Entering from the west gate of Fuzhou City, one could see a grand mansion. Two imposing stone lions lay at the entrance, each side adorned with a flagpole towering twenty feet high. At the top of each pole, a green flag billowed in the wind, the left one emblazoned with four golden characters: "Fuwei镖局 (Fuwei镖局)".
It is said that the Fuwei镖局 (Fuwei镖局), founded by their ancestor Lin Yuan Tu, who had mastered the "Seventy-Two Paths of Evildoing-Averting Sword譜 (Seventy-Two Paths of Evildoing-Averting Sword譜)", had been passed down for three generations and now boasted a vast fortune and an impressive presence.
On this day, a strange individual arrived at the镖局 (镖局)'s entrance.
This person was completely cloaked in black, their hands and feet entirely concealed. They carried a large box in one hand and a long, rectangular bundle on their back, seemingly unburdened, moving with effortless grace towards the interior.
The eight burly men in their tight-fitting clothes stationed at the entrance, who had been on edge due to recent bizarre occurrences at the镖局 (镖局) - rumors of someone targeting the镖局 (镖局) circulating among them, and never having encountered such a bizarre client - stood up, their expressions grave. Before they could get closer, a wave of force obstructed their path. The strange figure, though moving slowly, had reached the entrance in the blink of an eye. They exchanged bewildered glances.
Lin Zhen Nan, hearing the commotion, rushed out from the inner hall and approached the stranger, bowing his fist and saying, "I am Lin Zhen Nan. May I ask what business brings you here?" He was not usually so curt, but recent events had left him on edge. The镖局 (镖局) had been the target of several attacks.
The stranger suddenly threw the box to the ground, flinging it open, scattering silver coins everywhere. Lin Zhen Nan's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, waiting for the stranger to speak.
The stranger leisurely removed the bundle from their back and slowly spoke, "I have long heard of the Fuwei镖局 (Fuwei镖局)'s renowned reputation. Today, I see that even the镖头 (镖头) and the镖师 (镖师) are so timid. I have come to the镖局 (镖局) to hire you, naturally, to escort something. It is a peculiar matter," their voice, impossible to distinguish as male or female.
Lin Zhen Nan, his mind racing, thought, "This stranger seems unrelated to the recent incidents. But they are shrouded in mystery, not looking like a good person. The镖局 (镖局) has been plagued by misfortune lately. This person is offering a hefty sum, this matter is likely not so simple. I cannot accept this." He clasped his hands and said, "I see. But please forgive me, esteemed guest, our镖局 (镖局) is currently burdened with numerous urgent matters, and we are truly unable to take on the task of escorting goods. We sincerely apologize."
The stranger studied Lin Zhen Nan, neither arguing nor explaining, closed the box, and turned to leave, murmuring, "The Fuwei镖局 (Fuwei镖局), with its immense reputation... today, I see... haha."
Lin Zhen Nan, though irritated, maintained his composure, a seasoned veteran of the江湖 (江湖). He bowed respectfully as the stranger departed.
The stranger, stepping outside the镖局 (镖局), burst into laughter, "The Fuwei镖局 (Fuwei镖局), nothing more!" As they turned a corner, they slowed their pace. True enough, a voice followed, "Hold it! Who dares say my Fuwei镖局 (Fuwei镖局) is nothing more?" The stranger inwardly rejoiced, "It worked!" Turning around, they saw a young man, with delicate features and handsome looks, following close behind. His face was red with anger, clearly affronted by the stranger's assessment.
The stranger remained silent, simply observing the young man. The youth, though seemingly flustered, still retorted, "This escort, I, Lin Ping Zhi of the Fuwei镖局 (Fuwei镖局), accept. Rest assured."
The stranger surveyed the young man, offering no response. They tossed the box down, untied the bundle from their back, and handed it to Lin Ping Zhi, "Good! I ask the young 少镖头 (少镖头) to deliver this to Han Xun, the great Han 大侠 (大侠)." Without waiting for a reply, they turned and walked away.
Lin Ping Zhi watched the stranger disappear, his heart filled with resentment. He said nothing, thinking, "Father is burdened with numerous matters lately, unable to spare any attention. It's time I shouldered some responsibility for him. I cannot allow our镖局 (镖局)'s reputation to be tarnished."
Little did he know that years later, when he had tasted the complexities of the world, Lin Ping Zhi, looking back on this moment, would be filled with either relief or regret?
...
On this day, within the丐帮 (丐帮), a piercing wail echoed. Bai Shi Jing, who had been indulging in a drunken stupor, hearing the cry, rushed towards its source. In the courtyard of the Vice幫主 (幫主)'s residence, Ma's wife was kneeling over the body of her husband, her cries echoing. Bai Shi Jing, stunned, hurriedly approached to check the situation.
The good brother he had been drinking with just yesterday was now lifeless. Examining the body, Bai Shi Jing gritted his teeth, "Please, madam, I offer my condolences. It seems Brother Ma was killed by a blow to his throat, a technique of his own Eagle Claw Hand. I heard that Murong Fu of Gusu has been using people's own techniques to kill them. I, Bai Shi Jing, will thoroughly investigate this matter and bring the murderer to justice, to ease Brother Ma's spirit."
Kang Min did not answer, just weeping over her husband's body. After a while, she seemed to pull herself together, her eyes red with tears, she looked at Bai Shi Jing, whispering, "Thank you, Brother Bai. It is inconceivable how my husband met such a sudden demise. I, his wife, cannot allow him to die in vain. I will find the true culprit and avenge my husband's death."
Bai Shi Jing, admiring her spirit, had always found this woman to be alluring and captivating, but also untrustworthy. He couldn't bring himself to speak against her, for Ma had always stubbornly defended her. Now, faced with her husband's untimely death, this woman showed such love and loyalty, truly remarkable. However, he failed to notice that the woman, as she lowered her head to shed tears, had a hint of a smile playing on her lips, and in her eyes, a glint of ambition.