Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Door Opens

The next day.

A multitude of wardens and thief-catchers arrived at the training grounds to count their numbers, only to discover several missing, among them the very man they had called for, Du Pu. The county bailiff, enraged, immediately dispatched messengers to inform the county magistrate and apprehend the absentees for judgment. He himself led the others through the west gate, sending them on their way.

Upon his return to the magistrate’s office, he found the constables reporting that a body had been discovered in Du Pu’s well. The coroner’s examination showed no wounds, but water filled the lungs; unfinished wine was found in the house, and it was concluded that Du Pu, drunken, had stumbled and drowned. The bailiff, left with his anger unresolved, vented it upon the other absentees, beginning a citywide search to drag them in, one by one.

As for Six Ugly, he had wholly changed his appearance, assuming the guise of a private tutor. Though unfamiliar with much of what he taught, he had studied for over half a year in Ghost Valley, and so could muddle through without issue. With the city unsettled by the flight of Uncle Wu and the fire that razed the shops, few paid any mind to such matters. After just two days of teaching, Six Ugly feigned illness, stretching the remaining days out in idleness.

One dawn, as Six Ugly finished his morning meal at home and sent his servant out for vegetables and fruit, he heard the sudden sound of someone leaping over the wall and landing within the courtyard.

His heart stirred at once, and the newcomer called, “Six Ugly. Your assessment is over. Come with me!”

None but Tianshan Escape could call him by that name here. Six Ugly promptly rose from his couch and, entering the courtyard, saw a figure dressed in azure armor, a sword at his back, leather shoes upon his feet, the entire mien that of an itinerant knight, standing with hands behind his back.

On closer look, it was one of Heaven’s Weeping Hand’s subordinates.

Little Four.

At this moment, Six Ugly’s whole form was hunched and wrinkled, his face that of a decrepit old man. Little Four seemed uncertain, frowned slightly, then produced an object from his breast—a mirror, it seemed—held it up to Six Ugly’s face, then put it away. His words were brief:

“Let’s go.”

Six Ugly followed Little Four out; as they walked, his posture gradually straightened, his white hair darkening, the wrinkles smoothing from his face. In the fifty or sixty steps from courtyard to ox-cart, his transformation was slight, yet he already seemed a different person.

Little Four strode ahead, saying, “The lord has ordered me to take you to the training ground of Tianshan Escape. Once you complete your time there, you will become a candidate captain of the Ghost Banquet Division, and from then on, you’ll lead your followers, execute orders, fill the vacant ranks, replace the fallen. That is the ultimate goal for us retainers.”

Six Ugly had never heard of candidate captains before and was puzzled. He asked, “I recall being told this was a retainer assessment. When did it become about candidate captains?”

All of Heaven’s Weeping Hand’s retainers knew of Six Ugly’s assessment, but none had explained it to him. Little Four, understanding, answered offhandedly, “That’s right, it was supposed to be a retainer assessment. But Lord Ghost saw promise in you and gave you a future. Ordinary retainers can scrape by in the city; you were tested through investigation and case-solving—that’s the difference.”

Of course, Little Four would not foolishly reveal Lord Ghost’s true intentions, and so he glossed over the matter with a convenient excuse.

“So that’s how it is... Then I thank you!” Six Ugly, aware that the truth was withheld, did not press further, pondering what kind of position this candidate captain entailed. From Little Four’s faint envy when mentioning it, it seemed no deception—it must be a good thing.

“Thank me if you wish. But if you’re truly grateful to Lord Ghost, kill more of those filthy monks and thieves of the Buddhist kingdom!” Little Four replied coldly, his gaze flickering, hate undisguised.

“I already have enmity with them,” Six Ugly responded calmly. “I will do my utmost.”

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“Oh?” Unexpectedly, this remark piqued Little Four’s interest. His usually impassive face showed rare concern. “What grievance?”

The two walked toward the outskirts of the city, seeing the marketplace bustling, the people’s expressions unchanged. The daily life of commoners and scholars was undisturbed, only vigilance heightened. The number of wardens within the city had dwindled, but those remaining were driven onto the streets, patrolling to maintain order.

At the city gate, the guards stopped them for inspection. Little Four produced an object from his breast, showed it to the squad leader, whose face became solemn, bowing and stepping aside, allowing the two to walk out with impunity.

Six Ugly’s monstrous identity was no secret to the members of Tianshan Escape, and he did not conceal it. He recounted his capture in detail, embellishing as needed. Little Four, feeling a surge of camaraderie, grew closer to Six Ugly, though he did not mention the matter of Heaven’s Weeping Hand.

They followed the north road, and when no one was around, Six Ugly began to ask about Tianshan Escape, its workings and opportunities. By chance, Little Four was willing to share, and so explained it in detail.

The Four Guards of the Great Zhou each operated independently, their military structure distinct from the usual sixteen armies. Taking Tianshan Escape as example, their strength lay in the union of captains and retainers. With proper pairing, their combat power could far surpass ordinary troops.

Simply put, Tianshan Escape was composed of numerous independent special squads, each acting autonomously, uninfluenced by others. This maximized their mobility. Rewards for completed missions were reminiscent of mercenary companies of later eras—earnings scaled by achievement, used to expand their teams, refine their weapons, and grow even further.

Such a loose structure greatly increased the feasibility and authority of their missions. Tianshan Escape itself operated by two principles: First, in all things, the interests, growth, and existence of Tianshan Escape take precedence; second, internal strife is strictly forbidden. Private grudges must be settled in the dueling grounds, by deadly combat, never interfering with missions.

