"This, this…" Longevity Mountain said.
Private Advisor Zhou patted the gavel again and said,"Captain Su, open the wooden box."”
Su Tong responded and opened the wooden box.
Longevity Mountain, Lin Chengfang, and the others were also eager to see what was in the wooden box. He turned his head to look.
Inside the wooden box, there was a brocade wrapped around it, as if it contained an extremely precious item.
He took out four pieces of brocade and an exquisite wooden box.
Lock the box.
"Reporting to Grand Master, there's a small wooden box in the big box. It's locked."”
"Open it," Advisor Zhou said.
Su Tong knocked off the copper lock and opened the lid.
Golden light dazzled the eyes.
"There was a wooden tray filled with gold on the chest.”
"Su Tong, count and see how much gold there is." Advisor Zhou frowned.”
"It's ten taels of ingots. There's a total of twenty ingots, a total of two hundred taels of gold."”
Private Advisor Zhou said,"Take out the box and place it on a wooden plate. Since the box and plate are filled with gold, it must be pearls in the sugar."”
Su Tong took down the wooden tray as instructed.
A strange smell rushed into his nose.
Looking over, he saw a wooden box filled with white lime and a big head in the middle.
The head seemed to have been soaked in medicine, its facial features were still the same.
Private Advisor Zhou's expression changed drastically. He slammed his palm on the wooden table and said,"Whose head is this?"
When Longevity Mountain first saw the head in the box, he was truly shocked. However, he immediately understood that this was a premeditated trap, and his mood calmed down instead.
"In reply to Your Excellency," he replied,"I have already reported that the contents of the box were entrusted to me by the owner of Ruyi Parlor. They were transported to Kaifeng to be delivered to a Lady Wang. I do not know what is inside the box."”
Private Advisor Zhou smiled and said," I've been in charge of criminal cases for twenty years and have encountered many unruly people. As a bodyguard, how can you not know the rules of the trade? There is a small box hidden in the big box, surrounded by brocade clothes. The design is flawless. If this case was careless, you could easily escape. Now that the evidence is clear, you still deny it.”
Longevity Mountain had completely calmed down and said slowly,""Where did Sir's head come from, and why would this commoner want to kill him? Where is the corpse, where is the fierce knife? A commoner's job was to be a bodyguard, kill people and box them up, and then personally escort them here? This commoner wasn't crazy, so how could he do such a thing?”
"What a sharp tongue. If I hadn't been in charge of the court and had a wide range of knowledge, I would have been stumped by your question…" Advisor Zhou replied.
"Where did the head come from?" Why did you kill him and transport his head to Kaifeng Prefecture? There must be something hidden. The three trees are ruthless and the official law is like a furnace. On the day of the trial, I'm not afraid that you won't confess. The corpse and the vicious knife can also be traced.”
"You're going to torture him into confessing?" asked Longevity Mountain.”
Private Advisor Zhou said," There's irrefutable evidence. The head hasn't rotted yet. What other grievances do you have to speak of? Men!" The number one cangue was placed in the death row and strictly guarded.”
Longevity Mountain suddenly stood up, as if he wanted to resist, but Zhang Ming hurriedly said,"Head, if you can't bear to be angry for a moment, it will definitely cause great regret and hatred. True gold fears no fire. We have a lot of reasons.”
Lightly letting out a breath, the Longevity Mountain knelt down again.
Just like that, Longevity Mountain, Zhang Ming, Lin Chengfang, and a delivery man were locked up in the death row.
It was a cell made of bluestone. It was more than two feet thick and as hard as iron. It was a cell specially used to deal with pirates.
Longevity Mountain was locked up in a room alone. Lin Chengfang, Zhang Ming, and the thief were locked up in a room together.
The cell wasn't too big, but it held three people, so there was still room to move around.
Lin Chengfang and Zhang Ming didn't think much of carrying the 100-jin iron cangue, but that servant, although he was in his prime, felt that he couldn't change after a while.
He leaned against the wall, borrowing the strength of the wall to share some of the weight of the iron cangue.
Lin Chengfang stood up and walked to the door. He reached out to touch the egg-thick gate and said with a smile,"This is made of fine iron…"
Zhang Ming continued," There's no possibility of escape. This is a death cell specially used to imprison people from the martial world. When I entered the cell, I had already taken a look. Other than this iron gate, I still have to pass through two sets of iron gates and two guards to leave the cell."”
"Master Zhang, you're so knowledgeable and experienced. What should we do now?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
Zhang Ming said," It looks like they did this intentionally. However, they found a head and two hundred taels of gold in the iron box. It's really hard to explain."”
"Master Zhang, if this is a trap arranged by someone, our chance of being acquitted will be gone."”
"Yes!" Zhang Ming said.
Lin Chengfang smiled bitterly." We're law-abiding citizens. Moreover, we're innocent. However, this situation makes it difficult for us to abide by the law."”
"Brother Lin, even if we don't want to abide by the law, what can we do?" Zhang Ming was startled. This kind of iron gate and stone wall is not something we can break through with our strength.”
Lin Chengfang heaved a sigh of relief." Master Zhang, if we want to leave, there must be a way. The problem is that I don't want to make things too complicated. We were supposed to catch thieves, but now we're being detained."”
Zhang Ming said," Things have developed to this point. There seems to be no more suspicion. We have fallen into a trap. There is still one thing that I don't understand."”
"Which part don't you understand?" asked Lin Chengfang.”
"Kaifeng Prefecture is a big yamen. Could it be that these people are colluding with Kaifeng Prefecture?"”
"Actually, there's no need to collude with the Kaifeng Prefecture. As long as we get on good terms with the constables, we'll be able to get things done."”
