Chapter 57

"Heh, heh. How have you been?"

Yang Hong awkwardly laughed and raised his hand. Zhang Jian smiled at him. As Yang Hong's awkward smile grew brighter, he thought Zhang Jian's mood wasn't bad.

However, Yang Hong's smile turned into an expression of "I knew it" when Zhang Jian suddenly grabbed his collar.

"Ah, Brother Zhang. Why do you always do this when you see me? Aren't we comrades who once pulled off a big heist together...?"

Zhang Jian didn't even bother to tell him to shut up. He simply started dragging him through the alleys of Shenchuan.

"Ah, no. Zhang Wuren! What are you doing now...?"

Jiexi, who was following behind, couldn't hide her bewilderment at Zhang Jian's attitude and Yang Hong's grumbling as he was dragged along. The residents around them whispered.

"What's going on? Is he dragging someone away?"

"Wow! Shouldn't we report this to the Martial Arts Alliance?"

Hearing this, Jiexi quickly turned around and showed her Martial Arts Alliance badge.

"We're investigating a case! Don't report it, go back home!"

After shouting this, she quickly followed the two men. But as she moved away, the residents started talking again.

"...So, is the Martial Arts Alliance dragging someone away now?"

"Damn! The Martial Arts Alliance is finished!"

Jiexi heard all of this but didn't have time to correct them. Zhang Jian and Yang Hong had already disappeared into an alley.

"Wait! Let's go together!"

In her panic, Jiexi forgot to use honorifics and shouted. Fortunately, when they turned the corner, she saw Yang Hong sitting on the ground and Zhang Jian looking down at him. Jiexi glared at them.

"Explain the situation, Zhang Jian! I already told you it's dangerous to act recklessly!"

Zhang Jian smiled at her anger.

"This guy is the clue."

"This, this guy? Who is he...?"

"Ah, Brother Zhang! I have a name, why 'this guy'?"

Yang Hong dusted off his pants, stood up, and smiled, bowing to Jiexi.

"My name is Yang Hong, warrior. Nice to meet you."

Jiexi, still unsure of the situation, alternated her gaze between Zhang Jian and him but returned the bow. Yang Hong smiled and spoke.

"Meeting the famous Jiexi warrior from the Martial Arts Alliance is quite an honor. I'd love to get your autograph and frame it, but sadly, I don't have any special writing materials. I've always admired your reputation. If you have time later—ouch!"

"Shut up."

As Yang Hong tried to sneak away, Zhang Jian grabbed him and pushed him against the wall. Jiexi frowned, and Zhang Jian continued.

"What were you doing here?"

"......Heh, heh. What would a gentleman like me be doing in the city? I came to sell some goods."

Zhang Jian's lips curved into a cold smile.

"Coincidentally, you came to the city to sell stolen goods and saw me? Right at the murder scene?"

"Th-that's just a coincidence..."

"Black Dragon Gang."

Yang Hong's face, which had been grinning, suddenly stiffened. But he quickly relaxed and asked.

"Black Dragon Gang? What's that?"

Zhang Jian didn't answer. He just kept his cold smile and stared at Yang Hong. Yang Hong, who had maintained his expression, started to stiffen under the silent pressure. Zhang Jian's lips were smiling, but his eyes were dangerously sharp.

Yang Hong licked his lips, hesitated, and finally sighed.

"Damn... How did you know? I didn't slip up in front of Brother Zhang."

"Next time, if you want to use an innkeeper as an informant, you should think about the cost of keeping them quiet."

"......Ah, Qing Shu Village's Lady Ye?"

Yang Hong muttered, scratching his head, and then looked at Zhang Jian with a serious face. Surprisingly, the frivolous and servile look from before was gone.

"Damn, I didn't want to tell you this... There's a rich man named Zhu Yun in the Nanxiang Road of Shenchuan. He's probably preparing to move out of Shenchuan. Go find him. You might see a sign that says 'Zhu's Trading Company.' Brother Zhang, you should be able to figure out why the attempted kidnapping of the head of the Zhang family's trading company happened from there."

It was an unexpected response. He didn't clearly confirm that he was from the Black Dragon Gang or explain why he was directing them to this person. Zhang Jian rubbed his thumb and index finger together, considering whether to make Yang Hong taste the pain of bone-breaking.

Seeing Zhang Jian's hesitation, Yang Hong smirked.

"Thinking about torturing me? Go ahead if you want. Let's see if Brother Zhang's hands are faster or if I can bite through my tongue first. By the way, what I'm biting is more poisonous than the one who died first."

