Chapter 0009: Encirclement

"Why aren't you running anymore?" Shen Lian asked

Having said that, the three surrounded Chen Hao and Shen Lian in the middle

"It is impossible; the archives of the Northern Town's Office of the Inspector are a place of utmost secrecy, and it is a grave offense to disclose them!" Shen Lian rejected the idea without a moment's thought

Yunxi Slope is located to the west of the capital, not far from Shen Lian's home. By the time the two brothers arrived at the location, it was already a quarter past midnight, approximately around 11:30 PM

After you left, I dealt with all the potential issues that could arise. I also burned Ling Yunkai's Book of Impermanence, and subsequently arranged for Beishai to stay in a secluded courtyard. Shen Lian's expression was serious, and after a moment of contemplation, he spoke with certainty: "If there is anything that has drawn Pei Lun's attention, it can only be for two reasons. First, the Book of Impermanence; aside from those within the Jinyiwei, very few would dare to tamper with someone else's Book of Impermanence. Second, it is the argument that occurred between Ling Yunkai and me at Jinling Tower the night before last"

Hokusai's departure is considered a positive development for Chen Hao, as it at least returns to the original storyline

Shen Lian's face suddenly turned red, and in the end, he nodded under Chen Hao's gaze

Be careful in the future, my brother, as Pei Lun invited me for drinks today! Chen Hao did not want to discuss the matter of the handgun, so he shifted the topic to Pei Lun.

Let's go to Yunxi Slope, don't forget to bring your Western musket

The person did not respond, turned around, and ran away. Chen Hao and the other two hurriedly gave chase

In the original film, Shen Lian accidentally killed Ling Yunkai, and she managed to escape at that moment. This time, when Chen Hao killed Ling Yunkai, she had no opportunity to flee, yet today she still managed to get away

Yunxi Slope is a bamboo forest, inherently dark in its environment, and at night it becomes pitch black. After entering the bamboo forest, Shen Lian and Chen Hao could only move slowly, being cautious of potential ambushes.

"Delightful!" Ding Baiying looked at Chen Hao in surprise and said, "You are more straightforward than Shen Lian. I want you to burn down the archives of the Beizhen Fusi."

There is a piece of paper. Shen Lian hurriedly drew his bow and arrow, and saw that the paper read: "According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, those who kill the Jinyiwei shall be punished as conspirators against the state, and their entire family shall be executed. At the third watch and fifteen minutes, at the Yunxi Slope of Xishan."

Shen Lian is usually so astute, yet when it comes to women, he becomes a complete fool

"Is that you?" Shen Lian asked as he was about five or six meters away from that figure.

Chen Hao: "... ..."

"You seem to regret killing that Imperial Guard," Ding Baiying said淡淡的.

If he has run away, then so be it! Chen Hao did not care at all.

After a single strike, that person halted his steps, and Shen Lian also came to a stop. It was only at this moment that Chen Hao arrived, albeit belatedly, as his speed was a limitation.

Whoosh

Oh! It is possible that Lord Shen might escape!" Ding Baiying focused her gaze on Chen Hao and said: "But what about this young Lord Shen? Looking at his appearance, which seems incapable of even tying up a chicken, I conclude that he cannot escape! Moreover, based on my observations, he is not carrying a firearm!"

Does the elder brother like her? Chen Hao did not take Shen Lian's words to heart; this fellow was clearly being insincere.

In an instant, the gaze of everyone present fell upon Chen Hao

Shen Lian's face turned ashen after reading it, and he casually handed it to Chen Hao. Chen Hao pretended to take a look, his expression also becoming serious, but inwardly he felt sorrow for Shen Lian.

The person ran very fast, and Shen Lian was not slow either. After chasing for several dozen meters, Shen Lian struck the back of that figure with a knife, producing a sound of 'clang'.

Shen Lian angrily said: "It's all my fault, I shouldn't have intervened to save her yesterday. If it weren't for that, Ling Yunkai wouldn't have been killed!"

A sharp arrow pierced the silent night sky, embedding itself in the door not far from Shen Lian.

At the same time, a burly man wielding a spiked club suddenly appeared behind Chen Hao, blocking the way for the two of them

Oh, by the way, what firearm did you use to kill Ling Yunkai yesterday? Why have I never seen it before?

