The town of Daofu is located southwest of Kanzhou. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides, nestled deep within mountain valleys. To enter the town, one must pass through several gorges. The surrounding mountains are naturally formed, steep and neatly cut like they were carved by knives and axes, hence the name “Daofu” (Knife and Axe).

Though not large, the town is quite famous. Its scenic beauty attracts many visitors. The only way in and out of town is through a narrow pass known as “One-Line Sky.” The town may not be small, but it has the smallest city gate in all of Song territory.

Early one morning, the crisp sound of copper bells echoed from the foot of the mountain along a narrow mountain path.

Below the mountain, a young scholar led a small donkey up the trail.

The scholar appeared to be in his twenties, thin like a sheet of paper, but full of vitality. He had delicate and clean-cut features, long hair, and wore a simple blue robe. He held the donkey’s reins loosely behind him, neither too tight nor too loose.

The small donkey was plump and stocky, quite adorable, with large ears and big bright eyes. Its grayish-white fur was clean and distinct.

Seated on the donkey’s back was an even more adorable child. This little one, around four or five years old, was petite—looking almost like a peanut from afar. He had big eyes, a small nose, and a tiny mouth, his skin smooth and glowing, clearly well cared for.

The child held a small medicine box in his hands while sitting atop the donkey. In a soft, sticky voice, he called out to the scholar, “Daddy.”

The scholar, who didn’t look much older than twenty, seemed far too young to have a child this age. Yet, he turned back with a pampering smile and replied, “Yes?”

“Daddy,” the child scooted forward a bit, “we’re walking so slowly. Won’t we block the people behind us?”

The scholar turned to check… and indeed, someone was coming up from the foot of the mountain.

This narrow pass was long and tight, with a steep incline—just enough for a person and a horse to pass through. Anyone larger would struggle to get through. If someone was coming from behind, they could indeed end up blocking the way.

The father and son turned their heads together and saw a thin, short-legged horse pulling a small cart full of straw. An old farmer was slowly driving the cart.

The child and the scholar exchanged a smile—seemed like there was no problem after all.

“Sir, you’re up early,” the old farmer greeted when he noticed them. “Are you a physician?”

The scholar nodded. “Yes.”

“Ah, I see. You must be heading to the county office to help out, right?”

The scholar was slightly puzzled and shook his head. “No, I came to Daofu Town to buy medicinal herbs. Did something happen at the county office that requires a physician?”

The old farmer was surprised. “Sir, you must be an outsider. You don’t know about the big incident?”

The scholar shook his head.

“The most famous sect in Daofu, the Duan Dao Sect, was completely wiped out recently—so many, many bodies!” The old farmer shuddered as he spoke. “And now, because the bodies weren’t taken care of, corpse fever has started spreading among the yamen officers. They’re calling doctors to treat them.”

The scholar frowned slightly. “Why weren’t the bodies cremated? Though the weather isn’t too hot, leaving them for too long will surely cause disease.”

“Who dares burn them?!” The old farmer shook his head vigorously. “The Duan Dao Sect belonged to the Blade Alliance, and their leader, Dao Xingfeng, swore that he would only allow them a proper burial after he personally avenged them.”

The scholar sneered. “They died in a martial dispute, not as soldiers defending their country. And yet, they talk about a grand funeral?”

“Shh!” The old farmer waved his hands in panic. “Sir, you must be careful with your words! The Blade Alliance might come after you.”

The scholar merely shook his head and continued walking. Meanwhile, the child on the donkey was squinting towards the mountain below, rubbing his eyes occasionally.

“Xiao Si,” the scholar gently pinched the child’s face. “What are you looking at?”

The plump little child, called Xiao Si, suddenly pointed toward the valley below. “A cloud.”

The scholar didn’t quite understand. “A cloud?”

“It’s floating…” Xiao Si lifted his hand as he spoke.

Following the child’s movement, the scholar and the farmer both caught a glimpse of something white flashing by, seemingly gliding along the mountain wall. In an instant, it whooshed past them overhead and disappeared.

“Was that a cloud, Daddy?” Xiao Si asked.

The scholar thought for a moment, then helplessly shook his head. “I couldn’t see clearly.”

Just then, a series of gongs sounded from below.

Xiao Si glanced down, quickly grabbed his father’s sleeve, and said excitedly, “Daddy, look! So many people!”

The scholar turned to look and was surprised.

It wasn’t the number of people that shocked him—but rather, the large, bold sign that read “Justice and Integrity.”

“They actually came!” The old farmer was also taken aback.

“Who came?” the scholar asked, curious.

“Sir, you really don’t know anything, do you? The massacre at Daofu Town was such a big case that it even brought Lord Bao from Kaifeng here! He’s on patrol and personally investigating the case!”

At the foot of the mountain.

Grand Chancellor Pang looked up at the narrow pass known as One-Line Sky, wondering if he should measure his waist to see if he could squeeze through.

Judge Bao frowned. With so many people in his group, marching up in a single file would take forever. He debated whether to leave some people behind.

Zhan Zhao stood at the entrance of One-Line Sky, looking up the mountain. In the distance, he spotted people walking slowly along the mountain path. With his sharp eyesight, he quickly noticed a plump little child sitting on a donkey, looking quite adorable. He raised a hand and waved.

Far away, Xiao Si saw someone in red waving at him and waved back.

The scholar pinched his cheek. “Who are you waving at?”

“A big brother,” Xiao Si pointed at Zhan Zhao down below.

Zhan Zhao, known for his two great loves—tasting good food and playing with animals (including children)—was delighted.

“Daren, shall we rest for a bit?” Zhan Zhao turned to Judge Bao. “There are elders and children on the path; they’ll take time to walk.”

Judge Bao nodded in agreement and even glanced back at Pang Ji. “Let him stay at the back. If a carriage happens to fall, his body can cushion it. But if he goes first and rolls down, we’ll all end up in a trap.”

Zhan Zhao smirked, trying not to laugh, while Pang Ji, ears perked up, yelled, “Bao Zheng! Are you badmouthing me?!”

His voice echoed loudly, reaching even halfway up the mountain.

The scholar heard it and glanced down, catching sight of a striking figure in red standing beside an exceptionally dignified but very dark-skinned man. His eyes flickered—was this the legendary Bao Qingtian? Indeed, he was black!

Just as he was thinking this, a group of yamen officers suddenly galloped down from above.

The scholar frowned and saw that among them was an official, likely the county magistrate, based on his attire.

“Aiya!” The magistrate seemed to be rushing down to welcome Judge Bao but found his path blocked. “Move aside, move aside!” The yamen officers pushed at the scholar and child.

The little donkey let out a cry as it was shoved.

The scholar quickly reached out to steady them, checking that Xiao Si was unharmed. He then frowned at the magistrate. “Sir, how can you push a child like that?”

The county magistrate frowned. “Where did this scholar come from? Get out of the way! I must go down the mountain—”

The scholar smirked. “Sir, below awaits a higher-ranking official. If this child starts crying now, whose side do you think he’ll take?”