"Yes!" Zhang Ming said. As long as he could make Class Leader Su believe this, the matter would be settled.”
Lin Chengfang said," It's hard to say whether Advisor Zhou has been bewitched as well. The current situation is that we're kept in the dark. We don't know what's happening outside at all. We can't even think of a way to respond."”
Zhang Ming pondered for a while. How about finding a jailer to ask?”
"Will he say it?" Lin Chengfang asked.
"Let's try!" Zhang Ming said. This was a forbidden area of the prison, the jailer here was probably someone who had seen big scenes.”
"Which brother is on duty?" he shouted.”
A burly man wearing a black shirt and black pants with a knife hanging from his waist slowly walked over to the gate and said coldly,
"Friend, this place is a death row prison for criminals, not an inn or a restaurant. Are you really trying to make me go through by shouting like this?”
"Brother, what's your name?" Zhang Ming asked.
"Ha!" the black-clothed man said. You're the guardian of Shilihe City, so you have a lot of control over it. Did you ask about my surname?”
"Brother, everyone has their own difficulties. This time, we were framed…" Zhang Ming coughed lightly.
The black-robed man frowned and continued,""This is not the place to reason. If you're right, go to the court and tell the magistrate that we only care about imprisoning people. After entering this cell, he had to abide by the rules here.”
Zhang Ming coughed lightly and extended his left hand out of the iron bars, handing over a silver ingot."Brother, we are in trouble, so we hope that you can take care of us. This is a small token of our respect. We are all people on the scene, so you can rest assured.”
The black-robed man's gaze shifted to the silver ingot in Zhang Ming's hand. It was about ten taels.
He also knew that these people were all escorts of the escort agency. Although they were carrying a hundred catties of cangue, it was not strange that they could still take out silver from their bags.
The black-eyed man couldn't bear to see the silver. The black-robed man pondered for a while before reaching out to take the silver.
Zhang Ming let out a sigh of relief." Brother, we're in trouble here. We were framed. I think that as long as the Prefectural Master asks for an explanation, he might be acquitted."”
The man in black smiled and said,"I hope everyone has such good luck."”
Zhang Ming sighed lightly." Brother, we have a shop assistant. His foundation is a little weak. This 100 jin cangue is too much for him. Can you change it to a smaller cangue…"
The man in black shook his head and said," I can't make the decision. You have to lean him against the wall to lighten the burden."”
"Since that's the case, I don't dare to force you, Brother. However…" Zhang Ming sighed.
The man in black coughed and continued," Escort Leader Zhang, Captain Su specifically instructed us to be careful of the four of you, so there isn't much we can help you with…"
"Brother, I'm a person who walks the Jianghu, so I won't make things difficult for you…" Zhang Ming continued.
The man in black said," Oh, that's easy to talk about. Escort Leader Zhang, if you have anything to say, just say it. If I can't help you, I'll tell you the truth."”
Zhang Ming took out a golden leaf from his sleeve and handed it out through the iron fence."Brother, please accept this as well."
This leaf was two taels in weight. Seeing the smile on the jailer's face, he reached out and took it, hiding it in his arms.
"I'm sorry about that."
" No thanks," Zhang Ming said." When I have a mighty figure to leave this place, I still have to thank your brother properly."”
The man in black coughed lightly and said,""I am Wu Si, Escort Leader Zhang. Is there anything I can do for you? Just tell me."
Money could make the world go round. The tone of this jailer had changed greatly.
Zhang Ming heaved a sigh of relief and said," Brother Wu, please find out who sued us. What is Advisor Zhou's attitude towards this case? Should we make some arrangements?"”
Wu Si pondered for a moment and said,"Brother, I heard from Captain Su that the person who reported you was a Madam Wang."”
"Brother Wu, do you know what kind of person she is?" Zhang Ming asked.”
Wu Si said," Brother Wang has never seen Madam Wang before. I'm not sure what kind of person she is. However, there's a hint of evil in this matter."”
"That's right!" Zhang Ming said. Brother Wu, we were supposed to give this escort to that Madam Wang. I didn't expect the owner of the escort to report us.”
Wu Si smiled and said,"I heard that there was a human head in the wooden box that you brought to open the seal. Cough!" Human lives are at stake, so it's no wonder Advisor Zhou took you into custody.”
Zhang Ming said," We've been hunting wild geese all day. But this time, the wild geese pecked us in the eyes and we fell into the hands of a woman. We rely on our parents at home and our friends outside. This time, we have to rely on your Brother Wu."”
Wu Si said," It's a serious matter. I'm just a jailer. My position is low and my power is small. I'm afraid I won't be of much help."”
Zhang Ming said," Brother Wu, I don't dare to trouble you with anything else. I just hope that Brother Wu can inquire about the matter. What kind of person is that Madam Wang? What crime did she sue us for? We'll be eternally grateful."”
Wu Si said,"Alright…There's a servant in Advisor Zhou's office. He's my nephew!" I'll go and check for you. I can't guarantee how much information I can get.”
Zhang Ming said," Thank you, thank you. After we get out of Kaifeng Prefecture's prison, we brothers have to drink some gu."”
Wu Si smiled and turned to leave.
After witnessing Wu Si's luck, Lin Cheng heaved a sigh of relief and said,""Brother Zhang, are we really going to wait for the Prefectural Master to come over?”
"Brother Lin, do you think we can break out of prison?" Zhang Ming smiled bitterly.”
Lin Chengfang groaned for a while and said," Master Zhang, although this Death Jail is sturdy, I believe that it won't be able to trap us easily. The problem is, should we break out of it? What would be the consequences?"”
