Chapter 2: The Death of Taijian

  "Ow, my stomach hurts...... Big brother, there are three urgent matters in life. I see that you have a strong sense of justice and high moral character. You take on responsibilities entrusted to you by others and remain loyal to them. It's truly admirable... but as for me..."

  "Shut up!"

  "Hey...... I see that you, big brother, are a steady and strong martial artist. Have you ever been married? With your conditions, I'm sure your wife must be gentle and elegant, a national beauty, right? Ah, big brother doesn't say a word, could it be that you haven't gotten married yet? Big brother, you've finally found the right person! I, Xu, may not have any other skills, but I know all about the talented ladies of Moneytang County. Do you prefer lively and lovely misses or gentle and understanding ladies? The one from East City......"

  *gulp*

  A large knife was placed on Xu Qian's neck, and at the same time, a cold face shone under the dim light of the lanterns on the street.

  "If you don't want to get married, then just say so, why make a scene?" Xu Qian shrank his neck and muttered.

  "What did you say?" the cold and stern official growled.

  "No, nothing. I was just thinking that since big brother doesn't like marrying a wife, he must be quite interested in the girls in the brothel? That's it, a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a prostitute. Who would have thought that big brother and little brother had the same aspirations? Little brother thinks that since everyone gets along so well, I'll be the host and make sure big brother is satisfied. After big brother has his fun, little brother will follow him to meet with Lord Wang, how about it?"

  The official obviously had no interest in listening to Xu Qian's nonsense and continued on his way with Xu Qian's arm around him.

  Xu Qian was speechless, thinking to himself, "You're just a eunuch's errand boy, what dignity are you talking about? I don't believe I can be fooled by you." He turned his eyes and reached into his own money bag, pulled out a piece of broken silver and threw it on the ground, then shouted loudly: "Wow, who is so lacking in public virtue, throwing silver onto the street like this? This big piece could kill someone!"

  The official didn't bat an eye and continued to drag Xu Qian along as usual.

  Xu Qian shouted: "Hey, hey, silver! There's at least one or two taels and three mace. Big brother, why aren't you picking it up?"

  The official's face was expressionless.

  Xu Qian wept: "Heaven, my silver...my one or two taels of silver..."

  Xu Qian did not notice that a trace of coldness flashed through the official's eyes.

  After turning a corner, the residence of the eunuch in charge of the town was already in sight. The official pulled Xu Qian and dragged him into a small alleyway.

  Xu Qian's heart was tense, thinking that this guy might want to kill him and silence him. He was blocked by the officer's sturdy body and could only lean against the back wall, vigilantly looking at the officer, saying: "Aren't we supposed to go see Wang Gonggong?"

  "Yes, that's right. We are going to see Mr. Wang, but before that, there are some things I need to tell you." The officer smiled at Xu Qiansen with the same coldness as before, but this time he said more than he had earlier.

  Xu Qian felt something was off and said: "What do you want to say?"

  The official sneered coldly, "Nothing, didn't you just say you wanted to go to Lichun Inn and lost money? I see your purse is quite heavy, there must be a lot of loose silver. Ah, Wang Gonggong's temper, I'm very clear about it, will he let you off this time? Just like you said earlier, we are also fated, how about this, hand over your purse to me for safekeeping?"

  Xu Qian was no fool, and what he called "keeping" was actually throwing a sheep into the tiger's mouth. He hastily shook his head like a drumstick, saying: "No way, this is what I've worked hard to earn, why should I give it to you?"

  The official, rarely showing a sly smile, patted Xu Qian's shoulder and said: "Within the four seas, all are brothers. Now that my brother is in trouble, can I just stand by and do nothing? Hand over your money bag to me for safekeeping, and it will also avoid being searched away. This is for your own good. Although we met by chance, we seem to have a good rapport. I couldn't just watch you die. Don't worry, later I'll go and give the person who's going to execute you a heads up. Although I can't guarantee that you won't suffer physical pain, at least your life will be spared."

