This matter must be told from the beginning!

It is said that during the Beiyang period, a small town experienced several murders involving a total of thirteen lives, nine of which were decapitated.

There were rumors that it was monkeys killing people, biting off their heads!

For a time, rumors spread like wildfire, passed on from person to person, and it was called the Nine Heads Case.

At that time, in China, warlords divided territories, wars were continuous, law and order collapsed, and people lived in hardship.

Warlords in various places set up private prisons, killing at will according to their own preferences.

It was truly a time when human lives were as worthless as grass.

The small town, located in the southwest, surrounded by mountains, had been a battleground since ancient times.

Over the years, several waves of forces came and went.

At that time, it was a great warlord, titled "Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Border Defense Army," who captured the small town and stationed his headquarters there.

Soon after the flames of war subsided, the small town quickly regained its bustling atmosphere, as the ordinary people still had to live their lives.

Pedestrians came and went on the streets, and in one spot, there was a throng of people inside and out.

With the sound of a gong, the crowd burst into applause and cheers.

It turned out to be a local juggling troupe performing street acrobatics.

In it, an old man led a small monkey, about thigh-high, doing various difficult moves under his command of the gong.

When the set of movements was finished, the little monkey imitated humans by bowing with its fists held together, making everyone laugh heartily.

At the back, a thicker iron chain tied an adult monkey about three feet tall, half-squinting as if asleep.

This strong and unusually robust large monkey had a bald spot on its head, exposing whitish skin underneath.

Moreover, a scar stretching from its eyebrow to its mouth made the monkey look somewhat grim and terrifying.

Standing next to the monkey was a dwarf, almost as tall as the monkey, whose age was undiscernible. The dwarf, with a nondescript face, watched the performing old man.

The old man walked over to the dwarf, and the little monkey on his shoulder jumped onto the big monkey's shoulder, affectionately licking the scar on the big monkey's face.

The big monkey impatiently brushed the little monkey aside, but the nimble little monkey quickly climbed atop the big monkey's head, chattering and looking around, and the big monkey ignored it further.

The dwarf clapped and said to the old man, "Good performance!"

The old man waved his hand, "It’s still because you trained them well!" He shook his head as he watched the little monkey still jumping around on the big monkey.

Just then, some commotion arose in the crowd as the juggling troupe changed performers, and three uniformed soldiers with guns arrived.

The leading soldier energetically pushed through the crowd, clearing a path.

Following him were two others, with the one in the middle swaggering, while the one at the rear had a fierce look that dared no one to gaze directly.

Initially, some in the crowd were dissatisfied with their actions, but recognizing who the trio was made everyone hold their tongues.

The person in the middle was the youngest son of the newly settled warlord, known locally as the Young Master, with the one following being the warlord's adjutant in charge of city security.

Though they had just arrived in the city, the Young Master had already earned a reputation as a devil, purely indulging in debauchery.

Embarking on activities like oppressing common people and molesting women, the adjutant following him was no less nefarious.

Often, after the Young Master provoked trouble, the adjutant would point a gun at people, asking if they submit!

Seeing who they were, the crowd automatically gave way.

The Young Master swaggered to the front.

At this time, an exceptionally tall performer, taller than usual people by two heads, took the stage.

In his thirties, the man was in his prime, wearing a skullcap and draped in a body-covering red cloth.

With his hands under the red cloth, he paced in four-square steps, and then suddenly pulled out a basin of water from under the cloth.

The crowd cheered in unison.

The tall man's performance of Five-Colored Magic was indeed extraordinary.

The flawless act earned him ovation from the crowd.

With a gong sounding, the tall man's performance ended, and a young girl, dressed in a small flower-patterned shirt and a plain long skirt, stepped forward with the gong, turning it into a collection bowl.

The crowd erupted in cheer, making the girl's face blush slightly as she shyly moved to the center, charmingly saying, "Thank you for your kindness. If you enjoyed the show and have some money to spare, please contribute. If you don’t, just offer your applause!"

