He would step on certain grooves or cracks in the cliffs to get a foothold. All of a sudden, the stones which he was stepping on gave way, and he spiraled into a quick descend, despite the fact that he was holding onto the rope. Fang Jie felt his heart beat rapidly, as his mouth turned dry and his palms started sweating nervously at the near miss.

However, this man’s martial arts skills were proficient and he was brave. As he was falling rapidly, his feet swung wildly, trying to find another foothold on the cliff. When he finally managed to step onto a groove, he had fallen quite some distance. At this point, the rope of clothes were not able to withstand such a sudden jerk as the sound of cloth tearing could be heard. Fang Jie’s hair stood on the edge.

"d.a.m.n it!" Fang Jie shouted, as he slid down the rope faster to avoid falling from a greater height. In the dark, he could see that he wasn’t very far off from the ground. At this point, the rope eventually gave away, and he fell all the way down to the bottom.

"Your excellency, your excellency." The men above were screaming in horror, as they could clearly see that the rope had snapped and torn.

Fang Jie fell down to the ground with a loud thud before rolling for some distance. When he finally slowed down a stop, he picked himself up and looked down at his body. He noticed that the clothes he was wearing were torn and tattered from the fall and from rolling across sticks and stones. He had many abrasions and cuts all over his body, which gave him a stinging pain all over. However, he didn’t fall from too great a height and thus didn’t injure himself.

"Hm, Pei Zi Yun was being chased for so many days. How much of his martial arts skills does he still have? I should take advantage of this situation and apprehend him, so that I can finally become an official!" At this point, his body was riddled with cuts and wounds, but his heart was on fire with ambition. He then looked up and shouted, "I’m alright. Throw a torch down!"

When the bailiff heard this, they took a torch and tossed it over the cliff. When it landed, it wasn’t extinguished. Fang Jie picked the torch up and started chasing after Pei Zi Yun.

He followed the road and picked up into a run. After going through a series of gra.s.s patches and through the forest, he saw a man bent over a creek was.h.i.+ng his face. He used his torch to get a better look of the man’s face and realized that it was the man he was searching for, Pei Zi Yun.

At this point everything was still and quiet. He could see the white patches of snow on the ground, and could hear the sound of the water in the creek. Pei Zi Yun’s left hand was wet from was.h.i.+ng his face. He turned his head back and spoke to the constable, "All these days of chasing after me, I know your name too. Fang Jie, why haven’t you bowed to me after seeing me?"

Pei Zi Yun spoke plainly, as Fang Jie frowned. He paused before laughing loudly, his face had a crazed expression as he replied coldly, "You murdered so many soldiers, and even killed an official in cold blood. Everyone around is trying to arrest and kill you for these crimes, and you want me to bow down to you?"

"Am I a thief or a bandit? Even the Emperor and the Crown Prince bestowed t.i.tles upon my family members. If the Imperial Court decreed that I’m guilty of the crimes you accuse me off, show me the doc.u.ments. If not, what right have you got to arrest me?"

"Without the warrant of arrests from the Imperial Court, and without the ministry of education cancelling and removing my t.i.tle as a scholar, aren’t you required by law to bow down to me, since you’re just a lowly constable?" Pei Zi Yun glared at him.

When Fang Jie heard this, it seemed to have stirred up some emotions within him, for his face turned angry and indignant. He then laughed, "What right do I have to arrest you? I’m acting based on King Lu’s orders. It’s hard for a person to hide from everyone in the world. You’re being pursued by the authorities, you’ve also incurred the retribution from killing an official. Over the past few days, you’ve been worn out. How can you escape at this point? Be good and accept death."

"Watch me take you down, and give you seven tight slaps. We’ll then see if you can still be the refined scholar you make yourself out to be."

"Oh, looks like you have many opinions and objections towards scholars. And that’s not strange, considering how you shall never reach my status regardless of how much good work you contribute to the nation. On the other hand, a student just has to study in his room for ten years, and can become a High Scholar and outrank you. When that happens, even you have to bow down to him, and address him as your senior!" Pei Zi Yun exuded a look of defiance.

This words touched a raw nerve and incited the hatred of Fang Jie. He riled himself up, "To h.e.l.l with you traitor!"

As soon as he spoke out, he tossed the torch at Pei Zi Yun and dashed towards him. He gave out a loud cry, as Fang Jie’s sword and body moved as one, and struck with the strength and speed of lightning.

Pei Zi Yun’s face turned soft as he raised his sword and cleared his throat, welcoming Fang Jie’s blows.

"Zhng zhng zhng" Three consecutive blows were met by three parries. Red sparks burst forth from their blades as the light from their swords moved rapidly, and their shadows weaved in and out. Fang Jie was forced to retreat three steps, and exclaimed in shock, "How could this be? You’ve managed to recover. No, no, this can’t be!"

