Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

The heavy thumping of the great drum echoed through the county yamen. A large group of officials rushed out from the gatehouses on either side, eager to see who had dared to strike the grievance drum.

However, the moment they emerged, they saw Shen Longteng standing at the entrance, surrounded by a large crowd of people in Longteng Escort Agency attire. Their aggressive demeanor immediately vanished.

A bailiff’s office manager stepped forward, carefully cupped his hands, and said,

"Shen the Head of the Escort, for what reason have you come to the yamen... to strike the drum?"

"To report a crime, of course. I have discovered a major case in Yunzhao County, one that affects the safety of the entire county. I request that His Excellency hold court."

The manager repeatedly waved his hands and said with a wry smile,

"I am not worthy of the title ’His Excellency’... Shen the Head of the Escort, please wait a moment. I will go report this at once."

The sound of the grievance drum carried for three streets; not holding court was impossible. If it had been an ordinary person, the officials might have just quietly brought them inside to handle the matter. That had been their intention when they came out. But seeing it was Shen Longteng, they didn’t dare act rashly. They reported it by the book, and in less than an hour, the chief official of Yunzhao County was seated in the main hall.

The County Captain was responsible for frontline security, but presiding over a trial and making the final judgment was naturally up to the County Magistrate.

The Yunzhao County Magistrate was a man of about forty. He had a gaunt, slightly thin face and a tranquil expression. A long wisp of a beard hung to his chest, and one look was enough to tell he was a scholar who had earned his official post through years of arduous study and imperial examinations.

The County Magistrate sat high on the dais, looked down at Shen Longteng and the others below, and spoke calmly,

"Shen the Head of the Escort, for what reason did you strike the grievance drum?"

Shen Longteng bowed and said,

"Your Excellency, the Magistrate, it is like this—"

"My Longteng Escort Agency encountered bandits during an escort mission. After much hardship and suffering many losses, we were fortunate enough to subdue our opponents. Normally, this is a common occurrence for our Escort Agency and not worth mentioning. This time, however, something extraordinary happened."

"The Vajra Sect is a martial arts school in Yunzhao, one we are very familiar with. Master Xie Yuan, who was leading this escort, discovered after subduing the bandits that members of the Vajra Sect were mixed in among them—including one of their Third Training instructors!"

"The Vajra Sect is a respectable martial arts school. Why would they associate with bandits? We immediately sensed something was amiss, so we struck the great drum to request that Your Excellency, the Magistrate, investigate."

"Xie Yuan, bring the evidence forward."

Xie Yuan stepped forward carrying a bundle. He opened it, and a head packed in lime fell to the floor with a THUD. The face was clearly visible—it was the Vajra Sect’s Third Training instructor, Xiang Zhuo.

Gasps of shock echoed through the hall. A Third Training instructor was a well-known figure in Yunzhao County. Upon seeing the head, many people recognized it as Xiang Zhuo.

Even the people outside the hall, craning their necks to see, could vaguely identify the head, causing an uproar. The news spread like ripples in water.

A corner of Xie Yuan’s mouth curled up. This was exactly the effect they wanted. From striking the drum to drawing a crowd of onlookers, their plan had worked perfectly. Thanks to the deliberate shouts from the Escort Agency members outside, a massive crowd had formed, several layers deep.

Following procedure, the County Magistrate summoned the coroner and someone from the Vajra Sect—that is, the County Captain Yu Chunsheng, who was seated to the side—to come forward and verify the identity.

Yu Chunsheng’s expression was grim. He said flatly,

"It is indeed Xiang Zhuo. But to say he was mixed up with bandits is just an empty accusation. It cannot be taken as fact."

Shen Longteng snorted, his words laced with insinuation,

"Is the Longteng Escort Agency the sort of villain to fabricate facts and frame the innocent?"

Yu Chunsheng pretended not to understand and continued,

"The Longteng Escort Agency’s reputation is hardly pristine. Landlord Chang’s death was ruled a suicide, but it now seems quite suspicious and requires further investigation. Landlord Chang’s widow has approached me, seemingly wanting to accuse Shen Longteng of murdering for money."

Hearing this, the crowd outside erupted into discussion again, their gazes turning toward the Escort Agency members with suspicion.

Shen Longteng sneered, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Enough talk. Bring in the witnesses."

"Witnesses?"

