Episode 39

  It was not until the tenth year of my imprisonment that winter arrived, and the sky was a deep, foreboding grey. The thick clouds had long since obscured the sun and moon. Suddenly, snow began to fall. At first, it fell gently, but soon grew heavier and more intense. By the time night was approaching, the clouds were pouring down snow in wild abandon. The entire landscape, stretching out for a thousand miles, was transformed into a silver wonderland, with every object radiating a soft, silvery light. Although the sky was growing dark, the fading light of day cast an otherworldly glow over this monochrome world.

  "Ah, Brother Insufficient, look at this pure white world, it's like a flawless and unblemished beautiful jade, truly a masterpiece of heaven and earth!"

  "Where is the beauty of purity? Clearly, this whiteness has covered up all the so-called good and evil, beauty and ugliness in this world!"

  "Alas! Insufficient brother, how can you always view the world in such a way? You should know that the wonders of creation often cleverly surpass the work of heaven! The attitudes of all things are all endowed with great beauty. If you observe them with a good and beautiful heart, then all things will be good and beautiful; if you measure them with an evil and hateful attitude, then heaven and earth will both be ugly. However, whether it is ordinary people or cultivators, everyone should strive to be good, only then can they fully enjoy the pleasures of life in this world!"

  "Although what you said is true, the world is unfair and full of resentment! Don't you think that the suffering and hardships of these two people over the past decade are not just a calamity?! Moreover, we were not born here, nor did we grow up here, we're just being careful on our journey! Furthermore, in this world, those who do evil enjoy their years and wealth, while those who do good barely survive like ants, with their lives hanging by a thread, struggling to make ends meet, and suffering from hunger and cold all the time. Isn't it that the wicked prosper and the good are barely holding on?!"

  "Insufficient brother! You, why can't you just get along with me? Is it that hard to acknowledge our family's principles?"

  "Alright, Chang'er. You're a big girl now, don't always be so tearful."

  "It's like this at brother's place! Don't you like Mengmei looking like this? Is it or isn't it?"

  "This isn't it. Your appearance has been accustomed to by a certain family for a long time already. Alright, since that's the case, you can just be like this, so delicate and charming! Hehehe......"

  "Not enough, brother? The sky is clear and bright, the wind is gentle and refreshing. Why don't we take a stroll together?"

  "Great! Let's release our spirits outside the prison today and have some fun!"

  The two of them, having slightly attained the divine power of escaping from prison, decided to take a trip and comfort themselves from the suffering of being locked up. At this time, the two sat cross-legged in their small cell, reciting incantations with their mouths and forming seals with their hands. The two great divine realms suddenly opened, covering an area of thirty miles around them within this large array.

  "Insufficient older brother"

  Chang'e transmitted her voice:

  "Shall we go take a look at the lair of that bandit chief?"

  "Good! Lately, the bandits have been gathering frequently, seemingly brewing something big. We might as well go and investigate, it's just in time. In case something happens, we won't be caught off guard."

  Two men transmitted the sound, and slowly followed Da Shi's divine field to patrol outside the prison. However, near the left side of the prison gate, a man was seen secretly plotting with Gu Du Tong Ling. He shifted his attention to this place and heard the thief say to Gu Du Tong Ling:

  "Second brother, since ancient times it has been said 'when the birds are gone, the good bow is stored; when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked.' We'd better make preparations early, otherwise once the master of the house makes up his mind, we'll be in danger of dying without a place to bury our bodies!"

  "I know. Little Third, what else did you find in the mountain stronghold?"

  "I have always followed the orders of my second brother, only doing small tasks and not getting involved in other people's business. As a result, no one has discovered that I am actually my second brother's trusted confidant. However, in recent actions, the brothers within the core circle have participated very little, I don't know if this counts as an unusual movement?"

  "Hmm, continue to closely monitor the people and things in the village. At the same time, prepare a backup plan, if there's any unusual movement, first escape, absolutely do not let other families notice!"

  "Second brother, why don't we just leave early and be done with it? After all, the wealth we've accumulated over the years is enough for two or three lifetimes; what's the point of being greedy?"

  "You think you know, but I'm also not in control of my own fate! Do you think we can just leave now and be done with it? Wrong! You don't know the likes of Master and the head of the household. He's meticulous and ruthless. Even the teachers are intimidated by him. What about us? We've been seeking promotion for years, spending a lot of money, but to no avail. It's probably because we haven't paid enough in bribes. That's why we still have use for them. Once they're promoted, it'll be time for them to abandon us like a worn-out millstone or a bridge after crossing the river. We must be careful and find an opportunity to hide our names, bury our identities, and escape to a distant land. Heaven have mercy, if we're lucky and manage to escape successfully, we can live a life of luxury as wealthy merchants, what a wonderful life! But I'm afraid they've also calculated everything..."

