Three days passed in the flick of a finger.
Now, all of Dutian Prefecture was under martial law.
Wanted notices were plastered throughout the city's streets and alleys.
The city gates were heavily guarded, and every traveler passing through was questioned.
In the north of the city stood the Changping Inn.
After returning from the battle at the prison that night, Xie Jinghan had moved to this inn.
To avoid further trouble, he had stayed behind closed doors for the past three days.
But today, he had an appointment to keep.
Xie Jinghan wore a bamboo hat, its brim pulled low to conceal most of his face.
Dressed in ordinary cloth garments, he blended into the bustling crowds, and no one recognized him.
He threaded through the busy market and finally stopped at a tea stall. It was shabby, but business was booming.
He found an empty seat in a corner, ordered a bowl of hot tea, and quietly listened to the conversations around him.
"Have you heard? The Cold-Blooded Thirteen Eagles, who terrorized the Shu Region for over twenty years, are all dead!"
Several townspeople sat together at the neighboring table, their faces animated, their words brimming with satisfaction at justice finally being served.
"The authorities posted notices first thing yesterday morning. All thirteen heads are now hanging at the city gates, baking in the sun for everyone to see!"
"The city lord said the Cold-Blooded Thirteen Eagles committed heinous crimes and owed countless blood debts. Their heads were deliberately left in the sun so the people could look upon them and spit on them, to quell the public's anger!"
"Wonderful! Heaven truly has eyes! Those wicked bandits are finally dead to the last man!"
A woman's eyes reddened as she choked out softly:
"My child's father was murdered