I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality

Qu Shui Village lies east of Qu Shui, backed to the north by Zi Yun Mountain.

From the heights of the mountain, one can gaze downward and see the smoke rising between the thatched eaves and gray tiles, along with the golden waves of rice cascading in layers akin to terraces.

"With autumn harvest approaching, this time of year is never calm."

Zhao Zhonghe walked along the country dirt road; some farm households were already tidying the edges and corners of their fields, preparing for the formal autumn harvest and planting in August.

"Why worry, sir? Recently, many good hands from the Mirror Department have come to sit in the Jin Sect, rumored to be skilled individuals. Who would dare cause trouble at this critical juncture?"

"Mirror Department..." Zhao Zhonghe narrowed his eyes, intending to say something, suddenly caught a glimpse of a large man in yellow standing on the ridge ahead.

Zhao Zhonghe thought his own stature was formidable, yet he appeared petite in front of the large man in yellow!

"This man is quite strange."

The man in yellow stood at the downwind of the ridge, his nostrils flaring constantly as if searching for something.

Above the man's head, a group of crows circled with noisy croaks; occasionally, one or two crows would land before the man in yellow, seemingly reporting something.

"Hey, man in yellow, come down and answer me!"

Upon seeing Zhao Zhonghe and his men approaching with a fierce momentum, the large man in yellow showed a pleased face, then jumped off the ridge and sped toward the village.

Zhao Zhonghe suddenly gained energy; constables encountering someone fleeing without cause react like cats to mice, instinctively pursuing!

However, despite a group of constables putting in their utmost effort, they always remained three to five yards behind the large man.

Zhao Zhonghe ran faster, creating a gap between himself and the regular constables, but seemed always separated by an invisible barrier with the man in yellow.

Zhao Zhonghe had a faint premonition that if the man intended to escape his sight, it would be no difficult task!

At this moment, Zhao felt more like being led around by the opponent like a dog on a leash.

Qu Shui Village, neither too big nor too small, spans about seventeen or eighteen li in length.

After chasing for seven or eight li, Zhao Zhonghe slowed his pace, yet the large man ahead also slowed, occasionally glancing back to check if he was catching up.

"Outrageous!"

Zhao Zhonghe felt that if he were to turn away at this moment, the large man might unexpectedly turn and chase him.

But Zhao Zhonghe didn't plan to leave just yet; the large man seemed to be deliberately teasing him but more likely trying to lead him somewhere.

Perhaps a trap or other purpose, Zhao Zhonghe admitted the opponent indeed understood his personality well.

He possessed a stubborn streak that would drive him to go to the tiger's mountain even knowing there were dangers there.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have become this constable.

Two large men, running rounds as if morning exercises in the country road, while the rest of the constables had already vanished from sight.

Deeply penetrating Qu Shui Village by twelve li, a household's courtyard was shrouded in a swirl of black crows.

Their cacophony seemed to declare, "He's here! He's here!"

Zhao Zhonghe saw the large man in yellow dashing straight towards the residence, feeling a mix of surprise and suspicion.

Because the residence was none other than the home of Chen Feng in Qu Shui Village.

Meanwhile, within Chen Feng's house, Yuan Hu, equally burly in stature, was seeking a suitable item to drive away the cawing crowd of crows overhead.

A saying goes, magpies herald joy, crows bring mourning; and if crows pass overhead, disaster surely ensues!

Yuan Hu had suffered bad luck for half a year already, enough misfortune as it was, yet today a flock of crows, like mourners at a funeral, arrived with their irritating noise, tormenting his mind.

"Blind beasts! I've been hiding nicely, and here you come meddling with your cries!"

The entire Chen Family, including housekeepers and servants, had been detained in Linjiang County, restricted from leaving the city, awaiting trial.

Now with no one from the Chen Family overseeing, it became Yuan Hu's hidden refuge, sheltered from others' eyes.

Grumbling furiously, Yuan Hu hurled stones, successfully knocking down a crow.

But before the crow hit the ground, a large man in yellow entered the yard, catching the wounded crow, placing it carefully aside.

"Who are you?!"

Yuan Hu focused on the robust figure suddenly entering the courtyard, thinking to himself that this man was even more massive than he.

Before Yuan Hu could contemplate further, a low voice echoed from atop the courtyard wall; he looked towards the sound and saw yet another large man on the wall.

"..."

Upon meeting gazes, Zhao Zhonghe was equally stunned.

"Yuan Hu!"

"Damn government dog!" Yuan Hu similarly noticed Zhao Zhonghe's official attire.

When officials and bandits meet, it's akin to fire meeting water.

Due to Guan Dazhuang's uncertain presence, neither dared to make a move.

Zhao Zhonghe remained cautious, both hands moving toward the knives at his waist.

The three large men converged in one place, yet each harbored different thoughts.

Holding his knife protectively, Yuan Hu slowly retreated backward.

Zhao Zhonghe pulled his knife out, paused with a palm's hesitation, then shifted his focus to the unarmed large man in yellow.

Guan Dazhuang blinked his eyes, his big tiger-like gaze shimmering, seemingly lacking any intimidation.

Yet such an individual caused a momentary standoff between the government officer and the notorious men.

"Who are you? This Yuan Hu is a wanted criminal of the Government Office; are you in cahoots with him?"

Yuan Hu was surprised at the words, realizing the two did not know each other.

His mind devised a plan, shouting ahead of Guan Dazhuang's response, "Brother Zhang, seize him, I'll go to the back to fetch the horses for escape!"

With that, Yuan Hu turned without a glance back, leaping towards the posterior of the courtyard.