"Indeed, that's me." The swordsman in white chuckled, casually flicking the hair from his forehead to the back.
"You, go after them," Lu Zheng instructed his patrol guards.
"Yes, sir."
In the afternoon, at the east gate of the city.
A few farmers carrying hoes pushed a wooden cart forward.
On the wooden cart lay an elderly man who seemed to have difficulty walking, along with a few bags of grain.
"Stop, open the bags," the city guard pointed to the wooden cart and said.
"Alright, officer, it's just some farm grains," the farmer smiled apologetically and hurriedly untied the bags, revealing a large amount of grain inside.
"Hmm, what's with this old man?" The city guard took a glance and then pointed at the old man lying on the cart.
"That's my father, he got injured yesterday, so we're taking him to the clinic today," the farmer explained.
The city guard initially intended to take a closer look but was immediately repelled by an indescribable odor, waving his hand in disgust, allowing the farmers to leave quickly.
As the farmers heaved a sigh of relief and prepared to leave the city with the cart, a patrol guard approached slowly at the city gate, causing their hearts to tense again.
"Don't panic," one of the farmers whispered.
As they bowed their heads and were about to pass by the patrol guard, a hand suddenly rested on the side of the wooden cart.
The farmers exchanged glances, their bodies subtly tensed, ready to spring into action at any moment.
"Next time we meet, let's have a drink together."
At these words, the old man on the cart, who had his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, looking at the patrol guard who was passing by.
Who else could it be but Song Changming?
The injured old man on the cart was, in fact, Liu Xiangnan in disguise, and the farmers were naturally the masked men in disguise.
Their level of disguise was undeniably high; even ordinary people up close couldn't easily see through it.
Song Changming, however, was able to recognize the truth because he had spent two days alone with Liu Xiangnan and noticed that the old man's exposed wounds matched Liu Xiangnan's injuries perfectly.
As for the reason he arrived at the east of the city, it was purely his own speculation, believing Liu Xiangnan would escape the County City via this city gate following the Luolong River.
Of course, even if his judgment was wrong, it didn't matter. He wasn't trying to capture Liu Xiangnan for execution again; he just wanted to meet him once more.
Seeing that Song Changming didn't stop them, the people pushing the cart wasted no time and quickly left the city with Liu Xiangnan.
"Well, did you find him?" Liang Chuan Mountain asked upon seeing Song Changming.
"No, it seems like the General Department didn't catch the fugitive either," Song Changming shook his head.
Liang Chuan Mountain said helplessly, "Only at times like this does it feel like this County City is really vast."
Searching for someone in the sprawling Donglai County City was no easy feat, especially as time passed and the target remained hidden, making them harder to find.
Song Changming didn't say much else, but in his heart, he planned to keep a low profile until this storm blew over.
Regarding the martial arts taught to him by Liu Xiangnan, he intended to practice them privately and not use them publicly to avoid drawing unwanted attention and trouble.
Afterward, the news that Liu Xiangnan was taken from the execution ground spread quickly, as there were too many witnesses present at the time.
The public, admiring Liu Xiangnan, applauded and rejoiced.
Meanwhile, the Public Security Bureau was less pleased, as higher-ups demanded accountability, and someone had to take the fall.
As a result, the old director of the Patrol Armor Bureau, who was already scheduled to retire, was prematurely removed from his position.
A new director was swiftly appointed as well.
Ultimately, Liang Chuan Mountain, who had excelled in his duties over the past two years, was appointed to take over, officially managing the Houli Street Patrol Armor Bureau.
This news came as a surprise even to Liang Chuan Mountain himself, as the promotion came so unexpectedly.
The position he had dreamed of for so long was finally his.
Now, he was considered one of the most influential figures in the entire Houli Street district!
As ordinary citizens continued to discuss Liu Xiangnan's escape, the attention of the middle and upper classes had already shifted to Liang Chuan Mountain.
Traders, influential figures, and noble family patriarchs, who received the news in advance, flocked to the Liang Residence to pay respects and offer congratulations.
Soon, the Liang Residence's reception hall and courtyard were filled with people daily.
Thus, three days later, upon completing the transition at the General Department, Liang Chuan Mountain returned and hosted a grand banquet, inviting guests from all sides.
As Liang Chuan Mountain's most trusted aide, Song Changming naturally received an invitation.
He was seated at the main table, indicating how much importance Liang Chuan Mountain placed on him.
"Changming, if it weren't for your assistance this past year, helping me achieve numerous accomplishments, this position might never have been mine. Now that I am the director, you are still my most trusted confidant!"
During the banquet, Liang Chuan Mountain raised his glass and earnestly said to Song Changming.
"Brother Liang flatters me..." Song Changming replied modestly with a smile, not letting it go to his head.
"I'm serious. Don't worry, as long as I'm around, I won't forget you. Just wait, Changming," Liang Chuan Mountain said meaningfully, patting Song Changming on the shoulder before moving on to entertain the other distinguished guests.
Tonight, not only did various figures from Houli Street come to the banquet, but directors and guard captains from other districts' Patrol Armor Bureaus also attended.
Even some people from the General Department came, giving Liang Chuan Mountain significant recognition.
This kind of honor only comes with a position at the level of director.
The banquet was filled with toasts, the fragrance of wine permeating the air, lively and bustling.
Due to his position, Song Changming became a somewhat invisible presence at this gathering of bigwigs. Few knew him, and few took the initiative to chat with him.
Song Changming didn't mind and enjoyed his solitude, eating and drinking by himself in a corner.
The only one accompanying him was Lv Gang, whom he was acquainted with.
Although Lv Gang was a guard captain, a rank higher than Song Changming, his experience was just as limited, having not yet established enough network connections, so he casually stayed with Song Changming in the corner.
"Changming, look at Zhao Dezhi and Qian Wen over there, they look like they're about to turn green with envy," Lv Gang said quietly with a chuckle, glancing at the two men not far away.
"If they weren't worried about offending Mr. Liang, I bet they wouldn't have attended this feast today even if they starved."
Song Changming shook his head, drank from his cup, and smiled faintly, "It's understandable. Having lost this chance, it will be difficult to get another, and it might mean being under Mr. Liang's shadow for life."
"That's quite true," Lv Gang laughed and suddenly turned to look at Song Changming.
"Now that Mr. Liang is the director, Changming, it might not be long before I have to address you differently."
"Let's not talk about things that haven't happened," Song Changming understood Lv Gang's implication and laughed.
"Haha, let's drink," Lv Gang said, raising his cup with a smile, not pressing the issue further.
The two enjoyed the feast without any additional duties, leaving satisfied.
...