All Heavens Strategy Game

After leaving the "Yeshi" market, Su Ming did not rush to leave the county town.

He then wandered around a few unassuming general stores and cloth shops, buying some shovels, salt, coarse cloth, and a few common mountain products.

They even cut a piece of pork about an inch wide, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, carefully wrapped it in dried lotus leaves, and placed it in the most conspicuous spot on the donkey cart.

These miscellaneous items cost very little, but they effectively concealed his true intentions for this trip.

If we only buy weapons and arrows to take back, it will inevitably arouse suspicion, especially from my elder brother and mother.

With these daily expenses as cover, even if someone asked, he would only say that the villagers pooled their money to send him to the city to buy New Year's goods, and he also picked up a few farm tools for someone else.

By the time all this was done, the sun had already begun to set.

Su Ming dared not delay any longer. He drove his skinny donkey, pulling a heavy cart, and creaked and groaned his way out of Linjiang County.

The return journey seemed even more difficult than the way there.

Although the snow had stopped, some of the surface snow melted during the day under the weak sunlight, and then refreezed before nightfall. The road surface was covered with a thin, slippery layer of ice, with frozen ruts and mud underneath.

The donkey walked cautiously, puffing out white steam, its hooves slipping from time to time.

The world was a deathly gray and white, with only the screeching sound of wheels crushing ice shards and the howling of the cold wind blowing through the bare branches.

About three or four miles outside the city, the road turns into a shady mountain valley, with snow-covered shrubs and bare trees on both sides.

The road surface became even more bumpy and uneven, and the bumps and creaks of the donkey cart were amplified in the narrow mountain road, mixed with the sound of the wind, almost drowning out all other sounds.

Su Ming's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

It was an almost instinctive intuition honed through countless life-and-death battles, rather than hearing any specific sound.

Like the bristling fur on the back of a wild beast's neck when it is being secretly watched, an invisible pressure quietly permeates the air behind it.

"Is someone following me?"

He instinctively glanced around, but saw nothing; there was no one around.

But the feeling of being embellished became clearer and clearer.

Today, apart from Wang's Ironwood Shop and the North City Market, I did not linger in other places in the city, nor did I have any conflicts with anyone.

Did you reveal your weakness when spending money and attract someone's attention?

Or... some other reason?

Su Ming couldn't be 100% sure, but caution was ingrained in his very being.

He couldn't figure it out, but his vigilance was already at its highest.

His left hand quietly loosened the reins and rested on his waist—there, besides the three newly bought machetes wrapped in cloth and hidden under miscellaneous items, hung his homemade slingshot made of leather bands and tough wooden forks, as well as a leather bag that he usually used for hunting birds, now filled with hard pebbles.

Bringing knives and bows into the city would easily lead to inspection, and he might even be extorted by the soldiers guarding the city under some pretext. He didn't bring those things at all, but he did carry a slingshot with him because it was light and compact.

He remained outwardly calm, maintaining the original speed, letting the donkey cart bump along at a leisurely pace, while his mind was already racing with calculations.

If someone is indeed following us on this desolate snow trail, they are most likely up to no good.

Driving your own car makes you a big target. The roads are slippery and the speed is slow. If the other party is prepared, and you are blocked on the road with no one to help you, you will be an easy target.

We can't just sit back and take a beating!

His eyes quickly scanned the terrain ahead.

After walking a short distance, there was a short uphill section ahead. After the top of the slope, there was an even steeper and slipperier downhill section. The road surface was covered with a thick layer of "ground-penetrating" ice, which gleamed dangerously in the dim light of the sky.

Anyone in this kind of place is at risk of overturning, so you absolutely cannot drive fast, and the donkey cart can only move along.

Great place!

Su Ming didn't feel bad at all; on the contrary, he was secretly pleased and made a decision instantly.

Instead of panicking and speeding up because he felt he was being followed, he casually gave the reins a light tug when the donkey was struggling uphill and the wheels were making the most noise, and gave a soft "Giddy up" to make the donkey speed up slightly.

