Chapter 11

Yang Rui has his own pride!

He wants to摆脱 that status of a bastard and gain recognition from others.

Previously, he relied on small tricks to become the attendant by Yang Chenglie's side. However, this did not mean that he truly gained the recognition of others. People like Guan Hu, who have followed Yang Chenglie for five or six years, rose from an ordinary fast hand to the head of the arrest team through genuine talent. Without real skills, it would be hard to win his acceptance. Everyone knows that the income of the arrest team's fast hands is high, with a monthly salary of 800 coins, plus various additional incomes, amounting to more than one guan per month.

Yang Rui is still young and cannot become a fast hand yet.

But if...

He cannot deny that he is a bit afraid.

But what Yang Shouwen said is right; if he can really solve the case, he might become a fast hand before he turns eighteen.

Hmm, it's worth a try.

After much hesitation, he finally decided to give it a shot.

Actually, Yang Shouwen did not want to bring Yang Rui along, as the night visit to Maitreya Temple carries some risks.

But if Yang Rui doesn't go, it would be somewhat inconvenient. After all, Yang Rui has an official position and can negotiate with the temple's people. If this matter is handled well, it will benefit Yang Rui; even if there is no result, Yang Shouwen believes that with his skills, protecting Yang Rui will not be a problem. Moreover, there are monks residing in Maitreya Temple.

"Second Brother, remember to follow me and don't stay too far away."

It was already late, and night had fallen.

Due to Yang Rui's presence, Young Lady did not cling to Yang Shouwen in the evening. It was clear that the little girl still had lingering fear or resentment towards Yang Rui.

Because of this, Lady Yang and Young Lady went to bed early.

After the lights in their room went out, Yang Shouwen and Yang Rui came to the courtyard. They passed through the flower garden at the back of the yard, crossed the wooden fence, and walked along the stream for a while, stopping at the head of a small wooden bridge.

Crossing the river and moving forward, they would reach the mountain entrance.

Maitreya Temple is located in Que'er Gorge, about twelve to thirteen li from the mountain entrance.

Moonlight shone on the stream, and the ripples shimmered. The chirping of autumn cicadas added a mysterious atmosphere to the quiet night.

Looking into the mountains, it was pitch black and silent.

Yang Rui suddenly stopped and said in a trembling voice, "Big Brother, why don't we go at dawn?"

"If we wait until dawn, the head of the arrest team and his men will go. Whatever they find will have nothing to do with you."

Yang Shouwen glanced at Yang Rui and smiled.

He patted the large spear in his hand and said solemnly, "Second Brother, don't be afraid. I have practiced martial arts for ten years and can protect you easily."

The large spear was left by Yang Shouwen's grandfather, Yang Dafang.

The spear is six feet and seven inches long, much shorter than the standard large spear, which is just over two meters.

Yang Shouwen is seventeen years old, about 175 centimeters tall, and is more than a head shorter than the spear. The spear is heavy, weighing about fifteen to sixteen pounds. The spear shaft, made of hard jujube wood, is as thick as a baby's arm, and the spear body is wrapped in silver thread, which glows faintly under the moonlight. The spearhead is made of high-quality steel, shaped like a spindle, with two hooks. Under the moonlight, the spear blade glows with a dark red light, as if it has drunk much blood.

This spear is named "Tiger Swallow"!

It is said that in the early years, it was the weapon used by Yang Dafang and has taken many lives.

However, Yang Shouwen can no longer remember the stories his grandfather used to tell, and Yang Chenglie would never tell him.

When he first took out the spear, Yang Rui thought he was making a fuss.

But now, when he saw the large spear in Yang Shouwen's hand, envy shone in his eyes.

Yang Dafang doted on Yang Shouwen but was very cold towards Yang Rui.

When he was young, Yang Rui once wanted to learn martial arts from Yang Dafang but was refused.

"Our family's spear technique is passed down to the legitimate heirs, not to bastards, and to sons, not to daughters."

Yang Dafang's words blocked Yang Chenglie's attempt to plead for Yang Rui. Although Yang Chenglie later taught Yang Rui some boxing and kicking, in Yang Rui's eyes, no matter how hard he practiced, he could never match Yang Shouwen. As a result, Yang Rui practiced intermittently and lost interest in martial arts, becoming very jealous of Yang Shouwen.

