Chapter 49: Sudden Change

Han San lifted his veil and pressed his head against the ground in one motion.

At this moment, the assassin's face was revealed; he was a youth of about one meter fifty, perhaps fourteen or fifteen years old.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his youthful face was smeared with pot ash, pitch-black, yet his anger was still visible.

Despite being pressed to the ground by Han San, he still struggled desperately, opening his mouth wide to roar: "Let go of me, let go of me, I want to kill you bunch of animals!"

"Behave yourself." Han San aimed a blow at the youth's forehead.

Feng Bangning shook his wrists and walked over, gritting his teeth as he smiled grimly: "Heh heh, with your amateur skills, you want my life? I would have died countless times over if that were the case."

Having said this, he squatted down, grabbed the youth by the hair, and demanded: "Speak, who sent you to assassinate me?"

"Pah! To kill an animal like you, does it require someone else to send me?"

"Oh? Looks like a tough nut to crack." Feng Bangning became interested and chuckled, "I just don't know if your bones are harder, or if the torture instruments of the Eastern Depot are harder."

"Xu Jue."

"Present." Xu Jue responded.

"Take this assassin to the Eastern Depot and treat him well." Feng Bangning smiled coldly, pointing at the youth on the ground as he gave the order.

Just as Xu Jue was about to find someone, Zhang Yunxiu spoke up with a smile: "Why go to the Eastern Depot? Just take him to our Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Are you trying to protect this brat?" Feng Bangning asked coldly.

"It's not protecting, it's just that I'm afraid it will be troublesome for you." Zhang Yunxiu laughed it off.

Feng Bangning's face darkened, and he said nothing.

Xu Jue noticed the atmosphere was off and jumped in to smooth things over: "The torture methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are no worse than our Eastern Depot's. Since Battalion Commander Han is right here, we can save ourselves the trouble."

"Very well," Feng Bangning said, taking the opportunity to step down, looking at Zhang Yunxiu, "Since you, brother, have spoken, I will give you this face. You take him; as for how to deal with him, you decide for yourself."

Having said this, Feng Bangning gave the youth a meaningful look and left Yilan Pavilion with a smile.

"Young Master, how should we deal with this fellow?" Once Feng Bangning and his companion had left, Han San pointed at the youth on the ground and asked.

"Let him up first."

Zhang Yunxiu gave the soft-spoken order, and Han San nodded, lifting the youth up as if he were a chick.

The youth was still full of rage, kicking his legs while staring at Zhang Yunxiu and the others, cursing: "Let me go, let me go..."

Seeing his rudeness, Zhang Fu shouted from the side: "You child really doesn't know what's good for you. If our Young Master hadn't saved you, you would have entered the Eastern Depot, and by now your bones would likely be crushed to dust."

"I don't need his saving!" the youth glared and cursed.

"Do you want to die?" Han San increased the force in his hand, grabbing the youth by the neck.

"Let him go." Zhang Yunxiu frowned and glared at Han San, then asked the youth, "What is your name, and why do you want to assassinate Feng Bangning? Do you not know who he is?"

"The nephew of a grand eunuch!" the youth replied through gritted teeth.

"And you still did it knowing that?" Zhang Yunxiu became interested and asked again, "By the way, you still haven't told me your name."

"I don't change my name when I walk, and I don't change my surname when I sit; I am Zhao Yong."

"Zhao Yong?" Zhang Yunxiu was stunned; he seemed to have heard that name somewhere before.

"He is the son of the County Assistant," Han San whispered as a reminder.

It had been dark earlier, and the fellow had smeared his face black, so he hadn't recognized him at first. Now, hearing him state his family background and seeing that he was a youth, Han San immediately confirmed the person's identity.

"That's right, my father was killed by you people, and I want revenge!" Zhao Yong shouted. By this time, the number of onlookers on the street had increased, and they were pointing at the group.

Zhang Yunxiu realized something was wrong and hurriedly told Han San to take Zhao Yong and squeeze through the crowd, heading straight for the Northern Suppressing Faction.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Prison, Zhang Yunxiu ordered someone to bring clear water for Zhao Yong to wash his face.

In an instant, the original charcoal-black face turned into that of a handsome and delicate youth. Only, there was still a lingering, intense murderous aura between his cheeks that made one frown.

Inside the interrogation room, the two sat opposite each other, with Han San standing to the side.

Zhang Yunxiu tapped the table and asked coldly: "Have you ever thought about what the consequences would be if you had actually killed Feng Bangning?"

"At worst, it's just death!" Zhao Yong replied, straining his neck.

"Yo, a tough nut indeed." Zhang Yunxiu looked at Han San and pointed at Xu Yong, saying, "It really is like father, like son. The father was a tough nut, and the son's bones aren't soft either."

Han San laughed in agreement, but Xu Yong's cheeks flushed red, and he gritted his teeth, cursing: "You people are worthy of mentioning my father?"

"Kid, do you really want to die?" Han San was angry.

Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "Do you think it was Feng Bangning who killed your father?"

"No matter what you say, I won't believe it."

"Fine, let's say it was Feng Bangning who beat your father to death. Do you know what the consequences are if you kill him?" Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes and shouted, "You will die, and your sister and mother will likely die unclear deaths in the future."

"The courage of a common man, a heart full of hot blood—what great cause can that accomplish!"

Xu Yong was flushed red from being scolded, and for the first time, fear appeared in his bloodshot eyes.

"Killing without seeing blood—that is what you call killing." Zhang Yunxiu stood up and pointed at Xu Yong, "You are still able to sit here and talk to me now; you are already lucky enough. Do you know how many people enter this room every month?"

"Among them, how many can walk out of this Embroidered Uniform Guard prison upright?"

"Are you going to kill me?" Xu Yong swallowed a mouthful of saliva and asked nervously.

"Know fear now?" Han San, standing to the side, chuckled and mocked, "I thought you were a kid with guts of steel, but I didn't expect you to be a cowardly wretch."

"Who—who is afraid? You're the cowardly wretch." Xu Yong defended himself with a red face.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and changed the subject: "I only ask you this: do you want revenge?"

"I do!"

"Very well. In a few days, I will send you back to your hometown. You should be filial to your parents and study hard to earn a scholarly rank in the future."

"I won't study." Xu Yong shook his head firmly and retorted, "Studying won't kill Feng Bangning. Among all you people who have read so many sage books, is there even one who dares to deal with Feng Bangning?"

"I want to learn martial arts, learn the best martial arts in the world, and then kill that grand eunuch and Feng Bangning, all of them."

"Then you can just stay here and behave." Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and signaled for Han San to walk out of the interrogation room.

"I'll stay if I have to!"

The two walked to a secluded spot, and Zhang Yunxiu instructed Han San: "First, find someone to scare him and dampen his spirit. But remember to keep it within limits; absolutely do not maim him. County Assistant Zhao has only this one son, so we must leave him some flesh and blood."

"As you command." Han San cupped his hands in agreement, then added another sentence, "Oh, right, Young Master, what should I do if Feng Bangning comes to demand his release?"

"No need to pay him any mind. If he gives you trouble, just tell him to come find me directly," Zhang Yunxiu replied with great dominance.

Han San nodded, made a "please" gesture, and escorted Zhang Yunxiu out of the Imperial Prison.

(End of chapter)