This slight acceleration, barely noticeable amidst the bumps and noise, was enough to get him to the top of the hill a breath or two ahead of any potential pursuers.

Just as the donkey cart reached the top of the hill and was about to begin its descent—

"Hey you, stop right there!"

A rough, hoarse shout suddenly came from down the slope behind us!

Sure enough, there was someone there!

And there's more than one!

Su Ming felt a chill run down his spine, but his movements remained perfectly composed, and he didn't even turn around.

He seemed startled by the sudden shout, frantically pulling on the reins and making panicked "whoosh—whoosh—" sounds.

Just as the skinny donkey was about to turn from climbing to descending, it was suddenly pulled by him. Its front hooves slipped on the ice, and it let out a panicked neigh. The whole vehicle lurched forward with inertia, and then violently shook and swerved sideways at the top of the slippery slope!

"oops!"

Su Ming exclaimed in surprise, as if he had lost control of the car and was thrown off the vehicle.

This scene, as seen by the three masked men who had just climbed the hill panting, appeared to be that the young man's driving skills were poor, he had lost control at the top of the hill, and it looked like the car was about to overturn and injure him.

All three were overjoyed.

opportunity!

They had planned to make their move on this deserted mountain path, and seeing their target "on his own" way into trouble, they felt it was a golden opportunity.

The lingering vigilance from the chase was somewhat diluted by this unexpectedly "smooth" scene.

"Hey kid! Don't move! Leave the car and the money!"

The leader grinned maliciously and quickened his pace to the top of the slope.

The other two followed closely behind, forming a loose encirclement. The gleaming machetes were particularly glaring in the dim light.

However, just as they reached the top of the hill, less than ten steps from the donkey cart, at the moment when they were most complacent and least vigilant—

Su Ming, who seemed panicked and had half his body sticking out of the car, moved!

His movements were as fast as a ghost, a stark contrast to his previous clumsy and flustered state!

The body leaning out of the car did not lose its balance, but rather it was a premeditated spin using the momentum!

As he turned around, he drew a slingshot from his waist, holding a cold, hard pebble firmly between his fingers.

Draw the string, aim, release!

"Whoosh—snap!"

The shrill whistling of the pebble tearing through the air and the muffled thud of it hitting flesh rang out almost simultaneously!

"Ah—! My eyes!"

The masked leader at the forefront let out a bloodcurdling scream that sounded inhuman.

The machete slipped from his hand.

He covered his left eye tightly with both hands.

Blood gushed out instantly from between his fingers.

He staggered backward and rolled down the slippery slope.

The remaining two were so terrified by the sudden counterattack and their companion's agonizing screams that their charge abruptly halted.

Only then did they see clearly that the boy had somehow become standing steadily beside the donkey cart that was about to stop, with a simple slingshot in his hand and his eyes cold and calm, showing no sign of panic.

The "loss of control" just now was actually a trap to lure them into the optimal attack range!

"You little bastard! You..."

The slightly thinner man on the left was both shocked and furious. Watching his "big brother" tumble down the slope, a surge of anger and fear welled up inside him, and he lunged forward again, brandishing his knife and spewing out a torrent of vulgarities:

"You dare hurt my brother! I'll chop you up and feed you to the dogs! I'll make you suffer a thousand cuts!"

Su Ming's eyes turned cold.

Originally, he aimed his next pebble at the man's knee, intending only to incapacitate him.

Upon hearing the vicious phrase "to be torn to pieces," Su Ming's lingering concerns about getting involved in legal trouble vanished instantly.

For the first time, murderous intent flashed so clearly in his eyes.

Since you've spoken such wicked words and wish me a terrible death, then don't blame me.

He raised his wrist almost imperceptibly by an inch, and the slingshot, which was originally aimed at the knee, steadily aimed at the bulging crotch between the man's legs.

