Chapter 98: Sir, You''re Not Ruthless Enough |
Chen Shi squeezed his way out of the crowd, took off his hat, and casually tossed it aside on the road.
His clothes were a bit too long, so he tore off a section, wrapped it around his palm, bit the end with his teeth to tie a knot on the back of his hand, and clenched his fist tightly. It felt fairly comfortable.
The cloth was coarse linen, rough in texture, but provided an excellent grip.
"This way, when it gets bloody, I won''t have to worry about the knife slipping from my hand."
At that moment, thunderous roars echoed from the sky. Chen Shi looked up and saw that a dark cloud had appeared at some point, blocking out the clear sky. The wind carried moisture, suggesting rain would soon fall.
Chen Shi called for Black Pot and asked, "Black Pot, have you seen Master Fu?"
Black Pot immediately led the way in front. Chen Shi followed him, weaving through the streets, and soon arrived at Assistant Magistrate Zheng Shiyun''s home.
Zheng Shiyun had been Assistant Magistrate for many years. He was powerful and influential in Xinxiang County, a man skilled in scheming, and had few enemies in the county.
Yet, at this moment, wails of grief filled Zheng Shiyun''s home. Chen Shi barged in to find the Zheng family''s servants lying all over the ground. Zheng Shiyun was impaled through the chest by a bamboo pole, pinned to the wall. It wasn''t a fatal wound, and he was screaming in pain.
"The bailiffs from the county office were all sent away, leaving no one guarding it. Even hearing the fighting, no one came to investigate. The only one who could give such an order is Assistant Magistrate Zheng Shiyun. Therefore, Zheng Shiyun knows who that noblewoman is! Master Fu came here to force him to reveal the noblewoman''s identity."
Chen Shi reached out and grabbed the bamboo pole. "Assistant Magistrate Zheng, who exactly is the noblewoman who bought Shen Yusheng''s Divine Embryo from you?"
Zheng Shiyun was in unbearable pain, his forehead beaded with sweat the size of beans. Gritting his teeth against the agony, he hissed, "You''re here to ask about the noblewoman too, fine! I''ll tell you! The Li Family, the family of Governor Li! Do you dare to provoke them? You only dare to deal with me! Who have I offended? What have I done?"
Chen Shi yanked out the bamboo pole. Zheng Shiyun screamed incessantly, but at least he was off the wall, though a few chunks of flesh were torn off by the splintered bamboo.
Chen Shi examined the bamboo pole. It was likely broken off from Wencai Academy, its texture quite tough. Fu Leisheng''s strength was too great, causing one end to split.
Chen Shi''s face was as dark as water. "Ten years ago, the Child Prodigy who was first in the fifty provinces, who sold his Divine Embryo? And who bought it?"
Zheng Shiyun said, "Ten years ago, I wasn''t even the Assistant Magistrate. How would I have the qualifications to sell his Divine Embryo? Those who sold Divine Embryos back then are all dead. I heard the buyer, fearing the news would leak, had them all killed."
"Over the years, how many Divine Embryos have you sold, Lord Zheng?" Chen Shi asked.
Zheng Shiyun grew wary, replying cautiously, "Never sold any. This time, if it weren''t for Governor Li''s family personally inquiring, how could I possibly do such a heinous, inhumane thing?"
Chen Shi picked up the bamboo pole and walked out, breaking off the damaged end as he went.
The pole was originally over a person''s height. After he broke off a section, it was only a little over three feet long.
Seeing him leave the Zheng residence, Zheng Shiyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"I don''t believe you."
Chen Shi''s voice came from outside the wall.
Zheng Shiyun''s heart jolted. Outside the wall, Chen Shi formed a sword seal with his left hand, channeling true energy into the bamboo pole. The pole became like a sword. As he pointed with the sword seal, it shot out like lightning, its tremendous force piercing through the wall and impaling Zheng Shiyun''s throat.
With a whoosh, Zheng Shiyun flew up, tumbling backward, and slammed into an old tree in his yard with a thud, hanging three or four feet off the ground.
"The Ziwu Evil-Slaying Sword... can it be used like this too?"
His limbs went limp, dangling powerlessly, motionless.
Cries of grief rose from the Zheng household.
"Those who seize Divine Embryos must die!"
Chen Shi left, saying, "Master Fu didn''t want to dirty his hands. I''ll do it for him!"
"Chen Shi, what are you doing here?"
Led by the black dog, Chen Shi caught up with Fu Leisheng. Fu Leisheng couldn''t help but frown deeply, stopping in his tracks and shouting, "Today is your joyous day! You are Xinxiang''s number one! A True God descended in potential, bestowing a Divine Embryo! You are destined to soar to great heights! Are you throwing away your scholarly honors?"
He was standing outside the residence of a household at a street corner. There was a bundle of bamboo, twenty or thirty poles, with a firewood chopper standing beside it.
"Master Fu, your methods are still not ruthless enough."