Zhang Ming said," My old eyes aren't too blind. I believe that Young Brother Lin is a big shot. Our new Chief Escort Wan may not be famous in the martial arts world, but he is also a person with a great background…"
"Brother Lin, if it's possible to not escape, it's better not to escape."”
"Is this matter very serious?" asked Lin Chengfang.”
Zhang Ming said," It's very serious. As the saying goes, the people don't fight with the officials. If we escape from prison, it will become a situation where we are fugitives…"
"Just these few constables in the public sect might not be able to pose a threat to us," Lin Chengfang said.”
"Yes!" Zhang Ming said. Their martial arts might not be stronger than ours. We can resist the pursuit of ten constables, but we can't resist the pursuit of thousands of soldiers and soldiers. They will capture us and inform the various prefectures and counties. Although the world is big, it will be difficult to establish a foothold. In this life, we may be fleeing to the ends of the world.”"Is it serious?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
"Yes!" Zhang Ming said. Moreover, you'll have to implicate your family."
"I didn't expect the matter to be so serious," said Lin Chengfang.”
" That's why it's best if you don't run," Zhang Ming said.”
"No matter what, we can't be slaughtered by others. But the matter of escaping from prison is the last thing we need to do." Lin Chengfang pondered for a while and said.”
"I think there will be news from Wu Si within two days."”
Lin Chengfang said," If that's the case, we can only wait for two days. However, Chief Escort Wan is locked up alone in a room. I'm afraid that he won't be able to take it lying down since he has no one to talk to."”
Zhang Ming whispered," Brother Lin, Chief Wan has been the chief escort for almost two years, but I've never seen his martial arts. Other than a few of his followers who came with him to the escort agency, we know too little about him."”
"What do you want to know, Master Zhang?" Lin Chengfang asked with a smile.”
"I just want to know more about you, Chief," Zhang Ming said.”
"What I can tell Master Zhang is that his achievements are very brilliant, so brilliant that this prison that is specially used to imprison great thieves will definitely not be able to imprison him," Lin Chengfang said.”
"Brother Lin, we have to inform him about this. He mustn't break out of prison easily."”
"I don't know if he's thought of this, but at least he doesn't have such plans at the moment."”
The next day, when it was almost dusk, Wu Si slowly walked over and said,"Master Zhang, I've asked around about the matter you asked.”
"What's the result?" Zhang Ming asked.
Wu Si said," It seems that the case is very serious. Private Advisor Zhou has also discussed your case with the master of the prefecture. Perhaps in the next three to five days, the master of the prefecture will personally interrogate you."”
"This, this…" Zhang Ming said.
Wu Si said," Master Zhang, that's all I've heard. Whatever result the Prefectural Master gets from this interrogation will be known by me."”
"Brother Wu, this means that we'll have to be locked up for at least another three to five days," Lin Chengfang suddenly said.
Wu Si smiled and said,"This friend makes it sound so easy!" Even if you were lucky and ended up in this prison, you would have to spend at least a month before you could leave. Lin Chengfang smiled bitterly and said,"A long time."
"Brother, you said the shortest, but what about the longest?" Someone sat there for more than ten years!"
"Brother Wu, we're used to the Jianghu. To be honest, we're not used to this day. I wonder if there's another way?" Zhang Ming whispered.
"What method?" Wu Si asked. I can't let you go, and you can't escape. Only the master of the prefecture can release you.”
"Brother Wu, for example, let's say your Brother Wu helps us arrange…" Zhang Ming said.
Wu Si said," Pay some money. You probably know in your heart what crime you have committed. If you want to pay some money, how much silver would that cost?"”
"It doesn't matter how much silver we spend," Lin Chengfang said."How can we get out faster?"”
Wu Si said," This isn't easy. Even if you turn the silver into water and flow it into Kaifeng Prefecture, it won't be easy to close the case. You have to know that life is at stake…"
"Brother Wu, that means you can't help at all."”
"I've already said that I'm just a jailer," said Wu Si."It's hard for me to follow my heart.”
"That's true, but we're still very grateful to Brother Wu." Zhang Ming smiled.”
"Brother, I'll come back to inform you of new news."”
After saying that, he turned around and left.
Lin Chengfang listened attentively for a moment. When he heard Wu Si's footsteps go further away, he let out a sigh and said,""Master Zhang, it looks like we can't abide by the law even if we want to. I wonder how many people have been wronged…"
He suddenly stopped talking.
"Brother Lin, are we really going to escape?" Zhang Ming asked.”
"Someone's coming," Lin Chengfang said anxiously.”
Zhang Ming shut his mouth and listened. Indeed, he heard footsteps.
A person arrived in front of the iron fence.
It was a man in black, wearing the same clothes as the jailer.
However, there was also a difference. His face was covered with a black veil.
He stood in front of the iron fence for a long time before he said coldly,""The defense here is very tight. You have no chance to escape at all!”
This voice was very unfamiliar. It wasn't Su Tong or Wu Si.
Lin Chengfang only looked at the man in black and did not speak.
"Friend is…?" Zhang Ming whispered.”
"I'm not from Kaifeng Prefecture, don't ask me anything," the man in black said. Don't think about using any schemes. Just answer my questions. I don't have much time.”
"We have at least ten ways to kill you, and we have one right now."”
Suddenly, he took out a round iron cylinder from his sleeve. It was no longer than eight inches and was slightly thicker than a big finger. Zhang Ming could tell that it was one of the most vicious hidden weapons in Jianghu, the Plum Blossom Needle. He could not help but be stunned.
