Yan Weichuan's state of mind was on the verge of collapse.
After a grueling, frantic forced march, he had finally arrived at Longxing County, only to be greeted by news that the county seat was in chaos and the magistrate had met a violent death.
"What did you say?"
Looking at the neat ranks of the Black Armor Battalion before him, and the smugly gloating Wu Xintai, Yan Weichuan felt his head buzzing. He nearly fell from his saddle.
Magistrate Xu Bingzheng was dead!
Some upheaval in the county—it was all an excuse! Had the Black Armor Battalion lost their minds? Did they truly dare storm the county yamen and execute the magistrate? Had they really rebelled?
"...Where is Academician Li?"
"What Academician Li? Never heard of him," Wu Xintai denied flatly with righteous confidence. After all, he truly had never seen any Academician Li.
Yan Weichuan was consumed by fury. Xu Bingzheng, an esteemed magistrate, was dead, and Li Yiran was a direct scion of the capital's prominent Li family. Now Li Yiran was surely facing grim odds. When the Li family investigated afterward, their wrath would inevitably turn on him. If he failed to give the Li family an accounting, they would certainly give him one instead!
At that thought, Yan Weichuan raised his riding whip at once.
As matters stood, the best answer was to apprehend the chief culprit. Besides, in circumstances like these, even if the two military camps clashed in bloody mutiny, he would be the one in the right.
"Prepare to attack—"
Before he could finish, he saw Wu Xintai unhurriedly produce an object from inside his robes. Under the gloomy sky, it flickered with an unmistakably conspicuous gleam.
It looked somewhat familiar.
Moreover, this unique material that glowed in the dark was something he possessed as well—though his was only half. Why was this one intact...?
"...W-Wait?!"
An instant later, the realization hit Yan Weichuan. He froze, wheeled his horse around in a panic, and roared at the top of his lungs to halt his charging soldiers.
Only then did he turn back to the leisurely Wu Xintai.
"...A military tally?" Yan Weichuan asked hesitantly.
Before the words had even settled, Wu Xintai chimed in eagerly, "How did you know I received military orders yesterday from Lord Wang of the gold-bearing armed cavalry?"
"This military tally is the proof."
"Lord Wang uncovered a massive plot by the White Lotus Sect to overthrow the county seat, and ordered me to enter the city to suppress the rebellion. Alas, those White Lotus villains were far too ruthless."
"Seeing themselves heavily encircled, they actually fled into the county yamen and took the magistrate hostage. In desperate helplessness, I had no choice but to lay siege to the yamen. Yet out of concern for the magistrate's life, I ended up letting those White Lotus rascals seize an opening and slip away. Tragic as it is, they still silenced their hostage before making their escape..."
Wu Xintai delivered the tale with tears in his voice, but Yan Weichuan listened with a tingling scalp.
*Mother of god, this is bad...*
He immediately recognized the problem. If the Black Armor Battalion truly carried military orders, then his Tabai Battalion was the one that had deployed troops without authorization!
"Oh, by the way."
Almost at the same moment, Wu Xintai seemed to catch on as well, turning an inquisitive look toward Yan Weichuan. "Brother Yan, what brought you all the way out to Longxing County?"
"Would you mind showing this general your deployment orders?"
Wu Xintai held out a hand, speaking in an amiable tone. "Not that I doubt you, of course. It's just a matter of following procedure. I'm certain Brother Yan would never mobilize troops without authorization."
Yan Weichuan: "..."
"What's the matter?"
Seeing his old rival struck dumb, Wu Xintai beamed even more broadly. "Could it be that Brother Yan has no military orders? Surely not? Then what did Brother Yan come here to do?"
At this point, Wu Xintai finally uttered those two words:
"Rebel?"
*Rumble!*
Beneath the overcast sky, the heavy downpour gradually tapered off, though the thunder rolled on incessantly. Stark, pale lightning illuminated both men's faces. With two armies locked in confrontation, a chilling grimness descended over the air.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Wu Xintai's smile vanished in an instant, his voice dropping into an eerie murmur. "Could it be that Brother Yan truly defected to the White Lotus villains, plotting treason, and now wants to wage a bloody battle against me?"
"..." Yan Weichuan said nothing.
The truth was, that mad impulse had crossed his mind—the thought that since things had gone this far, he might as well hack it out with the Black Armor Battalion right here in Longxing County; whoever lost would be branded the rebel.
Yet he quickly regained his composure.
It was not a lack of nerve, but an inability to get away with it. The Black Armor Battalion was an elite unit just the same, and they held the moral and legal high ground. If a real slaughter began, there was no way this could ever be hushed up.
"...Brother Wu jests."
In the span of a spark, the Tabai Battalion's commander made up his mind, waving a broad hand at once. "Military orders are a grave matter. How could they be casually displayed to outsiders?"
"Besides, Brother Wu has misunderstood. This general did not come specifically to Longxing County. I was merely passing by when I noticed unrest in the county seat, so I came over to check on things. Since Brother Wu has already resolved the issue, this general shall take his leave. I still have military duties to execute, without a moment to lose."
