In the Shadows of Cruelty

As Zhang Wei and Hong Yi approached the scene outside Whisper Delight, they were greeted by a disturbing tableau. The merchant and his family, a humble group who had likely sought the same solace in the pleasures of the pleasure house that they had, were now the victims of ruthless harassment.

A group of soldiers, filled with arrogance and cruelty, surrounded the merchant, his wife, and their young daughter. Their menacing laughter cut through the night air, a stark contrast to the seductive whispers that had filled the establishment just moments ago.

Zhang Wei's heart sank as he overheard their conversation. The soldiers were demanding exorbitant amounts of money from the merchant, accusing him of disrespect and insolence. The merchant, his face pale with fear, pleaded for leniency, explaining that he had little left to give.

"You see, old man, we are the law around here. You'd do well to remember that," one of the soldiers, a tall and imposing figure, leaned in menacingly.

The merchant's wife, her eyes filled with tears, clung to her daughter, who was trembling with terror. It was a despicable display of power, a stark reminder of the oppression that the common people faced at the hands of the palace's corrupt factions.

Hong Yi clenched his fists, his face etched with anger. He whispered to Zhang Wei.

"This is the injustice we've been hearing about. The very corruption that taints the palace. We must intervene."

Zhang Wei nodded, his sense of duty once again guiding his actions. They had come to Whisper Delight for information, but now they were faced with a more immediate mission – to protect the innocent from the tyranny of the palace's corrupt enforcers.

As Zhang Wei and Hong Yi confronted the soldiers, their initial approach was one of reason. They aimed to understand the soldiers' true intentions, who had ordered them to harass the innocent merchant, and which factions these men represented. The different banners on the soldiers' armour hinted at affiliations with various houses and factions, but the uniformity of the armour design indicated they were indeed part of the palace's forces.

Zhang Wei, with the weight of his new rank as a Corporal, tried to assert his authority and show that they were outmatched, not just in numbers but also in terms of military hierarchy.

"Listen here," Zhang Wei declared. "I am a Corporal, and you are insubordinate in harassing civilians. You're outmatched and outclassed. It's time to step aside and explain yourselves."

The soldiers merely exchanged mocking glances. One of them, their apparent leader, sneered.

"Corporal or not, you're just one man. We are many. What can you do?"

"We can resolve this peacefully. So, who's your commanding officer, and what's the purpose behind this unjust act?" Zhang Wei's voice remained firm.

The response was a hearty laugh from the soldiers. They had no intention of answering, their cruel intentions all too clear. The confrontation was inevitably swaying toward a brawl, and the number of arrogant soldiers seemed to provide them an advantage. They believed their numerical superiority was enough to intimidate the duo into submission.

"We can't take them head-on, but we have a few tricks up our sleeves," Hong Yi, realizing their predicament, leaned into Zhang Wei and whispered.

Zhang Wei nodded subtly, indicating he understood. They needed to be smart and resourceful in dealing with this situation. It wasn't just about a fight; they had a duty to protect the innocent merchant's family, as well as gather information about the corrupt elements within the palace's ranks. A direct physical confrontation would not serve these goals, and they needed to find a way to outmanoeuvre the arrogant soldiers.

The soldiers, arrogantly dismissing Zhang Wei's warnings, abruptly decided they'd had enough of this conversation and lunged at the two friends. The narrow alleyway suddenly became an arena, and the clash began.

Zhang Wei and Hong Yi were immediately outnumbered, and the soldiers wasted no time trying to overwhelm them. The soldiers, armed with short cudgels, aimed powerful strikes at Zhang Wei and Hong Yi, who had no choice but to use their combat skills to defend themselves.

Zhang Wei, with his years of martial training and military discipline, knew he had to be strategic. He couldn't rely solely on his strength. Grappling with an attacker, he used his knowledge of balance and leverage to disarm one of the soldiers and send him crashing to the ground.

Meanwhile, Hong Yi, although less experienced in combat, had honed his intelligence and battle wit. His moves were swift, his footwork nimble. All to reduce the amount of mistakes he could make. He ducked and weaved between the soldiers, dodging their strikes, and countering with precise strikes to their vital points.

The chaos of the fight echoed through the narrow alley. It was a dance of fists and fury, with Zhang Wei and Hong Yi combining their strengths. When Zhang Wei grappled with an assailant, Hong Yi was there to strike from behind, using his speed to his advantage. Their teamwork was formidable.

But they faced challenges. The alley's tight confines restricted their movements, leaving them vulnerable to the soldiers' relentless onslaught. The soldiers used their numbers to attempt to corner Zhang Wei and Hong Yi.

