Jiang Yu struck with his embroidered spring knife.

The Jin Yiwei guarding the room rushed in, and the doors and windows were instantly closed tightly.

The Jin Yiwei tried to surround Xiao Er, but with a swift movement like a ghost, he found a gap to escape before the encirclement could form. Drawing his long sword, he leaped up and broke free from the encirclement.

It was clear that Xiao Er was not eager for a fight, only desperate to escape. He knew that no one in the room was his match alone. Unable to break through the main door, he chose the window. Though it was tightly closed, he could still find a way out with his sword.

Jiang Yu, holding the embroidered spring knife, quickly intercepted him. Xiao Er's toe pointed to the table leg, but Jiang Yu stabbed the knife into the wooden table. Xiao Er, however, was faster, leaping to another corner. Jiang Yu slapped the table with his left hand, splitting it in half from the center.

Xiao Er, off-balance, leaned slightly, and Jiang Yu attacked his lower body with both hands gripping the knife.

Victory seemed imminent.

But then, a tremendous force pushed Jiang Yu back, and when he tried to defend himself again, the pressure was already at his face. Jiang Yu felt a metallic taste in his mouth and his vision darkened.

Xiao Er, taking advantage of his momentum, pursued aggressively. But with no leader, the attack lacked coordination; all they needed was Jiang Yu dead.

However, his waist was entangled. Xiao Er glanced down and saw someone behind him pulling him back. He was forced to retreat half a step, and Jiang Yu's knife struck, clashing with the long knife behind him.

Xiao Er's hand trembled.

The weight of the long knife was evident.

He leaned to one side to avoid Jiang Yu's blade coming from behind.

In front, Hu Li's attacks were even more cunning. Although he used a knife, it was as if he wielded a sword. The five-foot long knife seemed one with him, each thrust and withdrawal deadly and efficient, devoid of any flourish, striking like raindrops towards the vital points of Xiao Er's upper body.

"What was that hook around your waist just now?" Xiao Er adjusted his breathing, skillfully evading the attacks he had become accustomed to.

"He still has the mood to talk?" Hu Li chuckled, "Jiang-daren, it seems you need to put in more effort."

"Are you looking to end up in prison?" Jiang Yu attacked Xiao Er's lower body.

Xiao Er borrowed force to dodge backward. Something flew out from his sleeve, and Jiang Yu, too close, could only block it with the back of his hand.

Jiang Yu felt a sharp pain on his hand, and Hu Li laughed, "Thank you, Jiang-daren."

Xiao Er suddenly knelt down in front of Jiang Yu.

Raising a cloud of dust.

Hu Li kicked Xiao Er down and quickly grabbed his wrist to prevent further resistance.

Xiao Er turned his head in disbelief to look at his wrist. After a moment, he burst into laughter and asked, "Who gave you that knife?"

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Xiao Er was taken over by the Jin Yiwei.

Hu Li sheathed the long knife without further ado.

"Take it, and you'll come to no good end."

Hu Li stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "I think it's the person who sees this knife who won't come to a good end."

Xiao Er couldn't help but laugh again after hearing this. His narrow eyes suddenly dilated, and Hu Li quickly grasped his face, forcing him to open his mouth, but it was too late.

Black blood flowed from his mouth.

"You—"

"They will find you all," Xiao Er spat out a mouthful of black blood, his voice dry and raspy like a bellows, "None of you will escape. You won't... have a... good... death, ha."

With that, Xiao Er breathed his last.

Jiang Yu bent down to check Xiao Er's breath and pulse. After a while, he stood up, furrowing his brow. "He's dead. Take him out and bring him back to close the case."

Several people quickly carried the body out.

Hu Li looked at the broken table and slung the long knife over his back.

The next day.

The magistrate solved the case, feeling refreshed and busy.

Another team was formed.

The head of the Black Horse Escort was courteous and sent a few escorts.

The journey from Yan Ran to the capital was long, and this time the escort was for a dead person, and the Black Horse Escort did not receive a penny from the court.

The head of the escort bowed and said, "Our ruined reputation must be reclaimed by ourselves."

After that, the head of the escort laughed heartily with the magistrate.

Hu Li sneaked up to Jiang Yu and sarcastically remarked, "Even a dead body has someone trying to steal it. Could it be necrophilia that drives such actions?" The team leader seemed to catch on and glanced towards Hu Li. Hu Li straightened up, unfazed.

