Ye Jingshuang had escaped, but he had gained an Assassin’s Order.

It wasn’t a total loss.

After glancing in the direction Ye Jingshuang had fled, Jiang Ran smiled.

"Still a bit naive... She never thinks things through."

He turned his head to Steward Liu and said with a smile,

"Steward Liu, I’d like to ask you about something..."

Steward Liu nodded repeatedly, indicating that he would answer any question to the best of his ability...

After a brief chat in front of the Government Office, Jiang Ran bade Steward Liu farewell.

Watching Jiang Ran walk away, Steward Liu paused in thought for a moment before returning inside the government building.

He walked deep inside, finally arriving before a small, elegant courtyard. He knocked softly on the door.

"Your Excellency."

"Come in."

A deep voice called out, and Steward Liu quickly pushed the door open and entered.

He looked up to see a burly, shirtless man sitting on the steps before the door.

He was holding a massive bowl—larger than a wine jug—and eating noodles.

In his right hand were chopsticks, while his left, which supported the massive bowl, also clutched a few cloves of garlic. Every couple of bites of noodles, he’d pop a clove of garlic into his mouth.

And beside him lay two severed heads: those of Zhang Dongxuan and Dao Zhen.

He sat eating his noodles right next to the heads, completely unbothered. He slurped loudly, splashing broth everywhere as he savored the meal.

Steward Liu stood quietly to the side, not daring to interrupt.

But the man began to speak while eating, not missing a beat and seemingly unafraid of choking.

"Did you give it to him?"

"I did."

Steward Liu said softly,

"Your Excellency, this Assassin’s Order... wasn’t giving it away a bit... a bit..."

"Hasty?"

"Yes, hasty!"

Steward Liu nodded quickly.

"After all, this thing... it’s a matter of great importance.

"This Jiang Ran is young and has no reputation in the martial world. It seems rather..."

The man lowered the massive bowl, revealing a pair of sharp eyes. He glanced at Steward Liu and suddenly smiled.

"If you could beat Zhang Dongxuan to death and chop off Dao Zhen’s head,

"I’d give you one too."

"But... how could I possibly have that kind of skill?"

Steward Liu gave a bitter smile.

"If you don’t have the skill, don’t say such things."

The official sneered and continued,

"As for his reputation in the martial world... with his level of martial arts, he’ll make a name for himself sooner or later.

"He’s a remarkable talent. We shouldn’t let him slip by.

"Alright, that’s enough. I have made my decision."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Steward Liu nodded immediately.

The official went back to SLURP, SLURP, SLURPing his noodles. After he had finished the entire massive bowl, he stood up and stretched.

He waved his hand, about to dismiss Steward Liu.

But at that moment, a report came from outside the door.

"Your Excellency, Shopkeeper Wan is here again."

Steward Liu stole a glance at his master.

He saw the official’s eyes narrow as he boomed in a voice like a great bell,

"Tell him I caught a chill last night and am now ill beyond cure. I’m too weak to even swallow my medicine, let alone handle official business.

"Have him come back in a few days."

As he said this, he let out a loud belch.

Hearing this, Steward Liu quickly lowered his head. ’When it comes to telling barefaced lies,’ he thought, ’you’re the true master, Your Excellency.’

"Alright, you’re dismissed."

The official waved his hand and muttered under his breath as he turned back toward his room,

"The date is set for the fifteenth of the seventh month. What’s he doing here now? Does he have his head up his ass?"

...

...

"Boss, a bowl of stewed meat noodles, please."

Jiang Ran walked up to a noodle stall and waved at the owner.

"Coming right up!"

The stall owner was quick and deft. In no time, he served up a bowl and placed it in front of Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran picked up his bowl and chopsticks and began to eat, his eyes fixed on a household across from the stall.

It was a grand residence with a high threshold. A plaque hung high above the main gate, bearing two large words: Tang Mansion!

He had asked Steward Liu about two things earlier in front of the Government Office.

The first was the identity of a long-time friend of the Ye family.

The second was the location of the Tang family.

And according to Steward Liu, when one spoke of the Tang family of Cangzhou Prefecture, the first one that came to mind was Master Tang’s household.

After asking for directions, Jiang Ran had come straight here without hesitation.

The sooner he dealt with the old drunkard’s business, the sooner he could rest easy.

But as he sat here eating his noodles and looked up, he saw that the gates to the Tang Mansion were wide open, yet no one was coming or going.

After a moment of thought, Jiang Ran waved the noodle stall owner over again.

"What can I do for you, sir?"

The owner hurried over.

Jiang Ran smiled.

"Oh, it’s nothing much. I was just hoping you could tell me about the family across the street."

"You mean Master Tang’s family?"

The stall owner chuckled upon hearing this.

"Master Tang is a good man! Is there anyone in all of Cangzhou Prefecture who wouldn’t give him a thumbs-up?"

"Oh?"

Jiang Ran was taken aback. "Could you tell me more?"

"Well... sir, I’m a bit busy..."

The stall owner seemed hesitant.

Jiang Ran glanced at the empty noodle stall, smiled faintly, and took two copper coins from his robes, placing them on the table.

"To be honest, I’m new here and looking to make a living.

"But I’ve loved martial arts since I was a child and don’t know how to do anything else... My only option is to sell my skills to a wealthy family and find a job.

"The trouble is, most families don’t need someone like me, and I worry about ending up with an unscrupulous master who’d order me to do wicked things. So... I was hoping you could help me out, boss."

The stall owner glanced at the bundle on Jiang Ran’s back and the single saber at his waist, and understanding dawned on him.

He immediately laughed.

"In that case, you’ve certainly come to the right person..."

He casually pocketed the two copper coins and began to spill everything he knew.

What he said was different from what Cheng Jimo and Steward Liu had told him.

Those two didn’t have the perspective of a commoner, so what they said lacked detail.

The noodle stall owner, however, was very detailed and gossipy.

From which of the Tang family’s maids and young ladies were prettier to what good deeds Master Tang had performed, he spoke about it all with great authority.

In short, Master Tang’s reputation was indeed excellent.

He never used his power to bully others and would even open his granaries to distribute grain during hard times.

Even when people offended the Tang family, Master Tang would repay injustice with kindness, which earned him much admiration.

Hearing this, Jiang Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed Master Tang truly was a good man.

But at the same time, he couldn’t help but frown.

If Master Tang was such a good man, what on earth had the old drunkard done to make him so angry?

So angry that he had to send a message crying for help?

He continued to eat his noodles while listening to the owner ramble on about the Tang family’s affairs. The owner only stopped talking when Jiang Ran had finished his entire bowl of stewed meat noodles.

Jiang Ran wiped his mouth and pointed toward the mansion’s gate.

"Who’s that heavyset man who’s been pacing back and forth in front of the Tang Mansion’s gate this whole time?"

"Which one?"

The stall owner followed Jiang Ran’s finger, and his face broke into a smile of realization.

"That’s Master Tang."

"???"