"Snapped!"

Another teeth-grinding cracking sound!

"Awooo—!!!"

A more piercing, agonizing scream echoed through the mountain valley!

The man was struck in the groin as if by an invisible hammer, his whole body stiffening strangely. The woodcutter's knife in his hand clattered to the ground, and he curled up into a shrimp, rolling and convulsing wildly in the snow, only able to let out gasping sounds, unable to utter another word.

In the blink of an eye, it was over in just two or three breaths.

Of the three robbers, one was blind and another was disabled, leaving only the last, the strongest masked man who had been following behind but was now completely terrified.

He looked at his "elder brother," who had rolled down the slope and whose fate was unknown.

Then he looked at his companion beside him, who was clutching his crotch and looked completely useless.

Finally, I looked at the boy standing by the car on the slope, holding a bow, his eyes as cold as ice...

This is not a fat sheep!

This is a damned devil in sheep's clothing!

"Oh my god!" he cried out, throwing all thoughts of money and loyalty to the winds. He turned and scrambled down the slope, wishing his parents had given him two more legs. The wood-chopping knife in his hand was nowhere to be found.

Want to run?

Su Ming remained expressionless, holding the third pebble between his fingers.

The person was running with their back to him, moving quickly, and wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, so aiming at their back or legs might not be very effective.

His gaze shifted downwards, locking onto the target—the center of the buttocks, muscles taut and slightly protruding from extreme fear and frantic running.

This spot is perfect!

"Whoosh—!"

The pebble made a slight whooshing sound as it pierced the air, and then sank in precisely!

"Oh--!"

The fleeing robber, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, leaped up suddenly, then crashed down, letting out a scream that was a mixture of excruciating pain, humiliation, and extreme terror.

He felt as if a red-hot iron rod had been forcefully stabbed deep into his body, the pain making his vision go black and his intestines feel like they were being twisted together.

Forget about running, it couldn't even crawl anymore; it could only writhe and howl in agony in the snow.

Su Ming then slowly put down the slingshot, walked forward, and kicked away the fallen wood-chopping knife.

He first tore strips of cloth from the blind and unconscious "elder brother" and tied his hands behind his back. He then used the same method to tie up the remaining two incapacitated robbers and tied them to trees by the roadside.

After doing all this, he clapped his hands, tore off the blind, masked leader's mask, revealing a strange face contorted in agony.

"Tell me, why are you following me?" Su Ming's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling pressure.

"Greed... greed... we only care about your money..." the leader stammered, enduring the excruciating pain.

Without saying a word, Su Ming raised his hand and delivered a crisp slap across the face. The force was considerable, causing the man's head to tilt to the side and blood to seep from the corner of his mouth.

"Oh? Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, I'm really sure, he's really... really greedy..." the masked leader answered through gritted teeth.

—But Su Ming clearly caught a glimpse of the flicker in his eyes.

This guy is hesitant and doesn't dare to tell the truth!

"Slap!" Another, even harder slap.

This time, two bloody teeth flew out, mixed with saliva.

Su Ming stood up, glancing at the man clutching his buttocks and screaming in pain, as well as the "eunuch" on the ground beside him. His tone was chillingly calm: "You're their older brother, right? I'll ask you one last time. If you don't tell the truth, or if I find out you've told even one lie..."

He paused, glancing at the "eunuch": "You and the other person will end up the same way as him."

Following Su Ming's gaze, the two looked at their companion curled up on the ground, twitching occasionally. His crotch was a mess, clearly indicating that he was completely useless.

A foul odor wafted over, and he was so frightened that he lost control of his bladder.

"I'll talk! I'll talk! Mercy! It was...it was Constable Yang from Linjiang County! Constable Yang Zhengyi sent us!" Before the blind leader could speak, the man on the ground clutching his buttocks collapsed, crying and shouting, spilling everything out like beans from a bamboo tube.

Yang Zhengyi? The head constable?