Pei Zi Yun could not help but retreated a step as well. His face had an unnatural red flush to it, as his eyes remained focused and concentrated. He then let out a smile and spoke confidently, "Good sword techniques. It’s only that I went easy on you just now."

"Who would’ve expected that a lowly constable would actually be a skilled swordsman. No wonder you seem to carry an air of unhappiness at being unable to ascend higher than your current post. I’m telling you, if you’re hoping to kill me and earn your promotion, you’ve come to the wrong person."

"Since you have an entire army behind you coming for me, and my body’s weak and not at its best, and you have such good sword techniques, I just have to hurry and end your life!"

Pei Zi Yun spoke confidently, but was somewhat surprised deep down. Killing off the famous constable Ji Dan had only been too easy for him. At this point he knew that he had grown complacent, as he severely underestimated Fang Jie’s capabilities. If it weren’t for the fact that he was a master swordsman, he might have been consumed by Fang Jie’s sword. With such skills, he was severely misplaced, being just a lowly constable...

As he was thinking, his sword moved in a blur as he slashed down.

Fang Jie wanted to stall for time, and wait for reinforcements to show up. At this point, he was taken aback by the sudden attack. In the face of life and death, he reacted with quick reflexes and got rid of the irrelevant thoughts in his head. He brandished his blade and welcomed Pei Zi Yun’s advances.

"Zhng zhng zhng" The both of them exchanged several blows as Fang Jie slashed two rapid strokes in quick succession. All of a sudden, he was caught off guard by Pei Zi Yun’s counterattack and was struck on the right shoulder, where fresh blood bled out. His body trembled in pain, as he knelt on the ground.

Fang Jie hasn’t died as Pei Zi Yun inched closer to him and spoke, "Yes, I’ve recovered. With the next move, I shall give you a clean death and lop your head off."

"The Imperial, Imperial Court will not let you off…."

"Kacha!" Pei Zi Yun swung his sword, as Fang Jie’s eyes squinted. He then felt a certain inexplicable coldness on his neck. His head flew up high into the air, blood was splas.h.i.+ng out from his neck. Pei Zi Yun was unrelenting and continued to hack and slash as his body, which was still kneeling down. Pei Zi Yun looked at the numerous gashes on his body and turned around in satisfaction, leaving behind the body and the sound of water from the creek.

After some time, voices started getting louder, "Hurry, hurry. The traitor must be in front. Let’s chase him down. His excellency Fang went before us, he’s left a trail for us to follow."

A constable shouted as he dashed through the trees, only to see Fang Jie’s mangled body on the floor. He then screamed out, "Your excellency Fang!"

The sounds of many footsteps started ringing out in rapid succession. Fang Jie’s body remained still, as large piece of white cloth was draped over him. The eunuch took the white cloth away, and the strong stench of blood filled his nostrils.

Eunuch Ding then waved his hand back and forth, as though to dispel the smell of blood. A constable then stepped forward beside him, "Eunuch Ding, we’ve conducted our checks. Constable Fang was killed by a sword. Based on his wounds, they were engaged in a long battle, which Pei Zi Yun eventually won."

"After coming under the effects of severe retribution, and being chased by us for so long, he could not even contain Pei Zi Yun, and even died to his sword. What a useless person!" Eunuch Ding eyed the body and lashed out in anger.

After hearing Eunuch Ding rebuke the fallen Fang Jie, the bailiff who was guarding the area seemed extremely upset and heartbroken by this loss. Several other bailiffs in the area were cursing under their breaths, "You cheap b.a.s.t.a.r.d, who do you think you are?"

The eunuch couldn’t pick up on their displeasure and started pacing back and forth, his brows were creased up in a frown, as though something wasn’t right. He knew that he’d missed out on something.

Someone from behind hurriedly approached, "Eunuch Ding, the mountainous roads were treacherous, hence I came late."

"Official Wu, use your powers once more and hunt this man down." Seeing that the Daoist had come, Eunuch Ding instructed him with a shrill high voice.

The official wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurriedly replied, "Yes, Eunuch Ding, I shall use my powers now."

After exercising his powers for some time, there was no change, he still could not pick up Pei Zi Yun’s present location. Beads of cold sweat started forming on his forehead, "How could it be? There’s not a single trace to be seen!"

"Official, how’s it going?" Eunuch Ding hurriedly asked, seeing that the situation wasn’t the most ideal.

"Eunuch Ding, please, please give me some more time." The official replied, his face was extremely pale.

"Oh? Is that so? I shall wait for you to find him before we speak again." Eunuch Ding looked at this Daoist official, he was sweating profusely, and didn’t dare to look at the eunuch in the eye. Incantations were being muttered under his breath rapidly.

