Chapter Sixty: The Strange Woman

  The people of Tongcheng did not pursue them beyond the border.

  Once you close the door, it's all your own territory. Once you step out of the door, the world is vast, and if you're not careful, rumors will spread, and no one dares to take that risk.

  A group of people first bought a large cart to let Tai Shi Lan rest when they passed through the village, and then bought some horses in the nearby market. They hurried north together, this time with a sense of sadness and doubt in their hearts, and no longer had the interest in sightseeing as before. In just two days, they arrived at Beiyuan.

  Beiyuan City, the capital of Xiling Province in the west, is a key town on the border. Although it's not far from Lijing, it's a completely different world. The main camp of the "Tianji Army" of the three external families is only 200 miles away, and the large military camp of Xiling Prefecture is 150 miles away. Fifty miles outside the city gate is the Castle Pass on the southwestern border, adjacent to the western border of Xifan.

  Beizheng City has five deputy cities and ten small counties under its jurisdiction, and Tongcheng is one of the subordinate counties.

  Sunlight shines down from the high and steep city wall in the north, students raise their hands to cover their eyebrows, and their eyes flash with excitement.

  Some students tiptoed and looked inside the city gate, originally thinking that the officials of Beichen City would definitely send someone to wait at the city gate like Tongcheng, and take this opportunity to severely accuse Tongcheng.

  To avoid causing a stir and worrying that some students were not stable enough, Tai Shi Lan and others did not tell the students all of the truth they had guessed. As a result, some students thought that those people in Tong City were jealous of their achievements, mad with envy, wanting to steal the credit, and therefore wanted to kill them.

  However, after looking around, there was no one at the city gate. The crowd reluctantly entered the city, looking around in all directions along the way, afraid of missing the reception staff, but when they arrived at the Beiyang Governor's Office, they still didn't see any reception personnel.

  Five large vehicles carrying thirty captives, the students who had marched into the city with great fanfare, had originally expected to be welcomed with open arms by the city lord and cheered on by the citizens. However, after the battle that shook the entire city, this fantasy had somewhat faded, replaced by an urgent desire to vent their grievances and receive warm comfort and compensation. Now, seeing such a cold reception was like being doused with a bucket of cold water.

  This basin of cold water is very cold, but it hasn't been poured out yet.

  They sat on the cold bench in the gatehouse for a long time before an usher from the prefecture came out to receive them. The old man with a white beard, coughing as he spoke, told them that the Prefect was not there, the Vice-Prefect was not there, and the Magistrate was also not there... In short, none of those who could be ranked were present. However, the usher said that the Prefect had already been informed about the arrival of the students from Er Wu Camp for examination and training. Although Bei Yan is close to the war zone and battles are frequent, it's actually not necessary for more people to come and cause trouble. But since Er Wu Camp has already arrived, they might as well stay. As for the prisoner, he also knew about it, so he was taken into the large prison, waiting for a report to be sent to the imperial court for processing.

  "Alright, that's it." The words were spoken lightly, but each one was hard and indifferent, with a hint of disdain, like stones being thrown at someone, hitting them right in the throat, making their head swell, eyes turn red, and leaving them speechless.

  "Where, the places you all went to have also been arranged." The judge rustled through a stack of documents, squinting his eyes as he read, "Shen Meihua, County Warehouse Envoy; Su Ya, Ming'an County Inspector; Xiao Daqiang, Xiong Xiaojia, Li County Inspector; Yang Cheng, Beiyancheng West Road River Port Envoy..." He continued to report in a smooth voice, and the crowd looked at each other with dismay.

  The Cang Dashi is in charge of the county warehouse, and the Xun Jian is set up at key points such as Guan Ai, Du Kou, etc. to manage the capture of thieves and bandits, which is equivalent to a modern police station. The Hebo So is in charge of water conservancy in one county, all students, even if they are arranged in Beiyuan City, not a single person enters the military camp, and they are all separated!

  Following the usual practice, students of Er Wu Ying can manage local affairs, but they should first be trained in the local military camp. Moreover, for convenience and safety, they will not be separated too far apart. Now such an arrangement, not only is it against the rules, but also disperses everyone. The students were already holding back their anger, now their eyes are bursting with rage.

  At this moment, the bailiff paused and announced the last name.

  "Tai Shi Lan, Tong Cheng Dian Shi!"

  Translation: "Taishi Ran, General of the Eastern City!"

  With a sudden burst of noise, the students instantly flew into a rage.

  Tongcheng!

  How could they assign Tai Shi Lan to Tong Cheng? Isn't that pushing her back onto a dead-end road?

  "Let your mother's fart!" Hua Xun shouted, "Why didn't you say hell? Battlefield? Mass grave?"

  "What are you talking about?" The old judge was very displeased. "This is a decision from above, and since the students of Erwu Camp have come to take the exam, within these three months, they are considered under my jurisdiction in Beiyuan Prefecture. Do you dare disobey orders from higher-ups?"

  "Is this an order?" Huaxian Huan was furious and couldn't help but shout, "This is a chaotic command!"

  The old official sneered, ignoring her, and pushed the appointment letter in his hand, saying: "Beiyuan is a war zone system, all members are subject to military management. After the superior's order is issued, counties far away must report within three days, and nearby counties must report within one day. Those who are late will be dealt with by military law. You have this time to shout at me, it's better to set off early!"

  "I've had enough!"

  "Go!"

  "Go back to Er Wu Ying and tell the chief about the things these Northern Jian bastards have done!"

  "Too much deception!"

  In the midst of the chaotic shouting, the old official stroked his beard and sneered coldly, saying: "You can go. However, let me remind you that if the students of Guangwu Camp refuse to accept orders and leave their posts without permission, especially in a group, the camp will be rectified and held accountable. If things don't go well, it's possible for camps like yours, which have been at the bottom of the rankings year after year, to be disbanded. Be careful not to rush back only to find that there is no one to support you!"