Su Ming frowned slightly.

The name was unfamiliar to him, and he was certain that he had never dealt with any constable, let alone made an enemy of him.

Wait a minute... Yang Zhengyi? Yang Zhengxiong?

"What is his relationship with Yang Zhengxiong?" Su Ming asked in a deep voice, a thought flashing through his mind.

"Cousin...Cousin! Yang Zhengxiong is Officer Yang's cousin!" the robber hurriedly answered, afraid of being beaten again if he answered too slowly.

That's it!

Su Ming suddenly felt enlightened.

No wonder Yang Zhengxiong, a mere village head, dared to so blatantly set up a scheme to seize land; it turns out he had his cousin, a constable, backing him up!

This explains why he was able to cause "accidental" disasters to those who "couldn't repay their loans," and it also explains why, after his death, people came to seek revenge so quickly.

Is this someone coming to avenge Yang Zhengxiong?

Or do they want to eliminate the root of the problem, fearing that they, as "insiders" who know about their dirty schemes, might become the source?

I'm afraid there are both reasons!

"Officer Yang... how did he know I was coming to town today?" Su Ming pressed.

"I...we don't know! Officer Yang only told us to keep watch near the city gate, saying that if we saw a teenager driving a donkey cart, wearing...wearing your clothes, we should...follow him and look for an opportunity..." The robber stammered.

It seems that Yang Zhengyi has many informants in the county town, and he was being watched as soon as he entered the town.

Perhaps it was his visits to Wang's Ironwood Shop and the market, where he spent money on unusual items, that caught the attention of his men.

"Good sir! We've told you everything! Please, spare our lives!"

The three robbers had lost all their ferocity; all that remained was endless fear and pleas.

Su Ming looked at them, pondering in his heart.

killed?

Given his current abilities and the circumstances, destroying the body and covering up the evidence would not be difficult for him.

But... is it worth it?

Yang Zhengyi was worried about not being able to find any fault with himself.

If these three people are truly missing or have died violently, Yang Zhengyi must know that he took action. Given his power as a constable, he probably already has evidence of his contact with these three people.

—There might be someone else lurking nearby, hoping I'll kill these three.

At that time, Yang Zhengyi could use this as an excuse to launch an attack, or even use official power, which would be the real trouble.

The common people do not fight against officials, especially when they are not yet powerful enough.

We must not kill them.

At the very least, we can't let them die by our own hand, or at this time.

Su Ming sneered inwardly.

This Constable Yang is shrewd and ruthless.

A two-birds-with-one-stone strategy!

1. The plan succeeded; the three men succeeded, and Su Ming died.

2. The plan failed. These three good-for-nothings are afraid of the constable's name and most likely won't reveal it to him, so it won't implicate him as the constable. In fact... he might even be hoping that Su Ming will kill these three in a fit of rage. Murder is a heinous crime, which would give him a handle to use against Su Ming on the grounds of "murder".

Whether the plan succeeds or fails, he is the winner!

What a vicious thought!

"Spare your lives?" Su Ming sneered. "According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, robbing people in broad daylight with weapons is a serious crime; exile for three hundred li would be lenient! How much money do you have on you?"

The three robbers were taken aback.

He immediately realized that this meant he had to pay money to save his life.

They hurriedly endured the pain and frantically searched their bodies.

Unfortunately, they were just thugs and scoundrels; how much money could they possibly have on them?

He searched his entire body and could only scrape together about two taels of loose silver.

"You poor bastard." Su Ming accepted the silver without any hesitation; this was his spoils of war and compensation for emotional distress.

He untied the rope from the tree and said coldly, "I'll spare your lives today. Go back and tell Yang Zhengyi that whatever methods you have, feel free to use them on me. I, Su Ming, will accept them. But if you dare to use such despicable tricks again, or implicate innocent people in my village..."

His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over the three men: "Next time, it won't be as simple as blinding them or crippling their genitals. If you piss me off, I might even trade my life for their entire family. Get lost!"

