Inside the narrow alley bathed in the night’s hues, the masked person in front cautiously probed the path, while Robe Brother and Two Knife trailed behind, keeping watch.

Outside the alley, the urgent sound of people running could be heard from time to time. The gangs of stick fighters were searching the entire city, seemingly intent on turning the outer city upside down.

Two Knife slowed his steps and said in a hoarse, strained voice, “Brother, we’re only getting a one percent cut. Won’t that be a bit little?”

Robe Brother glanced at the masked person’s back. “I’m not afraid of getting less, just afraid we won’t get a single *wen*. This person doesn’t even recognize the roads in the outer city. Whether we can trust him is debatable.”

Two Knife said in a low voice, “He has a problem.”

Robe Brother hummed in agreement. “If he hadn’t said ‘seeing injustice on the road and drawing a knife to help,’ I might still believe him somewhat. But you’ve seen it too, all the way here, which ‘seeing injustice on the road and drawing a knife to help’ person wasn’t wrong unless they were trying to sell you out?”

Two Knife’s expression was heavy. “Then what do we do?”

Robe Brother scratched his scalp with his little finger. “Running away won’t work, we can’t be unrighteous!”

At this moment, outside the alley, another fourteen or fifteen armed He Ji stick fighters openly passed by the alley entrance!

Someone loudly instructed, “You go to the Fu Lai Inn on the east side. Wang Dong, you go to the Zhuang Yuan Inn. Remember, be polite to the scholars who’ve come to the capital for the exams. Don’t you dare provoke future officials, you idiots!”

The masked person pulled Robe Brother and Two Knife, hiding side-by-side in the shadow beneath the blue bricks and grey tiles, waiting for the He Ji stick fighters to leave.

In the silence, the masked person suddenly asked, “What were the two of you chatting about just now?”

Robe Brother replied, “We were saying how incredibly thrilling tonight was. If it weren’t for the benefactor’s appearance, our two brothers would surely have met our end!”

The masked person hummed, “May I ask, Robe Brother, where did you learn that wrestling skill of yours?”

In the darkness, Robe Brother’s pupils constricted, but his expression didn’t change. “I learned it from my master in my old home in Yu State. My master is an expert in wrestling skills!”

“Oh,” the masked person said casually. “Since he’s an expert in wrestling skills, he must be very famous. Perhaps I’ve heard of his name!”

Robe Brother’s expression was hidden in the shadows. “My master isn’t famous, he’s a hermit!”

The masked person said again, “Then may I visit him sometime? I’m also quite interested in this.”

Robe Brother smiled. “He passed away!”

“Does this wrestling skill have a name?”

“Soft Technique!”

“Why is it called Soft Technique?”

“Um… it’s a technique of overcoming hardness with softness!”

The masked person listened to Robe Brother speak nonsense with a straight face, yet didn’t expose him!

He turned his head and swept his gaze over the two of them. “Please tell me how many stick fighters He Ji and Fu Rui Xiang have, who is strong and who is weak now, and how many people are watching within the eight major alleys.”

Robe Brother leaned against the wall and introduced, “This outer city is divided into eight major wards: Chong Bei Ward, Chong Nan Ward, Zheng Bei Ward Ward, Zheng Nan Ward… Within the eight major wards, four are in the hands of He Ji, three are in the hands of Fu Rui Xiang, and the Chong Nan Ward belongs to the Cao Gang!”

Robe Brother continued, “Besides the eight major wards, Liu Li Chang, Pan Jia Yuan, and the eight major alleys – these three most profitable places – are singled out, with territory decided by wrestling every month! He Ji has seven to eight hundred men, and Fu Rui Xiang has six to seven hundred!”

The masked person frowned. “So many?”

Robe Brother quietly observed the masked person’s reaction. “Benefactor, how many men do you have under you?”

The masked person casually replied, “Thirty some!”

Robe Brother was startled. “These gang fighters have been entrenched in the capital for a long time. If you only have thirty some men under you, I advise you to withdraw early!”

The masked person didn’t answer. He listened as the alley outside gradually quieted, turned and exited the alley, and hurried straight towards Xuan Wu Gate!

As they approached Xuan Wu Gate, Robe Brother saw from a distance more than twenty soldiers of the Five Cities Military Division guarding the vermilion red main gate. He opened his mouth to call out, “Benefactor, we two don’t have inner city household registration or official travel permits, we can’t go in.”