  The quarrelsome voices stopped abruptly, and everyone looked at each other in surprise, only then remembering that there was indeed such a rule.

  The old official looked at the crowd with a mixture of pale and white faces, smiled complacently, and waved his hand like driving away flies, "Don't block here, go!"

  "This gentleman is quite familiar with the rules of Guangwu Camp." Suddenly, Li Fu Zhou walked up quietly and smiled, "But only remember one, not two."

  "What do you mean?"

  "There is a rule in Guangwu Camp," said Li Fu Zhou, "all those who receive awards from the imperial court and local governments within the first year of joining the camp will not be sent to counties for practical training, but will stay in the capital as specially trained personnel."

  The old official thought for a moment, this rule does exist, but it's not easy for first-year students to make achievements, and there has been no precedent in recent years, so he had forgotten. He sneered: "Is someone going to get an award or something?"

  "Those who make significant contributions to the camp's main affairs through their suggestions will be considered as making special achievements, and will be rewarded with the 'Jia Yan' medal. After graduation, they will be allowed to advance one level in their official career." Li Fu Zhou smiled and pointed at Tai Shi Lan, "It's her."

  Everyone let out a long sigh, and the old judge was stunned.

  He coldly said: "Then you wait a moment." After finishing speaking, he turned around and entered the inner room.

  Tai Shi Lan gazed at his back as he turned into the rear hall, thinking to himself: Has he gone to ask for instructions? The leaders are not around, huh.

  Those who made mistakes were temporary workers, and leaders only appeared when they should have been there.

  "Mom..." Jing Tai Blue pulled her sleeve.

  Tai Shi Lan's rules required Jing Tai Lan to follow her, observe more, listen more, think more, but no matter what happened, she was not allowed to intervene. The little one obediently closed his mouth and listened, only then could he hold back.

  "What?"

  "Bad... official... name."

  "Don't worry." Tai Shi Lan patted his head, "This is actually just a parrot, you see, the worse ones haven't come out yet. The big BOSSes are always fought last. And they're often very beautiful types."

  "So many corrupt officials..." Jing Tai's mouth drooped at the corners, like a dejected and dispirited cat with folded ears, "So many..."

  Tai Shi thought this kid still has some kind of leadership crisis awareness.

  "All corruption stems from the system, not the leaders." Taishi Lan said, "Only with in-depth reform of the system, effective and powerful supervision, a complete and sound legal system, and practical national policies that benefit the people, is it possible to achieve a steadily developing country."

  "What did you say? I didn't quite catch it." Huaxun Huan said bewilderedly.

  Li Fu-zhou suddenly turned his head and looked deeply at Tai Shi-lan.

  The sound of footsteps echoed, and the old official returned again. He looked at Tai Shi Lan with an expressionless face and said, "Then you will be the deputy historian in Beishencheng." He also urged the others impatiently, "Everyone hurry up, if you delay the order, it's your own loss."

  "We have won a great victory over the bandits at Longmao Ridge, killing and capturing dozens of them. Such a great achievement, shouldn't we be given an explanation?" someone asked loudly.

  "There's merit to be reported, but it can't be rewarded yet." The old judge flipped his eyelids. "Although you've eliminated some bandits from Longmang Ridge, the main force is still intact and now they're gathering at the border, threatening to kill civilians and officials, and even escape to Xifan. The governor is worried that a bloody incident will occur in the territory and can't be contained. It's not bad that you don't know how high the sky is or how thick the earth is, but it's not good that you're stirring up trouble."

  Black and white are reversed, all the credit is erased and blame is added, everyone stares blankly at his garrulous mouth, furious to the point of numbness in hands and feet.

  "Heavens...!" Shen Meihua let out a despairing sigh, "Is this really the officialdom I've been yearning for...?"

  "There's also Chen Mu." The old bailiff seemed to have not heard, coldly saying, "He is the only survivor of the Chen family massacre case in Tongcheng, an important witness, and must be left for the prefecture government. Later, we will take his testimony."

  Su Ya's eyes suddenly condensed, her lips moved but she didn't speak, and she looked at Tai Shi Lan for help.

  Tai Shi Lan's face was expressionless, his eyes very cold. It was clear that Bei Yan Fu's words could not be trusted, but this request was reasonable and there was no room for refusal. Even Chen Mu himself had been hoping to ask Bei Yan Fu to help him clear his name and avenge his grievances as soon as possible.

  "I'm in Beiyan." She replied briefly to Su Ya.

  One sentence is responsibility.

  Su Ya pursed her lips and lowered her eyelids.

  The county magistrate urged repeatedly, ordering that there be no delay. The people in the hall reluctantly bid farewell to each other. According to regulations, the assistant teacher should follow the students and take on the responsibility of protecting them. If the students were dispersed, the assistant teacher should allocate and manage according to geographical location and number. Li Fu Zhou said: "Xun Huan, Li County is located in the northern part of Yan Nan, with convenient water and land transportation, and can also take care of the surrounding southern counties. You go to Li County. I will be in charge of Beiyuan City and manage the students in the northern part of Beiyuan. How about that?"

  "Good." Hua Xun glanced at Tai Shi Lan and nodded.

  "Trouble you two." The old judge tapped the desk with a case file, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Recently, it seems that the Western Barbarians have been making some unusual moves, gathering and causing trouble at the border repeatedly. The Xiling Garrison has already dispatched a thousand-man team to be stationed at the border and issued a summons, calling upon all local Light Martial camps in the vicinity to send aid and support. Since you two have come to Beixian, it is only natural that you take on this responsibility. Please hurry to the northwest border and join the battle. Do not linger inland."