The black-clothed man continued coldly," This is not an ordinary Regret Flower Syringe. It has a strong spring and is tempered with a strange poison. It can seal the throat when it sees blood. The poison needles are made from the cold iron of Tianshan Mountain and can penetrate Qigong. They can pierce through the Iron Shirt of Henglian within ten feet. Five needles per shot. If you don't believe me, we can give it a try immediately."”
Zhang Ming was stunned." There's no need to try. I can recognize it."”
"It's good that you know," the man in black said.
He slowly put away the syringe and continued," There are laws in the country, and there are rules in the industry. There are many things in your bureau that make us suspicious. Therefore, I'll use a little trick to teach everyone a lesson."”
"What are you talking about? I don't quite understand."”
As it turned out, Longevity Mountain's act of recruiting business for Black Sword Sect was a top secret. Not many people in Baotong Bodyguard Agency knew about it.
The man in black also became alert and immediately changed his words,"Since your bureau has accepted this mission, you should send it to Kaifeng wholeheartedly. Why are you so paranoid?”
Zhang Ming was also an experienced person, so he naturally couldn't fool him with his words. However, he already felt that there was something strange in his words, so he didn't ask any more questions. He changed the topic and said,"What do you want us to do?"
The man in black said,"Find someone who can make decisions and talk to me."”
"The head of our escort agency is also here."”
"Alright, I'll go talk to him."”
He turned around and left.
Zhang Ming listened attentively and heard the voice of the man in black. It seemed like he had a good conversation with the Head Escort.
After sensing that the man in black had left, Zhang Ming let out a sigh of relief and said,""Brother Lin, this person seems to have a lot of misunderstandings about our bodyguard agency.”
"That's right. There seems to be a lot of misunderstandings, but Chief Escort Wan must have given him a very satisfactory answer."”
Zhang Ming already knew that although Lin Chengfang was a newcomer to the Bodyguard Agency, he was an expert with unique skills. At the very least, his martial arts were much higher than his.
"Brother Lin, your eyes and ears are sensitive. Did you hear what that person said to our Chief Escort?"”
"Brother Zhang, I haven't heard about this yet. I'm thinking about something."
"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Ming asked.
"If that man in black isn't a prison guard, how could he enter this heavily guarded prison?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
Zhang Peng pondered for a while and suddenly shouted,""Yes, he disguised himself as a jailer and snuck in during the shift change.”
"Although that's possible, but wouldn't there be only one person on duty in this prison?" Lin Chengfang said.”
"Brother Lin, there's a disguise technique in the martial world that can make you look very real." Zhang Ming smiled.”
In fact, Lin Chengfang had long understood that the people of the Black Sword Sect were all murderers.
However, after this change, Lin Chengfang's previous anger had disappeared by quite a bit. This Black Sword Sect was indeed an extremely difficult organization to deal with. It was like mercury pouring down the ground, permeating through every hole. They could sneak into the prison on the second day after he was locked up. Moreover, they could indeed kill him and Longevity Mountain with a raise of their hands.
He closed his eyes and began to think. If the Black Sword Sect wasn't eliminated soon, it would replace the authority of the country one day if it continued to grow.
With a thought, the man in black suddenly appeared in front of the iron fence.
Zhang Ming seemed to have been taken away by the killing intent from the man in black. Unconsciously, his voice became more tactful,"
"Friend! Have you seen our Chief Escort?"
"Yes," the man in black said coldly.”
"Friend, how was your discussion with our Chief Escort?" Zhang Ming asked.”
The man in black said," A person has to keep his place. He should know a lot. He should know a lot. It's best not to ask anymore."”
Zhang Ming nodded and did not dare to say anything.
Although the man in black was wearing a veil, he exuded an invisible coldness. As long as one looked at him for a while longer, one would feel conquered.
His entire body seemed to be emitting a cold and fierce killing intent, which was heart-wrenching.
He continued coldly," A person must learn his lesson. You are all lucky. You will leave this prison soon."”
Lin Chengfang had always felt extremely painful about being imprisoned in prison. He couldn't help but say,""When can we go out?"
"If we're lucky, we can go out tomorrow."”
" This place doesn't taste good." Lin Chengfang smiled." If we can get out of here, the sooner the better."”
The man in black sneered and turned to leave, ignoring Lin Chengfang.
After the man in black had left, Zhang Ming whispered,"Young Brother Lin, do you see any difference between that man in black and an ordinary person?”
"This?" Lin Chengfang asked. I can't tell."
"I can feel it." Zhang Ming said.”
"Please tell me, what's different about him?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
" Perhaps I've been in the martial world for too long," Zhang Ming said." My experience has increased and my senses have become sharper."”
"What do you mean?" asked Lin Chengfang.
" That black-robed man has a murderous aura all over his body," Zhang Ming said.”
"I don't think so." Lin Chengfang smiled.”
"Brother Lin, I can't feel it at all."
"I don't think he's any different from ordinary people," Lin Chengfang said.”
Zhang Ming frowned and didn't say anything else.
The next day, at noon, Wu Si and another jailer suddenly opened the iron bars and took off the big cangue on the three people.
"Brother, do you want to go to court?" Zhang Ming smiled.”
Wu Si said," Xie Xie, your powers are really not small. I, Wu Si, have been a jailer here for decades, but I have never seen a prisoner like you come out of prison in just three to five days. This is unprecedented."”
"Are you surprised?" Zhang Ming asked.”
"It's very unexpected. It's the first time I've encountered such a thing in the past ten years," Wu Si said.”
"Brother Wu, money can make the world go round." Zhang Ming smiled and said in a low voice,"Silver can turn into water and flow to the city. There's no lawsuit that can't be won."”
Wu Si nodded and did not say anything else. He brought the four of them out of the prison.
