

To get out this time, he had spent quite a bit of silver.

"No matter what, the person who framed us is absolutely connected to that old Zhang Xuan. So long as we strike at him, we can wipe out future trouble in one stroke!" Shao Quanhu said calmly.

"First kill Zhang Xintai, then carry his head to see Zhang Xuan. I want him to taste the pain of losing a son too!"

"Do we act together?" Chen He asked.

"We act together. After the engagement ceremony, I will have Li Heng arrange an opportunity. We will move together, kill Zhang Xintai, then deal with Zhang Xuan."

"True. He is only Second Grade. Once we kill him first, Zhang Xuan will definitely be so furious he coughs blood. Then he will be easier to handle." Chen He nodded.

"After the job is done, we leave this place and go to Tanyang." Shao Quanhu had arranged everything already.

"Good!" The brothers Chen He and Chen Zhihan nodded together.

Things had reached this point. After being ruthlessly fleeced by the County Inspector, their foundation had suffered too great a loss. There was little meaning in staying here.

And most of the Rice Gang's people were unwilling to follow them against Qinghe Temple. They might as well take revenge, then leave this godforsaken place.

"When exactly do we act?" Chen Zhihan asked.

"Tomorrow night. Let them have their happiness for one more night." Shao Quanhu revealed a strange smile.

...The third day.

Senior Brother Zhang Xintai hired a band in the city, found a group of idle men, and had them carry a Large Box of gifts as they played drums and horns toward Yang Hongyan's home.

Zhang Rongfang followed at the rear of the procession as well, walking with several of his senior brother's other friends, smiling as they followed the group onward.

Before long.

The procession arrived at the Yang Family residence. Sister-in-law Yang Hongyan had dressed herself up, gentle and lovely in bright red festive clothes, her face covered by a thin veil. She was carried into the wedding sedan.

Senior Brother Zhang Xintai mounted the White Horse and led the way toward the other side of the County Town.

He had bought a house there to serve as their New House after the wedding.

The procession moved onward and soon arrived at the New House.

Quite a few townsfolk who had come to watch were already waiting by the roadside.

The Aunt scattering Lucky Money held a Wooden Basin filled with copper coins. She grabbed a handful and flung it fiercely into the sky.

Amid the clinking and clattering of copper coins striking the ground, Zhang Xintai and Yang Hongyan held hands, lowered their heads shyly, and ran through the gates of the New House.

Inside the gates, seated in the courtyard, was none other than Old Daoist Zhang Xuan.

He sat smiling in a Grand Tutor's Chair. Beside him were two elders Zhang Rongfang had never seen before. They were not Daoists, yet they inexplicably possessed a special aura.

Next came the formal greetings and the serving of tea.

These were common customs in Huaxin County.

As a relative accompanying the procession, Zhang Rongfang entered the New House and began receiving the guests who came to offer congratulations.

Recording Gift Money, arranging food tables and chairs, loudly announcing names, and so on—someone had to handle all of it.

They remained busy until night before the engagement ceremony finally came to an end.

Zhang Xintai went around greeting the friends and neighbors who had honored him with their presence, then had Yang Hongyan go rest in the room first.

He himself was about to look over the recorded Gift Register.

But just as he was about to cross the courtyard and head into the inner rooms, someone called out to him.

"Junior Brother Xin Tai, could I have a word with you in private?"

The man was round and plump, his face full of amiable fat. He wore the white Daoist robe common to Cultivation Disciples. He was Li Heng, the temple master of Qinghe Temple in the city.

"Senior Brother Li Heng? Is something the matter?" Zhang Xintai's relationship with Li Heng was fairly good. After all, he would be living in the County Town from now on, so naturally he needed to maintain good relations with Li Heng.