Dang Liaoze entered the prefectural hall. Besides Shen Huan, Zhou Ge, and Prefect He, almost everyone else could barely hold back their laughter.

　　Shen Huan didn't laugh because he didn't dare to underestimate the visitor. He believed that the third master of the Qing family had agreed to this person's visit, which meant he must have some extraordinary abilities despite being mocked upon entering the mansion.

　　Zhou Ge's gaze fixed on the gravel icon on Dang Liaoze's clothing, reminding him of the raise fire to drive away wolves icon symbol on his mother and aunt's clothes. He suspected that this person, like his parents, might be a member of an ancient clan.

　　In fact, he guessed correctly. Dang Liaoze was indeed from the Yanmu Clan and knew some terrain-altering spells. The spell was called "Fengshi" and was originally used to hide tombs for distinguished individuals who feared their graves would be plundered after death. However, he had discovered other uses for it as well.

　　Prefect He Xin was furious and didn't speak actively. He shot a sideways glance at Ji Yanshi.

　　Ji Yanshi understood the unspoken message and walked down from his seat, circling Dang Liaoze twice before stepping back and barking, "Are you Dang Liaoze?"

　　"Uh...that's right," he said, swaying his head. "Is the one seated above Prefect He? I've come to pay my respects to the Prefect." He then bowed slightly and continued, "I've heard that you've sent many retainers to quell Fangding Mountain. Who among them has gone?"

　　Almost all the retainers behind him had been there and knew he was embarrassing them, so they remained silent with grim expressions.

　　Seeing their silence, he showed a hint of smugness.

　　"Prefect, your men here don't seem very capable," he chuckled.

　　Ji Yanshi glanced at Sixth Uncle and his expression turned somber. Looking back at Dang Liaoze, he said with a hint of mockery, "That's interesting. Quelling the mountain is difficult, but do you think you can leave the mountain alive?"

　　Dang Liaoze had intended to make a grand entrance but was instead met with a counter-challenge. These words revealed that the other party was already aware of the August 8th plan. He had arrived at the mountain not long ago and couldn't figure out who the traitor was.

　　"Uh...hehehe..." He forced a smile and asked, "Might I inquire as to your esteemed name?"

　　"Ji Yanshi!"

　　"Oh, it's my seventh brother! I've been remiss in my greetings," he said, bowing again.

　　Ji Yanshi thought to himself, "Who's your seventh brother? Where did this come from?" The grand entrance had failed, so now he was trying to be obnoxious.

　　Before Ji Yanshi could speak, Miss He Muyu couldn't hold back any longer.

　　"Pfft! Who's your seventh brother? Get to the point or get out!" she snarled.

　　Dang Liaoze sized up Miss He and said, "Are you the second young miss of the He family? I'm sure it's you. Hahaha...remember when I used to hold you when you were little? You used to ride on my shoulders and peed on me. I got angry and threw you by the river, making you cry your eyes out."

　　Miss He Muyu drew her wooden sword and, without further ado, lunged at him.

　　Shen Huan blocked her, saying, "Miss, there's no need to stoop to his level. Dang Liaoze, get to the point or leave."

　　"Oh? Are you Shen Huan?"

　　"Enough with the nonsense. What do you want?"

　　"You look quite impressive; I've heard that besides relying on Miss He, the Prefectural Mansion also relies on you, Shen Huan. So, has the Prefect ever mentioned making you his son-in-law?"

　　Shen Huan drew his sword and with one swipe, tore open Dang Liaoze's robe. Dang Liaoze was so caught up in his rant that he couldn't react in time.

　　When he finally regained his composure, he took a few steps back, looking startled.

　　"Uh...uh..."

　　Zhou Ge thought to himself that this guy was asking for trouble. He walked over, smiling, and asked, "Feel like a tough guy now?"

　　"Not really..."

　　"So, why don't you just get to the point? What brings you here?"

