Chapter 21: The Official and Bandit Collude

  To be fair, the quality of these soldiers who solved the crisis in Jiayuan County was quite high. After disposing of the bandits on Panlong Mountain, extinguishing the large fire in the city, and comforting the people, they did not disturb these poor people again. They set up their own tents on the streets and began to rest. In one of these tents, Deputy General Ding Hengding was very interested in the young man with a clear brow and eyes in front of him. It was this young man who single-handedly resisted the fierce bandits on Panlong Mountain, killed more than a dozen bandits, indirectly protected most of the people in Jiayuan County, and successfully waited for the arrival of reinforcements.

  Moreover, what made Ding Heng look at him with new eyes was that this young man named Xiao Chen was not even a native of Jiayuan County. An outsider, he was willing to risk his life to save people he had never met before. What kind of breadth of mind and magnanimity did that require?

  After a long conversation, Ding Heng found that this young man named Xiao Chen not only looked handsome but also was humble and polite, with elegant speech. (It's unnecessary to mention that in the original world, he had at least attended university, although his memories were sealed, his personal cultivation had become second nature). Ding Heng's good impression of Xiao Chen rose greatly. "Brother Xiao, you saved the people of Jiayuan City, General Gao will surely reward you handsomely!"

  "It's my first time killing someone, I'm so scared, I'm really scared!" Those bodies with blood all over them and their faces twisted in a fierce grimace still lingered in Xiao Chen's mind, unable to be shaken off.

  "I understand, I understand!" Ding Heng smiled wryly. Having spent many years fighting in the army, he naturally understood. To be sure, his first time killing someone was also under similar circumstances. With a gaze full of pity, he looked at Xiao Chen's pale face and let out a sigh. He knew that for now, the best choice was to let Xiao Chen get some good rest. Believing that after tonight, things might improve greatly.

  "Xiao Chen brothers, you rest here for a while first. Tomorrow morning, I'll come to see you again." Ding Heng smiled and got up to leave.

  "Ah, thank you!" Exhausted in body and mind, Xiao Chen only wanted to rest well at this time. Ding Heng smiled and blew out the small oil lamp in front of him, then quietly retreated. Xiao Chen also closed his eyes wearily, sleep! As long as he fell asleep deeply, he would forget all these terrible things. But Xiao Chen didn't notice that in the quiet darkness, a pair of eyes filled with hatred were staring at him.

  Although Gao Yi had already released himself and told himself to sneak away in the dark of night, Hong Feng was not willing to give up. All his brothers were killed because of that scoundrel Xiao Chen. Hong Feng understood that from today on, he would no longer be the famous head of Panlong Mountain, but a stray dog who had lost everything!

  What's more, if the death of the people from Panlong Mountain was heart-wrenching for Hong Feng, then Ma Yidao's death made his heart bleed. That was his own brother, as close as his own hands and feet! If he didn't avenge his brother's death, could he still be considered human? Hong Feng finally made up his mind: even if he had to die, he would first take down that little scoundrel Xiao Chen.

  Hong Feng was extremely furious, but he was very clear that the seemingly weak Xiao Chen had a nearly terrifying power. With his current physical condition, if he rashly went forward, it was not certain that he could kill Xiao Chen in a short time. If by chance those soldiers outside discovered him, even if Gao Yi wanted to let him go again under everyone's watchful eyes, it would be impossible.

  Hongfeng, hidden in the darkness, was anxiously waiting for the moment when Xiao Chen fell asleep. He wanted to let Xiao Chen die silently at that moment. Fortunately, Hongfeng's wait did not last long, and Xiao Chen, exhausted physically and mentally, finally slowly fell into a deep sleep. A faint snoring sound gradually emerged.

  Hong Feng slowly moved towards the head of the bed, staring at that detestable face, his anger burning. Get rid of this bastard, avenge the brothers of Pan Long Shan, avenge Yi Dao's brotherhood. Hong Feng gritted his teeth, and with a swift motion, transformed his palm into a knife, slashing down at Xiao Chen's neck without hesitation.

  Although he had entered the land of dreams, Xiao Chen did not sleep soundly. In his dream, those blood-stained people were pouncing on him with their teeth and claws bared, shouting at Xiao Chen to pay them back with his life. The bloody bodies, the ferocious faces, all made Xiao Chen's heart tremble with fear.

  "No! Don't come over! I didn't mean to!" Xiao Chen, who had been startled into a cold sweat, suddenly opened his eyes and sprang up. And it was this unexpected movement that caused Hong Feng's inevitable blow to fall empty.

  "It's you, Hong Feng!" The ferocious-looking Hong Feng startled Xiao Chen greatly.

  "Xiao Chen, return my brother's life with a knife!" Hong Feng, who had missed his strike, was unwilling to give up and once again grasped his palm to slash at Xiao Chen. However, Xiao Chen, who was covered in cold sweat, reacted exceptionally quickly this time. He rolled under the bed with a thud.

  "Oh no, Brother Ding Heng!" Xiao Chen exclaimed in shock, remembering the young man who had just left, looking extremely innocent.

  "Xiao Chen, you're going to die!" Furious, Hong Feng kicked the bed and then punched Xiao Chen's head. Helpless, Xiao Chen instinctively raised his hand to resist, and a familiar classic scene happened again. Hong Feng was blown away. The huge commotion finally startled Ding Heng, who had just fallen asleep not far outside the tent.