He looked at Zhang Jian's calm eyes with no fear. His eyes now showed determination and sincerity.

After staring at those eyes for a while, Zhang Jian slowly put his thumb in his belt.

"Why are you telling me this? What are you leaving out?"

Yang Hong glanced at his hand and then smiled.

"How often do things in the world clearly divide into black and white? One excuse is that this isn't the will of the entire organization. Besides, power and money always cause problems. Even if you miss someone dearly, if they're too far away, your heart will drift away too."

Zhang Jian, holding his belt, looked at Yang Hong, who was speaking in riddles, and then turned to Jiexi, who was watching the situation with a serious face.

"Can you find the way to Nanxiang Road?"

"......Of course."

Hearing her answer, Zhang Jian stepped aside to let Yang Hong pass. Yang Hong, surprised that Zhang Jian would let him go so easily, looked startled. Zhang Jian said to his face.

"Why? Want a hit?"

"No! No need! I'll go quietly!"

Yang Hong walked confidently down the path Zhang Jian had cleared for him, almost running. But just before he disappeared into the dark alley, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhang Jian.

"Hey, Brother Zhang. I think there will be another big job soon. Want to join me again?"

Zhang Jian, who was about to leave in the opposite direction, laughed at the absurdity of the suggestion and turned to face him as if about to pounce. Yang Hong, startled, quickly ran away, shouting.

"See you next time, Brother Zhang!"

Zhang Jian shook his head as he watched Yang Hong's retreating figure disappear into the alley. If they hadn't met like this today, he might have tried to get more information from Yang Hong. But from the way he had deliberately caught his eye and then immediately provided the information, it seemed Yang Hong was trying to help him. There might be some hidden agenda, but for now, Zhang Jian could only see the good intention.

So, Zhang Jian's response could only be that. Of course, Yang Hong or the other intentions of the Black Dragon Gang might be revealed later. But that was something to deal with when it came to light.

Regardless of his martial prowess, Zhang Jian had a strong will to give back what he received.

"......This is really something. One of the Black Dragon Gang agents that the alliance most wants to capture just appeared and disappeared in front of me. It's quite ridiculous."

Jiexi, watching Zhang Jian's actions, said this and led the way. The evening sky, turning indigo as the sunset faded, was visible between the tall and short buildings above their heads.

"If needed, why didn't you catch him? I wouldn't have stopped you."

"Haha. No matter how desperate, I can't do that to someone who provided information. Digging deeper into this might reveal something."

Zhang Jian smiled faintly at her words.

"Then let's hurry."

The two left the alley, and Jiexi led the way. The lanterns hanging in various places in the darkening streets of Shenchuan were starting to light up. It was a time when the red sunset was hard to find in the sky, but the streets were crowded with people. Merchants and shop assistants finishing their day's work, and wealthy residents were coming out, captivated by the lanterns of Shenchuan.

As they crossed the street, something caught Zhang Jian's eye.

It was a huge pavilion still under construction. The bamboo scaffolding and thick pillars made it look like a porcupine in the dark. Sensing Zhang Jian's gaze, Jiexi spoke first.

"This is the building of the Shenchuan Merchant Association. They've poured a lot of money into building this pavilion to represent Shenchuan. It will be eight stories tall and, when completed, will be the largest and tallest building in Shenchuan."

Zhang Jian took a moment to look at the unfinished pavilion and then followed Jiexi.

She led them through the bustling area and down to the south of Shenchuan. As they walked, the crowd thinned, and quiet residences appeared. Despite the large and spacious buildings and walls, Jiexi walked confidently without hesitation.

Soon, they found the sign Yang Hong had mentioned. It read "Zhu's Trading Company" in grand calligraphy.

As they approached the gate, they found it open. Peeking inside, they saw servants bustling about in a commotion. They were carrying furniture and running around, confirming that, as Yang Hong said, they were preparing to move out of Shenchuan.

"It's already dark and time to wrap up the day, yet why are they in such a hurry..."

Jiexi was puzzled, and Zhang Jian felt the same. He walked through the open gate without hesitation.

"Wait, Zhang Wuren! How can you just barge in like that?"

"Just call me Zhang Jian. You already did. Besides, there doesn't seem to be anyone here to stop us. Let's just go find the owner."

Zhang Jian walked in as if he were entering his own home. After a moment's thought, Jiexi followed him into the building.

