Chapter 4: Thus Killing

The situation was beyond everyone's expectations. Yi Tusheng only felt a flash before his eyes, and in an instant, the sword light surged, and the sword energy intensified. Severed limbs flew into the air, and fifty to sixty members of the Imperial Guard fled in all directions like goats slaughtered by hungry wolves, with warm blood everywhere at the city gate. Liu Sangge suffered the worst; the woman, seeking revenge for his earlier actions, severed his head with a single sword strike. Strangely, it was not until he fell to the ground that his head rolled off from his neck.

The ordinary Jinyiwei earned only three to four taels of silver each month, making it impossible for them to enjoy such a luxurious lifestyle. However, these individuals were all registered ruffians, even more unruly than bandits. Many times, after having their fill and quenching their thirst, they would wipe their mouths and shout "Charge it!" before leaving with a swagger.

Since he has come here, he must find peace in it. Yi Tu Sheng understands that he cannot return to the modern era, but even if he has to live in the Ming Dynasty, he cannot live at the lowest level.

At such a moment, she could not help but smile, her face inexplicably flushed. In her life, she had never encountered such a strong man! Moreover, his smile was so provocative, so intriguing. Recalling the earlier scene of being searched, she could not help but feel her heart racing, her cheeks burning

On this day, Yi Tusheng, in his capacity as the captain of the Jinyiwei, was inspecting the citizens entering and exiting at the Yongding Gate. All the Jinyiwei enjoyed this work, as it presented a great opportunity for extortion, and they could also take advantage of the defenseless beauties, so why not take pleasure in it

Pointing a gun at her forehead, Yi Tusheng shook his head and said, "A unique hidden weapon, even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand! Now, turn around, put your hands on your head, spread your legs, and do not move!"

Although he escaped death, several wounds had been added to his chest and back, with blood gushing out. Had it not been for the arduous training over the years, he would have likely perished under the sword's aura long ago

Yitu Sheng's gaze was immediately drawn to the suddenly appearing young woman. He was not a paragon of virtue himself, so he strode over and said, "Liu Sang, is there something wrong with this woman? Let me help you check her out!"

Ruan Ji once said, "In times without heroes, even the petty can achieve fame." In the eyes of Yi Tu Sheng, these individuals are nothing significant; they have merely lingered a few more days in the Ming Dynasty than he has. Given time and opportunity, he is certain to rise to prominence.

The young woman paused slightly, then coldly laughed, "Do you think you can keep me here with hidden weapons? Don't even think about it; we shall meet again." Suddenly, she scattered a cloud of white mist from her hand, leaped into the air, and after a few movements, vanished without a trace

It was only then that Yitu Sheng understood that the one-eyed dragon had long been given orders to intercept border reports here

In contrast, the impoverished common people appear haggard and sigh deeply, some even resorting to selling their possessions, children, or spouses. It is truly said that "the stench of wine and meat from the wealthy households contrasts sharply with the frozen bones on the road". This is not an exaggeration in the slightest

Other Jinyiwei may be quite satisfied with their lives, but Yi Tusheng is not satisfied, increasingly dissatisfied

Grasping the trembling arm of the poor mother, Yi Tusheng pulled her aside and shouted: "Turn around, spread your legs, and hold your head with both hands, quickly!"

Although the Jinyiwei are formidable, they do not dare to cause trouble in these two places, as it is said that they have very strong backing, and within, there are numerous experts, all of whom are ruthless guardians who kill without blinking, even more formidable than the Jinyiwei

As the young woman gripped the sword in her hand, it emitted a crisp "clang" sound. A pale beam of sword light traced a beautiful arc, and immediately, a bloody head of a Jinyiwei flew out smoothly, rolling several times in the muddy ground at the city gate before finally coming to a stop. The headless body fell heavily to the ground like a chopped tree stump, and the skin on its neck suddenly contracted, with crimson blood gushing out in bubbling spurts.

At any cost, by any means, one must rise to power

Yi Tusheng expressed his confusion, saying: "What is going on? This is an urgent military matter..." The one-eyed dragon shouted: "Don't worry about so much, just follow the orders. Everything will be taken care of by the Supervisor!"

Who would dare provoke these bloodthirsty and violent killing machines

The Jinyiwei were also a group of individuals who became bloodthirsty at the sight of blood; how could they allow a woman to flaunt her power right under their noses? Immediately, the one-eyed dragon led his men to attack, and Yi Tusheng drew his waist knife and charged alongside the others

The one-eyed dragon chuckled and said: "Brother Yi, I truly admire your skills, both in heart and in words. Not to mention, our group of brothers has trained for a year or two; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to make a living from this. Yet, in your hands, we are utterly defenseless. In my view, your future is boundless. When you achieve success in the future, don't forget your brothers!"

