Chapter Fifty-Five: Kill the Heir First

There were several people in the room, all unharmed. Among them were Yang Dachui and Han Li.

When Yang Fan arrived, after a brief exchange of old times, he quickly learned the details, which were much the same as what Steward Wang had described. However, quite a few had managed to escape as well. After all, the Blood Wolf Bandits weren't many in number.

"Two thousand souls, and less than two hundred survived," Yang Dachui broke down in tears again. Towering and powerfully built as he was, he wept like a child.

Lin Dashan was dead. Yang Zhonghai was dead. Many were dead. Some were killed, others perished in the inferno. Many were lost without a trace, their bodies reduced to blackened lumps, some so burnt not even their forms remained.

The rest had fled to the outskirts of the county town and dared not return; only Yang Dachui and a few others had come back to see what had become of their home.

The Sky Patrol Guards had naturally arrived as well. That was also why Han Li was here.

"Uncle Dachui, I will avenge them," Yang Fan’s voice was quiet.

"Xiaofan, let’s not. No more revenge. Let's just live, live well..." The burly man broke down once more, sobbing. The others wiped at their eyes, too.

Yang Fan said nothing more, but walked outside. Han Li followed.

The night had grown darker. Even the stars had vanished. A wind stirred, causing the charred trees to sway and scatter ash everywhere.

"The county constable performed a sacrificial rite to the evil god and turned himself into a demon. The commotion was so great that everyone’s attention was drawn there. By the time we noticed the Blood Wolf Bandits, it was already too late," Han Li said with a note of regret.

"There was no warning before they came?"

"We knew the general direction, but no one expected them to arrive so quickly. Each had his own horse, and all were martial artists—swift as the wind, impossible to guard against."

"All martial artists, each with a horse?" Yang Fan looked at him sharply.

"They carry themselves with the discipline of soldiers!" Han Li nodded and shared his findings. "After the trouble here, they headed toward Baofeng County, but vanished without a trace upon arrival."

Yang Fan just looked at him. Vanished? Even if they had, the Sky Patrol Guards should have found some clue.

"Recently, there have been rumors that the Prince of Tianhe discovered a gold-veined mine in Misty Mountain years ago and has been extracting wealth rivaling a nation ever since," Han Li added, sharing another piece of news. "The prince’s heir, having heard the news, wanted to come oversee Jinhua County, but when the demonic incident occurred, he diverted to nearby Baofeng County instead. There seems to be some entanglement between the Divine Fist Sect on Jade Bamboo Mountain and the prince’s household; it’s said many disciples have headed that way."

"Does the county constable have any connection to the prince’s estate?" Yang Fan mused aloud.

He already knew of the grudge between the Divine Fist Sect and the prince’s household. The rumor about the gold-veined mine was the one he’d told Lou Qingshan to spread. But why would the prince’s heir appear in person? There was no need—he could have directed matters from afar. Was it because of the mine’s collapse, the escape of the slave laborers, and the murder of many guards?

Yang Fan had his suspicions.

"Supposedly not," Han Li replied, noncommittal, but that in itself was telling.

So, the sequence of events was finally clear.

The prince’s household had been training troops and mining in the mountains, needing a cover in the outside world, and chose Nanshan Town. When the county constable failed in his duties, it drew the attention of the Blood Wolf Bandits. Perhaps there was also some thought that treasure might be hidden in the town.

"What happens here next, Brother Han?" Yang Fan pointed to the ground.

"Help with rebuilding, issue a warrant for the Blood Wolf Bandits," Han Li replied simply. "In this regard, I’m not in a position to offer much assistance."

"Brother Han, please keep an eye on things and prevent any further trouble. Consider it a personal favor," Yang Fan said earnestly, bowing with cupped fists.

"Don’t worry, I have a duty to watch over this too," Han Li agreed, though he hesitated. "Yang Fan, aren’t you staying in the town?"

Yang Fan looked towards Baofeng County.

Han Li’s face darkened. He warned, "That place has become a vortex. Many may die in the coming days, and...”

He paused, lowered his voice, and said quickly, "If you’re exposed, the whole world will become hostile to you."

Yang Fan said nothing.

"How about joining the Sky Patrol Tower?" Han Li sighed, then asked.

"Will I be able to take revenge?"

"Well..." Han Li was at a loss. He wanted to say it could be done quietly, but what if they were discovered? Then it wouldn’t be just a personal matter anymore.

The next day.

