In Yangtian City, nights had always begun with drunkenness and ended with sobering wakefulness.

What was drunk was the glow of lanterns in the taverns; what woke was the glint of blades in the dark alleyways.

That night, a flash of a blade descended upon a man named Yu Wei. It was only at the moment of his death that he finally realized—no matter how carefully he calculated, he could never outwit the flying-fish robe after all.

Yu Wei had been under a great deal of stress lately.

No, it was more than stress—it was panic.

He had once been a criminal who had gone straight. Five years ago, he had washed his hands of the underworld, traded his straw sandals for silk robes, and begun trading fabrics in Yangtian City, determined to live a peaceful life. But fate had other plans—his business had been a complete disaster these past few years, leaving him with nothing but debts. The previous year, gritting his teeth, he had borrowed money from Ke Pangzi, the wealthiest man in town, hoping to turn things around. In the end, however, he had lost not only the principal but also all the interest he had paid. These days, Ke Pangzi sent people to his door every other day, making Yu Wei too afraid to even step outside casually.

"If this goes on much longer, I might as well just slit that fatso's throat." Late at night, Yu Wei walked alone through the city's alleyways, his boots crunching softly on the scattered moonlight. His right hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the hilt of the flexible sword at his waist.

The hilt was still wrapped with the same old cloth from five years ago.

He was no longer the Flying Fish of Yandang of yesteryear.

But as soon as one drew a blade, the eyes of the Jinyiwei would fixate on you from the shadows—making all five years of patience and restraint utterly wasted.

Be patient. Don't make a move.

Before the thought had even finished crossing his mind, the alleyway suddenly went dark.

Yu Wei looked up and saw a tall shadow standing at the mouth of the alley, blocking his path directly ahead.

"Who's there?" His right hand was already on the hilt of his sword.

"It's me." The man approached slowly, his voice hoarse yet familiar. Moonlight fell upon his face—a scar ran from his left temple, slashing diagonally down to his jawline.

Yu Wei took two steps backward, his throat tightening. "S-senior brother?"

Yu Tou.

His senior brother, whom he had not seen in five years.

"It's been a long time, junior brother."

Yu Tou stepped closer, but Yu Wei first glanced left and right to make sure there was no one else in the alley before punching him hard on the shoulder.

"Didn't we agree five years ago that once that job was done, we'd never see each other again? What are you doing here?"

"Ah Wei, I've gotten myself into trouble and need your help," Yu Tou whispered lowly. "If you don't help me, I'm dead—and you won't get away either." Yu Wei was utterly at a loss. He hadn't even finished cleaning up his own mess yet, and now he had to start mopping up after his senior brother as well.

"What on earth is going on?"

"I've been placed under surveillance by the Jinyiwei."

Yu Wei was startled again and instinctively looked around.

The Jinyiwei—the dynasty's sharpest blade, in charge of criminal investigation, arrests, and interrogation. What he feared most was that flying-fish robe, for it served as a constant reminder of his past—of the murders and robberies he had committed in his youth.

"Then what?"

"Then," Yu Tou grinned, "I killed him."

"You killed a Jinyiwei officer?!"

"Five years ago, we stole the prime minister's birthday treasure, divided up the loot, and agreed never to see each other again—no matter what. But that ill-gotten silver was like hot coals in my hands; I couldn't sleep a wink night after night." A flicker of ruthless intent flashed in Yu Tou's eyes. "After thinking it over and over, since death was inevitable anyway, why not just turn around and fight back? The waters were already muddy—so I decided to join the Jinyiwei myself."

Yu Wei gasped in astonishment. The most dangerous place was actually the safest? His senior brother had actually dared to pull off a move like that.

"I blew my cover, made some connections, and managed to slip into the Jinyiwei, where I ended up serving as a runner under Chief Banner Officer Ling. Four years later, Chief Ling was promoted and assigned to Yangtian City—so I followed him there and somehow ended up becoming a minor banner officer myself."

Yu Wei's thoughts suddenly shifted—his senior brother was actually on duty in the city? Wouldn't that mean he'd be able to look out for him from now on?

But the next words out of Yu Tou's mouth froze his thoughts instantly:

"The day before yesterday, while chasing a fugitive, I slipped up and used—Hui Feng Luo Yan."