Liu Sange did not know the ill intentions in his heart at that time, and he smiled, saying: "Thank you, thank you, they are indeed very suspicious, you must search carefully!"

It must be the urgent dispatch from Liaodong, we cannot let them breach the checkpoint, stop them!

In the moment of her surprise, Yi Tusheng rolled out and shouted, "Look, a hidden weapon!"

At this moment, a mother and daughter approached, holding yellow oilcloth umbrellas, which shone brightly like blooming yellow peonies under the intense, glaring sunlight

Since the last incident, the Cyclops has been greatly impressed by Yi Tusheng's character and skills. Tian Ji also holds Yi Tusheng in high regard. Therefore, although the Cyclops, in his capacity as the 'leader,' holds a superior position over Yi Tusheng, he secretly flatters Yi Tusheng in various ways and follows his lead.

Shaking his head, Yi Tusheng smacked his lips and said: "Another meal at Manfu Building, I'm tired of it. Sigh, how about we go to 'Qingchengwu' for some flower wine? I heard that there..."

At first, Yi Tu felt quite embarrassed about this practice, but after more than ten days, he gradually got used to it and even learned to shout "keeping accounts." Although it is called keeping accounts, he had never seen anyone dare to ask for payment, nor had he seen anyone take the initiative to repay. While the bosses harbored resentment in their hearts, they displayed the most humble smiles on their faces.

The cavalryman said sternly: "If we delay the military situation, I fear even Wei Zongxian will not be able to bear the consequences!" The one-eyed dragon, upon hearing this, became furious: "You must have the courage of a leopard to dare insult the Supervisor. Shoot him down for me!"

The married woman who was just molested by Yi Tusheng and Liu Sange now stood three steps away from Yi Tusheng, holding a soft sword, her eyes filled with rage, and said in a stern voice: "Hand over the report, or I will take your life"

Essentially, the daily work of the Jinyiwei consists merely of parading in their splendid garments, bullying men and dominating women. Having been in service for such a long time, Yi Tusheng has yet to receive any serious assignments; his primary duty is to lead individuals in gathering intelligence, which is quite similar to his work at the intelligence bureau.

The one-eyed dragon took a step forward, retrieved a sealed official document with red wax from the collar of the civil official, and said to Yi Tusheng: "Hurry, deliver this to the governor immediately"

In the shaded area inside the city gate, a dark square table was set up, where Yi Tusheng and the One-Eyed Dragon were leisurely enjoying tea and chatting

No problem, I will treat you at 'Manfu Building' tonight

With a single stroke of the sword, the head remains intact; what a terrifying swordsmanship this is

Yitu Sheng has killed quite a few people and once prided himself on being cold-blooded, but he has never seen such a way of killing.

The mother, her face flushed, was frightened and kept retreating, yet she did not dare to cry out, appearing pitifully vulnerable

Having taken the edge report, Yi Tusheng pulled a warhorse by the door, swiftly mounted it. The horse, startled by his powerful burst of energy, immediately began to kick wildly and shot out like an arrow.

At this time, Yi Tusheng could be considered a leader within the Jinyiwei, while the One-Eyed Dragon held a higher rank as the head, thus Yi Tusheng was still under his authority

The earth is like a steamer, with heat waves assaulting the senses

Yitu Sheng became increasingly interested upon hearing this. He leaned closer, resting both arms on the table, and said: "Not only Li Zihan, but I have also heard that 'Zhong Chuyan' from 'Xiyao Pavilion' is also a beauty of unparalleled grace, possessing a captivating appearance. What is most remarkable is that both of these women are talented, excelling in various arts such as music, painting, poetry, and dance. They are truly extraordinary women in the community!"

Having served as a member of the Jinyiwei for less than a month, Yi Tusheng witnessed firsthand the darkness and decline of the Ming imperial rule, while also finding great excitement in his work

The young woman trembled with anger, her charming face flushed, her silver teeth clattering as she spoke fiercely while shaking the tip of her sword: "I will count to three. Hand over the report, or else..."

Yitu Sheng was quite unceremonious, following the modern police procedure for searching a person. He first searched the limbs, then the waist and chest, thoroughly checking. Even through the clothing, he could feel her elasticity and smoothness, which made him feel quite pleased.