Little Four spoke obliquely of the first principle, its meaning clear: compared to Great Zhou, or even the human race, the survival of Tianshan Escape was paramount—a kind of defiance not to be spoken openly.

Though the system appeared loose, it harbored unmatched aggression. Each Escape Guard team defended Great Zhou, even the human race, from all directions. They expanded, fought, and killed; some perished, squads were wiped out, but others grew stronger and bloodier.

The powerful guards used their blood and slaughter to trade for more wealth, refined weapons, elixirs, and artifacts from Dog Hill and Tianshan Tomb, and recruited more retainers, leading teams toward broader horizons.

Those who advanced further might establish their own camps, recruiting apothecaries, blacksmiths, engineers, and even wildfolk, cultivating land, trading their resources with others for greater profit.

For example, the new Ghost Chief, Solitary Morning, who succeeded the God Solver, occupied a mountain in the far north and set up his own forge. The arrows produced there were exceptionally sharp; all divisions of Tianshan Escape purchased from him. Another, Mirage Chief Red Bean, produced medicines for stopping bleeding and mending bones, and Sea of Blood manufactured poisons—all of them masterpieces, far beyond ordinary quality.

Naturally, some chiefs and vice-chiefs of Tianshan Escape had backing from noble clans, and with their support, these chiefs could rise swiftly. But such dealings were kept hidden; meddling too openly would certainly invite disaster.

Among the four divisions of Tianshan Escape, chiefs and vice-chiefs were few, but candidate captains were not regulated, so each division strove to increase their numbers. Currently, the Ghost Banquet Division had over one hundred thirty candidate captains, far more than the other three divisions.

As the main force of the Escape Guards, this was both tacitly permitted and an expression of ambition.

Equally important was the role of retainers.

Retainers were diverse; the power to choose did not rest with Tianshan Escape, but with the individual chiefs and vice-chiefs. Anyone could select their own retainers, the only requirement being registration at Dog Hill.

Retainers could be powerful soldiers, cultivators, poison masters, talisman-makers, apothecaries—anyone deemed useful could be recruited and granted retainer status in Tianshan Escape.

Sometimes, even beautiful women, useless entertainers, wildfolk, monsters, war slaves, and beast companions could become retainers.

Retainers owed absolute loyalty to their chief, ready to sacrifice themselves at any time. Each retainer was the chief’s private property, protected by Tianshan Escape. All their possessions belonged, indirectly, to the chief, and could be transferred, sold, or even offered in sacrifice. Their status seemed noble, but scarcely better than slaves.

If a retainer betrayed their master, their fate was dire. Tianshan Escape would dispatch formidable hunting squads to pursue them relentlessly. Anyone connected to the retainer—family, kin, those who sheltered or aided them—would be utterly exterminated, with no mercy.

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Under such a system, even in death, retainers dared not betray their masters lightly; sacrifice was commonplace.

Of course, in return, a loyal and valuable retainer was well rewarded. Chiefs would provide weapons and armor, supporting medicines, and some would even help relocate their families near headquarters. The farms surrounding Dog Hill for hundreds of miles housed retainers’ families—generous reward, but also hostage.

As for the source of retainers, recruitment, capture, purchase, and trade were all possible. Six Ugly need not worry yet, but when he became a candidate captain, this would be his first concern.

Hearing all this, Six Ugly’s mind stirred, considering his future prospects.

Perhaps the training camp would be a good place...

Their pace was swift, and soon they reached the foot of a mountain. Looking up, a bat-shaped cloud-ship, pitch-black, hovered halfway up—the very vessel Heaven’s Weeping Hand had once used. The two entered the ship, and another half-hour passed.

The ship was nearly empty; only the operator in the talisman furnace chamber at the rear, with Little Four and Six Ugly as passengers. Neither Heaven’s Weeping Hand nor his retainers were present. Six Ugly looked around, and Little Four spoke suddenly: “Looking for the vulture?”

Six Ugly had indeed wondered, and could only nod. “Why isn’t he here?”

“He’s already dead.” Little Four spoke with extreme bluntness, utterly without emotion, as if killing a dog or cat. “On the third day in the city, he tried to escape. That meant death.”

Six Ugly nodded silently, asking no more.

The cloud-ship rose and sped toward distant clouds. At last, Six Ugly felt a measure of peace in his heart. From Plum Mountain, Ghost Valley, and Lyuyang all the way here, he had endured much, always threatened by death, never relaxing. Now, with the status of a Great Zhou soldier, he gained a sliver of security.

Though uncertain of the road ahead, at least he now possessed the power to protect himself!

As for the affairs of Lyuyang, Six Ugly cared no longer. Much later, he learned that those who hunted them had all died at the hands of the monster who aided Uncle Wu. The party journeyed west, leaving Great Zhou’s borders and entering Xiniu Hezhou. Along the way, they took in orphaned girls, until Uncle Wu, aged and weary, found a suitable place and founded a nation.

The beast-child, now a man, was incapable of fatherhood; only orphaned girls remained. Thus, men were forbidden entry, and over generations, the land became a pure women’s realm, known to the world as:

The Kingdom of Daughters.

“Untitled”

The blood-soaked land defies the brush,
Frost bows and snowy arrows urge the steed;
At winter’s end, spring’s promise stirs,
The spirit’s proud birth, a blossom in February.