But as the words fell, the sound of stick fighting and shouting was heard again from behind the three of them. Robe Brother turned his head and saw firelight flickering continuously behind the roof ridges, getting closer and closer. He could only steel himself and follow the masked person towards Xuan Wu Gate!

As they passed Xuan Wu Gate, the soldiers of the Five Cities Military Division raised their halberds. “Inner city household registration, or travel permit… take off the cloth on your face.”

The masked person took out a badge and flashed it quickly!

The expressions of the Five Cities Military Division soldiers changed, and they hurriedly stepped aside, not speaking again!

Robe Brother and Two Knife exchanged glances, surprised in their hearts!

The masked person led Robe Brother and Two Knife to an inn, took out a piece of broken silver, and stuffed it into the two people’s hands. “Considering these gang fighters probably can’t enter the inner city, you two rest here today. Tomorrow at *hai* time, I’ll blow a whistle outside the inn. At that time, we’ll go to Li Sha Mao Alley to stand watch together!”

Having said that, the masked person turned and left. After walking several streets, Chen Ji finally pulled down his mask and breathed a long sigh of relief!

He rubbed his cheeks and sighed, “How did you all end up in this world?”

At this moment, Two Knife stood in front of the inn door and turned to look at Robe Brother. “Brother, should we wait for him?”

Robe Brother shook his head. “We can’t wait. He only has thirty some men under him. Going to find gang fighters is just seeking death… Let’s go!”

Early morning, the sound of roosters crowing rose!

When Xiao Man opened her eyes holding the little black cat, Chen Ji’s trace was no longer on the bed. Only a piece of paper was left on the table: Find the Zhang family and borrow six horse carriages!

Chen Ji walked out of the side door of Qin Zheng Garden alone. In front of the door, Qi Jian Zhe was leaning against the wall, yawning!

Seeing Chen Ji come out, he immediately became energetic and stepped forward to claim credit. “Master, I found the bamboo you wanted. It’s just put inside the Governor-General’s Mansion!”

Li Xuan frowned and said, “Doing such a small matter, do you still need the Master to praise you?”

Chen Ji said calmly, “I heard that the outer city gangs were fighting last night. Have you all heard about it?”

Li Xuan shook his head. “No, I haven’t. Those gang fighters aren’t important. They also wouldn’t dare to make a fuss in front of the inner city officials and nobles! If they really fought, provoking the Five Cities Military Division to suppress them, many people would die!”

Chen Ji suddenly realized why the stick fighters were blocked when they reached Bai Shun Alley!

Qi Jian Zhe asked slyly, “Master, did you go to the eight major alleys last night? Why didn’t you call me!”

Chen Ji said casually, “Yesterday, when I went to Tian Qiao to watch wrestling and came back, I passed through Zheng Yang Gate and just saw shouting and killing inside! Right, have you all heard of He Ji and Fu Rui Xiang in the outer city? What’s their origin?”

Qi Jian Zhe shook his head. “Who would care about those lowlifes!”

The three crossed Tai Ping Bridge. Li Xuan said, “I have heard of them. He Ji is an old brand. They also have some wine shops and brothels under them, but their main income still comes from bullying and market dominance, collecting protection money! However, it wasn’t like this years ago. They originally did business protecting homes and yards, and escorting goods!”

Turning onto Xi An Da Street, Li Xuan continued, “He Ji first became famous for loyalty and righteousness. The old gang leader was incomparably loyal and righteous, eager to do good and uphold justice. If people of the Way fell into difficulty, he would help them out of his own pocket! This person also hated evil as an enemy, and his escorts never intersected with bandits. They relied entirely on their martial skills to travel and cross bridges! Legend has it that he once helped a person from the *Jianghu* who fell into banditry in Tai Hang Mountain. In the thirteenth year of his escorting, when he passed through Tai Hang Mountain, the horse bandit heard that he was coming this way and came down the mountain to guard the roadside and offer a bowl of wine in respect! This old gang leader didn’t drink the wine. Instead, he personally killed that horse bandit, and then found various people to witness. He distributed the money and goods on the mountain to the victims in the nearby counties who had suffered harm from the horse bandits!”

Qi Jian Zhe stared with wide eyes. “They were friends before, yet he killed him just like that?”

