Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The half-bamboo tube dangled in Liu Qinghong's eyes, seemingly within reach, yet also like a bottomless abyss that threatened to suck him in.

Liu Qinghong's Adam's apple bobbed slowly up and down.

If he had simply hidden the bamboo tube in his pocket and left quietly, he might have been able to save his life and wouldn't have had to entrust his sister's future to the conscience and kindness of others.

However... although he had a flexible moral compass and wasn't exactly a good person, he knew that a true man should know what to do and what not to do.

Moreover, as far as he knew, Bian Hongzhen, the provincial governor of western Sichuan, was an honest and upright official who was well-loved by the people.

Liu Qinghong closed his eyes, half-squatted to the side of the bed, and patted Bian Hongzhen's shoulder with his slightly trembling hand, "Lord Bian, wake up."

Perhaps because of his illness, the person on the bed only slowly woke up after Liu Qinghong repeatedly increased the force of his push, almost turning him over.

In the instant he regained consciousness, Bian Hongzhen pressed down on the bamboo tube that was half-exposed, his gaze sharpening as he shouted, "Guards!"

This loud shout alerted the guards at the post station, and immediately a jumble of footsteps sounded outside. The glow of torches shone on the paper windows, and the gleaming light of blades surrounded Liu Qinghong.

Liu Qinghong knew that his attire made him seem like a respectable person, so he took off his mask and threw it aside to indicate that he was harmless.

Bian Hongzhen coughed lightly, his left fist pressed against his lips, his voice low but his gaze sharp as an arrow. "Who are you? What is your purpose in sneaking into my room so late at night?"

Liu Qinghong placed his hand on the leather pouch at his waist, a move that immediately prompted the guards to step forward, their blades pressed against his neck.

Liu Qinghong paused, changed from squatting to kneeling, and slowly took out the Imperial Academy's certificate from the leather pouch, presenting it with both hands. "I am Liu Qinghong, a student of the Imperial Academy. I had no choice but to sneak into the governor's bedroom. I have important matters to report."

"Important business?" Bian Hongzhen sized up the man in black kneeling beside the couch, then coughed a few times. "What important matter could a student of the Imperial Academy have that he couldn't ask for an audience openly, instead of sneaking into the post station in the middle of the night?"

"If I had any ill intentions, why would I have woken you up?" Liu Qinghong asked instead of answering.

He lowered his voice, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over the bamboo tube that Bian Hongzhen was holding with his right hand. "I have learned by chance that someone is after the contents of that bamboo tube."

Bian Hongzhen's expression hardened, and the pressure in his voice intensified. "Do you know what's in this bamboo tube, and what you've accused yourself?"

The imposing aura suddenly adopted by the second-rank official made Liu Qinghong's back tense, cold sweat soaking his back. Thinking of his disabled younger sister at home, he raised his voice slightly, with a resolute determination, "I know. It is precisely because this matter is of great importance that I have no choice but to come here in the dead of night to inform the Provincial Governor."

"The barbarian tribes are shameless. They want to steal the map of the defense of western Sichuan. Their ambitions must be great. I urge the governor to be careful."

Hearing Liu Qinghong's confident arguments, Bian Hongzhen sat down fully clothed and said, "So, you're saying you're a loyal and upright person? You speak with such certainty, but what concrete evidence do you have?"

"I can give you clues about those alien races. As long as you follow the trail and catch them, everything will become clear."

"If those foreigners had such a scheme, how could they have let a student of the Imperial Academy know about it?" Bian Hongzhen's gaze was piercing as he pressed on, "And where did you get this information from?"

The regional officials were not easily fooled. Once Bian Hongzhen followed his leads and captured those foreign tribesmen, all the lies would fall apart.

Cold sweat beaded on Liu Qinghong's forehead.

Between making up excuses and telling the truth, I chose to embellish my own story slightly and then tell the truth.

His voice was hoarse as he spoke, half-truthfully, "To make a living, I often take on letter-writing jobs outside the city. Last night, I was a little late, and the city gates were locked, so I couldn't return in time. I was worried about my young sister at home, who was frail and had no one to take care of her. So, I had no choice but to dress in the dark and climb over the city wall, only to find myself on the wall with several foreigners..."

"The barbarians are shameless. They actually poisoned me, trying to coerce me into stealing the Sichuan defense map. I knew the matter was of great importance, so I had no choice but to feign cooperation with them and temporarily save my life, risking my life to send the message out."

"If they're plotting to deploy defenses in western Sichuan, why don't they do it themselves instead of coercing you? Aren't they afraid you'll turn against them?"

"Perhaps they saw that my lightness skill was good, and they thought that I had taken poison and my life was in their hands." Liu Qinghong concealed his hesitation and indecisiveness, and spoke with righteous indignation, "How do those barbarians know the spirit of the Great Yin people who would rather die than live in dishonor? Besides, even if they fail, they can use the excuse that I am a Great Yin person to sever all ties."

Bian Hongzhen coughed lightly, picked up the bamboo tube, and said, "Since you are so loyal and righteous, why did you delay reporting what happened the night before until now? And why did you come in the middle of the night dressed in black?"

Liu Qinghong said sadly, "Although I have no intention of betraying my country for personal gain, it is a fact that I climbed over the city wall in the middle of the night. Once reported, I will be unable to control my own destiny. I am poisoned and know that my days are numbered, so I will spend the last two days with my sister as a small consolation."

"As for coming in the middle of the night dressed in black, I am just an unknown student, and I really can't be sure if you will see me. This matter is of great importance, so I have no choice but to take a risk."

This passionate and persuasive speech piqued Bian Hongzhen's interest. "You're poisoned, yet you brazenly sell me the whereabouts of those alien races. Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Qinghong raised his head slightly, his expression calm. "I am afraid of death, but I am even more afraid of dying as a traitor. It would be better to die from poison than to live a wretched life in anonymity, than to suffer the torment of my heart day and night. My sister will be despised by everyone for the rest of her life."

"Besides..." Liu Qinghong smiled palely, "You said you sold me the whereabouts of those alien races, can I understand it as 'selling' in the sense of 'trafficking' rather than 'betraying'?"

"Selling?" Bian Hongzhen twirled the bamboo tube in his hand. "How much do you value the tracks of those foreign tribes plotting to deploy defenses in western Sichuan?"

Liu Qinghong met Bian Hongzhen's scrutinizing gaze with unwavering resolve. "I have heard that Your Excellency is a gentleman of integrity and keeps your word. If I am destined to be exiled three thousand miles away or die from poisoning, I beg Your Excellency to consider that I have helped you by reporting this and resolving a problem for you, and to adopt my younger sister as your goddaughter and protect her for the rest of her life."

Liu Qinghong kowtowed deeply, "She is physically disabled but has a wise mind. She only asks that Your Excellency grant her a peaceful home and let her decide her own marriage. If that is the case... I would die without regret."

This person... although he has many hidden thoughts, he is not entirely without fault in terms of major principles.

He was a good older brother, though.

Bian Hongzhen's gaze, carrying a hint of meaning, fell on Liu Qinghong. He handed him the bamboo tube and said, "Open it and take a look."

Liu Qinghong was taken aback, opened the bamboo tube, and took out a piece of kraft paper.

The kraft paper was completely blank.

...

Thank you everyone for your concern, but I missed the deadline, boohoo~