Chapter 19

The paper person Jiang Yunzhou didn't speak; he simply pulled the copper token Zou Zhen had given him from his waist and tossed it to Yang Hanlu.

In the darkness it wasn't convenient to examine closely, but the material and shape were unmistakable; besides, the black-clad swordsman's actions earlier had already proven his allegiance.

Yang Hanlu nodded, tossed the external copper token back to Jiang Yunzhou, and said:

"Surely one of our own; I don't know where those two escapees just ran off to."

Jiang Yunzhou pointed toward the direction the white-haired man had fled and said:

"That direction, but it's probably hard to catch up."

Yang Hanlu turned back and arranged:

"That direction is Yanghu County; send a pigeon letter to let the local prefecture there tighten patrols recently, first sending any captured criminals back for interrogation."

"Yes!"

Several flag officers didn't rush back, instead they all looked toward the black-clad swordsman beside them; the leading flag officer cupped his hands and said:

"Young hero, you alone acted as bait to lure the Southern Wu rebels into the pit—truly skillful and bold; we all admire you greatly. I don't know which chief banner recruited you."

Jiang Yunzhou thought to himself that the token he held was actually Yang Hanlu's, which she had given Zou Zhen to distribute; strictly speaking, he was actually recruited by her, but his identity naturally couldn't be easily exposed.

"The source of recruitment is inconvenient to explain."

According to what Zou Zhen said, Jiang Yunzhou believed that many external personnel of the Zhenning Office had not had their identities disclosed.

Indeed, including Yang Hanlu, everyone though doubtful, still quickly showed an understanding expression; however, there remained someone unwilling to give up who pressed on:

"Then may I ask, young hero, what should we call you?"

Holy crap, it's over—I thought up a great persona but forgot to come up with a name.

Quickly think of one; Jin, Gu, Liang, Wen, Huang—surely there's a suitable one among them?

Or how about Huang Si Lang? Zhang Mazǐ?

No good; this name will be used often and maybe even spread around—if I used those two, strangers might think I'm a bandit turned legit.

Seeing those flag officers all looking at him, the paper person Jiang Yunzhou gave a light cough and said:

"Yan Shi'er."

Having said that, he turned and leapt out of the grove toward Shangyang City, continuing to maintain his aloof, mysterious image.

Several flag officers were also left a bit dazed.

"Yan Shi'er, I've never heard of him before."

"You actually believe that? Maybe it's just a made‑up title some big shot came up with temporarily."

Watching the black‑clad swordsman's retreating back, another alluring female voice sounded in Yang Hanlu's mind:

"This person is somewhat interesting; go check his identity for me."

Yang Hanlu thought coldly:

"You still want to harm a second person?"

"What do you mean 'harm'? We're supposed to be cooperating, right? Besides, do you really want me to use your body to investigate? Then after I'm done investigating, I might just have slept with him~"

"If you can take it, go ahead and try!"

"Hehehe, don't get so worked up—I mean no ill will, just like you have a fondness for that little medic at the Cang Medical Hall; I think this black‑clad swordsman is easy on the eyes, isn't he? Then we could each have one~"

"You're sick; I have no interest in that medic. I can help you look into his identity, but don't entertain any extra thoughts."

Yan Shi'er pursued in the direction the white‑clad heroine had just gone, but alas, there was not a trace of her left.

It's rare to leave the city in the form of a paper person; Jiang Yunzhou at home felt no fatigue at all. Since that's the case, it would be better to continue training in a secluded spot outside the city, then wait until dawn and enter together with the townsfolk coming through the main gate.

First, practicing indoors he dare not exert his full strength, lest he damage the few pieces of furniture he has.

Second, although he could enter via the south side gate, at this time coming and going alone would easily draw attention; it's best not to let the Zhenning Office people know he actually resides in the city.

On the way to the Yu Bei Forest, he happened to see a large lake outside the city, with an open space beside it.

Thinking of Yan Shi'er, he used his lightness skill and quickly arrived at the lakeside; taking advantage of his warmed‑up hands, he practiced those techniques he rarely got to exert fully.

