Yan Weichuan’s mind was on the brink of collapsing.
Because after force-marching all the way in a burning hurry and finally arriving at Longxing County, he was greeted with news that the county town was in chaos and the County Magistrate had died a violent death.
“What did you say?”
Looking at the neatly deployed 【Black Armor Battalion】 before him and Wu Xintai’s smug, triumphant expression, Yan Weichuan felt his head spinning, nearly falling off his horse.
County Magistrate Xu Bingzheng was dead!
What “county town in chaos”—it was all an excuse! Had the 【Black Armor Battalion】 gone insane? They dared to forcefully storm the county office and slay the County Magistrate! Did they truly rebel?
“…Where is Scholar Li?”
“What Scholar Li? Never seen him,” Wu Xintai flatly denied with utmost righteousness. After all, he truly hadn’t seen any “Scholar Li.”
Yan Weichuan was thoroughly enraged. Xu Bingzheng, a dignified County Magistrate, was dead, and Li Yiran was a direct descendant of the capital’s Li family, who by now was almost certainly dead as well. When the Li family pursued accountability afterward, they would inevitably vent their wrath on him. If he didn’t give the Li family an answer, the Li family would make him pay.
At this thought, Yan Weichuan immediately raised his horsewhip.
As matters stood, the best answer was to apprehend the chief culprit. Besides, even if the military camps clashed in a bloody skirmish under these circumstances, he would still be the one standing on reasonable ground.
“Prepare to move—”
Before his words even fell, he saw Wu Xintai unhurriedly pull an object from his clothes, its faint glow shimmering conspicuously under the night sky.
The shape looked somewhat familiar.
Furthermore, this special material that could glow in the dark… he had a similar piece in his own hands, but only half of one. Why was this one complete…?
“…W-wait!?”
The next second, Yan Weichuan finally snapped out of it and abruptly halted his movement. He hurriedly turned around and shouted at the top of his lungs, stopping his soldiers who were on the verge of charging.
Only then did he turn to look at the leisurely Wu Xintai.
“…The military tally?” Yan Weichuan asked hesitantly.
Before his voice even faded, Wu Xintai spoke up impatiently: “How did you know I received a military order yesterday from Lord Wang of the Gilded Cavalry Guard?”
“This military tally is the proof.”
“Lord Wang uncovered a massive plot by the White Lotus Cult to overthrow the county town and commanded me to enter the city to quell the rebellion. Unfortunately, those White Lotus thieves were far too brutal.”
“Seeing my forces surrounding them on all sides, they fled into the county office and took the County Magistrate hostage. Left with no alternative, I had to lead my troops to besiege the county office. But out of concern for His Honor the Magistrate’s life, the White Lotus thieves managed to find a gap and escape. Tragically, they ended up murdering him to silence him…”
Wu Xintai recounted this with tears streaming down his face, leaving Yan Weichuan’s scalp tingling with horror.
Oh, mother of mine, this is bad…
He instantly realized the crux of the problem— if the 【Black Armor Battalion】 truly acted under military orders, then his 【Scout Battalion】 was the one deploying troops without authorization!
“Oh, right.”
Almost simultaneously, Wu Xintai seemed to realize something as well, looking at Yan Weichuan with a curious expression: “Brother Yan, what brought you all the way to Longxing County?”
“Could you show this General your deployment order?”
Wu Xintai extended his hand, his tone amiable: “It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just a matter of standard procedure. I’m sure Brother Yan couldn’t possibly be deploying troops without authorization.”
Yan Weichuan: “…”
“What’s wrong?”
Seeing his old rival fall silent, Wu Xintai smiled even more radiantly: “Could it be that Brother Yan doesn’t have a military order? No way, right? Then what did Brother Yan come here for?”
At this point, Wu Xintai finally uttered those two words:
“Rebellion?”
Rumble!
Beneath the night sky, the heavy rain gradually receded, yet the thunder rolled endlessly. Chilling flashes of lightning illuminated both their faces. As the two armies stood in standoff, the atmosphere grew increasingly murderous.
“Why aren’t you speaking?”
Wu Xintai’s smile vanished instantly, his tone eerie: “Could it be that Brother Yan truly defected to the White Lotus thieves, intending to rebel, and now wishes to engage in a bloody clash with me?”
“…” Yan Weichuan didn’t speak.
Because he genuinely harbored that crazy thought, figuring that since things had reached this point, they might as well hack away at each other in Longxing County—whoever lost would be labeled the rebel.
However, he quickly regained his composure.
It wasn’t that he didn’t dare, but that he couldn’t. The 【Black Armor Battalion】 was equally elite and held the moral and legal high ground. If a real fight broke out, there would be no hushing it up.
“…Brother Wu jests.”
In a split second, the Commander of the 【Scout Battalion】 made his decision and raised his hand forcefully: “Military orders are of paramount importance; how could they be casually displayed to outsiders?”
“Besides, Brother Wu misunderstands. This General didn’t come specifically to Longxing County, but merely happened to be passing by. Seeing unrest in the county town, I came over to inspect the situation. Since Brother Wu has already resolved the issue, this General will take his leave now. I have military duties to execute and cannot delay for even a moment.”
