171: On the way to meet Chen Jinnan at the Heaven and Earth Society, he once again displayed his true kung fu skills.

As soon as Wei Xiaobao shouted, "The people from the Heaven and Earth Society are here!" the atmosphere in the courtyard changed instantly. The servants who had just finished tidying up were so scared they stopped in their tracks. Shuanger dropped the broom in her hand, hurried to Xie Hui's side, and gripped the corner of his clothes so hard her fingertips turned white: "Brother Hui, the people from the Heaven and Earth Society... will they make things difficult for you? I heard Master Wei say that Chief Leader Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society is very strict."

Xie Hui patted the back of Shuanger's hand; it felt warm and soft, and he could feel her tension. "What's there to panic about?" he said steadily. "We saved the Zhuang Family and helped the Heaven and Earth Society clear out Oboi's remnants. They'll be too busy thanking us to make things difficult."

Just as he finished speaking, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard gate. Five men walked in, each wearing navy blue short-sleeved martial arts attire with weapons tucked into their waists. Leading them was a burly man with a face full of scars; a single scar ran diagonally from his left eyebrow to his chin, making him look like someone not to be trifled with. This was Xu Tianchuan of the Heaven and Earth Society's Green Wood Hall. Xie Hui remembered that this old fellow had decent skills but a hasty temper.

As soon as Xu Tianchuan entered, he scanned the courtyard, finally settling his gaze on Xie Hui and Wei Xiaobao. His brow furrowed so deeply it could have crushed a fly. "Incense Master Wei, the Chief Leader wants you to go to the Yuelai Inn to meet him immediately. And who is this?" His eyes lingered on Xie Hui's modern casual clothes with obvious suspicion; after all, such clothes were far too conspicuous in the Qing Dynasty.

Wei Xiaobao quickly stepped forward with a beaming smile: "Brother Xu, this is my Brother Hui. Yesterday, it was he who helped me drive away Oboi's remnants and saved Shuanger and the Zhuang Family! Brother Hui is a Master; his skills are even greater than my Master's!"

Xu Tianchuan clearly didn't believe it and curled his lip: "A Master? He looks more like a Jianghu swindler to me, dressed in such a strange fashion. Incense Master Wei, the Chief Leader is waiting. Don't delay things; come with us quickly!"

"How can you talk like that!" Wei Xiaobao immediately grew anxious. Just as he was about to argue with Xu Tianchuan, Xie Hui pulled him back.

Xie Hui took a step forward and looked at Xu Tianchuan calmly: "Brother Xu, is it? I know your Chief Leader has business with Wei Xiaobao, but I'm afraid the road won't be peaceful. Those Oboi's remnants from earlier fled, and they might call people to block us. If I go with you, I can help protect him, lest you fail to protect Incense Master Wei and find yourselves unable to give an account to Chief Leader Chen."

These words were a bit sharp, and Xu Tianchuan's face darkened. Just as he was about to lose his temper, a Thin Tall Man beside him pulled him back and whispered, "Hall Master Xu, there were over a dozen of Oboi's remnants yesterday. Since Incense Master Wei made it back alive, perhaps this man really has some skill. It's safer to bring him along."

Xu Tianchuan thought about it and felt it made sense. After all, the capital had been unstable lately. If anything went wrong with Wei Xiaobao, the Chief Leader would certainly not let them off easily. He snorted, "Fine. If you want to follow, then follow, but don't drag us down when the time comes!"

Xie Hui didn't argue with him and turned to Shuanger: "I'm going with Wei Xiaobao to see Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society. You stay home and watch over the Zhuang Family. Don't let the servants go out and cause trouble. Wait for our return."

Shuanger nodded and stuffed a cloth bundle into Xie Hui's hand: "Brother Hui, these are some cakes I just baked; eat them if you get hungry on the road. And this," she slid a silver bracelet off her wrist and pressed it into Xie Hui's palm, "my mother left this to me. They say it can ward off evil. Take it with you."

