It wasn’t right to stand around talking here.

Fortunately, though the teahouse’s roof was gone, the tables and chairs remained.

The group led the man, who claimed to have no significant background, to the front of the teahouse and brought out a table and some chairs.

They also found a teapot and cups, pouring everyone some tea, ready to talk as they drank.

"With Feiyun Stronghold acting like this, doesn’t the Government Office do anything about it?"

Jiang Ran took a sip of tea and was the first to ask.

"There are some things you may not know, Young Master Jiang."

They had exchanged names earlier, so Cheng Jimo already knew Jiang Ran’s name.

"Three years ago, when Feiyun Stronghold first began to make a name for itself, Cangzhou Prefecture did consider taking action."

"They gathered Government Soldiers, recruited masters, and prepared to storm the mountain to eliminate the bandits."

"But before they could set out... that year’s prefect, Lord Luo, met with a violent end at home."

Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow.

He then noticed that the man who claimed to have no significant background had a somber expression after hearing this.

As he was pondering, he heard Ye Jingshuang ask:

"Was it the work of Feiyun Stronghold?"

"How would they dare?"

"To this day, opinions are still divided on whether they were truly the ones behind it."

"First, the coroner claimed Lord Luo had no injuries, internal or external, and had died of a heart condition."

"Second, on the night of Lord Luo’s death, the entire Government Office was on high alert, preparing for battle. Security was extremely tight."

"So, while everyone felt that Feiyun Stronghold must have been involved, there was no concrete evidence."

"After Lord Luo’s death, the operation to eliminate the bandits fell into disarray, lacking a leader."

"Everyone had their own ideas. In the end, most left in anger, while a small group that did attack Feiyun Stronghold was utterly defeated."

Cheng Jimo recounted the story smoothly. When he reached this point, he sighed.

"In the last three years, Cangzhou Prefecture has had four different prefects."

"The first few either died mysteriously in their homes or were convicted and imprisoned... In short, there was one ’accident’ after another."

"Now, the newly appointed prefect does absolutely nothing."

"Other than issuing wanted posters for every single leader in Feiyun Stronghold, he doesn’t do anything else."

"He lets Feiyun Stronghold run rampant while he just eats and drinks, completely ignoring the matter."

"And the Imperial Court is silent on this matter?"

"The Court... In this day and age, the Court’s influence is weak. Even to suppress bandits, they must recruit masters from the Jianghu with promises of great rewards."

"Besides, Cangzhou Prefecture is a long way from the capital. As they say, ’the heavens are high, and the emperor is far away.’ Who can they count on?"

"They can’t possibly mobilize an entire army just for one mountain stronghold, can they?"

At this, Cheng Jimo lifted his teacup and took a drink. As if substituting tea for wine, he let out a long breath, expelling his frustrations.

Jiang Ran nodded. He didn’t much care about the rest of the story.

He was, however, quite satisfied with the part about wanted posters being issued for every last one of them.

He glanced at the man who had been standing off to the side.

"Speak up. You’re from Feiyun Stronghold, aren’t you?"

"I..."

The man gritted his teeth.

"I am!"

"How refreshingly honest."

Jiang Ran smiled. "Is your name on the wanted posters?"

"...No. I haven’t been with Feiyun Stronghold for long. I’m not wanted by the Government Office yet."

Jiang Ran frowned slightly and sighed, then glanced at Cheng Jimo.

"Brother Cheng, have you ever seen this man on a wanted poster?"

"No, this is the first time I’ve seen him."

Jiang Ran sighed even more heavily.

The man was taken aback. ’Why does it seem like Jiang Ran is disappointed that I’m not a wanted man?’

Then he heard Jiang Ran say to Cheng Jimo:

"Brother Cheng, since this man is from Feiyun Stronghold, what do you think is the proper way to deal with him?"

"Break his arms and legs, cripple his martial arts, and take him back for a thorough interrogation, of course!"

Cheng Jimo blurted out without a second thought.

Jiang Ran, however, just smiled faintly and glanced at the man.

"Are you really from Feiyun Stronghold?"

"I... am!"

The man nodded emphatically.

Jiang Ran chuckled. After a moment of thought, he rummaged through his bundle, produced a small vial, and said to the man:

"Do you want to live or die?"

"Ha! If I have the choice, of course I want to live."

"In that case, I’ll give you two options."

Jiang Ran said,

"One, you take what’s in this vial and return to Feiyun Stronghold."

"Two, I do as Brother Cheng suggested: break your limbs, cripple your martial arts, and drag you back to Cangzhou Prefecture."

Hearing Jiang Ran’s ultimatum, both Cheng Jimo and Ye Jingshuang knew there must be something unusual about the contents of the vial.

They didn’t object, but simply watched to see what the man would choose.

The man’s brow was furrowed.

"If I take this, will I still live?"

"Yes."

Jiang Ran said,

"The pill in this vial is called the ’Four Seasons Pill.’"

"It won’t kill you immediately. The poison will only activate after one season has passed."

"It will flare up four times a year, once each season."

"If you don’t take my antidote when it does, you will die instantly."

"I’m sure you understand what I mean by now."

"You want me to take orders from you?"

After a brief moment of surprise, the man nodded.

"Fine, I’ll take it!"

With that, he reached for the vial.

But Jiang Ran slapped the back of his hand.

"Do you even know the dosage? Don’t be so hasty."

"..."

The man was speechless and withdrew his hand.

Jiang Ran took a single pill from the vial and handed it to him.

After watching him swallow it, Jiang Ran smiled and asked,

"What’s your name?"

"I... My name is Qingyi."

"And your family name?"

"I don’t have one."

"You don’t?"

Jiang Ran nodded.

"When you get back, you can report everything that happened today to your leader."

"And remember... the big Monk’s name is Evil Arhat Dao Zhen."

"I’ll remember."

Qingyi nodded obediently.

Then Jiang Ran waved his hand dismissively.

"Go on."

Qingyi studied Jiang Ran for a moment, as if to make sure he wouldn’t be struck down from behind the moment he turned. Only then did he bow deeply, turn, and depart.

Jiang Ran watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.

He turned back and looked at Cheng Jimo.

"Brother Cheng, I ask for your forgiveness for taking matters into my own hands and letting him go."

"It’s no matter."

Cheng Jimo shook his head. "I’m sure you have your reasons, Young Master Jiang. Besides, we only captured him thanks to the help of yourself and Ye Jingshuang. You have every right to decide his fate."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"It’s getting late, and I still have duties to attend to..."

"Wait."

Jiang Ran quickly said,

"Brother Cheng, you’ve been in Cangzhou Prefecture for a long time. There’s something I’d like to ask you."

"Please, ask away, Young Master Jiang."

"Do you know of the Tang family in Cangzhou Prefecture?"

"The Tang family?"

Cheng Jimo looked surprised. "You wouldn’t be talking about... Squire Tang, would you, Young Master Jiang?"

"...A squire?"

Ye Jingshuang blinked. "Not a prominent Jianghu family?"

"Well..."

Cheng Jimo looked troubled and thought for a moment.

"When you mention the Tang family of Cangzhou Prefecture, the first person who comes to mind is Squire Tang."

"If you’re asking about Jianghu People with the surname Tang, Young Master Jiang..."

"...I really can’t think of any off the top of my head."

Ye Jingshuang blinked. ’Jiang Ran’s master was captured by a rich old squire?’

’Could he be a wealthy squire on the surface, but secretly an unparalleled master?’

...

...