  This guy is clearly a black-hearted person, and Xu Qian had thought that he was not motivated by fame or wealth. It turns out that he didn't even look down on the small benefits that Xu Qian had promised him.

  The official looked at Xu Qian with a good-looking face, while Xu Qian stared back at the official with an "I'm going to get you" gaze. The two locked eyes, and suddenly Xu Qian felt like a little loli being lured by a creepy uncle holding a lollipop.

  "Alright, big brother is so righteous, what else can I say?" Xu Qian gritted his teeth and immediately took off his money bag, generously handing it over. This was all the silver he had saved up from selling medicine, but he couldn't not give it to them. For now, they were just trying to swindle him, but if that didn't work, they would resort to robbery next. It's better to be sensible and know when to yield.

  "Good brother!" The officer patted Xu Qian's shoulder and said with deep feeling.

  "Good big brother..." Xu Qian's eyes were red and had a hint of tears shining in them.

  "Alright, brother, I acknowledge you. My name is Deng Jian, from now on, just call me Big Brother Deng. Big Brother Deng's reputation for justice and righteousness is renowned in Qiantang County. Don't worry, big brother won't let you suffer any losses."

  "I wish this damned good-for-nothing would be run over by a horse carriage tomorrow." Xu Qian cursed in his heart, but he wiped away tears and grasped Deng Jian's hand, saying: "Big Brother Deng is so kind to me, I will definitely remember it in my heart."

  "What's this? Although we didn't burn yellow paper, but for you, Brother Deng, there's no need for so many pleasantries. For me, Deng, to stab my brother in the back is a principle of being human. Alright, Brother Deng has one more thing, which might also be beneficial to you. Come, come, just press your handprint here and that's it." Putting the money bag into his own sleeve, Deng Jian's mood was extremely good, hehe, and from his sleeve, he pulled out a piece of paper with many small characters densely written on it, and handed it over to Xu Qian. Then, he took out a box of red mud and laughed: "Come, just draw a seal in the bottom right corner."

  Xu Qian widened his eyes and looked at the words on the paper, unable to help but take a deep breath. Indeed, it was a good brother. This was a letter, written to his own father, saying that he had been trapped in the mansion of the eunuch Taigong, asking his old man to devise a plan to rescue him, and if possible, to raise some silver coins to bribe Officer Deng Jian.

  This... is really ruthless. This bastard actually had the letter ready, I reckon he'd already planned to take advantage of me before I even came looking for him.

  "Brother Deng..."

  "You don't have to say any more." Deng Jian patted Xu Qian's shoulder, stopping him from continuing, and said with deep emotion: "You and I are brothers, your affairs are my affairs, hurry up and sign the contract. After signing, we'll go see Wang Gonggong, and it will be settled... Ah? You won't do it? Fine, kid. Deng Big Brother treats people with clear distinction between kindness and grudges, to brothers like a gentle breeze, but if you're Deng Big Brother's enemy, then it's drawing the sword and blood splattering five steps away..."

  ………………

  He was dragged to the town's guardian eunuch's mansion, Xu Qian thoroughly lost his composure and his heart also reached a point of despair. Previously, he had only deceived and cheated others, but unexpectedly today he was ruthlessly blackmailed by this Deng fellow. In his heart, he secretly thought: "Don't ever let me have the chance to turn things around, otherwise you'll be in for it, you Deng fellow."

  Then again thought that Wang Gonggong was notorious for being ruthless and heartless, what good could happen to himself if he fell into his hands?

  The scale of the eunuch's mansion was not small, in front of the mansion were two stone lions, under the dim and swaying lanterns, as if they had a layer of halo, the stone lions were ferocious, with their mouths open wide, like blood basins, their copper bell-like big eyes seemed to mock the passing pedestrians.

  At the entrance were two door gods, both with sturdy builds. Although they wore green robes and small hats, neither of them looked like good people.

  "The person has been brought over." Deng Jian dragged Xu Qian back, regaining his extremely cold demeanor.

