The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
Five Catchers stepped forward together, forming a human wall in the narrow corridor.
Qu Fengyin found himself trapped in the corner between the bookshelves.
The five Catchers silently advanced to inspect, their hands touching his cheeks one by one.
All five frowned at the same time.
Qu Fengyin’s hand moved toward his Changou.
Five men—he could take down three of them easily, but if the remaining two escaped, he’d have to count himself lucky.
A faint smile curled on Qu Fengyin’s lips, cold murderous intent settling deep within his heart.
“Aha! I think I found his signature here!!”
The Xiaotong, who had been silently observing, suddenly raised a booklet and called out.
The five heads quietly turned to look.
No way.
A cold sweat broke out on Qu Fengyin’s temple as he ground his teeth, staring daggers at the smiling child.
This blasted brat!
Qu Fengyin’s brow twitched as he looked closely at the Xiaotong.
Could the child have seen through his intentions?
Once the Catchers moved away from him, the child would definitely take a big shout and have him arrested!
The more Qu Fengyin thought about it, the more his heart pounded.
Worst of all, because of that brief delay just now, the Catchers had already completely moved away, and he no longer had the chance to strike them suddenly and catch them off guard.
Qu Fengyin was filled with regret.
He had thought the kid was just another colleague’s child! That mischievous little brat would surely yell and have him captured!
***
“Take care, sir!”
The Xiaotong bowed politely, seeing off the five Catchers with a smile.
His hands tucked neatly inside his sleeves, cradling the origami bird named Ling Lingqi, the boy appeared both clever and courteous.
Qu Fengyin stood dumbfounded for a moment, then awkwardly returned the bow.
The Xiaotong turned his head, his tone tinged with gentle admonishment: “You mustn’t run around recklessly in the streets anymore. Hiding inside the Library Pavilion isn’t the behavior of a gentleman.
“I helped you this time, so next time you must be careful! You’re an adult now!”
The child looked every bit the little teacher, his round eyes curved like crescent moons, his baby fat giving him a rosy, adorable face.
Qu Fengyin nodded absentmindedly.
Once the Catchers had left, he finally relaxed a bit, leaning sloppily against the bookshelf and scratching his neck.
Why had the Xiaotong suddenly helped him?
Or was he misunderstanding?
A child of seven or eight… Qu Fengyin hesitated in thought. There couldn’t be any trickery involved, could there? Was he just overthinking?
No, this child was unusual. He had to stay alert.
Moreover, the child had effortlessly cleared him of suspicion with just a few words, and the Catchers had trusted him without hesitation. How had he managed that?
Qu Fengyin examined the Xiaotong as he stood on tiptoes, placing books on the shelves.
Qu Fengyin hadn’t expected to be discovered so quickly after sneaking into the county town. In his panic, he had gathered very little intelligence and instead found himself chased like a stray cat through the streets.
The Catchers worked with perfect coordination, their combat skills formidable. They were not cultivators, but their flexible knife formations were devastatingly effective.
And with five of them wielding lassos, it was impossible to guard against such an attack—they used them like woven nets to ensnare their prey.
Once caught, escape was nearly impossible, cutting off any route for the criminal.
If it weren’t for the Jinyiwei having practiced special techniques, Qu Fengyin would already be locked up now after being caught in the lasso. Instead, he had quickly changed the size of his arm to break free.
But from this brief experience, Qu Fengyin suddenly understood why the Jinyiwei sent to investigate the disappearances in the county town had vanished—because of the faces.
Their faces were wrong; their faces were completely different from those of ordinary people in the county.
Unfortunately, the Jinyiwei dispatched here lacked the deep cultivation needed to master the Face Changing Technique.
Once inside the town, they stuck out like a green leaf among red flowers—just by looking at their faces, the undercover agents could be spotted!
After changing his face, Qu Fengyin still worried: if everyone had the same face, how did they recognize one another?
He had wanted to find a quiet place to test this, but unexpectedly, a stubborn opponent blocked his path.
That’s when things started to get complicated.
The Catchers had recognized him, but why did they let him go in the end?
Was it because the child vouched for him?
Did the child have a good reputation, or was it his family?
Once this thought surfaced, supported by circumstantial evidence, Qu Fengyin’s mind inevitably slid toward that possibility.
His curiosity about the information network grew.
After tidying the bookshelves, the little clerk looked up at the silent scholar and invited him: “It’s noon. Would you like to eat together?”
Qu Fengyin didn’t hesitate. “Alright, let’s eat together.”
Most of the scholars in the Library Pavilion were either sitting or standing, engrossed in their books.
Outside, the midday sun was blazing, and faint aromas of food occasionally drifted over from the Jiu Lou across the street.
Qu Fengyin sat opposite the Xiaotong.
“I’m student Xiao Liu. Sir, what’s your name?”
The child sat with legs dangling, toes barely reaching the floor, exuding the air of a refined gentleman.
Rolling up his sleeves, he poured tea for Qu Fengyin, who inexplicably felt pressured and hurriedly took the cup.
He paused briefly, speaking somewhat awkwardly: “I am Qu Bazhe.”
“Six, seven, eight?” The child chuckled lightly, eyes sparkling. “Ling Lingqi. If I don’t become acquainted with this gentleman, it would be a shame for such a heavenly encounter.”
