Tianjin's Finest, the Imperial Yellow Jacket

"Ye Lanzen was hailed as Tianjin's finest fighter. In his early years, he'd earned the top rank in the imperial military examinations and received a yellow jacket from the emperor. He had ties with the Directorate of Astronomy, the Daoist and Buddhist orders, and all those grand gentlemen in the imperial court."

"Since Qin Geng was his disciple, he naturally belonged to the same circle as Cao, Lu, Zheng, and the rest who drew government pay."

"Put every incident together... and the pattern became clear."

Abacus Song's gaze finally settled on the three characters of Ye Lanzen's name.

"Lu Xingmin and Zheng Tonghe are of his senior martial generation, and those two are old friends of Third Master Cao, the head of the Earth Official's Office. They're all part of the same circle."

"Today, I stabbed straight into the network behind the authorities!"

Once he saw it, a chill ran down Abacus Song's spine. Cold sweat instantly soaked his undershirt.

Abacus Song had thought the Dragon King Society's collusion with foreigners to make Snake Corpses was a well-kept secret.

But now it seemed they had been watching all along. Qin Geng and the others had probably entered Bell Mountain to investigate.

Taking men to make trouble at Master Zhu Xin's house today had been like charging headfirst into a sack they held open for him.

"As the ancients said, fortune and disaster lean on each other."

Abacus Song looked at the names on the paper. The last glimmer of hope vanished from his eyes, replaced by a resolve to smash the cauldrons and sink the boats.

"What happened today might yet be a blessing."

The Dragon King Society's ship was about to sink.

Jiang Hailong's dealings with the foreigners were a bargain struck with a tiger. Sooner or later, it would devour him without leaving so much as a scrap of bone.

Once the matter came to light, whole families would be confiscated and wiped out.

Though Abacus Song held considerable standing in the Society, he bore a different surname and was ultimately just an adviser who devised plans. Jiang Hailong kept the deepest secrets from him, and the foreigners hardly treated him as human.

If he stayed aboard, the best he could hope for was to become a scapegoat when the authorities settled accounts and lose his head.

He had wanted to jump ship for a long time. He just had not found a suitable place to land.

"As the ancients said, fortune and disaster lean on each other. They spoke the truth."

"If this hadn't happened today, I really would have taken Qin Geng for an ordinary fighter."

"This commotion helped me uncover so much and see how it all fits together."

"Whether I live or die depends on whether I can use Qin Geng as a thread tonight to reach those great trees, Cao, Lu, and Zheng."

Abacus Song picked up the sheet of rice paper covered in names and held it to the oil lamp's flame.

With a whoosh, fire licked the corner and spread rapidly.

Abacus Song watched in silence as the names twisted and curled in the flames, finally becoming a wisp of black ash that drifted into the air.

What burned was his past, and the last shred of his loyalty to the Dragon King Society.

Years ago, Jiang Hailong had done him a kindness. Later, he had devised the plans that built the Dragon King Society into what it was. He had repaid that kindness...

When it was done, Abacus Song blew out the lamp, sat upright in the darkness, and waited.

Qin Geng would come.

That character, "Guan," was his pledge of allegiance.

He did not know how much time had passed.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Three steady, forceful knocks came from the courtyard gate.

They're here.

Abacus Song rallied, hurried to his feet, and crossed the courtyard to open the gate himself.

He drew back the bolt. With a creak, the heavy vermilion gate swung inward.

Outside, beneath the cold moonlight, Qin Geng stood alone.

No. He was not alone.

Qin Geng grinned, showing a row of white teeth. In the night, that smile looked faintly sinister.

He stepped aside, revealing a line of figures behind him.

On his left stood Daoist Miaoxuan, solemn in Daoist robes.

On his right stood Third Master Cao of Hengtong Pawnshop, wearing an amused expression as he rolled two iron balls in his hand.

Beside him was Shopkeeper Lu Xingmin of Osmanthus Fragrance Studio, smiling as always.

The last was Zheng Tonghe of Hundred Herb Hall.

Not one was missing. They had all come.

Abacus Song's heart plummeted.

I underestimated Qin Geng!

The thought flashed through his mind.

Abacus Song had expected Qin Geng to read the letter and come alone.

Then he would have had room to maneuver. He could have played the elder offering guidance, used his information as a bargaining chip to negotiate with Qin Geng, and had Qin Geng introduce him to Third Master Cao, seeking a way to redeem himself through service.

But he had never imagined Qin Geng would be so decisive!

One character, "Guan," and Qin Geng had promptly summoned the whole government-paid lot!!

They had not come to negotiate. They had come to seize his household!

They had come to convene a joint tribunal!

Qin Geng had seen through every little calculation he had made.

Before Abacus Song could speak,

Third Master Cao chuckled and squeezed through the gate as if he owned the place. The two iron balls rattled in his hand.

"Little Song, it's been a while. You've done well for yourself. This place is spacious, much better than my pawnshop."

Third Master Cao patted Abacus Song on the shoulder. The pressure was neither too heavy nor too light, yet it made Abacus Song shrink.

"Today, we've come in an official capacity. You know what to do."

Qin Geng and the others followed in single file, then shut the gate behind them.

Only a few of them remained in the vast courtyard.

"Yes. I understand, I understand."

Abacus Song nodded repeatedly, keeping his manner as humble as could be, and pointed to an empty room beside the main hall.

He had already sent away the household servants, the older women, and even his son, who was studying.

He meant to show that he had nothing to hide.

"Gentlemen, please come inside."

They entered the room and took their seats.

No one spoke. Several gazes fell on Abacus Song at once, so heavy they seemed almost tangible.

Abacus Song, the adviser who could normally charm his way through any gathering, found it hard to breathe.

The pressure was ten times greater than when he had faced Qin Geng alone in Master Zhu Xin's courtyard.

Abacus Song knew that if he said one wrong word today, he might never see tomorrow's sun.

He took a deep breath, cupped his fists to Third Master Cao, and said gravely, "Third Master, gentlemen. Fifth Master Qin and I clashed today over a private matter. That was my fault. But stumbling into that trouble woke me up and made me see certain things clearly. Heaven hasn't abandoned me. It's given me a chance to live."

He got straight to the point and concealed nothing.

"I'll tell you everything. Jiang Hailong, the Dragon King Society's leader, has joined forces with the foreigners in the west of the city. He's raising Snake Corpses inside Bell Mountain. Every one of those Snake Corpses was made from someone of real ability here in Tianjin. It's an offense against heaven and humanity, enough to enrage gods and men alike."

"I had no choice. In our world, a man can't always steer his own course. In my position, there was no escaping it. Now I want to redeem myself by helping you. I only ask that you gentlemen spare my life, since I can still be of some use."

Abacus Song spoke with utter sincerity.

Third Master Cao rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful, but gave no answer yet.