With that, Yan Weichuan immediately turned his horse around.
“All troops, hear my order! Move out!”
With their Commander issuing the order, the 【Scout Battalion】—which had arrived with aggressive momentum—could only slink back the way they came. Wu Xintai didn’t forget to shout loudly behind them:
“Safe travels, I won’t see you off!”
Only when the 【Scout Battalion】 had completely vanished into the distance did Wu Xintai let out a long, satisfying breath. After all, opportunities to suppress his old rival like this didn’t come often.
Having said that…
Just what kind of sacred figure is that Gilded Cavalry Guard? He dared to slay a dignified County Magistrate and a scholar from the Imperial Academy with his own hands. His backing must reach all the way to the heavens.
At this thought, Wu Xintai grew even more resolute.
Although choosing a side inevitably carried risks, he was acting under orders this time with flawless paperwork and evidence. The worst-case scenario would merely be a reassignment to a harsher garrison post.
However, if he could take this opportunity to latch onto the coattails of this river-crossing dragon, it would be well worth it. With good luck, if the dragon soared to the clouds, his own position might elevate along with it. Compared to that, for a tiny risk like this, how many people would jump at the chance without even having the access?
…
Meanwhile, inside the Longxing County office.
The main hall was full of holes left behind by the rain of arrows. Wang Ping stood with his hands behind his back, silently circulating his vitality and practicing the 【Thirteen Grand Protectors Body-Tempering Art】.
Although Shen Monkey was convinced he had mastered this martial art, Wang Ping knew in his heart that he had merely used 【A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold】 to temporarily take out a loan for it. Thus, he practiced the martial art every moment he could, striving to pay off the debt as quickly as possible to restore his peerless loan-taking talent.
“Little Wang.”
Shen Monkey walked into the county office hall, a helpless expression on his face: “You’re still too impulsive. You haven’t even joined the Retainers Hall yet, and you’ve already strained relations with your colleagues.”
Wang Ping didn’t argue upon hearing this. Instead, he cupped his hands very sincerely:
“Thank you, Senior, for your magnanimity.”
Hearing this, Shen Monkey bared his teeth. Looking at his current demeanor, where was a trace of the ruthless, venomous cruelty he had displayed when forcefully slaying Li Yiran earlier? At first glance, one might genuinely mistake him for a good person!
This double-dealing facade… he would definitely have a bright future!
A personality like Xu Dog’s was too rigid and broke easily under pressure, lacking adaptability. On the other hand, shameless individuals like this were precisely the outstanding talent the Retainers Hall currently lacked.
Sighing inwardly, Shen Monkey didn’t dwell on Li Yiran’s matter any further. Instead, he shifted the topic: “Over the next few days, take a few walks around the county town.”
“Oh?” Wang Ping raised his eyes: “Did something happen?”
“Nothing much,”
Shen Monkey waved his hand: “We found some peculiar things in the county town, set up during that Xu Bingzheng’s tenure. We’re preparing to investigate them one by one.”
“Originally, I didn’t intend for you to get involved. But you killed Li Yiran and created such a massive scene. If you enter the Retainers Hall without making a single contribution, you’ll likely face difficulties. So I’m asking you to lend a hand. When I submit the report afterward, I’ll add an achievement under your name, which will save you a lot of effort.”
“Don’t worry, given your martial arts, there won’t be any real danger.”
“…Thank you, My Lord.”
Wang Ping bowed in greeting once more. How could he not understand that Shen Monkey was giving him an opportunity to share in the credit? Showing this level of consideration was truly doing right by him.
“Mm, you kid aren’t dumb after all.”
Seeing Wang Ping grasp his intent, a smile appeared on Shen Monkey’s face, knowing the favor had been acknowledged and his efforts weren’t in vain.
After seeing Shen Monkey off, Wang Ping turned and walked to the rear courtyard.
Xu Bingzheng had clearly expended some thought when he was alive; the rear courtyard of the county office was spacious, even featuring a tea pavilion with a jujube tree planted beside it.
At this moment, beneath the jujube tree, a woman in white robes was practicing martial arts. A long sword was swung with formidable power, surrounding her in a dazzling flurry of silver light that was impenetrable to a splash of water.
Compared to a few months ago, it was a difference as vast as heaven and earth, and her surging vitality made her breathtaking face appear all the more captivating and radiant.
The woman was none other than Madam Su.
Wang Ping stood where he was, making no move to interrupt her. He waited patiently for Madam Su to finish her sword routine before softly clapping, drawing the beauty’s gaze.
“When away for three days, one should view a person in a whole new light; Madam has outdone even that.”
As Wang Ping praised her, he stepped forward, pulling out a silk handkerchief he had prepared beforehand, and gently wiped away the beads of crystalline sweat rolling down the side of Madam Su’s nose.
Madam Su’s face flushed even redder. The sweat on her nose was gone, but her beautiful eyes glistened with emotion.
“How is Old Liu?” Wang Ping asked.
“Still inside recovering from his injuries.” Madam Su pointed to a side room in the rear courtyard and whispered, “He hasn’t woken up yet. It’s still early—why don’t we practice some cultivation?”
