Chapter Forty-Four: Martial Law!

At the city gate.

The line to leave the city stretched for more than two miles.

Men, women, young and old, burdened with bundles and belongings, anxiously craned their necks, glancing around in agitation.

The night before, a great fire had raged, compounded by demonic calamities.

Then the army had arrived at the city, slaughtering hundreds of cultists.

On the city walls, rows upon rows of severed heads hung, a chilling sight.

The wind stirred, causing them to knock and rattle against one another with a gurgling clatter.

The townsfolk, well aware that the county was no longer a safe place, had brought their families out at dawn, hoping to escape disaster.

How long would they have to wait?

Looking ahead at the line of more than a hundred people, Qi Xiu sighed, his expression complicated.

Wait—wasn’t that the Qian family’s caravan?

Just as he sighed, Qi Xiu suddenly noticed the large group of carriages at the very front; it was indeed the Qian family.

“Sir, let’s make a deal. We’re not from this city, just here to visit relatives. Please, let us out,” Qian Yuchuan said with a smile, extending his hand, a banknote for a thousand taels hidden in his palm.

The armored soldier glanced at Qian Yuchuan with an emotionless face.

With his thumb, the soldier flicked out half an inch of his blade.

“The Brigade Commander has ordered a city lockdown. No one is allowed to enter or leave,” he declared.

Seeing the bribe refused, Qian Yuchuan was about to speak again when Jin Tai stepped forward with a cheerful grin, picking up the thread, “Judging by your armor, you must be from the Western Wind Army of the Jixi Military Garrison. Under which General do you serve? The Brave Army? The Iron Spear Army? Or perhaps the Western Wind Army itself?”

The armored soldier regarded Jin Tai with some surprise. “You certainly know a lot. Indeed, we are from the Western Wind Army.”

“That’s wonderful. My father, Jin Siji, happens to know General Han of your unit.”

Upon learning that this was the Western Wind Army, Jin Tai breathed a sigh of relief and gave the others a reassuring look.

“Oh? Your father knows General Han?” The armored soldier’s expression was one of surprise.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Jin Tai replied with a radiant smile.

“Heh, I know him too. Now get back!” The soldier’s face darkened abruptly as he stepped forward, his gaze icy, as if to suggest that should Jin Tai and his group advance another pace, they would be cut down on the spot.

“You—” Jin Tai trembled with anger, about to argue further.

But the other armored guards all turned to stare at them as well, their expressions hostile, hands poised to draw their blades.

After driving Jin Tai’s group away, the lead soldier stepped forward and shouted in a commanding voice:

“Everyone listen up! County Magistrate Guo Youfang has been executed on the spot for dereliction of duty and breaking the law! From this day forth, Baohua County will be temporarily governed by the Western Wind Army. The Brigade Commander has ordered a citywide lockdown—no one may enter or leave! Anyone caught disobeying or attempting to escape will be executed without mercy!”

An uproar swept through the crowd as heated whispers erupted like a tidal wave.

With a metallic ring, the soldiers drew their steel blades, their faces cold, the threat of violence palpable in the air.

“If anyone has questions, step forward and ask!” the soldier barked.

At the sight of the gleaming steel, the crowd immediately fell silent, all voices stilled.

“And don’t get any ideas about climbing the walls with ladders—unless you think you can evade its eyes.” The lead guard sneered, pointing up at the city wall’s summit.

What could that be?

Following the direction of the guard’s gesture, Qi Xiu, who had been contemplating climbing over the wall to escape, felt his face darken.

Playing dirty, are they? They even brought raptors.

Atop the wall perched a massive bird of prey, its wingspan nearly ten feet wide. Qi Xiu’s mind raced.

Eagles are diurnal; they can’t see at night.

If I can’t get out by day, I’ll escape by night.

Resolving to leave Baohua County, he cast a glance at the enormous eagle overhead before turning back with the crowd, expression unreadable.

Night descended.

Under a starless, moonless sky, the city was deathly still.