  A moment of silence.

  With a loud crash, Hua Xun's fist slammed onto the table, sending splinters flying and spattering Old Pu's face. "You old turtle, don't be too excessive in your actions! I've tolerated you for far too long!"

  If it weren't for Shi Xiaocui holding him back, Hua Xun would have probably jumped onto the table and started fighting.

  "Whether it's to conceal our achievements or disperse the students, or even send them to the suburbs, we have all complied." Li Fu Zhou also seemed to be enraged and coldly said, "Now your esteemed household is resorting to this tactic, are you taking advantage of the fact that the 25th camp has no one?"

  "Hmph." The old official still had that calm and collected demeanor, a result of years of experience in the bureaucracy. "Sir, your accusations are unfounded. Beijian Prefecture has not said it won't give you credit for your achievements. Although you've made mistakes, Beijian will still follow procedure and report your contributions above. The dispersal of students is a new regulation this year, aimed at better training the Erwu Camp students to serve the local area. Military orders cannot be disobeyed. Gentlemen, instead of wasting your breath on idle chatter, why not set off early? How about it?"

  "I won't leave! I won't leave!" Hua Xun was furious, jumping around wildly in Shi Xiaocui's arms, "I'm so angry I could die! I want to explode! I want to fight! I want to punch someone! I won't leave!"

  "Seek pleasure." Li Fu Zhou seemed to be thinking of something, stretched out his hand and pressed her down. "To serve the country is a matter of course. Since there are orders from above, follow them first. Besides, aren't you the one who likes to go into battle and kill enemies the most?"

  Hua Xuan looked at him with a hint of grievance in her eyes and muttered, "Just going to the front line like this, it's hard for people to calm down..." However, she had always listened to Li Fu Zhou's words. Li Fu Zhou had a kind of power that made women feel at ease and convinced. After muttering for a while, he suddenly said, "In that case, Magistrate, let me bid you farewell."

  She walked up with big strides, the old bailiff waved his hand impatiently, "Go on, go on, what's all this fuss..." Hua Xunhuan didn't care, went forward, and wrapped his arms around the old bailiff. The old bailiff was shocked and struggled, but Hua Xunhuan's arms were like iron, tightly holding him in place. With deep feeling, he said: "According to our Wu Yue customs, when bidding farewell to elders, one must kowtow as a sign of respect..."

  "Bang." Her forehead heavily collided with the old push official's forehead!

  That sound was so loud that Jing Tai Blue jumped on the ground, and in front of Ta Shi Lan's eyes, it seemed like countless golden stars were bursting out.

  The old bailiff's eyes rolled back, and before he could even cry out, he fell backwards. Hua Xun immediately let go of him with a look of disgust.

  Bang! The old bailiff fell to the ground, his eyes fixed on the huge bruise on his forehead, which slowly began to swell.

  A flower seeks joy with a mouthful of spittle, spitting on the ground, "With a body as slippery as copper and iron bones, how come you didn't cultivate your brain? You're like a toilet bowl, one slap and it shatters!"

  The students burst out laughing, releasing all their pent-up frustrations, and pushed aside the approaching bailiffs as they walked out.

  "The mountain doesn't move, but the water does; isn't that just a half-year of testing and training? Waiting for us!"

  "Take care!"

  "Take care!"

  Tai Shi Lan stood at the door, watching as friends she had known for several months went their separate ways. Each person waved goodbye to her as they left.

  "Tai Shi girl." Li Fu Zhou said behind her, "Sorry, I also can't disobey military orders..."

  "It's nothing."

  "Thirteen of them will still be around to protect you." Li Fu Zhou said lightly, "The Duke cannot intervene in any local affairs according to the rules. After the death of the previous emperor, the current court and the Duke's relationship is delicate, and I am not suitable to reveal my identity as his general manager and interfere with local internal affairs. However, rest assured that although it is not suitable to use the power of the Jin State Duke's Mansion again, I still have some personal subordinates, and later I will send a flying letter to order them to come and protect you."

  "I can protect myself and the Jing Tai Lan completely." Ta Shi Lan turned around, looking into his eyes, "I want to stay in Bei Yan City, to see that the government gives students a fair deal."

  "I believe in you." Li Fu Zhou smiled and suddenly reached out to gently stroke her hair.

  This stroke was unintentional, and by the time he realized it, it was too late to withdraw. He himself was taken aback for a moment, and so was Tai Shi Lan.

  His fingers were at her temples, lingering due to her daze, the tips of his fingers transparent and clean, with a faint, hazy aura that belonged only to him. The spot where their skin touched felt a gentle strength, pausing for a moment.

  He withdrew his fingers, looking at his fingertips in a daze. Tai Shi Lan turned away and saw a magnolia tree by the street, its pale purple flowers just blooming.

  Li Fu-zhou's figure disappeared around the street corner, he also had to rush to Xiling Province in the north border hundreds of miles away from here, Ta Shi turned back silently.

  Recently, she has been surrounded by a group of friends, including the lively and playful Hua Xun, the quiet and reserved Su Ya, the flirtatious Shen Mei Hua, the weak but strong-willed duo, and the loud and cheerful Shi Xiao Cui... There is also the gentle and considerate Li Fu Zhou. She is a person who loves peace and quiet, and sometimes feels annoyed by the noise. Then suddenly, all these people left her side, and she felt that even the wind around her seemed to be emptier than before.

  Everyone who appears aloof on the surface has a warm spot inside that is waiting.

  The heat source is their irresistible attraction, like moths, involuntarily rushing towards the fire.

  Turning around, someone stood quietly on the stairs.

