That same evening, in a back alley of Xi'an, a murder took place. A man in his thirties was found hacked to death.
The murderer had been brutal, striking dozens of times. The face was especially mangled, rendered completely unrecognizable.
The night watchman who found the body reported it to the authorities. With no way to identify the victim, officials began checking the city's residents. They soon learned a gunpowder artisan named Xu Dafu was missing from the workshops. A master craftsman was summoned to identify the corpse.
The craftsman recognized the clothes immediately as Xu Dafu's. A search of the pockets yielded the artisan's empty money pouch…
The victim was confirmed. Constables began looking for clues to apprehend the killer. However, the victim was a penniless gunpowder artisan with neither wife nor children. The constables saw no reason to exert themselves over such a low-priority case. They went through the motions before filing it away.
While the city played its little game of justice…
Xing Honglang, her thirty-eight subordinates, a lantern maker, and a gunpowder artisan were preparing to leave Xi'an.
The two artisans were now dressed identically to her crew, blending in as merchants.
The group moved through the streets toward the city gate.
As they walked, Xing Honglang's eye was caught by a vendor at the roadside selling a massive, thick-backed saber. It was longer than the standard type, impractical for most people.
Xing Honglang's mind instantly conjured the image of Gao Chuwu's towering frame.
"How much for the blade?"
"Three strings of cash!"
"Sold."
The deal was struck. Xing Honglang paid, slung the massive saber over her shoulder, and turned to find all thirty-eight of her subordinates staring at her with deeply peculiar expressions.
"What are you gawking at?" Xing Honglang snapped. "Is there something funny about me buying a blade? What's with those stupid looks?"
Old Zhu, ever the brave one, spoke up. "Boss, that blade… isn't it a bit… too… uh… big for you?"
THUMP!
A fist landed on Old Zhu's head, driving him into a crouch. "One more word about this blade," Xing Honglang growled, "and I'll rearrange your face so your own mother won't know you."
Thirty-eight mouths snapped shut simultaneously.
The boss is touchy about this. Not another word.
The group passed through the main gates of Xi'an without incident. Xu Dafu had been terrified of interrogation, but the veteran gate guards barely glanced his way.
With the recent flood of refugees, the stream of people entering and leaving the city was as constant and chaotic as a market crowd. The guards had no energy to check everyone. One approached, accepted a piece of silver from Xing Honglang's hand, and waved them through.
Only then did Xu Dafu realize that escape wasn't as difficult as he'd imagined.
So this is how weak official authority has become. Or perhaps… they simply have no time left for the likes of me.
Having never set foot outside Xi'an in his life, the moment he stepped beyond the city wall, Xu Dafu felt an overwhelming sense of liberation. The sky was boundless, the world open. It was the same feeling blacksmith Li Da had experienced half a year earlier, leaving Chengcheng County.
"Don't get too comfortable," Xing Honglang laughed. "It's bandits all the way through Shaanxi now. Brace yourselves. We might have to fight our way back."
Her words sent a fresh jolt of fear through the two artisans.
Beyond Xi'an, they passed through Weinan without trouble. But as they reached Dali County, the sound of drums and shouts erupted from the mountain path ahead. A band of over a hundred bandits blocked the road. "This mountain belongs to us! These trees are—"
"I am Xing Honglang of Yongji!" Xing Honglang roared, raising her blade. "If you've got a death wish, stay where you are!"
"Xing Honglang of Yongji!"
The mere name was enough. The bandits scattered like startled birds.
"Hmph. Rabble." Xing Honglang waved her group forward. "Let's go."
The two artisans were duly impressed. A single name scattering a hundred bandits? Her reputation in the jianghu must be formidable. We've definitely latched onto a powerful patron.
Following her might just lead to that fortune after all.
They traveled by day and rested by night, moving swiftly through Dali County and heading north. Ahead lay the boundary marker between Chengcheng and Dali counties…
Just as they were about to cross, another troop burst onto the road ahead. This time, it was government soldiers. At their head, astride a horse, was the newly appointed Patrol Commander, Fang Wushang. He leveled his spear at Xing Honglang's group. "Identify yourselves!"
"Sugar merchants," Xing Honglang replied calmly.
"Sugar merchants?" Fang Wushang eyed them skeptically. "Your lot looks more like salt merchants to me. Tough, every one of you."
His words sent a ripple of tension through the group. Many hands drifted toward weapon hilts.
Xing Honglang casually took a carrying pole from one of her men and offered it up. "Commander, we carry blades for protection. You know how unsafe the roads are. As for what we trade… please, inspect for yourself. There are still sugar grains in this crate."
Fang Wushang used his spear to hook the pole and draw it closer. He fished a few white crystals from a corner of the bamboo basket and tasted them. Sweet.
Xing Honglang then offered a silver ingot.
"Put that away." Fang Wushang pushed her hand aside with a snort. "Don't lump me in with those corrupt, thieving bastards. I earned my position with merit."
He gestured for them to pass. "Do your business honestly. Don't get any crooked ideas."
Xing Honglang retrieved the silver and led her people through.
"If you hear of any bandit activity," Fang Wushang shouted after them, "report it to the authorities immediately! I'll wipe them off the face of the earth!"
Xing Honglang turned back, giving Fang Wushang a long, appraising look before raising a clenched fist in salute.
This time,her salute held a note of genuine respect.
The journey toward Gao Family Village continued.
Old Zhu sidled up to her. "That new patrol commander… seems like a decent sort."
"Decent,yes," Xing Honglang murmured. "But too blunt. Men like him don't last long. See? He checked one crate, tasted sugar, and let us pass. If he'd checked two more, he'd have found the salt."
Old Zhu nodded."The boss is right. He won't last. If the bandits don't get him, the officials will. Tch."
Entering Chengcheng County, the group finally relaxed.
The"public order" here was noticeably better than in the surrounding counties.
This was likely the result of Gao Family Village,through Magistrate Liang Shixian, continuously distributing food to the outskirts. When common people had something to eat, they were less likely to risk their necks in rebellion.
The more Xing Honglang traveled, the clearer the state of the world became to her.
The Tianzun protected one small corner,preserving its peace and happiness. But the places beyond his reach were scenes from a living hell—a reality the content villagers of Gao Family Village could scarcely imagine.
She glanced back at the gunpowder artisan trailing her group.
The Tianzun specifically asked for a gunpowder man… probably to… fight our way out?
To spread Gao Family Village's peace across the whole world… we'll have to fight for it. To sweep all the demons and monsters from this earth.
Xing Honglang unconsciously clenched her fist.
If the Tianzun truly intends to do this… this humble woman will offer her life in his service.