Chapter 50

However, Xia Hongsheng soon found himself unable to remain cheerful. His neck was tightly gripped, making it hard for him to breathe, and no matter how he kicked, he couldn't break free. The surrounding constables had already surrounded him, and the man tightened his grip even more. Xia Hongsheng felt his vision start to darken. A few constables suddenly rushed forward, swinging their cudgels at the criminal, but the criminal used his other arm to grab the cudgels and, with a sudden forceful movement, flung the constables away! Everyone was shocked. The criminal, with one hand still gripping Xia Hongsheng, used the other hand to grab a cudgel and began to move toward the exit, swinging the cudgel as he went. The constables tried to stop him but were all flung away, landing in a heap. Although Xia Hongsheng had expected the criminal to be strong, he hadn't anticipated such immense strength. Now, Xia Hongsheng was terrified and struggled, but the arm around his neck was like an iron clamp, not loosening at all.

Suddenly, a cold flash of light appeared, and everyone was startled. The criminal let out a scream of pain, and a bloodline appeared on the arm that was tightly gripping Xia Hongsheng. In pain, the criminal's grip loosened, and Xia Hongsheng fell to the ground, quickly rolling over. A few constables immediately rushed forward and pulled Xia Hongsheng to safety. Xia Hongsheng, standing up in a panic, saw a figure standing in the inn's hall. A horizontal sword was deeply embedded in a pillar beside him, with blood on it. It seemed that the cold flash of light was from this person throwing the sword, wounding the criminal's arm and saving Xia Hongsheng. From his attire, it was clear he was a wandering knight.

Xia Hongsheng bowed deeply and said gratefully, "I am Xia Hongsheng, and I thank you, great knight, for saving my life."

"No need for thanks. I was passing by and heard that there were criminals in this city who had dismembered two people. I wanted to punish them. Yesterday afternoon, I heard your words and was impressed. I saw your clever strategy that revealed the criminal's identity, which I found very admirable," the knight said calmly without turning around. "I was very interested in your discussion in the room. After I deal with this criminal, I will come to you for more."

"Then I will serve you tea," Xia Hongsheng turned to the table, picked up the water pot, and began to pour tea.

The criminal, enraged, bent down and picked up a cudgel, breaking it in half with a forceful snap. He roared and lunged at the knight. The knight, however, sidestepped, pulled the sword from the pillar, and deflected the two halves of the cudgel. He then stepped forward, grabbed the criminal's arm, and with a sudden movement, the criminal screamed in pain, dropping the cudgel. The knight twisted the criminal's arm, forcing him to the ground. The criminal, in agony, struggled but was firmly pinned down by the knight, unable to break free.

Meanwhile, Xia Hongsheng had just finished pouring the tea.

"Brave man! Excellent skills!" the magistrate exclaimed, and the constables rushed forward to tie the criminal up tightly.

The knight turned around, and everyone was surprised by his appearance. He looked young, similar in age to Xu Qixian and others. His voice, however, was no longer as deep and resonant as before but had become that of a young man. "Leave this criminal to you! Sir, I am very curious. How did you know this man was impotent, and how did you make him reveal his identity?"

Xia Hongsheng smiled, bowed, and said, "I will answer your questions. Earlier, I asked the coroner, who said that the three victims had conical wounds, caused by a hard, conical object. The woman's body was covered in bite marks, and her private parts were severely damaged by the same conical object. Based on this, I made my deduction. If you don't believe me, you can ask someone. Some eunuchs in the palace, who have lost their virtue, enjoy biting women and using external objects to penetrate them, as they cannot perform sexually. This criminal is the same. As for what I said just now, I whispered two things in each of their ears. The first was mocking his impotence, and the second was mocking his wife for cheating on him because of his impotence. He killed because of this reason, and when I exposed his secret, he became enraged and revealed himself."

"I see! I see!" the young knight exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight. "What a fascinating skill! I want to learn this. Will you teach me?"