  "Let's go." Taishi Lan said, "Depart."

  "I said I'd follow you."

  "Don't worry, I'll take care of it for you tonight. You can rest assured."

  "It's not Chen Mu." Su Ya's voice was hoarse and calm, "It's you."

  Tai Shi was silent for a long time before saying, "Students of the 25th Regiment who refuse orders during the examination period will be directly expelled."

  "Then strike his name off."

  The two people were silent for a long time, and then Su Ya said in a low voice: "I joined the 25th Regiment just to survive at first, I didn't think about what would happen in the future. But now, I know what I want."

  Tai Shi Lan gazed at the scar on her forehead, every mark bearing the painful and untouchable past of this silent girl.

  She didn't say anything else and looked at the high gate of Beiyuan City Government.

  "Then let's go together."

  Bei Yan City Government House, the adults "are not there", naturally no one arranged accommodation for Ta Shi Lan, and Ta Shi Lan was too lazy to find them. He went to the signing room first and found that Wang Dian Shi had reported his arrival. Immediately afterwards, Zhao Thirteen informed her that he had found two houses and asked her to take Jing Tai Blue to choose one of them.

  Both houses are not far from the government office, exquisite small courtyards with single doors and separate households. In modern times, they would be private villas in a golden location. Even in ancient times, such houses in the capital were worth a lot of money. Zhao Thirteen's expression seemed to suggest that such a house was an insult to his wealth, trampling on his dignity, so much so that Tai Shi Lan began to wonder if even the toilets in the Li Jing Jin Guo Gong Fu were made of gold.

  In the capital, there are many people and houses. It's impossible to find a house that is not close to its neighbors. The two neighboring houses have residents. One family has a Taichang Temple official with a beautiful little girl who is only two or three years old, with skin as white as snow, smiling at the sight of blue glaze. Another family is an elderly widow living alone, not considered beautiful but plump and healthy.

  According to Tai Shi's and Zhao Thirteen's meaning, it is naturally the first one, after all, it is an official family, more reliable. A widow has many disputes in front of her door.

  In Zhao Shisan's mind, some noble young master must also be the first choice, look at that little girl so lovely, most suitable for a young boy's taste.

  The little rascal took a look at the young girl, unmoved, turned his head and met the widow, his eyes rolled around on her chest, and immediately hugged the pillar without moving.

  "Living... living..." The little rascal glanced at the widow's chest, and with a 45-degree angelic angle, he looked up at Tai Shi Lan, "Beautiful... good mood..."

  It's not that mom is in a good mood, but rather the blue and white porcelain is nice, right?

  It's not the house that is beautiful, but the chest.

  "Yes, yes." Zhao Thirteen also didn't ask Tai Shi Lan's opinion and repeatedly bowed his head.

  Tai Shi Lan gave him a glance - servile nature.

  The first night in their new home, Tai Shi Lan began teaching Jing Tai Blue to recognize English words.

  "Learn something I don't know," she said, "it might come in handy someday."

  "What is this?" The little guy looked at those crooked and twisted letters, his eyes were full of dizzying whirlpools.

  "Morse code." Ta Shilian said.

  One evening, he taught a dozen or so "Morse codes", and Tai Shi Lan had to admit that the young man was very clever and had strong learning ability, and after one or two tries, there was no problem. But what's strange is that with his identity, he should have had great scholars teaching him from an early age, and his education and upbringing shouldn't be lacking in any way. So how come when they first met, he didn't even know some of the classic books that every child in the Southern Qi kingdom would learn, and his speech and movements were all stumbling and awkward, like a slow-witted child?

  "She said... as long as I like it... whether I learn or not doesn't matter... hehe." Chi Yan hugged her leg, laughing with drool.

  "Don't you feel bitter now?"

  Jingtai Lan's head nodded so hard it was worrying that it would fall off, sweetly burying herself in her arms, "With mom, it won't be bitter. Hehe... Mom, let's take a walk around the yard..."

  At dusk, the familiar woman next door was already asleep, and you couldn't see her even if you went out for a stroll. Tai Shi Lan bluntly exposed the little rascal, dragging him to the bedside, "Go to sleep, tomorrow morning accompany me to work."

  The little rascal fell asleep with a hum, Tai Shi Lan closed his eyes and felt that he hadn't slept for long before the gate was knocked loudly.

  Su Ya went to open the door, and at the entrance stood a yamen runner from Beiyuan Prefecture, who loudly said: "The county magistrate has an order, the famous thief Huo Hu has been found at Shuimu Temple outside the city, and Taishi Lan is ordered to go and capture him." After finishing speaking, he turned around and left.

  "Wait," Su Ya shouted after him, "where's the guide?"

  "Didn't I tell you it's outside the city at Shuimu Temple?" The other person replied impatiently.

  "Apprehending thieves outside the city is the responsibility of the patrol officer, not the duty of a historian."

  "Just go if you want to go, why so much nonsense."

  "How about the soldiers and horses?"

  "What a heroic talent of Er Wu Camp! Why would you still need soldiers and horses?" The bailiff said in surprise, "One person is enough!"

  "You——"

  "Suya." Tai Shi Lan, who had been wearing his clothes, suddenly appeared and opened his mouth to stop him.

  "Alright." She waved her hand at the bailiff - this must be someone's order, why bother with a small messenger.

  He glared at her, he came with a provocative heart, if Ta Shi Lan made a scene or refused, there was a way to deal with her, and she would not be let off easily.

  But she didn't even give him a straight look.

  This woman was born with a cold and majestic demeanor, making people look up to her even when standing at the same level, and taking one's breath away with just a glance.

  He didn't dare say anything else, lowered his head and left.

  "Let's go." Tai Shi Lan put on her clothes and called out to Su Ya. Su Ya silently took her bow.

