The slum bandits dispersed, casting wary glances over their shoulders. Some considered running, but Bigmouth Wang, still kneeling, shot them threatening looks from beneath his furrowed brows. The poor wretches felt trapped between hammer and anvil. If the brazen usurper did not beat them, their former leader surely would vent his humiliation on them later. Only the memory of silver coins warmed their hearts.

  After a brief discussion among themselves, they decided to take the risk and carry out at least one task for Zhang Ming. Early the next morning, they came running with their report, talking over one another.

  “New Boss!”

  “That boy you asked about… he used to sell river fish at the market. Then he disappeared. The street urchins recognized him from the description…”

  “In short, we know where to find the brat!” concluded a young bandit, the most impatient of the lot. “Shall we drag him here? Cut off his ears? Just say the word!”

  “No need to drag him anywhere. Just take me there.” Zhang Ming silenced them with a gesture, then turned to Lu Piao at his side. “Pay them for their work.”

  “Yes…”

  “Thank you, sir!” the slum bandits brightened at the sight of coins appearing from the pouch. When the silver landed in their hands, they bowed repeatedly. “Thank you, New Boss!”

  “You.” Zhang Ming pointed at the young bandit. “Lead the way.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  With a wide grin on his unshaven face, the youth hurried off to guide the new leader. Zhang Ming brought Bigmouth Wang along as well, now a kind of guarantee of the Mad Saber Gang’s loyalty, and kept a close eye on him. The fat man dragged his massive bulk through the streets with obvious reluctance, yet he dared not protest.

  In one of the city’s better districts, lined with broad streets and prosperous shops, stood the residence of a wealthy merchant. Recently, a young servant matching the description, and bearing the same name, had appeared there. A high wall enclosed the spacious courtyard, and heavy gates barred the entrance.

  Zhang Ming waited across the street while the young bandit went to negotiate with the servants. For a mere handful of copper coins, the gatekeeper brought out a skinny child of nine or ten.

  “Who are you?” the boy asked warily, not understanding why a strange young man was looking for him.

  “Don’t be afraid. Our boss has a few questions. Answer honestly and you’ll be rewarded,” the young bandit replied, flashing a silver coin.

  “Mm.” The boy nodded, unable to tear his eyes from the coin.

  “Come on. The boss is waiting across the street.”

  “Um…” The boy hesitated when he saw a shaggy man in worn clothes and a tall, bear-like fat figure. “Are you trying to kidnap me?”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “What? No! Why would we need you? I told you…”

  “Is that him?” Zhang Ming’s voice cut in as he suddenly appeared beside them.

  “Yes, New Boss! That’s him!” the young bandit exclaimed.

  “Why do we need this snot-nosed brat?” Bigmouth Wang grumbled, looking down at the child. “Pah. A bug.”

  “Don’t be afraid. He only looks scary,” Zhang Ming smiled. “Tell me honestly, are you acquainted with Xue and Mingzhu?”

  “Ah?” the boy flinched. His eyes darted about, as if afraid of betraying his friends while searching for a suitable answer.

  He knows. But he hides it poorly, Zhang Ming thought. Then he added aloud, “Don’t be afraid. I’m their father.”

  “You… Zhang Ming?” The boy’s expression changed instantly.

  “Yes.”

  “They talked a lot about their father…” The child pondered, then suddenly asked, “What did you give them, the thing they treasure most?”

  “A picture book and daggers,” Zhang Ming replied. Inwardly, he chuckled. What a cheeky little brat. He’s even testing me.

  “You really are their father!” The boy relaxed. “Are you looking for them?”

  “I’ve already found them.”

  “Then they’re safe!” The boy beamed. “I’m so glad! One day a strange man came. He tried to capture Xue and Mingzhu. There were five others with him. They wrecked all the buildings while chasing them…”

  The boy shuddered when he saw the fury rising in Zhang Ming’s eyes.

  “Continue.”

  “I hid in the reeds. No one noticed me… Xue and Mingzhu… they… ran toward the forest. Very fast. The bad men chased them, but they fell behind. I don’t know what happened after that.”

  “I see. Had you seen those men before? Where can I find them?”

  “I’d never seen the strange man in black before. The other five were just ordinary vagrants. After that incident, none of them returned to the city. All of them disappeared.”

  “Hm.”

  Zhang Ming fell silent for a moment, then patted the boy on the shoulder. “All right. Here’s your coin. I’ve done what I came for.”

  “Huh? That’s all? Forgive me, sir, but could you tell me where Xue and Mingzhu are now?”

  “In Puyang. You’re unlikely to reach it alive,” Zhang Ming tossed over his shoulder as he walked away.

  Deep in thought over the boy’s account, Zhang Ming returned to the Mad Saber estate, now serving as his temporary base. From among the brigands, he selected the most experienced tracker. Together, they left Baohe and headed straight for the riverside camp where he had once fished with Xue and Mingzhu.

  He had visited not long ago, yet without care the wind had damaged the structures. The lean-to where they had sheltered from rain lay collapsed on the ground, only the log supports still standing.

  “What do you make of it?” he asked the tracker.

  “Too much time has passed. The children’s traces are gone. But five vagrants cut a broad path through the bushes,” the brigand observed, scanning the site with a practiced eye. “Hm. One stood here and watched. Likely the leader. I see no blood anywhere. More like chaos, and then a chase.”

  “Let’s follow the trail. I’m curious where six men went, if they never returned to the city.”

  “Beasts devoured them?” the tracker ventured.

  “We’ll find out,” Zhang Ming replied.

  The six pursuers had clearly been in a hurry. They tore through the forest without regard for the path, snapping branches, breaking shrubs, trampling ferns into the earth. One of them had fallen, gouging deep furrows into a ravine, and smeared mud across a tree while getting back up.

  The tracker followed the signs with ease, moving through the forest far faster than the vagrants ever had. Zhang Ming followed close behind, not even breaking a sweat.

  Four hours later, they emerged into a small clearing.

  All the plants there had withered. The air felt cold, as though they had stepped into a crypt. The grass reeked of decay. Silence hung heavy, no birds sang, none stirred in the branches.

  “What happened here?” Zhang Ming asked. “This doesn’t look like the work of beasts.”

  “Definitely not beasts,” the tracker swallowed. “Because the ones who lay here in a pool of blood… stood up and walked that way.” He pointed deeper into the forest.

  “We’re going back,” Zhang Ming ordered shortly. His face darkened.

  The important thing is that the girls are alive and safe. I don’t know what killed their pursuers, but I’m not ready to face it yet. I need more strength.