The clattering of horse hooves echoed through Gefeng City, trampling upon the hearts of the common folk and drawing out infinite fear and unease.
In a home near the south gate, a family of four sat in their room, their hearts in a panic, completely devoid of sleep.
The woman asked in a trembling whisper, Did you hear a scream just now?
The man's breathing was also unsteady. Yes, it came from the city gates. I don't know what happened, but will it implicate us?
The old man sighed. Judging by the hooves, there's quite a number of them. Who knows what's going on?
Silence fell over the room. After a long while, the man muttered, From the sound of it, I'm afraid there's a mutiny in the city.
The woman's voice was full of melancholy. This winter will only be harder to endure. No food, no clothes. I don't know if we can make it through.
A seven- or eight-year-old girl sitting beside her grabbed her arm. Mother, I'm scared.
The woman felt a wave of bitterness. She pulled the girl into her arms and murmured, Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. If we really can't hold on, I will definitely take you with me, so you won't have to suffer in this world.
The old man and the man remained silent, clearly sharing the same thought. In such chaotic times, they didn't even know if it was better to be alive or dead.
At the entrance of the county office, only two soldiers were keeping watch, both drowsy and nodding off.
Suddenly, one of them opened his eyes, a look of surprise on his face. Did you hear something?
The other was impatient. What could there be to hear?
He yawned as he spoke. I'm dead tired.
As the two conversed in low voices, the faint sound of horse hooves drifted from within the city.
They jolted awake and looked toward the sound, but it was pitch black in the distance. They could see nothing; there was only the clattering of hooves drawing closer and closer.
Swish, swish—the sound of arrows piercing the air rang out.
Thwack, thwack. The arrows embedded themselves into the necks of the two men. To their dying breath, they never understood what had happened.
Xie Nanxiao vaulted off his horse, kicked open the doors of the county office, and charged inside with Qiu Wu and the others.
A manservant ran out. What's going on outside? Why are there horse hooves?
Under the dim light of the lanterns in the courtyard, he finally saw that those who had entered were not the gate guards, but a group of ferocious strangers.
The servant stumbled back two steps and shouted, Who... who are you? Trespassing in the county office—are you trying to rebel?
Xie Nanxiao sneered. He had intended to kill the man, but remembering Jiang Jin's instructions, he took a large stride forward and delivered a vicious kick.
With a miserable shriek, the servant was sent flying several meters before crashing to the ground, unconscious.
Soldiers immediately stepped forward and tied him up.
A few more guards rushed out. You...
Before the man could finish, Xie Nanxiao thrust his spear forward, piercing the leader's neck.
Qiu Wu stepped up and slashed his blade at another guard, striking him squarely in the chest. Blood spurted wildly...
Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Shouts rang out through the county office, jolting the sleeping inhabitants awake.
Swish, swish, swish...
Over a dozen arrows shot toward Xie Nanxiao.
He showed no panic. The spear in his hands danced in a blur, effortlessly knocking away the majority of the arrows.
Behind him, Qiu Wu was no weaker, his blade deflecting strikes left and right.
The soldiers in the rear had already drawn their bows, firing back in the direction of the archers. Amidst the volley of arrows, several screams echoed out.
Xie Nanxiao laughed heartily. Good, well shot!
After tossing an enemy aside with his spear, he didn't linger. He strode swiftly inward; he had to capture the county magistrate and absolutely could not let him escape.
He soon entered the inner courtyard, where two guards charged at him, brandishing their blades.
An inch longer is an inch stronger—this principle was on full display. Before the two could even reach him, his spear had already pierced one of their hearts.
The other guard was fast. He closed the distance and raised his blade to hack down.
Xie Nanxiao's eyes turned cold. He sidestepped to avoid the edge of the blade while simultaneously lashing out with a kick.
The guard was forced back several steps. Just as he steadied himself and prepared to continue his assault, Xie Nanxiao thrust his spear forward.
In merely one exchange, the guard was slain beneath his spear.
By this time, Qiu Wu and the others had finished off the men in the outer courtyard and rushed into the inner one.
Xie Nanxiao kicked open the door to the inner chamber. The county magistrate was frantically trying to put on his clothes, but whether he was too used to being served or just too anxious, he couldn't seem to get them on.
There was also a woman in the bed, haphazardly trying to dress herself. Seeing them break down the door, she screamed in terror.
The soldiers ignored her shrieks. They stepped forward, dragged her off the bed, rolled her up in the quilt, and tied her up.
Only the stark naked county magistrate, Qu Chi, remained on the bed, along with two pieces of clothing he hadn't managed to put on.
Looking at the pale, jiggling fat before him, Xie Nanxiao thought to himself: It's a good thing the Young Lady didn't come to the county office. If she had to look at this lump of meat, it would surely soil her eyes.
He sneered, Put your clothes on.
Because Gefeng County was a small city, it did not have a dedicated county commandant. Qu Chi held multiple positions himself.
He was originally of military background and had some foundational skills, but he was getting on in years. Coupled with his extravagant lifestyle over the past few years, he rarely trained and had grown a layer of fat.
However, he was rather tough. Abandoning his clothes, he drawled, Who are you people? How dare you enter Gefeng and attack this magistrate? Surrender obediently now, and I will grant you a quick death.
Xie Nanxiao didn't care if the man was truly arrogant or just playing the fool. He drove his spear straight into Qu Chi's thigh, piercing it cleanly through.
Ah! Qu Chi let out a blood-curdling scream. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead from the pain. His gaze turned sinister as he stared at Xie Nanxiao. Who exactly are you?
Xie Nanxiao couldn't be bothered to talk to him. He waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to tie him up.
Ever since he started following Jiang Jin, he found that most of the time, there was no need for too much talk; just getting things done was enough.
Qu Chi ground his back teeth. This was the first time he had met someone like this—completely impervious to reason, ignoring both soft and hard tactics.
Watching the soldiers draw closer, he suddenly lunged forward, reaching out to grab the blade from one of the soldiers' hands.