  Two women galloped out of the long street, with a crescent moon hanging at the horizon and floating clouds not yet dispersed, casting long black shadows on the bluestone road.

  "Fire Tiger." Su Ya said, "Xi Ling is a notorious thief, with countless murders to his name. For many years, he has been at the top of the wanted list in the government office, with a reward of 10,000 taels of silver. It's said that he is unpredictable and prone to sudden changes in mood, making it difficult to distinguish between good and evil. He is cunning and treacherous, skilled in using his left hand to wield a sword. Various local governments have tried to capture him many times but to no avail, earning him the title of 'Xi Ling, the Number One Thief'."

  "Why is it called Huǒ Hǔ (Fire Tiger)?"

  "Nobody knows his real name, he has a tattoo of a fire tiger on his forehead."

  "Uh-huh."

  Su Ya paused for a moment, then couldn't help but say: "Xi Ling Xing Province had previously contacted several counties, mobilized hundreds of people to surround and capture him, but he escaped every time. The government has surrounded him a total of eleven times, without success. It is said that he has extremely ingenious disguises, changing his appearance in an instant, with countless transformations. Now, Bei Yan actually lets you go alone..."

  "It's not the quantity of soldiers that matters, but their quality." Ta Shi Lan looked up at the moon on the horizon and said, "Just the two of us will do."

  With the token given by the yamen runner, they left the city. The old soldiers guarding the city heard that the two women were actually going out to capture Huo Hu, and stared at them in surprise. After they left the city, the old soldier was still shaking his head silently.

  "Go die..."

  Tai Shi Lan threw all his doubts behind him and galloped on horseback for less than half an hour. Following the old soldier's guidance, he indeed saw a dilapidated temple in an open space.

  In the north of this place, there are floods every spring and summer, drought in winter, and poor weather conditions. The people are poor and miserable, so they built a temple to worship the Water Mother, praying for no flood disasters and peace for the people. Until ten years ago, Rong Chu followed the old Duke on an inspection tour of Xiling, proposing to build a dam on the main river, Yih River, and personally petitioning the imperial court, mobilizing the surrounding provinces' forces, using 300,000 laborers to build what was later called the "Yih River Dam", the first dam in southern Qi. Since then, there have been no more floods, crops can be grown, and people's lives have gradually recovered. With their own strength, they got a way out, naturally not needing to ask for divine help anymore, this Water Mother Temple also declined.

  Su Ya finished talking about "Yiheba" with a tongue-tied tone, breaking out in a cold sweat - Ta Shi Lan had been asking her to talk more, forcing her to almost get tongue-tied recently.

  Tai Shi Lan, however, was thinking that along the way, he felt that Rong Chu had done many things in his early years, but now, he seemed to be a carefree person who didn't want to bother with anything. Was it really a case of retiring after achieving success, or was there another reason?

  Unlike Li Fu, Rong Chu had a mysterious veil in her heart, so she was slightly vigilant and guarded, like distinguishing between the silver-white road ahead in the dark night, whether it was moonlight or a shining puddle.

  However, whether it was the moon or a pit, he was always shining in her mind, and she couldn't get around him no matter how hard she tried.

  "Let's go." She led the horse aside and walked towards the Water Mother Temple, without hiding her tracks.

  Being able to evade capture so many times, Huo Hu must have something special about him. Hiding is useless.

  The Water Mother Temple was built on the riverbank not far from "Yiheba", where the grass grew tall and dense, almost as high as a person. When Taishi Lan passed by, he saw an abandoned melon shed in front of him, and a vagrant standing by the river, drinking wine facing the huge dam.

  The two of them immediately lightened their footsteps, cautiously staring at the figure's back, neither fat nor thin, neither tall nor short, with no distinctive features, a head of disheveled hair tangled and blown by the wind.

  The two approached each other, but the man seemed completely unaware, taking mouthful after mouthful of liquor, the strong smell of which was that of the local inferior baojiu.

  Until Tai Shi Lan and Su Ya walked behind him, forming a circle around him, he still didn't turn his head, only muttering: "The mountain wind is damp, the dark clouds are pressing down, there will be a prolonged rainy season soon, last year was dry, this year it rained as soon as spring began, I'm afraid it's a period of heavy rain..." As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly fell to the ground with a thud. Tai Shi Lan and Su Ya were startled.

  That man bowed his head to the ground, as if listening to the sound under the ground. After a long time, he crawled up again, frowned and said: "It's not right... just ten years, how can the dam have a hollow sound? Didn't it just reinforce last year? If there is more rain this year, the water overflows the defense line, and the dam is not solid, isn't it a disaster? At first, the king personally supervised the flood control and ant prevention, but it didn't come to this... Is the problem with the fixed stake wood or did they not reinforce it well? ... Are they really so bold?

  Behind Tai Shi Lan station, he heard him muttering to himself and couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence. This vagabond turned out to be a master who was well-versed in astronomy and hydrology, worrying about the country and its people. From his tone, it seemed that there might be a problem with this dam?

  "Sir." Tai Shi Lan thought for a moment before speaking up, "Is what you said true?"

  "Of course it's true!" The vagrant retorted, his tone indignant, before suddenly reacting and exclaiming, "Where did this rascal come from? Like a ghost, following people around!" As he turned his head around.

  Turning his head around, no one could see his face clearly. His beard and eyebrows were tangled together, his eyebrows and hair were tangled together, a mess, vaguely, his eyes weren't too ugly, just a bit dirty.

  Tai Shi's eyes swept across his forehead, but unfortunately, there was a thick layer of hair on this head, and even the eyes couldn't be found.

