Chapter 34: Sudden Change

Although Yongle Town is surrounded by mountains on three sides, it enjoys a massive influx of people due to its abundant mineral resources and medicinal herbs. Merchants from the north and south frequent the town, making it a bustling hub of activity.

As one of the town's largest inns, the Laifu Inn sees a continuous stream of guests every day, contributing to the lively atmosphere. Since returning from the Kong Estate that day, Liang Yan and Tang Diexian have spent their time eating, drinking, and playing in town, mingling with the crowds like noble youths out on a pleasure trip.

However, no matter where the two of them went, within a hundred paces, there was always a man in green with a sharp sword at his waist and a scruffy beard—none other than Chen Zhuoan.

"This Chen Zhuoan is certainly patient. After several days, there hasn't been the slightest movement," Tang Diexian said with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Hehe, Chen Zhuoan is the leader of the 'Anti-Traitor Society.' To seize the fake imperial decree, he must direct the operation. As long as we follow him secretly, we will surely find something," Liang Yan replied.

"He won't use a diversionary tactic, will he? What if he sends a separate team to act while we're stuck here wasting our time?"

Liang Yan shook his head. "No. Don't forget, the Li Hong they mentioned has already dispatched men to Yongle Town. Chen Zhuoan's only advantage is that they hold the map and the initiative. If I were him, I wouldn't move unless I intended to commit all my forces. Spreading them thin would only benefit someone else."

Tang Diexian looked at him, about to say more, when a sudden cry erupted from a street corner: "Robbery! Robbery! Someone is robbing people in broad daylight!"

The two turned to look and saw a disheveled beggar sprinting down the street. He held two buns in each hand, several mantou tucked into his arms, and a piece of pastry stuffed in his mouth.

Chasing after him was a middle-aged man who looked like a shopkeeper, shouting and panting heavily as he gave chase.

Seeing it was just a beggar, the passersby didn't step in to stop him; instead, they stood aside, pointing and laughing. As the beggar ran, as if possessed by some strange fate, he actually ran straight toward Chen Zhuoan.

"Get out of the way! Don't block the path!" the beggar roared. In his panic, he reached out and shoved Chen Zhuoan. Chen Zhuoan dodged the collision, watching the beggar's retreating figure with a slight frown.

On the other side, Liang Yan's eyes lit up. Just as the beggar brushed past Chen Zhuoan, Liang Yan clearly saw him swiftly slip a paper bundle into Chen Zhuoan's hand. The movement was so fast that others would have missed it.

"Let's go, follow Chen Zhuoan!" Liang Yan whispered to Tang Diexian.

***

In a forest outside Yongle Town.

A charming figure was moving through the trees. Dressed in a pink gown and cradling a large-faced white cat, it was Hua Shiniang. She moved hurriedly, her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings as if searching for someone.

As she passed through a dense thicket, she suddenly saw a man standing in a clearing ahead. He had his back to her; he was stout, but adorned in gold and silver, exuding an air of immense wealth.

Seeing him, a sense of relief appeared in Hua Shiniang's eyes, though a faint blush rose to her cheeks. She smoothed her hair, knelt to set the white cat on the ground, and said softly, "Chu Ba, go play off to the side by yourself."

At her command, the white cat let out a "meow" and trotted off.

Hua Shiniang stood up and looked at the man's back. "You fat idiot, can't you say what you have to say at the inn? Why must you call me to such a remote place?" Though her words were reproachful, there was no real anger in them; it sounded more like coquetry.

"Eh?"

The man ahead seemed quite surprised. He spun around abruptly and asked, "Shiniang, what nonsense are you talking? Didn't you ask me to meet here because you had something to tell me?"

This man was none other than Wang Bin, the one Tang Diexian had previously struck with a wine pot. Standing face-to-face, both saw a flash of suspicion in the other's eyes.

Both were seasoned veterans of the underworld. Their minds raced, and they immediately stepped closer, standing side by side.