Ten years ago, the Yu brothers had operated in the southeastern Yandang Mountain area, robbing official silver and seizing escort caravans. They were known in the jianghu as the "Flying Fish of Yandang."

Their signature move was the soft-sword technique called "Hui Feng Luo Yan"—"Returning Wind, Falling Goose." When the enemy advances, you defend; while defending, you secretly prepare to strike. With a single flick of the soft sword, you thrust straight into the opponent's heart. Those struck by this technique were left with a hook-shaped wound in the chest, resembling a wild goose returning to its nest.

This move was ruthless yet unmistakable. When they had retired in the golden-basin ceremony, the two had made a vow: "Never use it unless absolutely necessary, to avoid exposing our identities."

"That fugitive was a master swordsman—I was driven to desperation and had no choice but to fight back," Yu Tou said with a wry smile. "Chief Ling saw it all. When I was examining the body, he actually sneaked up behind me and launched a surprise attack—but luckily, I'd been on my guard all along. With a swift counterstroke, I executed the Hui Feng Luo Yan move and pierced his heart."

"You killed Chief Ling?!" Yu Wei's scalp went numb.

"I thought I'd killed him," Yu Tou said, his eyes deep and shadowy. "But I can't run. Before leaving the city, we'd registered at the guard post. Now that he's dead, I'll surely be the prime suspect. The Jinyiwei will hunt me down to the last man—though the world is vast, there'll be no place left for me to hide."

"Then why did you come back?"

"Pretend you don't know anything and go back to report," Yu Tou said. "I claimed that I'd gotten separated from Chief Ling while pursuing the fugitive and had slain the escaped convict all by myself. Since the chief banner officer was nowhere to be found, we returned to the city to await further orders. The deputy chief didn't say much. Since Chief Ling hadn't returned for two days, they already left the city this morning to search for his body. They'll find him soon enough."

Yu Wei frowned and said, "The corpse bears the mark of Hui Feng Luo Yan—once they investigate, they'll know it's the Flying Fish of Yandang."

"Right. That's exactly what I want them to investigate."

"Are you crazy?"

"There's only one Flying Fish of Yandang—everyone in the world knows that." Yu Tou spoke each word deliberately. "Whether Chief Ling is dead or missing, the Jinyiwei must close the case. As long as the case isn't closed, I'll remain a suspect—for better or worse. Rather than keep hiding, I'd rather lure out a patsy to take the blame for me."

He leaned in and lowered his voice: "So that mark—that was deliberately left by me."

Yu Wei suddenly understood, and immediately a chill ran down his spine—the task his senior brother was asking him to do was truly deadly. "These past two days, you've used Hui Feng Luo Yan again and killed another person."

"What?"

"Tomorrow, the deputy chief will bring Chief Ling's body back to the city, and I'll be detained for questioning first. During those two days of detention, you go ahead and kill another person in the city—using Hui Feng Luo Yan. Since I'll be under guard, it'll be obvious I couldn't have committed the murder. Besides, you attended the magistrate's banquet the day before yesterday, and merchants from all over the city can vouch for you—you couldn't have killed Chief Ling either. Both cases will point squarely at the Flying Fish of Yandang; both you and I can clear our names."

Yu Wei's face turned pale. "Then does that mean I've become the culprit?"

"The world thinks the Flying Fish of Yandang is just one person. Chief Ling's case has nothing to do with you, and you happen to be perfectly suited to settle your debt with Ke Pangzi all at once." Yu Tou suddenly laughed—a laugh that concealed a hidden blade. "Ah Wei, we're like grasshoppers tied together on the same rope. If I don't help you, you won't help me; if I fall into the hands of the Jinyiwei and face brutal torture, do you really think I'd spare you and not betray you?"

Yu Wei was suddenly startled.

He knew all too well. The two shared the same surname but belonged to different clans; back then, they'd joined forces purely for profit, never once talking about loyalty or brotherhood. His senior brother was actually threatening him.

There was no choice.

"Alright..." Yu Wei sighed heavily. "I've put up with it for five years, but it seems I'll have to step in this time after all."

That night, Yu Wei made his move.

