Rainy night.
The rain poured heavily.
Several lightning strikes tore through the dark curtain of the sky.
Xu Xing, wearing a straw raincoat and a Conical Hat, walked along the sodden street. His foot inadvertently landed in a small puddle on a Blue Stone Slab, and his Cloth Shoes were instantly soaked. The sole of his foot trod on a layer of water, cold and damp.
Before long, pedestrians on the street suddenly scattered, rushing to take shelter along the sides.
A few Oil-paper Umbrellas spun through the air, landing before him.
Immediately afterward, the CLIP-CLOP of hooves shook the roadbed, and the neighing of warhorses echoed from afar. A troop of Green Camp Soldiers appeared, wearing White Conical Hats, Hanyang Made rifles slung over their backs, and the character for "Soldier" stitched onto their chests. They galloped their warhorses across the rainy street, utterly disregarding the pedestrians.
After their rampage, the street was a mess.
Oil-paper Umbrellas, a few Wave Drums, some Pomegranates, and other items lay scattered about.
"Your Wave Drum," Xu Xing said, bending down. He picked up a Wave Drum and handed it to a young boy cowering in his parents' arms by the roadside.
"Thank you, Young Master."
The boy hurriedly took the Wave Drum and bowed to Xu Xing in thanks. Seeing Xu Xing in a Confucian robe, he surmised that Xu Xing's family was either rich or noble, so he respectfully addressed him as "Young Master."
"A small kindness," Xu Xing said with a smile, patting the boy's head before turning to leave.
He didn't mind performing such small acts of kindness.
「Shaoqing.」
「An inn.」
Xu Xing borrowed an Inferior Horse using an Elder Brother Association meeting ticket.
"This mission is to assassinate Huang Beile."
"Huang Beile is the maternal nephew of Prince Zhan from Zhan Wangfu in the Capital, and also the commander of the Divine Machine Camp. He was ordered by Prince Zhan to come to Qin Province to procure longevity gifts. A few days ago, he acquired a Purple Jade Flat Peach."
"Prince Zhan planned to present this item as a congratulatory gift to Empress Dowager Cixi, so that Zhan Wangfu might regain her favor."
"Prince Zhan is a Mongolian prince."
"He holds military power."
"Under no circumstances can he be allowed to reconcile with Empress Dowager Cixi."
In a valley, more than thirty Xiaoyi Hall Brothers had gathered.
Master Ma surveyed the men, explaining the objective of their mission.
"Yes, Lord Ma!"
"Yes, Lord Ma!"
"Yes, Lord Ma!"
The men of Xiaoyi Hall waved their Guanshan Knives, roaring their agreement.
"As for you…" Master Ma's gaze shifted to Xu Xing. He led Xu Xing aside and whispered, "Originally, Xiaoyi Hall's plans were not to be disclosed to you. However… the Hall Master still doubts your loyalty. Since you joined Xiaoyi Hall, you haven't killed any Manchu Tartars. This time, killing someone will be your proof of allegiance."
"Later, you'll stay by my side. Don't run off. Once Huang Beile is captured, you will kill him with your own hands."
"Consider it an accounting to the brothers of our Mountain Hall."
He clapped Xu Xing's shoulder heavily with his right hand.
"I understand," Xu Xing nodded; Master Ma's words aligned with his own intentions.
I have no intention of trying to stand out. Although this was just an Instance World, and my death here wouldn't be a true death, who knows if the Bronze Ancient Mirror could open another world after I die? If the Bronze Ancient Mirror has a cooldown period... then I, in the Sky Prison, would have no other choice but to wait for death.
"When I just left Jingyang County Town, I saw a troop of cavalry heading towards the West Gate," Xu Xing said worriedly. "Could those cavalry also be Huang Beile's escorts?"
Xiaoyi Hall had chosen to act on a rainy day precisely because the official soldiers' firearms were prone to misfire in such weather. Except for elite troops, many official soldiers still used matchlock guns. But the cavalry he had just seen were different; they were equipped not only with warhorses but also with Hanyang Made rifles.
"This…" Master Ma was at a loss for words.
Although Xiaoyi Hall's intelligence network was decent, its grassroots origins meant it couldn't be perfectly comprehensive.
"Fang Yun, the Governor of Qin Province, is also a Mongolian Tartar," Master Ma frowned, analyzing seriously. "He has some dealings with Prince Zhan. Perhaps he dispatched troops to escort Huang Beile out of the province. After all, we attempted to assassinate Fang Yun last year; it's only natural he'd take such precautions."
With that said, he looked at Xu Xing. "Since we have this information, today's operation… let's postpone it for now."
With cavalry and Hanyang Made rifles present, the men of Xiaoyi Hall would be hard-pressed to escape unscathed, let alone assassinate Huang Beile.
"It might not be that dire," Xu Xing mused for a moment. "I'll make some bombs later to deal with these cavalry. And Master Ma, you can send a few brothers to scout for information. If it looks feasible, we can proceed…"
I can dodge it this time, but not forever. This pledge of allegiance—I must fulfill it. Otherwise, the Elder Brother Association won't trust me, even though I've already joined. Once I kill an official, there'll be no turning back. Why did Xiaoyi Hall seek me out just before the County Exam results were announced...? It wasn't hard to guess. They must have seen I was about to pass the exam and had a promising future. If they didn't act now to force me to become an outlaw, it would be much harder later... The Elders of the Elder Brother Association are anti-Qing heroes, no doubt about it. But to think that all the gang leaders of the Elder Brother Association are paragons of righteousness and honor would be foolish.
Therefore, Xu Xing deliberately showcased his value.
I can make bombs!
Anti-Qing scholars in the late Qing and early Republican periods would have been ashamed if they didn't know how to make bombs. For instance, Chen Zhongfu and President Cai had met while collaborating on bomb-making, intending to assassinate Empress Dowager Cixi.
The primary curriculum at Weijing Academy's Day New Studio was Practical Knowledge. The secondary curriculum was the Eight-legged essay.
Bombs? I knew them inside out.
"Explosives?" Master Ma exclaimed upon hearing Xu Xing, his face lighting up. "You can make explosives?"
If Xiaoyi Hall had enough firepower, who would want to resort to using cleavers? Fighting with cold weapons is just a last resort.
"Master Ma..." Xu Xing began, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "I learned how to make bombs at the Academy. As for explosives, that's even simpler."
So Master Ma and the others only knew I'd attended the Academy, but had no idea what I'd actually studied there. It made sense. The Xiaoyi Hall members were from common stock; how could they tell the difference between Practical Knowledge and the Eight-legged essay? Even if they knew what Practical Knowledge meant, they wouldn't necessarily realize that learning it could enable one to make bombs. Bombs and explosives are slightly different; bombs are trickier to make.
"If you can make bombs…" Master Ma said, knowing how precious such a talent was. "I... I'll speak to the Hall Master about making you an Incense Master of our Xiaoyi Hall."
With bombs, Xiaoyi Hall could trade its old muskets for cannons!
"Incense Master?" Xu Xing felt a flicker of anticipation.
Master Ma was an Incense Master and a Red Stick in Xiaoyi Hall, commanding thirty sworn brothers.
「Two days later.」
Following Huang Beile's death, Master Ma secretly sent word for Xu Xing to come to their temporary encampment outside the county town, intending to confer upon him the title of Incense Master.
At the same time, Xu Xing awakened another new Destiny.
[Righteous Thief (Red)]