Chapter Nineteen: Escape from the Brink (Part Two)

The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed through the desolate villages of Shengzhou, the wheels of the carriage rattling like rain against white marble. Bathed in golden sunlight, the elegant silhouette of the carriage glided across the ground. Every side of the carriage was wrapped in luxurious brocade and silk, its windows adorned with gold and jade, draped with pale yellow chiffon, obscuring any glimpse of its interior.

Inside, two figures were deep in discussion about the risks and rewards of their mission.

"Young master, if your father finds out you left without permission, he'll surely punish us," said a young man clad in fine robes to the boy before him.

Wang Renming waved his hand dismissively, barely listening. "I know, I'll explain it to my father later. I won't let you bear too much blame."

But inwardly, he grumbled: "Father always says I'm arrogant and impulsive. This time, I'll bring Su Bai back myself, and he'll see firsthand how I make my mark. He'll have to grant me a title then!"

Soon, the carriage abruptly stopped.

"Have we found traces of that criminal?" Wang Renming asked impatiently.

He was growing weary of the journey. Despite the array of intelligence from the Imperial Guards, Su Bai remained as elusive as an eel in the sea.

A junior officer stepped up to report, "Sir, there’s a village ahead. Should we search it?"

"Search it. Even if Su Bai isn’t here, we’ll find some clue. Check every household thoroughly." Wang Renming lifted the curtain and stepped down, the officer trailing closely.

Once in the village, they began their search house by house.

But what they encountered was unexpected. Rather than chaos and resistance, the entire village stood assembled, waiting for inspection.

The elderly village chief approached warmly. A guard stepped forward to block him. "Stop right there."

Wang Renming tapped the guard's hand lightly with his folding fan, chiding, "How can you speak so rudely to an elder? Mind your manners." The guard withdrew, but kept a close eye on the chief.

Wang Renming smiled gently and addressed the chief, "Don't take offense, elder. I'm here not to trouble your people, but duty compels me to make some inquiries. I hope you'll cooperate and set a good example."

The chief nodded, "It is our honor to have you inspect us. Where would you like to begin?"

He raised his head and offered a fawning smile, "Surely the journey has been exhausting. Why not rest here a while before continuing your search? What do you think, sir?"

"My master has urgent business. How could he waste time in your shabby village!" barked a guard.

"Enough, don’t be rude," Wang Renming waved his hand, continuing to the chief, "I won’t trouble you further. Once my work is done, I’ll leave quietly. No need for you to worry."

The chief hesitated, "Well, if you insist, then I shan’t press you. Please rest at my humble home; once your guards have finished searching, you may depart."

Wang Renming's lips curled in a slight smile as he studied the old man, suddenly asking, "How did you know I’d be coming to this village, elder?"

"Ah? What are you saying? I have no such ability to foresee things! You must be joking," the chief replied, shaking his head as if desperately concealing something.

Wang Renming scoffed, "You already knew I would come, didn’t you? You’re stalling, trying to buy time for that criminal to escape!"

The chief turned pale with fright, dropping to his knees and grabbing Wang Renming’s trouser leg, pleading, "Sir, you wrong me! None of us have ever seen the suspect you speak of!"

"Oh? Did I mention what he looks like? Yet you say you haven’t seen him. Am I supposed to have shown him to you in a dream?" With that, Wang Renming kicked the chief aside. The old man’s frail bones couldn’t withstand such force; he collapsed, unconscious.

Wang Renming didn’t bother to look, waving his fan, "Su Bai must still be in this village. Dig up every inch if you must, but find him for me."

With that, dozens of guards began a thorough search, leaving only a few to protect Wang Renming.

He crouched beside the chief and murmured, "Weren’t you going to offer me tea?"

"Yes, yes, I’ll fetch it right away," the chief stammered, trembling as he rose. The older one gets, the more they fear death; he was still hoping to enjoy the silver earned from Su Bai’s jade ring.

After a cup of tea, the chief returned with a tray, hands shaking as he served the hot brew.

The guards had already brought stools from the carriage; Wang Renming sat, watching the chief’s shaky steps with mockery.

When the chief approached, Wang Renming pointed to the empty seat beside him, speaking amiably, "I was a bit rash earlier, elder. Surely you won’t hold it against a junior?"

The chief could only force a smile, replying, "Your lesson is well taken, sir; I dare not complain."

"Then sit." Seeing the chief hesitate, Wang Renming added, "Are you finding my stool too crude?"

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"How could I dare?" The chief nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick. The villagers, cowed by Wang Renming’s domineering presence, barely dared to breathe.

"Then sit," Wang Renming’s face darkened suddenly, like an actor changing masks.

"Yes...yes, I’ll sit," the chief said, taking his seat beside Wang Renming.

He did not make things difficult for the chief, instead chatting idly with him.

After the time of a stick of incense, a captain handed Wang Renming a jade ring, glowing with an unusual blood-red light. The chief and others stared wide-eyed in shock.

"Damn! How did they find the jade ring? I remember it didn’t give off this glow before—Su Bai must have tampered with it," the chief raged inside, wishing he could tear Su Bai apart. But Wang Renming’s wrath was not something he could endure.

He knelt, groveling at Wang Renming’s feet, begging, "Sir, I was foolish! Please spare me, and I’ll be forever grateful!"

Wang Renming’s fury at the sight of the ring was already overwhelming; he ignored the chief’s pleas, glaring at the villagers, "Good! Very good! You dared to deceive me. It seems you’re not afraid of death. I’ll oblige you."

The chief’s heart froze. He was about to lick Wang Renming’s boots, sobbing, "Sir, I truly didn’t know about the ring! That man just asked me to keep it for him; I never lied to you!"

"Report!" An armored soldier rushed from the village entrance.

"What now!" Wang Renming snapped.

"Sir, one of our horses is missing!"

Wang Renming immediately realized what had happened. Gripping his fists, he punched the wall, leaving an imprint in the thick earth.

Grinding his teeth, he vowed, "If I don’t avenge this, I am no man!"

"Should we pursue Su Bai now, sir?" someone suggested.

Wang Renming, consumed by rage, slapped him hard.

"Pursue? Even if my carriage wheels wore out, we couldn’t catch up. I never imagined he’d be so young, yet already skilled in riding and so clever, leaving no trace."

The man, stung by the blow, gave Wang Renming a murderous glare, but lowered his head, swallowing his resentment.

Clenching his fists, he asked, "What should we do with these villagers?"

Wang Renming stared at them, pronouncing, "Treason by aiding the enemy. Kill them all. Leave no one alive."

The captain, eager to vent his anger, saluted, "As you command." He turned, murderous intent seeping from every pore.

"Please have mercy!" The villagers begged, but there was no pity. The captain drew his sword and, in a single stroke, struck down the terrified chief.

...

In less than half an incense, only the cries of chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs remained in the village.

A guard, hesitant, knelt