Seeing this, Chen Shi knew he had come for bamboo. He immediately stepped forward, grabbed the chopper, split the slender bamboo poles, cutting them all to three or four feet in length, sharpening one end of each, bundling them together, and slung them over his back.
"I''m not comfortable with a scholar going to kill people," Chen Shi said, gripping the chopper in his hand. The linen cloth wrapped around his hand provided a perfect grip.
Fu Leisheng, meanwhile, had his eye on the household''s mao bamboo, about seventeen feet long and extremely tough.
With a sword energy slash, he cut off the front end of the mao bamboo, hoisted it over his shoulder, and walked off coldly, saying, "I am prepared to die! Once we get there, I won''t be able to look after you!"
The owner of the house came out looking for his chopper, only to find it gone, the bamboo chopped into pieces, and the mao bamboo carried off. He couldn''t help but curse angrily.
The two arrived at the dock by the Qingqu River and hailed a painted pleasure boat. Chen Shi asked, "Boatman, do you know where Governor Li''s family is staying?"
The father and daughter on that boat recognized Chen Shi. The boat girl laughed, "I remember you! You''re the one with money, not like those stingy poor scholars! Governor Li''s family is staying on East Street, in a mansion belonging to a wealthy merchant from Lingnan. It''s huge! What are you asking for?"
"To deliver a bundle of firewood to them!"
Chen Shi jumped onto the boat, tossed her a silver ingot, and said, "Please, take us there."
Seeing it was an ingot worth two or three taels, the boat girl''s eyebrows arched with delight. "Alright! Dad, speed it up a bit! These two are looking for revenge. Let''s drop them off and hurry away. We don''t want to get involved!"
Fu Leisheng looked at the boat girl. The woman chuckled, "We''ve been sailing on this river for years. What kind of people haven''t we seen? You two are seething with killing intent, clearly out for revenge. Hey, handsome, what''s the use of carrying these bamboo poles to seek revenge?"
Chen Shi said seriously, "With one end sharpened, these bamboo poles take on the shape of swords, suitable for the first form of the Ziwu Evil-Slaying Sword, the Thrusting Sword Form."
The boat girl shook her head. "Carrying them like that isn''t suitable. I have a fish basket on the boat. Put them in the basket."
She fetched a fish basket that could hold twenty or thirty thin bamboo poles. Chen Shi slung it on his back; it was quite light. He thanked her.
The boat girl giggled. "Are you two going to collect the bodies?"
"No need."
Chen Shi tightened the fish basket strap and said, "I''ve always killed too many people. If I had to collect bodies, I don''t know how much money it would cost."
"Boom!"
Thunder rumbled in the sky. It still hadn''t rained, only growing gloomier.
The boat girl took out an umbrella and shoved it into his hand, laughing, "Yes, yes, you''ve killed many people! Take this quickly, don''t get drenched like a drowned rat."
Li Xiaozheng was the newly appointed Governor of Xinxiang Province. He had only stayed in Xinxiang County for one day before immediately assuming his post.
After all, he was a high official dispatched from the Western Capital. Xinxiang Province was a crucial area. The Zhao Family had wreaked havoc, releasing a demonic transformation and sacrificing who knows how many people in blood rituals. With everything in ruins needing restoration, there was no time to delay.
However, he left in a hurry, but his family didn''t need to be so rushed. They could travel leisurely to the provincial capital while sightseeing.
Governor Li was an upright man, not fond of women. He had only married two wives: Xia Weiyin, daughter of the Xia Family, and Yan Jingshu, daughter of the Yan Family, ranked as principal wife and equal wife respectively.
Besides them, there were three concubines and a few maidservants who shared his bed.
As for mistresses kept outside, there were none.
He cherished his reputation extremely.
For this trip, the two wives and three concubines each brought their own retainers, children, and servants to relax in Xinxiang County for a few days, washing away their weariness.
The principal wife, Xia Weiyin, smiled and said, "Master went to assume his post in Xinxiang Province the day before yesterday. Official duties are busy, mundane affairs numerous. He''ll inevitably receive visits from various officials, handle personnel appointments and dismissals—it''s all very noisy. Plus, he has to execute the Zhao Family, heads will roll everywhere. We womenfolk can''t bear to see such things; it''s too bloody. But two days have passed; presumably, the heads that need chopping are all chopped by now. Let''s go slowly, lest Master, without women by his side, gets seduced by some vixen again."
The second wife, Yan Jingshu, said, "Sister speaks rightly. Xinxiang is not like other places. The officials here were originally all Zhao Family people. Now that the Zhao Family has fallen, they are at a loss. When they see Master, won''t they try to curry favor by offering wealth, treasures, and women? Master''s reputation may be good, but the key is he might not be able to resist temptation."
The two wives shared a knowing smile and summoned the wealthy merchant from Lingnan, saying, "Master of the house, thank you for your hospitality these past days. We will set off for the provincial capital today and dare not trouble you further."
