Chapter 388 - 362: Pledging Allegiance
In the small courtyard of the County Magistrate’s Office.
Gao Changhe’s words were as casual as idle chatter, but to Luo Pingyuan’s ears, they were nearly suffocating.
A chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
His face paled, his heart pounded, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
’What does this new Governor know?’
’Is this a test, or does he already have evidence?’
’Why bring up this old case now, of all times?’
In a flash, an image from many years ago surfaced in his mind: a night sky lit by towering flames, a man with a Black Stick standing amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, a figure like a demonic god.
The memory of that icy killing intent, striking from a distance, still sent a chill to his very bones.
Compared to the Governor before him with his hidden daggers behind a smile, the threat of that man was far more terrifying.
’I can’t admit it!’
’Absolutely not!’
The blood drained from Luo Pingyuan’s face, then rushed back in a crimson tide. He gritted his teeth and steadied his voice. "Lord Governor, please see the truth. Those fifteen thousand bolts of silk did indeed belong to the Jiang Family, but it was a normal business transaction with the Chen Family. Other than official matters, I have no private dealings with the Chen Family whatsoever. I implore you to investigate this clearly, my lord!"
Gao Changhe listened quietly, the faint smile never leaving his face. He let out a soft "Oh?" drawing out the sound until it made one’s hair stand on end. "So, you’re saying I’ve been overly suspicious and have misunderstood Magistrate Luo?"
His tone suddenly shifted, carrying a hint of coldness. "However, I am truly curious. Knowing your superior’s intentions, Lord Luo, you still completed such a transaction with the Chen Family. Did you think the Jiang Family was powerful enough to ignore the Governor? Or do you have some other backing that made such a risky bet worthwhile?"
Cold sweat soaked through Luo Pingyuan’s inner shirt. He bowed low and said, "My lord, this matter... was entirely handled by the Jiang Family at the time. I am merely a son-in-law by marriage; it was not my place to interfere. I truly do not know the inside details, nor did I have the authority to question or involve myself."
Gao Changhe stared at him, the terrifying pressure of a Grandmaster pressing down on Luo Pingyuan so intensely he could barely breathe.
Just as Luo Pingyuan felt he was about to break, Gao Changhe suddenly withdrew his pressure and stopped questioning him.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he gently lifted the fishing rod that had been motionless the entire time.
SPLASH! A palm-sized silver carp was pulled from the water, twisting uselessly on the hook.
Gao Changhe skillfully unhooked the fish and tossed it into the basket.
He turned his head, glanced at Luo Pingyuan with a faint, enigmatic smile, and asked with great interest, "Magistrate Luo, you see, I sat here for an entire hour without a single nibble. Why is it that at this very moment, a fish decides to take the bait?"
Luo Pingyuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He gave a dry laugh. "I am slow-witted. I beg my lord for his guidance."
Gao Changhe picked up a cloth and carefully wiped his fingers, his tone indifferent. "I believe that perhaps the fish under the water has figured something out. He who understands the times is a wise man. Rather than putting up a futile resistance and exhausting its strength only to be caught in the net anyway, it’s better to recognize the situation early. It might just find a sliver of hope for survival in a tight spot."
As his words fell, a dead silence descended upon the courtyard.
There was only the rustling of wind through bamboo leaves and the occasional splash of a fish’s tail in the pond.
Luo Pingyuan’s expression shifted uncertainly.
’We are both officials of the Court; how could I not understand such a clear hint?’
’This Lord Governor’s first stop after taking office was Jingshan. He didn’t come to inspect the local conditions at all.’
’His goal is simple: either I pledge my allegiance and tell him everything I know...’
’Or... I end up like that silver carp, an item in his basket.’
’But can I talk?’
Luo Pingyuan looked at Gao Changhe.
’Behind him stands the Duke of England, and even the Court itself. If I make an enemy of him, I’m finished either way!’
The silence stretched on for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
Finally, he took a deep breath. "I ask that you... show me a clear path, my lord."
