Chapter 26: Water and Fire Merge (4)

  Zhang Siye's face gradually turned green, and a mouthful of blood suddenly spurted out from his mouth. He slumped in his chair. The people around him were shocked, but no one dared to come forward to ask questions in the Zhang Siye mansion, and they remained silent as cicadas.

  Zheng Fu Guan took advantage of his relationship with Zhang Si Ye and couldn't help but carefully ask: "Zhang Si Ye, what's wrong?"

  Zhang Siye took out a handkerchief from his bosom and wiped the fresh blood at the corner of his mouth, coldly humming: "It's nothing, it's nothing, an old illness!"

  "Ah, Zhang Siye, if you're not feeling well, let's just call it a day?" Zheng Fu Guan said, despite his reluctance, still trying to be polite.

  Zhang Siye waved his hand and said, "Never mind! I still have something to ask this Hei Sanbian!"

  Hei Sanbian saw Zhang Siye spitting blood, but still had something to ask him. He burst out laughing: "Zhang Siye, ah Zhang Siye! I know what you want to ask me! Looking at your state, it's probably not about me, Hei Sanbian!"

  "You're nothing in my eyes."

  Hei Sanbian continued to laugh loudly: "Zhang Siye, I Hei Sanbian may not be considered a good person, but my brain is not a wooden knot. Earlier, you guys made a big fuss, and I took some time to think about it! Haha! Zhang Siye, listen carefully to what I have to say, every word is true!"

  "Black Three Whip, your life is in danger, yet you're still acting so heroically!"

  "Hei San Bian snorted and said: 'Zhang Siye, we both understand in our hearts that you and I have been played as monkeys by others!'"

  "Is this a joke?"

  "Hei Sanbian said: 'I, Hei Sanbian, indeed do not have the guts to come to your Zhang Siye's mansion to steal things. Even if I wanted to steal, I would steal something that can be exchanged for silver money immediately. That Yu Tai Zhu is said to be a treasure, but it's better to say it's an evil object. What use would I have for stealing it? I'm telling you, Zhang Siye, my purpose in coming here to steal the treasure is because someone entrusted me! Doesn't Zhang Siye want to listen?'"

  "Speak up if you have something to say!"

  "Hei San Bian smiled and said: 'The one who let me steal the Jade Taisun Pearl is none other than the Fire Thief King, one of the Five Great Bandit Kings of the Jianghu!'"

  As soon as Hei Sanbian's words came out, they were like a thunderclap, and the people present could no longer hold back, whispering to each other. Professor Ning Shen was even more unable to restrain himself, suddenly standing up and staring tightly at Hei Sanbian.

  The reputation of the Five Great Bandit Kings, everyone in Zhang Siye's mansion knew about it, even Zheng Fuguan and other soldiers had heard a lot about it. Since the fall of the Qing dynasty, the legend of the Five Great Bandit Kings re-emerging in the jianghu has been circulating, although no one can really say what they are like, but the exaggeration and embellishment of the rumors have made them seem like ghosts or demons, half-human and half-supernatural. So, when Hei Sanbian said he was sent by Huo Zeiwang to steal from Zhang Siye's house, it caused a huge commotion.

  Zhang Siye lost the Linglong Mirror, and he vaguely suspected that Hei Sanbian was sent by the Five Great Bandits. After listening to what Hei Sanbian said, he wasn't surprised, but his anger rose, and he secretly cursed: "Fire family! Have I ever offended you? Heaven-killing little thief!"

  "Black Three Whip! What makes you think Fire Thief King is letting you do things? And how did you know it was Fire Thief King?" As soon as Zhang Siye spoke, the crowd immediately fell silent again, holding their breath and perking up their ears, afraid of missing a single word of this legendary story.

  "Hei San Bian sneered: 'What does the Fire Bandit King want me to do? Do I dare ask for a reason? Anyway, the Fire Bandit King said so, let me make as much trouble as possible!'"

  "Alright! But why should Huo Ze Wang believe you?" Zhang Siye said.

  "Hei San Bian burst out laughing: 'Zhang Siye, Zhang Siye, I thought you were quite knowledgeable, but it turns out your feelings are not as good as mine! Let me tell you, ten years ago after I caused a big disturbance in Fengtian, I was careless and encountered the Huo family. They used a needle, with some ingenious technique, to insert it into my spine. Every month on a certain day, I would be in so much pain that I couldn't bear to live or die. The Huo family said this needle is called the Huoyao Needle, and only they can produce it.'"

  "So you're saying that in order to get the needle out, you listened to their orders and came to steal from my house?"

  "Hei Sanbian laughed and said: 'Zhang Siye is clever, he understands at once!'"

  Zhang Siye was puzzled in his heart, thinking: "This Hei Sanbian doesn't seem to be telling lies, but Mr. Zhou said that the Linglong Mirror was stolen, it should be the work of the Shui family, how did the Huo family get involved? Is it possible that water and fire are joining forces? How is this possible? No, I need to ask again!"

  "Black Third Whip," Zhang Siye asked, "What does Huo Zei Wang look like?"

