Eternal Saber

The speed of Thunder Leopard was even faster than Chen Tang had imagined. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

In less than one and a half hours, he had already arrived near Changze County.

Chen Tang dismounted, patted Thunder Leopard’s body, and said, "Go on your own, just stay nearby and don’t wander too far. Come out when you hear my whistle."

Thunder Leopard was wild by nature, and even if tied to a tree, it would bite through the reins, so it was better to let it roam freely.

Thunder Leopard raised its head, indicating it understood.

Without paying attention to Chen Tang, it trotted off the main road and soon disappeared from sight.

Chen Tang headed towards Changze County.

Before long, he arrived at a secluded place, where one house was lit, and a person stood at the door, chewing on a bamboo skewer, none other than Meng Liangyu.

The two had agreed to meet here tonight.

Chen Tang entered the courtyard, and Meng Liangyu smiled, "You arrived earlier than I expected."

"Was everything smooth?"

Chen Tang asked.

Meng Liangyu’s smile faded as he said solemnly, "The Evil Wolf Gang chickened out, but their reaction was what we expected. However, there are some changes with the Black Water Gang, reportedly, two stewards came from the upper club, both Eighth Grade Martial Artists."

"Our original plan was to assassinate the Black Water Gang’s Squad Leader, Cong Qingyi, at the banquet to spark a conflict between the two gangs. But with two Eighth Grade Martial Artists there, it’s not going to be easy."

Chen Tang said, "No worries, I brought the Three-Stone Bow this time."

Meng Liangyu’s eyes lit up.

The power of the Three-Stone Bow was much greater than the One-Stone Bow!

At close range, with Eighth Grade Martial Artists unprepared, they definitely couldn’t escape.

Meng Liangyu nodded, "Then there’s no problem."

Chen Tang asked again, "Is Old Huang coming tonight?"

Before leaving, Chen Tang had instructed Meng Liangyu to invite the steward of the county jail.

Although he had learned from Niu Er and Cui Yong why Chen Da’an was imprisoned, the situation inside the jail was unknown to them.

Chen Tang wanted to know what Chen Da’an experienced in jail and if he left any words for him.

"He is, he’ll be here soon."

Meng Liangyu said, "Do you want to meet him? He’s spent years in the prison, probably doesn’t know you. You could say you’re a friend of mine."

"Better not, with outsiders present, he might not open up."

Chen Tang shook his head, "I’ll listen from the inner room, just help me get a few things out of him."

"Alright."

Meng Liangyu said, "Just stay in the inner room; I’ll inquire for you, definitely will get genuine information from him."

Chen Tang nodded, turned around and went into the inner room, sitting in the dark, slowly drawing out the long blade, quietly looking at the last gift Chen Da’an left him.

Tonight, he’d use this blade to settle the score and give Chen Da’an an explanation!

.....

Less than half an incense stick’s time later.

Meng Liangyu’s voice sounded at the door.

"Master Huang, over here."

"Oh my, Chief Meng, you flatter me. I’m a few years older; just call me Old Huang."

Through the window gap, Chen Tang saw an old, skinny man walking from a distance, perhaps not often seeing daylight, his face appeared slightly pale, hands tucked into sleeves, showing layers of wrinkles when he smiled.

"It’s right to call you Master Huang, you can call me Xiao Meng."

Meng Liangyu laughed loudly, welcoming Old Huang inside.

The table in the living room was already laid with dishes and drinks.

"Oh my, you’ve prepared such a feast."

Old Huang said, "Xiao Meng, don’t you still have to attend the banquet at Qingyun Tower tonight?"

Meng Liangyu replied, "There’s no rush for that, too many people are annoying, so let’s have a couple of drinks first. Master Huang, sit, there’s no outsider here, feel free."

"Speaking of which, Master Huang’s fame in Changze County is even bigger than the County Magistrate. People say, better to meet King Yama than Old Huang."

"Haha, just rumors from some grain-chewing commoners."

Meng Liangyu engaged Old Huang in idle chatter, complementing and praising him.

Old Huang’s face showed a hint of flush, slightly intoxicated, and he slowly started talking.

After several rounds of dishes and tastes of wine.

Old Huang laughed, "Xiao Meng, let’s cut to the chase. You must have something in mind to call me here, right?"

"Haha."

Meng Liangyu laughed loudly, "Master Huang is indeed straightforward!"

After a pause, Meng Liangyu lowered his voice, "Indeed, there’s a small matter. I want to deal with someone. But his crime isn’t serious enough; he might be released after a few days in jail. So I wanted to ask Master Huang if there’s any solution."

"Oh! I thought it was something big, just this trivial matter, just a mention to me is enough."

Old Huang said, "I’m not boasting, but in Changze County, Master Sun is naturally the biggest. But in this prison, I’m like heaven! Once in, whether one lives or dies is all up to me."

"Oh?"

Meng Liangyu asked, "What’s the trick here? If the crime isn’t heavy, is there any way?"

"Even if the crime isn’t heavy, it’s okay."

Old Huang casually waved his hand, "Once in prison, there are always ways to find trouble for him, a good flogging with instruments, even a strong man can’t endure it."

"Take for example, some time ago, a hunter named Chen Da’an didn’t have much of a crime, and with the new emperor ascending, the whole realm was pardoned, so he should have been released."

"But alas, he cursed County Magistrate Sun in public court, and Chief Constable Cui also gave instructions, how could he still come out alive?"

Meng Liangyu nodded, "I seem to have heard of this, that Chen Da’an seemed stubborn, refused to confess in public court."

"Hehe."

Old Huang laughed dismissively, "Even the hardest bones have weaknesses. Later, he fell into my hands, didn’t he obediently relent and confess?"

"Did he confess in the end?" Meng Liangyu asked with raised eyebrows.

"He confessed."

Old Huang said, "I used instruments on him, and he fainted several times without confessing. Later, sensing his time was short, he loosened up, wanted me to call his child for a last meeting."

"Haha, would I accommodate him? Even without County Magistrate Sun, Chief Constable Cui instructed me, I’d still teach him a lesson!"

Old Huang drank another mouthful of wine, unnoticed that Meng Liangyu’s expression had gradually turned cold.

Meng Liangyu said calmly, "You didn’t have personal grievances with him, why go to such lengths?"

Old Huang said, "He was disobedient! In my place, he still dared to argue, what happened later? To meet his child one last time, didn’t he obediently soften, knelt and begged me."

"In my hands, there’s no one I can’t handle."

Meng Liangyu asked, "You didn’t call his child over?"

"Why bother, such things are common in prison, and without silver, it’d be a run for nothing."

Old Huang said, "However, after a few days, I heard his child went to the County Government Office and took Chen Da’an away."

"But what she took was a corpse, hehe!"

At this point, for some reason, Old Huang suddenly felt a chill, shuddered involuntarily.

Old Huang realized he might have talked a bit much, and said, "Let’s not bring this up anymore. Xiao Meng, if you want to handle someone, just bring it up to me when needed. Among the chief constables of Changze County, you’re the youngest with a bright future, just don’t forget me in the future."

Meng Liangyu said, "A friend of mine might want to meet you."

After saying this, Meng Liangyu stood up and left the room.