The young woman instinctively raised her sword to block, only to hear a crisp "clang" as the treasured sword shattered. A bullet pierced through her protective aura, creating a transparent hole in her shoulder. The sword fell to the ground, and the immense impact of the bullet pushed her back three steps. Her face turned pale as she looked at Yi Tusheng in disbelief, saying: "You... what kind of hidden weapon..."

Whenever he saw those high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants riding their tall horses, surrounded by a retinue, passing by with an air of invincibility, he felt an impulse to rush up, pull them down from their horses, and give them a good beating

The working hours of the Jinyiwei were not far removed from those of the modern white-collar class, with duty starting at 8:00 AM, corresponding to the hour of the Rabbit, and ending at 6:00 PM, corresponding to the hour of the Monkey, resulting in a daily work schedule of eight to nine hours

Amidst the lewd laughter of two despicable men, the delicate young woman had no choice but to comply with Yi Tusheng's words

The cavalry clearing the way suddenly pulled on the reins, and the warhorse let out a piercing neigh, rearing up on its front hooves. The knight atop the horse turned pale with rage and exclaimed, "Have you all lost your minds? This is an urgent battle report from the Liaodong region, spanning eight hundred li. How dare you obstruct it!"

Yi Tusheng said with shining eyes: "What is the bathing of the multitude of immortals?"

What does "clean official" mean? Could it be that they all hold official positions? The one-eyed dragon laughed heartily and said: "So it turns out you are a 'naive one'. 'Qingguan' is not 'qingguan'; 'qingguan' refers to the courtesans in the brothel. You should seek more advice from Liu Sange on this matter, as he is quite experienced in the realm of pleasure!

Yitu Sheng is also a passionate person, who is usually very loyal. He quickly joked, "You are treating tonight; in the future, when I become the commander, I will not forget you!"

At first, the mother wept softly, but later she embraced her daughter and cried out loud.

The one-eyed dragon squinted his eyes and said with a wicked smile: "A bathhouse is filled with beautiful, naked women, playing in the water. You can enjoy the boundless spring scenery from the shore, or you can personally enter the water to feel the smooth, snowy skin. This is called 'The Bath of the Immortals.' Do you want it?"

The sons of officials and the wealthy elite in the capital, besides possessing numerous wives, concubines, and singing girls, often seek pleasure in brothels. The two most famous and luxurious brothels in the capital are named 'Xiyao Pavilion' and 'Qingcheng Wharf.' The courtesans within, even those who are merely maids, can be considered beauties of extraordinary grace. However, Yitu Sheng has never set foot in them.

The one-eyed dragon, seeing Yi Tusheng's longing expression, patted the back of his hand, sighed, and said with a grin: "You only know one side of the story and not the other. Although these two beauties are indeed rare in the world as you say, they never easily meet guests. Even if it is a prince or a noble of high birth, or a first-rank official wanting to meet them, it would be impossible without at least ten thousand taels of silver. Moreover, they are 'qing guan', only accompanying with wine and music, and do not allow any physical contact. For people like us, who would be willing to spend ten thousand taels of silver for such a fleeting romance."

These Imperial Guards are indeed bold. At the command of the One-Eyed Dragon, a volley of arrows was unleashed, turning the cavalry into a porcupine. A civil official emerged from the sedan chair behind, and upon witnessing this scene, his face turned deathly pale, nearly fainting. The One-Eyed Dragon waved his hand and ordered, "Bind all these spies and take them to the imperial prison, awaiting the judgment of the Grand Supervisor."

A horse-drawn carriage raced along the official road outside the city, with light cavalry clearing the way ahead. The sound of wheels and the neighing of horses, accompanied by the wind and dust, created a sense of urgency. Upon reaching Yongding Gate, the cavalry displayed their waist badges and shouted, "Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong, urgent documents to report to the Emperor!" Before the guards of the Jinyiwei could react, the carriage swept past, enveloped in a light cloud of dust.

The fabrication of such rumors is intended to compel everyone to obediently part with their money; otherwise, with just a gesture from the Jinyiwei and a single utterance of "This is an assassin!", that individual would likely find it impossible to escape from the Jinyi prison, even if they were to lose everything.

These imperial guards, after finishing work each day, would gather in groups of three to five to visit taverns and brothels to pass the time

The act of chopping vegetables and slicing melons is quite ordinary; the young woman either killed or knocked unconscious all the Imperial Guards, leaving only one, Yi Tusheng, who was covered in blood and fleeing while holding a newspaper.