  "Look at the sky." The man said with his hand on the eaves, "In the next two days, there must be a heavy rain... Alas, I hope it won't last too long. As long as it doesn't rain for ten days or half a month, nothing will happen..." After finishing speaking, he didn't care about Tai Shi Lan and went back to sleep in the melon shed.

  Tai Shi walked past the melon shed and turned back to take a look. The person was lying comfortably on their side, with their arm propped up against the ground.

  With a sudden glance, Tai Shi suddenly felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't think of what it was, so he shook his head and walked away.

  The Temple of Water Mother stood quietly on the mountain slope, Su Ya rushed to the front of Tai Shi Lan, turned sideways and kicked open the temple door.

  Bang.

  The temple door slowly opened, a cluster of flames leapt into view, and behind the flames, a middle-aged monk raised his head with some confusion.

  That person had thin eyebrows and long eyes, with a slightly yellow complexion. He was wearing an old monk's robe that was clean and tidy, and he was roasting some beans in the fire. When he saw them, he looked startled for a moment, then chanted a Buddhist mantra and smiled awkwardly: "Two female donors, why have you come here so late at night? Are you hungry? I just happened to cook some arhat beans, although they're coarse and inferior, they can still fill your stomach. Would you like to try some?" He handed over a bowl of beans.

  His speech was elegant and his attitude gentle, with a completely different demeanor from the rough man earlier. Even Su Ya nodded in approval. Ta Shi Lan said: "Master, are you the host of this place?"

  "Amitabha Buddha." The monk said, "A wandering monk, passing through this place, just borrowing the land to rest."

  "Has the master seen a man with tattoos on his forehead passing by?"

  "A tattoo?" The monk thought for a moment, then smiled apologetically and said, "I haven't seen any tattoos, but about an hour ago, a knight passed by and ate a few beans from me. He was wearing a headband, I don't know if he's the person you're looking for."

  Tai Shi Lan looked around him and indeed found another seat with some scattered bean pods.

  It seems like Huo Hu is already gone.

  "Excuse me." She nodded and led Su Ya out of the small temple, walking down the mountain slope.

  She walked ahead in big strides and saw a distant melon shed at the foot of the mountain slope, the lights in the shed had gone out, and it seemed that the vagrant had already fallen asleep.

  She suddenly stopped in her tracks.

  In her heart, there seemed to be a premonition, like a shooting star passing by, like lightning flashing by, and in an instant, it cut through the doubts that had been lingering vaguely before.

  "Not true!" She suddenly jumped up and turned her head to rush towards the small temple, Su Ya followed closely behind her in confusion.

  But it's too late now.

  The long grass moved, like the wind blowing over the water. The sword passed through the clear ripples, sweeping open a path of green waves. The tips of the grass on both sides were soft and bent down, revealing the dark yellow earth's wrinkles. A light sound echoed, as if from the end of the flowing light, and suddenly a human figure emerged.

  That figure lightly landed behind Su Ya, stretched out his palm and a cold light flashed, sweeping across her quiver.

  Su Ya quickly retreated, trying to pull out a long shot while reaching for an arrow in her quiver on her back, but her face suddenly changed.

  The arrow is broken!

  That person flashed by like lightning and snapped all her arrows!

  Su Ya knew the trick, quickly rushed forward, that shadowy figure twisted and turned, already arrived in front of Tai Shi Lan, silently threw a elbow punch, heavily pounded on Tai Shi Lan's back.

  Tai Shiyan stumbled and fell to the ground. Su Ya regretted it too late, rushing up quickly, the man's palm opened, a sword popped out from his palm, aiming at Tai Shiyan's back.

  Su Ya didn't dare move anymore.

  It wasn't until now that he got a clear look at the man, who was wearing monk's robes, had disheveled hair, and had slender eyes with a dim, mysterious glow. He was surprisingly half rough vagabond and half elegant wandering monk.

  Su Ya only then realized that the two people she had met were both Huo Hu!

  So swift, so distinct, the two kinds of dressing are perfect and lifelike, dressed as what they look like, even the tone, gesture, and movement are completely different. This has transcended the category of disguise, it's a divine skill.

  No wonder ten times besieged, all in vain.

  "This is clever," Huo Hu laughed, "It seems that you almost guessed it, fortunately I acted quickly and followed closely."

  His real voice is also hard to describe, like a man and a woman, but it's not bad either.

  "This time it's just two women? Doesn't seem like anything special. This one may be clever, but she doesn't have any martial arts skills." Huo Hu said in surprise, reaching out to grab Taishi Lan.

  He pulled and pulled again, then looked up to see Tai Shi tightly grasping a tree root on the ground.

  "Hmph." Huo Huo couldn't help but laugh, "This is really interesting... You're clinging to a tree root and won't budge, what can I do with you?" As he spoke, he used all his might to pull upwards, like pulling out a radish.

  "Snap." A crisp sound, as if the tree root was pulled off, Ta Shi Lan's body was suddenly pulled up, but at the same time, black mud splashed everywhere, colorful lights flashed, and something flew out from under the tree root, whizzing past Ta Shi Lan's body, which had just dodged to one side, and stabbed into Huo Hu's arm.

  "What thing..." Huo Hu only felt a flash of silver light, his arm slightly painful, that thing didn't even count as a sharp object, it only entered the flesh shallowly, not even bleeding much, he casually pulled it out and smiled, "Good method, but the weapon is too poor... Hmm..."

  He suddenly shook and his eyes went straight.

  "Su Ya!" Tai Shi Lan shouted.

  Su Ya had already pounced over, stretching her body like a mother leopard in mid-air. With a muffled thud, she knocked down Huo Hu and split his wrist joint with a crackle. Her legs coiled around him, and with a heave, she dislocated his ankle joint as well.

