Chapter 54: Dragon's Lair and Tiger's Den

Gu Yu suddenly chuckled. "I thought of a plan while eating noodles just now. Sixth Brother, let me run it by you." He leaned in and whispered a few words into Wu Haichao’s ear. Wu Haichao shook his head like a rattling drum. "You are talking sheer nonsense in your dreams. I do not agree."

Gu Yu looked at him stubbornly, and Wu Haichao changed his tone. "Master Gu, I beg you, let’s not get mixed up in this. Come back with me. From now on, whatever you say goes, no questions asked, all right?"

A flicker of slyness crossed Gu Yu’s eyes. "This must be done. If you refuse, and I am caught during the attempt, I will implicate you."

Wu Haichao was dumbfounded. "Im... implicate me in what?"

Gu Yu spread his hands. "Inciting me to break into the Imperial Prison by night. I wonder if Sixth Brother can withstand the brutal tortures of the Brocade Guard?"

"You bastard..." Terrified, Wu Haichao grabbed Gu Yu’s arm. "Let’s talk this over properly. Your humble brother is of frail constitution and cannot take such fright."

Gu Yu shook off his grip and walked toward the mouth of the alley. Wu Haichao’s face turned pale and then green, and he trotted after him. "Master Gu, Master Gu, let’s discuss this further..."

As the lanterns were just being lit, off-duty officers of the Brocade Guard gradually became more numerous. Emerging from West Jiangmi Alley, wave after wave of guards dressed in flying-fish robes successively poured into the eateries near the mouth of the alley. The tavern keeper was clearly well-acquainted with this group and knew everyone’s preferences by heart. Without waiting for orders, he had dishes and drinks prepared one after another, and in no time, the street became bustling with lively activity.

Chen’s Tavern was one of the most popular establishments among them. The small shop contained only four or five tables, which were instantly occupied by the Brocade Guard. Proprietor Chen was a middle-aged man who bustled about briskly, while the waiters scurried back and forth serving dishes and wine. Most of those lingering outside at this hour were young lads, drinking uproariously amidst boisterous shouting.

In the dark alley opposite the tavern, Gu Yu hid in the shadows to observe. His gaze swept through the doors and windows, assessing everyone’s build and condition, until he finally locked his target onto a lean young man. The man looked young, still retaining a trace of childishness on his face. After drinking a few cups with his colleagues at the same table, his face flushed red, revealing an honest, ingenuous smile. He spoke very little, spending most of his time listening to others.

The lively noise from the street drifted over from afar, making the pitch-black alley appear exceptionally tranquil. Gu Yu stretched his numb limbs, calmed his mind, and waited silently. After about an hour, the drinking party at that table drew to a close. Several guards stood up, settled the bill, and waved goodbye, heading off in different directions. Gu Yu stepped out of the alley and followed at a distance behind the young man. The latter was noticeably drunk, walking unsteadily, but his flying-fish robe possessed such intimidating presence that pedestrians hurriedly stepped aside to make way.

Gu Yu followed at a measured pace as the young man turned into West River Ditch Ward. The youth walked deep into a lane, drew a key from his waist, opened the door, and went inside. Hearing the door latch, his elderly mother walked out into the courtyard. The young man flashed a silly, sheepish grin at the woman, his expression rather bashful. The mother shook her head. "While getting along with your colleagues is good, you must also mind your limits. Overindulging in alcohol will only cause others to look down upon you."

The young man gave a drunken hiccup and lowered his head. "I know, Mother."

The mother led him over to a washbasin to help him wash up, then pushed him into the bedroom and took off his outer garment. The moment the young man’s head hit the pillow, he began to snore. The mother placed a cup of water by his bedside, closed the bedroom door, and retired to her own room to rest.