  "How is it you? Hong Feng?" Ding Heng exclaimed in surprise as he suddenly lifted the flap of the tent.

  "Oh no!" Hong Feng knew that since Ding Heng had appeared, his men would soon follow. It seemed that getting rid of Xiao Chen was no longer possible, and the most important thing now was to escape quickly. The revenge for his brother's death would have to wait until later. Hong Feng crouched down, preparing to dash past Ding Heng's side. But Ding Heng had been in the military camp for so many years, and he immediately saw through Hong Feng's plan.

  Ding Heng stretched out his hand to grab Hong Feng, but although Ding Heng's judgment was extremely accurate, Hong Feng's speed was still beyond his expectations. Ding Heng's hand could only barely reach the hem of Hong Feng's sleeve. In a desperate bid to escape, Hong Feng struggled with all his might, and suddenly there was a ripping sound as Hong Feng's sleeve tore apart, and a thin book-like object fell out. Meanwhile, Hong Feng took advantage of the opportunity to slip into the darkness.

  "Huh? What's this thing?" Ding Heng curiously picked up the book, and after flipping through it briefly, his face suddenly changed greatly.

  "Deputy General Ding, what's going on?" Just then, Ding Heng's subordinates also arrived, panting.

  Ding Heng hastily tucked the account book into his bosom and said seriously, "The leader of the Panshan Mountain bandits, Hong Feng, has escaped. Quick, go after him!"

  "Isn't General Hong's peak being personally guarded by General Gao? How could he have escaped?" Someone clever didn't believe it.

  "Go and chase after him if you're told to! What's with all this nonsense?" Ding Heng bellowed.

  "Yes!" Then everyone rushed in the direction of Hongfeng's escape.

  Ding Heng's hands trembled as he held the account book, and he couldn't help but glance at Xiao Chen. Fortunately, Xiao Chen was still in a state of shock and hadn't noticed anything unusual about his expression. Ding Heng let out a sigh and hastily tucked the account book into his bosom.

  "Xiao Chen, brother, rest assured, we will definitely catch Hong Feng." After finishing speaking, Ding Heng hurriedly walked out, afraid that if he stayed any longer, this young man would see through something.

  Let's talk about Gao Yi again. Although he was forced to let Hong Feng go, he couldn't help but feel resentful. That guy living in this world would eventually become his greatest enemy. "Hong Feng, you bastard, don't let me run into you again, or else..." Gao Yi suddenly smashed the cup in his hand. The poor teacup didn't even have time to figure out what it did wrong before it was completely shattered.

  "Save me, Gao Yi! Quickly save me!" A figure stumbled in, having no other choice as a large group of soldiers were searching for him outside. Given his current physical condition, trying to force his way out would be no different from seeking death.

  Gao Yi was shocked, "Hong Feng, how did you come back again?"

  "Not that damned Xiao Chen again!" Hong Feng gritted his teeth. He had originally planned to take advantage of the situation and kill Xiao Chen, avenging his brothers. But he hadn't expected that bastard to suddenly wake up... Just thinking about it made Hong Feng feel a surge of anger, that damned Xiao Chen was incredibly powerful. That one blow had left him without even the strength to walk, probably needing to recover for a good while.

  "Gao Yi, I have to stay here with you for a while, but don't worry, once I'm healed, I'll leave immediately."

  "Hongfeng, aren't you causing trouble for me?"

  "If you refuse to take me in, I guarantee that the trouble you'll face will be more than just a nuisance." Hong Feng said coldly.

  "Alright...alright!" After a fierce stare-down with Hong Feng for a while, Gao Yi finally backed down. Just then, Gao Yi's tent was flipped open again and a young man with an angry face walked in.

  "Is it you? Ding Heng!" Gao Yi and Hong Feng were both shocked.

  "I heard every word you just said!" Due to extreme anger, Ding Heng's face also became distorted. "I never thought that General Gao would collude with bandits. I was blind, and I respected you in vain. You actually did such a thing!"

  "Ding Heng, listen to my explanation." Gao Yi forced himself to calm down. "Things are not as you imagine them to be. Admittedly, I do know Hong Feng, but I absolutely did not collude with him, this is a fact that is true beyond doubt."

  "Evidence is clear, yet you still dare to quibble! You with the surname Gao, do you know that we are the imperial army, the great Yan country's official military who protects the nation and its people? How can we be in cahoots with bandits who harm the common folk?" Ding Heng flung the account book in his hand at Gao Yi. Gao Yi caught the book and after a quick flip through it, first looked shocked, then overjoyed. Meanwhile, Hong Feng's face changed color...

  No way! Hong Feng hastily reached into his own pocket, but it was empty.

  "What can you threaten me with, surnamed Hong?" Gao Yi burst out laughing loudly. Great, the last scruple was gone too. Hong Feng rubbed his hands together and in an instant, the account book turned into scraps of paper that drifted away with the wind.

  Gao Yi looked at Hong Feng with a cold gaze, his eyes filled with ridicule. At the same time, the stone between Gao Yi's eyebrows began to emit a dazzling silver-white light, which grew stronger and eventually covered his entire body. As he was enveloped in the silver-white light, Gao Yi exuded an aura of majesty from every pore.