The Lingnan merchant was an old acquaintance of Li Xiaozheng and did business with the Quanzhou Li Family. Hearing this, he quickly said, "Won''t the two ladies stay a few more days? This humble one would like to show his respect."
Principal Wife Xia Weiyin waved her hand, smiling. "We''ve been staying at your home, and your whole household seems uncomfortable, not even daring to speak loudly. We were disturbing you from the start. How could we cause you further inconvenience?"
The Lingnan merchant dared not disobey. He immediately ordered people to prepare some silver and jewels, saying, "I know the two ladies and the Governor lack nothing, but this is at least a token of my humble heart."
The two wives didn''t mind, saying, "Very well, consider it your filial piety." Then they ordered their people to accept the gifts.
Second Wife Yan Jingshu gave orders for the servants and retainers to pack up and prepare to depart.
At that moment, Young Master Tianxiu walked over, looking radiant and full of energy.
Yan Jingshu asked, "My son, what has made you so happy?"
"Mother, Sister-in-law Gu and Master Zeng gave me a new Divine Embryo! Cultivating is twice as effective with half the effort!"
Li Tianxiu laughed. "They installed it from the back of my head. It still hurts a bit."
The two wives were startled.
Li Tianxiu was Yan Jingshu''s youngest son, usually treated as a precious jewel, afraid he might fall if held in the palm, afraid he might melt if held in the mouth.
The young master had been exceptionally clever since childhood, but he simply disliked studying and still hadn''t cultivated a Divine Embryo.
Some in the Li Family had previously suggested that a side branch, a concubine-born son named Li Tianqing, had received the favor of a True God and was bestowed a first-grade Purple Jade Divine Embryo. Why not use it for the young master?
Later, the matter was dropped.
Upon arriving in Xinxiang County, they heard that in this small county, during the Literary Test, radiant light descended from the sky, bestowing a Divine Embryo—actually the first-grade God of Literature Divine Embryo that countless people dreamt of but could hardly obtain—making everyone envious.
At that time, Yan Jingshu and Xia Weiyin were chatting and casually remarked, "If only Tianxiu could also receive a first-grade Divine Embryo bestowed by a True God, I would be perfectly satisfied."
"It must be Sister-in-law Gu acting on her own initiative!"
Yan Jingshu was somewhat angry and ordered someone to summon Sister-in-law Gu.
A moment later, Sister-in-law Gu arrived.
This woman was around forty years old, originally a wet nurse for the Li Family. Seeing she was sensible, the two wives promoted her to be the stewardess of the inner residence, managing all major and minor affairs.
Sister-in-law Gu was indeed capable and shrewd, handling everything properly and saving the two wives much trouble.
Yan Jingshu reprimanded Sister-in-law Gu, then paused and said, "Since you''ve already done it, there''s nothing I can do about it now."
"Was the child whose Divine Embryo was dug out given a proper burial?" Xia Weiyin asked.
Sister-in-law Gu smiled. "Principal Wife, rest assured one hundred percent. Of course, he was given a proper burial. We didn''t seize it by force or trickery; we bought it with a large sum of money. The child''s family is from the countryside. He''s not their only son; losing one doesn''t matter much. We gave enough money."
Xia Weiyin nodded gently. "After all, it''s a deed that damages one''s hidden virtue. If word gets out, it would harm the Li Family''s reputation. The master cherishes his reputation."
Sister-in-law Gu understood. "This old servant will handle it cleanly. Only the Assistant Magistrate and a few bailiffs know about this matter. Two ladies, the carriages are ready, belongings packed. It''s better to set off early."
Xia Weiyin nodded gently and, surrounded by her maids, walked out.
Yan Jingshu asked Li Tianxiu, smiling, "With your new Divine Embryo, how do you feel?"
Li Tianxiu was incredibly excited. "Mother, I feel a hundred times more energetic! My cultivation speed has increased who knows how many times!"
Yan Jingshu''s expression turned stern. "Since you''ve obtained a good Divine Embryo, then study properly with Master Zeng! Don''t be distracted again! If you fool around with those maidservants again, I''ll break your legs!"
Li Tianxiu quickly agreed. Catching sight of a tall, sturdy horse, he exclaimed excitedly, "Mother, I''m going to ride!"
Yan Jingshu had no choice but to let him.
Everyone walked out of the manor and boarded the carriages waiting outside.
Li Tianxiu mounted the horse and galloped toward the city gates, laughing, "Mother, I''ll wait for you outside the city!"
Yan Jingshu hurriedly said, "Master Zeng, take some people and follow Tianxiu!"
A scholar nearing fifty bowed in acknowledgment. Just as he was about to mount his horse, suddenly—whoosh!—a streak of blue light flashed by, piercing through the back of Li Tianxiu''s head as he galloped on horseback and exiting through the front, splattering a shower of blood!