Class Head Su Tong was already waiting outside the door. He cupped his hands and said,""Chief Escort Wan, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, a huge misunderstanding. Did the four of you suffer any grievances?”
Lin Chengfang's dignity remained as he stared coldly at Tong without answering.
Zhang Ming continued," It's not too good. Fortunately, it's not too long. It's just two or three days. Even if we endure it, we can still endure it."”
Su Tong coughed lightly and said," Brother, you were a little rash. However, I'm the head constable of Kaifeng Prefecture. Someone reported the case, so I can't just not ask."”
As Zhang Ming walked, he whispered,""I still don't understand. What's going on? We were locked in here and let out again?，It was really like eating a home-cooked meal.”
Su Tong smiled and said," Brother has already said that this is a misunderstanding. Fortunately, everyone has been locked up for only a few days. This is actually nothing!”
"You make it sound so easy, Captain Su!" Lin Chengfang sneered.”
As he spoke, he had already reached the door.
Su Tong cupped her hands and said," I've already completed the procedures for your release from prison. Please go ahead!" Forgive me for not seeing you off."
Longevity Mountain didn't say a word and walked out with big steps.
Seeing the Chief Escort's cold expression, Zhang Ming didn't dare to overstep his boundaries.
The four of them found an inn, took a shower, and changed their clothes.
They ordered a table of food and wine and started eating and drinking.
During the banquet, Longevity Mountain still didn't say a word.
After the meal, they returned to their respective rooms. Only then did Lin Cheng follow them to the room at the Longevity Mountain. He said in a low voice,"Senior Wan, what happened?"
Longevity Mountain smiled bitterly and said," What a powerful Black Sword Sect. We've been completely played in the palm of their hands."”
"Oh," Lin Chengfang replied,"Is there something wrong with that Class Leader Su?"”
Longevity Mountain said," If there's a problem, we can't do anything about it. He's the head of Kaifeng Prefecture. We can't kill him."”
"If the Black Sword Sect is so easy to deal with, there's no need to trouble Headmaster Wan to come out." Lin Chengfang smiled.”
Longevity Mountain said,"What a bold move and wonderful arrangement. We can't say anything."”
"Senior Wan, I still don't understand. What does that mean?" Lin Chengfang said in a low voice.”
Longevity Mountain smiled bitterly and said,"You remember the head in that wooden box, right?"”
"It seems to have been treated with medicine. It's very lifelike," said Lin Chengfang.”
"Do you know whose head it is?" Longevity Mountain asked.”
"You don't know?" Lin Chengfang asked.
The Longevity Mountain said in a low voice," They are the people we asked them to assassinate after we were entrusted with the task. I didn't expect them to be so quick and succeed so easily."”
Lin Chengfang was stunned for a while before he slowly said,"That's the head of the Lord of Sanying Castle.”
Longevity Mountain nodded." Yes, it's the Three Heroes Castle. The head of the Great Fort Master who traveled thousands of miles alone."”
" A Thousand Miles of Solitary Carriage," Lin Chengfang said." He was killed. It should be a big event that shook the martial world. Why aren't there any rumors in the martial world?"”
"I asked him the same question," said Longevity Mountain.”
"How did he explain it?" asked Lin Chengfang.”
"He said that Three Turn Fort has sealed this information and arranged a substitute for Fort Master Dai."”
"Oh!" Lin Chengfang said.
Longevity Mountain said," Let's seal off the news of Thousand Miles Solitary's death temporarily. Don't let it spread to the martial world. It's a big deal for the Three Heroes Fortress, but it's also very important for the entire martial world."”
"Yes!" Lin Chengfang said. At the very least, it could temporarily relieve the shock of the martial world.”
"Now, we have to find a way to deliver this head to our client," Longevity Mountain said.”
"Who is the client?" Lin Chengfang asked. Brother Wan already has a foundation in your heart?"
Longevity Mountain said," I'm ashamed. We've been welcoming everyone and everything from both sides, but we haven't done anything well. We haven't found out the background of the client, nor have we found out the identity of the murderer. However, the risk we're taking is greater than anyone else's."”
"Does Headmaster mean that we've failed this time?" asked Lin Chengfang.”
"I've failed," Longevity Mountain said."And I failed miserably."”
Lin Chengfang pondered for a while and said," Strange. The head has already been discovered by the clerk and class leader of Kaifeng Prefecture. How can he absolve us of such a life-threatening matter and just ignore it like that?"”
"Return the wooden box and leave the original object untouched. How powerful must one be to do this?!"”
"Kaifeng Prefecture is a big place, yet you dare to look down on the jade technique like this. This is truly inconceivable."”
The Longevity Mountain pondered for a while and said," Now, the most important thing is how to send the head to that client.”
"Did you set a deadline with him?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
"Yes!" Longevity Mountain replied. Murderers are like ghosts in the dark of the night. They have nothing, but when you look for them, you can't find them. The people who hired us are like divine dragons whose heads can't be seen…"
At this point, he suddenly stopped and stared at Lin Chengfang's face with bright eyes. He continued,"I remember that before I told you who that head was, you already knew that he was the Lord of Three Heroes Castle.”
"My father knows them, but I've never seen the three lords of the Three Heroes Castle. I've only heard of their names."”
"Then why did you say it out loud?" Longevity Mountain asked.”
"The headmaster is very attentive," Lin Chengfang said with a smile.”
Longevity Mountain said," I've already experienced the power of the Black Sword Sect in our first fight. I'm not doubting you. I feel that we've been played badly this time. I can't be careless anymore."”