  Under the dark haze, she curled up her legs, just like a giant mother scorpion with its tail raised.

  Even Lian Taishi was stunned, unable to comprehend such a flexible body and extraordinary movements.

  Huǒ Hǔ completely lost his resistance, and Su Yā suddenly sprang up from her waist, her waist was like the strongest spring, touching it would make her jump to the clouds.

  She saw Tai Shi Lan's surprised gaze, she lowered her eyes and didn't speak. Tai Shi Lan also didn't ask, everyone has their own secrets, what friends should do is not to pry but to defend.

  A groan, Huo Hu woke up from his daze, and immediately felt a sharp pain. It was only then that he realized he had fallen to the ground in a big character shape, with his hands and feet unable to move.

  This master of disguise widened his eyes, full of incredulity - what just happened? Weren't I just pulling out that woman's hair a moment ago? How did I end up lying on the ground like this? What happened? Why don't I have any memory of it?

  "Black magic... black magic..." Huo Hu suddenly let out a mournful cry, "Damn it, this is retribution..."

  Tai Shi calmly stepped over him, retrieved the fallen Human Thorn from the ground. Earlier, she saw a long vine connected to a tree root on the ground, taking advantage of Huo Hu's distraction, she tied the Human Thorn to the vine and stabbed it into the mud at an angle. As Huo Hu spoke, with all his might, he pulled out the Human Thorn, the tree root along with the vine was violently pulled, and the Human Thorn burst out of the ground, flying into Huo Hu's arm.

  Luckily, Huo Yuhao's arrogance and overconfidence led him to look down on the two women, focusing his attention on Su Yu instead. If he had paid more attention, Ta Shilian would not have had time to set up her trap.

  "How did you guess..." Su Ya asked Tai Shi Lan, how he realized that two people were one person.

  "You said he's skilled with a left-handed sword." Tao Shi Lan said.

  "Hmm, left-handed." Su Ya thought for a moment, but didn't recall that Huo Hu had used his left hand just now.

  "No, it's not necessarily the case that his left-handed sword is a sign of being left-handed. It might be a strategy to confuse others. His right hand is actually more agile." Ta Shi Lan said, "But sometimes, when you deceive people for too long, it becomes a habit. He has gotten used to holding his sword with his left hand, and the calluses on his tiger's mouth are thicker than those on his right hand. Some actions have also become habitual with his left hand. When he lay down in the shed earlier and turned over to the right, he should have used his right hand to prop himself up, but instead he used his left hand. Because he has always used his left hand against enemies, it has formed a subconscious notion that 'his left hand is stronger'. In the temple, when he handed over the bean curd, it was with his right hand, but the left hand hanging by his side also clenched lightly, which is also a habit."

  Su Ya nodded.

  "Eighty-year-old mother-in-law fell down and got hurt..." The fire tiger on the ground was groaning, after thinking for a long time without understanding, it could only attribute the explanation to gods and luck, "Master Xingfu said that in my year of Ren Shen, I encountered a yin person when crossing rivers and lakes, which is not auspicious... why didn't I listen to him earlier..."

  Two "henchmen" ignored him, one knelt on his body with one knee, and the other pulled out a long rope from his waist and tied him up tightly. Huo Hu was in pain and groaned, "No one even cares about me..."

  He was pressed to the ground by Su Ya, his ears stuck to the mud. Originally chattering away, he suddenly shook all over and exclaimed in a low voice: "The dam is so empty!" Then he lifted his head and said: "It's raining!"

  "Whoosh!" Just like that, as if heaven had responded to his call, a torrential downpour came pouring down in an instant!

  The wind tore open the thick clouds on top of my head, dispersing the heavy black clouds that had been pressing down all day. Between the scattered black clouds, flashes of white light flickered - it was rain, born from the clouds and traveling thousands of miles to crash down in a frenzy. Large sheets of rain swept over like curtains, and the long grass in the wind snapped and fell flat in an instant, leaving the ground scarred.

  This torrential rain was so sudden and violent that Taishi Lan and Su Ya were both struck dumb, unable to utter a sound. Only Huo Hu suddenly looked up at the sky and wailed, "It's over! It's over! It's even worse than I imagined!"

  "Madman." Su Ya muttered, dragging him down the embankment at a rapid pace, quickly binding him to the horse and hurrying back to the government office with Tai Shi Lan.

  At the moment when the heavy rain fell, in the backyard of Beiyuan Prefecture Government, Prefect Zhang Qiu was awakened by that loud noise.

  As soon as he opened his eyes and saw the sky pouring down, a thread of excitement flashed in his eyes. He got up, lit the oil lamp, and started writing a letter.

  The letter paper is snow-white with embossed mulberry pattern borders, simple yet elegant, a favorite of some noble in the capital.

  "...Please convey to the master: The matter of the bandits at Longmang Ridge, I have a foolproof plan in mind and will not let any harm come to you or me. The terrain here is advantageous and the timing is auspicious, it's as if heaven is helping us. Please be at ease, Master. Later, arrangements will be made for the 25th camp...Also, during the renovation of Yih River Dam last winter, there was a surplus of 3 million taels of silver from the project, which has been secretly transported to Li Jing by Liu Du, the salt merchant...Please ask after the master's well-being."

  After finishing writing the letter, he patiently waited for it to dry, put it in a specially made envelope, carefully placed it in a hidden compartment under the windowsill, and waited for dawn when someone would come to take it away.

  He immediately looked at the rolling rain curtain... Such a big rain, two women went alone to surround and capture that villain, in the wilderness, a murderer and thief, what would be the outcome? Ah, such a timely rain, by then all traces will be washed away, just another unsolved case.