Ke Pangzi died in his own backyard, with a hook-shaped wound in his chest—exactly the mark left by Hui Feng Luo Yan. The moment the sword pierced flesh, Yu Wei tasted a long-absent exhilaration. Though he hadn't wielded a sword for five years, his strike was still lightning-fast.

"Every day you press me to pay you back," he said, glancing at the corpse with a cold laugh. "You made your own bed—using you as a scapegoat was entirely your own fault." Recalling the humiliation of being hounded for debt, he even felt that killing him outright would be too easy for the fat man. He'd rather torture him thoroughly before sending him off—only then would he feel truly satisfied.

As soon as the murderous intent faded, he quickly regained his composure. The trouble was settled. With Ke Pangzi dead, the debt was wiped clean in one stroke. As for his senior brother, he was probably being held by the Jinyiwei tonight—there was no chance for him to have committed the crime. Naturally, the blame would fall squarely on the Flying Fish of Yandang's head.

As for who would end up taking the fall, his senior brother had said he'd handle it properly.

Yu Wei just hoped to get a good night's sleep.

"Once this storm dies down," he closed his eyes, "I'll be able to run my business in peace and live as an honest man."

With this beautiful dream in his heart, he fell into a deep sleep.

Bang—

The wooden door was kicked open and shattered.

Yu Wei woke with a start, and before he could even get dressed, a steel blade was already pressed against his neck.

"Don't move! If you move, I'll kill you!"

His neck ached sharply, his whole body tensed, and all drowsiness vanished. Standing in the room were four burly men, clad in flying-fish robes and armed with embroidered spring blades—the Jinyiwei.

After a brief moment of panic, Yu Wei actually calmed down.

He and his senior brother had anticipated this scene all along. As long as they could prove they couldn't have killed Chief Ling, they'd be cleared of suspicion.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Yu Wei put on a frightened expression.

"Flying Fish of Yandang?" A burly man with a dark complexion strolled up to the bed, looking down at him from above.

"What are you talking about?"

"Stop pretending. Last night, you used Hui Feng Luo Yan to kill the wealthy merchant Ke Pangzi—have you already forgotten?"

Yu Wei put on a look of fright and said, "Ke... Ke Pangzi? I've got no grudge against him at all!"

The dark-skinned man slapped him twice across the face and sneered, "You owe him money, and he sent people to your door to collect—driving you into a corner."

"With no way out, you harbored resentment and ended up committing murder—is that it?"

"I'm wrongfully accused, sir! I do owe money, but it's not like I—"

"Besides you, Ke Pangzi hasn't made any enemies with anyone else."

Yu Wei protested, "Sir, you insist on blaming me for the murder—I can't help it. But as for the Chief Ling you mentioned, I've never even heard of him!"

The dark-skinned man suddenly laughed: "Who said it was you who killed Chief Ling?"

Yu Wei was taken aback. "Then—"

"Both of them died from Hui Feng Luo Yan. Although you didn't have any motive to kill Chief Ling, Yu Tou did!"

Senior brother!

Yu Wei's heart sank—this was serious.

Why was he still being suspected?

The dark-faced man leaned forward, his voice lowered to a near-whisper: "You'd better confess voluntarily—your sentence might still be lighter that way. Otherwise... I simply don't believe Yu Tou could keep his mouth shut under torture."

Yu Wei's voice trembled as he asked, "W-what evidence do you have that Yu Tou is the murderer?"

"Evidence?" The dark-faced man laughed. "I'm the evidence."

Yu Wei froze in place.

"I'm Ling Wuling, Chief Banner Officer of the Jinyiwei," the man said slowly. "Yu Tou's sword did indeed strike my heart."

He paused for a moment, then flashed a chilling smile.

"Unfortunately, my heart is different from everyone else's—it's on the right side of my chest—so that fatal sword strike just happened to miss me."

Yu Wei felt as if the world was spinning around him, and his whole body went limp on the bed.

Five years.

He had endured for five years, all just hoping to live a peaceful life.

And yet, that single sword strike from his senior brother had destroyed it all.

In Yangtian City, the nights still began with intoxication and ended with sobering wakefulness.

This time, it was the flying fish who were drunk—yet it was the Jinyiwei, wearing those very flying-fish robes, who woke up.

（The End）