She then carried the overturned gong towards the crowd.

Someone shouted, "Little lady, perform something for us, and an old man will reward you!"

This sparked another uproar and laughter from the crowd.

The little lady did not respond but smiled as people dropped money into her gong.

When she reached the Young Master, he dug a few silver coins out of his waist and tossed them into the gong, making it clang loudly.

Startled, the girl looked up at the Young Master, then shyly lowered her head, repeatedly thanking him before moving on to the next person.

But the Young Master wasn't content with just giving money. He grabbed the girl's arm.

She cried out in pain, trying to break free, but how could she outmatch a grown man?

The Young Master forcefully turned her towards him, his eyes roaming over her face and body without reservation.

"Very beautiful. Have you been married, little lady?"

As he spoke, he held her hand, rubbing it. She struggled but couldn't escape.

The tall man on stage rushed forward, pulling the girl away and shielding her behind him.

Seeing someone stepping forward, the Young Master looked up at the tall man with disdain.

"What, want to play the hero?!"

The tall man was about to speak when the old man and the dwarf simultaneously stepped forward, pushing the tall man aside.

The old man apologized repeatedly, bowing incessantly.

The Young Master, seeing more people stepping in, became even angrier. When had anyone dared to meddle in his affairs?

He shoved the old man away, who fell head over heels, rolling far away.

The girl hurriedly rushed to help the old man up, asking, "Father, are you alright?"

The old man didn't reply, just looking ahead.

The dwarf still stood before the Young Master.

The Young Master looked down at the dwarf, almost reaching his waist, showing a mocking expression.

Raising his leg, he kicked, expecting the dwarf to be knocked down, but the dwarf only took a step back. Strange, as even an average person wouldn't be able to withstand such a kick from a soldier!

The crowd's attention was on this, no one noticing the big monkey crouching at the back, gnashing its teeth and pacing restlessly.

As the dwarf was kicked, the big monkey let out a low growl from deep in its throat, making an almost inaudible sound.

The Young Master, realizing the dwarf was tough, instantly pulled out his gun, pointing it straight at the dwarf.

His attention fixated on the dwarf, enraged he might shoot the dwarf without hesitation.

Just as he raised his arm, he saw a terrifying monkey face appear suddenly, its bloody mouth rushing at him.

In an instant, the Young Master’s hair stood on end. Scared, he retreated, legs weak, falling onto the ground.

The monkey was pulled down by the chain on its neck in mid-air, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Unwilling to give up, the monkey barked angrily at the Young Master. The chain around its neck strained tight, making creaking sounds.

The Young Master, now realizing it was only a monkey, felt his back dripping cold sweat.

Onlookers also drew back, frightened by the monkey.

Now clear it was a monkey, the Young Master, recalling his scare, fumed with anger, raising his hand to shoot the beast.

Fortunately, the adjutant stepped in front of the Young Master, blocking him.

The furious Young Master glared at him.

"Young Master, remember what the Marshal said? If you cause trouble today, you’ll never be allowed out again!"

Hearing the adjutant's words, the Young Master looked at the monkey, without lowering his gun, aiming for a long time, then mimicking a gunshot sound, "Bang."

He then lowered his arm.

People around still muttered and whispered, discussing the scene.

The Young Master angrily waved his gun, shouting, "What the hell are you looking at? Get lost, all of you!"

Scared, the onlookers scattered, not wanting to provoke the Young Master.

With the adjutant and the follower escorting him away, the Young Master still wanted to say something to the dwarf and the monkey, but the two men at his sides led him off.

Only then did the juggling troupe heave a sigh of relief.

The girl helped the old man up, and the dwarf turned to calm the still growling monkey.

The old man pulling the girl towards him, asked concernedly, "Xiuer, are you alright?"

Xiuer replied she was fine, then thanked the tall man and the dwarf.

The tall man waved, and the dwarf smiled kindly at Xiuer.

At this moment, the little monkey, jumping onto the big monkey's head, prompted the troupe to pack up and leave.