The Worthy All Gathered (2/2)

Master told Xu Feng to stay in the cart. "Don't be afraid, and don't fall asleep. I'm going in to speak with the manager of the Carriage Inn. I'll be right back.

"If anyone comes near you, hit them."

With that, he left Xu Feng a stick and went into the Carriage Inn.

A good while later, Master returned.

He did not go to the herbal medicine shop.

Instead, after several turns, he brought them to a restaurant outside the County Yamen.

They did not go in. Xu Feng watched Master pay a tea server to ask around. The tea server glanced over both of them and smiled. "All right. Wait here."

Master and Xu Feng went to the street beside the restaurant. The tea server brought out a large pot of tea and some dried pumpkin seeds for them to enjoy in the cart.

Another good while passed before the tea server saw someone emerge from the County Yamen.

He brought the man over.

Master stepped forward to speak with him, and Xu Feng recognized him as Old Ma.

Old Ma and Master muttered together for a while. Then Master slipped something into Old Ma's robe.

Old Ma went back into the County Yamen.

When he came out again, he nodded to Master to show it was done. He gave Xu Feng another look and smiled, and Xu Feng smiled back.

Master returned the teapot, and they left once more.

This time, Xu Feng rode while Master led the donkey cart. "Master, what did you go to the County Yamen for?" Xu Feng asked.

"The bodies are all gone, so there has to be an explanation. With no complainant, it only takes a word from the magistrate's criminal clerk.

"Don't worry. It's over. Now we need to find someone