Chapter 35: She Is the Only One Who Helps Me!

Pu Sanlang led Zhao Mang and his companion across the front hall, through the courtyard, and into the backyard. As they walked, Zhao Mang felt increasingly relieved that his hunch had been correct; otherwise, he could have searched until nightfall without finding Jiang Kuo.

The backyard of the Louhong Pavilion was exceptionally luxurious. Large red lanterns hung everywhere, and a massive Chinese scholar tree stood in the center, shading a uniquely crafted pavilion. Clusters of lilacs were scattered around, exuding an air of opulence. Zhao Mang mused that there probably weren't even two such trees in the entire city of Shacheng. He couldn't help but feel a bit envious, thinking that the flesh trade was indeed the most profitable business. Such an establishment would be the perfect front for his intelligence network.

Before long, Pu Sanlang led them to a three-story building in the back. The interior was brightly lit and filled with incense, creating a hazy, mystical atmosphere. Reaching the third floor, Pu Sanlang pointed to a closed door. "Officer, Jiang Kuo is in there. I humbly ask you to be gentle with the furnishings; consider it a gesture of friendship between us."

Zhao Mang laughed. "Don't worry, boss. I’m not a man who looks for trouble—unless, of course, someone looks for it with me."

His words struck a nerve with Pu Sanlang, whose relaxed demeanor vanished instantly. Seeing no choice, Pu Sanlang retreated, intimidated by Zhao Mang’s imposing presence.

Zhao Mang stepped forward and slid the door open—the design was quite convenient. Inside, Jiang Kuo was being pampered by a servant girl. The violent opening of the door startled him. Seeing a stranger barge in uninvited, Jiang Kuo flared with rage. "Who are you to break into my room!"

Zhao Mang stared at him coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Where is Jiang Wan?"

Jiang Kuo, stunned by the man's audacity, was even more incensed that this stranger would ignore him to ask about his aloof sister. "Why are you looking for Jiang Wan? It’s because she was keeping a man on the side that our Jiang family offended Li Shiwu of the garrison! Could it be that you’re the gigolo she was hiding?" He sneered, "Well, well, you really are just a pretty boy. If she hadn't made such a mistake, I would never have gained control of the family affairs. I knew she was using family resources to support a lover. If not for this business with the red iron ore, would the family have valued her so much?"

Zhao Mang had intended to grab Jiang Kuo and force the truth out of him, but Jiang Kuo’s spiteful rambling gave him a deeper understanding of Jiang Wan’s situation. She had been supporting this alone all along, facing the family’s opposition in isolation. In that brief moment, Jiang Wan’s image in Zhao Mang’s mind became nothing short of heroic, while Jiang Kuo was effectively marked for death.

However, he wouldn't kill him in front of others. Controlling his temper, Zhao Mang walked up to Jiang Kuo and patted his shoulder, applying a secret, crushing force. Jiang Kuo, oblivious, sneered, "You peasant, do you think too highly of yourself? How dare you be so arrogant before me?" He shouted, "Someone! Take this ignorant fool and throw him into the magistrate’s office!"

Tang Shan, who had accompanied him, chuckled. "I am from the magistrate’s office. You can tell me whatever you need to say."

Jiang Kuo realized one of them was an official, but he remained arrogant, assuming his status outweighed them. "Then take him away at once! Don't let him be an eyesore!"

Zhao Mang’s patience snapped, and he slapped Jiang Kuo across the face. Jiang Kuo’s head rocked to the side, his ears ringing as blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. He couldn't believe anyone would dare strike him.

"You... you dare hit me!"

Zhao Mang slapped him again, the second blow bringing the smug Jiang Kuo back to reality. "Your sister! Where is Jiang Wan?"

Terrified, Jiang Kuo stammered, "She... she was already taken to the garrison camp by Li Shiwu in the east of the city!"

Zhao Mang frowned. This matter had finally involved the military, and the name Li Shiwu—a name he had heard so often—was clearly the root of the conflict over the red iron ore. He turned and left with Tang Shan, heading for the garrison camp.

Halfway there, Zhao Mang realized this shouldn't involve Tang Shan, and he needed someone to guide Liu Can when he arrived. "Brother Tang, I should go the rest of the way alone. Getting involved with the military will not be good for you. Besides, I need you to leave a message for Wang Mazi. Tell him I’ve gone to the eastern garrison camp."

Tang Shan, who had been ready to charge into the camp, saw the logic in this and agreed. Watching Zhao Mang head off alone to save her, the man’s heroism moved him. "This young man is destined for greatness..."

...

Inside the garrison camp, Li Shiwu had been waiting for two days. Jiang Wan and Wang Shuang were tied up in his tent. While Li Shiwu was not as depraved as Zhang Mo, he was no saint. He had kidnapped them to bait Zhao Mang. He walked over to Jiang Wan, stroked her delicate, angular face, and pinched her chin.

"Jiang Wan, why must you be like this?" he said slowly. "If you wanted the mining rights for the red iron ore, you should have just told me. If our families married, wouldn't the rights be yours anyway? Why did you have to bring someone else into this?"