How Deep the Crimson Leaves Run: Chapter 25, The Search

Gu Yu held a windproof lantern in his hand, its dim, yellowish light flickering against the base of the wall. Seeming to notice something, he crouched down and rubbed a finger against an inconspicuous spot on the wall. He pinched his fingers together, the ashes crumbling into a cluster, and brought them to his nose to sniff—the scent of saltpeter. He lifted his head, his gaze tracing the wall upward, staring blankly at the parapet. Zhou Wei walked up behind him and asked, "Did you find something?"

Gu Yu opened his palm, revealing the gray residue on his fingertips. Zhou Wei remarked, "Could it be that this was the point of ignition?"

"You interrogated the guards on duty tonight," Gu Yu said. "There was no one in the courtyard when the fire started. So, who ignited it? And how did they manage to set the house ablaze without being on the scene?"

Zhou Wei looked up at the wall. "Could Tang Haiqiu have knocked the two guards unconscious, leaped over the wall to set the fire, and then climbed back out? But how did he get out? Even with his superior agility, clearing this wall is no easy feat. Wouldn't the guards have heard the commotion?"

Gu Yu remained silent. He already had a rough theory in mind, but lacked concrete evidence. Zhou Wei looked at him—dusty, disheveled, yet still lost in deep thought—and a flicker of approval crossed his eyes. "Xiao Gu, you’ve been working for a full day and night. The scene is under control now. Go back to the yamen with Physician Sun, get treated, and have a good sleep."

Wu Haichao chimed in from the side, "Yes, yes. You look exhausted, Gu Yu. I’ll escort you back."

Zhou Wei looked at him with a half-smile, fully aware of the man's petty schemes. "You stay right here where you are. You’re not going anywhere."

Gu Yu shook his head. "Tang Haiqiu hasn't been brought to justice yet. I won't be able to sleep peacefully even if I go back. Let me do something."

Zhou Wei laughed. "Medicine is not as good as food, and food is not as good as sleep. If you don't rest properly, how will your body recover? Besides, Tang Haiqiu is a master of martial arts; catching him won't be simple. Get some rest—I’ll be counting on you young men tomorrow."

Gu Yu understood the subtext of Zhou Wei's words and his expression shifted. "Does Senior Brother mean...?"

Zhou Wei’s expression turned somber as he looked out toward the city.

Fang Wei was leading his men in a rapid sprint through the streets, accompanied by troops from the Five City Constabulary. Running alongside Fang Wei was Liu Yongji, the commander of the West City Constabulary, who had been briefed by the Shuntian Prefecture earlier that day. When the fire broke out, Zhou Wei had sent word to the Constabulary, and Liu Yongji, having already stationed men around the manor, joined the pursuit immediately.

Tang Haiqiu’s figure darted and leaped across the rooftops. Suddenly, like a giant bird, he vaulted onto a towering courtyard wall, performed a backflip, and vanished into a narrow alleyway. Fang Wei signaled his constables to enter the alley to catch the thief, while reminding Liu Yongji, "Be sure to block all exits to the alley!"

"Understood!" Liu Yongji replied, ordering his men to disperse and secure every entrance.

Fang Wei charged ahead with his lantern. Seeing a shadow flicker, he rushed into a diagonal alley. He shivered with excitement; tonight, for the sake of the capture, he had swapped his usual iron ruler for a broadsword, significantly increasing his lethality. He clicked the spring of the scabbard, and with a soft *clack*, the steel blade slid free. As he turned a corner, his vision blurred, and a fierce gust of wind whistled past his ear.

Fang Wei reacted with extraordinary speed. Using the "heavy weight" technique, he anchored his feet to the ground and dropped several inches, the enemy's short blade grazing his scalp. Fang Wei lunged into the attacker's midsection, his sword dancing as he aimed for vital points. Tang Haiqiu vaulted backward, performing a somersault to dissipate the momentum, and without a moment's hesitation, turned and fled. "Enemy contact! Enemy contact!" Fang Wei shouted, giving chase.

Tang Haiqiu’s movement was cunning and erratic, his maneuvers dizzying. The pursuing constables felt the pressure mounting; after being led in circles through the alleys, their stamina began to wane. Five years ago, Fang Wei had clashed with Tang Haiqiu and knew well his skill, strength, and cunning. He did not dare lower his guard for a second, gritting his teeth as he stayed on his heels. Tang Haiqiu circled the alleys so many times that even he lost his sense of direction.

The alleys of the capital were as numerous as the hairs on an ox. Even locals got lost, let alone a stranger like Tang Haiqiu. Through a moment of carelessness, he stumbled into an ambush set by the Constabulary. The four guards at the alley entrance, after a brief moment of shock, drew their weapons and braced themselves. Seeing the trap ahead and the pursuers behind, a look of panic finally crossed Tang Haiqiu's face. The guards, emboldened by this, let out a shout and rushed forward. Tang Haiqiu blocked frantically, though perhaps due to his agitation, his movements were sluggish and tight. After a few exchanges, he was in grave danger, eventually being kicked to the ground by a guard.

Tang Haiqiu let out a pained cry and lay still. "Thought he was something special," the guard said smugly. "Turns out he’s nothing. Looks like the Six Doors needs to step up their training!" The other three laughed and agreed, walking toward Tang Haiqiu.

Just then, Fang Wei rounded the corner and froze. Seeing Fang Wei, the guard smiled even wider. "Constable Fang, we’ve taken him for you." As he reached for Tang Haiqiu’s collar, a chilling premonition gripped Fang Wei’s heart. He screamed with all his might, "Danger! Run!"

It was too late. Tang Haiqiu, still on the ground, suddenly thrust a blade into the guard's abdomen, then shot up like an arrow from a bow, stabbing the second guard repeatedly. The guard’s eyes went wide with disbelief. The other two guards behind them, their view blocked, didn't realize what had happened until a sharp pain flared in their throats. They touched their necks instinctively, their hands coming away slick and warm—it was blood!

Only then did the first two guards let out agonizing screams. All four bodies collapsed, some face down, others back. This ruse had cost four lives.

Fang Wei’s eyes turned bloodshot. "Damn it!"

Tang Haiqiu offered a contemptuous smile. "Five years ago you couldn't take me, and you think you can today? How laughable!" Realizing he had been recognized, he mocked Fang Wei before sprinting out of the alley. Fang Wei stepped over the four corpses and gave chase, reaching the end of the street where the ward gate stood. The gate was shut tight, its walls high. Two Constabulary guards stood watch, and hearing footsteps, they saw a man covered in blood running toward them.

Fang Wei, anticipating the man's intent, shouted, "Stop him! Don't let him leave the ward!" During the Ming Dynasty, the city was organized into wards, enclosing residential areas. During the day, the gates were open, but at night they were locked to prevent passage. If Tang Haiqiu escaped into the city of millions, finding him among the countless wards would be a nightmare for the constables.

The two guards drew their swords and raised them to meet Tang Haiqiu. But Tang Haiqiu feinted, bypassed their strike, and leaped onto the wall, vaulting over the gate. He looked back at Fang Wei with a triumphant grin. Fang Wei was still some distance away, and lacking the agility to scale the gate as easily, he could only stop in his tracks, watching his prey escape in despair.