In a chaotic and famine-stricken era, I picked up an empress to be my wife.

Feng Guaizi quickly looked away, afraid that Shen An would notice something amiss, and pretended that nothing had happened.

In the late afternoon, Ma Tianming came to the mass grave again. He came to check whether Shen An had falsely reported the number of people as he had instructed.

Seeing that Shen An had indeed complied, Ma Tianming was quite satisfied. He patted his chest and said that as long as Shen An did a good job, he would also hand over the other mass graves to him.

What Ma Tianming didn't know was that by trying to find Shen An to be a scapegoat, he actually did Shen An a huge favor!

This falsification of the number of people is extremely beneficial for Shen An in getting rid of troublesome guys like Feng Guaizi.

As the foreman, he could not only manipulate the number of people buried, but also report the cause of death of the corpse carriers according to his own wishes.

In other words, if he were to kill Feng Guaizi and his gang, he could simply report it as a plague, bury the bodies on the spot, and Ma Tianming would have no way to use it to cause him trouble.

With this convenience, Shen An's desire to personally kill Feng Guaizi and his gang became increasingly difficult to suppress.

If he didn't still need to win people over and couldn't go too far, he would have loved to immediately pick up his crossbow and unleash a hail of bullets on them.

But it'll be soon. Once he's won over the hearts of the other corpse carriers, it will be the end for Feng Guaizi and his gang!

As the sun was setting, Shen An folded the human hair that the corpse carriers had handed over into money and was preparing to carry it back.

Dugu Meng lowered her head and sidled up to him. After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke, as if she had mustered up her courage: "Um... I'd like to take a shower tonight, could you heat some water?"

Shen An glanced at her: "We have a solar water heater at home, so we don't need to burn firewood. Xiao Qi and I shower every day."

"Huh? A solar water heater? You shower every day?"

Dugu Meng was stunned.

She would lock the door tightly every night, so she had no idea what the two brothers were doing. She thought they didn't shower, but it turns out they were much more particular than her.

She was a little embarrassed, but couldn't help asking, "What is solar-powered hot water? How can there be hot water without burning a fire?"

"Hehe, sister-in-law, you'll understand once you go and see for yourself."

Shen Xiaoqi leaned closer, her tone laced with boasting: "Solar water heaters let the sun shine during the day, and you'll have hot water to shower in the evening. The water won't even cool down the next day. My brother figured that out himself."

Dugu Meng was half-believing and half-doubting.

Of course she knew that the solar panels could heat the water, but it wouldn't cool down even after being left overnight.

That doesn't make sense.

But when she got home and went into the bathroom, Shen An turned on the bamboo water pipe and warm water gushed out. Only then did she realize that she had underestimated Shen An again.

"What...how did this happen?"

Shen An led her out and pointed to the black barrel on the roof: "Use it."

How could a mere black bucket possess such great power?

Dugu Meng became more and more confused as she listened, as this overturned her original understanding.

But it was actually quite simple for Shen An to make. Black absorbs heat, and he made a double layer inside the bucket, stuffed it with charcoal chips to keep it warm, so the hot water could be kept for use the next day.

To put it bluntly, it's just a rudimentary method used in modern solar water heaters.

"Hurry up and wash, Xiaoqi and I are waiting," Shen An urged her.

Dugu Meng hadn't taken a bath for several days. Despite her unease, she quickly grabbed some clean clothes and went into the bathroom.

When the hot water was poured over her, her body, which had been tense for several days, finally relaxed a bit.

After changing my clothes, I felt like I had a completely new look, and Shen An's image kept popping into my mind.

What surprised her even more was that thinking of Shen An gave her a sense of security and peace, a feeling she had never experienced with anyone before...

"Bang!"

The sound of the courtyard gate being kicked open abruptly interrupted her thoughts.

Immediately afterwards, Feng Guaizi's loud voice rang out: "Shen An, you son of a bitch, come out here!"

The person is not good!

Dugu Meng quickly put on her tattered outer clothes, pulled down her hat, and came out of the bathroom.