With that, Yan Weichuan wheeled his steed around immediately.
"All troops, heed my command! Move out!"
With their commander's order given, the Tabai Battalion, which had arrived in such aggressive force, had no choice but to slink back the way they came. Wu Xintai did not forget to call out loudly from behind:
"Safe travels, I won't see you off!"
Only when the Tabai Battalion had completely vanished into the distance did Wu Xintai let out a long, satisfying exhale. After all, opportunities to suppress his bitter rival like this were rare indeed.
Then again...
*Just who in the world is that gold-bearing armed cavalryman? To dare kill an esteemed magistrate and an Imperial Academy scholar—and with his bare hands, no less—his backing must reach straight to heaven.*
At this thought, Wu Xintai grew all the more resolute.
Taking a side naturally came with risks, but this time he was acting on orders, with flawless paperwork and proof. In the worst-case scenario, he would merely be reassigned to a harsher garrison post.
Yet if he could seize this opportunity to latch onto this powerhouse's coattails, it would be well worth it. If fortune favored him and this dragon soared skyward, his own rank might rise alongside him. Compared to that, such a tiny risk was something countless people would jump at if only they had the chance!
***
Meanwhile, inside the Longxing County yamen.
The main hall was riddled with holes left behind by the rain of arrows. Wang Ping stood with hands clasped behind him, quietly circulating his qi and blood to practice the Thirteen Taipo Horizontal Training Hard Qi Art.
Although Shen Monkey believed he had already mastered this martial art, Wang Ping knew full well that he had merely taken out a loan on it using A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold. Thus, he practiced it incessantly, striving to pay it off as quickly as possible so he could restore his peerless loan talent.
"Little Wang."
Shen Monkey walked into the yamen hall with a helpless expression. "You're still too reckless. You haven't even joined the Enshrinement Hall, and you've already soured your relations with your peers."
Wang Ping did not argue upon hearing this. Instead, he cupped his hands with complete sincerity.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Senior."
Shen Monkey bared his teeth at the response. Just look at him! Where was any trace of the ruthless ferocity he had shown when executing Li Yiran? At first glance, one might really take him for an upstanding man!
This two-faced demeanor... he would definitely go far in the future!
A personality like Xu Dog's was too rigid, prone to breaking, utterly incapable of compromise. In contrast, shameless scoundrels like this were the exact outstanding talent the Enshrinement Hall was lacking these days!
Shen Monkey sighed inwardly and said no more about Li Yiran. Instead, he shifted the topic: "Over the next few days, stroll around the county seat a bit more."
"Oh?" Wang Ping lifted his gaze. "Did something happen?"
"Nothing much,"
Shen Monkey waved his hand. "We discovered some anomalous things in the city, dating back to when that Xu Bingzheng held office. We're currently preparing to investigate them one by one."
"Originally, I hadn't planned on having you get involved. But you killed Li Yiran and stirred up such a massive fuss. If you enter the Enshrinement Hall without a shred of merit to your name, I'm afraid people will make things difficult for you. That's why I'm having you lend a hand. When we submit our report afterward, I'll tack some credit onto your name, saving you a great deal of trouble."
"Don't worry. With your martial skills, there won't be any danger."
"...Thank you, My Lord."
Wang Ping bowed once more. How could he not understand that Shen Monkey was giving him a chance to freeload some easy merit? To look out for him to this extent was truly benevolence to the utmost.
"Mm, you brat aren't a fool after all."
Seeing that Wang Ping understood his intentions, Shen Monkey broke into a smile, knowing the debt of gratitude had been acknowledged. His efforts hadn't been in vain.
After seeing Shen Monkey off, Wang Ping turned and headed for the backyard.
During his lifetime, Xu Bingzheng had clearly put thought into the place. The yamen's rear courtyard was spacious, even featuring a tea pavilion beside which grew a jujube tree.
At that moment, beneath the jujube tree, a woman dressed in white was practicing martial arts. Her longsword whirled with vigor, weaving a dazzling shroud of silver light so tight not a drop of water could penetrate. Compared to several months ago, her skill was worlds apart. Her surging qi and blood lent her breathtaking face an even more captivating, radiant allure.
The woman was none other than Madam Su.
Wang Ping stood where he was, not disturbing her, and waited patiently until Madam Su finished her sword dance before lightly clapping his hands, drawing the beauty's sidelong glance.
"One must view a scholar with new eyes after three days apart, yet Madam surpasses even that."
Wang Ping praised as he stepped forward, pulling out a silk handkerchief prepared beforehand, and gently wiped away the fine, glittering beads of sweat rolling down the sides of her nose.
Madam Su's face flushed deeper. Though the sweat on her nose was gone, her beautiful eyes shimmered like rippling water.
"Where is Old Liu?" Wang Ping asked.
"Still inside recuperating," Madam Su pointed toward a wing room in the courtyard, her voice soft. "He hasn't woken yet. It's still early—why don't we do some cultivation?"
Cultivation? Knocking on the Immortal Gate?
