On the third day of the seventh month in the ninth year of Wu Jinghan's reign, Hangzhou.
The clouds were like white muslin, turning into a grey dog. Under the vast and sparkling sea of stars, the vicinity of the city was filled with monstrous flames of war. Groups of people clashed and various flags fought chaotically. The ground was set ablaze, sending black smoke and dust into the night sky. Red, black, and the lights of the city gathered together.
In Taiping Alley, spots of lights were lit. It was already late at night. In a small hut, Su Tan 'er was sitting in front of the table in thin silk pajamas. She waved a small round fan while she sorted out the information from the past few days with her husband, Ning Yi. When Xiaochan passed by the window with a basin of water in her hand, Ning Yi reminded everyone to go to bed early.
"Fang La has already arrived in the evening. It feels like we're missing something if we can't capture the people in the city before he arrives. Husband, although I haven't dealt with these things before, the way they handle things at this critical juncture is really disappointing. They have no scruples at all, but we're overcautious and indecisive. It's really discouraging … "
The table was filled with pieces of paper with recorded information. The husband and wife had some in their hands, big and small. They placed them on the table one by one. Ning Yi shook his head.
"Putting down the bait and pretending to be weak to the enemy has to pay the price. It's not that Hangzhou doesn't have people who can do things, but there are too many smart people. When they get entangled with each other, if they really want to do something, they usually don't want to make any mistakes. Right now, we're already thinking of a relatively safe way. We'll try our best to capture the people, and we won't suffer too many losses here. Even so, I reckon Qian Haiping is also under a lot of pressure. If it wasn't for Qian Xiwen, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to suppress it. Just the chaos at the dock that day is enough to make him suffer. "
Su Tan 'er tilted her head and placed a piece of paper on the table. She paused slightly. "I don't really like this Qian Haiping. He went to cause trouble for the Lou family for no reason today … It makes me feel …"
"Malicious intentions?" Ning Yi smiled and put the two pieces of paper together. He nodded and said, "Qian Haiping's power can't touch the Lou family, and the Lou family can't find trouble with the Qian family. In the end, the matter will still fall on our heads. It's not like Qian Haiping doesn't have the intention to help us vent our anger. After that, the pressure from the Lou family will be on our heads. We can only lean more towards the protection of the Qian family. To him, why not … There's no need to think too highly of people. He's just pushing the boat with the current by doing this. "
"Husband is so open-minded, but I can't relax." Su Tan'er pouted. "But it's fine. After the battle in Hangzhou, we'll immediately return to Jiangning and then go to the capital. Anyway, we don't have much contact with the Lou Family or the Qian Family … That Lou Shuheng is really strange."
"I think it's because he likes you …"
"Husband, don't joke like this. It makes me uncomfortable …"
"Hehe, he's really pitiful."
While the husband and wife were chatting in the room, something was happening in the old house of the Lou family in a street near the south of the city.
Although there were earthquakes and murderous soldiers in the past few days, as one of the few big families in Hangzhou, the Lou family did not suffer too much. But today, something unexpected happened. A few batches of soldiers from the Wu De camp, officials from the yamen, and various officials came in and out of the Lou family, causing a ruckus. Outsiders did not know what the problem was, but they could see that a lot of things in the Lou family had been smashed. Some people came to find trouble, while others came to plead for mercy. But from the looks of it, the people who came to find trouble were more powerful. After a few trips, they either used the excuse of arresting thieves or requisitioning goods to smash the Lou family's entrance hall and outer hall into a complete mess.
This kind of chaos had already lasted for half a day. People came and left one after another. At this time, no one knew what the Lou family was thinking. It was already late at night. Another wave of troublemakers left. Under a willow tree outside the alley, two figures appeared and looked in the direction of the Lou family's main door. The person in the lead was the long-haired Wang Yin.
The impact of the earthquake had not yet disappeared. During the day, many residents came to watch the Lou family's bustle. At this time, the crackling fire could be seen on the street, but there were fewer people. Those who had not yet fallen asleep were still excitedly talking about the Lou family's matter. Who was the one who caused trouble? The man behind Wang Yin was called Xu Fang. After watching for a while, he said in a low voice, "Brother Wang, why did we come here? I originally wanted to meet that scholar with Shi Bao and the others. "
"What's so good about a scholar?" Wang Yin laughed. He was currently staring at the Lou family servants who were cleaning up the mess in front of the Lou family's door. "They all look the same."
