Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Descent of the Divine

“Chen Da!” Among the constables, Li Yun was only familiar with this one man, so he called him over. Last time, Chen Da had received a generous gift from Li Yun and made a tidy profit. Now, he was eager to prove his loyalty. At Li Yun’s summons, he immediately jogged over.

“Chief, you called for me?”

In Qingyang County, few of the constables truly acknowledged Li Yun as their captain. Chen Da was one of the rare exceptions.

Li Yun’s eyes flickered as he patted Chen Da on the shoulder, smiling. “By order of the magistrate, we’re heading out on official business. Go pick one more man—we’ll go as the three of us.”

He paused and added, “Choose someone sharp and young.”

“Yes, sir.” Chen Da answered at once and quickly found a slender, youthful man, bringing him to Li Yun. “Chief, this is an old friend of mine, grew up together. He works at the yamen as well. His surname is Huang, given name Yong.”

“We all call him Da Yong.”

Li Yun looked over the clear-eyed youth before him, who appeared no older than sixteen or seventeen. He smiled and asked, “Did you inherit your father’s post?”

“Yes.” Huang Yong nodded honestly. “My father passed last year. He served as a constable all his life…”

Li Yun nodded with satisfaction, gesturing forward. “Let’s go—bring your gear, we’re setting out.”

The two answered, took up their weapons, and followed Li Yun out of the city. Only then did Chen Da remember to ask, “Chief, where exactly are we headed?”

“Erlong Mountain,” Li Yun replied with a kindly smile. “Several days ago, a gang from Erlong Stronghold grew audacious and snatched two men from the Gu family at Tangxi. We’re going to Erlong Mountain to investigate.”

“What?” Chen Da stopped in his tracks, glancing up at Li Yun. “Chief, this… this…”

“Just the three of us?”

Li Yun chuckled. “What’s wrong with three?”

Chen Da’s face was drawn. “Those bandit strongholds all have dozens of men. What can the three of us do…”

“Don’t worry.” Li Yun patted his shoulder again, still smiling. “We’re not there to wipe out the stronghold—just to scout things out. Too many men and we’d alert them.”

“Just stick with me, you won’t come to harm.”

Li Yun’s reputation was already well-established in Qingyang. The tale of him nearly dispatching four strong men in an instant had spread far and wide, growing more legendary with every telling.

With such a formidable leader, the two men felt somewhat reassured and followed Li Yun toward Erlong Mountain.

The journey covered dozens of miles and took them until the next day to reach a village at the mountain’s foot. After showing their credentials and asking around, they learned that Erlong Stronghold had been abandoned, though its former inhabitants still lurked in the shadows, keeping the villagers too fearful to approach.

By evening, the village chief personally arranged an empty house for them. After a simple meal, Li Yun yawned and proposed, “We’re on official business, and thieves may be hiding nearby. Let’s keep watch in shifts.”

“I’m used to staying up late. The two of you sleep first; after midnight, I’ll wake you for your turn.”

As the leader, Li Yun’s word was law. Chen Da and Huang Yong agreed and went inside to sleep.

Li Yun stayed outside, tending a campfire and roasting wild game the village chief had provided.

Time slipped by, and as midnight drew near, Skinny Monkey Li Zheng crept up to Li Yun’s side. From inside, the house already resounded with snores.

Li Yun shot him a look, and the Skinny Monkey quickly understood, pausing by the window to listen for any movement inside before returning. In a low voice, he said, “Second Brother, they’re all sound asleep.”

Li Yun tore off a piece of roast rabbit leg and handed it to Li Zheng. “Everything taken care of?”

“Don’t worry.” Li Zheng grinned. “I drugged those two Gu brats well—before tomorrow night, they won’t be waking up. Tiger has already taken men to deliver them to Erlong Stronghold.”

Li Yun nodded. “And the money?”

“Of course.” Speaking of money, Skinny Monkey’s eyes gleamed, and he chuckled. “Second Brother, you’re incredible. I’ve never seen so much silver in my life…”

“Such lack of ambition.” Li Yun rolled his eyes and gazed up at Erlong Mountain.