Ling Lingqi said nothing, sitting solemnly at the table, his demeanor steady and commanding like a seasoned general.
Together, the boy and the origami bird appeared even more like a great scholar than the slender, tall Qu Fengyin.
At mealtime, the Jiu Lou bustled with activity, with dishes arriving in a steady stream.
On their table lay a roast duck, a steamed fish, and a small plate of greens.
Each dish was rich and well-seasoned.
Even the Jinyiwei captain, accustomed to the lavish flavors of the capital, was surprised—such generous use of ingredients made the dishes taste salty to his refined palate.
What surprised Qu Fengyin even more was that the Jiu Lou’s doors remained wide open, hosting a banquet with plenty of fish, meat, and rice, and guests streamed in without stopping.
Most tables featured delicious dishes and fine broth.
Once one table finished, another was served immediately.
Everyone bore remarkably similar faces.
Qu Fengyin couldn’t discern their professions by clothing alone—they all wore simple garments of similar style. Judging by their warm and refined faces, they all seemed to be scholars.
Qu Fengyin ate cautiously, watching the flow of people while silently counting.
In that short time, over a hundred people had come and gone.
The flow showed no sign of slowing.
Qu Fengyin’s heart raced as he ate.
Although South Continent was known for abundant grain, could this remote mountain county really produce so much?
Though South Continent was wealthy, did everyone in this remote county live free of want?
South Continent and Central Continent were still competing openly and covertly, and under the Guoshi’s urging, except for major festivals, such scenes rarely appeared in the capital—it felt as if this were an ordinary day now.
Could it be that he’d gotten the date wrong? Was today already the Spring Festival?
Qu Fengyin chatted idly with Xiao Liu, who ate happily.
Even Ling Lingqi had a small pile of pebbles pretending to be food in front of him.
When the waiter cheerfully brought it over, Qu Fengyin had felt utterly bewildered.
What felt even more absurd came later: Xiao Liu took him outside—and no one stopped them.
Qu Fengyin had to look closely at the departing diners and was shocked to find they hadn’t paid either!
Was this Jiu Lou running at a loss? What was the purpose? For fun? Qu Fengyin frowned, wondering if he was dreaming.
The Xiaotong already stepped into the sunlight, spinning around with Ling Lingqi cradled in his arms.
He walked with his hands behind his back, smiling brightly at Qu Fengyin: “Want me to show you around?”
***
The county town’s main street was wide and paved with bluestone slabs.
Vendors lounged behind their stalls without much calling out, leisurely reading books.
The townsfolk wore brightly colored clothes in various patterns; their complexions were rosy and their manners polite.
People walked in small groups, chatting with vendors before picking up what they wanted and leaving.
The entire street was peaceful and harmonious.
Occasionally, elderly citizens appeared, and others would crowd around, eagerly helping them carry baskets and items, showing great kindness—even neglecting their own stalls.
As for beggars, thieves, or stray children, Qu Fengyin’s eyes searched tirelessly but found none.
A breeze blew through the bustling street, brushing past passersby’s cheeks.
Peach branches trembled, and pale pink petals twirled down.
Sunlight reflected on the winding river through the town, shimmering waves revealing a gentle, refined face.
A pebble dropped into the water, sending ripples spreading outward.
“Xiao Liu, why aren’t there children like you on the streets?”
Xiao Liu fanned himself with an old fisherman’s foldable fan, curling his lips in a slight smile: “They’re studying at the Scripture House.”
“Studying?”
No matter the state or prefecture, this was a luxury few commoners could afford.
Qu Fengyin repeated the word absentmindedly: “I never imagined South Continent would have people who share the same ideals as those in Central Continent.”
“Shall I take you to see?”
The sly Xiaotong snapped the fan shut.
Just as Qu Fengyin was about to nod, he suddenly realized a blind spot and teased: “Then why aren’t you at the Scripture House studying?”
The child’s eyes widened innocently. Leaning against the bridge railing, he straightened up: “Of course because I’m different! You can tell at a glance!”
He patted his sleeve excitedly, emphasizing once more, “I’m completely different.”
Qu Fengyin chuckled and ruffled the boy’s hair, but Xiao Liu shrugged his hand away in disdain.
Every passerby bore the same face—narrow eyes, high nose bridge, scholarly and refined.
If not for the overwhelming number of identical faces here, Qu Fengyin would have praised them as modest gentlemen, gentle as jade.
But now, seeing the same face everywhere—even the Jinyiwei couldn’t help but feel intimidated.
Amidst the bustling street, Qu Fengyin looked down at the clear river water, where the same face reflected back at him.
Peach blossoms drifted down, stirring delicate ripples.
The water swayed, blurring Qu Fengyin’s reflection.
No beggars, no hunger or want, children all in school—could this be the fabled Peach Blossom Land spoken of by scholars and poets?
Could it really be…?
“Qu bro! Come on! What are you standing there for?”
The little child bounced eagerly through the steady crowd, the origami bird Ling Lingqi perched on his shoulder.
In the blazing sun, that wide smile was dazzling, as charming as a short-legged snow rabbit.
Qu Fengyin couldn’t help but respond, “Coming!”
After all, children are impossible to leave behind.