Chapter 14

Thinking about this, Yang Rui couldn't help but feel a chill of fear.

What would have happened if he had faced the gun-wielding Yang Shouwen the night before?

Yang Shouwen did not step forward last night but instead had him handle the negotiations. Yang Rui was not unaware that it wasn't that Yang Shouwen couldn't step forward, but that he didn't want to. What would be the result of this? In the future, at least those people in the yamen would look at Yang Rui with more respect. No matter what, just by his courage to investigate Maitreya Temple at night, and his bravery to face the assassins...

He imagined that his position in the yamen would become even more secure.

To put it bluntly, Yang Shouwen was helping him.

Therefore, as soon as it was light, Yang Rui ran out to find Yang Shouwen, but found that Yang Shouwen was not in the Great Hero Hall. Yang Rui immediately panicked and searched the entire temple until he found Yang Shouwen on the viewing platform, only then did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

At some point, Yang Rui realized that when Yang Shouwen was around, he felt very confident.

Perhaps it was from the moment Yang Shouwen faced the assassins last night and decisively and ruthlessly fired a shot, which made Yang Rui admire him.

"Big Brother, are you here to enjoy the scenery so early in the morning?"

Yang Rui smiled and cautiously approached.

Yang Shouwen glanced at him and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, "We are brothers, so just speak your mind, don't beat around the bush."

"Uh..."

Yang Rui almost choked, and could only bitterly smile, "Big Brother, what should we do next?"

"Stir-fry!"

"Ah?"

Yang Shouwen sighed and softly said, "First, one life, then two more... Do you think we can still get involved? Given the current situation, even Father might not be able to make the decision. Three consecutive murders, and an assassination attempt, with the two assassins still at large. I estimate that the county magistrate will intervene."

Yang Rui's face contorted upon hearing this.

If even the county magistrate gets involved, this matter will surely escalate.

"Big Brother, then what about us..."

"Listen to me, I think Father will come personally, and at that time, he will have you return to the city.

After you return to the city, help me with something. If you do well, you might uncover some clues, and Father will surely praise you."

"Please instruct me, Big Brother."

"Those two Liáozi may have escaped, but I don't think they have left.

They appeared here last night, clearly not completing their mission, so they will return. For now, they won't show up again, and the most likely scenario is that they are hiding in the city... By the way, do you have any connections in the county?"

Yang Shouwen looked at Yang Rui and softly said, "After a year of service, don't tell me you are still clueless, or I will look down on you."

"Big Brother, what do you mean?"

Yang Rui immediately straightened his chest and said, "In this remote area, I am completely in the dark.

But in Changping County... I have a friend named Gai Jiayun, who is two years older than me, with excellent martial skills and great courage. His father is Gai Laojun, the head of the old military inn. All the heads of the various groups in Changping County follow Gai Laojun's orders. If Big Brother wants to find out something, I can go to Gai Jiayun, and he will definitely help me."

The head of a group is the leader of an underground organization in the Tang Dynasty.

Whether it's a small county like Changping or a large city like the capital Luoyang or Chang'an, there is always a presence of ruffians and hooligans. The head of a group is the leader who manages these ruffians, also known as a local bully. These people form their own system, dominating an area, and even the government is helpless against them.

However, it cannot be denied that these people have keen senses and are very convenient for gathering information.

Yang Shouwen didn't expect that Yang Rui had such connections.

"Does Father know?"

"Of course he does."

Yang Rui smiled, "But Father didn't stop me. Sometimes he even gives me money to play with Gai Jiayun."

Yang Shouwen immediately understood: Yang Chenglie was cultivating Yang Rui's network of informants.

It's likely that Gai Jiayun's association with Yang Rui was also at Gai Laojun's suggestion.

This is what is known as collusion between black and white!

"Alright, if you return to the county, help me keep an eye out for any suspicious characters in the county recently."

"I understand."

Yang Rui wasn't stupid and immediately understood Yang Shouwen's meaning.

But he then asked, "Big Brother, what about you?"

"Me?" Yang Shouwen smiled, "I need to go back and make money, otherwise your four strings of cash will be wasted.

