Chapter 70: Lesson

Sun Jiu and Deng Fang exchanged glances when they saw the situation unfolding, ready to step in, but Qi Jun subtly shook his head at them to hold back.

Captain Xiao, provoked by Qi Jun’s attitude, felt his temper flare. He had never encountered a commoner who did not bow and scrape before him, calling him “my lord” at every turn.

“Master Deng, Captain Sun, you two go into the city first. Let me teach this insolent wretch a lesson,” Captain Xiao said to Sun Jiu and Deng Fang, then turned and grabbed Qi Jun by the collar.

Knowing Qi Jun was confident, Sun Jiu and Deng Fang didn’t want to miss the spectacle. They quickly signaled the county guards to enter the city, then dismounted to stand by the gate, grinning as they watched the standoff between Captain Xiao and Qi Jun.

“Sir, may I ask what crime I have committed?” Qi Jun smiled deferentially, making a show of respect.

“What crime? The crime of being poor!” Captain Xiao’s eyes bulged as he pulled hard, trying to drag Qi Jun from his horse. But Qi Jun held firmly onto the saddle ring, arching his back to resist.

With a sudden rip, Captain Xiao tore a gash in the front of Qi Jun’s robe.

The crowd of townsfolk waiting to enter the city, who had been watching intently, burst into laughter at the sight, joined by Deng Fang and Sun Jiu.

Originally, thanks to Sun Jiu and Deng Fang, Qi Jun had only intended to tease this snobbish guard captain and make him apologize. Who would have thought he’d end up humiliated himself?

“Captain Xiao, don’t you think this is going too far? At the very least, you owe me a new robe,” Qi Jun said coldly, his face tinged with anger.

“A pauper like you wants compensation for a ragged robe? Are you tired of living?” Captain Xiao spat, shoving his waist-knife forward.

Startled, Qi Jun realized this strike was meant to draw blood. He dodged swiftly, rolling off the horse and narrowing his eyes to glare fiercely at Captain Xiao.

Sun Jiu, recognizing the murderous glint in Qi Jun’s eyes, hurried over to block him and said to Captain Xiao, “Xiao Ming, that’s enough! Don’t push it too far!”

“Get out of my way! This is none of your business, Sun Jiu. Move!” Captain Xiao only grew angrier.

“Sun Jiu, step aside,” Qi Jun’s icy command rang in Sun Jiu’s ear. Startled, Sun Jiu moved aside involuntarily.

“Last time I let you off easy, not a hair harmed. Today, you’ll have to pay up!” Captain Xiao shouted, reaching for the bundle on Qi Jun’s horse.

“I gave you a chance,” Qi Jun said coldly, glaring at the guard captain who so shamelessly preyed on the people. Without another word, he delivered a fierce kick to Captain Xiao’s chest.

Caught off guard, Captain Xiao fell flat on his back. Before he could get up, Qi Jun pressed his foot down hard on his chest.

“Why are you all standing there? Cut him down!” Captain Xiao barked at the gate guards.

Shaken from their stupor, several guards reached for their blades but were stopped by a sharp look from Deng Fang.

“Captain Xiao is finished today. Unless you want to lose your jobs too?” Deng Fang’s warning gaze swept over them, and the guards, exchanging uneasy glances, sheathed their swords and stepped back.

Captain Xiao, seeing Deng Fang block his backup, finally realized Qi Jun was not as simple as he appeared.

“Sir... forgive my ignorance, but may I ask your name?” Captain Xiao gasped, struggling for breath under Qi Jun’s foot.

“Oh? No more extortion now? Such arrogance, openly fleecing the people! Perhaps I should bring this matter to Magistrate Feng for judgment?” Qi Jun pressed his foot down harder, making Captain Xiao writhe in pain.

At the mention of Feng Qinian, Captain Xiao’s face turned ashen. In the past, even if Magistrate Feng knew, he would turn a blind eye. But if this scholar brought him before the magistrate for public questioning, he would never be let off lightly. If he lost his position, he would never be able to stay in Anqiang again.

“I deserve to die, I’ll punish myself…” Captain Xiao, desperate, slapped himself hard across the face.

Qi Jun looked down at him coldly and shook his head.

Captain Xiao, face twisted with regret, struck himself on the other cheek.

“Not enough—both cheeks must be equally favored,” Qi Jun sneered.

Knowing two slaps would not suffice, Captain Xiao, determined to keep his post, gritted his teeth and alternated blows with both hands, slapping himself again and again.

The onlookers grew ever more curious about Qi Jun’s identity, murmuring among themselves.

“Who is this scholar? Even Captain Xiao doesn’t dare challenge him!”

“Captain Xiao is nothing—I’ve heard even Magistrate Feng shows him respect!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Magistrate Feng is such an important official, how could that be?”

“I know this scholar! Remember Panlong Ridge? He led the raid that wiped out the bandits there! He’s our benefactor!”

As word spread, the crowd came to a consensus and began bowing and expressing their gratitude to Qi Jun.

Qi Jun, seeing Captain Xiao’s swollen face, felt the matter settled and stepped back, ready to leave, but was quickly surrounded by grateful townsfolk.

“Master Qi, you drove off the bandits from Panlong Ridge and avenged our family’s eldest—you're our great benefactor! Please accept my humble bow…” An elderly woman, trembling, bowed deeply and tried to kneel before him.

Qi Jun frowned and sighed. He had lost count of how many times someone had shown him such gratitude.

“Please, madam, don’t do this—it will only shorten my life,” Qi Jun hurriedly helped her up, dusting off her clothes.

“Master Qi, how could you lose years? You’ve done such good for the people—your virtue will be rewarded!” an old man added, his face full of admiration.

It took some effort for Qi Jun to extricate himself from the crowd. Mounting his horse, he rode into the city with Deng Fang and Sun Jiu.

“Sir, now I truly see the esteem in which the people of Anqiang hold you,” Deng Fang remarked admiringly.

“Sir, Captain Xiao was truly vile—you did the right thing. I must admit, I have done similar things in the past. Now I am deeply ashamed,” Sun Jiu said, looking at Qi Jun with regret.

“It is not me you have wronged, but them,” Qi Jun replied, gesturing to the townsfolk on the street. He continued, “Remember this: Whoever holds the people in their heart and does good for them, the people will raise them up.”

Deng Fang and Sun Jiu nodded thoughtfully, seeing a radiant light in this scholar before them.