Quiet returned to the household. From the low courtyard wall, Gu Yu suddenly vaulted over, landing silently on the ground like a civet cat. He crept close to the door, listening to the movements within, then pressed his shoulder against the door panel and pushed gently. With a faint creak, the door opened a crack. Gu Yu slipped inside and quietly closed the door behind him. Suddenly, a sound came from the mother’s room, scaring Gu Yu half to death. His right hand steadied the doorframe, prepared to bolt at the first sign of discovery.

After waiting a moment with no further sound, Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. By this time, his eyes had gradually adjusted to the darkness. The house featured a typical layout of a central main room flanked by two bedrooms to the east and west, the interior neatly arranged. He had seen the layout clearly from the top of the wall earlier, so he headed straight for the north room without hesitation and gently pushed the door open. The young man was fast asleep, snoring up a storm.

The flying-fish robe hung on a clothes rack at the foot of the bed. Gu Yu crept over, scooped up the robe, felt around the lining, and retrieved a heavy waist token. Joy flared in his chest, and he quietly retreated from the room. Just as he stepped out, the mother was standing in the dim main room. Their eyes met, and both were instantly dumbfounded. A moment later, the mother let out a piercing scream. Gu Yu bolted for the door, pulled it open with all his might, and fled for his life.

Realizing the thief had escaped, the mother hurried into the north room and saw her son still dead to the world, lost in sweet dreams. A wave of bitter frustration washed over her, and she brought her hand down in a sharp slap across his face. The young man sprang up instantly, his drunken eyes hazy yet his expression tense. "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" Upon realizing that the figure by the bed was his mother, he was left dumbfounded.

The mother looked at her son in helpless exasperation, her expression one of utter disappointment. "Sun Tiancai, your house has been burglarized! Quickly check if anything is missing!"

Sun Tiancai lit the oil lamp, only to find the flying-fish robe hanging on the rack completely empty. He froze on the spot.

In the dark alley, Gu Yu stopped, his heart pounding wildly. He caught his breath, quickly slipped into the flying-fish robe, weighed the waist token in his hand, tucked it into his bosom, and stepped out of the alley. After all this commotion, little time remained for him, but having steeled his heart to see it through, he felt no hesitation. He ran all the way back to West Jiangmi Alley, straightened his collar, and walked inside.

Patrolling soldiers were still about in the night, but seeing Gu Yu dressed in a flying-fish robe, they did not step forward to interrogate him. He strode all the way to the yamen’s front gates, where a pair of stone lions holding jade plaques guarded either side of the stone steps. Above the steps stood the main gate of the Brocade Guard Commandery. The side gate remained open at this hour, with officials still entering and exiting while soldiers lined up on both sides to check identities. Gu Yu steadied his nerves and handed the waist token to a soldier. The soldier looked up at him. "Why are you back so late?" He sniffed the air. "Have you been drinking?"

Gu Yu’s heart tightened, but he immediately put on an impatient expression. "Don't even mention it. While I was trying to eat, Commander Zhou insisted that I interrogate a prisoner. Who knows what’s going on."

The soldier looked him up and down a few times and handed the token back. "Hurry on in then, and don't delay official business."

Gu Yu tucked the token into his bosom and passed through the side gate into the yamen. This truly was entering a tiger’s den; he did not dare let down his guard for a single step. The yamen grounds featured both broad avenues and winding paths, flanked by ancient pines and verdant cypresses. Walking among them, one felt none of the legendary, terrifying aura of dread. Guards frequently passed him on the main avenue. Fearing that he might betray his nervousness, Gu Yu veered off onto a smaller path. Although it was already evening, many rooms in the yamen were still brightly lit. After walking for a stretch, he unsurprisingly lost his way. Just as he was growing anxious, a faint aroma of food drifted to his nostrils. Following the scent, a spacious kitchen suddenly came into view.

A dozen cooks were still bustling about energetically, roaring flames beneath the stoves and billowing smoke filling the air, bringing a sense of familiar comfort to Gu Yu. He thought to himself: This place is not much different from the Shuntun Prefecture Yamen.