"Marrying into the family is different. Brother Wang, could it be a mistake?"
"The southeast is the capital of the Three Wu Kingdoms. Qiantang has been prosperous since ancient times. Picturesque willow bridges, wind curtains and green curtains, tens of thousands of families … If it wasn't for the earthquake, this phrase would have been famous all over the world. As for the other side, it's the same no matter who goes to see it. We might as well do something more practical. He set up a trap for us, but we can also use him to set up a new trap. Now that I've seen it tonight, even the heavens are helping me … Brother Xu, I've already investigated this Lou Jinlin before. Although he's good at enduring, his character is really not a benevolent one. You see, he didn't say anything about today's matter at all. This can only prove that he's been suppressing his anger … "
Wang Yin laughed. "With such a good thing in front of us, if we still can't grasp it, then we're really not human. Brother Xu, let's wait and see. If there really is no one else coming later, you can go and help me say … Fang La's subordinate, Wang Yin, wants to see you …"
*****
With a poof, the pea-like flame of the oil lamp flickered. Ning Yi picked up the wick and looked at the time. It was already time to go to bed.
Previously, dealing with the information in the city wasn't considered a formal matter for the husband and wife. Now, Su Tan 'er took an embroidery scroll and sat on the bed, stabbing it back and forth unskillfully. For her, it was probably a way to relieve her worries. Ning Yi lit the small lamp and went out, ready to patrol again. At this time, as his wife, she wouldn't sleep. Usually, she would wait for Ning Yi to come back before they slept together.
When he went out, the courtyard was already relatively quiet. There were still people patrolling the streets outside. Protector Geng and the others were responsible for the safety of the courtyard. Ning Yi walked back and forth. When he reached the side wall, he heard a sound.
That voice came out of nowhere and appeared out of nowhere.
In an instant, the sound of wind breaking could be heard from the courtyard next door. In an instant, it was unknown how many things were sliced apart. Someone shouted, "Ah!" But just as the voice left his mouth, it was abruptly cut off. At first, it sounded like a windmill was suddenly dancing. With a bang, it was the sound of solid wood being cut. Then, a crisp ping sound tore through the night sky. A woman screamed as she was thrown out of the courtyard. In the darkness of the night, the sparks of weapons clashing lit up. Then, with a rumble, half of the house that was on the verge of collapse began to collapse …
Ning Yi's position was separated from the courtyard by a wall, but the wall was already broken. This series of sudden sounds only lasted for a few seconds. The collapse of the house announced the passing of the peace of the night. People near and far were alarmed. In their own courtyard, Protector Geng and the others were suddenly awakened. Ning Yi extinguished the small lantern and leaned to the side. Dust rose from the collapsed house, but it wasn't thick. Amidst the dust, Ning Yi saw a figure standing at the courtyard door facing the street. The courtyard door had just been smashed by someone.
On the street, a tall and strong woman was lying there, coughing up blood. The saber in her hand had broken. She was one of the leaders of the Liu Martial Arts Dojo at the corner of the street. Although her husband was the dojo master, her martial arts weren't bad. This time, the people from the dojo naturally participated in the incident at Peace Alley. At this time, there were five or six broken corpses lying in disorder in the courtyard. Blood flowed freely. Obviously, the series of sounds just now was caused by these people being killed.
In just a few seconds, five or six people had been killed and the woman from the Liu Martial Arts Dojo was sent flying out of the courtyard. The person who caused all this was now standing quietly at the courtyard door. A black veil, bamboo hat, and a blue floral dress. It was the girl who wore the dress of an ethnic minority that Ning Yi had seen once before. At this time, there was still no blood on her body. The only difference from the last time was that she was dragging an astonishingly swift and fierce saber in her right hand. It looked like it was 1.3 meters long, and it looked especially uncoordinated when being dragged by this woman. However, there seemed to be an extraordinary tension hidden in it, as if the saber that was dragged on the ground could roar at any time, dance like a windmill, and take away people's lives.