Regarding this matter, don't tell anyone I was involved. If someone asks, just say you found the clues and were worried about going alone, so you asked me to come with you. As for the rest, you know nothing, understand?"

Big Brother is helping me!

Yang Rui felt a surge of warmth in his heart, but also a deep sense of guilt.

"Big Brother, in the past I..."

"The past is past, I don't blame you.

Besides, before my illness was cured, even if I entered the yamen, I would have disgraced Father. It's better that you went in, you can help take care of Father, and he will have someone he can trust. But Er Lang, remember, from now on, you, Father, Mother, Qingnu, Aunt, and You'er, we are all one family.

We must unite and work together, only then can our old Yang family prosper.

I won't hold past grudges against you, but if one day I find out you dare to betray our old Yang family, don't blame me for being ruthless. Do you understand?"

Yang Shouwen said, patting Yang Rui's shoulder.

The cold tone made Yang Rui shiver, and he nodded rapidly.

"Alright, go back to the Great Hero Hall and keep an eye on things. If we are both gone, those monks will surely panic.

Remember what I told you, you must take responsibility for this. I am just here to protect you... If the yamen people come, you don't need to inform me, just tell Father that I am here, and don't say anything more."

"Er Lang, understood."

At this point, Yang Rui was completely submissive.

Watching Yang Rui leave, Yang Shouwen's smile grew wider.

He didn't plan to take the spotlight; having Yang Rui step forward was enough. To the outside, Yang Shouwen's illness had just been cured, and many people still saw him as somewhat foolish. Moreover, the spotlight would bring him no benefit. But if Yang Rui took the lead, he could establish himself in the yamen, which would be more meaningful for Yang Shouwen.

Silently making a fortune is the way to go.

Moreover, Yang Shouwen felt that having one person to represent the family was enough, as long as that person was obedient.

The fog gradually dissipated.

The sun rose, and the sunlight was bright.

As soon as the fog cleared, Huiren Master hurriedly sent people down the mountain. Not long after, Yang Chenglie arrived with the yamen officers.

It turned out that after Yang Rui and Yang Shouwen were not in their room when it was light, Yang's wife immediately panicked.

She rushed to the county early in the morning, through the thick fog, to inform Yang Chenglie. Without a word, Yang Chenglie led over twenty officers to the small village. On the way, they met the monks coming down to report the incident, and they immediately went up the mountain.

Yang Chenglie scolded Yang Rui in front of the officers.

However, he ignored Yang Shouwen, only telling him to quickly go down the mountain and stay at home, and not to leave the house.

"Take Er Lang down the mountain as well, and don't cause any more trouble.

After Er Lang goes down the mountain, he must immediately return to the yamen to stand guard... I spoiled you too much, which is why you are so reckless."

Yang Rui, like a frightened lamb, didn't dare to argue.

Watching Yang Shouwen and Yang Rui leave under the escort of two officers, Yang Chenglie lightly rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.

"Brother, why be so harsh? Er Lang was just trying to help you, don't be too angry.

Besides, Er Lang found the clues, which is a contribution. If not for Er Lang coming last night, who knows what might have happened... This is good, at least we have a lead. This case seems more complicated than we imagined."

The speaker was the head of the arrest team, Guan Hu.

Yang Chenglie, rubbing his temples, said, "This brat is really bold, to dare to come here secretly.

Fortunately, Achiunu followed him, otherwise his life would have been in danger. If this brat isn't properly disciplined, he will surely cause trouble in the future."

Guan Hu couldn't help but laugh.

"Children are naturally curious, they will change as they grow up, Brother, don't worry.

But Nizi really surprised me. I only knew he was strong, but I didn't expect his spear skills to be so excellent... Did Brother see the corpse of the Liáozi? One shot, dead, no hesitation, truly impressive.

Brother, you have successors. With Er Lang in literature and Nizi in martial arts, the Yang family will surely rise in the future."

Yang Chenglie couldn't help but smile.

He didn't say anything more, only sighed and softly said, "Let's go, let's check again, don't let the efforts of the two children go to waste."