After a moment, he continued, “Once the delivery is done, you, Tiger, and Liu Bo return to our Cangshan hideout immediately. With this money, our stronghold won’t need to work for at least six months. While I’m gone, no one is to leave the mountain for private business.”

“Wait for my return before making any moves.”

Li Zheng nodded. “Second Brother, when will you come back?”

“No rush.” Li Yun tore off another piece of rabbit, smiling. “I’ll travel a bit more, see if I can spot some opportunities for us.”

“Your brother here,” he said, gazing into the fire with laughter in his voice, “can now walk the world openly.”

…

In the latter half of the night, Li Yun roused his two subordinates and went inside to catch up on sleep himself.

Only when daylight was fully upon them did the three finally rise. Li Yun stretched, then looked up at Erlong Mountain with a smile. “The magistrate sent us to investigate, so we’ll climb up and have a look. The villagers said the stronghold’s empty anyway.”

“As constables, we owe it to the magistrate and to the local people to show our presence.”

Chen Da gave a thumbs-up. “Chief, you really know how to do things!”

After some morning exercise, Li Yun and his men joined the village chief for breakfast, then, watched by the villagers, made their way up Erlong Mountain.

The villagers praised them, saying it was rare to see officials so diligent.

Erlong Mountain was not particularly tall, and the stronghold sat halfway up. Having grown up in the mountains, Li Yun climbed with ease, while Chen Da and Huang Yong were panting for breath by the time they reached the gates.

At the entrance, Li Yun stopped, drew his saber, and examined the ground with a serious look. “Fresh footprints.”

“Someone was here—as recently as last night!”

“Draw your weapons.”

Chen Da and Huang Yong swallowed nervously and hastily drew their sabers, their hands trembling.

A crossbow bolt whistled through the air, aimed straight at Li Yun!

Li Yun reacted instinctively, dodging aside. His heart turned cold—someone was indeed in the stronghold, and it wasn’t Skinny Monkey’s crew. At this hour, the only people on Erlong Mountain would be those who’d gotten wind of the Gu family affair—rivals coming to take advantage.

And seeing that Li Yun and his men wore the black uniforms of officials, these bandits attacked without hesitation.

Li Yun’s sharp gaze swept the area and quickly spotted two or three figures. He barked, “Bandits! Stay behind me!”

A crossbow needed to be reloaded, which took longer than nocking an arrow.

With saber in hand, Li Yun lunged forward with explosive speed, charging at the shadowy figures.

The two or three exchanged glances—seeing how few the officials were, they didn’t flee, but rushed to meet the attack.

Li Yun shifted his grip to wield his sword two-handed. Timing his move, he brought his blade down in a vicious chop.

So swift and fierce was his strike that his opponent barely managed to throw himself to the ground and roll away, narrowly avoiding death.

This was what Li Yun wanted. As the man dodged, Li Yun shifted his blade in a sweeping arc toward another.

That one tried to block, but his strength was no match for Li Yun. The weapon was knocked clean from his grip.

Li Yun closed in, unhesitatingly driving a kick into the man’s chest, rendering him unable to fight.

The last man had only just reached Li Yun. One glare from the captain, and he turned to flee, but Li Yun closed the distance in a few strides and kicked him to the ground.

Meanwhile, the first one had regained his feet and slashed at Li Yun. With a surge of fury, Li Yun hurled his saber, the flying blade slicing the bandit’s arm.

Blood sprayed, splattering Li Yun.

He spared no further thought for the three men. Snatching up his blade, he barked at Chen Da and Huang Yong, “Tie them up!”

Then he strode to the only intact building in the stronghold and kicked the door open.

Inside, the Gu family’s two kinsmen, tightly bound, had just been roused by the sounds of fighting and were still dazed.

Blinking in confusion, they watched as the door flew open and sunlight flooded in.

Framed in that dazzling light stood a young man in black official garb, bloodied and imposing. After kicking open the door, he strode toward them like a god descended.

His voice was clear and bright.

“You must be Gu Zhang and Gu Cheng of the Gu family?”

“I am Li Zhao, Captain of Qingyang. I’ve come to rescue you.”

His tone was gentle yet filled with warmth, and after all their suffering, the two men suddenly felt tears prick their eyes.

“Are you both unharmed?”