A moment later, a First-rank Star Official strode in with two soldiers in green armor. Seeing Deng Blackface, the middle-aged Star Official was just about to speak when Deng Blackface shot to his feet and clamped a massive palm over the man's mouth. He sent a message to the three of them: "No one makes a sound without my say-so. Don't blame me if I, Deng, get rough." Then he let go.
The middle-aged Star Official's face turned scarlet. He glared furiously at Deng Blackface and was about to open his mouth when he caught sight of the barbed steel whip in Deng Blackface's hand. He swallowed and ultimately stayed silent.
The group stood there like that, from the sun's slanting descent to the sky ablaze with rosy clouds, from the rosy clouds filling the sky to the new moon's first appearance, and finally until the moon hung high overhead.
A melodious chime rang out from the mountaintop. It was time for the various departments to close their offices.
At the sound of the bell, the two Heavy Beads at Xu Yi's brow dropped to the ground with a smack. Xu Yi cried out, rubbed his eyes, and, spotting the crowd, hurriedly stood up. Suddenly, his vision went black. His soul felt weak deep within, and he swayed, nearly losing his balance.
Once Xu Yi's eyes adjusted, he was startled. The whole place was crowded with wavering shadows, as if a horde of ghosts had emerged from the mountains. "W-why are you all looking at me?"
"Because you're pretty!"
Deng Blackface's voice was cold as he barked out the words. He waved a huge hand. "You're all free, are you? Not tired, are you? Be here at a quarter past five. Anyone half a minute late gets three punches from