Chapter 43: An Uninvited Visitor

Mao Shiba wrapped Ao Bai’s head in cloth, hung it at his waist, his face full of excitement and elation! In the past, he had always dreamed of overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming, hoping to do something for the Han people, but he had never truly accomplished a momentous feat.

Now, he had actually slain Ao Bai, a Grand Minister of the Qing whose hands were stained with the blood of Han people—how could he not be thrilled! Although he had not struck the fatal blow himself, he had played a part in it, and his admiration for Ma Jun grew even deeper.

The three of them exited the stone hut, only to find Prince Kang’s residence already in complete chaos!

Dozens of officers and soldiers were engaged in fierce combat with a group of men dressed in blue.

Ma Jun scrutinized the scene and shouted, “These must be Ao Bai’s accomplices, come to rescue him! We beat them to it! Retreat, quickly!”

He snatched a long blade from the ground and led the charge to break through.

The blue-robed men were bewildered. They had thought their movements exposed, and had just slipped into Prince Kang’s residence only to be surrounded by soldiers. Now, seeing Ma Jun and his companions, they realized someone else had beaten them to the punch, sharing their goal!

They wished to step forward and inquire, but surrounded as they were by soldiers, it was clearly not the time for talk. Since Ao Bai might already be dead, lingering was futile—they immediately fought their way out as well.

“Run! Ao Bai’s henchmen are after us!” Ma Jun cried as he cleared a path, fixing the blue-robed men with a fierce glare, then slipped away with the agility of a startled hare.

This was the heart of the capital—such uproar would soon draw the Imperial Guards. Ma Jun dared not dally. Unleashing every ounce of his skill and aided by his tailcoat, he finally managed to escape the prince’s residence.

After dashing more than ten meters down Banchang Alley, Ma Jun and his companions slipped into a courtyard, did not pause, and exited straight through the back door.

In this manner, repeating the tactic several times, they entered another house, quickly changed into splendid attire, and climbed into three sedan chairs, making their way leisurely to Ma Jun’s own restaurant.

During the escape, Ma Jun had deliberately left a few traces, and, noticing the blue-robed men’s eyes on him, felt secretly pleased.

Four porters bore the sedan chairs swiftly to the Delightful Pavilion—a property belonging to Ma Jun himself. Assuming the airs of a wealthy gentleman, he strode in first with head held high.

Mao Shiba cradled a brocade box containing Ao Bai’s head. Beside him was the taciturn Qian Moduo.

“Master, you’ve arrived!” The steward hurried forward with a beaming smile, greeting Ma Jun. “Zhang Liuzi, come, escort the master to an upstairs private room!”

It was already late afternoon, and the restaurant bustled with patrons. Some regulars recognized Ma Jun and nodded greetings.

Ma Jun waved in return as he ascended the stairs.

Once seated at the table, Ma Jun turned to Mao Shiba and said with a smile, “Brother Eighteen, how was our operation?”

“Excellent!” Mao Shiba’s delight was written all over his face.

Ma Jun laughed heartily and opened the window. Down below, groups of soldiers were searching house by house. He signaled Old Qian with a glance.

Qian Moduo picked up the brocade box from the table and placed it among some decorative vases and other ornaments by the wall.

Soon, soldiers entered the Delightful Pavilion. The leader happened to know Qian Moduo.

Having stayed in the capital so long, Ma Jun had not wasted his time! Old Qian had long since hidden the Qing treasures he unearthed. When it came to wealth, Ma Jun could rival a nation.

And wealth, after all, was meant to be spent—where better than on smoothing the way for a grand restaurant in the capital? Thus, after a few polite exchanges, the soldiers turned and left.

After dinner, Ma Jun returned to his own residence and slept soundly.

The next morning, visitors arrived.

Three men came: one was a middle-aged man with a long beard, the other two, though dressed plainly, did not look like ordinary folk. They politely announced they had come to see Ma Jun.

Upon hearing the doorman’s description, Ma Jun chuckled inwardly, straightened his clothes, and went out to greet them personally.

They entered the hall, where servants had already prepared tea and refreshments.

Dismissing the servants, Ma Jun took the seat of honor and smiled. “Gentlemen, what brings you here today?”

The three guests exchanged glances. The man in the grey robe clasped his hands and said with a smile, “Brother Ma, we’re here today to introduce you to a good friend.”

“Oh?”

The man in grey gestured to the person to the right of the bearded man. “This is Jia Lao Liu. I wonder if Brother Ma has heard of him?”

Ma Jun feigned contemplation. As he suspected, these men from the Heaven and Earth Society weren’t to be underestimated—they must have learned of his background!

After a moment, Ma Jun’s face lit up with surprise. He rose, clasped his hands to Jia Lao Liu, and laughed, “I have long heard of a hero named Jia Lao Liu under the Green Wood Hall of the Heaven and Earth Society! To meet you today is truly an honor.” He turned to the others. “I suppose you two gentlemen are also comrades-in-arms?”

“Haha, not at all!” Jia Lao Liu quickly stood up. “Brother Ma, though your name ‘Soul-Stealing Dart’ isn’t widely known, we’ve heard of you from our brothers in the Society and have long wished to make your acquaintance!”

“Brother Ma, I am Li Shili, and this long-bearded brother is Guan Shiji. All three of us serve under the Green Wood Hall of the Heaven and Earth Society.”

The long-bearded Guan Shiji clasped his hands and said, “Brother Ma, didn’t we just meet yesterday? Don’t you recall?”

Ma Jun scrutinized him, then exclaimed in sudden realization, “Ah, my apologies! So the man I encountered at Prince Kang’s residence yesterday was a brother from the Heaven and Earth Society! Brother Guan, you wore a mask yesterday—I failed to recognize you. Please forgive me!”

“Haha, you’re too polite, Brother Ma!”

“Brothers, I have long admired the deeds of the Heaven and Earth Society. To gather today fills me with joy! Allow me to order wine and food so we can celebrate together! Please, do me the honor!” Ma Jun said.

Li Shili looked troubled. “Since we now know Brother Ma’s identity, there’s no need to ask your reasons for assassinating Ao Bai. The three of us have come today to request a favor.”

“If you’re brothers of the Heaven and Earth Society, then we’re all family—no need for formality. Just tell me what you need! I, Ma Jun, will go through fire and water without hesitation!” At that moment, Ma Jun seemed the very image of a chivalrous hero.

Guan Shiji, impatient by nature, spoke up at once. “Brother Ma, to be frank, our last incense master of the Green Wood Hall, Master Yin, was killed by Ao Bai! We racked our brains trying to kill him, intending to offer his head as a sacrifice for Master Yin. But—”

“What’s the difficulty in that?” Ma Jun replied heartily. “I kept Ao Bai’s head to commemorate the countless Han people he wronged. If that’s the case, I’ll hand the villain’s head over to you, brothers!”

“Well said! Brother Ma, should you ever need help, everyone in Green Wood Hall will offer their full support!” Li Shili, Guan Shiji, and Jia Lao Liu all stood and spoke in unison.

Ma Jun was secretly delighted. He had someone fetch the brocade box and handed it to them, expecting they would invite him to join them. Unexpectedly, they simply thanked him politely and took their leave.

Leaving Ma Jun alone in the hall, lost in thought.

“These fellows are even more shameless than I am! Aren’t they going to introduce me to the rest? I was hoping to try my hand at being an incense master!”

“Hehehe, uncle, aren’t you a little too confident?” Xiaohua jumped out, gloating over his disappointment.