The most comfortable cart was given to a dead person. The rest of the living had to rely on their two legs. Jiang Yu's embroidered spring knife was strapped to his waist, and as he walked, the robe and scabbard rubbed against each other repeatedly.

"Is it a good idea to transport it back to the capital like this?" Hu Li glanced at the comfortably lying corpse.

"Would you rather escort it all the way there?" Jiang Yu retorted without looking at him.

"Jiang Da Ren, your mouth is quite sharp," Hu Li said, implying something as he lingered on Jiang Yu's hand for a moment, "Today, you were a bit slow because of me."

Jiang Yu stared at Hu Li for a moment and said, "Focus on being my target, too much talking."

As the sun set in the sky, Hu Li pushed open the broken door of the empty Zen room. The rocking chair under the eaves was unusually vacant. He searched both the inner and outer rooms but found no one. Could someone have come looking for them again?

The Zen room had old and young occupants, leaving behind those who were weak and vulnerable on a small hill, only to be bullied by others. The tea in the cups was still warm.

Hu Li went out to search, and just a few steps away, he saw the three men climbing up the hill. Shi Yue was in the lead, with Xu Ji and Bai Huai Shui supporting him by the arms.

After stumbling up, they finally saw that Hu Li had returned.

"We said your senior brother would be back today at the latest," Bai Huai Shui dusted off the dust from his robe and adjusted his hair before saying to Shi Yue.

"Where did you go?" Hu Li asked.

Shi Yue struggled against the grip of the two men, but couldn't break free. He was unsteady on his feet and almost fell. Hu Li glanced at him and realized that Shi Yue had been given quite a bit of alcohol.

"Little disciple, how's the wine tasting today?" Xu Ji's small mustache curled up in satisfaction as he asked, pleased with successfully getting the little disciple involved.

"Next time..." Shi Yue, still in a daze, didn't forget to say, "Next time, bring Senior Brother along to taste it. It's really delicious."

With that said, the two men treated the just-returned Hu Li as if he were a piece of furniture, and the two alcoholics supported each other into the Zen room.

Hu Li glanced at Bai Huai Shui.

Bai Huai Shui shrugged, immediately distancing himself, "This was all your master's idea, I have nothing to do with it."

Hu Li watched the two men enter the room, silent for a long time.

Bai Huai Shui raised his chin slightly, "The Shi family had some trouble. After I heard the news, I slipped out of the yamen. But Liang Mu was more thoughtful than me and your master had imagined. He has been guarding Shi Yue all these days."

Hu Li nodded slightly and asked, "Did Liang Mu leave?"

"He left last night."

Late at night.

The branches outside the window were swaying, and the north wind was howling. Suddenly, a dark figure flashed by.

Hu Li grabbed his long knife and leaped out of the window.

The figure disappeared as soon as it reached the inn's entrance.

Hu Li followed the wall of the inn step by step. When he reached the corner, he drew his knife and quickly turned around.

There was still no one around.

Just a shovel lying on the ground.

And a dug-up pit. It was dark inside.

He crouched down, and then he saw clearly the body in the pit.

Hu Li had only met Liang Mu briefly, but now, with the timing matching up, he was sure. The person who led him out last night was indeed Liang Mu.

"So, does this mean Jiang Yu doesn't know about Liang Mu's existence?" Bai Huai Shui asked.

"The list of exiled officials is not widely known, and today I didn't specify the exact location of the buried body. The Jinyiwei won't find Liang Mu, they'll just take the murderer's body back to close the case," Hu Li explained.

"Indeed," Bai Huai Shui suddenly patted Hu Li's shoulder and laughed, "My nephew has grown up to be quite useful. Now he dares to scheme against even Jiang Da Ren. Truly worthy of being my nephew."

"Jiang Yu seems to be planning to stay in Yanran for a few days," Hu Li said.

"He still has unfinished business, of course he won't leave," Bai Huai Shui laughed, "Yanran City is quite lively, and things have been restless here lately."

He pointed south, "The Jinyiwei's escort of the convicted official to Yanran is just a cover. They're actually here to clear the way for someone. The court has sent a high-ranking official to the Ekayana Temple in Yanran, hoping for good weather and peace."

Following Bai Huai Shui's direction, Hu Li looked over.

The dim light.

Through several layers of thin mist-like fog.

The bell of the Ekayana Temple rang far and wide.