Chapter 175: The Informer

A portion of the money they earned had to be handed over, and their men had to follow Zhao Jin's orders at any time. Chen Ergou had felt some gratitude at first. Butcher Li was very uncomfortable initially, thinking that after all his years in the trade, he now had to take orders from a kid much younger than himself. Later, however, he became completely willing. Zhao Jin had thoroughly beaten the southern city into submission and driven Yan Blackface out of town, which effectively expanded their territory significantly. Their income and influence had also grown considerably as a result. They had already tasted the benefits.

Now that Zhao Jin's side was heading out of the city, it meant a further expansion of power. Zhao Jin certainly wouldn't interfere too much in the affairs of those city rats and lowlifes. The two of them were bound to get a cut, and their territory and perks would increase along with it, which naturally made them excited and eager.

Everyone's mood was different, but the smarter ones all couldn't figure out one thing: by announcing the plan to deal with Yan Blackface in such a public place, wouldn't Yan Blackface catch wind of it and run away?

"It really is bitter; you usually don't see any hint of oil or grease." Watching the group leaders wolf down their food, Shi Manqiang couldn't help but mutter.

Most of those who chewed slowly had been dealt with by Zhao Jin before. These people had all profited by joining the sect and were living quite well.

They ate and drank everything clean, and no one stood on ceremony. As they left, almost everyone glanced at the silver on Zhao Jin's table. It was laughable, really. The Incense-Smelling Sect claimed to be a secret society, yet the group leaders in the city couldn't hide from anyone at all. Neighbors were all watching, and there were only so many places to gather and burn incense. How could it possibly stay hidden?

"We still need a horse. Us brothers walking around like this is just too humiliating." As the companions walked down the street, Sun Dalei grumbled.

They had just left Spare Rib Zhang's place. Going home late would just mean getting nagged by their parents, so they simply all stayed at the distillery. Shi Manqiang went to stay at the freight yard.

Sun Dalei's stutter had improved a lot, but he still tripped over his words sometimes. Yet he was the one who loved to talk the most, chattering on and on. Everyone listened with a smile; only Chen Sheng found it annoying.

Before he could say much more, Chen Sheng's hand suddenly pressed down on his saber hilt, his body leaning forward in a stance ready to draw and strike. It startled Sun Dalei so much that he dodged to the side, muttering, "Second Brother, there's no need to cut me down with a saber!"

Aside from addressing Zhao Jin as Big Brother, the others all called each other brother. Sun Dalei, however, liked to call Chen Sheng Second Brother. Everyone knew the reason: Sun Dalei feared Chen Sheng the most. Still, everyone thought the title fit, and occasionally they'd use it too.

Chen Sheng ignored Sun Dalei, staring intently at the intersection ahead. Only then did Sun Dalei notice that Zhao Jin had already drawn his short blade. Liu Yong, holding a hand axe, had moved to the flank and was creeping along the base of the wall. Ji Xiang, holding his dagger in a reverse grip, was charging straight ahead. Shi Manqiang and Dong Bingfeng reacted a bit slower, but seeing the situation, they understood what was happening and got ready alongside Sun Dalei.

"S-Sirs... this lowly one... this lowly one is here to report news." A trembling voice came from the intersection ahead. He must have been terrified by the deadly response from Zhao Jin and his group.

On this early winter evening, the streets were practically empty. A figure shifted in a side alley. The only reason they could see someone there was because a lantern hung outside a courtyard gate by the road, casting a faint shadow.

Hearing this answer, the group exchanged glances. Chen Sheng said coldly, "Come out with your hands up, and stand in the middle of the street!"

Zhao Jin and his men all stopped walking, watching as the man in the alley slowly walked out with his hands raised and stood in the middle of the street. Ji Xiang had already rushed up to him, stopping directly behind the man. He didn't make any move against him, but instead looked into the alley he had come out of. Liu Yong also crept over along the roadside, tilting his head to look.

"Big Brother, it's just this one person," Liu Yong said, turning back.

Ever since the bloody battle in the southern city, Zhao Jin and his friends had added a new drill to their martial training: how to respond to various situations. Who would charge forward, who would cover the rear, who would lead the attack—all were assigned based on each person's martial skill characteristics.

When they trained like that, many thought it was unnecessary. But when they actually encountered trouble, everyone found it convenient. Each person's role was very clear, allowing them to act spontaneously.

Looking by the light of the roadside lantern, they saw this man was one of the group leaders who had just attended the feast. Liu Yong was good at recognizing and remembering people. He went closer for a look, then returned to Zhao Jin and said, "This man is the second manager of Longsheng Shop."

Longsheng Shop was a grain store in the city, reportedly backed by a certain clerk from the Six Offices. Zhao Jin had some impression of this. He got straight to the point: "What news do you have?"

The manager instinctively stepped closer, but was grabbed by Ji Xiang from behind. Lowering his voice, the manager said, "This lowly one knows who set the fire, and knows who ordered it. Can Master Jin give the silver he promised?"

"Have you ever heard of me going back on my word? Once we catch the man, you can come to the distillery or the freight yard anytime to get the money. If you're afraid of being exposed, you can also send word, and I'll have someone bring the silver to you."