Wang Ping originally meant to decline, but on second thought, he was currently in a hurry to repay his loan, and using Knocking on the Immortal Gate to hasten his progress happened to suit his needs perfectly.
"Alright, then I'll trouble Madam."
"It's no trouble at all..."
—A moment later, Wang Ping gently patted Madam Su's head, bringing this session of Knocking on the Immortal Gate to an end. All at once, he felt inspiration gushing forth like an artesian well.
*A few more rounds tonight, and with my flawless true body aided by spiritual sense, I can probably pay off the loan in another two or three days to fully restore A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold. When that time comes, I can use it on a higher-tier internal force physique chart to maintain my persona as a peerless loan prodigy.*
Wang Ping quietly calculated his future plans.
Meanwhile, Madam Su swallowed softly, adjusted her coiled hair, and rose with graceful poise to lead Wang Ping into the courtyard's wing room.
"..."
Upon the bed in the wing room, Liu Ye no longer bore the wretched misery from his time in the prisoner cart. The vital essence Wang Ping had infused into him had accelerated his recovery at an astonishing rate.
However, his spirits seemed profoundly low. Seeing Wang Ping enter, he let out a heavy sigh. "Brother Wang..."
Seeing this, Wang Ping understood immediately and comforted him, "It's all right, Old Liu. I know your heart was in the right place—you're just incompetent, that's all."
Liu Ye: "..."
After a brief silence, Liu Ye pulled himself together. After all, he had long recognized his own mediocrity; once he made peace with it, it was really just a minor matter.
"This life is a debt I owe you."
Liu Ye wore a solemn expression, his tone deep and resolute. "If you have any commands in the future, just say the word. Even if you ask for my life in return, I won't hesitate for a second."
Wang Ping did not take these words to heart. When he saved Liu Ye, he hadn't sought any repayment to begin with. Sitting down beside the bed, he asked casually, "Lately, something seems off about parts of the county seat, tied to what that corrupt official did. You arrived in the county earlier than me, Old Liu—did you notice anything?"
He had merely intended to make conversation.
To his surprise, Liu Ye actually pondered for a moment before dropping a startling remark: "As a matter of fact, there is. I heard the guards gossiping about it in the county jail."
"...Oh?"
Hearing this, Wang Ping sat upright immediately. He hadn't expected an unexpected harvest. His expression turned solemn. "Tell me in detail. What exactly happened?"
"Strictly speaking, it's two things."
Liu Ye thought for a moment and lowered his voice. "The first is something I noticed myself. I grew up in Longxing County and served half my life in the yamen."
"To exaggerate a bit, if someone moved a single cobblestone in the county seat, I could spot it at a glance... So back when I was in Longxing County, I already noticed something was amiss. Several residences belonging to law-abiding citizens were sealed off, but the seal strips were bizarre—they weren't official government notices, but indecipherable ghost talismans."
"Ghost talismans?" Wang Ping frowned.
Liu Ye quickly explained, "Just a mess of symbols I couldn't make heads or tails of. They seemed like characters, yet didn't quite look like them, and staring at them for too long gave you a sense of dread."
Wang Ping's brow furrowed deeper. "...And the second?"
"The second came from the constables guarding the county jail... It concerns a bailiff who was ordered to recuperate at home, a man named Lin Sheng. Brother Wang should still remember him."
"Ah..."
Wang Ping quickly dredged the name from his memory. "The one who questioned Chen Haoyan during the encirclement of Qian Village, and was forced to take leave and go home?"
"That's him." Liu Ye nodded. "In truth, he was dismissed from service."
"He's a courageous young man, but unfortunately too naive about the ways of the world. Working in government service, he actually believed in justice and refused to repent, which was why he got dismissed."
Saying this, Liu Ye let out a sigh of wistful sorrow. After a pause, he continued, "His family, the Lin household, was one of the prominent, upstanding clans in the county seat. Then one day, while I was in the county jail, I overheard the guards chatting. They said the magistrate personally ordered the yamen to seal up the Lin family's compound."
"They used those same ghost-talisman seal strips."
"And unlike other sealed properties, the magistrate specifically had the guards drag several prisoners from the county jail and throw them into the Lin family compound together."
"And then... not a sound ever came out."
At this point, Liu Ye seemed visibly frightened. "They say that once those people were thrown into the Lin compound, all sound vanished. They disappeared alongside Lin Sheng."
"The guards all say it's turned into a haunted mansion."
"Not just the Lin family—every property pasted with those ghost-talisman seals has become a haunted house. No one goes in or out, and the constables deliberately steer clear of them on their patrols."
"..."
Hearing this much, Wang Ping couldn't help feeling intensely curious. What in the world were Magistrate Xu Bingzheng and the forces behind him trying to do in the county seat?
Ghost-talisman seal strips, man-eating haunted mansions.
Intuition told Wang Ping that a tremendous secret lurked behind all of this—and quite possibly, it was the very reason the Classic of Great Peace had made him restart in Longxing County time and again.
Chapter 52