Jinghong Zhui prepared to give chase but hesitated, concerned for Su Yan’s safety.
Since the incident at Eagle Beak Lake where Su Yan had been abducted, Jinghong Zhui had resolved to abandon his reckless assassin’s mindset. Instead of treating killing as a goal, he now prioritized his master’s safety above all.
In a split second, he leapt onto Su Yan’s horse, murmuring an apology. “Forgive my impudence.” With one hand, he took the reins from Su Yan’s side, and with the other, reached for a willow-leaf throwing knife concealed in his pouch.
“Spare his life—I have questions for him,” Su Yan hastily added.
At that moment, his back was pressed against Jinghong Zhui’s chest. As the horse galloped, their necks and cheeks brushed against each other, so close that it could almost be called an intimate exchange. Jinghong Zhui caught the distinct scent of Lord Su carried by the wind, and his heart surged uncontrollably. He forced himself to remain calm, his voice steady as he replied, “Don’t worry, my lord.”
With that, he sent a throwing knife flying from his fingertips. The blade streaked through the air like a shooting star toward the fleeing rider in the distance.
The man ahead didn’t turn back, but it was as if he sensed the threat behind him. Clamping his legs tightly around his horse’s belly, he leaned sideways in rhythm with the gallop, dodging to the side. His mastery of horseback riding was evident—he was clearly an expert.
The knife missed its mark.
But that was merely a feint. Jinghong Zhui had seemingly predicted the opponent’s sidestep to the right, a common move for someone favoring their dominant hand.
The moment the knife left his hand, Jinghong Zhui flicked a small piece of silver hidden in his palm with his pinky. The fragment shot toward the horseman’s right side, striking him squarely on the acupuncture point in his lower back as he dodged.
The man grunted in pain as a sharp ache shot through his spine, rendering his legs weak and paralyzed. He toppled from the horse but reacted quickly, curling his arms to shield his head as he tumbled. Rolling across the grass, he dispersed the impact and avoided serious injury.
Jinghong Zhui wasted no time. He leapt from his horse, landing beside the man, and swiftly twisted his arms behind his back, pinning him face down with a foot pressed to his lower spine.
Su Yan reined in his horse and dismounted. He bent down and brushed aside the grass and dirt covering the man’s face, confirming his suspicions—it was Wang Chen.
“…Long time no see, Second Chief.” Su Yan gazed at Wang Chen, his emotions complex. He had always felt sympathy for the bandit brothers and had genuinely wanted to persuade them to surrender. He had been so close to succeeding, but then that meddling censor’s antics had ruined everything. By the night of the prison break, their paths had irreversibly diverged. The Wang brothers, knowing they had committed unforgivable crimes, found no way back and couldn’t trust him due to his official status. Thus, they had been forced down their path of no return.
Wang Chen strained his neck, turning his head to look up at Su Yan from the ground, his face half-hidden by blades of grass. His emotions were equally conflicted. If there was hatred, it was that night he had indeed blamed Su Yan, severing their bond with an arrow. That shot had not only destroyed their chance of redemption but also carved out the faint trace of affection buried in his heart. If he didn’t fill that bleeding wound with hatred, what else could he do?
Yet reason told him otherwise. The vengeance for their parents’ deaths couldn’t be laid at Su Yan’s feet. If he blamed someone for not stepping in to save him during his time of need, wasn’t that just petty and selfish? What difference would there be between him and the ignorant masses?
On the contrary, Su Yan had punished Lu Angao. While he hadn’t exacted vengeance through death, it was a form of justice that avenged half of their grudge. Avenging their parents was their duty, not Su Yan’s. The remaining half of their vengeance, if the emperor refused to take Lu Angao’s head, would still fall on their shoulders. What did it have to do with Su Yan?
There was no personal grievance between them. In fact, there was a trace of karmic entanglement. But their vastly different identities and opposing stances had turned them into enemies. They could curse fate, blame the world, and despise those who set these events in motion, but Su Yan? He was blameless.
Understanding this didn’t change their dynamic. They could never be allies. As Wang Chen had once said, “If we meet again, it will be as mortal enemies.”
Su Yan observed Wang Chen’s silent and resentful expression and sighed inwardly. Crouching down to meet his gaze, he asked, “Why are you disguised as a grazing soldier and sneaking into Qingping Park?”
Wang Chen hissed back, “Why are you dressed like a wealthy merchant’s son? What are you doing here?”
Ignoring the question, Su Yan continued, “If you were here to steal, you would’ve raided the stables at night, snatched the horses, and fled. Disguising yourselves as grazing soldiers shows you’re after something more.”
“This barren place has nothing but sickly horses. What could we possibly be after?”