Then they saw Feng Guaizi and Liu Laowu, each carrying a long knife, the blades gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

Shen An and Shen Xiaoqi also came out of the house, and the two groups stood facing each other.

Feng Guaizi looked at Dugu Meng, who had just finished taking a shower. Where was the dirty look she had before?

Even when dressed in men's clothing, you can tell she's an absolute beauty.

This is definitely the woman the military governor wants!

His eyes grew brighter and brighter, feeling that tonight's trip was well worth it. He sneered and said, "Shen An, if you know what's good for you, let Liu Xiao Si come with me."

You know better than anyone what kind of person she is; keeping her around is just asking for trouble.

"Hand it over to us, and you might save your life."

"Hahaha!"

Shen An smiled.

During the day, he was still thinking about finding a suitable opportunity to take action against Feng Guaizi and his gang. Now that these people had come to cause trouble late at night, it gave him a reason to kill them.

"What are you laughing at! Denying it won't help! If you don't cooperate today, we'll kill you two brothers with our long knives first!" Feng Guaizi brandished his long knife, speaking menacingly.

"Oh, so your confidence comes from these few knives?" Shen An said, feigning sudden realization.

"Otherwise what? You two may have some skill, but you're still made of flesh and blood! These eight long swords of ours are made of refined iron. Killing you is as easy as crushing ants!" Feng Guaizi said with a face full of disdain.

"That's right! Hand over the person right now, or we'll really take action!" Liu Laowu shouted anxiously.

This commotion completely ruined Dugu Meng's good mood.

She had witnessed Shen An's skills, and he was still far inferior to her personal bodyguards. The two brothers, unarmed, were no match for these people.

If we fight them, we'll surely die!

It seems there's no escaping it today.

She shook her head and said, "Shen An, Shen Xiaoqi, you two go. Don't worry about me, I'll handle this."

"Haha, Shen An, look at this little beauty, she's more sensible than you." Feng Guaizi laughed unrestrainedly.

"You're the ones who don't understand reason!"

Shen Xiaoqi grinned, her expression instantly turning cold: "Now that you know her identity, my brother won't let you leave here alive!"

"Hahaha!"

Liu Laowu and the others laughed so hard they were doubled over, as if they had heard some incredible joke.

Feng Guaizi's face darkened: "Damn it, how much do you think you are of me? I originally planned to take down that woman first and then deal with you, but now I've changed my mind. I'll kill both of you first!"

Shen An remained expressionless and brought out the crossbow.

They weren't useful before, but today is the perfect time to take down Feng Guaizi and his gang.

He chuckled and said, "Feng the Cripple, tell me, should I kill you first, or your men?"

"Damn it, who are you trying to scare with that broken wooden box? We have eight knives in our hands, and you still dare to brag like that?" Liu Laowu cursed.

"Then let's start with you." Shen An aimed his crossbow at Liu Laowu.

"A broken wooden box? You think it can kill people? That's fucking hilarious!"

Liu Laowu laughed so hard he couldn't stand up straight, then turned to the person next to him: "Did you hear that? He said this thing can kill people."

The others laughed along, thinking that only bows and arrows could shoot people, so what use was this wooden box?

Dugu Meng's brows were also furrowed. The last time Constable Ma came, these two brothers had brought out that crossbow, but it didn't seem to have any power at all...

She was about to speak again, asking Shen An and the others to leave!

"Whoosh!"

Shen An pulled the trigger, and the crossbow bolt flew out.

One second Liu Laowu was laughing, the next second his laughter stopped.

He felt a sharp pain in his neck; the crossbow bolt had pierced his throat, and blood was gushing out.

His face flushed red instantly. He tried to reach for the arrow in his neck, but before his fingers could even touch it, he fell straight backward.

The entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence.

The smiles on Feng Guaizi and his men's faces froze.

Shen An's face revealed a rare excitement, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he stared at Feng Guaizi and his group like prey: "Don't just stand there, it's your turn next."

"Run! Run!"

Feng Guaizi reacted quickly, turning around to try and escape.