  He tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought. He could add another stroke to Huo Hu's list of crimes and raise the reward by one grade. It would also demonstrate the government's determination and sincerity in solving the case. Hmm, what time should he send someone to collect the body tomorrow morning?

  ……

  The heavy rain also woke up the soldiers on duty in the guard room, and everyone got up to close the windows and chat.

  "Those two women are really unlucky," said the runner with a chuckle. "With such a heavy rain, it looks like they're as good as dead."

  Most people laughed, and some frowned without making a sound. After a while, an old soldier named Ding said, "Third Dog, what are you laughing at? What's wrong with them? My home is near Longmao Ridge, and many of my fellow villagers have not had a good day for years because of those habitual bandits. This time, they came to report that the mountain bandits have recently become more restrained, and we were able to plant crops in time... We are farmers by birth, don't forget our humanity just because we joined the government!"

  "Get out of here, you scoundrel!" Several young attendants were enraged. "Have you ever heard the saying 'eat the king's salary and do the king's duty'? You are ungrateful and disloyal, be careful or the master will punish you!"

  "What's the fuss about." Someone said in a low voice, "Anyway, those two women are dead for sure. Third Dog, it was you who reported the news, be careful or their vengeful spirits will haunt you."

  "What nonsense." A gust of wind passed, and the three dogs shivered with fear, looking around timidly. With a forced smile, they said, "I am upright and just, my sleeves are clear and clean, what do I have to be afraid of..."

  "Bang!" The large gate suddenly made a loud noise.

  The crowd with guilty consciences jumped in fright, looked at each other, and found that everyone's face had turned pale.

  "The wind... is just the wind..." San Gou forced a smile, his voice trembling.

  "Bang." Another sound, mixed with human voices, seemed to be knocking on the door. The voice in the wind and rain sounded like a woman's.

  "Hallucinations...... hallucinations......" San Gou's pale face had turned green.

  "It sounds like someone is knocking on the door." said old soldier Ding, "San Gou, you're on guard duty today, go open the door."

  "Uh... uh..." The three dogs stuttered for half a day, forced a smile, "Tooth Uncle, I've got a bad cold today, or rather, would you mind helping me out? You're always on the right path, not afraid of these dirty things."

  "I? I have a rebellious bone in my body." Yashu closed his eyes and said leisurely, "I dare not go."

  "Ah..." San Gou was furious but didn't dare to be, he looked at the faces of the crowd and knew that at this moment the wind was strong and the rain was heavy, there were ghosts knocking on the door, no one would go for him, so he gritted his teeth, picked up the lantern, put on a raincoat, took a water-fire stick to defend himself, and went to open the door with trepidation.

  The rain was so heavy that no one could be seen across the street, he rushed all the way to the door, his hand had just touched the door bolt when suddenly "bang" the door was knocked open.

  A bolt of lightning struck down.

  The sky and earth are bright with snow.

  In the snow-bright sky and earth, with her whole body wet and dripping, her black hair stuck to her forehead, a woman with a complexion as white as snow stood straight in front of him.

  A flash of lightning illuminated the scene, casting an eerie glow on the figure standing in front of the door. The person's face was partially hidden by shadows, but a scar above their left eyebrow seemed to twitch with malevolent intent. Their eyes gleamed with a cold light as they gazed down at something below. A long rope was clutched in their pale hand, and on the ground lay a lifeless body, surrounded by a faint halo of blood...

  Rainy night, lightning, bloodstains, a corpse being dragged...

  "Ahh!" He let out a blood-curdling scream and fell straight back.

  Su Ya lowered her head and took a look at him, wiping the rainwater from her face, and let out a breath - this guy's bad breath was really intense! She had been holding her breath for a long time!

  That miserable cry startled everyone else, and they all trembled with fear, encouraging each other to take a look.

  Two raven-haired women with pale faces and expressionless faces, carrying something, crossed the threshold wetly, under which three dogs remained motionless.

  Half of the crowd fainted instantly.

  Tai Shi Lan stepped on the three dogs and walked over, she and Su Ya carried Huo Hu together towards the signing house, wherever they went, people scattered.

  The commotion in the front hall startled the back hall, and Prefect Fang hastily put on his clothes and rushed over. At a glance, he saw Tai Shi Lan and Su Ya, and his eyes rolled back as if he was about to faint too.

  Tai Shi Lan stood under the eaves of the signing house, her feet suddenly wetting a puddle. She raised her hand to wipe away the rainwater on her face and stared at the prefect under the big umbrella in front of the archway.

  "Tai Shi Lan, I have been ordered to capture the notorious thief Huo Hu." She said word by word, "Although there is no assistance, no subordinates, no response, and no backup. However, fortunately, I will not humiliate my orders."

  Heavy rain, thunder and lightning, a woman standing upright with her feet straight under the eaves, her feet soft as a puddle of giant thieves.

  Electric lights flashing across the sky, and gazes that shine brighter, more fiercely, colder, and more menacing than electric lights.

  Everyone was shocked into speechlessness, unbelievable.

  "San Gezi is dead!" Yashu suddenly let out a terrified shout, several yamen runners' legs turned to jelly and they knelt down in the muddy water, staring blankly at Taishi Lane.

  Magistrate Zhang Qiu also stared blankly at Tai Shi Lan, and suddenly uncontrollably, he shivered.

  Digression

  I want to tell you all, these two years, my eyes have been getting worse and worse. When they itch and hurt badly, I type blindly, so old readers of Feng Qing may feel that there are more typos in my posts this year, which is because of the blind typing. Although I check every word carefully when uploading updates, spending at least half an hour to proofread, sometimes I still can't find them due to the small font size in the backend. If the typos affect your reading experience, I apologize in advance.

  Reading is most important for happiness, are you hungry? I'll get you a bowl of noodles?