Amid the brawl, Zhang Wei saw an opportunity. He gave a signal to Hong Yi. Together, they manoeuvred to a more open area in the street, breaking free from the confining alley. Here, they had more space to use their skills effectively.

Hong Yi found a discarded wooden plank, using it as a makeshift weapon. As he wielded it with precision, he was able to create a defensive barrier against the soldiers' cudgels. At the same time, Zhang Wei's agility and speed allowed him to strike at crucial moments, disarming one of the soldiers.

Amid the escalating brawl, a soldier raised a cudgel high, ready to strike down on Hong Yi. Without a second thought, Zhang Wei, with a swift and selfless movement, stepped in to shield his friend from the blow. The cudgel struck Zhang Wei's side with a sickening thud. Pain seared through his ribs, and he staggered back, gasping for breath.

Hong Yi, witnessing his friend's sacrifice, was overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility. He believed that if he had been more proficient in combat, Zhang Wei wouldn't have needed to protect him, and they could have left this situation unscathed. He fought valiantly against the soldiers, a fierce determination in his eyes, and an unspoken promise to himself that he would improve his skills to avoid such incidents in the future.

As the battle raged on, Hong Yi focused his efforts on ensuring Zhang Wei's injured side was protected. It became increasingly clear that they needed assistance.

Then, a voice rang out from the distance, sharp and authoritative.

"Halt!"

It was General Li Feng himself, accompanied by a detachment of palace guards.

The soldiers harassing the merchant and his family were startled. They quickly retreated, leaving Zhang Wei, Hong Yi, and the merchant's family safe but weary. General Li Feng's arrival had put an end to the chaos.

General Li Feng, with his stern expression, surveyed the scene. He was aware of the situation and had arrived just in time to intervene. He turned to Zhang Wei and Hong Yi, his tone laced with a hint of approval.

"Zhang Wei, Hong Yi, your dedication to protecting the city is commendable. We shall discuss this matter further. But first, let us get your injury attended to."

Zhang Wei, despite the pain, nodded in agreement. He leaned on Hong Yi for support as they prepared to exit the alley. The injury was a reminder of the challenges they would face on the path to uncovering the truth behind the corruption within the palace, and the unspoken bond between friends who would face these challenges together.

The soldiers who had harassed the merchant's family were detained, awaiting General Li Feng's judgment. The incident had concluded, but it was clear that the confrontation was only the beginning of a more profound journey to unearth the truth behind the palace's corruption and its impact on the city's residents.

As Zhang Wei and Hong Yi, who had Zhang Wei nursing his side, carefully made their way back to the palace grounds, they were soon approached by the merchant and his grateful family. The merchant's face was etched with relief and gratitude, his wife clutching their child tightly, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Please, sirs, I cannot express how thankful we are for your intervention," the merchant said, his voice trembling with emotion. "You saved us from those brutal soldiers, and for that, we are forever in your debt."

Hong Yi and Zhang Wei exchanged a glance, a mix of humility and a sense of fulfilment shining in their eyes. Zhang Wei replied with sincerity.

"It was our duty to protect the citizens of this city. We are grateful that we could assist you."

"Our humble shop has been terrorized by those soldiers for so long. Your bravery has given us hope that we can finally live in peace," the merchant's wife stepped forward, her voice quivering with emotion.

"The palace soldiers must maintain order and protect the people. Your safety is our priority," Zhang Wei nodded, acknowledging her words.

"You're like heroes from the stories my mother tells me," the merchant's child, a wide-eyed girl, gazed at Zhang Wei and Hong Yi with innocent wonder.

"We're just here to make sure you can listen to more of those stories, little one," Hong Yi knelt to the child's eye level and smiled warmly.

The merchant extended his hand in gratitude.

"We may not have much, but please, take this as a token of our appreciation." He handed Zhang Wei a small pouch containing a few pieces of silver.

"Your gratitude is more than enough. Please, use this to rebuild your life and your shop. We shall always be here to protect you," Zhang Wei hesitated for a moment but accepted it with a nod.

The merchant was overwhelmed with emotion, and his family expressed their thanks once more. Zhang Wei and Hong Yi watched them depart with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that they had made a positive impact on the lives of the people they had sworn to protect.

As they continued their journey back to the palace, the weight of their duties and the knowledge of the corruption within the palace still loomed over them. But the encounter with the grateful merchant and his family served as a reminder of the importance of their roles as palace soldiers and their commitment to uncovering the truth for the sake of the people they were sworn to serve.