This is also why Yang Rui framed Yang Shouwen last year.

He hated Yang Shouwen but also yearned for Yang Chenglie's attention.

What good is your martial arts? The person by Father's side is me, and in the eyes of others, I am Father's son.

But now...

"Big Brother, wait for me, I'll go too."

Seeing Yang Shouwen walk onto the wooden bridge, Yang Rui gritted his teeth and followed.

In his heart, he was somewhat afraid of Yang Shouwen but also curious.

Yang Rui knew that Yang Shouwen had been a fool for seventeen years. But he never expected that after regaining his senses, Yang Shouwen seemed to know everything.

Not only could Yang Shouwen understand Father's thoughts, but he also guessed the origin of the nursery rhyme.

He is very bold and seems to know how to make money.

What did he do for these seventeen years? Yang Rui was very curious. Logically, a person who has been a fool for seventeen years should not know so much. Moreover, Yang Shouwen's eloquence also surprised Yang Rui.

The mountain path was rugged, but for Yang Shouwen, who often walked on mountain paths, it was no problem.

Holding the long spear in one hand and pulling Yang Rui with the other, they walked along the mountain path for nearly an hour and saw mist ahead.

Passing through the thin mist, they could vaguely see a temple on the mountain peak.

Yang Shouwen caught his breath, took a water pouch from his waist, drank some water, and then handed the pouch to Yang Rui.

"Let's push a bit harder; we're almost there."

Yang Rui drank several large gulps and finally felt better.

For a thirteen-year-old like Yang Rui, nearly two hours of mountain climbing was not easy. Without Yang Shouwen's care, he might have given up halfway. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Yang Rui asked, "Big Brother, it's so late; the monks must be asleep. How do we get in? Do we have to climb over the wall?"

Yang Shouwen looked at him and couldn't help but laugh, "Why climb over the wall?"

"Huh?"

"We are here to investigate a case, and you are the second son of the magistrate of Changping County. We should go up and knock on the door properly. We are not thieves; why would we climb over the wall? Besides, with the monks, it will be safer."

Yang Rui chuckled, "Big Brother is right; I was overthinking it."

"Let's go!"

Yang Shouwen, having recovered some strength, pulled Yang Rui and walked briskly.

The two passed through the thin mist and soon arrived at the temple gate.

Under the moonlight, the temple gate was tightly closed, with a black horizontal plaque above it, inscribed with "Great Maitreya Temple."

The history of this temple is not long, having been built about seven years ago. At that time, it was during the period when Empress Wu changed the national title to Great Zhou. Someone presented an auspicious sign, claiming that Empress Wu was the reincarnation of Maitreya. Wu Zetian immediately accepted this claim and ordered the compilation of the Great Maitreya Sutra, building Maitreya Temples across the country to promote her legitimacy.

In Changping County alone, two Maitreya Temples were built.

One was in the county town, built by the government; the other on Hu Valley Mountain, built by the gentry of Changping County.

"Second Brother, knock on the door."

Yang Shouwen looked at Yang Rui, who immediately nodded, straightened his chest, and walked up the steps, grabbing the door ring and knocking.

"Who is it? Why are you knocking at this hour of the night?"

After a while, a muffled voice came from inside the gate, and a faint light flickered.

The gate then opened, and a bald head appeared.

He squinted his eyes, with a hint of resentment in his tone, "Who is knocking at this hour of the night? Can't you wait until dawn to offer incense?"

It's no wonder; it was already past midnight.

For the monks on the mountain, there was no entertainment, so they naturally went to bed early.

"I am the attendant of the magistrate of Changping County, sent by the magistrate to investigate something. Please, Master, make it convenient for us."

"Attendant of Changping County?"

The monk looked at Yang Rui with a puzzled expression.

It's no wonder; although Yang Rui tried to act mature, he was still a child.

He was only 160 centimeters tall, more than half a head shorter than the monk, and looked unreliable.

Yang Rui was used to such looks from the monk.

He took a wooden plaque from his waist and handed it to the monk.

It was his identity card, with his name, position, and age.

The monk opened the gate slightly, took the plaque, and examined it under the candlelight.

Yang Shouwen stood to the side, and suddenly, a strange feeling surged in his heart. He turned abruptly and held his spear in front of him.

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