Lin Chengfang said," I've never seen the three Fort Masters of the Three Heroes Fort, so I naturally don't know them. However, when you were talking to the man in black, I was using my power to listen. Perhaps it was because I wasn't strong enough or because I was too far away, I only heard one sentence from the Three Heroes Fort. Therefore, when I mentioned that it was the person we hired from the Black Sword Sect to assassinate, I suddenly thought of the Three Heroes Fort and casually said it.”
"I see," said Longevity Mountain.
"When we left for the north, I left a secret mark and told Zhou and Jiang, hoping that they would secretly follow us. But I don't know if they have already secretly chased after us."”
"Yes!" Longevity Mountain replied. He called me a beggar and dragged me out of the quiet Cicada Yard to kill the head of the escort. We had a short fight, but he hid himself and watched the show.”
He suddenly stopped talking. He signaled Lin Chengfang with his eyes.
Lin Chengfang lowered his head slightly and suddenly changed his words."We don't know how to contact him, so how can we give the head to our client?”
"That friend didn't explain it clearly, so it seems that we have to think of a way ourselves."”
"That client is really unkind. Since he has done business with us, he should have told us how to contact him."”
Suddenly, he turned around and dashed out like lightning.
A moment later, he returned to the room. "See that?" Longevity Mountain asked.
Lin Chengfang nodded and said,"I only saw a figure flash out of the courtyard."”
"Why didn't you force him?" Longevity Mountain asked.”
"Baotong Bodyguard Agency isn't a great escort agency," Lin Chengfang said."I can't show off too much and arouse his suspicion."”
"You're right. Old Jiao Hua has repeatedly instructed me to only use 50% of my strength in a fight unless it's life-threatening," Longevity Mountain said.”
"Old Man Jiang also told me that I can't use the Lin Family's unique sword technique, lest my background is exposed." Lin Chengfang said in a low voice.”
"Brother Lin," Longevity Mountain said,"how long will it take for us to find a clue?"”
"Soon!" Lin Chengfang said. The first time was the most difficult. This time, we held back and didn't break out of prison. Think about it. We gained a lot. Both the seller and the buyer might be monitoring us.”
"We have to do it just right," Longevity Mountain said.”
Lin Chengfang pondered for a while." Headmaster, since we've left the mountain, we should make some achievements. What does Elder Wan think about this?"”
Longevity Mountain said," I've been staying in Tidal Waves Courtyard for forty years, but Old Jiao Hua and Zhou Tiebi dragged me out. I can't disappoint them too much. Besides, this matter has also aroused my curiosity. The trip to Kaifeng and the three days in prison have caused me to become depressed and have a heroic spirit. The Black Sword Sect and that mysterious client are not simple. They are not ordinary people..."
"So, Senior Wan wants to fight them."”
Longevity Mountain said,"In the current situation, we have to fight with our wits. We can only be a little cowardly."”
"It's really fortunate that you have such a chivalrous heart, Senior…" Lin Chengfang nodded.
"Head Escort Zhang Ming, how is this person?"”
Longevity Mountain said," The old escort leader of the Tongbao Escort Company is very experienced and experienced, but his subordinates are not very good. I'm afraid that he won't be able to last more than three moves against Brother Lin. He's the kind of person who's not famous."”
"Does he know our origins?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
"I don't know. Even if he suspects it, he doesn't know the details," Longevity Mountain replied.”
"Does he know that we accepted the commission?" asked Lin Chengfang.”
"I don't know," replied Longevity Mountain.
"How smart is he?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
"If I'm not wrong, he's the kind of person who has 50% of his heart and 70% of his mouth.”
"Yes!" Lin Chengfang said. We need such a person to show off his abilities and give others the impression that he is not worthy of attention. Moreover, he has no wings, a slippery mouth, and a pair of eyes. He can be used. Brother Wan, relax your mouth and give him a shoulder sip. The rest will be instigated by me.”
Longevity Mountain said," Zhou Tiexiao, I said that you're a young master who's not good at changing the situation in the martial world. Obviously, Zhou Tiexiao was wrong."”
"I've improved a little after years of experience. Brother Wan, you've praised me," Lin Chengfang said.”
Longevity Mountain said," I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart. Zhang Ming is a loose man. If he makes the decision, he will definitely handle the matter in a moderate manner. That suits our Baotong Bodyguard Agency's status."”
Lin Chengfang said," Brother Wan is right. I feel that the Black Sword Sect is unwilling to formally contact us, so I still have some doubts in my heart. I'll put on a few polite appearances for him to see. I think it might eliminate their doubts."”
"Alright, let Zhang Ming come up with more ideas. We'll quietly investigate the mechanism from there."”
Lin Chengfang smiled, stood up, and walked out.
During dinner time, Longevity Mountain kept frowning. After the meal, he sighed and said in a low voice,"
"There is a head in the wooden box. Should we give it to the person who receives the dart?”
Lin Chengfang looked at Zhang Ming and said," This, I don't have any ideas either. When it comes to fighting with all my might, I can walk in front and play tricks. I don't have such experience."”
Longevity Mountain had a dignified appearance. Zhang Ming was a little afraid and didn't dare to say anything. Lin Chengfang's glance showed that the two of them didn't have their own opinions. He couldn't help but laugh in his heart. It seemed that their Jianghu experience was very inexperienced. They would lose their composure when they encountered a small accident. This dignified Chief Escort was just putting on airs.
With a thought, his courage suddenly increased. He coughed lightly and said,"Head, I have some opinions, but I don't know if I should say it.”
Longevity Mountain said,"Escort Leader Zhang, please speak your mind. I'm all ears."”
"What I mean is that not only do we have to deliver the escort, but we also have to meet the person who received it."”