“Watch your tone with the lord! Speak honestly!” Jinghong Zhui twisted Wang Chen’s arm, eliciting a muffled groan of pain, but Wang Chen gritted his teeth and remained silent.
Su Yan glanced toward the distant horse camp fortress, his brows furrowing. “Earlier, you had a better escape route—straight into that fortress. If you’d mingled with the grazing soldiers, you could’ve distracted us and slipped away. Why didn’t you?
“There’s only one reason: you didn’t want us entering the fortress and disrupting your plans… Is your brother, Wang Wu, in there?”
“I have a rough idea of what you’re planning. You’re not here to steal horses—you want to turn the grazing soldiers against the authorities!”
Wang Chen’s body tensed, and he blurted out, “How do you know?”
Su Yan said, “Wang Wu served as a grazing soldier for years. He knows the place inside out and could easily sneak you in. On top of that, he understands their hardships better than anyone and still has old comrades he can appeal to. That makes him the perfect person to incite them to defect and join you as bandits. If these soldiers decide to flee, they’ll definitely take the best horses they’ve been raising. That way, without lifting a finger in battle, you gain both horses and men. Isn’t that right?”
Wang Chen stared at him, his initial shock shifting into reluctant admiration before hardening into hostility. “Are you planning to ruin our plan? Unless you kill me right now, the moment I get a chance, I’ll expose your true identity! You came to Qingping Garden in disguise because you don’t want people to know who you really are, isn’t that right?”
Su Yan smacked him on the back of the head. “You ungrateful fool! Have you even thought about who I’m going undercover for? I told you—I’m here to clean up the horse administration and return land to the people. I made that promise, and no matter how difficult it gets, I won’t give up. And what are you doing? Not only have you become a bandit, but you’re also trying to drag the herders and soldiers down with you!”
Wang Chen stiffened and said defiantly, “You’re on your own. Who knows if you’ll succeed? And even if you do, what’s the point? Being an honest citizen just means getting pushed around! Being a bandit is way more free! Once you draw the bow, there’s no turning back. No matter what you say, it won’t change anything. Just get it over with—kill me now and be done with it.”
Seeing Wang Chen sink deeper into his misguided path, Su Yan couldn’t help but feel frustrated and disappointed. He stood up and said to Jinghong Zhui, “Tie him up, dig a hole, and bury him. We’re heading into the fortress to find Wang Wu.”
Wang Chen cried out in shock, “You’re really going to kill me?!”
Jinghong Zhui understood Su Yan’s meaning—this man couldn’t be killed for now, nor could he be allowed to escape. However, taking him into the fortress would be inconvenient. The only option was to find a temporary place to keep him restrained.
He used his horsewhip to bind Wang Chen’s wrists, then infused internal energy into his longsword. Within moments, he dug a narrow, deep pit in the ground. He tossed Wang Chen in feet-first, as though planting a tree, and filled in the soil, leaving only his upper chest and head above ground. Even if Wang Chen managed to free his hands, he wouldn’t be able to extract himself from the earth. The dense grass concealed him entirely, so no one would notice him unless they came up close.
Wang Chen’s mouth was gagged. He squirmed and protested in muffled groans, but his struggles were futile—he was soon reduced to a helpless figure buried like a “prairie mushroom.”
“Stay put. I’ll catch your brother and send you both to jail for some proper reflection,” Su Yan said, patting the messy hair on Wang Chen’s head. He casually plucked the wolf-tooth necklace from Wang Chen’s neck.
Jinghong Zhui’s horse ambled over at this point. The two of them mounted the steed and galloped toward the camp fortress.
Wang Chen glared at their retreating figures, unable to curse or grind his teeth in frustration. All he could do was furiously bump his head against the surrounding grass. The grass bent and rebounded resiliently, leaving faint scratches on his cheeks, as if mocking him in silence.
At this time, most of the troops were out grazing livestock. Only about fifty to sixty men remained in the fortress, handling chores like chopping feed, cleaning stables, and other logistical tasks. They appeared to be busy, but small groups huddled together, whispering furtively.
When two unfamiliar men entered the gate, the soldiers paused their work to turn and stare. Their gazes were cold and feral, marked by apathy toward their circumstances and disdain for concepts like law, morality, and humanity. Several men, upon getting a clearer look at Su Yan, displayed predatory and lecherous expressions akin to wolves spotting prey.
Jinghong Zhui’s hand reflexively moved to his sword, his urge to gouge out their eyes barely contained. But before he could act, Su Yan murmured, “Even exiled criminals conscripted as soldiers cannot be killed arbitrarily—unless they strike first.”
Jinghong Zhui reluctantly placed himself in front of Su Yan, shielding him, and projected his voice: “Wang Wu! If you value your brother’s life, show yourself now!”
