Book 14: Chapter 6
Minor Character’s Persistent Struggle
Ming Feizhen’s predictions and concerns weren’t just warranted and accurate, but they were still imperfect. Although he had plenty of enemies and had a penchant for offending more people from every corner of the land, not all of them were in the capital. Those in the capital who wanted to harm him were either short on money or bore a grudge against him. Considering he rarely used might to get his way in the world nowadays, his lack of fighting abilities didn’t impact him meaningfully. As for old acquaintances he’d smashed before, there weren’t many who were privy to the extent of his abilities.
What he overlooked was that, though there weren’t many of them, they existed. Once one of them made an attempt on his life, they’d act as a trigger that’d galvanise others to follow suit. The people who didn’t know the extent of his abilities but took issue with him would eventually join those taking the initiative to go after him. As the fire intensified, those who were originally afraid and chose to sit out at first would also join. Already, there was one person at Liu Shan Men who caught wind of the situation and wanted to join.
“Yes! Yes! Ming Menqing, I’d like to see you continue being audacious now!”
After Emperor Yuansheng rewarded him and he legitimised his post as captain of Liu Shan Men, Song Ou would hug and give a smile to everyone he came across and even purchased himself a green hat before the New Year. Even Long Zaitian received a hug and friendly greeting. There was nothing and nobody Song Ou could find annoying – except Ming Feizhen. Every time he recalled the humiliation Ming Feizhen imposed upon him, all those nights… dozens of nights he visited Shen Yiren… for work… Still counted as a private meeting between a man and woman.
Despite knowing Song Ou was at Liu Shan Men, Ming Feizhen still boldly hung around Shen Yiren. How was that any different to taking a dump right on his head? Ming Feizhen even told Hong Jiu to beat Song Ou up. All the unhappy memories erased Song Ou’s celebratory mood and smile. Not even Long Zaitian felt warm in his arms anymore. Of course, Long Zaitian’s two body rips hurt, too. Most importantly, Emperor Yuansheng wanted to reward Ming Feizhen, as well!
Song Ou was rewarded for doing nothing, but Ming Feizhen did even less! The only reason Ming Feizhen was rewarded for being kidnapped was because he had strong backing, right? Song Ou reasoned that all of Ming Feizhen’s audacious behaviour stemmed from him being Mount Daluo’s direct disciple, and Emperor Yuansheng had to praise him no matter what because he wanted Mount Daluo’s support.
In comparison to Mount Daluo, Song Clan had only escaped suspicion, so they were far from being trusted. It was a depressing realisation, frankly, more depressing than when Shen Yiren shackled him. At the end of the day, Shen Yiren was his fiancée no matter how overbearing she was. Therefore, he’d be called someone who respected his lady. In the scenario Ming Feizhen successfully ascended the hierarchy and stole Shen Yiren, then Song Ou wouldn’t be able to show his face in public. Just the thought of people saying, “South Green Prince, North Song Ou” sent shivers down Song Ou’s spine. Moreover, he refused to leave Shen Yiren.
While his parents definitely had a hand in ordering Song Ou to marry Shen Yiren, his say was an important part of it, important enough to say that, without his enthusiastic advocacy for it, the engagement wouldn’t have gone so smooth.
Was it a surprise, then, that even Song Ou’s boogers were prancing when he heard there was a bounty for Ming Feizhen’s head? He was yelling, “Justice is served! The heavens have taken my side,” in his head.
Song Ou wanted to spectate the discussions between the bounty hunters on how to eliminate Ming Feizhen to the point that he couldn’t focus on everyday tasks. Now that there were so many people that you needed a ticket if you wanted to enter, he could no longer sit by and wait. How could he, Song Ou, miss out on killing a woman stealer? Furthermore, what risk was there when so many people joined ahead of him? Once he had a plan, he called for his trusted aide.
A young man heavily stepped into the room as though he sprinted through and, before catching his breath, voiced, “Captain, your loyal subordinate is at your service!”
Song Ou bobbed his head as he scanned his trusted aide. He was the subordinate everyone needed if they wanted to achieve big things. A good subordinate needed to give his all for his superior and to say pleasing things. The sweat on his head and the black bags under his eyes were proof that his subordinate was dedicated.
“Head Constable Zha.”
Head Constable Zha was originally assigned menial tasks, such as watering plants, taking care of the soil and so forth. Afterwards, he was assigned to teams and jobs where there was a manpower shortage, so he technically wasn’t even a constable. Song Ou saw potential in Zha Pi, so he instated the latter as an official constable.
While a head constable of Liu Shan Men wasn’t a hot shot in the imperial court, they were highly respected within Liu Shan Men despite their modest pay for they led all the other constables. Yan Shisan’s legendary team of twelve constables were all but only head constables. Bai Yeshuang and Ming Feizhen were the only two head constables Shen Yiren instated, and she went through a lot of considerations before she promoted Ming Feizhen to the role before she knew how strong he was. Shen Yiren chose Ming Feizhen based on his potential and projected growth.
You had to give it to Song Ou to find gold in dirt; he, too, must’ve refined his eyes in a pill cauldron to select Zha Pi among the one-hundred-plus constables as his trusted aide.
Song Ou’s loyalest aide, who’d spent the last two nights playing mah-jong, stared as sternly as he could at his superior. “Just say the word, and your subordinate will follow you to the ends of the world.”𝑓ree𝑤𝘦𝚋𝐧𝘰ve𝑙. co𝒎
Song Ou proudly smiled. “Let’s go. Follow your captain on a covert patrol.”
***
The small teahouse on the big street outside the Ande door, which was located on the western side of the capital, was where criminals gathered most often since that was where news was traded. Having said that, you wouldn’t feel as if you walked into a barrack of criminals or something when you went there. However, the place had been packed and bustling ever since a certain piece of news spread.
Song Ou, posing as a loaded young master, spent ages in the long line with his attendant before they managed to get inside.
“Captain, what is this place? How dare they make you line up?”
“I know. They clearly don’t resp-”
A yelp, the sound of a bone breaking and then four people dropping, followed by the sight of dust rising cut Song Ou off.
“Stay home if this is all you can manage.” The speaker, a tall and imposing man who mopped the floor with the four, took two steps forward. “I am Zhao Tiankui. I have a bone to pick with Ming Feizhen. This will be you if you get in my way.”
Glossary
South Green Prince, North Song Ou – If you’re thinking, “It must be a parody of Semi-Gods and Demi-Devils’ North Qiao Feng, South Murong,” you’re right.
Ande Door – Pronounced “Arn-der”