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Yong'an County, in Hedong Commandery.
There were many places named Yong'an—counties, villages, scattered everywhere. Whether large or small, when they were named, people hoped the place would live up to it: forever peaceful. But such wishes were like hoping for eternal happiness—beautiful, yet hard to achieve.
Yong'an County was anything but peaceful now.
The shattered remnants of the city gate hung like the torn skirt of a ravaged woman, dangling helplessly and pitifully over the gateway.
No one had expected The White Wave Army to suddenly turn back and charge straight out of Mount Lei. The surprise attack quickly turned into a slaughter of Yong'an's already meager garrison.
Normally, it might have taken some effort. After all, it was a county seat—even with only three hundred-odd soldiers, defending behind walls could have held out for a while. But unexpectedly, before the battle even began, the county lieutenant—who should have been commanding on the front line—slipped away down the wall from another direction with a dozen men.
By the time the county magistrate discovered the problem and sent someone to check the lieutenant's home, they found that days earlier, under the pretext of visiting family, he had already sent his wife and children away…
The Yong'an magistrate was a scholar by training, but in this critical moment he did not flinch. He personally took up a long sword and went to the walls to direct the defense. Alas, skill in civil administration did not translate to military expertise. The fire-oil meant to counter battering rams at the gate was wasted on ordinary ladder assaults. The White Wave Army seized the opening and smashed through the gate in one push.
Soon after, the Yong'an magistrate was captured…
Sometimes, living was more painful than death. The magistrate quickly learned it would have been better to die on the walls.
---
The county office hall, which should have been a place of solemn dignity, had become a stage for a live erotic spectacle.
"Damn it! You horny bastard! Still at it?! Commander Han called us all for a meeting!" Yang Feng strode into the Yong'an county hall, frowning at the chaotic, debauched scene before him.
Li Le was pressed atop a pale body, thrusting furiously with his dark frame, panting as he spoke: "What… meeting… You guys… decide… I… I got no objections!"
"Watch you don't fuck that precious tool of yours to pieces!" Yang Feng had no way with Li Le, so he cursed once. His eyes fell on the Yong'an magistrate tied to a pillar nearby—face twisted beyond recognition. Even a man who had seen rivers of blood felt a chill. "You're playing that game again?!"
Li Le laughed maniacally, never stopping his motions below, saliva spraying from his gaping mouth: "I… I just love this! You… damn well… know that…"
"Pah!" Yang Feng spat, ignored him, and walked over to the magistrate.
The magistrate's mouth was gagged, yet muffled, heart-rending howls still escaped. The corners of his eyes had literally split from strain; tears mixed with blood, snot, and drool streamed down his utterly contorted face.
"Couldn't you just give him a quick death?!" Yang Feng glanced a few times, suddenly feeling nauseated, and turned away to shout.
"Fuck! Back then… when those dog officials… why didn't they… give my parents… a quick death?!"
Yang Feng saw reasoning was pointless and turned to leave.
After a few steps, he suddenly turned back, drew his saber, and slashed the magistrate's throat in one stroke. He flicked the blood from the blade and walked out of the hall.
The woman beneath Li Le, who had been silent until now, suddenly let out a hoarse wail: "My husband…"
"Damn you!" Li Le, seeing Yang Feng kill the magistrate, flew into a rage—then in the next instant wore an expression of utter ecstasy. He shouted loudly, "Ah! Yes, yes, just like that! Hahaha, just like that…"
The frenzied Li Le finally subsided, panting heavily. Still naked, he walked over to the now-slumped, dead magistrate, poked at the lolling head, and cursed: "That damned Yang Feng—nosy bastard!"
Suddenly, the woman—taking advantage of Li Le's distraction—rushed to the pillar and slammed her head against it with all her might. Her skull cracked; she collapsed limply.
"Pah!" Li Le turned and spat at the woman, now barely breathing. Then he stood naked in the Yong'an county hall, face twisted in ferocity, threw back his head, and roared: "Father! Mother! Hahaha! I killed another dog official! Did you see? Did you see it?!"
As he shouted, his mouth suddenly twitched. Trembling, he lowered his head, wrapped his arms around it, squatted on the ground, curled into a ball, and murmured: "Lanhua… Lanhua… don't be mad… I'm avenging you too… Anyway… I'll… soon come down… to join you… heh heh… haha… soon… real soon…"
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Yang Feng walked the streets. Yong'an County was now a chaotic hell—Baibo soldiers everywhere, looting and killing in packs.
A few plundering Baibo troops saw Yang Feng, grinned sheepishly, hunched a little in greeting, then continued their quest for riches…
Yang Feng stood a moment, cracked his neck with a pop, said nothing, and walked on.
At a street corner, a Baibo soldier stood ramrod straight. Seeing Yang Feng approach, he cupped his hands in a proper salute.
Yang Feng's heart stirred. He slowly walked up and asked, "Whose man are you?"
The soldier lowered his voice: "Commander Yang, my lord asked me to pass a message…"
Yang Feng instinctively glanced around—no one nearby was paying attention; all were busy looting. He whispered, "What message?"
"My lord says—the roof is lifted, the great gift delivered. Next… it's up to Commander Yang…"
Yang Feng gave a soft hum. "Tell your lord—Yang knows."
The soldier nodded, cupped his hands again, silently stepped aside, slipped into an alley, and vanished in moments.