Chapter 5: Leaving the City

"Miss Jiang, could you please listen to me and put this on?" Qin Xi surreptitiously pressed a mask into her palm.

"I suppose I could..."

Seeing her agree, Qin Xi let out a sigh of relief. Though she was a bit foolish, at least she knew how to read the room.

However, just as Jiang Baiqiu was about to put on the mask, a sharp bark rang out.

"A major crime occurred in the Imperial City last night, the details of which I shall not disclose! The culprit may be among you now—no one is permitted to cover their face! Anyone who violates this..." The city guard’s broadsword rasped as it left its scabbard, the silvery blade gleaming chillingly under the noon sun.

He didn't need to finish the sentence; everyone wisely removed whatever they had on their faces.

Several dark-skinned, brawny men who appeared to have returned from the Western Regions were startled, hastily discarding the conical hats and white cloths they had been using for shade.

Nearby, members of a small spirit-binding sect, who were leading a newly captured female ghost, were so frightened by the order that they drew a blade and sliced off the thick bangs that had been obscuring the ghost's face, revealing a smooth, broad forehead and making her look significantly more spirited.

Seeing this, Qin Xi silently retrieved the mask he had handed to Jiang Baiqiu and tucked it back into his robes.

Well, this was a disaster.

But it seemed Qin Xi wasn't the only one feeling panicked.

Not far from him stood a person wearing a conical hat. This individual had been concealing their identity from the start, keeping their head bowed to avoid showing their face. Upon hearing the guard’s words, the figure trembled violently, clearly terrified. Yet, even so, they did not remove the hat, which piqued Qin Xi’s curiosity.

"M-my lord... what could have happened to cause such panic throughout the entire Imperial City? To make leaving the city so strict..." an elderly man asked, trembling.

"It is, of course, a case involving the Imperial Family. Don't ask for more details. In short, the thief is bold enough to commit such a heinous act. Once caught..." The guard drew his hand across his throat in a chilling gesture of execution. "Heads will roll!"

Qin Xi observed the crowd's reaction. Most people were gasping in terror, so he followed suit and gasped as well. These gasping people were the true culprits behind global warming.

As for Jiang Baiqiu, aside from her fear of the heavenly tribulation brought on by the two thousand spirit stones she owed, she didn't seem intimidated by these mundane threats. She remained as curious as ever.

Of course, such composure had its perks; it clearly cleared her of suspicion. Although the guard’s gaze lingered on her for a long time, there was no real doubt in his eyes. The young woman looked impeccably dressed and refined, a stark contrast to the gray-clad, ragged commoners around her. Furthermore, her cold, aloof demeanor, combined with her childlike curiosity about her surroundings, suggested she was likely the sheltered daughter of some noble house who had snuck out. Most importantly, the various ornaments on her person jingled with the sound of gold and silver with every movement. If she wasn't a young miss, he would eat his own hat.

Qin Xi watched the guard, noticing him trying to guess Jiang Baiqiu’s identity, and a corner of his mouth curled up.

Plan successful.

***

When the guard’s eyes swept over the person in the conical hat, that individual shook even more violently, causing the hat itself to tremble.

Qin Xi raised an eyebrow. This person was so scared—had they committed a crime? How big could their crime be? Could it be bigger than his own?

At this moment, the guard gripped his broadsword and slowly pushed open the city gate behind him.

"Now... we begin the departure process. I’ve seen several suspicious individuals, so everyone, produce your travel permits. We are checking them one by one."

Having said this, the guard walked over to the side of another man—a clerk who looked milder in temperament and was responsible for checking the permits. The clerk coughed twice and took his seat at the official desk by the gate. While the clerk’s attitude was gentle, the power dynamic was clear; the loud-mouthed guard was now pouring tea for the clerk from a purple clay pot.

So, this is what a "tea-pouring soldier" looks like.

Jiang Baiqiu leaned in. "It seems we need a travel permit to leave the city. Do you have one?"

"..." Qin Xi rubbed his temples. "You’ve been watching me since yesterday; do I look like the type who has time for paperwork? That document requires five guarantors to obtain from the magistrate's office. Where would I find guarantors?" Besides, he was actually guilty of a crime; it would be immoral to drag others into it. If he were caught, those five guarantors would be beheaded too.

"Ah!? What did you say!?" Jiang Baiqiu finally realized the severity of the situation, her small face turning pale. "I—I thought you were so confident, you must have had a plan!"

So, the lady's previous composure was entirely due to her ignorance of the situation.

"Doesn't that mean we—no, I, the dignified Confucian Sage..."

Seeing her loose lips about to utter a forbidden word of the Great Qi, Qin Xi swung his hand, his thumb, index, and middle fingers forming a giant pincer to instantly seal her mouth. Jiang Baiqiu’s lips were pinched into a duck-like pout, unable to make a sound.

"Keep it down. There is a way, but you have to cooperate with me."

"Mmm-mmm..."

"Listen carefully, here is what we will do..."

Jiang Baiqiu broke free, rubbing her sore lips. "How could that possibly work!"

"Just listen to me! The longer we drag this out, the worse our situation becomes!" Qin Xi was decisive as always, rejecting her objection. "We have no choice but to do this!"

***

"Travel permit. Hand it over."

It was the turn of the trembling figure in the conical hat. The person handed over their permit with shaking hands, and the clerk nodded after examining it repeatedly.

Just as the person thought they could pass, a sudden gust of wind stirred! A broadsword suddenly appeared right in front of their face, freezing them in place. The guard stood there, the pressure of his sword qi making it difficult for those nearby to breathe.

"Take off the hat."

"..."

With no other choice, the person trembling, slowly removed the hat. It was a very delicate and pretty young girl. However, the muscles in her face were stiff, and she was looking at the clerk with an awkward, forced smile.

"Your permit is in order... but why were you so terrified?" The clerk tilted his head, squinting against the sun as he looked at the girl.

"I—I—I’ve never left the city before... I didn't expect... such a grand display." The girl’s teeth chattered, and she couldn't speak clearly.

"We are hunting a thief. If you aren't the thief, what are you afraid of?" The clerk’s voice slowed down, and the air seemed to thicken with tension. "I’ve been watching you for a while now. You’ve been shaking since earlier... that isn't right."

"I, I, I..."

Just as the clerk raised his hand, about to order the guard to seize her, the girl let out a wail. She completely broke down.

"Waaaaah! I need to use the latrine! I’ve been holding it in since this morning... and you’ve been blocking me for so long, and scaring me... Waaaaaah!"

At that moment, the clerk noticed a puddle forming at the girl’s feet. So, she had been trembling because she was holding back her bladder!

Realizing he had scared a young girl into incontinence, the clerk’s face twitched. Holding his nose, he waved his hand. "Next, next."

The incontinent girl walked out of the city gate, wailing, "I’ll never be able to get married now... woooo..."

The next in line was Jiang Baiqiu.

"I don't have a travel permit, but I am leaving."

Without any superfluous words, she spoke in that cold, clear voice.