Chapter 15

Shinma's Line (15)

'What's the big deal about bumping into a brat?'

This wasn't a problem that should have escalated to this extent. He had clearly apologized, hadn't he?

He also couldn't understand the response of the Wu Lin Alliance.

To send an inspector for such a trivial matter and issue a reprimand was unprecedented.

It had never happened before.

Zhuang Li Ren smirked at Guo Jia.

"You say thank you, but your expression says otherwise. Are you quite dissatisfied with this treatment?"

"No, it's just that..."

"Just?"

"I don't understand."

"What don't you understand?"

Guo Jia vented the frustration he had been holding in his chest.

"Even though Zhencheng's reputation is high, it's just one of many righteous families. To make such a fuss over a minor issue..."

Zhuang Li Ren cut him off.

"It's a special concern of our alliance."

"Really?"

"To recruit him, the alliance went to great lengths. We had to give everything, even our guts and livers. The one who's disappointed is the alliance, not him."

"Why go to such lengths?"

The smile on Zhuang Li Ren's lips deepened.

"I forgot to mention this."

Ignoring the puzzled Guo Jia, Zhuang Li Ren continued.

"Maintaining principles is important, but there are things that take precedence."

"..."

"Don't get involved in trivial matters. Curiosity invites trouble, and overambition shortens one's life."

Guo Jia flinched and bowed his head even deeper.

Zhuang Li Ren's voice remained calm, but the aura of death within it was unmistakably murderous.

"Stop concerning yourself with trivial matters and focus on your duties."

Zhuang Li Ren took a piece of paper from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

It was a wanted poster.

"You know we're hunting down the remnants of the Zhang Yan Fang, right?"

Zhang Yan Fang was a black path faction led by Zhang Qu and Yan Wei, known as the Black Water Two Ghosts, two of the Ten Great Evils.

They were a bandit group that dominated the Heilongjiang region, establishing their own independent territory separate from the Yangtze River Bandit Alliance. Recently, their leaders, Zhang Qu and Yan Wei, were killed by the Wu Lin Alliance.

As a result, their subordinates scattered.

"Among them, Ma Yilip, who had disappeared, fled to this area. He's severely injured, so finding him shouldn't be difficult."

Ma Yilip was in charge of the financial and personnel management of the Zhang Yan Fang.

Zhuang Li Ren smiled at the Pasa Team members, who were still bowing their heads.

"Then, I'll leave it to you. I'll report your hard work on the front lines to my superiors."

With that, Zhuang Li Ren left.

Only after he was completely gone did someone mutter.

"If it's not difficult, why not handle it yourself?"

A few team members echoed the complaint.

"Damn, what has the Wu Lin Alliance ever done for us?"

"Being thrown into this remote place is already unfair, and now we get this treatment?"

"Send us proper reinforcements."

"They always push us into the most dangerous places."

As the angry team members raised their voices, Guo Jia slammed the table.

Crack!

The table shattered, and tea splashed everywhere.

"Enough."

Everyone fell silent at his words.

Guo Jia, who had struggled to suppress his anger, looked at his subordinates.

"Focus on finding him. We can't afford to fall out of favor with the alliance again."

With that, Guo Jia left the inn.

The twenty or so Pasa Team members followed him. The ominous aura they emitted made passersby hurriedly step aside.

Their eyes were all equally cold and ruthless.

* * *

Squeak!

"..."

The sound of a horn made Dan Yaxian turn his head.

The direction was unclear, but it wasn't far. However, he soon resumed his steps.

Now was not the time to be distracted.

'Hurry up.'

The sun was already setting. If he left now, he wouldn't arrive until midnight. Dan Yaxian, who had securely tied the bag of herbs, quickened his pace.

'Take the shortcut here.'

Between the walls of buildings.

He squeezed through a narrow gap where only one person could pass.

If he went through the market, it would take much longer.

Suddenly.

"Hmm?"

Dan Yaxian stopped.

'I definitely heard something.'

As he looked around,

"Ugh..."

A faint groan reached his ears.

Dan Yaxian followed the sound through the narrow alley and soon found a man.

The man was leaning against a wall, almost collapsed.

He was in his mid-forties.

The numerous scars on his face indicated a life of hardship.

Dan Yaxian hurried over.

