They were moving fast, crossing the wooden bridge in a flash, crossing it too quickly for anyone to take a closer look.0

Almost no one noticed that the man beneath the overturned boat had crouched down and left the cover of the boat, curling perfectly into the bridge’s shadow.0

He Lingchuan stayed there, holding his breath, not daring to so much as make a ripple that might draw unwanted attention.0

A dozen breaths later, he cautiously poked his head above the surface, glanced left and right, then jabbed the spear into the canal bank. Using it for leverage, he vaulted himself up onto dry land.1

The riders were already galloping away, their figures shrinking into the distance.0

Only two children, who appeared to be five or six years old, stood by the bank, staring at him in curiosity, but their mother’s face was tight with...0