Practice cultivation? 【Knocking on the Immortal Gate】?
Wang Ping initially intended to decline, but on second thought, he was currently in a rush to pay off his loan. Using 【Knocking on the Immortal Gate】 to accelerate his progress happened to be perfectly timed.
“Alright, then I shall trouble Madam.”
“It’s no trouble…”
—A moment later, Wang Ping gently patted Madam Su’s head, concluding this session of 【Knocking on the Immortal Gate】. For a moment, he felt inspiration gushing forth like a fountain.
If I do this a few more times tonight, with my Flawless True Body paired with the assistance of spiritual sense, I could probably pay off the loan in another two or three days and fully restore 【A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold】. Conveniently, I can then use it on a higher-grade internal force cultivation diagram to maintain my persona as a loan-taking genius.
Wang Ping calculated his future silently.
On the other side, Madam Su swallowed, adjusted her pinned hair, elegantly stood up, and led Wang Ping into the side room of the rear courtyard.
“…”
On the bed inside the side room, Liu Ye no longer possessed the disheveled appearance he had in the prison cart. The life force and primal qi Wang Ping had channeled into him allowed him to recover at an astonishing speed.
However, his mood seemed exceptionally low. Upon seeing Wang Ping enter, he let out a sigh: “Brother Wang…”
Seeing this, Wang Ping understood immediately and comforted him: “It’s alright, Old Liu. I know your intentions were good; you’re simply lacking in capability, that’s all.”
Liu Ye: “…”
After a brief silence, Liu Ye pulled himself together. After all, he had long recognized his own mediocrity, and once he thought it through, it was merely a minor matter.
“This life of mine, consider it an oath owed to you.”
Liu Ye wore a solemn expression, speaking in a deep voice: “Whatever orders you have in the future, speak to me at any time. Even if you ask me to return this life to you, I will not hesitate for a moment.”
Wang Ping didn’t take these words to heart. After all, when he saved him, he hadn’t sought any reward. So he simply sat by the bed and casually asked: “Lately, there seem to be some strange places in the county town, set up by that dog official. Old Liu, you arrived in the county town earlier—did you discover anything?”
His intention was merely to find a conversation topic.
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Liu Ye actually pondered for a moment before dropping a bombshell: “There are indeed. I heard about it from the guards’ idle chatter while I was in the county dungeon.”
“…Oh?”
Hearing this, Wang Ping immediately sat up straight, surprised by the unexpected harvest. He then said seriously: “Tell me in detail. What exactly happened?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s two things.”
Liu Ye thought for a moment and whispered: “The first thing is something I discovered myself. I grew up in Longxing County and served in the county office for half my life.
“To exaggerate a bit, if a single stone in the county town were moved, I could tell at a single glance… So when I was in Longxing County earlier, I noticed something wrong. Some ‘good citizen’ residences in the city center were sealed off, but the seals were very strange. They weren’t official government documents, but ghostly talisman scripts.”
“Ghostly talisman scripts?” Wang Ping frowned.
Liu Ye quickly explained: “It was a cluster of patterns I couldn’t distinguish. They looked like words, yet didn’t seem to be. Looking at them for too long gave people a subtle feeling of palpitation.”
Wang Ping’s frown deepened: “…What about the second thing?”
“The second thing was told by the constable guarding the county dungeon… It involves a constable who was ordered to rest at home, named Lin Sheng. Brother Wang should still remember him.”
“Ah…”
Wang Ping quickly dug the name from his memory: “The one who questioned Chen Haoyan during the siege on Qian Village, and was forcibly ordered to take leave and return home?”
“Exactly.” Liu Ye nodded: “In reality, it was a dismissal.
“He was a courageous young man, but unfortunately lacked experience in the world. Being in public office, he actually preached justice and refused to mend his ways, which was why he got dismissed.”
At this point, Liu Ye felt a bit emotional. Pausing, he continued: “The Lin family he belongs to is one of the prominent ‘good citizen’ families in the county town. But suddenly one day, I heard the dungeon guards chatting that the Magistrate personally issued an order for the county office to seal off the Lin family’s mansion.
“They used those same ghostly talisman script seals.
“And unlike other sealed places, the Magistrate specifically had the guards grab a few prisoners from the dungeon and throw them into the Lin family mansion together.
“And then… there was no sound.
Speaking up to this point, Liu Ye also seemed somewhat terrified: “Supposedly, after those people were thrown into the Lin family mansion, all sound ceased. They vanished along with Lin Sheng.
“The guards all say it has become a ghost house.
“Not just the Lin family—every place sealed with those ghostly talisman scripts became a ghost house. No one enters or leaves, and constables deliberately bypass them during patrols.”
“…”
Having heard this much, Wang Ping couldn’t help but feel curious. What were County Magistrate Xu Bingzheng and the people behind him planning to do in the county town?
Ghostly talisman script seals, man-eating ghost houses.
Intuition told Wang Ping that there must be a huge secret behind this, and it was very likely the exact reason why 【The Taiping Classic】 had repeatedly caused him to restart in Longxing County.