Chapter 88

At the hour of the hare, when the sky was still pitch black, a group of people set out together, heading straight south. The sky was dark, and at this time, digging graves... Amitabha, may the Buddha protect us, nothing must go wrong.

As they walked, Zhu Lian muttered to himself about his thoughts. It turned out that after much deliberation last night, Zhu Lian had reached a startling conclusion. A living person couldn't just disappear without a trace. If the Kaifeng Prefecture had been busy for days and still found no clues, there must be something special about it. If Xue Qingxun had already died, why couldn't his body be found? It could either be hidden or destroyed. Destroying a body to cover up a crime isn't easy, especially in Bianliang City, which is densely populated. The possibility of destroying a body was small, so it must be hidden.

Where is the safest place to hide a dead body? Of course, in a coffin, because no one would check a coffin.

In the days before and after Xue Qingxun's disappearance, four families had funerals. The rest would be easy to find; they just needed to dig up the graves of these four families. Digging graves had to be done secretly; if the families found out, they definitely wouldn't agree.

Zhao Yougong had always despised the act of grave-digging. Zhu Mian dug graves for treasure, but here he was, accompanying Zhu Lian to dig up a body, which was depressing to think about.

It was now late autumn, and it was early in the morning. Walking on the road, the cold air seeped into their necks. Zhao Yougong wrapped his cloak tighter, his eyes darting around, already thinking about when he could return. Zhu Lian was focused on his duty, but Zhao Yougong wasn't. Whether the case was solved or not, what did it matter? What he was thinking about was how to recruit a few reliable people. After the assassination attempt in the Bamboo Lane, he needed to hire two bodyguards. At this time, Emperor Zhezong wouldn't think too much about it.

As they walked, the group left the main road and turned onto a small path to the east. This path led directly to the southern part of the city, to Ai Zi Slope. Ai Zi Slope was higher in elevation and had become a place for the people of Bianliang to bury their dead. Perhaps because they were going to dig graves, the group didn't talk much. Xie Dahu, the bearded man, led the way with a lantern. In the wind, the dim light flickered, looking very eerie in the darkness.

When they reached Ai Zi Slope, the area was full of withered mugwort. The grass obstructed their view, and the wind rustled through the grass. When they reached the top of the slope, Xie Dahu suddenly stopped in his tracks. Ma Rulong, who was behind him, didn't notice and bumped into Xie Dahu's shoulder. Rubbing his forehead, Ma Rulong grumbled, "Dahu, what are you doing, just standing there..."

Before he could finish, when he looked up, Ma Rulong also froze like Xie Dahu, his mouth agape. Soon, both of them started to shiver, with Xie Dahu shaking particularly hard. His hand slipped, and the lantern fell to the ground, extinguishing instantly.

What the hell is going on? Zhao Yougong cursed and walked up, pushing the two men in front of him aside. With just one glance, his teeth started to chatter.

Not far away, there were two green lights. The light flickered, sometimes weak, sometimes strong. The two green lights were close together, like two green eyes. The green light flickered, and the surroundings were pitch black. The light didn't stay in one place but drifted toward Zhao Yougong with the wind. The wind howled, sounding like wails in their ears.

Suddenly, a light appeared from somewhere, illuminating the green lights. A white object floated in the air, with black hair fluttering. The green lights were two eyes, but the face was black with white patches, and a long, blood-red tongue hung out. A large mouth seemed ready to swallow everything.

"Ha ha... Give me back my life..."

A voice appeared out of nowhere, like the wail of an old cat, piercing through their skin.

Zhao Yougong's eyes widened, and he felt a chill down his back. He couldn't take it anymore and turned to run down the slope, rolling and crawling.

"Mother, there's a ghost... a ghost..."

Zhao Xiaogong's scream was the trigger. Xie Dahu and Ma Rulong followed their magistrate, crying and running down the slope. At this moment, who cared about face? They ran as fast as they could!

"Ghost... Run... Everyone, run!"

Xie Dahu's usually strong voice was distorted, clearly terrified. The bailiffs didn't see the situation clearly, only noticing the two green lights, and followed them back. One of them stepped into a pit and rolled down.

The sudden change was too quick for Zhu Lian to stop. She held a lantern and shouted, "Stop... Stop..."

After shouting a few times, she felt a tight grip around her waist and was dragged away.

"You foolish woman, do you want to die? At this moment, you're still showing off!" Zhao Yougong and Ajiu pulled Zhu Lian and ran.

Hearing the insult, Zhu Lian's face turned red with anger. "Let go, Your Highness, let go..."

"No way!"

The group rolled and crawled back to the main road. Now, everyone wished they had more legs. No one dared to look back.

When they reached the main road, everyone collapsed by the roadside, panting heavily.

"Dahu, go... go get Daoist Lin... It was too scary, I told you not to dig graves in the dark, but you didn't listen..."