Feeling the warmth of the cloth bundle and the silver bracelet, Xie Hui felt a surge of heat in his heart. He smiled and put the bracelet on his wrist: "Alright, I'll take it. I promise to bring it back to you in one piece."

Watching from the side, Wei Xiaobao felt envious: "Shuanger, I'm also going to see Master. Why didn't you prepare anything for me?"

Shuanger gave him a sidelong glance: "It's not like you're missing hands or feet. If you're hungry, can't you buy something yourself?"

Wei Xiaobao felt snubbed and rubbed his nose, following Xie Hui, Xu Tianchuan, and the others out.

Just as they left the Zhuang Family Alley, they heard a commotion ahead. They saw over a dozen officials surrounding a carriage, their water-fire staffs pounding against the carriage frame with loud thuds. The lead official, a man with a fleshy face, was shouting at the carriage: "Everyone inside, get out now! By order of Lord Suo, we are searching for suspicious persons. If you dare to resist, you'll be arrested as Oboi's remnants!"

Xu Tianchuan's expression changed, and he pulled Xie Hui and Wei Xiaobao toward a side alley: "It's Songgotu's men! Lately, Songgotu has been arresting Heaven and Earth Society members everywhere. Let's not run into them!"

Wei Xiaobao was about to hide, but Xie Hui stood still, his eyes fixed on the carriage. He remembered from the plot that this carriage held members of the Divine Dragon Cult carrying tributes for the Kangxi Emperor. If Songgotu intercepted them, the Divine Dragon Cult would surely cause trouble for the Heaven and Earth Society later, giving Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society another headache.

"Why hide?" Xie Hui pulled Xu Tianchuan back. "Songgotu's men are just a bunch of bullies who fear the strong and prey on the weak. If we drive them away, we can do the Divine Dragon Cult a favor, which will make things easier for us in the future."

Xu Tianchuan's eyes widened: "Are you crazy? There are over a dozen officials, and they have blades!"

"A dozen officials are nothing," Xie Hui said as he walked out. Wei Xiaobao quickly followed; he knew Xie Hui was powerful and that following him was the right choice.

Xu Tianchuan had no choice but to lead his men after them, thinking that if they couldn't win, they would just run.

The lead official was still pounding on the carriage when he heard footsteps and turned around. Seeing Xie Hui and the others, he immediately glared: "Who are you? You dare block my way? Get lost now, or I'll arrest you too!"

Xie Hui didn't waste words and took two steps forward. Thinking he was going to resist, the official raised his water-fire staff and swung it at Xie Hui's head: "You're asking for death!"

The onlookers were so scared they closed their eyes, and Xu Tianchuan was already prepared to rush in for a rescue. But in the next second, a crisp "crack" was heard, followed by the official's miserable scream.

Everyone opened their eyes to see Xie Hui holding the water-fire staff, which had been bent into a right angle. The official was crouching on the ground in pain, clutching his wrist and groaning—Xie Hui had not only bent the staff but also crushed his wrist bone.

"You... you dare to assault an official!" The surrounding officials panicked, drawing their waist sabers and surrounding Xie Hui.

Xie Hui threw the bent water-fire staff to the ground and flexed his wrist: "Assault an official? You use Songgotu's name to rob people and bully Civilians everywhere, and you have the nerve to say I'm assaulting an official? Today, I shall act on behalf of Heaven and teach you scumbags a lesson!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an official rushed forward with a blade. Xie Hui stepped aside to dodge and delivered a slap to his face. The official let out a howl, spat out two bloody teeth, and fell to the ground unconscious.

Seeing this, the other officials didn't dare to charge. They stood where they were, looking at each other, but not one dared to step forward.

Xie Hui took a step forward, and the officials scrambled back in fear. The lead official shouted tremulously, "You... you wait! I'm going to call for backup!" With that, he tried to run.

"Trying to run?" Xie Hui sneered, kicking a stone off the ground. The stone flew out with a "whoosh" and struck the lead official square in the knee. The official fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming down from the pain.

"Get out," Xie Hui's voice turned cold. "Tell Songgotu to mind his own business from now on. If I see you bullying people again, it won't be as simple as broken hands and feet!"

