Red Wolf Lu Tian

The next morning.

Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, filling the room with a fresh, clean scent.

Gu Chang'an slowly opened his eyes and rubbed his weary lids. Just as he was about to get up, he heard the faint clatter of bowls and chopsticks coming from the kitchen.

He paused and turned his head, only to see that Wang Xiaojuan had already risen early and was busying herself in front of the stove.

Her movements were light. Though she was small and slender, her tiny figure seemed exceptionally busy in the kitchen.

She put rice into the pot with one hand and carefully stirred the dishes inside with the other. Her movements were still clumsy, but she tried hard to appear serious about it.

Gu Chang'an watched, and a pang of bitterness welled up in his heart.

Little Wang Xiaojuan had already become this sensible.

There was none of the innocence and liveliness that should have belonged in a child's eyes. Instead, they held a maturity and loneliness that had come far too early.

She understood that she was the only one this family could rely on. She had to carve out some space for herself to survive.

Gu Chang'an walked to the kitchen doorway and asked softly:

"Xiaojuan, you're up so early?"

Wang Xiaojuan froze for a moment and turned to look at him. A hint of unease showed in her eyes. She pressed her lips together and said quietly:

"Brother Gu, I... I already made breakfast. Please eat."

Gu Chang'an's heart tightened at once.

He knew what she was worried about.

She was afraid he would abandon her.

After all, she had lost the only family she had left in this world.

Other than him, she had no one to rely on.

Gu Chang'an drew a deep breath, walked over to her, and said softly:

"You did very well. After breakfast, remember to stay home and don't go outside. If you get hungry, make yourself something to eat. I usually don't come back for lunch, so just take good care of yourself."

Wang Xiaojuan lowered her head slightly, her eyes flickering with complicated emotions.

After a moment, she answered in a small voice, "Mm. Brother Gu, I understand."

Gu Chang'an gently patted her shoulder and smiled. "Good. Go rest early after you've eaten."

After breakfast, Gu Chang'an rose and prepared to head to the Martial Guard Division.

The moment he arrived at the Martial Guard Division, he heard a burst of hurried footsteps coming from the inner courtyard.

Lin Hongye, dressed in the standard constable's uniform, entered the front hall with a grave expression, clutching a freshly delivered secret report.

She swept her gaze over everyone and said in a low voice filled with pressure:

"All of you, listen up—"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered around.

Lin Hongye raised the secret letter in her hand and said coldly:

"We've just received word that Yellow Wolf Lu Kai's brother—Red Wolf Lu Tian—will infiltrate Nanning County today in an attempt to break into the prison and rescue his brother."

An uproar immediately swept through the crowd.

"Red Wolf Lu Tian?!"

"That ruthless man at the peak of the ninth rank? Number ten on the Most Wanted List!"

"Wasn't he hiding around the Fallen Mountains? How dare he come to Nanning County?"

Gu Chang'an's gaze shifted slightly as he quietly listened to Lin Hongye continue:

"Red Wolf Lu Tian was once a deserter from the Qingshan Guard Army. He later became a bandit. Because of his vicious methods, he was honored with the title 'Red Wolf.' Over the years, his blood debts have piled up. In a single year, he once killed several constables by himself, as well as two head constables."

"His younger brother, Yellow Wolf Lu Kai, was arrested and imprisoned by us some time ago."

"..."

Lin Hongye's gaze swept across the room and landed on Gu Chang'an, deliberately passing over him as well.

"If this man enters the city, he certainly won't leave things at that. I've already reported to Lord Wang Hao. Today, all constables on external duty will give their all to capture Red Wolf Lu Tian."

"We'll split into three groups and search the three key routes in Nanning County: the northern gate courier road, the eastern market district, and the western edge of the city."

Lin Hongye's expression was solemn as she added in a deep voice:

"Make sure you remember—this man is at the peak of the ninth rank and exceptionally skilled at sudden, murderous assaults."

"He's ruthless, and he's insane. If you encounter him, don't get entangled with him. Raise the alarm immediately, hold steady, pin him down, and wait for us to surround him."

"Liu Wei, Zhou Yue, Gu Chang'an, the three of you will form one group and search the western edge of the city. That's near the Firewood Gang's old stronghold. If he really has someone waiting to receive him, they're very likely hiding there."

Lin Hongye's voice struck the ground like cold iron, steady and resolute.

"Move out!"

At her command, the constables swiftly geared up and set off.

The cold wind whipped through the streets as the three-man team reached the western part of the city.

Gu Chang'an lightly pressed a hand against his saber hilt, his gaze calm.

"Brother Liu," he asked in a low voice, "is Red Wolf Lu Tian really that powerful?"

Liu Wei's expression was solemn as he nodded.

"Three years ago, when I was in the eastern part of the city, I saw him make a move once. He wasn't an ordinary ninth-rank cultivator. He was a true martial artist who had fought his way up by killing."

"Three years have passed now. I don't know what level his cultivation has reached."

"Besides, that man doesn't reason with anyone. The moment he strikes, it's a killing move—no hesitation, no wasted motion."

Liu Wei said heavily, "That's why we can't make any mistakes this time. We have to stay steady."

The three of them kept close to the edge of the alley and silently pressed deeper inside.

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