Xie Dahu didn't refuse. No matter what, it was better to get Daoist Lin Lingsu first. This was the first time he had encountered a ghost, and it was terrifying. Those eyes were like lanterns, and that mouth could swallow a pig.

Although Zhu Lian was a woman, she didn't believe in such supernatural things. Even if it was a ghost, with so many people together, they shouldn't be afraid.

"Your Highness..."

"Don't talk, wait until it's light. If you really want to go, go yourself. I don't have the courage!"

Seeing Zhao Xiaogong shivering, Zhu Lian was angry and grabbed a handful of grass, muttering, "Your Highness, my shoe!"

"Huh?" Holding the lantern, he saw that Zhu Lian's right foot was only in a thin white sock, and her embroidered shoe was probably lost on the road.

"Don't worry, we'll find it when it's light."

After resting for a while, the group headed back to the city gate. No one dared to go to Ai Zi Slope again. Carrying Zhu Lian, Zhao Yougong couldn't resist touching her, feeling her softness, which was quite enjoyable.

"Madam, when it's light, I won't accompany you. You continue investigating, and I have important matters to attend to!"

Hearing this, Zhu Lian smiled bitterly. What important matters could he have? He was just scared and wanted to hide.

"Your Highness, don't deceive me. The Zhao family will definitely come to cause trouble when it's light. Without you, I can't make decisions!"

"Don't worry, anyone who causes trouble will be thrown in jail. Madam, I'm not deceiving you. I really have something to do. I need to go to the South Market to hire two bodyguards today!"

"Hire bodyguards? That's reasonable, but don't hire someone like Xiao San again!"

"You talk too much, do you think I'm stupid?"

Zhu Lian rolled her eyes, not convinced. She thought this prince was quite good at pretending to be crazy. After the assassination attempt in Bamboo Lane, he had survived. Now, hiring some bodyguards wouldn't raise suspicion. On the contrary, if he did nothing, it would be suspicious.

The group from Kaifeng Prefecture left quickly and returned quickly. The gate guards were puzzled and found out they had encountered a ghost.

As soon as it was light, Daoist Lin Lingsu arrived at the South Gate. This old Daoist wanted to perform a ritual to catch the ghost, but Zhao Yougong had no interest in accompanying him. Saying goodbye to Zhu Lian, he led Ajiu to the South Market. After the ghost incident, Zhao Yougong was unaffected, but Ajiu was still pale, clearly not recovered.

During the Song Dynasty, especially in Bianliang, it was truly "scholars on high towers, warriors like dogs." The Northern Song Dynasty undervalued warriors, especially during Emperor Huizong's reign, when the status of warriors was pitiful. In Bianliang, if you were good at poetry and literature, getting a position was not difficult, but if you only knew military tactics, you had to wait.

Scholars gathered in the West Market, while warriors seeking a living gathered in the South Market.

Walking through the South Market, one could see many strong men holding various weapons standing lazily on the sides of the road. Some were retired soldiers, and some were martial artists. They were all here to find a job.

As they walked, Zhao Yougong thought about how to proceed. There were many people looking for jobs in the South Market, and it was impractical to interview each one individually.

After instructing Ajiu, the two walked to the center of the street. Ajiu found a broken copper gong and hit it with a stick.

Clearing his throat, Zhao Yougong stood up straight and raised a few banknotes.

"Hey, everyone, come over. I am Prince Yongning, Zhao Yougong. Today, I am sincerely recruiting a personal bodyguard. The requirement is that the person must have a fearless and loyal heart and the courage to face a hundred enemies!"

When the people on the street heard that Prince Yongning was recruiting and saw the banknotes, they immediately gathered around. Warriors were straightforward, and seeing the real banknotes, many volunteered.

"Your Highness, choose me. I am from Shaolin and proficient in all 72 skills..."

"Don't listen to him, Your Highness, choose me. I am from Kongtong and have mastered the Seven Injuries Fist. I can ensure your safety."

"Here, here, Your Highness, look at me. I am as strong as a rock, and my Iron Sand Palm can break a golden tripod. Choose me, and you won't regret it!"

The noise was deafening, and Zhao Yougong almost cried. These people would say anything to volunteer. If the Seven Injuries Fist was really so powerful, why would they be here in the South Market?

The strong men pushed and shoved. Ajiu, who was thin, couldn't withstand the crowd.

If this continued, it wouldn't work. Taking the gong from Ajiu, he hit it hard. "Everyone, be quiet! What are you shouting about? Stand still, and I will decide who to choose!"

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

"Fight, no more talking. Show your skills!"

"Let's fight!"

Warriors loved this direct approach. If it was a test of strength, they would show their true abilities on a high platform.

Looking at these eager warriors, Zhao Yougong felt a deep sadness. In the great Song Dynasty, brave warriors were not respected.