CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 108: ARE YOU TRULY YIN YIN YIN?

"Sister Qing Mei, it’s not the ancestral festival today, why is the second boss suddenly burning paper money?"

In an unremarkable house in the outer city, Yin Minghong was burning paper money in the courtyard. The grayish-white paper money danced into ashes on the tongues of flame, and the rising smoke seemed to depict scenes from another world.

Rong Yao, dressed in laborer’s attire and dirt-covered, stood by the door, curiously watching Yin Minghong’s actions. He had come to accompany Yin Minghong on a task today, but arriving early, he witnessed this scene, which naturally seemed strange—who burns paper money so early in the morning?

"Minghong is paying respects to our sworn brother." Mu Qingmei sat on the steps at the entrance of the hall, watching the burning fire with a reminiscent expression, "Our brother died three years ago, and today is his death anniversary."

"By the way, what are you doing standing at the door? Come in and have some tea."

Rong Yao shook his head and pointed at his own appearance, "I’m all dirty right now; it’s not appropriate to go in. I’ll just stand here."

"Then why don’t you go to the back and take a bath?"

"This is a disguise," Rong Yao replied with a wry smile. "I’m currently a runaway slave from the Jing Mansion. If I’m seen moving around outside, I might encounter someone who knows me, so I have to dirty myself up a bit so they won’t recognize me. Besides, quite a few people in the outer city do know me."

"Why?" Mu Qingmei asked curiously, "Are you some kind of celebrity?"

"Not a celebrity, it’s just that I used to be responsible for going out to buy supplies, and then..." Rong Yao was a bit embarrassed, "because my parents gave me good looks, the aunts and aunties would give me extra favors when they saw me. Over time, many people remembered me."

Mu Qingmei was surprised, "Really? Then why don’t the aunts and aunties give me special treatment when I go shopping? I’m good-looking too!"

Rong Yao was both amused and helpless, "Well... as they say, ’opposites attract.’ Perhaps the aunts and aunties prefer handsome men like me."

"Oh? So, you’re saying you were remembered by many because you’re too handsome?" Mu Qingmei scrutinized Rong Yao for a while, then shook her head, "But to me, you just seem average."

"Sister Qing Mei has seen plenty and naturally wouldn’t be impressed by this superficial appearance of mine," Rong Yao laughed. He glanced at Yin Minghong and asked, "Then is the second boss more handsome than me?"

"Of course!" Mu Qingmei blurted out, but upon noticing Rong Yao’s bemused expression, she blushed and defended herself, "But he’s just alright, a bit dark-skinned, with intimidating eyes, and he eats loudly... really only a tiny bit—just a tiny bit—more handsome than you."

"Really!"

"Keep laughing, and we’ll have a spar."

Rong Yao immediately suppressed his smile—Wen Hong, the Medical Officer, had repeatedly warned him never to provoke Mu Qingmei. The title "Mu Qingmei, the chief combat power of Xuanzhu County’s White Night Walker" was not given lightly; many of Yin Minghong’s injuries came from "sparring" with Mu Qingmei.

Rong Yao quickly changed the subject with a sigh, "Why is the second boss burning books?"

They watched as Yin Minghong tore pages from a book and tossed them into the flames.

"Ah, that’s ’The Legend of the Fire God.’ Our brother was an ardent fan of it when he was alive. Before he died, he instructed us to burn the latest volume of ’The Legend of the Fire God’ every year on his death anniversary."

Rong Yao nodded, then sighed again, "Why is the second boss burning Combat Technique cards?"

They saw Yin Minghong throwing a stack of Combat Technique cards into the flames.

"Ah, in life, our brother was also one of the ten extraordinary to saint players in the Combat Technique hall. Before he died, he instructed us to burn a set of Combat Technique cards for him every year when a new version comes out."

Rong Yao nodded, and after a while, he couldn’t help but sigh again, "Did your brother also like looking at erotic picture albums?"

They saw Yin Minghong tearing open a seductive picture album, and just a glance made Rong Yao feel quite captivated; he was tempted to ask where Yin Minghong bought it from.

"Ah, although our brother indeed liked it, he thought that since burning paper money would turn into real money in the afterlife, these albums, if burned, might also turn into real women," Mu Qingmei shrugged. "Our brother died a virgin; he thought of himself as timid, a card lover, and a novel reader. He believed he’d remain a pure ghost in the afterlife, so he instructed us to burn beautiful women albums for him every year—but if this really worked, he wouldn’t have time for anything else down there other than making little ghosts with hundreds of beauties."