Wang Bin shouted loudly, "Who is plotting against us in the shadows? Show yourself!"

"Hahaha! Wang the Fatty, you are a lucky man to have won the heart of Hua Shiniang. To be honest, I truly admire your methods, Brother Wang."

"Luo Bi Sheng!" Both Wang Bin and Hua Shiniang's eyes narrowed.

A scholar slowly emerged from the woods, waving a folding fan with a smile on his face.

"I never expected the great Luo Bi Sheng to become a lapdog for Li Hong."

Luo Bi Sheng smiled. "I am merely a man who understands the times. That Chen Zhuoan's attempt to oppose Lord Li is nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree—utterly delusional. You two 'divine lovers' have unfortunately followed the wrong person. Why not abandon the darkness for the light? Join me under Lord Li's command, and you shall enjoy endless wealth and honor."

Wang Bin cursed angrily, "Bah! Li Hong's ways are perverse and an affront to heaven and man. I think you've gone mad for a government post; whoever offers you a job, you treat them like your father!"

At these words, the smile faded from Luo Bi Sheng's face, replaced by a sinister look. "Hmph! If you won't take the easy way, you'll take the hard way. The map is on Hua Shiniang. I'll kill you both and then search for it—it's all the same!"

With a wave of his hand, over a dozen assassins in black emerged from the forest. Their blades gleamed coldly as they surrounded Wang Bin and Hua Shiniang.

Wang Bin gave a bitter smile and said softly, "Shiniang..."

Understanding his intent, Hua Shiniang drew a soft sword from her waist and said with determination, "Don't say more. This time, don't think you can leave me to fight alone. If we live, we live together! If we die, we die together!"

"Hahaha, wonderful! You two were too shy to face each other before. I'll do a good deed this time and let you share a grave, becoming a pair of doomed mandarin ducks!" With that, he pulled a Judge's Pen from his sleeve and lunged at Wang Bin. The two clashed instantly.

Wang Bin usually kept a low profile, but he was internally profound, having mastered the Bagua Palm to a high level. Among the eight Hall Masters, he was ranked among the top. In contrast, Luo Bi Sheng had spent recent years obsessed with official status and had neglected his training, causing his martial arts to decline. As they fought, Wang Bin gradually gained the upper hand, his fleshy palms striking with tiger-like power, steadily suppressing Luo Bi Sheng's Judge's Pen.

Just then, a muffled groan came from behind. Wang Bin turned to see that Hua Shiniang had been caught off guard by an assassin; a blade had struck her back, the wound tearing through flesh and spilling blood.

Wang Bin's eyes nearly burst with rage as he roared, "Shiniang!" He struck Luo Bi Sheng aside with a palm and rushed to her side, taking the brunt of the assassins' attacks for her.

Seeing an opportunity, Luo Bi Sheng narrowed his eyes. He concentrated his internal energy into a single point and launched the Judge's Pen like a hidden projectile. However, his target was not Wang Bin, but Hua Shiniang!

While fending off the assassins, Wang Bin kept a close eye on Luo Bi Sheng. Seeing the pen fly, he thought, *Oh no!*

Without thinking, he instinctively lunged toward Hua Shiniang. With a *thud*, the Judge's Pen pierced through Wang Bin's back and emerged halfway through his chest.

He shielded Hua Shiniang with his body. The light in his eyes faded rapidly. He opened his mouth to speak, but lacked the strength. Finally, he gave Hua Shiniang one last, lingering look of reluctance before falling backward, his soul departing for the underworld.

"Wang Bin!" Hua Shiniang stared in disbelief, frozen in place, her mind unable to process the tragedy.

Seeing her stunned, a black-clad assassin swung his blade toward her. Just as she was about to perish, a Dragon-patterned longsword suddenly streaked in from the side.

The blades collided, sending the assassin's saber flying. The newcomer did not stop; he struck out with a left-handed palm, hitting the assassin in the chest and sending him flying back, coughing blood.

"Chen Zhuoan!" Luo Bi Sheng cried out in shock.

