Chapter Forty-Four: Rivalry Among Officials

The young legal advisor, after looking at Jiang Pingchuan, calmed himself, but his face quickly turned furious as he glanced at the stubbled man kneeling before Jiang Pingchuan.

That was his subordinate—how could he kneel before a stranger? The young legal advisor cleared his throat.

The stubbled man looked between the advisor and Jiang Pingchuan, stiffened his resolve, and stood up, moving to stand behind the young legal advisor.

Jiang Pingchuan watched as the stubbled man rose and, without so much as seeking his permission, went to stand behind the advisor. A cold smile flickered across Jiang Pingchuan’s lips.

“Who are you to behave so brazenly in this hall? Is that your place to sit? What use are you all if any stray cat or dog can take a magistrate’s seat?”

The young legal advisor bellowed at Jiang Pingchuan, but apart from the stubbled man, none of the bailiffs made a move.

They had all heard clearly—the county magistrate himself had asked Jiang Pingchuan to preside over the case. They weren’t fools; it was obvious the magistrate held Jiang Pingchuan in high regard.

Thus, the advisor’s outburst was met with silence. Down in the hall, Zhou Ning’er watched Jiang Pingchuan sitting in the magistrate’s seat, her heart in her throat.

She couldn’t understand why the county magistrate, who had never even met Jiang Pingchuan, would favor him so openly, and let him take over the trial so readily. Likely, everyone present shared her confusion.

A resounding crack split the air.

“How dare you make a racket in this court! Where are my men—did you not hear my order just now?”

Jiang Pingchuan seized the wooden gavel, infused it with his inner energy, and brought it down onto the table with a thunderous strike that sent a shockwave rippling out.

The bailiffs snapped to attention, as if waking from a dream. Four rushed forward, pinning the young advisor to the ground, while two others raised their staffs, poised to strike his backside.

“Outrageous! Is there no law? Magistrate, Magistrate—!”

The young advisor, seeing the bailiffs truly pressing him to the ground, panicked and turned desperately to the magistrate seated at the side for help, his gaze venomous as he glared at Jiang Pingchuan.

Jiang Pingchuan clapped his hands, descending from the magistrate’s seat to stand by the magistrate, his inner energy swirling protectively around him.

He could see the black miasma writhing on the young advisor’s body, trying to invade the magistrate. Now he was certain the one who had turned the magistrate into a puppet was none other than the advisor before him.

And he’d made another crucial discovery—the drop of blood within him was violently quivering. Jiang Pingchuan felt he truly owed Gao Yao his thanks.

If Gao Yao hadn’t brought Zhou Fu to the court, he would never have realized how the county yamen had turned into such a mess.

“Advisor, henceforth all cases will be tried by my Brother Jiang Pingchuan on my behalf. I am but an observer now; all matters are for Lord Jiang to decide.”

The magistrate spoke in a low, weary voice, his dark-circled eyes gradually brightening. In his mind, a chanting voice echoed endlessly.

He remained somewhat dazed, but his subconscious urged him to cooperate fully with this young man named Jiang Pingchuan—he would not go wrong.

Not only would he not go wrong, it was as if he were atoning for his sins, and those of his son.

“Tsk tsk, did you hear that, my good advisor? You’d best set an example.”

Jiang Pingchuan looked down at the advisor, who, upon hearing the magistrate’s words, was awash with disappointment. With a faint smile, Jiang Pingchuan shrugged, crouched before him, and patted the advisor’s now haggard face.

“Mocking yourself, are you? Fate is a funny thing—we meet again.”

He leaned close to the advisor’s ear and whispered softly. The man before him was the very black-robed figure who had stolen his two Dao Crystals. Of all his calculations, he had never imagined the advisor would be the black-robed one.

It felt like destiny, though he was not fond of fate, he didn’t resent this kind of karmic tie. Whoever tangled with his fate, he would see the matter through to a satisfying end—he was never one to suffer a loss.

“Lord Jiang, is your body still strong?” the young advisor forced out, looking up from under the bailiffs’ grips with a harsh tone.

Jiang Pingchuan frowned at the words, then burst out laughing.