  "Second brother's words are extremely right! Only you should be careful and plan carefully from now on!"

  "I know this already. Alright! You can go now!"

  Then the little mountain lowered its head and followed the wall root, only to make a slipping gesture and left. But his eyes suddenly showed a determined color. When he walked far away, he suddenly stopped his footsteps, looked at the mountains for a moment, and then looked at the prison camp again. He stomped his foot and opened his pace like flying away.

  "Inadequate brother, these thieves are quite something!"

  "Hum! They don't know, and the way is not far!"

  "Insufficient elder brother, we will keep an eye on this treacherous Guo fellow and see how he responds!"

  "Alright, I'd also like to see how these thieves fight among themselves!"

  He gave a cold laugh and said.

  Gu looked at the retreating figure of the infamous Xiaosanzhe and sighed to himself after a moment of contemplation.

  "It's easy to get on a pirate ship, but hard to get off!"

  "Governor's in charge, another fight broke out among several prison guards in the jail, you'd better go take a look quickly!"

  "Hum! They fight all the time, what's so surprising about it?!"

  "This time they've all made their move, if it's delayed, someone might lose their life!"

  "What's going on? What's happening?"

  "It's not just about money. One borrows money to gamble and loses everything, while the other is in urgent need of money, how can he pay it back? It's a wonder they didn't fight!"

  "Motherfucker, they've turned against us! Let's go!"

  That Gu led the way, saying as he went, and they hastily proceeded to the prison camp. As soon as they entered the prison camp, a loud clang was heard, and the large gate of the prison camp was closed behind them. When he looked up again, there was no sign of any fighting! General Gu swiftly drew his waist knife with a swish, while at that moment four soldiers surrounded him with swords in hand. The traitor Gu shouted loudly:

  "Come out, master!"

  "Hah, hah, hah...... Second Brother is quite knowledgeable, so you should know what to do now!"

  "Why is it so?"

  "Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

  "Hmm! I've been a thug for the tiger, killed countless people, done too much evil, and died with guilt! But today, even if I'm doomed, I want to make a final blow, showing off my heroic spirit all my life. Great master, I've never seen you take action. According to legend, you're a versatile talent in both literature and martial arts, your martial skills surpassing even the general's. Will you exchange a few moves with me?"

  "Hmph! Naive! One wins with strategy, not brute strength. Following me for many years, yet your insight hasn't grown. Die!"

  That thief with the surname Gu tossed his knife, aiming straight for the young master. But just as he was about to make a move, he was caught in a large net and died after being stabbed multiple times. The young master saw the knife coming and didn't dodge, instead using his finger to lightly flick it, causing the blade to shatter into pieces that quickly fell to the ground. He then coldly said:

  The head was taken off and brought inside to see the witnesses in the prison cell, a sketch was drawn, and evidence was collected.

  "Yes!"

  The four yamen runners shouted in unison and immediately proceeded inward.

  Insufficient to perceive this scene, also did not intentionally eat a fright.

  "What a formidable martial art! Qinger, hurry back, this person is looking for us two!"

  As soon as the two recognized the divine spirit had taken possession and returned to its rightful place, they saw that young master lead four people directly into the house.

  "You two have suffered. On that day, you told us that the Zhou family village was a den of thieves, and after careful investigation, it turned out to be true. However, we did not want to startle the snakes by hitting the grass, so for these past few years, we have been detaining you. Although you did not suffer too much, you have been detained here for many years! Now that all the thieves have been punished and their leader has been killed by me, we still need to trouble you with some formalities. Come, open the prison gate and invite you two into the county government office, where we will treat you to wine to calm your nerves."

  Although Jin Chan'er knew his plan, he was also shocked. However, knowing what he wanted, he didn't say anything else. He just thanked him and followed Gongzi to the county government in a daze.

  The county magistrate was still dressed in simple attire, and said elegantly:

  "Mr. Shi, Miss Jin, you two have suffered! This county has detained you for nearly ten years, which is actually a consideration for the people of this place, but it has only brought suffering to you two. I now thank you on behalf of the tens of thousands of people in this county."

  The county magistrate immediately stood up and bowed deeply. Not enough to deceive Chang'er with pretended surprise, he hastily said:

  "How dare I, a humble commoner!"

  Then he returned to his seat, raised his glass and spoke with joy, the atmosphere was very pleasant. That night, it was not enough for him to wash up and rest with Chang'e. As soon as dawn broke, he changed into the clothes sent by the county government and went to the main hall. After verifying that the head of the bandit leader Gu was correct, he read the document, signed his name, and simply said that the bandit leader Gu was indeed the ringleader, and then dismissed him.

  Then return to the county government office and wait for orders from the official residence.