Shen Lian said: "I claim that someone rescued Beihai, killed Ling Yunkai, and the murderer used firearms!"

In the original film, Pei Lun targeted Shen Lian everywhere because Shen Lian forced Yin Cheng to death. However, from Chen Hao's perspective, this is not entirely the case. Even if Shen Lian had not forced Yin Cheng to death, Pei Lun would still investigate Shen Lian. It has nothing to do with anything else; it solely concerns his personal future. Finding the murderer of Wei Zhongxian's nephew would indeed be a significant achievement.

Good!" Ding Baiying smiled slightly and said: "Are you going to take the adults to see the officials, or are you going to burn the archives? You choose!"

Regarding the matter of Ling Yunkai, how did the elder brother handle it? Chen Hao said: "Pei Lun appears to be thanking me for helping Yin Cheng, but in reality, he is trying to inquire about you through me. Perhaps, he has already concluded that you are the murderer of Ling Yunkai"

Pei Lun? Shen Lian's expression grew slightly serious as he said: "Pei Lun is specifically sent by the Southern Town Pacification Office to investigate the murder case of Ling Yunkai. How could he come to find you for a drink?"

Do I seem easy to bully?

"You set the conditions." Chen Hao took over the conversation, as he was too lazy to argue with them.

Oh, so it is the musket of the red-haired demon, its power is truly great! Shen Lian actually believed it; after all, he had never been to the West. Before Chen Hao came, he had hardly heard much about the West. Speaking of which, he still trusted Chen Hao quite a bit, even believing that Chen Hao went to the Hokusai Courtyard last night out of concern for him! If it had been someone else, he would never have believed so easily.

How did you report to Lu Qianhu?" Chen Hao asked again

Suddenly, Shen Lian raised his hand and pointed ahead. Chen Hao looked out and saw a figure sitting on a rock not far away. The two exchanged a glance and slowly approached each other

"Who?" Chen Hao and Shen Lian immediately tightened their grips on the embroidered spring knives

Chen Hao nodded; he certainly knew that Pei Lun suspected Shen Lian for these two reasons

At this moment, Shen Lian was quite straightforward, and he did not forget to remind Chen Hao to hold the pistol

The figure did not speak, slowly turning around. It was a beautiful girl, appearing to be around eighteen or nineteen years old. She drew a shield from behind her back. No wonder Shen Lian's strike had failed to injure her; it had struck the shield behind her instead.

"Two against three does not necessarily guarantee a victory; however, Shen still possesses the skill to escape!" Shen Lian articulated each word clearly.

Moments later, a young woman in a green outfit holding a long knife emerged from the bamboo forest. The woman was tall and beautiful, but her lovely face was cold and icy, resembling a frozen beauty. Chen Hao recognized that this poised and striking woman was Ding Baiying

Chen Haogang was about to speak when Shen Lian interjected, saying: "Where is that girl Hokusai? I want to see her!"

Chen Hao chuckled and said, "Hehe, since elder brother likes it, then it is worth doing this."

Chen Hao was left speechless; the other party hadn't even discussed the terms yet, and you revealed your trump card, not to mention that your trump card is actually someone from the opposing side

This must be after Hokusai fled, when he informed Zhu Youjian about Chen Hao killing Ling Yunkai through Ding Baiying. Zhu Youjian then intended to use Shen Lian's leverage against Ling Yunkai, as well as the threat to Hokusai's safety, to coerce Shen Lian into burning the document archive. Throughout the entire ordeal, Shen Lian acted like a fool, completely manipulated by Zhu Youjian and his associates in his desperate attempt to save Hokusai, unaware that Hokusai was Zhu Youjian's woman

Chen Hao said nonchalantly: "I don't care, in this world, I only have one relative, my elder brother, so what burdens could there be!"

Shen Lian would certainly not say that it was a 21st-century pistol, so he continued to fabricate nonsense, saying: "That is a firearm made by the country of the red-haired devils; I brought one back when I returned from Guangzhou!"

Alas! I have only brought trouble to you, Changqing!" Shen Lian sighed

Ding Baiying said: "That young lady is the key witness who can testify against you for the murder of that important officer of the Jinyiwei. How could I easily bring her here?"

"You are being too polite, big brother!" Shen Lian walked up to Chen Hao and patted his shoulder heavily twice, saying with a hint of guilt: "Good brother!"