"Very well, Master Zhang, let's go to your workplace tomorrow to take a look.

Perhaps I can locate the spot I remember on the blueprints." "Good.

We'll meet here first thing in the morning, and then I can take you down into the sewers." After making their arrangements, the two men said their goodbyes.

Master Zhang mounted a large bicycle and rode off in the opposite direction from Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan returned to Fushou Hall.

As soon as he entered, Zhou Huan found Dongzi still asleep.

Without waking him, Zhou Huan gently lifted the small beggar from the basin of medicine, carefully dried him with a clean towel, wrapped him in a large piece of clothing, and then brought him to the **.

The small beggar slept soundly in Zhou Huan's **, but the wounds on his body had already scabbed over.

Zhou Huan performed another thorough check, finding no serious injuries.

He then went to Dongzi's room to sleep.

The next morning, Dongzi woke up unusually early and was perplexed to find himself asleep in the main hall.

He scratched his head and muttered to himself, "Has Brother Huan not returned yet? I feel like I've been asleep for ages." A moment later, Zhou Huan emerged from Dongzi's bedroom, buttoning his shirt as he walked. "Dongzi, go out and grab some breakfast.

We won't cook today; who knows when we'll be back tonight.

It's going to be a long day." "Okay!" Dongzi agreed.

Zhou Huan handed him a few dozen yuan.

Dongzi then asked, "How long have I been asleep? I'm a bit hazy right now." Zhou Huan offered a slight smile. "I just asked you to get breakfast, so how long do you think you've been asleep? Hurry up and go get it." Dongzi took the money, turned, and hurried out of Fushou Hall.

Before long, he returned, carrying a dozen vegetable-filled buns and a bowl of corn porridge for each of them, practically skipping back. "Dongzi, place four or five of those vegetable buns near the little beggar." As soon as Dongzi set the buns down beside the small beggar, the little one was stirred awake by the aroma. "Mama, don't leave me!" When she opened her eyes, she saw Zhou Huan instead.

Zhou Huan immediately softened his expression, cooing gently, "Little one, eat the buns Uncle has for you first.

Mama will be back after you finish eating." Indeed, Zhou Huan's words were incredibly effective.

The little beggar looked at the kind-faced uncle before her, then at the buns in Zhou Huan's hand.

With a sudden grab, she snatched the buns from his hand and began chewing heartily.

Watching the little beggar eat, a knowing smile touched Zhou Huan’s lips, though beneath the smile, one could sense a thread of pity and sorrow. "Brother, the phone!" Dongzi pulled Zhou Huan's mobile from the clothes Zhou Huan had taken off upon entering.

Zhou Huan took the call and saw the caller ID—it was Wang Xiaohe.

Without hesitation, Zhou Huan answered, his voice immediately becoming warm and affectionate. "Hello, Xiaohe, was today's training tiring?" "Not tiring.

It's raining here, so there won't be any late-night special training.

I had a moment to call and see if you were up to anything sneaky behind my back." Xiaohe's tone was equally gentle, though her words carried no real malice.

Zhou Huan's expression instantly turned serious. "When have I ever been that kind of person, Zhou Huan? I absolutely do not do things behind people's backs.

By the way, this incident with the meat-filled buns is nearing its end; only one crucial step remains.

I'll come see you afterward." "Really? That's wonderful!" Xiaohe sounded excited.

They were, after all, lovers separated for nearly half a month, so the prospect of a reunion made them both delighted.

She continued, "Didn't someone die in this incident again? After you wrap things up, find Xiao Li and tell him everything that happened.

I will tell him how to close the case officially!" "Understood.

Then that's settled.

You rest well; I still need to look after the little beggar and then head to the hospital to check on my former beggar comrades." "Okay, I'm going to wash up and sleep soon.

I have to get up early tomorrow for mountain climbing!" After their brief conversation, Zhou Huan told Dongzi to stay home and play with the little beggar, warning him sternly not to bully the child before leaving to take a taxi to the hospital.

Upon entering the hospital, Zhou Huan checked on his brothers.

The injuries of the beggar brothers were mostly healing well, but the conditions of Li Tianxiong and his junior sister, Li Zhi, were not optimistic.

Li Zhi's injuries were more severe; Li Tianxiong, having some cultivation, had been able to speak since arriving.

Seeing Zhou Huan, Li Tianxiong wore a deeply conflicted expression.

He had originally intended to cause trouble for Zhou Huan, but ironically, Zhou Huan was the one who ended up saving him.

His initial arrogance had melted away, replaced by shyness and guilt.

He forced himself to sit up, enduring the physical pain. "Master Zhou, I..." His words trailed off.

Zhou Huan immediately reached out to steady him. "Young man, don't rush to sit up before you heal.

