Chaos

Whoosh—

Dang Wanxing's Returning Wind Blade swept through the air, as if it had stirred up a fierce gale. The wind howled around them.

Qi Lin showed no fear. He launched into a fist technique, and the Wisdom King within his Concentrated Spirit Realm struck out with a set of punches at the same time, hammering straight toward Dang Wanxing's Concentrated Spirit.

Bang—

Blade met fist, true force clashed, and Dang Wanxing felt not only his body shudder but his Concentrated Spirit shake violently beneath the blows.

Maitreya Descended truly lived up to his reputation!

There was no way he could kill Liu Zhixie today!

Dang Wanxing couldn't help admiring him, and a flash of understanding rose in his heart.

That only made him admire Guo Xuchu, who had defeated Qi Lin in ten moves, even more.

He had always thought Guo Xuchu was overrated, and had been quite unconvinced. But after testing him today, he saw that the rumors about the Star-Pulling Sword had actually understated his skill.

While Dang Wanxing and Qi Lin fought a fierce battle, Chen Wu hoisted the heir onto his shoulder and ran for it.

The few men left on either side each drew a revolver and opened fire at their opponents.

Bang, bang, bang, bang—

Bullets flew everywhere as Chen Wu stumbled and rolled along with the heir on his shoulder.

Bang—

Chen Wu's whole body jolted. He had still been shot.

Fortunately, before coming, Chen Wu had put on a breastplate beneath his clothes. The revolver wasn't very powerful, and the bullet struck the breastplate without doing any harm.

When the two men remaining saw Chen Wu coming, they hurried to meet him and shielded him and the heir behind them.

The heir had been slapped across the mouth. Though it had swollen up, he still kept muttering something through his swollen lips.

"Miss Cong'er..."

Chen Wu gathered himself and heard the name. Following the heir's gaze, he found him staring, unblinking, at the young woman who had escorted him there.

Chen Wu's anger flared. This spoiled young master was still trying to pick up women at a time like this!

He was beyond help!

Chen Wu shook his head, picked up a horn, and blew with all his might!

Woooo—

The horn sounded long and clear, carrying in every direction.

Qi Lin had been gaining the upper hand, but when he heard the horn, his expression shifted.

"More men lying in wait? How shameless—"

With that, he forced Dang Wanxing back with another move, then shouted to his men.

"We're leaving—"

At the sound of his voice, the others stopped shooting and immediately fled with their people.

Dang Wanxing watched them go without giving chase, then lightly landed beside Chen Wu.

"Uncle Dang—"

Seeing Dang Wanxing approach, the heir called out, "Where are the men lying in wait? Hurry and catch them all!"

Dang Wanxing frowned. "What men lying in wait? I was only trying to scare them! Did you think this exchange could be done in the open?"

"Gather a large force and make such a commotion that everyone knows about it—even the Emperor. Then your father will be caught abusing his authority for your sake and letting a major bandit escape. Would that make you happy?"

Dang Wanxing's voice grew harsher with every word. The heir grew afraid and fell silent.

"Forget it. Let's go back first!"

"My son—"

Seeing the heir return safe and sound, Duke Chen rushed over at once.

Slap—

He slapped the heir hard, swelling the other half of his face as well.

"I've indulged you too much. You'd better remember this day!"

"Father—" The heir's eyes brimmed with tears, and he lowered his head.

"Little Brother Chen, thank you for your help this time!" Duke Chen turned to Chen Wu.

"Not at all," Chen Wu demurred. "I only ran an errand and passed along a message. I did nothing worth mentioning."

"I heard that when it mattered, you protected the heir and took a bullet." Duke Chen apologized. "I even suspected you before. I was wrong!"

"It was only natural for you to be suspicious, Duke. If I were in your position, I'd have had my doubts too." As he spoke, Chen Wu shifted the subject. "Actually, I went to all that trouble because I wanted to take a look at the Martial Canon."

"That can be arranged. Take my token. Once you reach the Capital City, go to the Imperial Clan Court and find the newly appointed Grand Patriarch. He'll help you."

As he spoke, Duke Chen handed him a token.

Chen Wu accepted it, then took his leave.

"Lord Dang—" Duke Chen watched Chen Wu's departing figure and asked Dang Wanxing beside him, "What do you think of him?"

"He really is a lucky charm!" Dang Wanxing said. "I saw that shot clearly with my Concentrated Spirit. It was truly perilous. Good thing he was meticulous and had put on a breastplate beforehand."

"Indeed!"

"You've been shot—"

Seeing the wound on Liu Zhixie's back, Qi Lin quickly pressed several acupoints to stop the bleeding.

"It's nothing! That bullet won't take my life. I just need to rest for a while." Though Liu Zhixie's voice was weak, his spirits were high. "Now that I've escaped my cage, I'll make the Great Shun court pay for this."

"Rest first. We'll talk about everything else once you've recovered."

Qi Lin turned and instructed the others, "Take the Heavenly King away to treat his wounds. I have other business to attend to, so I won't be going with you."

"Yes—"

The men below answered in unison.

"Tomorrow! Xiao Chen, remember—it's tomorrow!"

Chen Wu had just returned to the Jinheng Watch Shop when Old Wang spoke up.

"Is that fellow in such a hurry?"

"Desperately. He even went out of his way to contact the go-between and send word."

"Hmph—" Chen Wu laughed. "That old fellow really thinks victory is already in the bag!"

Old Wang laughed too. "Then let's give him a surprise tomorrow!"

"What did you say?" Li Zheng cried out. "Who escaped from prison?"

"Liu Zhixie—the Primordial Heavenly King, Liu Zhixie!"

Chief Constable Wu Ze sat behind his desk as if he were talking about some small matter that had nothing to do with him.

"That was Liu Zhixie!" Li Zheng wanted to knock on Wu Ze's head and see if it was full of water. "What are we going to do when the court investigates his escape?"

"Alas—" Wu Ze sighed. "I'll take the blame for this. I'm retiring early next year. You'll have to look after yourself."

"What exactly happened?"

"Best not to ask. Sometimes it's better to be none the wiser."

"Chief Constable, at least let me know what I'm dying for!"

Li Zheng was furious. He stared into Wu Ze's eyes as though trying to see through their cloudiness, but Wu Ze shook his head.

"My grandson has no talent for martial arts. Even if he managed to get into the Constabulary Office, he wouldn't have much of a future." Wu Ze didn't answer directly, but instead spoke of his grandson. "Duke Chen is willing to recommend him for a position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"You mean... Duke Chen?"

"Shh—I didn't say anything."

"So it really was Duke Chen. What a Duke Chen!" Li Zheng turned and strode away.

"Where are you going?" Wu Ze asked, flustered.

"To write a report!" Li Zheng's voice came from farther away. "Liu Zhixie escaped from prison. We still have to report it to the Police Department, don't we?"

"Let me look it over when you're done." Wu Ze relaxed.

Another night fell. A new moon hung in the sky, and the stars still glittered brightly.

Chen Wu sat cross-legged in an open space, holding a paperweight in his hand.

The paperweight had a gilt-bronze base and enamel paintings on top. Any connoisseur could tell at a glance that it was a fine piece.

But Chen Wu had no interest in admiring it. He put it in his mouth and bit down.