"This is what you’d call ’startling the snake by beating the grass’; I haven’t even let them see those two people in the cell yet."

Those two are tough nuts to crack. Although they’ve confessed a lot, they refuse to say a single word about the crucial matters. Only when they can’t withstand the pressure do they reveal some information.

General Meng knocked on the table and said, "Leave the investigation to Governor He; he’s the one who will identify the people. We’re only responsible for deploying the troops."

The deputy understood and left in response.

In the wealthier part of town, Jin Kui’an finally obtained news about Zhou Man and his group, "Nine days ago, they left the city. It’s said they were heading to the Western Regions, but the specific route couldn’t be found out. Brother Fu You followed them out of the city. He took a few rolls of fabric, claiming he’d try to mix in with their group."

Jin Kui’an, who had run back and forth twice, slammed the table in frustration, "Let’s go after them!"

He sneered, "Outside the pass is my territory. Even if we can’t catch up, Fu You has the opportunity to call our people. Their convoy moves slowly; we’ll definitely catch up with them."

Jin Kui’an calculated their nonstop travel for over a month. Zhou Man and his group only left the city nine days earlier than them, making it only ten days today, so they were sure to catch up.

Just as he settled his thoughts, a commotion erupted in the inn’s courtyard. Jin Kui’an looked up, and Nalge had already gone to the window to see what was happening.

He turned back and said, "The soldiers have come to inspect our horses."

Jin Kui’an stood up abruptly, fuming, "This is the grasslands, not the Central Plains; we even need a record to buy a horse? What are they trying to do?"

Nalge quickly restrained him, "We’re still in the city. Don’t act impulsively."

Shazhou is not like other cities; it’s a crucial border town. Aside from Yumen Pass, they have no other way out. If they kill someone in the city, they won’t be able to leave.

Nalge said, "You wait here; I’ll go down to deal with them."

But Nalge had a hard time dealing with the situation. It went on for nearly half an hour before he finally got rid of them by giving them two silver ingots.

The scowling yamen runners walked out of the inn and returned directly to the governor’s office, immediately wiping off their arrogant expressions and handing over the silver to Governor He.

Governor He asked, "How did it go?"

"They came in from outside the pass, claiming to be visiting relatives and trading goods. But we forcibly opened three bags, one of which contained flour in fine bags, and the other two were full of bran. They claimed it was feed for the horses, but I think the bags they said were filled with cloth had a lot of bran too."

"The leader is named Jin Kui’an, though he didn’t show up. The one who came down was named Nalge. His travel permit looked fine, but I casually mentioned Brother Fu You in front of them, saying he used to be generous when we drank together, unlike others who are becoming stingy. Nalge immediately gave me two silver ingots and hinted that they knew Fu You and were his friends."

"So, they are the ones?"

The yamen runner thought for a moment and said, "Even if they aren’t the ones, they are definitely not good people. There’s a smell of blood on them."

Governor He understood and dismissed the matter.

Jin Kui’an and Nalge, fearing delays would bring more trouble, left the city at dawn the next day after obtaining the travel documents at dusk.

The official road outside Shazhou City is wide. With mountains on both sides, as soon as they crossed the pass, they urged their horses into a gallop. The entire road was empty, and they let their horses run even faster...

Suddenly, a horse stepped into a hole, sending the rider flying off. Quick-witted ones immediately covered their heads, saving themselves from breaking their necks upon impact. But the horses and riders behind were blocked by the fallen horse, and unable to avoid it, they were trampled in the chaos...

The scene descended into chaos. Jin Kui’an raised his voice, first maneuvering his horse over the fallen ones, then drew his long knife, commanding everyone to calm down and guide their horses to the side. From atop the mountains on both sides, soldiers emerged in unison, aiming their bows and arrows at them.

In the woods, dozens of horses emerged, blocking their path. Junior General Meng waved his hand, and two people were thrown out from the ranks. He sneered and asked, "Fu You, are these the ones you talked about?"

The group, barely managing to control their horses, was filled with a mix of anger and fear. Someone couldn’t help but shout, "Fu You, you betrayed us!"

Fu You, thrown to the ground, looked pale, devoid of any color.

Jin Kui’an’s expression changed, and he shouted, "Don’t talk nonsense! Fu You wouldn’t betray us."

But where did it all go wrong?

Having confirmed their identities, Junior General Meng sneered, flicked his long spear forward, and commanded, "Loose the arrows!"

It’s obvious what happens when a prepared and ambushed army faces unprepared bandits.

It was a massacre, plain and simple.

Nalge slashed away at incoming arrows, shouting to Jin Kui’an, "Go, break through, quickly—"

Jin Kui’an, with the two or three dozen who could still fight, charged forward. Junior General Meng led his men to meet them head-on...

A group of eighty horse bandits isn’t enough to warrant his father stepping in personally. This sort of thing was something he could handle.

Jin Kui’an and Nalge managed to escape with three others, injured, as Junior General Meng chased after them for most of the day. His escorts stopped him when it was about to get dark, "Junior General, we can’t chase any further; we need to return to report."

Junior General Meng was furious, asking, "How could we let the bandit leader escape?"

What could they do if they were outmatched? Who knew Jin Kui’an could fight ten men by himself?

Junior General Meng, filled with rage, swung his spear sharply, resigned to go back and face his father’s reprimand.

General Meng frowned, "You took three hundred men, half armed with bows, and set an ambush in advance, yet you couldn’t capture him?"

Junior General Meng knelt down, head lowered, "It’s my lack of skill. I ask Father for punishment."

The deputy hurriedly explained, "General, Jin Kui’an is exceptionally fierce. He got me with just one strike. Look here."

General Meng glanced at his torn tiger’s mouth and noticed some cracking, likely with bone damage, and frowned slightly.

The deputy quickly added, "Junior General not only withstood his blow but also injured the opponent, which is already impressive."

General Meng snorted coldly, then told Junior General Meng, "Go take your punishment."

Junior General Meng acknowledged with his head down and left.

General Meng then asked the deputy, "How many were captured?"

"We captured twenty-six; not sure how many are still alive now."

"Jin Kui’an?" General Meng furrowed his brow, "Jin? That name sounds familiar. I recall there was once a slave general named Kui’an under Bazhuo who was very brave. The Left-flank General once warned me about him, but then Bazhuo fled to the Huihe and was killed. His subordinates either surrendered or dispersed. Has he gone beyond the pass to become a bandit?"

The deputy thought for a moment, "It’s quite possible he’s the one. The blade in his hand is excellent. Ordinary bandits couldn’t wield such a weapon. General, the man has escaped; should we still pursue him?"