That Belt, It Was Tacky

"Do you really need to use that thing, every chance you get?" Li TengFei walked into the shop. Pointing at the battering ram with disdain, like it was an unsightly insect. "Really burning the house to kill a rat."

Wang Lei was annoyed. What was this person doing here? When he heard the water spirit was caught, wearing his clothes and his jade belt, he was ecstatic! The first good news he's heard since Li TengFei made a fool of him at that peacock show orchestrated to take over Gaochang.

Wang Lei rushed over. The guard told him that a man came through, accompanied by three youths. The man was wearing a yellow chang pao, his chang pao! More importantly, the man had on the jade belt that indicated the official ranking of a general of the Imperial Army.

Wang Lei was not particularly fond of that belt, it was tacky. The belt was only worn during official functions, he didn't mind it getting lost. But this was a case of somebody impersonating an officer of the Imperial Army. The impersonator was followed to this shop, after he left, he lingered at a restaurant and paid for a room at an Inn. At this point, Wang Lei ordered his arrest.

Saint Tami was bound and forced to kneel in front of Wang Lei. He didn't even have to be tortured to confess. Saint Tami's mouth spilled and overflowed like the Yellow River in rainy season. He said, he accompanied three youths to sell to a broker. He was only passing by Gaochang.

"What about the jade belt?"

It was given to him by one of the youths. A tall and slender boy, shaved head, red and peeling skin.

Wang Lei could not reconcile his thoughts. If this Saint Tami was indeed the river spirit, this dubious and slimy personality, a shameless human trafficker by trade. The thought of such a person touching his body, handled in that way by the side of the river. The very thought made Wang Lei inwardly retch.

Wang Lei inspected his own returned money bag, it was found on Saint Tami's person. He turned out its contents, not bothering with the silver that poured out. He slipped his hand to the bottom of the pouch, feeling for that familiar round shape. It was gone. The pouch was embroidered by his mother. The jade amulet, for good luck, was also hidden in the pouch by his mother.

With one flick of his wrist, Saint Tami was dragged out to the military prison. Followed by a retinue of fully armed men, Wang Lei leisurely walked to the broker's shop, very much looking forward to meeting this youth, Saint Tami spoke of.

The shop was searched with a fine toothed comb, not even nitts could escape. Like a dog in pursuit of a lame rabbit, there was no way Wang Lei was giving up so easily. Taking stock of his recovered belongings, his jade amulet and his undershirt were still to be found.

The silk vest was wedged between the enclosure bars. All the bald youths that came out of this room were searched, but the undershirt and the jade token were not found. Wang Lei was not ready to give up, but now there was this General Li TengFei who showed up! Minding business that had nothing to do with him!

"I heard somebody impersonated General Wang, a serious offence. That is certain death, who dares something so stupid?"

Wang Lei's teeth were gritted, but on the outside he managed an image of calm, "General Li is very perceptive, already arriving at the scene before the investigation is concluded. Truly, General is deserving of your illustrious reputation."

Li TengFei returned a light smile, but he did not bother to glance at Wang Lei as he spoke. Instead, Li TengFei carefully picked his way towards the hollow wall, stepping over rubbish on the floor. Nobody dared to stand in his way.

Li TengFei approached the wall, knocked on it with a finger tip. With an open palm, he slid the wall to the side. It opened easily. An empty closet was revealed.

"Ah" the sound of bated disappointment, collectively expressed.

"Does General Wang have any other ideas, anywhere else to look?" Li TengFei had a flash of amusement crinkling at the edge of his eyes. He carefully studied Wang Lei, in his estimation, a young and ambitious general with a promising future. Although at the present, the young general was still too young, he was cracking like thin eggshells.

Young General Wang still had to fully master his emotions, as the very perceptive Li TengFei could trace his every repressed emotion as if reading an open book. Wang Fei was first disappointed, then he was wistful, regretting some sort of missed fated meeting. That was strange, Wang Fei's reaction intrigued Li TengFei even more.

In fact, Wang Fei was out of ideas. It was a small victory when the silk vest was found, but now there was no where else to search.

Li TengFei unsheathed his sword, and pointed it towards the empty closet. He tapped the blade on the closet wall. Wang Fei had a quizzical expression, what was Li TengFei doing now?

"Come out or this blade will stick through your head." The threat was delivered, but the voice was as soothing as cool water. It sounded like Li TengFei was talking to somebody in casual conversation, but threatening their life in reality.