The men in the courtyard stirred uneasily, clearly recognizing the name Wang Wu.
Jinghong Zhui tossed the wolf-tooth necklace onto the ground and shouted again, “Look closely—this belongs to your brother, doesn’t it?”
A tense silence hung over the group until a tall, muscular man in a grazing soldier’s uniform stepped out of the shadows. His eyes gleamed with a wolf-like ferocity, barely containing the murderous rage simmering beneath the surface.
“You again!” Wang Wu snarled at Su Yan, glaring with hatred. “If you so much as harm a hair on my brother’s head, I’ll make sure you leave here horizontal!”
At his words, several soldiers grabbed makeshift weapons—iron tongs, pitchforks, and other tools—advancing with ill intent. They began to encircle Su Yan and Jinghong Zhui.
Jinghong Zhui sneered, drawing his sword. “A rabble like this group? Pathetic.”
Su Yan stepped forward, meeting Wang Wu’s eyes with a calm gaze. “Your brother is fine. We’ve simply restrained him for now. Let’s talk somewhere private.”
Wang Wu wanted to retort with a sharp “Fight if you want—there’s nothing to discuss!” but his rational side held him back. He knew that even with all the soldiers present, they likely wouldn’t be a match for Jinghong Zhui’s martial skills. His men stationed outside the estate couldn’t storm in within less than two intervals of time. Meanwhile, the swordsman before him could easily take down everyone here before help arrived.
“We mean no harm. We just want to talk about a way to resolve this. Otherwise, if we come to blows, more blood will be shed, and more people will die—do you really have the heart to watch your former comrades die in vain?” Su Yan spoke in a tone that was both sincere and infuriating. “I assume when you persuaded them to turn bandit, you promised them large bowls of wine and hearty meals, not that they’d die the moment they stepped out of the stronghold just to serve as your cannon fodder, right?”
Jinghong Zhuii slashed his sword at the large grinding stone in the courtyard, splitting it with a deep, chilling crack.
Seeing such impressive martial skill, the former cavalrymen looked on in shock. Some instinctively took a step back, their confidence wavering. A few couldn’t help but glance at Wang Wu, as if waiting for him to say something.
Wang Wu gritted his teeth and forced a cold smile. “Fine, we can talk. But only the two of us. Tell him to step back.”
Jinghong Zhuii’s gaze was like a blade of ice, sending chills through everyone around. “Forget it. I won’t take a single step away!”
Su Yan returned Wang Wu’s cold smile. “I think you’ve misunderstood something. Right now, I’m the one in control. The fact that I’m willing to negotiate means that you and your brother still have a chance to survive. Otherwise, do you really think a mere gang of bandits like yours could stand against the tens of thousands of troops under the Shaanxi Commander’s Office?”
Wang Wu’s face turned pale, then flushed red. In the end, he subtly jerked his chin toward the camp’s outer gate.
Su Yan nodded in agreement and turned to leave. Jinghong Zhuii followed, sword in hand.
Taking advantage of their distraction, Wang Wu discreetly signaled to one of his men. The subordinate understood immediately and slipped away through the back gate.
The three of them walked past the stronghold gates and stopped at an empty grassy slope. Wang Wu silently calculated the time, then decided to stall by playing weak. “Lord Censor Su, what exactly do you want? You’re not expecting us to just surrender, are you?”
Su Yan was blunt. “First, one of you is already captured. Second, if you surrender, I will plead with the court to show leniency. But let’s be clear—you killed many soldiers when you broke into the prison. That’s a serious crime. Even if I wanted to offer amnesty, I no longer have the authority to promise you full pardon.”
Wang Wu snapped angrily, “So you’re determined to force my brother and me to our deaths?”
Su Yan sighed, his tone genuinely persuasive. “You’re the ones forcing yourselves into a dead end. Throughout history, how many rebel groups have ever met a good end? Ever read Water Margin by Master Naian? The outlaws of Liangshan—what a grand force they were! The 108 heroes—so glorious and mighty. But in the end? Most were either dead or on the run. Let me be honest with you—you won’t succeed. You’re only marching toward your own destruction.”
Wang Wu choked on his words, his eyes flickering with defiance. “And what about the founding emperor of this dynasty? What do you say about him?”
The reigning Emperor Taizu rose from humble beginnings, starting from the bottom, and built his empire amidst chaos, waging war across the land until he finally established the grand Ming dynasty. After the prison-break incident, Su Yan had sensed Wang Wu’s ambitions but had never guessed that Wang Wu idolized Taizu as his role model and life goal. One had to admit—his dreams were lofty, but reality was stark and unforgiving, dear chief!