  The two door gods looked at Xu Qian and nodded in unison.

  One of the family servants had already grabbed Xu Qian's hand, and Deng Jian was willing to let go of Xu Qian. He accomplished his mission and didn't forget to smile and say to Xu Qian: "Brother Xu, we'll meet again."

  Xu Qian cursed in his heart: "Don't let me see you again." But on his face, he smiled and said: "Deng brother... take care."

  Meng Ding clearly had no interest in letting Xu Qian continue to drag things out, and one of them picked up Xu Qian and dragged him into the mansion.

  Xu Qian felt extremely indignant in his heart, if he were a few years older, he wouldn't have been bullied by these guys at will. Now being taken away like this was really not very dignified.

  Entering the eunuch's mansion, there were rows of gateways and ceremonial gates inside. Xu Qian cursed in his heart: You're a dead eunuch, what's the point of setting up so many gateways? Do you think you're a prostitute?

  He was a little afraid in his heart, he was just an unremarkable traverser, no martial arts value, no background, this time, hopefully that dead eunuch would only clean up and not make any real moves.

  After passing through countless corridors and moon gates, they finally entered the third gate of the ceremonial gate. The doorman, carrying Xu Qian's door, stopped under a long corridor outside a pavilion. Just then, a young servant in a green robe and small hat came face to face with them, coldly sizing up Xu Qian before saying to the doorman, "Take him in, Master Wang is getting impatient."

  Nan Ding nodded and led Xu Qian into the attic, which was a hall-like structure, but not quite a regular hall. It seemed to be more like a flower hall in the backyard. Xu Qian's heart sank as he realized that being brought here probably meant he would face some kind of private punishment. He was pushed by Nan Ding to the center of the hall and looked around, noticing that the decorations were actually quite elegant. On the east wall hung many paintings and calligraphy works, while on the west wall hung precious swords and ancient zithers. In the corner stood a lamp with a chrysanthemum pattern, casting a faint glow from the candles inside, which were covered by red silk shades.

  On the wall facing north, however, a beautifully framed calligraphy hung, and by the light of the lamp, Xu Qian saw that the horizontal scroll was inscribed with the four characters "Gong Shun Zhong Liang".

  Xu Qian secretly disapproved, having only heard of people hanging phrases like "Sea Embracing Hundred Rivers", "Glory and Greatness" or "Heavenly Way Rewards Diligence" on the main wall, but never heard of anyone hanging a phrase like "Respectful Obedience and Loyal Integrity" on the north wall of the main hall. This dead eunuch's taste is truly unusual.

  "Cough...cough..." The sound of coughing echoed out.

  Xu Qian heard the sound and only then shifted his attention to a person in a crimson robe sitting below the calligraphy, behind the desk.

  This man was sitting high up in a chair, about forty years old, with a pale face and no beard. His skin care was not bad, but at this moment, he stared at himself, Xu Qian felt that his eyes were sinister, making people very uncomfortable.

  Is this person Wang Gonggong?

  Xu Qian hastily smiled and bowed, saying: "Your humble servant Xu Qian pays his respects to Your Excellency."

  At this time, playing tricks on Officer Wang would be asking for trouble, so Xu Qian decided to put away his mischievous ways and behave himself as a good citizen.

  Anyway, he's just a kid, kneeling down to pay respects doesn't matter much. Compared to life and death, so-called "heroic aura" and "tiger-like presence" are just jokes. The execution grounds at Caishikou are mostly filled with those kinds of guys who have too much of that arrogant air about them.

  "So it was you?" Wang Gong gazed at Xu Qian with a stern expression, but he also seemed to be taken aback by the young age of the medicine seller.

  "Tsk tsk, didn't expect you to be so tender and delicate, yet quite handsome."

  This sentence made Xu Qian's heart feel a bit hairy, he had always known that the dead eunuchs had a heavier taste, could it be that this dead eunuch...

  Cold sweat seeped out from his forehead, and under the candlelight, Xu Qian's face seemed to radiate a faint, gloomy aura.