Chapter 141: Assassin

Brother, your complexion isn't great—are you feeling unwell somewhere?

Jiang Xiaoyu asked with concern, her clear eyes full of worry.

Jiang Xiaomu gave his sister a gentle smile and took the bowl of porridge.

It's fine, just didn't rest well. Your porridge smells really good.

He took a sip; the warm porridge slid down his throat, dispelling the lingering chill inside him.

Brother, you've been absent-minded lately. Did something happen?

Jiang Xiaoyu pressed on, her thoughtful mind noticing her brother's oddness.

Really, I'm fine. Don't worry.

Jiang Xiaomu ruffled his sister's hair, changing the subject.

Anything new happening in town today?

Jiang Xiaoyu tilted her head, thinking.

Not much, really—just heard that Li Cai Zhu took a new concubine.

The spectacle was huge—ten miles of red bridal adornments!

She said this, her tone tinged with a maiden's envy.

The brother and sister chatted intermittently, the room filled with a warm atmosphere.

Jiang Xiaomu drank his porridge, but his heart could not calm; that mysterious blind man, that killing intent, lingered in his mind.

He always felt something was about to happen; this premonition made him uneasy.

Hey, Zhang San, you're sleeping on duty again.

Watch out—I'll tell Constable Captain Pei, and he'll dock your pay.

Zhang San rolled his eyes, ignoring his coworker's teasing, when a dirty cloth sack was thrown to the ground, emitting a dull thud.

The sack rolled a few times, finally coming to rest at Zhang San's feet.

Zhang San had been half-asleep, but this sudden noise startled him.

He glanced warily around, but saw no suspicious person.

He cautiously approached the sack, prodding it with his spear; it felt soft, like it was stuffed with cotton.

Curiosity driving him, he bent down and untied the sack's rope.

A strong stench of blood hit him instantly, making his stomach churn.

Zhang San fought back nausea, opened the sack, and saw what was inside.

Ugh—

Zhang San couldn't hold it any longer, bent over and vomited.

Inside the sack was, shockingly, a bloody human head!

The head's eyes were wide open, dying without peace, the face still bearing a terrified expression.

The blood had congealed, dyeing the whole head a dark red, making it look especially horrifying.

Other constables heard the commotion and gathered around.

Seeing what was in the sack, they too turned pale with fright and stepped back.

Quick! Go report to Constable Captain Pei!

An older constable reacted and shouted loudly.

The constables quickly reported the matter to Pei Donglai.

Upon hearing the news, he immediately led people to the scene.

Seeing the head in the sack, even Pei Donglai, accustomed to big scenes, sucked in a breath of cold air.

He suppressed his discomfort, carefully examining the victim's face, trying to identify the deceased.

Who is the deceased?

He asked in a low voice.

I don't know him; I've never seen him.

The surrounding constables all shook their heads.

Pei Donglai furrowed his brows; this head had no clues at all.

Has anyone seen who threw the sack?

At that moment, a young constable stepped forward, pointing to a figure not far away and said:

I saw a blind man; it looked like he was the one who threw the sack just now.

Pei Donglai followed the constable's finger and saw a blind man in coarse cloth, leaning on a cane, walking slowly toward them.

That's him! I just saw him acting sneaky!

Zhang San pointed at the blind man and shouted; at that moment his face was pale from vomiting, his stomach still churning.

Pei Donglai's eyes narrowed; he immediately led men to surround the blind man.

Stop!

Pei Donglai bellowed, and the blind man halted.

Bold criminal, in broad daylight, you dare to kill and dump a corpse!

Pei Donglai shouted sternly, his sidearm already drawn, blade pointing at the blind man.

The surrounding constables also drew their weapons, encircling the blind man.

The blind man seemed oblivious to all this, slowly turning around.

His hollow eyes faced Pei Donglai's direction, the corner of his mouth twitching into a strange smile.

That smile on his pale face looked especially sinister, sending chills down one's spine.

"Killing and dumping a corpse?"

"The blind man repeated Pei Donglai's words in a hoarse voice, his tone laced with mockery."

"Constable Captain Pei, which of your eyes saw me kill someone?"

"Pei Donglai let out a cold snort."

"The head is right here, and you still want to deny it? Tell me, who exactly are you? Why did you kill?"

"The blind man slowly took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Pei Donglai."

"Constable Captain Pei, you might want to take a look at this."

"Pei Donglai took the paper, unfolded it, and found it to be a wanted notice."

"On the notice, the portrait was exactly that head, and below it read: 'Notorious bandit Zhang Biao, heinous crimes, kill on sight.'"

"Pei Donglai furrowed his brows, examined the head closely, and indeed it matched the portrait on the notice exactly."

"He wondered in his heart, could this blind man have killed him just for the bounty?"

"The blind man seemed to see through Pei Donglai's thoughts, he took out a token from his pocket and threw it to Pei Donglai."

"I am Luo Shisan, a registered bounty hunter of the Great Qian Dynasty."

"Pei Donglai took the token, examined it carefully; the front bore a single 'blade' character, while the back was engraved with the four characters 'appointed by imperial decree to capture'."

"This token is indeed the credential issued by the government to bounty hunters."

"Bounty hunters are a special occupation established by ancient governments to apprehend fugitives."

"They make a living by capturing wanted criminals for bounties, their status lying between the government and the jianghu, moving between the lawful and the unlawful."

"\"Ah, so it's Master Luo. \" Pei Donglai suddenly realized, hastily clasping his fists in apology."

"\"It's my poor eyesight that caused the misunderstanding, Master. \""

"Luo Shisan lightly tapped his cane on the ground, producing a dull thud."

"\"No matter, Constable Captain Pei, you're just doing your duty; no need for excessive courtesy. \""

"\"This notorious bandit Zhang Biao's crimes are monstrous; I have pursued him for a long time, and today I have finally brought him to justice. \""

"Pei Donglai nodded, a feeling of admiration for Luo Shisan welling up in his heart."

"He had originally thought Luo Shisan was just an ordinary blind man, never expecting him to be a bounty hunter possessing extraordinary skills."

"\"Master Luo, I don't know what crimes Zhang Biao committed that warranted the government issuing a wanted notice for his capture. \""

"Pei Donglai asked curiously."

"Luo Shisan sighed, slowly opened his wine gourd, and took a sip."

"\"Zhang Biao was originally a notorious bandit famous in the jianghu, committing arson, murder, and robbery, evil without limit. \""

"\"Later, he grew so audacious as to dare infiltrate an escort bureau and steal the birthday tribute. \""

"\"The government was furious and ordered that he be killed on sight. \""

"\"Now I understand. \" Pei Donglai suddenly realized."

"\"Master Luo, removing harm for the country, you are truly righteous and awe-inspiring. \""

"Luo Shisan gave a faint smile."

"\"It's my duty; I dare not take credit. Now that Zhang Biao has been executed, I should go collect the bounty. \""