"Thank you, sir, for sparing my life! Thank you, sir!"

The three were relieved. The blind man was helped up by his companion, while the "eunuch" and the "buttock-penetrating" man could only support each other, limping and looking extremely miserable as they moved back, not even daring to pick up the wood-chopping knife that had fallen to the ground.

Su Ming stopped looking at them, turned around, got on the donkey cart, and continued on his way.

Only after the three pitiful figures had completely disappeared from sight did he gently exhale a breath of stale air.

It seems that Yang Zhengxiong's story is not over yet.

The constable Yang behind the scenes is a potential threat.

But right now, I can't worry about that.

The wolf pack is the real, imminent threat.

……

When we returned to Sishui Village, it was nearly dusk.

Su Ming drove the donkey cart into the yard and unloaded the salt, coarse cloth, pork, and other sundries he had bought, one by one.

Hearing the commotion, Madam Liu came out and was surprised to see so much stuff: "Sanlang, why did you buy all this? This meat..."

"Mom, the New Year is coming soon. Several families in the village asked me to bring them some New Year's goods. This meat was cut by our family, to nourish my younger siblings."

Su Ming explained in a normal tone, handing over the piece of pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat: "With the remaining money, I bought some salt and cloth, which we'll need at home."

Liu Shi, unsuspecting, took the pork and smiled, "You're so thoughtful, child. Come inside and warm up, I'll go and stew the meat right away."

Watching his mother's happy figure as she walked away, Su Ming felt a little relieved.

He carefully hid the truly important things—the three wood-chopping knives wrapped in cloth, the twenty "heart-piercing arrows" arrowheads, the three bottles of "Tibetan flavor powder," and the slingshot that had rendered him great service—in a secret place in his room.

That evening, the family enjoyed a warm dinner amidst the rare aroma of meat.

Su Ming continued his practice and breathing exercises as usual, gradually dispelling the murderous and violent aura he had displayed during the day.

It was late at night.

He sat alone on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), carefully wiping the twenty cold arrowheads of the "heart-piercing arrows" by the dim light of the oil lamp, and repeatedly drawing out, examining, and sheathing the three heavy "wood-chopping knives".

As his fingertips brushed against the cool earthenware bottle, he silently considered the various possibilities that lay ahead in the mountains.

Finally, he picked up the black horn bow that had been with him for a long time, gently stroking the smooth and tough bow back with his fingertips, feeling the power contained within it.

I opened the window, and a cold wind rushed in.

He gazed at the distant, sprawling mountain range that resembled a crouching behemoth in the night, his eyes calm yet sharp as an arrow about to be released from a bow.

"Wolves, oh wolves...you just wait."

"I am ready."

"And you?"

……

The next day, before dawn.

Fine snowflakes began to fall again from the leaden-gray clouds, shrouding the world in a misty haze.

Su Ming got up quietly.

He changed into his thickest, most durable old cotton-padded coat, and put on a dark-colored, non-reflective outer jacket over it.

On their feet were reinforced thick-soled cotton shoes, and their legs were tightly bound.

At his waist, on the left, hung three "wood-chopping knives" carefully wrapped in cloth, and on the right, a quiver full of "heart-piercing arrows" and a black horn bow.

In his arms were three bottles of "Tibetan Flavor Powder", tumbler, a small packet of salt, a few pieces of dried meat and hard biscuits, and a package full of miscellaneous items.

He also carried a slingshot and a pebble bag with him.

Without alerting anyone, he leaned on a broadsword in one hand, like a seasoned hunter, and silently closed the courtyard gate, his figure disappearing into the morning snow.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the cold wind whipped up snowflakes that stung my face.

But Su Ming's steps were unusually steady and firm as he walked alone, step by step, toward the distant mountains.

Submerged in the wind and snow, submerged in the mountains.

The wind and snow are swirling, perfect for killing wolves!