Ah? Everyone was taken aback.

"I can teach you martial arts in exchange for this skill. It's a fair deal, isn't it?" the young knight said to Xia Hongsheng.

Yan Shigu, standing nearby, shook his head and laughed. Xia Hongsheng also smiled and said, "I am Xia Hongsheng, and I was saved by this young knight. I cannot repay the favor, but these skills are mere trifles. If you want to learn, I will teach you everything I know."

"Great! Very generous!" the young knight was delighted, picked up the tea, and drank it in one gulp. "No, I have a promise to keep. I will come back to you after I finish it!"

"I will be in Lu Hun for a short time and then head to Luoyang," Xia Hongsheng thought. This young knight, though young, was incredibly skilled. If he could be persuaded to join, he would be a powerful bodyguard. "If you come to Luoyang, you can ask at Mingxiangju for my whereabouts."

The young knight nodded. "That's good. I have some business to attend to. Until we meet again!"

With that, the young knight swung his arm, sheathed the sword, and leaped out of the inn's window. By the time Xia Hongsheng reached the window, the young knight was already gone.

Back in the inn, Yan Shigu stroked his beard and laughed. "Ah, the spirit of youth! This young man is righteous and generous. Given time, he will surely become a great hero!"

"Coming and going as he pleases, acting on his impulses, truly free and easy!" Xia Hongsheng sighed enviously. As someone influenced by martial arts novels, who doesn't have a dream of being a knight? Seeing a real knight, he was indeed free and easy, acting on his principles, helping those in need, and leaving without a trace.

This is what a knight is: trustworthy in words, resolute in action, sincere in promises, unselfish in deeds, and modest in achievements. Xia Hongsheng looked out the window and recited, "The Zhao guest wears a loose headband, the Wu hook is bright as frost and snow. The silver saddle shines on the white horse, swift as a meteor. He kills one in ten steps, leaves no trace in a thousand miles. After the deed, he leaves, hiding his name and identity."

"Ah, the youthful spirit is indeed enviable," Yan Shigu's eyes lit up, and he nodded with a smile. "But this poem is truly excellent. Does it have a name? Each person has their path, Jing Shi, don't be too envious."

Indeed, each person has their path and their place. Xia Hongsheng smiled, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Master Yan. I was just moved by the moment. As for the poem, let's call it 'The Knight's Journey'!"

"Very good," Yan Shigu stroked his beard and smiled. "Since the matter is resolved and the criminal is captured, let's continue our journey."

Hearing Yan Shigu's words, the magistrate hurried over, bowed deeply, and said, "Greetings, Master Yan. I have been negligent, please forgive me!"

"No need for that. It was a critical moment to capture the criminal. We are just passing through and have the demon stone to deal with. We must leave now," Yan Shigu said, waving his hand.

The magistrate, hearing that Yan Shigu was leaving, tried to persuade him to stay. "The criminal has been captured. I should entertain you, Master Yan, to show my hospitality. Besides, if not for your disciple's help, this case would not have been solved. Your disciple's skills are truly remarkable, and I am deeply impressed. If I don't thank you, it would be a breach of etiquette."

Everyone looked at Yan Shigu, waiting for his response. Yan Shigu stroked his beard and smiled. "Jing Shi recited a poem: 'After the deed, he leaves, hiding his name and identity.' Let us be such knights and hide our names and identities! Ha ha ha... Magistrate, don't try to detain us. We must go!"

With that, Master Yan laughed and led the way out, followed by his students and attendants. Xia Hongsheng, seeing the old man's high spirits, smiled and bowed to the magistrate before following.

Everyone got back into the carriage and continued toward Luoyang. Inside the carriage, the students looked at Xia Hongsheng as if he were a monster, curious about how he solved the case. They had not heard the discussion in the room and were eager to ask. Now, in the carriage, they began to press Xia Hongsheng for answers. Xia Hongsheng, unable to avoid it, had to recount his analysis, which left everyone speechless.