One Move to Defeat His Foes

On a rooftop not far from the County Office, Shen Lin wore a black outfit for night travel. Watching Zijing hurry over, he asked in a low voice, "Why did you make your move early?"

"It wasn't our people!"

Zijing shook her head in denial, then added:

"But after something like this, we can't stick to the plan. I've already told them to act at once."

As they spoke, several more fires suddenly sprang up around Qiulin County.

Zijing's subordinates had begun to move.

Watching the constables who had been gathered near the County Office scatter in every direction, Shen Lin sighed. "Then let's go!"

In the jail, Hu Dongxing listened to his subordinate's report, his brows knitted tight. "Something's wrong! Why has it been so quiet on ordinary days, only for so many fires to break out tonight?"

The Zhang Family's Enshrine beside him asked in confusion, "Prefect Hu, do you suspect the Flying Thief's accomplices deliberately started the commotion?"

"That possibility can't be ruled out." Hu Dongxing replied, then ordered the messenger, "Go find someone at once and call back every constable who left the County Office."

"But...the fires are too big. If we don't help put them out, then..."

"There's no 'if' about it!" Hu Dongxing waved his hand and said flatly, "This Flying Thief case is of great importance. Nothing can go wrong! Besides..."

He turned and glanced at the middle-aged man inside the jail, seated across from Cheng Yi and drinking with him. Lowering his voice, he said, "County Assistant Zhong is here too. Whatever happens, we must keep him safe!"

The Qiulin County Office had many people, but only two were genuine officials of the imperial court, ranked and listed in the records.

County Magistrate Lin Youwei, Principal Seventh Rank.

County Assistant Zhong Baiyu, Principal Eighth Rank.

These two were the true powers in Qiulin County.

Compared to County Magistrate Lin Youwei, this County Assistant was little known throughout Qiulin County.

Ever since taking office, he had done nothing but wander the mountains and rivers, compose poetry, and write songs. He paid little attention to official business.

Even so, when the County Assistant arrived at the jail with fine wine and dishes, intending to see his subordinate Inspector Cheng off on his final journey, Hu Dongxing could only usher him inside with the utmost respect.

At that moment, Cheng Yi's wounds had been hastily tended. He sat at the table, eating and drinking in silence.

Zhong Baiyu sat opposite him, with a young man in black standing behind him, his expression stern.

"Inspector Cheng, are the food and wine to your liking?"

Zhong Baiyu seemed not to care at all about what the other man had done and asked with genuine concern.

Cheng Yi picked up the wine jug and gulped down several swallows. Only then did he look at Zhong Baiyu and say solemnly, "County Assistant Zhong, I've let you down."

"Don't say that!"

Zhong Baiyu waved a hand and asked curiously, "Was the salary I usually paid you not enough for your daily expenses? Why turn to theft?"

Cheng Yi fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'm a gambler. I owe a lot of money, so I had no choice but to take this risk."

Zhong Baiyu paused, then chuckled. "Let's say that's the case. But why take a life while stealing?"

"He saw my face. I had no choice."

Zhong Baiyu shook his head and sighed. He lifted his wine cup and took a sip. "I don't think Inspector Cheng did this for gold and silver treasures. I suspect...you were looking for something."

The chopsticks in Cheng Yi's hand paused ever so slightly. He continued as if nothing were amiss. "What could I be looking for? I only wanted money."

"You have nothing you need to find, but other people..."

Zhong Baiyu watched Cheng Yi with interest. He had only spoken halfway when he suddenly furrowed his brows, paused, and then smiled. "Never mind. I won't disturb you any longer, Inspector Cheng. We can continue our conversation another time."

"Another time?"

Cheng Yi froze, then said with an amused smile, "I'll be executed tomorrow. I'm afraid there won't be another chance to see you, County Assistant Zhong."

Zhong Baiyu smiled faintly but didn't reply. He rose and left with an easy stride.

"County Assistant Zhong, are you leaving?"

Hu Dongxing asked, puzzled.

They had been chatting so merrily just moments ago. How had he decided to leave in the blink of an eye?

"I'm leaving!"

Zhong Baiyu left those words behind and walked straight out.

Hu Dongxing hurriedly called after him, "Forgive me, but I have pressing duties and can't see you out. Safe travels, County Assistant Zhong!"

Zhong Baiyu waved a hand and quickened his pace. In the blink of an eye, he had left the jail.

When he reached the County Office gate, he turned to look at the dark night sky in the distance and said softly, "Go take a look in a bit. If she's run into trouble, lend her a hand if you can."

The man in black who had followed him the whole time hesitated, then said, "Understood!"

With that, he vanished on the spot.

Zhong Baiyu turned and walked alone down the street, a faint smile slowly curving his lips.

"Looks like...he's made a friend."

After seeing Zhong Baiyu off, Hu Dongxing let out a long breath.

If his suspicions were right and someone truly came to break into the jail tonight, having the County Assistant here would put him in a difficult position. He would be hamstrung, unable to fight with all his strength.

Now, at least, he could...

Just as Hu Dongxing was wondering whether his arrangements had any loopholes, a clear bell rang through the night sky.

"Someone's on the roof!!!"

Hu Dongxing reacted instantly. With a furious roar, he drew his saber.

Once bitten, twice shy. After the Demon Cultivator had been silenced right before his eyes, Hu Dongxing had specially reinforced the jail's roof.

Thin black threads had been laid across it. Even a cat walking over them would set off the bells.

Up on the roof, Shen Lin glanced helplessly at Zijing, who had tripped over one of the threads. He took a deep breath and punched down through the floor beneath his feet.

Boom!

A muffled crash rang out as the roof began to collapse. Shen Lin plunged straight into the jail.

He had chosen his spot well: directly beneath him was the cell holding Cheng Yi.

But the moment he spotted Cheng Yi, hiding in a corner, a gleaming saber had already swung toward him.

Hu Dongxing had reacted astonishingly fast. He had charged over almost the instant the roof gave way.

But against Shen Lin, his strength was simply too inadequate.

Shen Lin didn't even need to do much. He merely strengthened his index finger with the Qingqiu Body Tempering Technique and lightly tapped Hu Dongxing's saber.

Clang!

At the sharp ring, Hu Dongxing felt immense force slam into the blade, sending him flying backward along with it.

At the same time, a figure brushed past the airborne Hu Dongxing.

It was the Zhang Family's Enshrine, Bloodhand Monk Wang Yuantong.

A man of the Golden Temple, he drove a fist toward Shen Lin.

Shen Lin answered with a fist of his own.

Thud!

Their fists collided. Shen Lin landed steadily on the ground.

Wang Yuantong, however, was sent flying backward. His right fist was twisted beyond recognition, and shards of bone even pierced through his flesh.

Hu Dongxing and Wang Yuantong, two Opening Meridians Realm martial artists famous throughout Qiulin County, couldn't even withstand a single move from Shen Lin.

Watching the black-clad man seize Cheng Yi and leap back through the roof, the two men stared at each other, their faces filled with frustration.