Don't get agitated.

Everyone makes mistakes.

I know you wanted to test your skills against mine; that's only human nature." "I..." Li Tianxiong nearly wept at Zhou Huan's words, but being a man, he managed to hold the tears back within his eyes. "Alright, don't talk much now.

Just answer what I ask.

Tell me, the incident with the people at the supermarket eating the buns, and Dongzi being tricked by Li Zhi—that was all your doing, right?" Zhou Huan's words struck a nerve.

This time, Li Tianxiong could no longer hide his tears, which streamed down in a rush.

Li Tianxiong wept, then let out a long sigh. "Master Zhou, I truly apologize to you.

You are right.

I held a grudge against Dongzi for hitting me with that brick that day, so I decided to play a trick on him.

I arranged the supermarket incident as a challenge to you later, but regarding Yu Qiu's matter, I had investigated it before and even visited Elder Yu's grave to inquire..." "Enough.

What you've said is sufficient.

I now understand the root of the matter.

Focus on recovering.

I will settle this properly first.

You should be ready to be discharged in another two or three days.

I'll invite you over later, and we can talk properly.

I also have a letter from your senior brother entrusted to me that I need to give you; we'll discuss everything then." As Zhou Huan finished speaking, he stood up, tucked Li Tianxiong back under the covers, watched him drift off to sleep, and then left the hospital.

He returned to Fushou Hall under the vast, starry sky to rest, awaiting the sewer expedition the next day.

The morning birdsong sounded exceptionally clear, occasionally punctuated by a few clear throats.

Despite Fushou Hall facing the street, it possessed a special stillness that morning, as if intentionally arranged to await Zhou Huan’s next move. "Dongzi, stop sleeping! Get up quickly, we're leaving." Just as Zhou Huan woke Dongzi, a municipal construction vehicle pulled up outside Fushou Hall.

Zhou Huan leaned out to look.

Seeing the vehicle, he knew it was Master Zhang.

He hastily pulled on his outer coat and shouted, "Let's go!" Dongzi hadn't even managed to pull up his trousers before Zhou Huan dragged him into Master Zhang's truck. "Brother, what are we doing today?" Dongzi mumbled sleepily.

His eyes were already hard to see, and now he was completely unrested.

He rubbed his eyes and asked, "Brother, we're skipping breakfast? Where are we rushing off to?" Zhou Huan raised his hand and delivered a perfectly aimed slap to the back of Dongzi's neck. "Snap out of it! There's no time for you to be groggy today." Dongzi shook his head from the blow. "I'm awake, stop hitting me!" Zhou Huan didn't actually intend to hit him again; he chuckled secretly and sat next to Master Zhang, silent. "Good that you're awake.

We won't eat until we find what we're looking for today." Zhou Huan's tone was authoritative enough to keep Dongzi quiet.

Master Zhang, sitting beside Zhou Huan, pulled a blueprint from his tool bag. "Master Zhou, this is the sewer network map for Jiudaogou.

The area I've circled should be where you're looking." Zhou Huan glanced at Master Zhang's blueprints; there were many circles and markings.

Zhou Huan said nothing but spoke politely, "Master Zhang, thank you for your hard work.

I apologize for what you just witnessed; my brother is usually like this.

I'm embarrassed you had to come so early to meet me here." "No trouble at all.

Shall we be on our way?" Zhou Huan was actually ready, but he deliberately teased Dongzi. "We'll leave as soon as the brother here wakes up.

Master Zhang, let's go!" Master Zhang's driver started the vehicle.

After about a ten-minute drive, they reached the location where Yu Qiu had the accident—the scene Zhou Huan had sketched days ago was still clearly visible.

As the vehicle stopped, Master Zhang got out first.

He exchanged a few words with the driver and then retrieved the tools for opening sewer lids, along with the warning signs for sewer work. "Creeeak!" The heavy manhole cover was slowly twisted open, and a blast of fetid, sewage stench rushed out, making Zhou Huan and Dongzi recoil a few steps. "Master Zhou, let's go.

I'll scout ahead.

Here are the flashlights; there are three of us, one each!" Master Zhang handed a flashlight to Zhou Huan and Dongzi.

Dongzi fiddled with the flashlight in his hand, unable to turn it on for a long time. "What kind of cheap junk is this? Why won't it light up?" Master Zhang remained courteous and stepped forward to help Dongzi. "Here, let me show you.

You have to shake this flashlight.

Shaking it generates power, and each session of shaking will keep it lit for a few minutes.

So, give it a few shakes if you need it." Master Zhang demonstrated for Dongzi, who was quite amazed. "Wow! Such high-tech stuff! Where did you get these?" Dongzi was genuinely curious, but a sharp look from Zhou Huan immediately dampened his curiosity.