Volume Three: The Storm at Xuanwu Gate Chapter Seventy-Eight: Being Followed

The Prince of Qin’s residence lay to the east of Chang’an, right beside the imperial city. In contrast, the busiest gambling dens were clustered in Pingkang Ward, near the Western Market. To reach Pingkang Ward, one had to cross more than half of Chang’an. Fortunately, both men were light on their feet and skilled in martial arts, and with Li Mingyu’s mind consumed by dreams of robbing the gambling houses and striking it rich, the long walk of more than half an hour seemed hardly a hardship.

The Western Market of Chang’an, in comparison to the Eastern Market—which was closer to the imperial palace and frequented by high officials, nobility, and wealthy clans—felt more thoroughly commercialized. Spanning over ten miles, the Western Market bustled with ceaseless traffic. Carts and carriages jostled, streams of people flowed in all directions, and the air rang with the deafening chorus of shouts and laughter.

Shops of every kind stood shoulder to shoulder, their tall banners fluttering side by side, densely packed and crowded together. Inns, clothiers, pharmacies, general stores, restaurants, carriage depots, butcheries, teahouses, fabric merchants, smithies—everything from needles and thread to cattle and horses, all the necessities of life were sold here. Even in the depth of winter, the Western Market banished all traces of cold; the throng of people pressed so close together that one could hardly move without brushing shoulders, the place seethed with energy and warmth.

Vendors hawked their wares in dialects from every corner of the land, the cacophony blending with the hubbub of the crowd. Weaving through the masses were porters and servants, merchant caravans, dancers, actors, street performers, and entertainers of all sorts, their numbers seemingly endless.

Li Mingyu took in the flourishing scene before him and was struck by how much it resembled the commercial heart of a modern international metropolis. Or perhaps it should be said that, over a thousand four hundred years ago, this very place was, indeed, the largest and most prosperous commercial center in the world.

A foreign dancing girl, golden-haired and blue-eyed, strode past with her chest and arms bare to the chill, unbothered by the cold. The gold bells on her wrist jingled melodiously as she swayed her serpentine waist. With a coquettish laugh, she brushed past the two young men, tossing them a flirtatious glance and leaving behind a fragrant breeze as she glided away.

Mingyu, hailing from a future era accustomed to even greater openness, remained unfazed, his expression calm, having long since ceased to be surprised by such sights. Hou Jie, still in his early teens and just entering the restless years of youth, was less composed. Ancient customs fostered early maturity, and though he was only vaguely familiar with matters between men and women, the dancing girl’s suggestive glance left him blushing furiously and staring blankly, his soul nearly leaving his body.

Suddenly, Mingyu’s brow furrowed as if he had noticed something amiss. He tugged at the dazed Hou Jie beside him and whispered, “Xiao Jie, don’t turn around—we’ve got someone tailing us.”

Hou Jie awoke from his trance. He was about to ask what Mingyu meant by “tail,” but caught himself, realizing his leader’s meaning. He paused and asked in a low voice, “Are we being followed? In broad daylight, who would dare such a thing?”

Mingyu shook his head. “I just noticed. If that foreign dancing girl hadn’t glanced our way and paused, we’d still be in the dark.”

Feigning nonchalance, Mingyu pulled Hou Jie along through the market, meandering from shop to shop. With a few subtle glances to the side, he soon spotted two men trailing behind them—furtive, heads half-hidden, their behavior unmistakably suspicious. When Mingyu cast a sidelong glance their way, they immediately ducked and pretended to examine the wares at a nearby stall, but their eyes never left the two young men.

Mingyu gave a cold chuckle. So, someone’s really following us, he thought. But these two are amateurs—had I not been preoccupied with making money today, I would have noticed them much sooner. With their clumsy efforts, how could they hope to escape my notice for so long?

He quietly instructed Hou Jie, “Don’t look back—use your peripheral vision. Do you see them? That sleazy fellow by the general store, and the skinny one behind him, thin as a bamboo pole?”

Hou Jie stole a quick glance. “Boss, any idea who they are?”

“It’s always the same few. Either Du Gujie or Hou Mochenhui’s people. Old Gao tipped me off just the other day—I didn’t expect these dogs would sniff me out so soon after I left the Prince of Qin’s mansion.” Li Mingyu sneered. He was almost certain of the identity of their pursuers.

