Volume Three: How a Crooked Merchant Is Made - When the Old Man Lost His Horse (Part One)

The newcomer had a wispy mustache, ratlike eyes, and a pointed chin. He flashed a square-edged jade token before the jailer. "Lord Lu's orders! We have conclusive evidence. Bring Luo Qian out for questioning at once!" Luo Qian cursed inwardly. Fuck, why do villains always look like that... He was not terribly worried. Even if he was convicted, the worst that could happen was a trip to the Southern Heaven Gate. He had no use for the grand sentiment of "twenty years later, I'll still be a hero"—twenty years was too long. He meant to seize the day. Rebirth in a flash of white light was the better choice.

But the jailer had not seen the token clearly. He rose and said, "Sir, sorry for the trouble, but could you let me see Lord Lu's token again?" The man snorted. "Are you blind? Didn't you get a good look just now? Lord Lu is waiting to question a serious offender. Bring him out, quickly!" The jailer grew wary and put a hand on his blade. "Please show me the token." The man suddenly smiled. "Good. You've got nerve. Look closely this time..." He took out the jade token and held it right before the jailer's face. As the jailer leaned in, a blinding light burst from the token. He lost his sight in an instant. Jin light curled back on itself, turned into hundreds of blades, and pierced his body.

Luo Qian stared in shock. The jailer's eyes bulged, his limbs rigid. Jin spikes wrapped around him like the petals of a closed chrysanthemum. He was already dead.

"You..." Luo Qian pointed at the newcomer. "Who are you?" Zheng Daoguang might protect his own, but he could not possibly have sent someone to kill a man and break him out