Chapter 117: Fragrant Braised Meat

The train clattered across the North China Plain, and the wheat fields outside the window were a sea of gold. Li Ping'an leaned against the hard‑seat carriage, dozing with his eyes half‑closed, but his ears were perked up high.

Ticket check! Everyone wake up! A coarse, booming shout rang from the other end of the carriage.

Two men in Zhongshan jackets inspected passengers one by one, their eyes darting back and forth. Inside Li Ping'an, his mind was as clear as a mirror; this wasn't a ticket check at all, it was clearly a manhunt.

When it was his turn, an agent jabbed his leg with a nightstick: "Hey! Papers!"

Li Ping'an leisurely produced his documents, a sincere smile plastered on his face: "Officer, thank you for your hard work."

The agent carefully compared the photo, then stared at his face for a while: "Where are you going? What are you doing?"

Going back to his hometown in Baoding. Li Ping'an spoke in an authentic Baoding accent: "My mother is gravely ill; I'm returning to fulfill my filial duty."

Another agent rifled through his luggage, finding only a few old clothes and a large sack of Spice Mix. The agent pinched a handful of Spice Mix and sniffed: "What's this?"

Spices for Braised Meat. Li Ping'an forced a smile, saying he had learned a few culinary skills in Beiping and planned to open a small shop back home.

The agents waved him through. Li Ping'an appeared calm on the surface, but his palms were slick with sweat.

Arriving in Baoding, Li San was already waiting on the platform. As soon as the two met, Li San lowered his voice: "Brother, you finally made it! Le'er has been talking about you every day."

Back at Li San's residence, Ping Le swooped over like a little Yanzi:

Li Ping'an lifted his sister, spun around, and noticed she had grown taller and her complexion was rosier.

"Third Uncle, you've taken such good care of her," Li Ping'an said with a smile.

Li San waved his hand: "Don't say that. As for you, what are your plans now?"

Li Ping'an's expression grew solemn: "Although Dai Ju Zhang is dead, his minions are still out there. I intend to return to Beiping and eradicate those scourges completely."

"Going back?" Ping Le clutched her brother's hem, "Too dangerous!"

"The most dangerous places are the safest." Li Ping'an patted her head, "This time, brother, I'll use a different method."

He explained his plan in detail: change his name and identity, open a Braised Meat Stall in Beiping, and deliver to high‑ranking officials and nobles. This way he could both learn the agents' backgrounds and find opportunities to strike.

"Great idea!" Li San slapped his thigh, "Those officials are the most gluttonous; they'll definitely bite."

Talk is cheap; action is needed. Li Ping'an changed his name to Li Laoshi, rented a small courtyard near the West Fourth Archway in Beiping. His Braised Meat truly had skill; he used a recipe he'd learned from short videos in a past life, combined with his medical knowledge of Chinese herbs, resulting in a uniquely flavored Spice Mix.

A few days later, Li's Braised Meat stall's reputation spread. That day, he specially braised a pot of premium Beef Shank, and pushed his cart to the Police Station dormitory area.

"Braised Meat! Fragrant Braised Meat!" he shouted, imitating the tone of an old Beijing street vendor.

A few agents shuffled out: "Hey! Meat seller, give me two jin!"

Li Ping'an, while slicing meat, made small talk: "You gentlemen are new here, aren't you? I haven't seen you before."

A plump agent sneered: "Turns out that group offended someone and got wiped out. We're newly transferred from Nanjing."

Li Ping'an felt a stir inside: "Wow, you'll need top‑notch service. Where do you all live? I'll deliver fresh meat to you every day from now on."

The plump agent pointed toward the back Alley: "The house at the very end. Remember, the meat should be a mix of fat and lean!"

Thus, Li Ping'an learned the residence of this batch of new agents. Yet he kept firmly to his principle of not using Braised Meat to harm people; these were just ordinary Braised Meat.

After closing shop at night, he changed into a Night Cloak. Under the moonlight, he moved like a nimble cat, silently slipping into the agents' Alley.

The first target was a drunk agent. As Li Ping'an slipped in through the window, the man was snoring like thunder. A silver needle soaked in narcotic was gently driven in, and the man fell silent in his sleep.

The second, a gambling agent, came back after losing money, cursing as he opened the door. He barely lit an oil lamp before a dark silhouette stood before him. Before he could shout, his throat was cut.

The third was the craftiest, keeping a wolf‑dog at home. Li Ping'an was prepared; he tossed a Meat Bun laced with a soporific. The wolf‑dog ate it and collapsed. He easily eliminated this target.

For several consecutive days, news of agents dying in mysterious accidents spread through Beiping City. The newly arrived head agent was furious, yet could not uncover the reason.

Li Ping'an's Braised Meat business grew ever hotter. That day, he received a huge order—new head agent Zhao Chuzhang's household was hosting a banquet and ordered twenty jin of Braised Meat.

When delivering the meat, Li Ping'an carefully observed the layout of Zhao Chuzhang's residence. That night, he slipped in again.

Zhao Chuzhang was on high alert, with a bodyguard posted outside the bedroom. Li Ping'an lifted a tile from the roof, saw Zhao Chuzhang writing. He gently blew in a cloud of narcotic smoke, waited until Zhao fell into a deep sleep, then calmly descended to take his life.

The next day, news spread that Zhao Chuzhang suddenly suffered a heart attack. The agents grew uneasy, all saying that Yanzi was reaping souls in Beiping City.

Ping Le could no longer stay in Baoding and insisted on coming to Beiping to help. Li Ping'an couldn't refuse, so he let her disguise herself as a flower‑selling girl, keeping watch on the streets.

The siblings worked in perfect sync. Ping Le's sharp eyes always spotted danger early; Li Ping'an's ruthless hands always found a chance to strike.

Thus, one by one, the malicious agents met inexplicable accidental deaths. The common folk cheered in secret, all saying this was…

On New Year's Day, Beiping City was festooned with lanterns and ribbons, everywhere celebrating the new year. Li Ping'an brought Ping Le to Sun Kezhang's tomb, placed several Braised dishes, and poured three cups of wine.

"Sun Kezhang, I have avenged you," Li Ping'an whispered, "Those who harmed you have all perished."

Ping Le, eyes reddened, asked: "Brother, what shall we do from now on?"

Li Ping'an gazed at the distant Beiping City: "As long as there are evildoers, Yanzi will not disappear."

The night sky suddenly burst with brilliant fireworks. The siblings stood before the tomb, their silhouettes stretched long.

Distant bells rang, heralding the start of the new year. Li Ping'an clasped his sister's hand, a resolute light flashing in his eyes. The road ahead may be fraught with danger, but as long as the siblings are united, no obstacle is insurmountable.

On the way back, Ping Le suddenly said: "Brother, your Braised Meat is so delicious; why don't we actually open a shop?"

Li Ping'an smiled: "When the world is at peace, I'll definitely open the biggest Braised Meat shop."

From the street came a newspaper seller's cry: "Read the paper, read the paper! The Nanjing Special Envoy is about to arrive in Four Nine City!"

Li Ping'an felt a tightening in his chest, knowing a new contest was about to begin. But he was already prepared.