Longevity Mountain said,"Escort Leader Zhang, we Jianghu people don't care about conventional etiquette. In the future, we won't call you subordinate!"……”
"As for meeting the escort, is there anything important?"”
Zhang Ming was very happy and thought to himself,"This escort leader looks dignified, but he is very amiable."
He became bolder and his voice became much louder."We were sent to the prison for a reason. There's a possibility that they might sue us. It's that person who collected the darts. Let's go and take a look.”
"Brother Zhang, you have a good idea," said Lin Chengfang.
"What do you think, Chief?" Zhang Ming asked.”
"Good!" Longevity Mountain said. Good! We should go and see her."
Zhang Ming immediately ordered a servant to protect the carriage and deliver the goods.
Among the four of them, the Head of Escorts had a higher position than him. Although Lin Chengfang did not reveal his identity, it seemed that he was the new bodyguard hired by the Head of Escorts. Among the four of them, he could only manage one of them, which was the servant.
The person who collected the goods lived in a quiet alley. He didn't look like he was from a prestigious family, but he wasn't shabby either.
Zhang Ming called for the door, and it was an old man in his sixties who opened it.
Old Cang glanced at the four of them and said,""Who are you looking for?"
"Is this place surnamed Wang?" Zhang Ming asked.”
"Yes, sir…" Old Cang said.
"Xu Zhou's Baotong Escort Agency," Zhang Ming continued,"has a box of escorts. The person who delivered the goods has designated a Madam Wang here to receive it."”
"Alright, everyone, please wait for a moment. I'll go and inform them."”
"Thank you, then," Zhang Ming said.
A moment later, Old Cang returned with cupped fists and said,""My mistress ordered me to say the next sentence.”
"What did she say?" Zhang Ming asked.
Old Cang said," My master passed away not long ago. The coffin is still in the hall. My mistress is in mourning and it is not convenient for her to meet guests. Please leave the escort and let me collect it. We can skip the meeting."”
Zhang Ming looked back at the Longevity Mountain, which shook its head slightly.
He understood what the Head of Escorts meant. He had to meet him.
Zhang Ming sighed and said,""Perhaps this old man doesn't know the rules of the escort firm.”
"I'm all ears," Old Cang said.”
Zhang Ming said," The person who asked for the escort specifically asked us to give it to the person who received the escort. Then, we have to see the person who received the escort. The wooden box we sent might be extremely valuable. We can't hand it over to someone else to collect it. If something happens, we have to compensate for this escort.”
"I've been in the Wang family for nearly thirty years…" Old Cang said.
"It's not that we don't trust you, sir. This is the rule."”
Old Cang pondered for a while and said,"Since that's the case, I'll send a message on behalf of the two of you."”
He turned around again and waited for the time for half an incense stick to burn before he came out and said,"Although my mistress doesn't want to see guests, she can only obey the rules of the escort shop. But can't so many people go in?”
"How many people are allowed to enter?" Zhang Ming asked.”
"It's best if it's one, but at most two people," Old Cang said.”
"Escort Leader Lin, you and Escort Leader Zhang go in and take a look. You must hand the wooden box to the owner to keep."”
"Yes, sir." Lin Chengfang nodded.”
Zhang Ming picked up the wooden box and entered the Wang Residence with Lin Chengfang.
Lin Chengfang's gaze turned and he sized up the courtyard house. He saw that this courtyard house had a tiled roof and brick walls. It was not very luxurious, but it was not shabby either. It belonged to a well-off family.
Old Cang stopped at the entrance of the hall and said,""Forgive this old man for not accompanying you. My family's mistress is waiting in the hall.”
"I dare not trouble you." Lin Chengfang waved his hand.”
He took the lead and walked into the hall. This was a medium-sized hall, but because there was a coffin in the middle of the hall, it looked gloomy. A middle-aged woman in mourning clothes sat beside the coffin.
"Are you Madam Wang?" Zhang Ming put down the wooden box in his hand.”
"That's right. You're escorts from the escort agency?" The white-robed woman nodded.”
"Yes!" Lin Chengfang said. My surname is Zhang, and this wooden box is our escort. Madam, do you want to check it?”
Lady Wang shook her head and said," There's no need. My late husband's coffin is still there. The widow has seen through the world. You two can leave the wooden box."”
"Madam, you have to sign a contract with us before we can explain."”"Alright!" Madam Wang nodded. Since I have accepted your tribute, I should sign it. Wang Sheng, go and fetch the Four Treasures of the Study.”
Lin Chengfang secretly looked at this madam and saw that her face was pale and yellow. It was obvious that she was tired from not sleeping well for a long time.
Old Cang took the four masters of the study and Madam Wang signed the receipt.
"Madam, we ran into some trouble when we were escorting the goods here…" Zhang Ming coughed lightly.
Madam Wang said," However, your bureau still sent the items. This is the glory of your bureau. It's inconvenient for a widow to keep guests. Please leave."”
There was almost no reason for him to stay. Zhang Ming pondered for a while before he thought of something."Madam, I have something to tell you.”
"Oh?" Madam Wang asked.”
" Although Madam doesn't want to ask about the inside story, we have to tell you what we know." Zhang Ming said," When we escorted the goods into Kaifeng, we were reported."”
"Who sued you?" asked Madam Wang.”
Zhang Ming said," I'm very ashamed. We were the accused and were locked up in prison for three days. However, we don't know who sued us, but we didn't see who the accuser was.”
"Is there such a thing?" asked Lady Wang curiously.”
Zhang Ming looked at the coffin in the hall and said,""Furen, the items in this wooden box were opened once in the government.”
"What's in there?" asked Madam Wang anxiously.”
"200 gold taels…" Zhang Ming said.