The two began searching the large trading company or mansion. Despite the darkness, servants and what seemed to be employees were busy moving and organizing items. Some were packing fragile items like ceramics into straw-lined boxes, while others carried mysterious trunks past them.

In the kitchen, some were lazily eating and chatting, while others were pretending to work. The congestion was due to the large number of people.

After searching for a while, Zhang Jian and Jiexi finally found a middle-aged man with white hair giving orders to the servants.

He was short and plump, with two or three people carrying books and brushes following him, and a few workers constantly approaching him for instructions.

Noticing the two, he approached, busily directing the workers.

"First-time visitors. You don't look like workers. What brings you here?"

Zhang Jian took a step back, letting Jiexi take the lead. She narrowed her eyes but stepped forward, showing her Martial Arts Alliance badge.

"I am Jiexi, a patrol officer of the Martial Arts Alliance. I have a few questions to ask."

"......The Martial Arts Alliance? I don't know what this is about. Don't bother busy people and leave! Who let you in?"

"Just a moment, Mr. Zhu? This won't harm your business. I just have a few questions."

She seemed to be the head of the Zhu family, given the name of the trading company. But Mr. Zhu shouted.

"Is the Martial Arts Alliance everything? How can you just barge into a busy trading company and wander around as you please! Leave immediately! If there's a problem, request formal cooperation later! Even if the Martial Arts Alliance leader received the Dragon Sword from the emperor, that doesn't mean you can act recklessly!"

"But I just want to ask a few questions..."

Jiexi stepped forward, frowning as if to say it was too much. Her right hand subtly moved to her waist, showing two fingers to Zhang Jian. He smiled.

A moment ago, Mr. Zhu had been startled by the Martial Arts Alliance badge and glanced at the scribes behind him. Now, he was shouting to drive Jiexi and Zhang Jian away. Zhang Jian's deep eyes focused on the scribes. There were three, and as Jiexi had indicated, two of them were hiding cold, inappropriate eyes for their position.

"......Then I have no choice. I'll go to the alliance and get a formal request. Will that be acceptable?"

"Y-yes! Of course, the proper procedure must be followed!"

Jiexi nodded and turned around. Her eyes met Zhang Jian's. At the same time, Zhang Jian whispered, "Left."

In the next moment, Jiexi and Zhang Jian pounced on the scribes like tigers. Zhang Jian, mimicking the Dragon Claw technique he had seen before, grabbed the right scribe's neck. Meanwhile, Jiexi drew her sword and struck the left scribe's head with the hilt.

The captured scribe tried to resist, but a sharp pain in his neck made him stiffen and emit a choking sound. Something had entered his body through Zhang Jian's hand, causing pain and stiffness.

Zhang Jian grabbed the scribe's chin with his other hand to prevent him from biting down. The scribe's eyes met Zhang Jian's, and he smiled.

"Got you."

* * *

A middle-aged man with neatly tied hair was sharpening a knife. The kitchen, dimly lit by a single lantern, was easily recognizable by the gleaming trays and iron pots. He slowly continued sharpening the knife, occasionally checking it against the lantern. Then someone appeared at the kitchen door.

He said,

"Sir, it's been taken care of."

"Is that so? Did they suspect anything?"

"Suspect? What could be dangerous for me?"

"There is. If your Black Dragon Gang identity is exposed. We haven't yet revealed the source of his martial arts, and it would be bad if your true identity is discovered."

"......Do you really plan to recruit him?"

"There's no reason not to. Even you, Black Dragon Seven, are an outsider recruited to this new continent. Our Black Dragon Gang is an open organization when it comes to hiring agents."

"But if you really plan to recruit him, shouldn't you have used him for this job? Eventually, following the lead will..."

"Isn't the Martial Arts Alliance patrol officer already involved? Once the patrol officer uncovers everything, the Martial Arts Alliance will act. There won't be a direct confrontation with the Tiger Guard."

The man at the door tilted his head.

"I don't think so... It doesn't seem like that..."

"Doesn't seem like that?"

"No... I think he'll follow the lead all the way and have a showdown..."

The middle-aged man's knife sharpening paused for a moment but then resumed with a scraping sound.

"If that's the case, that's as far as it goes. Stop worrying about it and go about your business."

"Ah... Yes. Good work. I'll be going now."

The man at the door slipped away. The middle-aged man continued sharpening the knife for a while. Then, he suddenly stopped and threw the knife on the table.

His empty left hand fiddled with the knot of the cloth tied around his right forearm.