“Thanks to your concern, I’m quite well.”

He observed the advisor, who looked extremely weak now. Clearly, even after taking his two Dao Crystals, he hadn’t managed to unleash any earth-shaking change. In fact, it seemed as though he’d been harmed by a backlash. The advisor tried to speak, but Jiang Pingchuan’s brows drew together.

“Strike!”

Jiang Pingchuan slammed the gavel down, and the bailiffs didn’t hesitate—lifting the rods, they brought them down hard on the young advisor’s rear.

The advisor grinned at Jiang Pingchuan, so calm in the face of punishment that Jiang Pingchuan smacked his forehead—he’d nearly forgotten: the advisor was the black-robed one. Stripped of power though he was, surely some inner energy remained.

Jiang Pingchuan rose and approached the bailiffs administering the punishment, patting their shoulders. The two exchanged a glance, puzzled by Jiang Pingchuan’s silence. They guessed perhaps he found their blows too feeble, so they steeled themselves and swung down again with extra force.

A hiss of pain, then a guttural groan: “You’re merciless…”

Jiang Pingchuan squatted before the advisor, chuckling, then his expression turned cold.

Smack! Smack! He slapped the advisor twice.

You call me merciless? Compared to you, I’m nothing. All he wanted was to teach this blind advisor a lesson, but the man on the ground wanted his life.

“Shut your mouth—just scream, don’t waste my time with your chatter.”

He patted the advisor’s face, channeling his inner energy into the two bailiffs, which then surged through the rods and landed heavily on the young advisor.

Though much of the force was dulled, the result was still satisfactory. Jiang Pingchuan watched the advisor’s pain-twisted face as he bit back his cries, and felt much relieved.

“Someone, help the advisor up and offer him a seat. Bring in the accused.”

Two bailiffs helped the battered advisor up, glanced at Jiang Pingchuan, sensing the obvious grudge between him and the advisor. It was clear to all present—Jiang Pingchuan was the toughest one here. They exchanged a look, then forcibly pressed the advisor into a listening chair.

The advisor howled, his body trembling uncontrollably. Forced down onto the bench with his bruised backside, he felt a thousand curses surge through his mind. Sweat poured down his forehead, and with his shoulders pinned, he couldn’t move an inch. All he could do was grit his teeth and remember this humiliation.

Before long, Zhou Fu was courteously led into the hall by bailiffs. Seeing Jiang Pingchuan in the magistrate’s seat, he was momentarily stunned.

Zhou Ning’er and Lady Zhou hurried forward to embrace him as Zhou Fu nodded absently, mumbling. Zhou Ning’er, hearing her father’s confusion, glanced at Jiang Pingchuan and pouted. Only then did Zhou Fu approach Jiang Pingchuan, about to kneel, but Jiang Pingchuan stopped him.

“No need to kneel, Manager Zhou. I’m fully informed about your case, and I brought a cart of your family’s Spring Noodles. Any townsfolk here who haven’t eaten may each have a free bowl. Of course, Lord Gao and the advisor shall have the first bowls. We’ll speak more after everyone’s eaten.”

Jiang Pingchuan beamed at Little Wu, who quickly understood, hurrying out to fetch the noodles from the cart and bring them into the hall. Once outside, Little Wu let out a long breath.

Watching Jiang Pingchuan so mercilessly punish the advisor, it was clear to all there was a grudge between them, and Little Wu felt a heavy pressure in his chest.

He didn’t know if he should speak his mind, handing out noodles absentmindedly to everyone present. When he reached the advisor, seeing his dark, furious glare sent a chill through Little Wu.

His hands trembled as he handed the noodles over, unable to meet the advisor’s murderous eyes.

Crack!

“Even eating noodles you’re not behaving? When given food, take it quickly. Are you blind?”

At some point, Jiang Pingchuan had appeared at Little Wu’s side. Seeing the advisor’s look at Little Wu and the boy’s odd expression, Jiang Pingchuan realized Little Wu had been planted by the advisor as a spy.

And since the advisor was the black-robed man, everything that happened here began to make sense.

Yet, Jiang Pingchuan hesitated—what about Old Yu? What was his role in all this?