Chapter 112: A Dark and Windy Night of Murder

That day, Qin Cheng and Guo Dongdong drank for quite some time. As the others bid farewell, the emotionally stirred Bai Dabe—unaware of his own feelings—prepared to head to the government office to settle the aftermath of Zhang Xing’s execution. Bai Dabe escorted Qin Cheng and the others to the official road. Watching their departing figures, he stood rooted for a long while. The north wind made his hand tremble slightly, and in his grasp was the hefty “spiritual compensation” that Qin Cheng and the others had given him.

“Damn it! In all my life, I’ve never seen such a general, never met such a knight-errant! Damn, today has truly been an eye-opener!” After a long sigh, Bai Dabe spoke sincerely, “This world—without seeing you, one cannot know how rich and full it truly is!”

By the time Qin Cheng and his group arrived at the government office, it was already afternoon. Thanks to Qin Qingzhi’s prior notification, this small local government had dispatched people to welcome the young Upper Cavalry General Qin Cheng.

Zhang Xing had been a notorious local tyrant and knight-errant in this area. Given his ill repute and the fact that Qin Cheng, the Upper Cavalry Captain of the highly esteemed Shanggu County military camp, led the case, the matter was resolved swiftly. The officials at the small government office treated Qin Cheng with utmost respect—this was practically a gift of political achievement: a murder happened and the culprit was caught the same day, something even the famed detectives couldn’t manage! Their attitude left no room for disappointment.

However, due to the delay, Qin Cheng could not continue his journey that day. It was only at dawn the next day that the six of them resumed their march toward Zhucheng.

Upon reaching Zhucheng, the group stayed only half an hour, having lunch and replenishing some provisions and water, before setting off again on the official road.

One day later, they arrived at Yuancheng of Changshan, and two days later, at Zichang City in Shangdang.

The journey was uneventful, save for one notable figure—Guo Xixi, a young woman.

Guo Xixi harbored extreme admiration for Qin Cheng, a general whose legendary deeds and great merits over the past half year were undeniable. Throughout the journey, she was unfailingly attentive, persistently engaging Qin Cheng in conversation—chiefly about military affairs—and expressing keen interest in his past. In return for her earnest attentions, Guo Xixi dutifully served tea and water, behaving like a devoted retainer.

Regarding her inquiries, Qin Cheng usually deflected questions to Qin Qingzhi and others, who were more than willing to chatter away. For these soldiers, who spent most of their lives in camps, contact with women was rare, let alone with such stunning sisters as Guo Xixi and her sibling. Naturally, they found it hard to restrain themselves, which Qin Cheng understood well.

As for her service, Qin Cheng often brushed it off lightly. Even when recounting a tale filled with twists and turns, he could render it tediously dull, lulling listeners to the verge of sleep—much to Qin Qingzhi’s frustration. Having personally experienced some of these thrilling moments, Qin Qingzhi knew their true excitement, but Qin Cheng forbade him from speaking. He could only swallow his words. Yet when he thought back to that red-clad lady who awaited Qin Cheng’s triumphant return at the city wall on New Year’s Eve, he found comfort. That woman’s grace had enchanted the entire cavalry. In his heart, Qin Qingzhi praised quietly: “Who would have thought the general is such a rare and devoted man!”

Despite Qin Cheng’s flat tone, Guo Xixi’s enthusiasm never waned.

While Guo Xixi’s fascination was with Qin Cheng, Guo Dongdong’s interest was more fixated on her own blade. Traveling with Qin Cheng and the official troops, Guo Dongdong and Guo Xixi no longer had to conceal their swords. Guo Dongdong’s blade and Guo Xixi’s sword were now openly displayed.

Whenever Guo Xixi sought to strike up conversation with Qin Cheng, Guo Dongdong would gaze intently at her blade, her delicate hand lightly tracing the scabbard, sometimes deep in thought, sometimes lifting her gaze to the sky. Her striking face often bore an unshakable seriousness, as though the blade she held was not merely a weapon but something worthy of her entire heart and soul.

As a weapon enthusiast, Guo Dongdong studied both her blade and Qin Cheng closely. Her posture clearly suggested a desire to spar with him. Since witnessing Qin Cheng’s lethal blade technique outside Bai Dabe’s inn, Guo Dongdong’s eyes often glowed with a mixture of heat and fighting spirit. It seemed she had been wanting to challenge Qin Cheng several times but refrained due to his status. For those immersed in martial arts, the urge to test themselves against a master is strong.

Qin Cheng noticed Guo Dongdong’s demeanor but found it amusing rather than troublesome. A woman who could wield the blade with a commanding presence rivaling that of any man intrigued him, but only to that extent. He had no intention of initiating a sparring match.

Neither Guo Dongdong nor Qin Cheng spoke of it; they tacitly shared their silence.