As if receiving a great pardon, the officials scrambled to help their leader up and fled in a flash.

Only after the officials had disappeared did the curtain of the carriage lift. A man in a yellow robe poked his head out and cupped his fists toward Xie Hui: "Many thanks to this brother for your help. I am Feng Jizhong of the Divine Dragon Cult. May I ask your great name?"

Xie Hui's heart stirred—Feng Jizhong, this fellow was a mole planted by the Divine Dragon Cult within the Heaven and Earth Society, though he hadn't been exposed yet. He smiled: "It was nothing. My name is Xie Hui, a friend of Wei Xiaobao."

Feng Jizhong glanced at Xu Tianchuan beside him, a flash of realization in his eyes. He cupped his fists again: "So it is Brother Xie. The Divine Dragon Cult will remember today's kindness. If Brother Xie ever has a need, do not hesitate to find the people of the Divine Dragon Cult." With that, he lowered the curtain, and the carriage slowly departed.

Xu Tianchuan walked to Xie Hui's side, his suspicion long gone and replaced by admiration: "Brother Xie, your skills are incredible! That move just now was no worse than the Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society's!"

Wei Xiaobao puffed out his chest proudly: "I told you my Brother Hui was a Master! You guys didn't believe me!"

Xie Hui smiled: "Stop the nonsense. Let's get to the Yuelai Inn quickly; don't keep Chief Leader Chen waiting."

The group quickened their pace and soon arrived at the Yuelai Inn. Xu Tianchuan led Xie Hui and Wei Xiaobao to the second floor and pushed open the door to a guest room. Inside sat a middle-aged man in a cyan long robe with a resolute face and sharp eyes. It was the Heaven and Earth Society Chief Leader, Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society.

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society frowned upon seeing Wei Xiaobao: "Xiaobao, where were you yesterday? Oboi's remnants were looking for trouble with you. Don't you know the Heaven and Earth Society searched for you all night?"

Wei Xiaobao hurried forward with a look of grievance: "Master, I was cornered by Oboi's remnants at the Zhuang Family yesterday. Thanks to my Brother Hui, he saved me, as well as Shuanger and everyone in the Zhuang Family! If not for Brother Hui, I would have been a ghost under their blades long ago!"

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society's gaze fell upon Xie Hui, his eyes full of scrutiny: "This is the person who saved you?"

Xie Hui took a step forward and cupped his fists respectfully: "I am Xie Hui. Greetings, Chief Leader Chen."

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society sized Xie Hui up, his gaze lingering on his clothes and the silver bracelet on his wrist: "Brother Xie does not look like a person of the Jianghu. I wonder where you studied? And why did you help Xiaobao?"

Xie Hui had already prepared his explanation: "I belong to no sect; I am just a wandering rogue. I happened to meet Incense Master Wei and saw him being bullied by villains, so I lent a hand. Besides, Oboi is a treacherous official of the court, and I also wish to contribute to the Civilians of the world. The Heaven and Earth Society's goal to Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming is a righteous cause, so naturally, I am willing to help."

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society's eyes flickered slightly as he asked, "Do you know that among those who tried to intercept Xiaobao yesterday, besides Oboi's remnants, there were also Feng Xifan's men?"

Xie Hui smiled inwardly; as expected, Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society was testing him. He said casually, "Feng Xifan? The one who sided with Zheng Jing? I heard he's been active in the capital lately, looking for a chance to swallow up the Heaven and Earth Society's influence. Moreover, he's in league with Songgotu, planning to intercept the Heaven and Earth Society's shipment of munitions in three days."

As soon as these words were spoken, both Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society and Xu Tianchuan were stunned. The shipment of munitions was a secret of the Heaven and Earth Society known only to core members. How did Xie Hui know? Furthermore, he knew of the collusion between Feng Xifan and Songgotu, and even the exact timing!

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society stood up abruptly and walked over to Xie Hui, his eyes filled with shock: "How do you know all this?"