This is an era of the survival of the fittest, an era devoid of principles, a dark age, an age where material desires run rampant. To have power is to have everything; conversely, you will live like an ant, toiling diligently each day while constantly guarding against being crushed by others

The mother is quite beautiful, with thin, red lips, a fair oval face, large eyes, and a delicate, curvaceous figure. She always keeps her head lowered as she looks at her daughter, seemingly shy to face others, holding a bamboo-woven basket in her left hand

Liu Sange smiled and said, "What is this for?" Yi Tusheng replied with a serious expression, "I suspect she is hiding a weapon on her person, so it is better to search her thoroughly"

Even so, Yi Tusheng was already so frightened that he could hardly breathe. This martial skill, which could emit cold air from the tip of a sword, he had only occasionally seen in martial arts novels. He never expected that such a remarkable woman truly existed in the Ming Dynasty. This time, he feared for his life.

Liu Sange, accompanied by a team of Imperial Guards, conducts body searches on every person leaving the city

The one-eyed dragon charged forward with a cold smile, loudly declaring: "I apologize, cavalry brothers, but recently there have been assassins causing chaos both inside and outside the palace. We have received orders from the Director of the Eastern Depot to conduct strict inspections here, and no one shall pass."

Yi Tusheng laughed and said, "It doesn't feel satisfying enough. If there is time, it would be best to take off your clothes and search again!"

Liu Sange gently stroked the little girl's hair with one hand, while the other hand was busy touching and pinching the mother, his arm coiling around her chest and ample hips like a snake.

Moreover, these Jinyiwei not only have a knack for making money but also for collecting books. When they are on duty at the city gates, passersby who do not wish to cause trouble must pay a "toll". By the end of the month, just from this kind of commission, Yitu Sheng received seven or eight taels, which is even more than his entitled salary. As for the one-eyed dragon's claim about discovering assassins in the city last time, it is purely nonsense.

Liu Sange is another foreman under the One-Eyed Dragon.

There is an assassin, kill him!

Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Yi Tusheng thought to himself that men in ancient times were indeed much happier than modern men. The words of the one-eyed dragon further strengthened his resolve to become a superior person in this era

As Yi Tusheng was about to let them go after having his fun, suddenly ...

The young woman leaped lightly, and in a few ups and downs, she stood in front of him, her face as cold as frost, and she coldly laughed, "Did you enjoy the body search just now?"

As he traveled ten zhang, passing beneath the trees, a sudden wave of piercing cold air surged from above, striking him down. Yi Tusheng's head felt as if it had been doused with ice water, causing his scalp to erupt. Trained from a young age, Yi Tusheng was exceptionally agile; before the cold could reach him, he rolled off the horse's back. The warhorse let out a mournful wail, reared back, and, like a mountain collapsing, knelt down, blood gushing from its back, shooting up over one meter high, and it died in an instant.

More than one hundred Imperial Guards suddenly blocked the horse's head, while soldiers around them bent their bows and nocked their arrows, preparing to shoot. They shouted in unison: "Dismount, quickly dismount!"

Haha! The one-eyed dragon, Guan Changzheng, laughed and said: "Brother, have you heard about the girl 'Li Zihan' from Qingchengwu? She is the number one singer in the world, so you must be wanting to get close to her. I advise you to give up that thought!"

This profession can truly be regarded as the most domineering and the most leisurely occupation of the Ming Dynasty

In addition to these, Yitu Sheng deeply experienced the inequality among people in feudal society. Those high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants were all proud and arrogant, surrounded by beautiful women and numerous concubines. Besides their wives and concubines, some bureaucrats even kept dozens of singing girls at home, with all types of beauty present. They indulged in a life of luxury and excess, filled with music and dance, living a life of utmost pleasure

Upon witnessing this scene, Yi Tusheng was greatly puzzled. How could a mere captain of the Jinyiwei, the one-eyed dragon, dare to obstruct an urgent military report from the court spanning eight hundred li? He instinctively felt that this matter was certainly not simple

"Otherwise, just kill me, right?" Yi Tusheng laughed and said: "Hand it over and it's death, don't hand it over and it's also death. Stop with the sweet talk, just make your move. You can only take it from my corpse!"

At the grand city gate, three to four thousand citizens lined up in two rows for inspection, even more stringent than the armed police border station

The one-eyed dragon continued, "Liu Sange just came out of 'Yihong Weicui Pavilion' yesterday and even tasted the 'Bath of the Immortals' inside the pavilion! You can invite him over to ask!"

What is this thing! Liu Sange immediately walked over and said rudely, his eyes maliciously darting around his mother.