"I didn't expect it!" the Gongfu man said. I still have so much savings.”
"Madam, other than that Cunjin, there's also a head!"”
"Is that true?" Lady Wang was startled.”
"An Advisor Zhou from Kaifeng Prefecture opened the box in front of the hall and put us in prison with that head. He was released three days later," Zhang Ming said.”
Madam Wang's entire body seemed to tremble from the shouting. She said,"Is that head still in the wooden box?”
"We haven't seen this yet. Why don't you open it and take a look?"”
"Me!" said Madam Wang. I…"
Zhang Ming said," Madam, you've been guarding the coffin alone for several months. Your courage is not something ordinary people can compare to. Look at the head in the box. It's nothing."”
Madam Wang shook her head." I don't think there's a need to look. Everyone, please leave the wooden box behind. I've already signed it. You can go and report your work."”
Zhang Ming laughed and said," Madam, we were even sued for this and were imprisoned for three days without any reason. If Madam doesn't clear this up, how can we be satisfied?"”
"Do I have to see it?" asked Madam Wang.”
"It's best if you can open it and take a look."”
Lin Chengfang thought to himself," This woman receives stolen goods. She's clearly not a good person. Zhang Ming forcing her like this is not bad. Let's make things clear. Let's see what else she can do."”He calculated in his heart and secretly raised his True Qi to be on guard.
"Wang Sheng, come and open this wooden box."”
Old Cang walked over and looked at the wooden box. He turned to Zhang Ming and said,"This old man is old and weak. I'm afraid I can't open the box. Please help this old man, how about it?”
"Just open it…" Zhang Mingxin said,"Let's see how you explain it after we see that head."”
"I have no choice but to obey the old butler's orders."”
He opened the wooden box with his hand.
The furnishings in the box were bright, and the gold in the box was arranged in a brilliant manner.
"So much gold!" Wang Sheng sighed.”
Madam Wang frowned and lifted the wooden tray. The head was still in the box.
Mrs. Gong glanced at the man and her expression changed drastically. She suddenly took two steps back and covered her face with her hands.
Zhang Ming slowly placed a plate of gold on the wooden table and said,"Madam, please note two things on the arrest order.”
"What do you mean?" asked Madam Wang.
"Note that you have received gold ingots and one head."”
Madam Wang said," You can write it on the gold, but I won't take the head. You can take it back to Xuzhou!"”
Zhang Ming didn't expect Madam Wang to be such a difficult person and couldn't help but be stunned.
Madam Wang continued," I'm a woman, and I've lost my husband. I'm the only one in this house. How can I accept this head?"”
She was right, and the reason was very moving.
Zhang Ming let out a sigh of relief." Madam, he went through a lot of trouble to get this head. We took a huge risk to send it here. If you don't accept it, wouldn't it be a waste of that person's effort?"”
"I don't want the head, but I can keep it for you…" said Madam Wang.
"That's good then," Zhang Ming said.
"Since it's not what I want, I can't give you a receipt," said Madam Wang.”
Zhang Ming didn't insist that she bet. He smiled and said,""So it turns out that Furen is unwilling to accept it. Since that's the case, we'll just keep it.”
Madam Wang looked back at Wang Sheng and said,"Help me send the guests off."
Wang Sheng responded and turned around to say,"Please!"
Lin Chengfang and Zhang Ming turned around and left.
The two of them left the Imperial Residence and ordered to go to the Longevity Mountain before heading to the inn.
After turning a street corner, Longevity Mountain suddenly stopped.
"Chief, what's the matter?" Zhang Ming whispered.”
"It seems like someone is following us."”
"Yes!" Lin Chengfang said. However, that person is very good at tracking. I've been paying attention in secret, but I haven't found him.”
"If there's such a thing, could it be that Madam Wang sent someone?" Zhang Ming asked.”
"Chief Escort, do we have to find that person?" Lin Chengfang asked.”
"Right!" Longevity Mountain said. We have to find him. Although Baotong Escort Agency isn't a big escort agency, we can't be too cowardly!”
"Chief Escort, you'll leave first!" Lin Chengfang said with a smile. I'll wait for him here."
The Longevity Mountain nodded and walked forward.
In a flash, Lin Chengfang appeared under the eaves of a house.
Sure enough, a moment later, at the corner of the wall, a pair of eyes peeked out and glanced at the backs of the Longevity Mountain and the others before revealing their bodies and walking forward.
It was a middle-aged man wearing ordinary clothes.
He was about forty years old and his appearance was not eye-catching at all. Such a person seemed to be everywhere and was so ordinary.
"Friend, please wait." Lin Chengfang sneered.”
The middle-aged man suddenly turned around and looked at Lin Chengfang. He slowly said,"Sir, are you talking to me?"
When their eyes met, Lin Chengfang immediately felt that this person was deliberately pretending to be such a person.
If Lin Chengfang really attacked, he would be able to defeat this person in three to five moves.
However, he endured it and did not move. He wanted to pretend to be very cowardly to relax the other party's heart.
The middle-aged man looked down on Lin Chengfang, so he ignored him and turned to leave.
After seeing the middle-aged man leave, Lin Chengfang smiled faintly and walked forward.
With large strides, he caught up to the Longevity Mountain. That middle-aged man had already crossed the Longevity Mountain by several zhang. "Cheng Fang, how is it?" Longevity Mountain asked in a low voice.”
"That's right, he's the one who's following us." Lin Chengfang smiled.”
"You fought him?" Longevity Mountain asked.”
"No."
Longevity Mountain smiled and said," If you really fight, he can exchange a few moves with you."”
"I can take his life within three moves," Lin Chengfang said.”
"Oh!" Longevity Mountain replied.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]