Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune: Starting with death row inmates

After considering for a moment, Fang Xue asked Shen Chen, "Master Shen, do you know how many command flags are in the stronghold?"

Shen Chen recalled that Qin Pi had mentioned this matter to him before.

The Dogtooth Mountain Stronghold has twelve leaders, and the power of each leader is ranked according to their position. The "command flag" is the symbol of power.

As the leader of the stronghold, Hu Muzhi was in charge of the main flag and the command flag of the stronghold. Qin Pi, as the seventh leader of the stronghold, was in charge of punishments and had the Xie Zhi Iron Law Flag and the personal guard flag.

Shen Chen said, "I heard Brother Qin say that there are twelve large banners and thirty-six small banners in the village."

Fang Xue nodded: "That's true."

"My brother Fang Yong once had a small flag for the mountain stronghold, a flag for patrolling and scouting. He is now dead, and this flag is in my hands," Fang Xue said.

"I had previously offered to give this command flag to Master Qin, but he refused. I confirmed with him again and again, but he still insisted on not taking it, only telling me to keep it safe, as he is currently unable to hold onto more command flags."

Is it difficult for Qin Pi to gain more control over the situation now?

Shen Chen keenly sensed the meaning behind those words, and he narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly—a bandit leader was targeting Qin Pi, trying to seize his banner!

"Recently, two more people have come to me. One of them is Tang Long, the fourth leader of the stronghold, who used to be Fang Yong's master. The other is Zhao Ying, the fifth leader, who was Fang Yong's subordinate before."

"They've all talked to me about the patrol flag, and I think they're all interested in it too." Fang Xue paused, then said, "But there's only one flag, and it can only be given to one person, so... I'm really torn. I'd appreciate any advice from you, Master Shen."

Shen Chen stroked his chin and asked, "Are you familiar with Tang Long and Zhao Ying's character?"

Fang Xue recalled, "Tang Long was my father's best friend. When the Fang family was suddenly attacked by thugs, it was Tang Long who led our family up the mountain. If it weren't for his help, we would have perished long ago..."

"After we entered the stronghold, the fifth leader, Zhao Ying, taught us martial arts and took good care of us. They were all very kind people."

After hearing this, Shen Chen rested his fingers on his chin and fell into deep thought.

[You suggested that Fang Xue hand over the command flag to—]

[Good fortune: Zhao Ying. After receiving the command flag, Zhao Ying remembered this favor. The other party showed great care in the snow. Auspicious.]

[Bad Fortune: Qin Pi, you persuaded Qin Pi to accept Fang Xue's command flag. Not long after, rumors spread in the village that Qin Pi helped Fang Xue entirely out of covetousness for the flag. He is not as righteous as he seems; he is ruthless.]

[The worst possible outcome: Tang Long. After receiving the command flag, Tang Long hosted a banquet for Fang Xue. During the banquet, he gained Fang Xue's trust and tricked her into revealing the location of the Fang family's secret manual. He then immediately killed Fang Xue, eliminating all traces of her. This is extremely unlucky.]

Shen Chen looked up at Fang Xue, whose eyes were full of anxiety and confusion.

"My suggestion is that you hand the command flag over to Zhao Ying," Shen Chen said. "I've heard of Zhao Ying's reputation in the village. He's a public-spirited and upright man, and he's your brother's superior, so handing the command flag over to him is in accordance with the rules."

"As for Tang Long, I don't think he can be trusted," Shen Chen said.

Fang Xue's pupils contracted: "Brother Shen, what makes you say that?"

"When your brother was imprisoned, did he offer any help?" Shen Chen asked.

Fang Xue paused for a moment, then shook her head.

When Fang Yong was imprisoned, Zhao Ying did not directly intervene, but she assigned Fang Yu to a team of elites. Friends who were on good terms with the Fang family also lent a helping hand. However, Tang Long did nothing.

"You just said that Tang Long and your father are close friends, and you should call him uncle," Shen Chen said. "But his nephew is in grave danger, and he just stands by and does nothing. I have serious doubts about his character."

"Moreover, I've heard some rumors about Boss Tang. He's a ruthless martial arts fanatic. A while ago, in order to seize the martial arts school's signature technique, he actually killed everyone in that school. Tsk tsk..." Shen Chen shook his head and sighed, glancing at Fang Xue in the dark.

Now that I've said all that, if you still don't understand, there's really nothing I can do.

At this moment, Fang Xue's pupils suddenly contracted. She suddenly remembered the upheaval in the Fang family, when Tang Long rescued her and her two siblings from a large group of thugs who attacked the Fang family.

What if... that attack was planned by him for the Fang family's secret techniques?

Fang Xue suddenly understood why her sister Fang Yu, who was always so respectful to Tang Long, had repeatedly warned her and Fang Yong in private not to reveal the Fang family's secret techniques to him and to carefully observe Tang Long in their daily lives.

She subconsciously bit her lip, her eyes surging with an uncontrollable anger and hatred.

She took a deep breath, her full chest heaving for a moment before calming down.

"I understand, Mr. Shen," Fang Xue said gratefully to Shen Chen. "Thank you very much for your guidance."

"You're too kind, Miss Fang." Shen Chen nodded.

In the afternoon, Fang Xue returned the command flag left by Fang Yong to Zhao Ying.

"Master Zhao, this patrol flag is a keepsake from my brother Fang Yong." Fang Xue respectfully pushed a command flag wrapped in red cloth into Zhao Ying's hands. "Please accept it."

Looking at the command flag, Zhao Ying's face showed regret. He sighed and said, "I told Fang Yong years ago not to be too sharp, because a gun barrel that is too hard will easily break."

"Keep this for yourself, as a keepsake," Zhao Ying said.

Fang Xue insisted, "You were the one who handed this command flag to him back then, and now it is his last wish to return it to you. Please accept it, Master Zhao."

Seeing this, Zhao Ying stopped refusing and readily took back the patrol flag.

With this small flag, he could command and mobilize the patrol team of Quanya Mountain Village. Although the power was not great, Zhao Ying would not complain.

"Fang Xue, although your sister and brother are gone, the Fang family still has you. Don't dwell on the sadness of the past; one must look forward," Zhao Ying said gently.

Fang Xue nodded tearfully. After a moment's hesitation, she suddenly knelt down before Zhao Ying and kowtowed three times: "Master Zhao, please teach me martial arts and accept me as your disciple!"

Zhao Ying was taken aback, then hurriedly stepped forward to help Fang Xue up: "What are you doing...?"

"Master Zhao, I hate you so much..." Fang Xue cried, tears streaming down her face. "That bastard Tang Long wiped out my entire family for my family's secret manual, and Yuan Ying killed my siblings and me. I want revenge, but I have no way to do it!"

"Please, Master Zhao, teach me martial arts! I am willing to offer you my family's secret manual!" Fang Xue knelt for a long time without getting up.

Zhao Ying frowned, staring at Fang Xue for a long time before saying gently, "Good girl, get up. I'll take you as my disciple."

After Fang Xue stood up, he spoke again, "But you have to tell me, who sent you to see me today?"