...

When they reached Zichang City, the once peaceful and harmonious group suddenly took on an eerie air.

This strangeness did not come from outside or from Qin Cheng’s party but from Guo Dongdong and Guo Xixi themselves.

At this midpoint of their journey, Zichang City lay in the heartland of the Central Plains, a bustling county seat far more prosperous than Qiansang City. The busier the city, the more people there were; where there were many people, disputes and intrigues were inevitable.

If Guo Dongdong and Guo Xixi were like fish in water, they might have concealed their unusual airs effortlessly. Yet although both tried to mask their feelings, Guo Dongdong’s solemn expression and Guo Xixi’s frequent silence made Qin Cheng sense something out of the ordinary.

But it was nothing more than unusual.

The inn at Zichang was grander and far more splendid than the typical city hotels. Within the inn, people came and went, various groups gathered, some laughing, some whispering.

Immersed in this scene, Qin Cheng could not help but reflect: “The throng of men everywhere—all for gain; the bustling world—all for profit. The great Han dynasty’s prosperity is truly well-deserved.”

As evening fell, the moon hung low in the sky.

After washing away the dust of travel and dining, everyone retired to their rooms to rest.

Guo Dongdong and Guo Xixi shared a room, as they had every night on the road.

Inside the room, a single dim lamp cast light on two faces close together—one cold and elegant, the other lively and playful.

“Xixi, you’re playing with fire!” Guo Dongdong said to her sister, somewhat annoyed.

“The fire is already burning. If you don’t want to be burned to death, you can only dance with the flames!” Guo Xixi met Guo Dongdong’s angry glare without retreat, her voice resolute.

Guo Dongdong shook her head helplessly at her stubborn sister. “But this fire is burning only you.”

“How can you know if you’re not in the fire yourself? Maybe this fire burns two people,” Guo Xixi retorted.

“Precisely because I’m not in the fire, I see more clearly.” Guo Dongdong sighed softly. “It’s best to stop now, before things get complicated. Even play must have limits.”

Suddenly, Guo Xixi laughed freely and heartily. When Guo Dongdong frowned, she said with a teasing smile, “Sister, I’m serious this time.”

“Serious?” Guo Dongdong laughed at her, “You’re just a kid. What do you know about love?”

“I’m not a kid anymore!” Guo Xixi protested. “Besides, does age really matter? You’re older, but that doesn’t mean you understand more than I do.”

Guo Dongdong relaxed, letting out a faint sigh. “All I know is that he’s not someone of our station to aspire to. Besides, there’s marriage arranged by matchmakers, and parents’ commands...”

“Sister!” Guo Xixi grew genuinely anxious, grabbing Guo Dongdong’s hand. “How can you say that? When you studied the Book of Songs, you weren’t like this!”

Before Guo Dongdong could respond, Guo Xixi let go, sat upright, and smiled mischievously.

“What are you laughing at?” Guo Dongdong frowned.

“Laughing at you!” Guo Xixi replied.

“What’s so funny about me?”

“You’re so adamantly against me—could it be that you’re already caught in the fire yourself?” Guo Xixi chuckled devilishly.

Guo Dongdong was momentarily stunned but shook her head lightly. “I’m not like you. I know what I can do and what I can’t. Besides, I wouldn’t so easily get burned.”

Guo Xixi paused, then gave a self-mocking smile. “True, you’ve always been the most rational one.”

Afterwards, she seemed to recall something, her eyes regaining their sparkle. “But rationality isn’t always good. Sometimes, acting on impulse better suits my chivalrous spirit!”

...

Guo Dongdong was momentarily speechless, then fell silent for a while before speaking gravely: “I don’t want to argue about this anymore. Let’s drop it. We have more important matters tonight—that’s the priority.”

“Right!” Guo Xixi grew serious as well. “Shall we go now?”

“Wait a little longer. When everyone is fast asleep at midnight, then we can move,” Guo Dongdong said thoughtfully.

“Good.”

...

At midnight, under a sparse moon and cool breeze, most people were sound asleep, comforted by the warmth of their beds.

In the quiet inn at Zichang City, the guest rooms were shrouded in darkness.

Suddenly, one room’s door creaked open quietly. A head wrapped in black cloth peeked out, glancing left and right furtively. After confirming no one was nearby, the shadow slipped out swiftly. Another followed immediately, and the door was gently closed behind them.

The two shadows moved nimbly, leaping through the corridor, then out into the courtyard, finally scaling the wall one after another before disappearing into the night.

Meanwhile, in a neighboring quiet guest room, Qin Cheng turned over in his sleep without opening his eyes, drifting back into slumber.

At that time, other guest rooms nearby, once occupied, now lay empty.

Dark and windy nights were the perfect setting for murder.