Xie Hui smiled: "When I was at the Zhuang Family yesterday, I overheard those Oboi's remnants chatting. I also heard them say that Feng Xifan has brought over fifty men this time, all of them experts, waiting to intercept the brothers transporting the munitions at the Tongzhou Ferry."

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society's expression turned solemn. He knew how formidable Feng Xifan was; if there truly were over fifty experts, the brothers transporting the munitions would surely be in grave danger. He looked at Xie Hui, his scrutiny turning into respect: "Brother Xie, if what you say is true, then you are a great benefactor of the Heaven and Earth Society! I wonder if you have a way to deal with this?"

Xie Hui already had a plan: "I do have a way. Although Feng Xifan has many men, they are all greedy for money. We can set an ambush. First, send people to change the munitions' transport route, then plant explosives at the Tongzhou Ferry. When Feng Xifan's men arrive, detonate the explosives, and then we'll charge in and catch them off guard."

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society's eyes lit up: "A brilliant idea! We have the explosives, but we don't know how to plant them to hit them precisely..."

"That's simple," Xie Hui took over. "I've studied tactical formations before. I can teach the brothers how to plant the explosives to ensure we hit Feng Xifan's men dead on."

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society looked at Xie Hui, finding him more and more extraordinary. Not only was his martial arts high, but he also understood strategy; he was practically sent by heaven to help the Heaven and Earth Society. He cupped his fists: "Brother Xie, if we can successfully transport the munitions this time, I, Chen, will surely reward you greatly! In the future, if you have any need, the entire Heaven and Earth Society will be at your beck and call!"

Xie Hui smiled: "Chief Leader Chen is too polite; I just want to help do something practical. By the way, Incense Master Wei has three copies of the forty-two chapter sutra. I think it's unsafe for him to carry them right now. It would be better to hand them over to the Chief Leader for safekeeping until the rest are found and we can study the secrets within together."

Hearing this, Wei Xiaobao quickly nodded: "That's right, Master! These past few days, I've felt like someone was watching me. It's safer with you!"

Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society also agreed. The forty-two chapter sutra was of great importance, and it was indeed dangerous for Wei Xiaobao to carry them. He nodded: "Very well, bring the sutras tomorrow, and I will have someone guard them well."

The group chatted for a while longer, finalizing the details of the munitions transport. Xie Hui volunteered to go to the Tongzhou Ferry tomorrow to set up the ambush. Chief Leader Chen was immensely grateful and kept them at the Inn for lunch.

After lunch, Xie Hui and Wei Xiaobao prepared to return to the Zhuang Family. Total Leader of Heaven and Earth Society personally saw them downstairs and even had Xu Tianchuan bring twenty Heaven and Earth Society brothers along to ensure their safety.

On the road, Wei Xiaobao leaned in toward Xie Hui and whispered, "Brother Hui, you're too amazing! Even my Master looks at you with new eyes! Earlier, when you said Feng Xifan was going to intercept the munitions, did you really overhear it, or did you know all along?"

Xie Hui patted his head: "Don't worry about how I knew. Just know that if you follow me, I'll guarantee you're fine and help your Master achieve great things. In the future, you'll be a great hero of the Heaven and Earth Society!"

Wei Xiaobao chuckled: "That's for sure! There's no going wrong following Brother Hui!"

As they talked, they turned into the Zhuang Family Alley and saw Shuanger standing at the door, clutching a cloth bundle and constantly peering toward the intersection. Seeing them return, her eyes instantly lit up, and she ran over: "Brother Hui, Master Wei, you're back! Are you alright?"

Xie Hui smiled and shook the silver bracelet on his wrist: "See? Am I not perfectly fine? I even brought your bracelet back."

Shuanger looked at the bracelet with a smile and reached out to take the bundle from Xie Hui's hand: "Brother Hui, you must be tired. I've stewed some chicken soup for you; hurry back and have some."

Xie Hui let her take the bundle, thinking to himself that once he dealt with Feng Xifan tomorrow, he could move on to the next part of the plot—next, he had to find a way into the imperial palace to meet that unruly Princess Jianning.