"Hmph, I didn't expect a sycophant to emerge from our 'Anti-Traitor Society'!"

"Chen Zhuoan, you are too stubborn and will bring about your own destruction. Do you really intend to drag your brothers to their deaths with you?" Luo Bi Sheng said, his expression unchanged.

Chen Zhuoan snorted coldly. He glanced at Hua Shiniang and shouted, "Shiniang, the dead cannot return! Our priority is to join forces and wipe out these bandits to avenge Brother Wang!"

To his surprise, Hua Shiniang seemed not to hear him. She knelt beside Wang Bin's body, looking as though the entire world had ceased to exist.

Chen Zhuoan frowned and sighed inwardly. Luo Bi Sheng laughed loudly, "Chen Zhuoan, it seems even Heaven is against you. You've sought your own death today; don't blame anyone else!" With that, he and the black-clad men launched a coordinated assault.

Though Chen Zhuoan's martial arts were high, these assassins were top-tier professionals. Caught in a pincer attack, he soon began to show signs of defeat.

Just as he was being pushed to the brink, two figures flew from the forest. One was a young girl in white, wielding a Hundred Flower Sword, charging single-handedly into the crowd. Despite the numbers, she had no equal among them, cutting them all down.

The other, a youth in grey, ran straight to Hua Shiniang's back and struck her with a palm. With a cry, Hua Shiniang spat out a mouthful of blood, and her eyes gradually regained clarity.

These two were, of course, Liang Yan and Tang Diexian, who had been following Chen Zhuoan. Liang Yan had realized that Hua Shiniang's grief had caused her spirit to fracture. He had struck her back, using his spiritual energy to clear her meridians. Now that she had expelled the stagnant blood, her mind had returned to normal.

Seeing the tide turn instantly, Luo Bi Sheng abandoned his mission and fled.

But Chen Zhuoan was prepared. He exerted all his internal strength to hurl his Dragon-patterned sword. The sword flew like a streak of light toward Luo Bi Sheng's back.

With a loud *bang*, the sword pierced through Luo Bi Sheng, pinning him to a large tree.

Tang Diexian had also finished off the remaining assassins. The three gathered together. Chen Zhuoan bowed and said, "Miss Tang, you have saved my life many times. If you ever have a need, I, Chen, will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Tang Diexian waved him off without much reply. Seeing the tragic state of Hua Shiniang and Wang Bin, her heart was heavy with regret for arriving too late.

Hua Shiniang suddenly spoke, "Though my reputation is poor, I have never done anything to betray Brother Wang." Chen Zhuoan understood her heart and merely nodded in silence.

With a pale face, Hua Shiniang clutched Wang Bin's body and murmured, "In my heart, I had long since become yours. It's a pity you were such a block of wood, never understanding my feelings..." A look of tragic resolve crossed her face.

She pulled a scroll from her bodice and threw it to Chen Zhuoan. He caught it and realized it was the stronghold map. Realizing the danger, he cried out, "Shiniang, no!" But it was too late.

Gripping her soft sword, Hua Shiniang plunged it directly into her own heart. Blood erupted instantly.

Startled, Tang Diexian rushed forward to seal the wound and used her spiritual energy in an attempt to save her.

Hua Shiniang gave a tragic smile and said with great effort, "It's no use. My heart is already dead. Living only brings me more pain."

Tang Diexian froze, her hand stopping mid-transfer of energy. Hua Shiniang continued, "After I die, could I ask you to look after Chu Ba?"

With tearful eyes, Tang Diexian nodded. "Don't worry, Sister. I will take good care of him."

Hua Shiniang smiled. "You are so kind..." She then glanced at Liang Yan and added, "He is very kind, too..."

Her consciousness grew dim, and her breathing became labored. Looking at the young man and woman before her, in her final moment, she felt as though she had returned to her youth. She saw a slightly stout, awkward boy smiling at her with simple honesty

"I am Wang Bin. May I ask for your name?"

(End of Chapter)