Rong Yao finally couldn’t hold it any longer, "Didn’t your brother make too many requests before he died!?"

"Well, that’s because our brother was killed by Minghong himself."

A gust of wind suddenly stirred the courtyard, the flames flared up wildly, devouring the paper and ashes. Rong Yao looked over and found that Yin Minghong had been calmly watching the flames all along, and his appearance became somewhat distorted in the rising heat, as dreadful as a ghost, as passionate as a deity.

"You didn’t ask any further," Mu Qingmei propped her chin with her hands, "Do you also know about the Little Nine Mountain incident?"

"I heard about it when I was in Jing Mansion three years ago, and Wen Hong, the Medical Officer, told me a bit too," Rong Yao chose his words carefully, "So your brother... was the Shui Hangzhou who led the workers’ uprising in Little Nine Mountain back then?"

"Yes, our brother, Minghong, and I, the three of us grew up together, studied together, practiced martial arts together, and joined White Night together."

"The Little Nine Mountain incident caused quite a stir in Xuanzhu County at the time; after all, too many people died," Rong Yao said, "In the rumors, Shui Hangzhou was a chivalrous hero who wasn’t afraid of authority and fought against tyranny..."

Mu Qingmei chuckled, "Our brother surely never expected that his reputation would be better after death than when he was alive—he was notoriously timid back then, sometimes crying on the spot when he lost a game. Several times he was bullied, and it was me and Minghong who went to stand up for him."

"Don’t mind me calling him ’big brother’ all the time; it’s our way of teasing him—other than his age, he lagged behind us in every way, always reading novels instead of studying, running off to play cards instead of practicing martial arts, and losing every fight. In many ways, he was the brother who needed our care."

"But he loved you all very much, didn’t he?" Rong Yao asked.

Mu Qingmei remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly, "I wasn’t at Little Nine Mountain at the time, and Minghong didn’t say much, but I could guess what happened—they killed the elder of the Jing Family. The Jing Family had already summoned the Heyang Army, intending to bloodily suppress the miners at Little Nine Mountain, and surrendering would mean prolonged torture. They couldn’t even escape; the only not-so-hopeless solution was for someone to defect to the Jing Family with the credit of Little Nine Mountain, to give some meaning to the uprising."

"How could someone as timid as our brother bear such a deep-seated enmity?" Mu Qingmei tilted her head, "Back then, I blamed Minghong for a long time after he returned—but later, I realized that the hardships Minghong went through all these years were something our brother would rather die than face."

Hearing the gentle phrase "blamed him for a long time," Rong Yao’s expression changed slightly.

He remembered Wen Hong, the Medical Officer, mentioning that three years ago, Yin Minghong was nearly beaten to death, sustaining multiple fractures and needing an entire week of light therapy just to get out of bed. As to who had beaten him, Wen Hong didn’t say, but this information came right after "don’t provoke Mu Qingmei."

At this moment, Yin Minghong had stopped throwing things into the fire. Lacking fuel, the bonfire gradually shrank, soon leaving only a few small flames.

"Brother."

Yin Minghong sat solemnly in front of the bonfire, speaking softly, "Today, I’m going to make an important decision."

"It may lead us to destruction or possibly bring about a miracle."

"Just like when you slapped me awake back then, brother, help me make up my mind."

Swish!

The breeze blew, embers flared up, and the diminishing fire suddenly shot up over a meter high, magnificent yet short-lived.

"I understand now." Yin Minghong stood up, wrapping a red ribbon around his hand, "Brother Rong, let’s go."

Rouxhly dressed Rong Yao bowed, "At your service."

...

...

The meeting place was Damenshi Street.

Damenshi Street is a famous bustling street in the outer city, with century-old clothing stores, Xuanzhu’s old snacks, Dongyang accessories... dining, clothing, and beauty all in one place, and prices are not high. Even ordinary families could grit their teeth to ’splurge’ on Damenshi Street, and many children’s childhood dreams were to eat and drink freely on Damenshi Street.

Yin’s secret meeting location at Dashi Street is very reasonable; it’s crowded here, so even if something happens, escape is easy. But similarly, White Night can easily plant spies here, and even some shop owners on Dashi Street are White Night Walkers.

Rong Yao followed ten steps behind Yin Minghong, pretending to be a laborer looking for work at Dashi Street, completely inconspicuous.

