Chapter 49: The Fight (Part 1)

  In front of County Magistrate Li, County Magistrate Lü also didn't dare to be too arrogant. After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth and said: "What brings you here?"

  "Reporting to Your Honor." Shen Mo bowed his hands and said: "Officer Wang has brought students to take back my brother Yao Zhangzi."

  "Yao Changzi is indeed here." Lu County Magistrate said expressionlessly: "But you agreed to compete three times, and this has only been twice. It seems that it can't be counted as your win yet?"

  Shen Mo sneered inwardly: "So this guy lost two rounds in a row, felt unhappy and wanted to regain face." Just as he was about to speak, he heard Li County Magistrate say: "Younger brother, aren't you overstepping your bounds? Wang Gui has already conceded defeat, how can it not be considered Shen Mo's win?"

  Lü County Magistrate Pi smiled and said, "Old brother, don't be anxious. You can let Shen Mo take out the original contract, does it mention anything about conceding in advance?"

  Of course, there is no such thing in the document! The trial was to determine the winner and loser. Since someone has already admitted defeat, what's the point of using the document? Now, County Magistrate Lü uses the document to argue his case, which is clearly a naked abuse of power!

  The faint smile that always hung on his silent mouth was gone, he only felt a surge of blood in his chest, his fists clenched tightly, and his pale face turned dark, pursing his lips without saying a word.

  Magistrate Li thought Shen Mo was about to get angry, fearing he would do something he would regret for the rest of his life. He hastily mediated: "Shen Mo, quickly apologize to Magistrate Lü, he's just joking with you, saying your etiquette is insufficient..."

  "This official is not joking." Lü County Magistrate was young and successful, at the prime of his life, how could he swallow this tone? He intended to turn around this situation, not giving Li Yunju this old fellow, old rascal any face.

  Magistrate Li's face turned red with rage as he rubbed his hands together and exclaimed: "Unfilial, unflial..."

  "Heh heh... Elder, please calm down." County Magistrate Lü dryly said: "If Shen Mo gives me a bow and apologizes, then winning or losing doesn't matter anymore."

  "This is a betrayal of trust!" County Magistrate Li also got really angry, slamming his hand on the table and saying: "Lü Dòu Yìn, release them now, otherwise we'll go to the Prefect's office to settle this, let's see if you can call the shots in Shaoxing City!"

  "The Magistrate has gone to the provincial capital." Lu County sneered, "Within five days, he'll be back or not, tsk, tsk, five days... Five days are enough for Yao Zhangzi to die and come back to life several times."

  "You..." County Magistrate Li was so angry that his eyes rolled back, and his hands trembled as he couldn't speak.

  Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, Shen Mo stood up. He first bowed deeply to Magistrate Li and said in a low voice, "Thank you, sir, for your protection. I am grateful." Since Magistrate Lü was not convinced, he would make him convinced. He was like a volcano about to erupt, with anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. He nodded at Magistrate Lü and said, "Please go ahead and draw a line. I will follow it!" Of course, he understood the logic of 'restraining oneself in times of weakness', but now he just wanted to say, "What can't be tolerated, doesn't need to be tolerated anymore!"

  "What a young whippersnapper! How arrogant!" A small child spoke like this, and Magistrate Lyu couldn't help but feel a bit displeased. He thought to himself: "In terms of audacity, he's almost on par with Xu Wei."

  Magistrate Li felt very relieved and let out a long sigh, saying: "Alright, alright, young people's affairs should be handled by young people. I'll just act as an arbitrator, no one is allowed to cheat anymore!"

  "This old coffin nail! " A few words almost made Magistrate Lü's nose crooked. What is this 'young man' business? Isn't this putting me on the same level as some beardless kid? What is this 'again playing tricks'? Isn't this clearly scolding me for just having played tricks? In front of old Li, who was in his heavenly ordained year, he indeed was a young man; he had indeed just played tricks, and fundamentally had no way to argue back, could only hum a sound, and turned his head to say: "Bring it up!"

  The curtain of the rear cabin was lifted, and a tray came up with County Lieutenant Shan Yin on it. On the tray was placed one of those transparent crystal bottles from last time, which seemed to still have some money inside.

  The county magistrate took the bottle, and the money inside was suspended in mid-air. Shen Mo looked carefully and found that there was a thin thread in the bottle, one end of which was tied to the money, and the other end was connected to the cork, which had completely sealed the bottle.

  At this time, the county magistrate Lü coldly smiled and said: "Look at you, with a golden coat on the bottle and a tree removed from the river, looking very capable. If you really have the ability, can you not break the bottle, not remove the stopper, and cut off the cotton thread in the bottle?"

  "What's so special about that?" Shen Mo smiled faintly and said, "I can break the thread without touching the bottle from start to finish."

  "How is that possible?" County Magistrate Lü said disbelievingly, "Unless you also have divine magic like Taoist Master Zhenren." The current emperor was fond of Daoism and spiritual practices, and he was exceptionally kind to Daoists. And Taoist Master Zhenren Zhongwen was the leader of the current world's cow nose ring holders, always being regarded by ordinary people as a god-like figure who could summon wind and rain. Even County Magistrate Lü, a scholar, couldn't help but follow suit.

  "The student is a saint's door birth, only knows that the child does not speak of strange powers and gods." Shen Mo shook his head and said: "But I do have a way."

  The county magistrate of Lü did not believe him: "If you are really a divine immortal, then this official will not release the person."

  "What if the student broke it?" Shen Mo asked with a smile.

  "I'll not only release him, but also treat Lord Li and you to wine as an apology!" Magistrate Lü slammed his hand on the table.

  "It's settled in one word!"

  "I will never regret!"

  Both parties nodded, and their silent gaze searched the room for a suitable vessel.

  Li Zhixian saw that his gaze was drifting and thought that Shen Mo was uncertain in his heart, so he couldn't help but ask with concern: "Is there anything I can help you with?"

  Shen suddenly spotted a identical vase placed in the corner of the wall, being used as a flower holder. He then politely smiled and said: "I'd like to borrow that vase for a moment."

  "Just take it away." With a wave of his hand, County Magistrate Lü gestured to County Clerk Hou, who then pulled out the bouquet and handed the bottle over to Shen Mo.

  Seeing that plump bottle gourd, Shen silently rejoiced in his heart and smiled: "One thing doesn't bother two masters, trouble Lord Hou to scoop another ladle of clear water."

  Hou Xian nodded and went to the rear cabin to scoop some clear water with a ladle.

  Shenmo first rinsed the bottle clean and then filled it with clear water. He smiled and said, "Please, gentlemen, move to the deck."

  Everyone was very curious about what he was going to do, and they followed him out of the cabin. Of course, the bottle filled with copper coins was also brought out.

  The big and small boats nearby were originally going to disperse, but seeing the excitement, they all swarmed back in with a loud whoosh...