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Chapter Forty-Five: Quietly Entering the Village—No Gunfire

“Hmph, what are you all staring at? I’m all about the thrill,” Cao Hong said, his face darkening with the ominous air of someone shifting from a Guan Yu to a Zhang Fei.

“Brother Duan, are you refusing to show me any respect?” he asked.

Duan Mingyu chuckled, “Not at all, not at all. Your humble servant simply cannot hold his liquor. I hope Brother Cao will forgive me.”

Zhang Qihou slammed his fist on the table and stood up, eyes blazing. “How dare you! You refuse the wine I offer and instead want to drink the punishment wine? Do you not respect our Yangwei Escort Agency?”

Xu Zuye, who had been silent until then, lifted his head calmly and said, “What an impressive Yangwei Escort Agency. Even when I was in office, they were never this arrogant. Cao Hong, are you truly willing to engage in battle with my young master?”

Cao Hong glanced at Xu Zuye, knowing that this elder was no easy opponent. His expression flickered unsteadily. “Brother Xu, what are you saying? No matter the time, you are still my elder brother. When you speak, naturally I must give some face. Seventh Brother, step back quickly.”

Grumbling, Zhang Qihou reluctantly sat down again.

“Since Brother Duan cannot handle his liquor,” Cao Hong said, “just drink casually, no need for formalities.”

Duan Mingyu clasped his fists in thanks. “In that case, I thank Chief Escort Cao for his consideration.”

Cao Hong forced a smile and began drinking with the escort guards. On Duan Mingyu’s side, no one dared to take even a sip or a bite. Who could guarantee there was no poison or drugs hidden in the food and drink?

Xu Zuye leaned over to Duan Mingyu. “In recent days, we have gathered much information about the Yangwei Escort Agency. Their greatest strength lies in the Twelve Zodiac Signs. Zhang Qihou and He Sanhu need no introduction—we’ve crossed paths and know each other well. In addition, there are Fang Dashu, Zeng Erniu, Shangguan Xiaotu, Zhao Qianlong, Yu Qingshe, Ma Sanniang, Sun Gongyang, Hu Ji, and Kong Ergou.”

Duan Mingyu counted on his fingers. “That’s only eleven. The pig is missing.”

Xu Zuye pondered. “That puzzles me as well. Don’t laugh at me, but the last Zodiac, the pig, I have found no trace of. It’s as if that person never existed in the Yangwei Escort Agency.”

Duan Mingyu said, “Brother Xu, no need to worry. To get this far is already quite an achievement.”

Xu Zuye gave a bitter smile and continued, “The Twelve Zodiac Signs are all extraordinary figures in the martial world, quite formidable. Besides the Qin family, where would Cao Hong find the resources to recruit such people?”

He shook his head with a sigh. Brothers who once shared hardships now seemed ready to destroy each other. Anyone would feel uneasy in this situation.

Duan Mingyu comforted him, “Brother Xu, the path is chosen by men. Since our paths have diverged, what can be done?”

“Indeed,” Xu Zuye said. “I understand now.”

Duan Mingyu glanced around. The Yangwei men continued drinking boisterously, while his own side remained motionless, the atmosphere strange. He sensed over a dozen cold, piercing gazes fixed on him. If looks could kill, he would have been riddled with wounds by now.

A chill ran down Duan Mingyu’s spine. He asked Xu Zuye, “What exactly do the Twelve Zodiac Signs do? Do they have any special powers?”

Xu Zuye stroked his beard. “Special powers? Not really. Each just has a unique skill. Fang Dashu and Shangguan Xiaotu excel at digging tunnels; Zeng Erniu is incredibly strong; He Sanhu masters tiger-style boxing; Zhao Qianlong is a swift swordsman; Yu Qingshe is an excellent swimmer and assassin; Ma Sanniang is skilled in horse breeding; Sun Gongyang is an expert climber; Zhang Qihou is a strategist—probably responsible for today’s trap; Hu Ji is nothing special, just a brothel madam rumored to have a thing with Cao Hong; and Kong Ergou mainly gathers intelligence—nothing escapes his notice.”

Duan Mingyu nodded, then asked, “I feel like some of them are women?”

“That’s right,” Xu Zuye confirmed. “Shangguan Xiaotu, Yu Qingshe, Ma Sanniang, and Hu Ji are all female.”

Duan Mingyu felt uneasy. “Look at them—they are truly talented. Over here, besides me who knows a bit of martial arts, none is worth mentioning.”

Xu Zuye chuckled. “Not entirely. At least our people have better overall combat skills and loyalty.”

Lowering his voice, Duan Mingyu said, “Indeed. I wonder how Wang Aiqing’s side is doing. I think Cao Hong won’t hold back much longer.”

Wang Aiqing gazed at the high walls and addressed his forty-plus men. “Brothers, Master Duan has treated us well. Now that he’s in trouble, we must lighten his burden. If anyone retreats, falters in battle, or sows discord, don’t blame me for breaking brotherhood ties!”

“We will give our all!” they shouted in unison.

After his solemn speech, Wang Aiqing suddenly grinned slyly. “Then let’s climb the wall quickly!”

“Captain Wang, um, it seems the back gate is open…”

Wang Aiqing smiled awkwardly. “Ahem, of course I saw that. This is the final test before we move.”

The group was speechless.

“Alright, then we proceed as planned. Remember, enter the village quietly—no gunfire!”

They stealthily slipped into the backyard. Wang Aiqing, noting the heavy guards, signaled his team. They nodded knowingly. One, dagger clenched between his teeth, crept toward the first target. Suddenly, he sprang up, covering the victim’s mouth and nose with one hand while slashing the throat with the dagger in the other. Then he dropped the body and silently dragged it away.

A silent massacre.

Cao Hong watched Xu Zuye tightly shielding Duan Mingyu, frowning deeply, hesitating.

Zhang Qihou stepped forward. “Chief Escort, time waits for no one. We must act swiftly, or else the situation will change!”

Duan Mingyu saw Zhang Qihou whispering in Cao Hong’s ear and felt a great unease. That scoundrel is no good—one day, I’ll cut off your little thing and feed it to the dogs.

After a moment’s thought, Cao Hong waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down. They immediately backed away to the sides, glaring fiercely at Duan Mingyu, who stared back just as fiercely.

Cao Hong said, “Brother Xu, if you leave now, I guarantee your safety. Think carefully—Duan Mingyu will surely die today.”

Those behind Duan Mingyu immediately stepped forward, forming a human shield around him.

Xu Zuye pointed two fingers at Cao Hong. “I have one question: Did you conspire with the Qin family to kill Master Wan?”

Cao Hong looked surprised. He hadn’t expected Xu Zuye to have even investigated the Qin family behind him. Concealing the truth any longer was pointless. “Yes, I killed him.”

Since you’ve come this far, please take a moment to bookmark this story. Your support means a great deal to me. Whether the book gets published depends on your bookmarks—thank you!

(Recommended book: “Baby’s Beloved Concubine, Your Eyes Can Only See Me.” Perhaps fate has destined their unbreakable bond. The end of one legend often marks the beginning of another. The cause of past lives becomes the effect of this one.)

Today is my good friend Zhuge Jing’s birthday. His novel “Wolong Is My Father” is an excellent series set in the Three Kingdoms. Please take a look and support Jing and Wolong!