Li Xuan glanced at him sideways. “What do you think of the Tai Hang Mountain bandits? As long as a famous bandit’s hands are stained with hundreds of lives, and they’ve robbed several dozen common girls back to the mountain, and when someone in the village below the mountain gets married, the bride’s first night is taken by them. What’s the point of keeping this kind of person alive? I say, killing them is good.”

Qi Jian Zhe smacked his lips. “That’s true!”

Chen Ji said casually, “How did He Ji become like this now?”

Li Xuan shook his head. “I grew up in front of Zheng Yang Gate in the outer city, squatting outside the tea house since I was a child, listening to storytellers! This old gang leader is a regular guest in the stories of the outer city storytellers, so I’ve heard of him. I don’t know about the others!”

Chen Ji asked again, “Who is behind He Ji and Fu Rui Xiang? Without sky-high connections, there’s no way they could stand in the capital, right?”

Li Xuan shook his head again. “The people behind them are all very mysterious. After all, everyone cherishes their reputation. No one is willing to associate with these lowlifes and be laughed at!”

Chen Ji hummed in agreement. The three turned from Xi An Da Street into the Yu Lin Army Governor-General’s Mansion!

As soon as they entered the gate, they heard someone on the training ground stirring up trouble. “Qi Jian Zhe, hurry up and bring your two pieces of bamboo to sweep the ground. The dust on this ground is perfect for your bamboo!”

Qi Jian Zhe angrily cursed, “Stop your nonsense here! If you’re idle, hurry up and scram! The reputation of the Yu Lin Army has all been ruined by you!”

Chen Wen Ren, who had just changed into his armor, came out of the Governor-General’s Mansion. While tidying his armguard with his head down, he slowly said, “Qi Jian Zhe, don’t think you’re so great just because you took a trip to Gu Yuan. As far as I know, you might not have killed any enemies in Gu Yuan!”

Qi Jian Zhe’s expression changed!

Chen Wen Ren tidied his armguard and glanced sideways at Qi Jian Zhe. “What, do you really think others can’t see the war reports and memorials?”

He waved his hand, and someone threw a copy of the cabinet’s vermilion approval copied down into the middle of the training ground!

With a *pa da* sound, the pages of the vermilion approval scattered open!

Chen Wen Ren mocked, “When the Tian Ce Army assaulted and killed the Crown Prince, you hid on the roof of the Long Men Inn. Later, you drilled into a well to avoid disaster. When someone captured the Crown Prince, they didn’t see you swear to protect him with your life. Instead, you were captured along with them!

Qi Jian Zhe, all the Yu Lin Army soldiers by the Crown Prince’s side died in battle. Only you are alive. Tell me, whose fault is it that the Yu Lin Army’s reputation is ruined?”

Qi Shi Zhe’s expression darkened!

Chen Wen Ren kicked the memorial of the vermilion approval to Qi Jian Zhe’s front. “Practice your ceremonial axe and halberd well. Don’t think about messy things. Building merit and establishing a career has nothing to do with you! Your brother-in-law is your brother-in-law, and you are you. Sooner or later, he’ll be in the front lines of the Wan Nian Army. By then, who in the Yu Lin Army will protect you? You haven’t even killed anyone. Don’t act like a fox lording it over others here someday!”

Qi Jian Zhe didn’t dare to say a word, provoking a crowd of Yu Lin Army soldiers next to Chen Wen Ren to laugh heartily. “Don’t practice soldering, Officer Qi. First practice your guts!”

Chen Ji glanced at them, and without a word, pulled Qi Jian Zhe into the office to change into armor!

While changing armor, he tied the front of his armor tightly with his head down and said casually, “Argument is the most useless action in this world. Practice the formation well. There will always be a day to raise your eyebrows and exhale!”

Qi Jian Zhe took a deep breath. “Master, I understand… How should we practice using that bamboo? I’m afraid they’ll laugh at us again!”

Chen Ji turned his head and glanced at the training ground. Chen Wen Ren was leading more than two hundred Yu Lin Army soldiers in a special training for the ceremonial axe and halberd guard of honor. He said calmly, “Close the door, we’ll practice inside the covered building corridor!”

Qi Jian Zhe doubted, “Practicing inside the covered building of the Governor-General’s Mansion? This covered building’s corridor can only hold three people at most. It’s so narrow, it won’t open up!”

Li Xuan seemed to think. “Chen Ji, where exactly is the Mandarin Duck Formation you’re talking about suitable for use?”