In Mingyu’s estimation, their two stalkers were spies sent by Du Gujie. For Du Gujie, who had become a laughingstock in Chang’an, the enmity between them was now as deep as the sea.

Though the Gao family’s current stance was ambiguous, Gao Shenxing was not one to speak idly. Since it was impossible to move against Li Mingyu through official channels, and the family’s deathsworn could not be used lightly, Du Gujie had turned to the criminal underworld. He’d enlisted numerous gangs around Chang’an and spent lavishly to win over several skilled swordsmen, attacking Mingyu from both fronts with the clear intent to see him dead.

The Du Gu family’s roots ran deep, its influence stretched across all of Guanzhong. When they stamped their feet, every gang in Chang’an trembled. Most depended on the favor of these great clans and had to pay generous tribute each year just to survive.

The last gang leader who dared defy the aristocrats relied on his iron-hard martial arts, four fierce foster sons, and a hundred ruthless thugs. Refusing to hand over most of his profits, he arrogantly boasted he would change the rules. The result? In less than three days, he was strung up at the West Gate, his body so mangled it was unrecognizable, his screams lingering for three days and nights before death claimed him.

Rumor had it the first blow was struck by his own foster son, who, during a banquet, drugged the entire household, then raped and killed his foster sister, before binding the gang leader and delivering him to the aristocrats that very night to curry favor.

As for that foster son, he soon became the head of the largest gang in Chang’an, monopolized the city’s most lucrative wards, opened the biggest gambling house, and lived in luxury and comfort. From then on, the gangs of Chang’an bowed unconditionally to the great families, becoming their lapdogs and tools for amassing wealth.

Now, with the young master of the Du Gu family giving orders, none dared disobey. They’d had people staking out the Prince of Qin’s mansion since dawn, just waiting for Li Mingyu to step outside.

Hou Jie asked, “Boss, what should we do? Are we just going to let them keep following us?”

Mingyu was already calm and confident. “Now that we’ve noticed them, do you think those two can keep up with me? Let’s shake them off—I’ve got bigger things to do today and no time for their nonsense.”

With that, he pulled Hou Jie along, weaving quickly through the market’s throng, intent on losing their tails.

Now that he was alert, Mingyu noticed there were far more pursuers than just the two behind them. Perhaps he’d been too distracted by the market’s splendor earlier, giving the others time to call for reinforcements.

Ahead, a man in tight-fitting clothes, a long sword at his waist, stood blocking their path with a cold, unyielding stare.

To the southwest, four or five burly thugs with weapons bulging at their belts grinned at them menacingly.

To the north, a short, stout man in blue robes kept his hands tucked into his sleeves, his beady eyes never leaving them.

A few more ruffians, hats askew and eyes glinting, openly quickened their pace.

The further they walked, the more pursuers appeared, and Mingyu’s patience began to wear thin. Blast it, he thought, I was willing to let this go for the sake of my plans, but you think I’m afraid of you? Clearly, unless I deal with you first, you’ll only be a bigger nuisance.

Hou Jie, too, sensed something was wrong. The number of hostile figures around them was growing, and, being young and hot-tempered, he blurted out, “Boss, these guys are multiplying by the minute. Why don’t we just confront them and settle this quickly?”

Mingyu had already made up his mind. “Not yet. It’s too crowded here in the market to make a move. Is there a quiet spot nearby? I’ll deal with these tails—since they dared follow me, they should be prepared for the consequences. I’ll collect a little interest first, and settle the full score after my business is done.”

Understanding his intent, Hou Jie led Li Mingyu briskly toward the outskirts of the Western Market, the “tails” trailing behind.

Meanwhile, those following them realized the pair was about to leave the market. The man in tight clothes called to his companions, “They’re trying to slip away—not so fast! If we let them escape today, we’ll be in real trouble.” With that, he strode after them openly, boots thudding on the ground.

The short, stout man in blue also understood the urgency and dashed after them, surprisingly quick for his build. The rest, seeing their leaders in pursuit, surged forward as one.

As they walked, Mingyu kept an eye on their pursuers, noting that they were all following close. He sneered inwardly. Fools, he thought, you’re about to taste my methods.