Su Yan patiently reasoned: “That was then; this is now. Back then, the world was in chaos, and the people were in dire straits. Uprisings sprang up everywhere, creating a situation where fragmentation inevitably gave way to unification. Taizu was able to seize the moment because he had the advantages of timing, geography, and popular support. And he is the only one in history to have succeeded.
“Now, the nation enjoys peace and stability. Although there are corrupt policies and bad laws, they are only isolated issues and can be resolved with proper governance. The vast majority of the populace lives in peace and prosperity, with no desire for upheaval or war. As for the northern barbarians who frequently raid the borders, both the court and the military are valiantly resisting them, and they pose no fundamental threat to the nation.
“What you’re doing will only hurt those closest to you and delight your enemies. It’s a pointless waste of the country’s resources and military strength. If you’re so eager, why not lead your forces to fight the Tatars? Drive them out of the steppes, and not only will your crimes be forgiven, but you might even be granted the title of general or marquis. What do you think? Interested?”
Wang Wu had no reply.
The Tatars were both ferocious and destitute. What was there to gain from fighting them? Wang Wu had recruited his followers and taken to the mountains not to seek death on the battlefield but to live a better, more comfortable life.
Su Yan, as if reading his thoughts, shook his head. “That’s why I say you will never succeed. Even if you seem unstoppable at first, you’ll ultimately be defeated by your own unchecked desires. Why not face reality sooner, fulfill your responsibilities, and live a grounded life?”
“Go back to being a horse herder? Never.” Wang Wu’s refusal was resolute.
“The corvée labor system for horse herding will soon be abolished. It won’t be long. Why do you think I’m here in disguise, secretly inspecting the horse ranches? It’s to support the state-run pastures. Once they are stabilized, private herding will no longer be necessary,” Su Yan said, his mouth dry from speaking. He thought to himself, I’ve gone above and beyond to reason with him. If he still doesn’t listen, there’s nothing more I can do.
Wang Wu was silent for a long time, his expression shifting unpredictably.
Just as Su Yan thought he might be softening, Wang Wu’s face darkened. “If not herding horses, then what? Farming? Joining the army? Becoming a merchant or laborer?”
Su Yan laughed in exasperation. “If millions of people across the country can do it, why can’t you? Want to be an official? Sure, you can take the civil service exams or earn military merit. If you’re capable, you can aim as high as you like. Why not try that? Stop being so shortsighted. Not only are you ruining yourself and your brother, but you’re also dragging an entire region’s people into suffering.”
To suppress his guilt and frustration, Wang Wu stubbornly argued, “You’ve grown up in luxury and never suffered hunger or hardship. What do you know about the lives of ordinary people? You and I are not the same. We have nothing to talk about. Release my brother, or I’ll lead my thousands of men to raze this ranch to the ground! Do you think your bodyguard can protect you from thousands of soldiers?”
Jinghong Zhui coldly replied, “I’ll cut you down with one stroke. With the head wolf gone, the pack scatters. Wouldn’t that solve everything?”
Wang Wu drew a pair of gleaming short blades. “Come on then! Think I can’t take you?” Before he could finish, he lunged at Su Yan, attempting to catch him off guard and use him as leverage to trade for his brother.
But Jinghong Zhui had been closely watching his every move. As soon as Wang Wu raised his hand, Jinghong Zhui’s sword lashed out like a venomous snake, pulling Su Yan behind him at the same time.
The clash of blades rang out as they exchanged several rapid blows. Su Yan stood to the side, rubbing his forehead. If this commotion alarms Yan Chang, my undercover mission will fail, and we’ll be up against thousands of bandits right here. The ranch has almost no military defenses—just a few hundred poorly trained horse herders and convict laborers. They might even defect to the other side.
As Su Yan pondered his next move, he noticed a group of armored soldiers galloping across the distant grassland, with Park Chief Yan Chang chasing after them, shouting and waving his arms in a panic.
Wang Wu also saw the soldiers and was startled. “Who are those men?”
Su Yan recalled the clerk’s earlier report and replied, “They’re soldiers of the Ningxia Garrison, led by Commander Zhang. Real border troops who’ve fought Tatars. Don’t think your ragtag bandits can take them on.”
Wang Wu grew even more anxious. He parried a strike, retreated from the fight, and shouted threats as he withdrew: “Don’t harm my brother! Let him go, or I’ll have my revenge—even as a ghost, I’ll kill you!”
Su Yan calmly called after him, “Here’s some advice for you—don’t raise a rebel banner. As long as you don’t openly rebel, there’s still a chance for survival. Otherwise, you’re dead for sure!”
Wang Wu fled hurriedly. Whether or not he heeded Su Yan’s warning was unclear.
Su Yan turned to Jinghong Zhui. “They’re heading for the fortress. Let’s go before we’re caught here. And dig up Wang Chen. Buried like that, he might not survive much longer.”