Chen Ji stood in front of the door, closing the gate with both hands, blocking out both sunlight and gazes. Only a little light penetrated through the white paper window!

Chen Ji turned around and stood inside the dim Governor-General’s Mansion. “Flat ground! Alley battles!”

Qi Jian Zhe asked curiously, “Just practice here in the Governor-General’s Mansion?”

Chen Ji said calmly, “Practice inside the Governor-General’s Mansion during the day. In the evening, I’ll take you all to practice with real knives and guns!”

Time passed, the sun set in the west!

The drum sound of the Bell and Drum Tower spread, the eight hundred evening drums from slow to fast, beating out the last bit of heat and warm light!

On the training ground, Chen Wen Ren glanced at the tightly closed office door of the Governor-General’s Mansion and frowned. “These people have been stuffed inside all day and haven’t come out. What are they doing?”

Someone mocked, “Officer Qi has no face to see people, so he’s hiding inside and sleeping soundly! Sir, don’t mind them. Anyway, it’s their turn to stand watch tonight. Let’s go drink wine on Qi Pan Street!”

Chen Wen Ren glanced at the Governor-General’s Mansion again, turned around, and walked outside. “Let’s go!”

When the Yu Lin Army Governor-General’s Mansion quieted down, the office door was still not open, and no lamps were lit!

Only the vague sound of shouting and killing occasionally transmitted from inside the covered building proved that there were still people inside!

Not until the sun completely sank behind the city, not until the watchman knocked the *hai* time, did the gate of the Governor-General’s Mansion finally open!

The Yu Lin Army soldiers filed out carrying weapons, shields, and bamboo. In front of the gate, six horse carriages were quietly stopped, but the drivers were nowhere to be seen!

Li Xuan doubted, “What is this?”

As the words fell, someone from the middle of a carriage lifted the curtain. Zhang Zheng smiled and said, “As soon as I heard Xiao Man say you wanted to borrow six horse carriages, A Xia was sure you were going to do something big again. How can we miss out on this kind of thing? We’ve also come to join the fun!”

Chen Ji looked into the carriage and saw Xiao Man and Zhang Xia sitting quietly inside. Zhang Xia glanced at the weapons in their hands and thought for a moment. “He Ji? Fu Rui Xiang? San Shan Hui?”

Chen Ji smiled and said, “He Ji!”

Zhang Xia thought for a moment again. She didn’t advise Chen Ji not to go, only instructed, “If you can’t win, run!”

Chen Ji replied, “Okay.”

More than thirty Yu Lin Army soldiers squeezed into the six horse carriages. Two people were left outside each carriage to drive the horses. The carriage wheels pressed on the blue bricks, rumbling towards Xuan Wu Gate!

Inside and outside the carriages, the Yu Lin Army soldiers, one by one, took out a piece of grey cloth and covered their faces!

Zhang Zheng was surprised. “What are you doing?”

Qi Jian Zhe shook his head. “I don’t know, the Master instructed us!”

Zhang Zheng looked towards Chen Ji!

Chen Ji said sincerely, “Afraid of losing face if we can’t win!”

Zhang Xia casually tore off the hem of Zhang Zheng’s clothes and divided it into three strips. “We’ll cover ours too!”

The horse carriages arrived in front of an inn on the main street of Xuan Wu Gate. Chen Ji signaled Qi Jian Zhe with his eyes. Qi Jian Zhe pressed two fingers to his tongue and blew a whistle!

But after waiting for half an incense stick’s time, Robe Brother and Two Knife still didn’t appear!

Zhang Xia asked curiously, “Did the people you were waiting for run away?”

Chen Ji leaned on the carriage and said in a low voice, “Wait a little longer!”

Zhang Xia asked curiously again, “What kind of people?”

Chen Ji thought for a moment. “*Jianghu* people!”

Xiao Man muttered in a low voice, “What kind of answer is that?”

The next moment, someone knocked on the horse carriage!

Chen Ji lifted the curtain and looked out, only to see Robe Brother and Two Knife standing outside the carriage, panting. “We’re not late, are we?”

Chen Ji smiled and said, “It’s still *hai* time, not late, but I thought you wouldn’t come back!”

Robe Brother grinned and said, “Words must be believed, actions must be resolute. We, the Robe Brothers, absolutely won’t wash out, loosen, or sway!”

Chen Ji lowered the window curtain. “Get in the carriage!”