Gao Changhe’s icy gaze softened slightly. "You’re a smart man," he said lightly. "I know what you’re worried about. But I can tell you this: no matter who it is, no matter what power they wield, in the eyes of the Court, they are nothing more than a skin irritation."
He paused, then lowered his voice. "It’s not just me, Gao Changhe, and the Duke of England who have come south this time. These waters are much deeper than you can imagine. That is all you need to know."
Luo Pingyuan kept his head down, remaining silent.
Gao Changhe didn’t press him, leisurely baiting his hook and casting his line once more.
A long time passed, the oppressive atmosphere becoming almost suffocating, before Gao Changhe spoke again. "Have you thought it over?"
Luo Pingyuan raised his head, took a deep breath, and said in a heavy voice, "What does my lord wish to know?"
A look of satisfaction appeared on Gao Changhe’s face. He asked, "The Lingxi Chen Family. What is their situation?"
Luo Pingyuan answered cautiously, "My lord, I was only transferred to Jingshan two years ago. I may not know more about the Chen Family’s past than you do. However, from what I’ve gathered, their Patriarch, Chen Li, is a recluse who keeps a low profile, but his Cultivation is unfathomably deep."
He paused and lowered his voice. "The man is at least at the Void Transformation Cultivation level, and... it’s highly likely he’s even broken through to Divine Intent."
"Divine Intent?"
Gao Changhe’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them before vanishing.
’A Divine Intent Grandmaster hiding in a rural backwater? To conceal himself so deeply... the man’s mind is far more profound than I could have imagined.’
He immediately pressed, "What are his origins? Where did his teachings come from?"
Luo Pingyuan shook his head with a bitter smile. "That is something I have also been unable to figure out. I investigated him secretly once. The man has lived in Jingshan for many years and acts no differently than the common gentry. I could find almost no clear record of him ever fighting anyone. If not for the fact that..."
He hesitated for a moment. "If I hadn’t personally seen him make a move, I too would have believed he was just an ordinary man with no knowledge of Martial Arts."
"Not a single trace?"
Gao Changhe seemed lost in thought. "Either he’s hidden himself extremely well, or... he had some heaven-defying fortuitous encounter that allowed him to soar to the heavens in a single leap."
He seemed to be muttering to himself, yet also questioning Luo Pingyuan.
Luo Pingyuan kept his head down, unable to answer.
Gao Changhe didn’t seem to mind. He suddenly looked at Luo Pingyuan with that same faint, enigmatic smile, and his line of questioning took a sharp turn.
"Magistrate Luo, are you aware..."
He spoke slowly, each word dropping like a stone into a deep pool. "That just last month, the Chen Family’s second son, Chen Shouye, who just became a Scholar, has already ascended to the Divine Hall and achieved the rank of Grandmaster?"
"That’s impossible!"
Luo Pingyuan snapped his head up, his eyes wide, staring fixedly at Gao Changhe. His gaze was filled with shock and disbelief.
He was even hoping to find a hint of a joke on the other man’s face.
’Chen Shouye?’
’A Divine Hall Grandmaster?!’
’This is absolutely absurd!’
’With the backing of the Jiang Family and after expending a massive amount of resources, I’m still just at the Spirit Realm Seventh Level: Inner Mansion Pass.’
He knew better than anyone how difficult it was to cross the threshold from the Inner Mansion to the Divine Hall.
Countless geniuses were stuck at that barrier for their entire lives.
’If it were really that simple, the Jianghu would be overrun with Grandmasters!’
Gao Changhe took a leisurely sip of his cool tea and said calmly, "I do not make false claims. The information is confirmed."
He set down his teacup, looked at the crestfallen Luo Pingyuan, and said slowly, "A Divine Hall Grandmaster who is not yet twenty years old... Magistrate Luo, you should understand what that implies better than I do. Whether this Chen Family is a hidden dragon or a vicious flood serpent, it would be best for you to be clear about it."
Luo Pingyuan’s breathing grew ragged, his chest heaving violently. Gao Changhe’s words were like a clap of thunder exploding in his mind, stunning him into silence for a long time.
