Chapter 2: Bait, Part 1

"Everyone is here, be careful along the way, and don’t let anything go wrong." A Patrol Captain in charge of the transfer led a group of shackled prisoners out.

He simultaneously took out the documents for Liang Chuan Mountain and the other two to verify.

Though in name, he and the three from Liang Chuan Mountain were of the same rank, with no superior or subordinate distinction, his every gesture still exuded an air of superiority, without a trace of politeness in his words.

This is a common psychological trait found among most officials working in the General Department, constantly feeling a sense of superiority over local officials.

Song Changming sized up this Patrol Captain from the General Department.

This man had a physique as robust as a bear, towering at least over two meters!

His face was fierce, especially his eyes, filled with sharpness, making anyone shiver just by meeting his gaze.

"Such a strong evil qi!" Song Changming, who had dealt with many vicious criminals over the past two years at the Patrol Armor Bureau, still found it hard to match this intense, malicious aura.

One could only wonder how much blood this man’s hands had been stained with.

"Hmm?" Lu Zheng keenly sensed the gaze on him and swept his eyes toward Song Changming.

The reason he paid attention to Song Changming was that even regular Patrol Guards from the General Department rarely dared to glance at him.

To calmly meet his gaze afterward, regardless of anything, this young local Patrol Guard before him was commendably courageous.

Lu Zheng thought so but did not praise or trouble the young Junior Patrol Guard Song Changming, instead, he turned and returned to the General Department without much delay once the transfer task ended.

Liang Chuan Mountain flipped through the prisoner list he had in hand, growing more alarmed with each page.

Unable to restrain himself, he looked up, meeting Qian Wen’s gaze with Zhao Dezhi’s by coincidence.

The three of them all saw shock reflected in each other’s eyes.

Wanted criminals with bounties of ten thousand silver, renowned Great Heroes of the Martial World, Shi Clan Elders whose households were raided, as well as officials who committed grave crimes...

In total, twenty-five major felony prisoners, each with significant backgrounds.

"I never imagined one day I’d be in contact with such serious offenders..."

In comparison with these prisoners, even as the Patrol Captain, he could merely count as a no-name individual.

Before they became prisoners themselves, if he met such figures, he wouldn’t even dare to speak too loudly.

"Damn it, what’s there to fear? The past is like smoke, now they’re all just prisoners waiting for execution!" Liang Chuan Mountain muttered to himself softly.

He put away the list and documents, and those shackled prisoners, each disheveled and dirty, were now locked in the iron cages of the prison carts, secured with thick chains.

No matter how prestigious their past identities, now nothing of dignity remained on these prisoners, only desolation and despair.

"Depart, head back."

The convoy headed towards Houli Street.

On the way back, Song Changming also learned from Liang Chuan Mountain about the prior identities of these prisoners, causing an inexplicable tension in his heart.

"This mission, I somehow feel something’s off, why did the General Department suddenly decide to transfer these prisoners to our Patrol Armor Bureau?" Song Changming questioned in confusion.

"It’s said the General Prison is overcrowded with serious offenders, running out of cells, similar situations indeed happened in the past." Liang Chuan Mountain explained.

"I see." Song Changming responded, saying no more.

Perhaps it truly was so.

However.

Song Changming’s eyes scanned around, the convoy of prison carts passed through street after street, escorted by more than forty Patrol Guards, it was quite the spectacle.

Therefore, it also drew quite a crowd of civilians gathering to watch along the way, pointing at the prisoners inside the carts.

Logically, in this County City, no one would dare commit the audacious act of robbing the prison carts.

But should someone indeed attempt to rescue the major felons inside, the journey of transport is undoubtedly the most likely time for success.

"It shouldn’t be..." Song Changming murmured to himself.

This was a decision made on a whim by the General Department.

But was it truly a spur-of-the-moment decision from above?

"Make way, make way! Don’t block the road!" The Patrol Guard walking ahead sternly dispersed the civilians getting too close.

As they left the Brocade Street area nearing their return to Houli Street, suddenly, a beggar was pushed out of the crowd, falling in the middle of the road, wailing incessantly.

Song Changming instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist with his right hand.

"Drag him away, drag him away." Qian Wen tapped on the back of a nearby Patrol Guard, pointing at the fallen beggar, speaking impatiently, not wanting the convoy’s advance to be delayed.

The Patrol Guard immediately jogged over, intending to drive away the fallen beggar.

Suddenly, the beggar rolled over, thrusting a short blade out.

The Patrol Guard didn’t have time to react before the short blade pierced through his neck, blood splattered everywhere.

Immediately after, the beggar drew and cut down another Patrol Guard walking at the forefront with a retrieved saber.

This person’s swift and ruthless actions bore no resemblance to the previous appearance of a beggar.

"Stay alert!"

"Enemy attack!"

"Murder!"

"Murder!"

In an instant, the Patrol Guards all drew their long swords, and the surrounding onlookers cried out in shock, retreating in chaos.

The group of Patrol Guards ahead, led by Qian Wen, charged at the beggar straight away.

Meanwhile, at the rear of the convoy, a number of people suddenly emerged from the crowd, engaging in a melee with Zhao Dezhi’s Patrol Guard unit.

"Organized, premeditated, they’re here for one of the major felons in the prison cart!" Song Changming realized this, focusing on the chaotic crowd around the prison cart.

"Don’t panic, protect the prison cart!" Liang Chuan Mountain snapped back to his senses at Song Changming’s words and shouted loudly, rallying the already flustered Patrol Guards under him to hold their positions.

While stabilizing the situation, he immediately released the smoke bomb he carried.

Almost simultaneously, a number of people darted out from either side.

Wearing ordinary civilian clothing outside to blend in, they had inner armor for protection, and covered their faces with colorful masks during action, every move seamless, evidently premeditated for a long time.

With a scream, another Patrol Guard on one side was quickly cut down.

A person with a raccoon mask leaped up a yard high, as light as a swallow, landing atop one of the prison carts.

"Brother Liu!" Facing the prison cart, just as he was about to slash at the chains, a blade flashed from the side, forcing him to turn his blade to block.

"Such solid strength!"

He felt a numbness in his arm, being directly knocked down from the prison cart by the opponent.

Song Changming did not pursue, standing atop the prison cart, glaring at the opponent with his sword held across.

He was certain that this group’s target was the prisoner beside him.

The prisoner who had been slumped, his hair sprawled, now regained some essence, qi, and spirit, looked up at him.

Despite a face full of blood stains, it was still faintly possible to confirm he was quite a heroic man, appearing to be no more than in his thirties.

"Brother Liu, catch the saber!" On the other side, another person attempting to seize the prison cart tossed out a steel saber, trying to pass it to the person inside the prison cart.

However, Song Changming had been guarding the surroundings all along, taking a step out, kicking the thrown steel saber out of the air.

For the moment, the barrier he single-handedly set up became impenetrable, causing those attempting to seize the prison cart to grit their teeth.