"Are you okay?"

The man was in no condition to respond.

His face was as pale as paper, and his body was drenched in blood.

'The bleeding is too severe!'

A pool of blood had formed beneath the man where he leaned against the wall.

His breathing was so weak that it seemed he could die at any moment.

Dan Yaxian put down his bag and took out a box of needles from his sleeve. He began to insert the needles into the man's acupoints.

Fortunately, the bleeding stopped soon after.

However, his breathing remained weak.

To save him, he needed to continue treatment immediately.

At that moment, a figure approached from behind Dan Yaxian.

Thud.

Someone grabbed Dan Yaxian's wrist and lifted him up.

"Ah!"

A scream escaped Dan Yaxian's lips.

The grip was so rough.

Dan Yaxian was too shocked to react. But this was nothing compared to what followed.

The person who grabbed Dan Yaxian's wrist moved his other hand to his waist.

Swish.

A cold sound accompanied the appearance of a sharp blade.

Thud.

"!"

Dan Yaxian's eyes widened.

The man who had restrained him reached out and plunged the knife into the heart of the injured patient.

"No!"

A scream of horror erupted from Dan Yaxian's lips.

The patient could have been saved with time and effort. But he had lost his life right before his eyes.

"What are you doing!"

Dangling in mid-air, Dan Yaxian shouted in anger.

"Is it you again?"

Only then did Dan Yaxian recognize the face of his captor.

The voice was familiar, sinister.

Sure enough,

"Who are you?"

Dan Yaxian's eyes wavered.

What a terrible coincidence. The Wu Lin Alliance warrior he had clashed with in Fengzhen City was right in front of him.

Guo Jia, the leader of the Pasa Team, who had introduced himself as such.

"What's your relationship with this man?"

Guo Jia exuded a chilling aura.

Dan Yaxian didn't answer. He was only saddened by the man's death.

Guo Jia smiled coldly.

Anyone who helps a wanted criminal is considered an enemy. Depending on the situation, immediate execution is possible.

'If I play this right...'

This situation could help him escape this remote place.

'I might even be able to trap Fengzhen City.'

As a person favored by the Wu Lin Alliance leadership, he had the power to do so.

"Answer me. What's your relationship with Ma Yilip?"

Dan Yaxian remained silent.

"You will talk eventually."

Guo Jia pulled the knife from the corpse.

Blood splattered Dan Yaxian's face.

* * *

Confusion appeared on Han Xuehua's face.

Fan Jiewei, who had been running alongside her, suddenly stopped. After a moment of deep thought, Fan Jiewei spoke.

"Wait. We need to stop by the village."

—Suddenly?

Fan Jiewei grinned.

"We need to buy something delicious for Doctor Dan."

Without waiting for Han Xuehua's response, Fan Jiewei changed direction and headed for the nearest inn.

"Pack the most expensive and delicious dish!"

The waiter looked troubled.

"Sir, high-end dishes require special containers, making it difficult to pack."

"Then sell the container too."

"Of course, but that would make the container more expensive than the food."

"Never mind, just give it to me quickly."

A moment later, a steaming dish in a ceramic pot was brought out.

The aroma alone was enough to make one's mouth water.

The pot came with a matching lid, making it easy to transport.

Fan Jiewei took the dish and turned to leave.

The waiter was shocked.

"Sir! You need to pay!"

"Oh, right."

Fan Jiewei turned to Han Xuehua.

"That woman will pay."

—...!

Han Xuehua glared at Fan Jiewei.

Ignoring her, Fan Jiewei was already dashing away. Reluctantly, Han Xuehua paid for the food and the pot. She then chased after Fan Jiewei, who was far ahead.

"Hehe. Doctor Dan will love this."

Fan Jiewei was grinning widely.

Han Xuehua found his behavior strange and perplexing.

'Is this person actually being affectionate?'

Then, Fan Jiewei opened his pants.

—What is he doing?

"This way, the food won't get cold."

—Crazy...!

She wanted to scold him but couldn't.

She remembered the dumplings Fan Jiewei had given her as a gift last time. The thought made her want to vomit.

—To put such expensive food in a smelly place?

Fan Jiewei scratched his crotch and brought it to his nose.

"It doesn't smell."

He said to the disgusted Han X