Yu Chunsheng’s brow furrowed the moment he heard this.

A moment later, the bandit chief and the two Vajra Sect disciples were brought forward.

When Yu Chunsheng saw those two, his face instantly darkened. His eyes shot open, glaring with a murderous look that made the two men lower their heads, not daring to look up.

"Name."

"Identity."

After going through the standard procedure, the County Magistrate, by the book, had the three men give their accounts separately.

The three explained how they had been connected through an intermediary. The two disciples, along with Xiang Zhuo and two others, represented the Vajra Sect in the ambush to kill Xie Yuan, while the bandit chief explained how he had been promised a clean slate.

After the three had finished their separate accounts, the crowd outside was in an uproar, their voices nearly drowning out the proceedings inside the hall.

Yu Chunsheng’s face was grim. He stood up directly, cupped his hands toward the County Magistrate, and said,

"Your Excellency, the Magistrate, since there has been a case of collusion with bandits in the county, I will personally investigate it thoroughly."

Xie Yuan scoffed.

"You’ll investigate yourself? You’re a man of the Vajra Sect. This bandit all but named you. What could possibly come of you leading the investigation?"

Yu Chunsheng looked at Xie Yuan, his gaze incredibly deep.

"Master Xie, you are mistaken. I merely studied martial arts at the Vajra Sect, but my body and service belong to the imperial court. Heaven and Earth are my witness, I will show no favoritism."

"Second, whether this criminal’s words can be trusted is another matter. He never mentioned my name. Who knows where this so-called intermediary came from, or if such a person even exists?"

Yu Chunsheng stared at the bandit. The bandit’s face was pale, and he mumbled a few words but said nothing more.

Xie Yuan sneered. ’Yu Chunsheng certainly isn’t stupid enough to meet with the bandits himself, but the messenger must have mentioned his name. Otherwise, the connection wouldn’t be this deep. And as for him not being a man of the Vajra Sect... he’s always said that, but everyone knows it’s bullshit.’

’Still, his excuse is plausible on the surface. How this will be handled is up to the County Magistrate.’

The County Magistrate stroked his beard, his expression calm. He said slowly,

"In that case, I will ask Yu County Captain to investigate thoroughly and give me, Shen the Head of the Escort, and the common people an explanation within three days."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chunsheng gave a deep bow toward the dais and said,

"Yes, sir."

He glanced at Xie Yuan, Shen Longteng, and the Vajra Sect members in the hall, then walked outside and projected his voice.

"In three days, the government will have an official statement on this matter. You are all forbidden from speculating wantonly. Otherwise, you will be dealt with according to the law. Disperse at once!"

Seeing the matter conclude like this, Xie Yuan was slightly disappointed.

’Letting Yu Chunsheng investigate himself? Isn’t that just like the old saying, "Who in the court dares accuse this official?" Even though this was how they did it, he had hoped for a different outcome.’

As he returned to the Escort Agency with the main group, Xie Yuan let out a breath and shook his head.

"Officials protect their own. The County Magistrate is clearly shielding Yu Chunsheng. It seems we won’t be able to take him down this time."

’As long as he wears an official’s robe, no matter what crimes Yu Chunsheng commits, he must be dealt with by the government. To do otherwise is to oppose the imperial court. If I want to get rid of Yu Chunsheng for good without becoming a wanted man, I have to strip him of that protective layer first.’

’Otherwise, even if I were strong enough to assassinate him, the death of a County Captain would definitely cause the prefecture to send experts to investigate. I have no idea what methods those Divine Catchers of the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm have, and I’m not confident I could hide from them.’

’An official position is the best protection. That’s why, if I get the chance, I have to pull him from his high horse beforehand. Otherwise, even when I’m strong enough, my hands will be tied.’

’That’s why I had that flash of inspiration to keep these men alive. But who knew the county yamen was full of crooks? It was completely useless!’

Shen Longteng glanced at Xie Yuan and smiled faintly.

"Xie Yuan, you’re mistaken. If the County Magistrate and Yu Chunsheng were really in cahoots, then he would truly have absolute power here, and our Escort Agency would have gone under long ago."

"In fact, if we’re talking about who in this county most wants to see Yu Chunsheng fall, it isn’t me. There’s someone who wants it even more than you or I."

Hearing this, Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment.

"You mean..."

"The County Magistrate."