"It wasn't me."
Seeing that she had recognized him, Chen Yi flatly denied it, then turned and ran.
"After him!"
How could Fang Hongxiu possibly let him leave? She immediately led several subordinates in pursuit.
As she ran, she reminded them, "All of you, be careful. Don't let him use the terrain against us like last time."
The three Judicial Officers beside her nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, Captain Fang."
Clearly, they still remembered how they had pursued Chen Yi without relent last time, only to be ambushed by him at a corner.
Chen Yi naturally remembered as well, so this time he repeated the old trick and turned into a narrow alley.
Fang Hongxiu and the others immediately grew wary, their pursuit slowing slightly.
Then they all drew the long sabers at their waists. As they rounded the corner, their blades went first.
That way, even if they encountered an ambush, they could strike back.
Yet when they entered the alley, they were not attacked. Instead, they saw the tall figure in a straw rain cape and bamboo hat standing five zhang away.
Behind him stood a high wall. He had already reached the alley's dead end.
Fang Hongxiu's heart stirred. She raised a hand to signal a halt, frowning as she stared at the figure.
"You can't escape. Surrender without resistance."
Seeing them stop at the alley entrance, Chen Yi grinned. "Not necessarily, right?"
"Believe it or not, if I count to ten, you'll obediently let me leave?"
He then extended one hand, spreading his palm toward Fang Hongxiu as he began counting down.
"Ten."
"Nine..."
Fang Hongxiu frowned, her eyes fixed on Chen Yi while her peripheral vision swept the surroundings.
After confirming there was nothing unusual nearby, she gritted her pearly teeth and snorted. "Playing tricks and