That Zhao Jin kept his promises was common knowledge in Xuzhou City. The manager hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "On Yangshu Street to the right of the academy, there's a Doctor Gao who specializes in treating fractures and injuries. He's also a group leader for the incense burning, but this man's heart isn't sincere. He's all about crooked ways, tricking two young men from the neighborhood into doing disgusting things. A few days ago, three men came to his house. They looked like strangers, and they were carrying bundles. When this lowly one went over that day, I saw bows and arrows inside the bundles. They also bought several months' worth of lamp oil at home. This lowly one thinks this might be connected to the arson Master Jin mentioned."

Bows and arrows, lamp oil, and three men—all the characteristics matched. Zhao Jin and his group all felt a surge of excitement. Ji Xiang quickly pressed, "Do you know the address?"

"This lowly one knows. There's a banner hanging outside Doctor Gao's house, hanging there day and night." The manager spoke in great detail.

With such precise characteristics and such a detailed address, it was impossible not to believe. Zhao Jin thought for a moment, then pulled a pouch from his chest and tossed it directly to the manager. In the pitch dark, the manager nearly failed to catch it.

"Pour it out and take a look," Zhao Jin said with a smile. The manager quickly did as told. In his hand were seven gold ingots. They were heavy, and soft when squeezed—genuine gold. As a manager who handled money year-round, he could tell it was real with a simple test, and he immediately beamed with joy.

"Seeing how scared you look, I'll pay you this as a deposit first. You'll get the rest once we catch the man. But I have to ask one thing: why did you come to inform on him?" Zhao Jin struck while the iron was hot.

Clutching the gold ingots in his hand, the manager hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Why does this kid get to handle such important matters, while I'm kept in the dark, knowing nothing?"

Zhao Jin was stunned for a second, then couldn't help but laugh. After saying this, the informing manager completely let go of his inhibitions. Gritting his teeth again, he said, "Master Jin, do you want to know who the Incense-Smelling Sect's chapter master in Xuzhou is? If you reward this lowly one a bit more, this lowly one will tell Master Jin that too."

No one expected the manager to have so much goods. Everyone was awed, and just as they were about to ask, the manager himself gave two dry laughs and said, "Let's wait until Master Jin catches this one first. This lowly one will report back then."

Zhao Jin nodded with a smile. The manager quickly took his leave. Shi Manqiang immediately asked impatiently, "Big Brother, should I go detain this man? I don't believe he won't talk."

"This man wants to sell his information for a high price. And since he just came out and said this, we can't fully trust it. Let's capture that doctor first, then talk," Zhao Jin said sternly.

The friends all gathered together. Liu Yong thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "That doctor is indeed one of the group leaders. We knew that before. We sent someone to greet him tonight too, but the doctor didn't come this evening."

"Dasheng, you and Shitou go to the yamen immediately. Tell them someone tried to set fire to our distillery, and that the doctor is sheltering bandits. Ask the constables on night duty to go arrest him overnight. If we make a move inside the city, it'll cause too much commotion. Take silver with you; spend whatever needs to be spent," Zhao Jin said urgently.

Chen Sheng and Shi Manqiang nodded and left quickly. Zhao Jin gave a cold laugh and added, "Brothers, all of you come back with me to prepare. Once we find out who has such reckless audacity, we'll teach them a harsh lesson!"

Spare Rib Zhang's shop wasn't far from the yamen—otherwise, Clerk Li from the Punishment Office wouldn't be so familiar with the place. It didn't take Chen Sheng and Shi Manqiang long to get to the yamen. Getting into the government office was hard for commoners, but for Chen Sheng, coming here was no different from entering his own home.

The constables on night duty politely invited the two into the runners' room. After Chen Sheng explained the matter, he directly took out ten taels of silver and invited everyone to "have some tea." With both face and benefits given, no one would refuse. One night-duty constable led four probationary runners straight to Doctor Gao's residence to make the arrest.

The runners at the yamen were all local snakes. In fact, as soon as Chen Sheng mentioned the name Doctor Gao, everyone already roughly knew the exact location. They rushed over with practiced familiarity.

When yamen runners came knocking, stealth was not a concern. Two men guarded the back door while the rest simply smashed the door and shouted. Some neighbors were startled awake, but upon seeing it was official business, they all shrank back inside.

No one answered the door despite the pounding. Shi Manqiang volunteered to climb over the wall and opened the door from inside. A group of men rushed in, shouting. Only Chen Sheng and Shi Manqiang exercised a bit of caution. The courtyard was small, with no ambush inside. The house was dark, showing no sign of anyone. When they kicked the door open, a thick stench of blood hit them in the face.

The constables and runners, who hadn't taken it too seriously before, now became alert. They lit two more torches to hold, drew their waist sabers and iron rulers, and cautiously crept inside.

Three corpses lay inside the house. They called in a neighbor to look, and it was Doctor Gao and the two so-called "medicine boys" who lived with him.

Chen Sheng didn't go home. Once things were mostly settled, he went straight to the distillery. Hearing the news of Doctor Gao's death, everyone grew solemn.

"The fatal wounds weren't hard to identify. All three had their throats slit by a dagger. The neighbors also confirmed they did see three men with bundles coming and going, and that those three men had already left this morning," Chen Sheng relayed the news from the yamen.