He checked his pocket watch; it was almost 9 AM. Yin Minghong, following Yin’s instructions, went to Old Friends to buy a cup of coconut milk.

However, three days prior, White Night had already sent people to Old Friends as apprentices, with White Night Walkers monitoring the vicinity—truly a tight-knit surveillance network.

Even if at this moment a child courier suddenly appeared, others would follow Yin Minghong’s movements!

He paid for a bottle of coconut milk and drank it.

Yin Minghong stared at the empty bottle before him, lost in thought.

Had he... been stood up by Yin?

Just then, a commotion echoed from the street corner, and an empty rickshaw suddenly pulled up in front of Old Friends. This rickshaw was peculiar, with a wide seat and three drivers.

The driver with a towel over his left shoulder patted Yin Minghong on the shoulder: "Mr. Yin, are you the one who wants a ride?"

"I..." Yin Minghong was slightly startled, then immediately understood: "Yes."

"Get in," the middle driver said happily. "Your friend spent a lot to have us take you. Don’t worry; our Flying Feet team will get you there quickly. Next time you need a ride, give us a shout, as we’re the fastest rickshaw team in Xuanzhu County—!"

Left driver: "Fly!"

Middle driver: "Feet!"

Right driver: "Team!"

Yin Minghong got on the rickshaw and glanced at Rong Yao behind him, signaling him to follow.

The speed of a rickshaw is only so much, as it’s human-powered—how fast can it really go? Others easily kept up, making Yin’s setup meaningless; he’d misjudged.

"Hold on tight, sir!"

Just as Yin Minghong was thinking this, he suddenly felt a strong push-back sensation and saw the rickshaw take off like a shot!

It truly was a Flying Feet Team!

The scenery around them blurred rapidly as it sped past. Yin Minghong gripped the handle tightly, feeling as though another increase in speed might throw him off—wasn’t this speed close to a car’s!?

About four or five minutes later, the rickshaw gradually slowed and eventually stopped at an alley entrance, "Sir, we’re here!"

Yin Minghong quickly jumped off the rickshaw, looking at the three drivers with some lingering fear: "Your rickshaw... is really fast."

"Of course, we’re a professional team—"

"Fly!"

"Feet!"

"Team!"

Then the driver said, "According to your friend’s request, we’ve brought you here. You know what to do now. Safe travels, sir."

After the rickshaw left, Yin Minghong glanced around, silently cursing.

He skillfully weaved through the alley, quickly reaching a rarely-traveled alley with high walls.

Right!

It was the same alley they met in last time!

There was even a red brick in the middle of the alley!

Yin Minghong walked over, picked up the red brick, and asked, "Yin?"

The wall beside him immediately responded with a familiar soft male voice: "Eh? Yin Minghong, you’re already here? It seems like the Flying Feet is really fast..."

Yin Minghong smirked: "Given that we still have to meet here in the end, why did you have me go to Dashi Street to buy a bottle of coconut milk?"

"Have you ever had Five-Flower Tea with honey?" Yin suddenly asked an odd question.

Yin Minghong was taken aback: "I have."

"Which do you prefer, coconut milk or Five-Flower Tea with honey?"

Yin Minghong thought for a bit: "Coconut milk, I guess."

"Sigh, you all have poor taste," Yin sighed. "Then, chat’s over. It’s been ten days, and by now, White Night’s headquarters should have made a decision on my cooperation proposal, right? Part ways or start anew?"

This phrasing is strange... Yin Minghong was silent for a moment before saying, "No, White Night’s headquarters hasn’t decided on your proposal."

Yin seemed surprised: "Then... more time? Ten days not enough? How about thirty days?"

"No need," Yin Minghong leaned against the wall, saying, "Headquarters gave the decision-making authority to Xuanzhu Branch, and the branch gave it to me. I can now directly decide if we cooperate."

"It sounds like shifting the blame, passing it layer by layer down to you, a small pawn, to take full responsibility..."

Yin Minghong said solemnly: "If I make a wrong decision, White Night Xuanzhu is willing to join me in death."

The alley suddenly fell silent.

After a while, Yin spoke: "I’ve said what I needed to say. I’ve done what I shouldn’t have. Now, please give your answer, White Night Walker."

"Whether allies or parting ways, I only need a result."

But Yin Minghong said, "Before that, I want to ask you a question, Yin."

"Please do."

Yin Minghong looked at the wall, his gaze seeming to pierce through the high wall to see the figure on the other side—

"Yin, are you really Yin?"