With more people returning, they helped to gather the bodies, many of whom could not be recognized. Yang Fan found the corpses of Lin Dashan and his wife, but not those of Erni or Xiaoyu.

Many could not be identified. The town had been thrown into chaos, with people gathering in one place, only to be hacked to death and trampled by horses, reduced to a mash of flesh and then burned in the fire...

It was impossible to tell one from another.

"Xiaoyu, Erni, Uncle Dashan, Auntie, rest for now. Please wait, just wait for me!" Yang Fan stared at the pile of bodies, his expression unchanged.

After a brief discussion, they decided to bury them together, behind the small temple at the west end of the village.

Yang Fan did not linger. Instead, he pulled Yang Dachui aside and handed him banknotes worth five hundred taels of silver for their resettlement.

"I can't take your money!" Yang Dachui shook his head.

Yang Fan forced it into his arms, telling him that if trouble ever arose, he should go to the Sky Patrol Tower in the county town and find Han Li for help.

"Xiaofan, are you leaving?" Yang Dachui asked anxiously. "It's too chaotic out there. Where could you go? You’re not thinking of revenge, are you? Absolutely not! We are humble folk, anyone can bully us. When I was young I couldn’t accept it, but now... now I’ve resigned myself."

"Resigned? Uncle Dachui, I am still young!" Yang Fan waved and left.

He bid farewell to Han Li as well.

To the south of the town.

As he watched the receding figure, Han Li was filled with tumult.

"How did he kill the demonized county constable that day? There were so many guards inside—how could he have done it alone? And who was it that chased him afterwards?"

"He’s convinced that the prince’s heir is behind it all, and really plans to seek revenge? That’s like striking a stone with an egg. But he lives so freely, so unrestrained. I envy that!"

Han Li’s feelings grew even more complicated.

He wanted to drop everything and follow.

He wanted to see the world outside.

He wanted, more than anything, to draw his sword against injustice.

But in the end, he could not let go—not yet, not in his heart.

Baofeng County.

When Yang Fan arrived, night had already fallen. As he walked the streets, he immediately sensed something was off.

At this hour, the streets should be bustling, yet there were few passersby. Many of those about carried weapons.

He found an inn with several small courtyards, rented one for himself, completed the formalities, washed up, and ordered a great deal of food.

In the courtyard, the stone table was soon covered with dishes.

The aroma whetted Yang Fan’s appetite. He ate until he was thoroughly satisfied, letting out several contented belches.

"Comfortable!"

He exhaled a long breath. It was the first time in days he’d felt so at ease.

The servant who came to clear the dishes was astonished. He knew the meal was enough for five or six people, but it had all been devoured by one.

"Boy, has anything happened here lately?" Yang Fan asked, tossing him a piece of silver.

The servant’s eyes lit up as he caught it. He drew closer and lowered his voice, "Do you know Prince Tianhe? His heir arrived a few days ago, and when he appeared on the street, he was truly peerless, making all the young ladies scream. And the Divine Fist Sect—those legendary masters—word is their senior brother led a group of disciples here as well. There’s also a rumor of a supreme martial art surfacing here—whoever masters it will become god or demon."

He hesitated. "There’s one more thing—I’m not sure if I should say..."

Yang Fan smiled, produced another piece of silver, and placed it on the table. This one was worth about two taels.

"If I’m satisfied, it’s yours," he said. As he spoke, he pressed the stone table until it cracked.

The servant, who had just brightened at the sight of silver, shuddered and quickly huddled closer, lowering his voice to a whisper, "Sir, I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!"

"The night before last, a sudden fire burned down the prince’s heir’s manor and the surrounding houses. Many people died!"

"Rumor has it the Divine Fist Sect was behind it, but there’s no proof. The prince’s heir flew into a rage but could do nothing except order a massive manhunt!"

His voice was barely above a mosquito’s hum. He added, "Once you leave this door, I’ll deny ever saying any of this!"

He clutched the silver tightly in his hand.

"I thought the Divine Fist Sect had a good reputation?" Yang Fan asked quietly.

"Reputation? Nonsense," the servant snorted. "They rely on their martial prowess and are nothing but bullies. Last year, a disciple of theirs was dining here. Because a customer looked at him twice, he stabbed the man’s eyes out with his chopsticks."

Yang Fan clicked his tongue. "That ruthless?"

"There are worse stories. Ask around and you’ll hear them," the servant said, glanced around, and hurried off.

Yang Fan mused for a moment, then smiled.

"I was still hesitating about how to break the impasse."

"But now, I know."

"First, kill the prince’s heir!"