Perhaps due to the Western Wind Army’s iron-fisted rule, fear pervaded the populace.

The marketplace, once lively even at night, was now deserted.

Lying on his bed with eyes closed, Qi Xiu silently estimated the hour.

After the recent catastrophe, even the watchmen no longer patrolled; he could only guess the time.

It couldn’t be far off.

Judging by his estimation, it was around the third watch. Qi Xiu swiftly rolled out of bed, grabbed his prepared bundle, and strode toward the main hall’s door.

Freedom, here I come.

A shrill cry echoed above just as he reached the courtyard.

Could it be—?

His face stiffened as he looked up.

A gray eagle, its wingspan over three meters, glided slowly overhead, as if patrolling for anyone attempting to sneak out by night.

Qi Xiu stood silently in the courtyard for a long while.

He tightened his bundle, returned indoors, and muttered under his breath, “Fly, fly— I can’t believe you never sleep. Let’s see who lasts longer, you or me.”

Day after day, sleeping only an hour each night and spending most of his time watching, Qi Xiu, on the verge of collapse, finally uncovered the secret behind the tireless patrol eagle.

Because—

“That’s not just one patrol eagle,” Jin Tai explained, spreading his hands helplessly as he pushed a wine jug toward Qi Xiu.

“According to my investigation, the Western Wind Army keeps six of these patrol eagles, working in three shifts. Each shift has two birds: one inside the city, one outside. Their eyesight is formidable. Not even a mouse could escape their notice.”

“Take my advice—forget about escaping for now.”

Brother Tai? I could call myself Lord Bundle.

Qi Xiu shot Jin Tai a glare and tapped the table twice. “Who exactly are the Western Wind Army? They certainly act with impunity.”

“Ha, coming from the Jixi Military Garrison, of course they’re overbearing. And this time, the Brigade Commander leading them—Yuan Baiyi—is no ordinary man…” Jin Tai’s gaze grew thoughtful as he turned his wine cup in his hands, his words heavy with implication.

“Not ordinary? You mean he’s not a typical commander?” Qi Xiu pressed.

“Enough, enough. You’re just a scholar—best not to pry into these matters. By the way, is your elder brother in the city? At a time like this, our families ought to join forces.”

Impatiently cutting off Qi Xiu’s questions, Jin Tai’s mind was clearly on Ye Wen.

A master of both martial and mystical arts—surely he has connections.

If anyone can get out, it’s Ye Wen.

Seeing Jin Tai’s look of disdain, Qi Xiu’s forehead twitched. He wanted nothing more than to let Jin Tai taste a full-strength Red Sand Palm.

But for now, the Mask of Many Faces could not be used lightly.

Ye Wen’s identity had to remain concealed for the time being.

He could only bear the slight, making a mental note to settle the score later.

“My brother had important business. He left the city ten days ago and won’t be back for a while.”

Jin Tai’s expression darkened. Propping his hands behind his head in boredom, he muttered, “Then we’ll just have to wait.”

Ten more days slipped by.

The lockdown had yet to be lifted.

But aside from the travel restrictions, the Western Wind Army interfered little in the city’s internal affairs.

Life in the county gradually returned to normal.

Indeed, under the iron discipline of the Western Wind Army, even petty theft and minor crimes diminished.

In the Qi family’s small courtyard, Qi Xiu, dressed in plain scholar’s robes, seemed once more the impoverished calligrapher of old.

Brush in hand, he swept bold strokes across a sheet of white paper, each character a pearl.

With the city gates sealed, those within could not leave, nor could outsiders enter.

No trade caravans passed through.

Grain, meat, medicine—even toilet paper—could not be brought in.

Martial training consumed vast quantities of food and meat.

Alchemy required ingredients; even the greatest physician could not concoct medicine without supplies.

With no resources, Qi Xiu had no choice but to suspend both martial and alchemical practice.

He devoted all his time to calligraphy.

Day by day, he drew ever closer to mastery.