Qin Feng took out a pair of shackles and put them on Wang Meng. He was escorting Wang Meng out the door when...
A man in armor, a long sword at his waist, hurried in from outside.
Seeing who it was, Qin Feng thought, This is bad. He was about to unlock the shackles when a searing pain spread across his face.
"Qin Feng, you've gotten pretty bold, haven't you? You even dare lay a hand on my brother?"
The man had struck without a word. Dazed by the slap, Qin Feng forced himself to say, "Commander Wang, your brother went into the mountains and caused so many people to die. This time, I'm only following Magistrate Li's orders and taking Captain Wang to the county for questioning. I hope you won't make things difficult for us."
"I'll send people to investigate this myself. Go back and tell Li Song he doesn't need to worry about it."
Qin Feng hesitated. "Commander Wang, someone went to the county to file a complaint about Captain Wang. It's caused quite a stir. If you handle it this way, my men won't be able to answer for it."
Wang Cong sneered. "Qin Feng, you work for the county magistrate. Why are you doing the county deputy magistrate's bidding?"
"When I came here, Lord Zhang said he wouldn't get involved in the Four Great Clans' struggles. Go back and tell the people behind this that they can fight however they like, but they shouldn't drag anyone else into it."
"That's enough. You can get lost now!"
Hearing Wang Cong's words, Qin Feng thought of the tangled web of relationships involved.
Big beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. When he heard that he could finally leave, he hurried out the door.
The constables waiting outside saw their boss slink out in disgrace. They noticed the slap mark on his face but didn't dare ask about it, hurrying after him instead.
From the alley entrance, Luo Yi watched the armored man enter Wang Meng's courtyard. It wasn't long before the constable chief, who had been swaggering around moments earlier, came slinking out. Luo Yi guessed that the man was no ordinary figure.
He had no interest in digging into anyone's background. Once he was sure Wang Meng was safe, Luo Yi headed home.
Back at home, Luo Yi spent six hours every day practicing the Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique. He used his spare time to practice archery, and two peaceful days passed.
Early on the third day, Luo Yi entered the courtyard to practice martial arts and opened his Panel to check what he had gained over the past two days:
Host: Luo Yi Age: 16 Realm: Skin Refining (Entry) Skills: Basic Archery (Great Accomplishment 79/400) Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique (Entry 172/200) Traits: None
He looked at the Panel. The Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique was only 28 points away from leveling up.
Uncle Wang had spent the past few days recovering from his injuries and dealing with the trouble caused by so many hunters' deaths. There were only three days left before the end of the month.
Luo Yi guessed they wouldn't go to the county to sell the wolf hides until after they'd paid the Autumn Tax at the end of the month.
He had just struck a stance and was about to begin practicing when Chen Liu's voice came from outside the courtyard.
"Luo Yi, are you home? Luo Yi!"
He opened the courtyard gate and saw Chen Liu, brimming with excitement.
"Brother Chen Liu, what's the matter?"
"Brother Luo, good thing you're home! Captain Wang sent me to let you know that we're setting off for the county to sell the wolf hides today. Everyone's to gather at the entrance to Dongsheng Town at Chen Time."
"Sorry for the trouble, Brother Chen Liu. I'll go pack my things now."
After notifying Luo Yi, Chen Liu hurried off to the homes of the few other surviving hunters.
When he returned to the courtyard, Luo Yi saw Luo Xi standing at the entrance. He didn't know how long it would be before he came back from the county. He worried that his younger sister might run into danger while home alone.
"Xiao Xi, I have to go to the county today. Would you rather stay home by yourself, or come with us?"
Hearing her brother ask, Luo Xi wanted to see how the county differed from the town. But she worried she might cause him trouble.
She thought for a moment, then said, "Brother, would bringing me along be a hassle for everyone? If we ran into danger on the road, I'm afraid I'd hold you back."
Knowing what his sister was thinking, Luo Yi said, "Don't worry, Xiao Xi. We're going with Uncle Wang's Hunting Team this time. There shouldn't be much danger."
He took his sister into the kitchen and smeared her fair face with soot. Then he had her change into their father's rough-hewn hemp clothes and put on a bamboo hat.
After all that, Luo Xi no longer looked like a girl at all.
Nodding in satisfaction, he tucked a woodcutter's knife into his belt, stuffed the wolf hide into his backpack, and slung it over his shoulders.
With a bow in one hand and Luo Xi's in the other, Luo Yi led her out of town.
When the two reached the entrance to Dongsheng Town, Wang Meng and the Hunting Team were already gathered. Not wanting to keep everyone waiting, Luo Yi hurried along with his sister to join them.
Seeing that Luo Yi had brought someone along, Wang Meng didn't pry into her background. Instead, he began giving everyone instructions.
"Before we set out, there are a few things I need to remind you all about. I hope you'll keep them in mind."
"We're going to Yunlu County today, taking the Official Road from Dongsheng Town to the county. In broad daylight, the odds of running into demons or Evil Spirits are low."
"But over the past few years, the ever heavier corvée labor and taxes in Great Qi have driven a lot of people to make a living robbing travelers."
"If we run into bandits on the road, I'll talk to them. The rest of you should try not to butt in."
"I'll teach you a few hand signals in a moment. When the time comes, watch my signals and act accordingly."
"Once we enter the county, be even more careful about how you behave. Don't cause trouble."
"Any questions?"
Seeing everyone nod, Wang Meng taught them the hand signals. Then he waved them forward, and the group set off for the county in a great, rumbling procession.
Luo Yi looked at the Official Road, made of yellow mud mixed with crushed stone. It was only a little wider than an ordinary dirt road, and he couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Perhaps because they were traveling in a large group, or because several of them were dressed like hunters, they encountered no one trying to rob them on the way to Yunlu County. They reached the county gates without a hitch.
From a distance, the whole county appeared surrounded by walls about ten meters high, like an impregnable fortress.
Soldiers stood guard atop the walls every few dozen meters. Outside the walls lay a moat of unknown depth.
The gates of Yunlu County were divided into two entrances.
A line of people waiting to enter stretched out before one entrance like a long dragon.
There wasn't a soul in line at the other entrance.
Seeing everyone's curious faces, Wang Meng explained:
"The entrance on the left is for ordinary people. Everyone has to have their identity checked and pay ten copper coins each time they enter. They must leave before the gates close at night, too. If the night patrol constables catch anyone hiding in the city, they'll treat them as enemy spies."
"The entrance on the right is for Entry Realm Martial Artists. When Great Qi's Taizu first founded the nation, he separated martial artists from ordinary people. Once you become an Entry Realm Martial Artist, you gain many 'privileges' in Great Qi."
After hearing Wang Meng's explanation, everyone understood. No wonder there was hardly anyone lined up at the entrance on the right.
After finishing, Wang Meng began watching the expressions on everyone's faces.
The hunters all looked yearningly at the privileges martial artists enjoyed.
Only Luo Yi showed no change in expression. Wang Meng thought with admiration, That boy is sure to accomplish great things one day.
Since he was the only martial artist among them and everyone else was visiting the county for the first time, Wang Meng didn't take the entrance reserved for martial artists. Instead, he queued up with the others.
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