"Ba, Ba Ba Dao …" The tall and strong woman from the Liu Martial Arts Dojo clutched her chest and stared at the girl who had sent her flying with a saber. She said in a low voice, "Who, who are you …"
These words sounded rather thought-provoking. Ning Yi only now remembered that the Liu Martial Arts Dojo's saber instructors were said to be distant relatives of a famous saber wielding family. Now, it seemed that this was related to the son of Ba Dao Liu Dabiao, who had been troubling Ning Yi and the others recently.
The sounds of activity from near and far had already surrounded them, but the young girl dragging the giant blade did not move. She only stood there. After a long while, she finally opened her mouth. Her voice was cold in the night. "Father was killed by the government. Aunt Duanming, long time no see. I am taking revenge. Don't stop me. "
Aunt Duanming frowned and finally remembered something. "You, you are … Watermelon? Why are you … "
The girl's name was Watermelon, or perhaps Liu Watermelon. Ning Yi wanted to laugh. He then quietly disappeared. The sound of the gong and shouts had already become intense. His family members had already rushed out. Protector Geng and the others were protecting them. At a certain moment, there was a loud "dong" in the night sky. On the road outside the courtyard, someone had brazenly charged out. With a hammer, the person who had struck the gong was sent flying along with the gong. Then, intense screams could be heard. On this night, people who had brazenly charged out appeared in twos, threes, and fours. At this time, there were not many experts guarding Peace Alley. Some people had leaped onto the walls and roofs. Ning Yi gestured to Protector Geng and the others, who were protecting his family members, to escape according to the predetermined plan. Then, they heard a voice in the night sky.
"Hahahaha, wake up! Don't sleep! I heard that there is someone called Ning Liheng here. Although he married into the family, he is extremely capable and very powerful. Who is he? If you have the guts, come out and show me — "
The scene was chaotic. Protector Geng and the others were blocked for a moment. As they shouted, the murderous attacks temporarily stopped. It was not impossible to rush over, but it would be difficult. Ning Yi observed the situation for a while. The person standing on the roof had actually already stared at him. He took a deep breath and looked at the group of people who were not far away. In an instant, they had practically surrounded the street and the courtyard. He frowned.
"I am. Can I ask a question? How did you find me?"
Since these people had come, the reason was naturally that he had given advice to Qian Haiping. However, there were some things that he really couldn't figure out. He had never entered the core of this matter, and he had deliberately tried to play himself down. Without any clues, these people actually knew of his existence. It was really too strange. That was what he thought. However, the answer that came after was straightforward and simple. Someone on the street roared with laughter.
"I caught one of your spies and interrogated him. Naturally, I found out everything! That's why I came to find you tonight. Hahahaha! Do you have any last words? "
"It's Shi Bao, right?" Ning Yi smiled. Then, he lowered his head slightly and licked his lips with mixed feelings. After a while, he sighed. "F * ck, I knew this wasn't going to work. I helped them set up a trap for four to five days, but I still haven't found out your background. You just caught one person and you directly recruited me. The scariest thing in this world is indeed not a god-like opponent, but a pig-like companion! "
He felt something in his heart. His tone sounded funny, but he was also gritting his teeth. At this moment, the people in Taiping Alley were in a panic. They could only listen to Ning Yi's calm reply and did not know what exactly happened. On the other side, Shi Bao raised a copper hammer and smashed the courtyard wall. Not far away, Protector Geng protected Su Tan'er and tried to leave from the side. Xiaochan and the others seemed to be a little hesitant. Su Tan'er fiercely grabbed their collars and dragged them to the back. Then, this group of people was discovered.
"Do you think you can leave?"
The person standing on the second floor shouted. However, before he could finish his sentence, Ning Yi's gaze also turned towards him. His gaze was as cold as a knife. "The ones who should be asking this question should be you!"
When he said this, his aura was shocking. With just one sentence, almost the entire atmosphere in the courtyard froze. Everyone's eyes were on Ning Yi. These people had originally come for Ning Yi. Just now, they suddenly attacked. The skilled were bold and thought that they already had the upper hand. However, after Ning Yi shouted this, for a moment, no one dared to confirm that it was fake. They were all slightly stunned for a moment.
"What … did you say?!" Shi Bao laughed fiercely.
*****
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