His sword techniques, however, could be performed fairly easily; Master Dong was right—the Yin‑Yang method truly needs to be slowly grasped through actual combat.

The transformation of the utmost yang, utmost rigid sword qi with the ghostly, yin‑soft sword technique indeed left opponents unable to withstand it.

Jiang Yunzhou suddenly turned, gripping his sword with both hands, and struck down forcefully.

Clang!

The sharp, glimmering light dragged a long sword qi across the ground, cleaving a tall white poplar at the far end right down the middle.

The break was extremely smooth, even neater than if Tom Cat had chopped it.

Too bad he had no spear or staff in hand; grabbing a random stick wouldn't let him exert full force, so the 'Breaking Heaven Spear Manual' could only be practiced by first discarding the spear and training fists.

Boom boom boom!

Wave after wave of palm wind and fist power stirred the surrounding fallen leaves, scattering them in a fluttering dance.

He kept practicing until the city gate was about to open; then Yan Shi'er followed the crowd entering the city back inside, thinking that tomorrow he'd bring a non‑original stick out to continue practicing.

After confirming no one was tailing him, he returned to the small courtyard at the rear side of the Cang Medical Hall, sneaking into the bedroom; otherwise it would look like he was sneaking in a man.

He retracted his qi, placed the black‑skin strange book into the cabinet, and also took a nap himself.

After going out to 'fool around' for a night, Jiang Yunzhou felt no fatigue.

It seems that from now on, his and Yan Shi'er's daytime and nighttime activities won't interfere with each other; he dozed off a bit, until outside the sky grew bright and Bai Zhi's voice came through:

"Young master, are you up?"

Bai Zhi said while pushing open the door, placing the prepared hot water and breakfast on the table; then she turned her head, and through the unclosed bedroom door of Yan Shi'er, she saw Jiang Yunzhou in the act of dressing, his clothes half‑open, faintly revealing the sturdy musculature he had trained in Mist Province.

"Oh dear!"

Bai Zhi's face flushed red as she let out a small startled cry, but her gaze showed no intention of looking away.

Jiang Yunzhou hurriedly shut the door, thinking to himself that this little Bai Zhi had barged into his room early in the morning; fortunately he dressed quickly, otherwise not only would she have seen the young master up, she'd also have seen the young master's little... well, you know, up as well......

"Bai Zhi, from now on you don't need to bother; I'll handle it myself."

Bai Zhi was asked and became somewhat at a loss for words, blushing as she retreated to the doorway and said:

"Miss went out today, I'm coming to tell the young master, saying please have the young master prepare, if she doesn't return by noon, please go to the West Gate of Prince Rong's Mansion, Miss will meet you at the doorway."

Of course, Shen Qingu only had Bai Zhi come tell Jiang Yunzhou, but didn't let her barge in early in the morning with breakfast.

"Prince Rong's Mansion?"

"Yes, Miss arranged it this way."

I don't even remember what connection the Shen family has with this Prince Rong's Mansion; could it be going out to see a doctor?

This matter still needs to ask Zou Zhen; Jiang Yunzhou came to the medical room, Zou Zhen's arm injury has basically healed, just finished packing up and preparing to leave.

"Brother Zou, why are you leaving in such a hurry?"

"Eh, can't afford not to be in a hurry; yesterday Chief Flag Officer Yang nearly wiped out the Southern Wu rebels in one sweep, I need to go back to help with the interrogation, any later and the credit will be theirs."

Jiang Yunzhou suppressed a smile and asked:

"Oh? So smooth?"

Zou Zhen frowned, nodded, and said indignantly:

"Just now a brother told me, I heard that an external dispatch dog knight named Yan Shiji actually came, secretly attacked and lured the Southern Wu rebels into a trap, earning great merit, and moreover pretentiously didn't reveal who recruited him; such pretentiously mysterious external dispatch personnel should be punished together with the irresponsible external dispatch recruiters!"

"???"