He still couldn’t locate Pei Zi Yun. When he realized that he had failed, he fell to his knees, "Eunuch Ding, something has happened. With blood, I should be able to chase him for seven days, and yet it’s only the fifth day and I’ve lost all traces of him. My powers aren’t working at all, and I can’t seem to find him. I’m afraid someone’s a.s.sisting him, or he’s perished and died."

The Daoist official’s face was dripping with sweat, as he denied any responsibility for failure.

When Eunuch Ding heard this, he raged out, "Useless, worthless. All of you are useless animals!"

North Ying City

The river outside of the city was frozen solid due to the extremely cold temperatures. The sky was dark as snowflakes descended down upon the area. The streets were lined with snow, that covered the pavements and walkways. Under such weather, there wouldn’t be any business as everyone would lock themselves up at home. Just glancing at the entire street, not a single person was in sight.

Tian Hong’s face was pale. Today marked the seventh day of Ji Dan’s death. It was the final night which his soul could be contacted. At this point, he decided to head off to the altar and speak to him for the final time.

The minute he left the prison where he worked, he felt a sense of uneasiness wash all over him. He watched as the ox-cart plowed its way through the snow and turned into a narrow alley. All of a sudden, Tian Hong felt a certain chilliness overwhelm him. He chased after the ox-cart, and drew his sword.

"So you’ve come. All those people are useless failures. To think they would chase you to the depths of the mountains, and you could still return to the city." Tian Hong shouted loudly, as he eyed his surroundings.

"You and Ji Dan are my targets!" Pei Zi Yun showed himself, "At this point, you’re still trying to shout and attract attention?"

"That’s fine, I know a little Dao arts. Don’t think that the streets are empty, and your voice can travel a long distance. No sound that we make sure can be heard by anyone else."

As Pei Zi Yun spoke, he gazed at his surroundings, "But alas, this is still a public street. It wouldn’t be good if we were to meet any wandering civilian. How about this, why don’t you follow Ji Dan and Fang Jie in death!"

"You’ve even killed Fang Jie?" Tian Hong’s shock was palpable. He was an inside man, and knew of Fang Jie’s proficient sword techniques. He was unbeatable within the entire city, and both sides of the law bent to his will due to his fighting skills.

It’s just that he’s a mere constable. According to the rules, he would never be promoted except during extraordinary circ.u.mstances. Together with Ji Dan, they both ruled the streets and managed to maintain peace within this area.

At this point, even Fang Jie had died. Tian Hong glared at Pei Zi Yun, who drew his sword. He knew that his chances of escaping without a fight were slim. He then let out a loud cry, "Kill, kill him!"

A pair of jailers showed up behind him, with a ferocious look etched across their faces. They drew their swords, killing intents radiated from their faces, "With a longsword in my hand, I am unbeatable!"

After one of them shouted this, they cried out in anger before raising their swords and charging at Pei Zi Yun.

"Zhng!" Just a single sound rang out, and blood was spilt, as it splashed onto the snow covered ground. The distinct smell of blood wafted through the air. The pair of jailers fell to the ground, their hands were still clutching onto their swords in a death grip, and were twitching uncontrollably on the ground. A large pool of red blood formed and stained the ground.

Pei Zi Yun’s body reappeared and took a physical form. He then eyed his surroundings coldly. He had rid himself of the pair of jailers, and noticed that Tian Hong had been stabbed in the abdomen as well. His entrails were hanging out of the gash, and was breathing raggedly on the ground.

"Are you in pain? I’ve heard of how you love to interrogate criminals, and enjoy flaying their skin. I don’t enjoy the same hobby as you, and will send you on your way quickly!" Pei Zi Yun sighed as he shook his head.

"Master Top Scorer please hold it." Pei Zi Yun heard someone call out. A well dressed young man showed up and stood in between Pei Zi Yun and Tian Hong. Seeing that Pei Zi Yun had really paused, he clasped his hands in a salute, "I’ve long heard of the famous reputation of Master Top Scorer. I wonder why Master Top Scorer is killing people on the streets. And are these government officials?"

"What’s happening? Why’s there a bystander interfering with my affairs?" Pei Zi Yun was taken aback. Since the snow was falling heavily, there were very few people out of their homes at this point. He had even selected a secluded alley to carry out his business, and even used Dao arts. This Dao arts ensured that anyone within a few kilometers radius wouldn’t hear a thing. Most people would take a detour away from this secluded alley.

And now someone has interfered with this matter.

Pei Zi Yun then looked up at him, and realized that this young man wasn’t considered very young. He looked to be slightly older than twenty. However, this man stood tall and confident, and had a graceful demeanor about him. Just looking at him would make people stop in their tracks and admire him. Pei Zi Yun then asked, "You are?"