Chapter 87: Chapter 87

The ferry cut through the jade-green waves and drew slowly toward the Yunyi Island dock.

Shen Xiuhan stood at the prow, robes snapping in the lake wind.

The gangplank hadn’t even been secured before he spotted a figure on the dock, waving at him with obvious anxiety.

It was Yan Chuan, patrol guard of Squad C.

“Patrol Envoy, you’re finally back.”

The moment Shen Xiuhan stepped ashore, Yan Chuan closed the distance in three quick strides and took the bundle and pack from his hands.

Then the excitement on the man’s face was swallowed by urgency, and the words tumbled out.

“Patrol Envoy… I heard from the messenger that Old Geng was badly hurt during the escort… What’s his actual condition?”

Of the four patrol guards in Squad C, Yan Chuan and Geng Weizhi had always eaten and slept side by side. Their bond was the deepest.

The worry on his face was genuine — not a trace of pretense.

Shen Xiuhan shook his head and spoke plainly.

“The damage goes to the root. A primary sinew is severed. In the future… he’ll likely never be able to hold a saber again.”

“That…”

Yan Chuan’s whole body jerked as though he’d been struck with a blunt club.

His eyes reddened. His lips quivered for a long while, but not a single word came out.

“Don’t worry.”

Shen Xiuhan reached out and clapped his broad shoulder.

“I stopped by the master’s house when I was back in the inner city. The head of the household has given her word — they’ll spare no effort in treating Old Geng. Even if he can’t serve as a patrol guard anymore, they’ll arrange a proper post for him in the inner city.”

“I see… that’s good then. As long as he’s alive, that’s what matters!”

Yan Chuan let out a heavy breath of relief and swiped a hand across his eyes.

For men like these — who lived on the knife’s edge, tangling with water bandits year-round — landing a steady job in the inner city that could feed a family was no bad fate at all.

The two walked along the flagstone path.

They hadn’t gone far when Shen Xiuhan’s steps halted. His eyes fixed on the muddy bank at the water’s edge.

At the shoreline, someone had driven a thick log several zhang tall into the ground.

Lashed to the stake was a man built like an iron tower.

His hands were chained behind the post with raw iron links. Heavy shackles dragged at his feet. His body was splayed in a spread-eagle against the timber, unable to move a hair.

The lake offered no shade. The man had clearly been baking under the merciless sun for a long time.

His clothes had rotted to rags. The skin beneath was raised in hideous blisters from the heat — then burst and peeled, exposing wide patches of bruised, hardened scab.

What was even more stomach-turning…

Overhead, scavenging waterbirds circled, letting out shrill, grating cries as they swooped down.

Their sharp beaks tore without restraint at the ulcerated flesh on his body.

The man was too weak to respond. His head hung slack, barely a twitch.

Shen Xiuhan stared at the blood-smeared outline. Something about it looked familiar. He frowned.

“That’s…”

Yan Chuan followed his gaze. A look of vindictive satisfaction spread across his face.

“That’s Lu Ya, the traitorous dog!”

He spat and spoke in a low voice.

“Patrol Envoy, you may not know — two days ago, the master’s house sent a confidential letter saying there was a spy on the island. Suspicion initially pointed to our Patrol Envoy Lu.”

“The garrison commander received the letter and personally kept watch on him in secret.”

“Sure enough, last night when the bastard heard that Qu Bushi was dead, he panicked. He tried to sneak a message out under cover of darkness — and the garrison commander caught him red-handed. Evidence and all. They dislocated his arms on the spot and took him alive.”

“Oh?”

Shen Xiuhan’s gaze shifted. “Did they get him to talk? Whose spy was he?”

“That I don’t know.”

Yan Chuan scratched his head. “The garrison commander handled the interrogation personally. Hasn’t breathed a word.”

“But the lads are betting among themselves that the bastard sold out to those throat-slitting water bandits of Chenjian Wu.”

Shen Xiuhan raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.

The two walked and talked.

Before long, they reached the two-story bamboo building at the center of the island that served as headquarters.

It was mid-spring now. The bamboo grove surrounding the island’s heart had shed its winter pallor.

Thick green culms stood tall and straight, fresh leaves unfurling at the joints. The eye swept over an expanse of vivid, dripping green.

A faintly damp lake breeze rustled through, setting the bamboo sea swaying in rolling waves, whispering softly, carrying the clean scent of living wood.

Shen Xiuhan climbed the bamboo ladder to the second floor and pushed open the door.

Ji Ning sat at his desk studying a lake chart. He looked up at the sound.

“Greetings, Garrison Commander.”

At the sight of Shen Xiuhan, a smile of genuine approval crossed Ji Ning’s face. His tone was notably courteous.

“Welcome back… I’ve heard from the master’s house about how you handled the Qu Bushi affair. Clean work, sharp execution — well done. And — congratulations to Patrol Envoy Shen on breaking through to Bone Tempering.”

“A lucky breakthrough. Thank you for your support, sir.” Shen Xiuhan replied.

“There’s no such thing as luck on the martial path. It’s all earned through hard training.”

Ji Ning waved the compliment aside and stood, walking into a storage alcove off to the side.

He emerged shortly carrying two bundles that gave off a rich aroma of cypress smoke.

“Take these. Prime smoked pork and wind-dried venison — all quality cuts.”

Ji Ning handed the meat to Shen Xiuhan.

“This is your monthly stipend — the ten-jin meat allowance.”

“As for the medicinal meals, you can collect them from the mess hall at noon each day if you like. Or if that’s too much bother, I’ll assign an orderly to bring them to your room on schedule.”

Shen Xiuhan weighed his options briefly.

Between patrolling the waters and squeezing in time for stance training and combat drills, he didn’t want to waste attention on errands like these.

He clasped his fists without hesitation. “Then I’ll trouble the Garrison Commander to have someone deliver them.”

“A small matter. No trouble at all.”

Ji Ning returned to his seat, raised his teacup for a sip, and changed the subject. “You saw Lu Ya on the bank when you came ashore?”

“I did.”

A flash of killing intent passed through Ji Ning’s eyes.

“The dog couldn’t take the punishment. When he cracked, he dropped the name ‘Bai Xiu’an.’ The master’s house cross-checked the cipher and confirmed it — he’s a nail the Bai family planted in our household years ago.”

He set his teacup down hard. It landed with a dull thud.

“Since he’s a spy, his death is certain. He stays tied to that bank. Let the sun and the birds cook him alive — and let it serve as a warning to anyone else on this island with treachery in their heart.”

Here Ji Ning’s expression hardened. He fixed Shen Xiuhan with a look.

“With Lu Ya gone, the Squad A Patrol Envoy seat is empty.”

“I’ve already sent word to the master’s house requesting a replacement — a qi-blood martial artist should arrive within the next day or two.”

“But right now, these few days are the tightest gap in our manpower.”

“Since you’re back on the island, have your men keep their eyes peeled. Don’t let your guard down for a moment — we can’t afford to let anyone exploit the opening.”

Shen Xiuhan clasped his fists, voice firm.

“Understood!”

…

After leaving Ji Ning.

Shen Xiuhan carried his meat and walked with Yan Chuan along the forest path, heading briskly back to the row of lakeside bamboo houses that served as Squad C’s quarters on the island’s north side.

“Patrol Envoy Shen!”

“Sir!”

The moment he stepped through the door, Hu Zhi and Ruan Linhuan greeted him warmly.

Shen Xiuhan acknowledged them with a nod.

He casually tossed the five or six jin of dried venison to Yan Chuan.

“Take this to the mess hall and have it sliced up. Add it to the meals for the next few days — a little extra for the lads.”