Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 363, Part 362: Good News and Bad News

Upon arriving at the city gate, Feng Xiuhu spotted Fang Youliu among a row of rickshaws along the roadside.

At this moment, he had changed into the "standard" coachman's outfit he wore when pulling a rickshaw in Fancheng, and was sitting on the roadside chatting with a group of coachmen.

Fang Youliu picked up a tattered straw hat from somewhere and perfectly blended into the drivers' conversation: "Don't be fooled by the fact that these gentlemen from Taijing are dressed so elegantly. It's only in our small town that they're good enough. If they were in Taijing, they'd be serving others."

The coachman on the left chimed in, "That's right! What noble family would come to buy it in person? They're all waiting for this group to transport the crimson brocade back so they can personally deliver it to their residence!"

The driver on the right chimed in: "In the end, they're all businessmen. They come to Jiangluoxi to buy goods and then sell them at a high price back in Taijing. It's nothing new."

Fang Youliu turned his head and said, "Then tell me something new."

The driver on the right lowered his voice: "Just last night, something big happened. The police station was raided! I heard that Captain Ma is also in trouble, but I don't know the specifics. It's said that the county government covered it up."

The driver on the left chimed in again: "Hey! Now that you mention it, it's true. This morning, when I was driving past the police station, I saw that the gate was tightly closed—usually the police would be out collecting the city gate tax by now! But today, I didn't see a single policeman on the street."

At this moment, Feng Xiuhu jumped into the truck bed, and the other party asked him six questions: "Are you going or not?"

Fang Youliu lifted the carriage pole and replied with a smile, "Let's go! Where is the master going?"

Feng Xiuhu said, "Leave the city."

Fang Youliu shook his head: "The roads outside the city are difficult to travel, and I'm afraid my cart wheels can't withstand the wear and tear."

The driver on the right quickly stood up: "I'll go! Sir! My cart can move!"

The driver on the left secretly tugged at Fang Youliu and whispered, "Although the main roads outside the city are not as smooth as those inside, they are not in bad condition either. Why don't you do business if you have business to do?"

Fang Youliu smiled but remained silent.

Feng Xiuhu tossed a silver plate to the driver on the right and instructed, "Go, take a ride out of the city, let me check if your carriage is stable."

Although he didn't understand, the driver on the right, having received the money, didn't ask any further questions. He pocketed the silver plate, bowed, and pulled the cart towards the city gate.

Feng Xiuhu watched his retreating figure run into the gate, and then quickly left the city gate.

The journey was smooth and unimpeded. Not only was there no questioning, but Feng Xiuhu didn't even see anyone watching him at the door.

He stopped waiting for the driver to return and kicked Fang Youliu in the butt: "Let's go."

"Got it!"

Fang Youliu responded and pulled the cart away into the distance.

The driver on the left, left with a head full of questions, stood there.

……

Feng Xiuhu directed the way, and the two talked as they walked.

"Is someone lying in ambush at the city gate?"

Feng Xiuhu asked.

Fang Youliu shook his head: "I don't know, but there's definitely a problem."

“After I retrieved the car last night, I disguised myself as a coachman who slept in the car and guarded the city gate all night. During that time, I saw the monks from the Caiyi Temple come by. They set up some kind of spell at the city gate and then left.”

Feng Xiuhu thought for a moment: "I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

Fang Youliu sighed deeply: "Let me tell you the bad news first."

Feng Xiuhu said, "That woman is a big problem. Caiyi Temple and the county government were colluding in some kind of shady business, and she caught them red-handed. To put it bluntly, now the entire Jiangluoxi can't tolerate her."

Fang Youliu took a deep breath: "...And the good news?"

Feng Xiuhu said, "We've found a place to stay, with a yard too—and you don't have to pay for the room."

Fang Youliu: "..."

Before long, as Feng Xiuhu directed the rickshaw to turn the last street corner, the house with a courtyard was finally approaching.

Fang Youliu suddenly stopped.

Feng Xiuhu asked him what was wrong, and Fang Youliu smiled bitterly: "It seems that the only good news is also gone." He pointed to a person wearing a long robe not far away: "That person is wearing the official robe of the Caiyi Temple."

Feng Xiuhu looked closely and saw that the man looked young, wearing a long robe embroidered with colorful patterns. He was holding a talisman and pacing around the door of a house, looking left and right from time to time, as if trying to determine the location.

When was it exposed?

Feng Xiuhu jumped out of the car: "You check around to see if there are any accomplices. I'll go sound them out."

Fang Youliu nodded in agreement and pulled the cart away.

Feng Xiuhu walked over and patted the Master of Ceremonies on the shoulder from behind.

The Master of Ceremonies stepped back, watching Feng Xiuhu warily.

Feng Xiuhu asked him, "What do you do?"

The Master of Ceremonies frowned slightly, his gaze filled with doubt—wearing this outfit, he was usually avoided, but few people would actually approach him.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Feng Xiuhu asked again, "I'm asking you a question, what are you doing loitering around my doorstep?"

The master of ceremonies was taken aback, then pointed to the courtyard and asked, "Is this your home?"

"nonsense."

Feng Xiuhu said confidently, "If you don't believe me, I'll open the door and show you."

After saying that, he walked over and was about to push the door open when his hand touched the door panel. Suddenly, his expression changed – he had forgotten that he had climbed over the wall when he left in the morning, and the door latch was still in place.

The Master of Ceremonies became even more suspicious: "This isn't your house, is it? What exactly do you want?"

Feng Xiuhu was silent for a moment—then he suddenly sprang into action! He grabbed the Master of Ceremonies by the hair with one hand, kicked open the courtyard gate, and forcibly dragged the man inside.

The master of ceremonies was caught off guard, and by the time he realized what was happening, he was already inside the courtyard.

He hurriedly tried to make a hand seal and chant an incantation, but as soon as he raised his finger, Feng Xiuhu snapped it in two with a snap.

A sharp pain struck, and Sili was about to scream when Feng Xiuhu tightly covered his mouth.

A cold touch came from his forehead. When the master of ceremonies looked closely, he saw a box gun pressed against his head.

Feng Xiuhu stared at him coldly: "Shut up."

The Master of Ceremonies swallowed hard and nodded stiffly.

Feng Xiuhu removed her hand from her mouth and asked him, "How did you find your way here?"

The Master of Ceremonies pointed to the talisman lying on the ground and forced himself to remain calm, saying, "The 'Tracing Talisman'... that woman was cursed by the High Priest beforehand. As long as she is still in the city, the 'Tracing Talisman' can find her by following the guidance of the curse."

Careless.

Feng Xiuhu cursed inwardly.

At this moment, Shunzi, who had heard the commotion, came out to check. He lifted the wooden board a crack and saw the two people in the yard.

"Big brother!"

Shunzi quickly climbed out.

When Sili saw Shunzi's figure clearly, his pupils immediately contracted—it seemed that he was indeed the villain from last night.

Feng Xiuhu instructed Shunzi, "Fang Youliu is nearby. Go find him and bring him back. We need to leave quickly."

Turning around, Feng Xiuhu shot Si Li in the left arm—he was secretly hiding his hand under his body.

"Ugh—I vomit!"

The master of ceremonies screamed in agony as Feng Xiuhu shoved the gun barrel into his throat: "Don't try anything funny. Explain yourself first. Why did the police send the body to the Caiyi Temple?"

PS: Feng Xiuhu was unaware of how chaotic things were outside, and the people outside didn't understand how ruthless Master Feng was.

(End of this chapter)