  "Good question! Honestly, I haven't seen anyone from the Huo family this time, except for ten years ago when I saw the Huo family. It was just an accident that I found a note on my whip with clear instructions on what to do and how to do it, signed by Huo Ze Wang! Hehe, Zhang Siye, don't you think it's not done by someone from the Huo family?"

  Hei San Bian chuckled twice and continued, "I, Hei San Bian, am famous for my snake whip. I didn't even know when the note was tied to it. Just based on this, I can tell that the person who wrote the note is not simple! Hehe, I'm a suspicious person, so just because of this, I couldn't fully trust it. After all, I came to steal from your house, Zhang Siye. But the note also said that after the task is completed, I can remove the Huo Yao needle from my back. Who else would know about the Huo Yao needle on my spine besides the Huo family? I have no choice but to believe it!"

  Ning Shen Professor couldn't help but interrupt: "Hei San Bian, may I ask where you met the Huo family's people ten years ago? And where was it this time?"

  Zhang Siye glanced sideways and thought to himself: "This little Japanese devil"

  "Son! I'm afraid Hei San Wei is going to be a guest at the Japanese man's place! As expected, these Japanese people are concerned about the Five Great Bandit Kings!"

  He furrowed his brow, looked at Professor Ning Shen, curled his lip, sniffed his nose, and shouted at Professor Ning Shen: "What kind of bastard are you? It's your turn to ask me? I can tell by the smell that you're a little Japanese devil, get out of here!"

  Professor Ning was stunned by the coarse and dirty words, muttering to himself: "What the...?!" After thinking for a moment, he also understood that it was extremely dirty language, his face turned red with rage, pointing at Hei San, but didn't know how to retort.

  Although Lieutenant-General Yoda couldn't understand much Chinese, he understood the insults "little Japanese" and "devil", so he slammed his samurai sword scabbard to the ground, stood up, swiftly drew out his sword with one hand, held it horizontally in mid-air, pointed at Hei Sanbian, and cursed: "You have a bad conscience! The Imperial Army of Great Japan asks you, you must answer honestly!"

  Hei San Bian snorted and cursed: "Damn your mother! I'll answer you, and from now on, my name will be 'Take Off Your Pants'!"

  In 1920s, the Northeast was already filled with Japanese soldiers and many Japanese immigrants. Hei San Da knew that it was common for Japanese names to be similar to "take off pants".

  Yoda didn't seem to understand, and tried to speak again. Professor Ning reached out and pressed down on Yoda's shoulder, leaning in close to whisper a few words in his ear. Yoda glared at the black three-edged sword, let out a heavy hum, flipped the knife over in his hand, and plunged it into the ground, saying nothing more.

  "Professor Ning said to Zhang Siye: "Zhang Siye, this Black Sanbian knows, we are also very concerned, I think if it can be done like this..." Professor Ning turned his head and looked at Deputy Director Zheng, "Deputy Director Zheng! Do you think it's appropriate?"

  Zheng's deputy was always polite to the Japanese and hurried over to join them.

  Professor Ning said, "Zhang Siye, Zheng Fuguan, since the Yu Tai Pearl will take a few more days to retrieve, it's better to temporarily detain these prisoners. As for this Hei Sanbian, I hope our Japanese Kwantung Army can be responsible for detaining and interrogating him. What are your intentions, gentlemen?"

  Ning Shenbo muttered to himself for a while, and Zheng Fuquan didn't have any opinion, so he nodded in agreement. Zhang Siye's mind was not on Hei Sanbian either, nor did he object.

  Several people consulted and arranged for someone to untie Hei Sanbian's rope and take him away alone, while Lao Guan's corpse was already cold. Lang Deben didn't know whether he was alive or dead, and the little monkey child was also useless, so they were both dragged into Zhang Siye's cellar and locked up.

  Zhang Siye finally got rid of those troublesome people and sat alone in the town's treasure hall, lost in thought. Suddenly, Mr. Zhou emerged from a side room and walked quickly to Zhang Siye's side, who hastily stood up. Mr. Zhou leaned in close to Zhang Siye's ear and whispered: "Yan Jingtian and the others have taken Xiao Huo Xie out of the city!"

  "Did he leave?"

  "It can't be kept hidden!" Mr. Zhou said slowly, "However, I've already investigated that a maid named Xiao Cui who came to our mansion half a year ago has gone missing! It's highly likely that she was the one responsible! Now I suspect that Yan Jing Tian, Huo Xiao Ye, and Xiao Cui are all in cahoots!"

  Zhang Siye said: "Xiao Cui... Now that I think about it, it's indeed strange... What should we do now?"

  Mr. Zhou said in a low voice: "We'll give up this family business, take the hook soldiers and leave Fengtian! This city of Fengtian is no longer a place where we can live in peace!"

  Mr. Zhang looked serious and stared at Mr. Zhou indifferently without saying a word.

  Mr. Zhou said: "What? Can't bear to part with this family business of over a decade?"

  Zhang Siye smiled lightly and said: "No. I think we should set off now!"

  Mr. Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said: "Good!"

  Zhang Siye patted his head, with a heroic air, and said: "We are the ninth generation of Wind God Captors! Let's make a comeback too! Master! Let's go catch some thieves!"