　　Dang Liaoze had intended to ask who Zhou Ge was but decided against it after his earlier encounter. Before coming, Qing Hu had given him two sets of talking points: one if the other party was unaware of the August 8th plan and another if they were. It seemed that the Prefectural Mansion was already aware of the August 8th events, so he chose the latter set of talking points.

　　Straightening his clothes, he took a few steps forward and said, "I'll get straight to the point. I believe you all know what's going to happen next. I'm here to ask Prefect He, are you willing to bet on the outcome of this confrontation? If we lose, we'll disband the bandits on Fangding Mountain, and you can do whatever you want with us - kill, imprison, or whatever. But if we win, we demand a place to stay within the borders of Beichi County. The six towns won't have the authority to interfere with us, nor will they be able to send troops to quell us. Are you up for it?"

　　These words infuriated everyone in the mansion. They had seen many audacious bandits in their lives, but none as brazen as this.

　　Prefect He was so angry that he regretted not being able to wield a sword himself. He wanted to stab this guy a few times just to vent his frustration. He now regretted ever agreeing to this meeting.

　　Zhou Ge looked at Prefect He and then at Ji Yanshi. Both nodded in agreement, and then he looked at Miss He, who turned her head away.

　　"Why not?" he said.

　　"You're the one making the bet. Do you have the final say?"

　　Prefect He, who had been closing his eyes in meditation, finally opened them and nodded.

　　"You've agreed?"

　　"I have," said Prefect He, his voice cold.

　　"Great! Then the message has been delivered. I'll be taking my leave now. Farewell, everyone," said Dang Liaoze as he turned to leave.

　　Ji Yanshi watched him leave with a disdainful look and said, "Where did Third Brother find this guy? What a joke."

　　"He's a frog in a well!" Miss He exclaimed before rushing out.

　　Shen Huan sensed that something was amiss and said, "Prefect, I'll go after her."

　　Zhou Ge looked at Prefect He and the others, who all nodded. Leaving the council hall, he walked to the prefect's private residence and drew several buckets of hot water for a bath.

　　As he soaked in the hot water, he pondered the events in the hall. There were two things he didn't understand. First, he couldn't rule out the possibility that Dang Liaoze was a sorcerer. If that was the case, he might know some form of witchcraft, though what exactly, he couldn't say.

　　Second, Dang Liaoze had referred to himself as the "water robbery sickle master" before entering the mansion, which meant his identity was the same as the person from Xiyue Fuyi City. He had also mentioned "Mingyi" again, indicating a connection between him and the Flying Star Sect. This visit was indeed worth it. When the opportunity arose, he would personally interrogate Dang Liaoze.

　　After finishing his bath, he changed into clean clothes and prepared some tea. Just as he was enjoying it in the courtyard, he heard a light knocking at the door.

　　"Did Shen Huan bring Miss He back so soon?" he wondered.

　　Opening the door, he saw a stranger standing outside - a woman in her twenties, of average build, with a clear and lovely face. Her eyes were like a clear pool, and she wore a simple dress typical of a female doctor. On her back was a medicine box, and her head was adorned with a square scarf and wooden hairpin.

　　He looked at her again to confirm that he had never seen her before.

　　"Miss, are you looking for someone?" he asked.

　　The woman peered into the courtyard and asked softly, "Is Shen Gongzi here?"

　　"Yes, he is. May I ask who you are?"

　　"I'm an old friend of Shen, Xiao Wen from Yuanying Peak."

　　Zhou Ge thought to himself, "So this is the woman Shen Huan has a crush on." She certainly seemed more amiable than Miss He.

　　"Oh, you must be the Miss Xiao who borrowed the wind-stirring herb. I'm Brother Shen's friend Zhou Ge, please come in, please come in."

　　"Isn't he there?"

　　"I'll come back later, and I'll go find him back."

　　After he finished speaking, he took Xiao Wen to the courtyard, made her a cup of hot tea, and went out to find someone.