’If what Gao Changhe said isn’t a lie, then the Lingxi Chen Family’s secret is likely ten, even a hundred times more terrifying than I ever imagined!’
A bitter taste suddenly filled his mouth.
"It seems Magistrate Luo has figured it out."
Gao Changhe’s voice pulled him back to reality.
Luo Pingyuan looked up. "My lord... what do you want me to do?"
Gao Changhe’s gaze pierced Luo Pingyuan like an icicle. "He Mingyun’s death. What do you know about it?"
Luo Pingyuan took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions. "Regarding Governor He’s murder, my knowledge is limited. I only heard vague rumors that Governor He seemed to have some conflicts with the Zhou and Chen Families, and that it also seemed to involve the Textile Bureau..."
Gao Changhe waved his hand dismissively. "The grudges between the He Family and the Zhou and Chen Families, as well as the connection to the Textile Bureau, were all explained to me clearly by the Cao Family last month. No need to elaborate."
He stared sharply at Luo Pingyuan. "I’m asking you, before He Mingyun died, he secretly sent the Director of the Experience Department, Wang Chengyuan, to Jingshan. What exactly were they investigating in secret at that time?"
Luo Pingyuan replied, "At that time, Wang Siye came with an order from the Governor, stating he was on confidential business. I assigned a subordinate to guide them. Partway through, the man returned to report once, only mentioning that Wang Siye and his party were re-investigating the Jingshan County case of the grain robbery and official’s murder. As for what happened after that, I am not privy. I only heard news from the Commandery City that he had met his demise in Three Families Village in Lishui County."
"The case of the grain robbery and official’s murder?"
A sharp glint flashed in Gao Changhe’s eyes.
Luo Pingyuan explained, "This case occurred several years ago. A rebel named Sun Zhengyi incited refugees to forcibly seize the grain ships of the Noble Families and also massacred the entire family of the then-Jingshan County Magistrate, Lord Tian. The impact was extremely severe."
"Was anything found?"
Gao Changhe pressed.
"At the time, it was a critical moment for implementing the national policy of converting rice paddies to mulberry fields, so the higher-ups demanded the incident be quelled quickly as a warning to others. Thus, the case was judged with extreme haste. That Sun Zhengyi was executed shortly after. As for whether there were other hidden circumstances, it was never investigated deeply."
Luo Pingyuan paused, then carefully added, "Thinking back on it now, for Governor He to suddenly send a trusted subordinate to secretly re-investigate this case after so many years, perhaps he had sensed something unusual about it?"
"What was unusual?"
Gao Changhe pushed relentlessly.
Luo Pingyuan hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his options.
Finally, he lowered his voice. "I only found out by chance later on. The murdered County Magistrate Tian... his wife’s younger brother married the sister of Sun Bingyi, the head of the Liyang Commerce Association. And Sun Bingyi... was Governor He’s wife’s younger brother."
He paused, then continued, "As for Sun Zhengyi, the one who did the killing... he was a disciple of the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts Hall and happened to be the senior martial brother of the Chen Family’s eldest young master, Chen Shouheng."
He said just enough and no more.
But the tangled web of connections was already clear.
"Now this is interesting."
Gao Changhe smiled. "I’m afraid Wang Chengyuan and his men found something damning, which led to their own deaths and even dragged He Mingyun down to be silenced along with them."
"I wouldn’t dare to speculate."
Luo Pingyuan bowed. "Besides, even if Wang Siye truly did find some hard evidence back then, so much time has passed. I’m afraid it has all long since been destroyed."
But Gao Changhe just smiled dismissively.
He didn’t seem to care whether the evidence still existed, instead turning to another major case. "Then... the death of Governor Zhou Bo’an. What do you know about that?"
Luo Pingyuan’s head drooped even lower. "I am but a humble County Magistrate; I know nothing of such confidential matters. Perhaps County Captain Zhao Yuanhong knows the inside story. Why doesn’t my lord ask the Captain?"