Chapter 33: A Single 'Brother Yuanjing'...

Here.

Mu Ran heard Xue An call someone a “pathetic dog,” and Li Yuanjing nearly burst out laughing. At last, he understood what was meant by “divine assistance from the enemy.” It was common knowledge—Murong Mubai, “the Pride of Wind City,” was a proper scholar by examination, now poised to become the leader of the Qi faction, the very banner and representative of all learned men in Qizhou. County Magistrate Zhao Bingchun was likewise of scholarly pedigree, a true disciple of the Ming Doctrine, a student of the Sage. Yet Xue An, that fool, kept calling them “pathetic dogs”—was this not blatantly “cursing the bald monk while pointing at the priest”?

“What did you say?”

“My brother Li owes your master silver? How much does he owe your master?!”

At this moment, Murong Kai could not help but let out a cold laugh, gazing at Xue An as one would a dead dog. He appeared friendly enough toward Li Yuanjing, as if they were confidants, but that was because Li Yuanjing was a scholar, a disciple of the Ming Doctrine, a student of the Sage. Even if Li Yuanjing had yet to rise, at the end of the day, he was one of the “scholar” class, one of their own—Murong Kai, Zhao Bingchun, and the rest. Not to mention, Li Yuanjing clearly possessed extraordinary talent, enough to amaze and dazzle.

But Xue An? He was nothing more than a dog raised by a rural tycoon, a country mutt at that! To put it more bluntly, for generations of emperors, no matter how many years have passed, they have never managed to curb the scholars. Why? Because scholars across the land are united! Once you step through that door, you have a duty and obligation to defend our shared class interests! Even if we fight among ourselves, turning our brains to mush, when faced with an outside challenge, we’ll show you what it means to kill without leaving a trace!

“This…”

Xue An was no fool; he immediately sensed the chill in Murong Kai’s voice, colder than the winter air. Yet he had no other choice now, so he braced himself and replied, “Reporting to the young master, Scholar Li owes my master four taels of silver for funeral expenses. According to the original note, he now owes twelve taels and seven coins…”

“Twelve taels and seven coins, is it?” Murong Kai sneered and waved to a nearby servant. “Give him fifteen taels!”

“Yes, young master.” The servant hurriedly produced a cloth pouch, counted out fifteen taels of silver, and handed it to Xue An.

“This…”

In that instant—

Not only was Xue An stunned. At the doorway, Lady Yu, the old village chief, Zhao Zengjin, Master Ma, the officers, and countless villagers who had gathered to watch the commotion—all were speechless. Who could have imagined? A debt of over twelve taels, and the young master cleared it with a single word?

“Young master, this, this, this…”

Xue An instinctively accepted the silver, but it felt like burning coal in his hands. He wanted to return it, but he couldn’t find the words.

“Bring me the note!” Murong Kai couldn’t be bothered to look at Xue An, his voice cold as thousand-year-old ice. Seeing the servant reaching out, Xue An’s mind froze and he handed over the note. The servant respectfully presented it to Murong Kai. Murong Kai glanced it over, a cold smile curling his lips.

“Well!”

“Well!”

“Well indeed.”

“I’ve heard that private loans among the people seldom exceed the ratio of nine given, thirteen returned. But your master has truly opened my eyes!”

At this, Zhao Bingchun’s face darkened, staring at Xue An as if he might devour him. “Your Master Xue, truly remarkable, remarkable indeed!”

“This…”

Even Xue An, for all his foolishness, realized something was amiss. His knees began to tremble uncontrollably. He wanted to say something, but not a word came out. Instinctively, he collapsed to the ground like a heap of mud.

“Enough!”

“Now that Scholar Li’s debt to your master is settled, it’s time we accounted for ours!” Murong Kai barked coldly. “You, a mere house servant, dare to repeatedly slander disciples of the Ming Doctrine and students of the Sage—such wickedness deserves death!”

“Master Zhao, in your opinion, how should this man be dealt with?”

Zhao Bingchun wished he could flay Xue An alive and was beginning to resent Master Xue as well. He bowed respectfully.

“Young master, in my view, this man must be seized at once and imprisoned. Based on my experience, he surely has filth and perhaps even blood on his hands!”

“In that case, why aren’t you arresting him already?!”

“Yes, sir!”

Hearing Murong Kai’s icy command, the officers dared not delay. They rushed forward and pinned Xue An down, binding him tightly.

“Innocent, young master, I’m innocent…” Xue An finally found his voice and wailed miserably.

“Noisy!”

“Slap him!”

Murong Kai showed no mercy. His command was cold and sharp.

“Yes.” Master Ma, who had long disliked Xue An, personally stepped forward, swung his arm, and delivered a dozen heavy slaps to Xue An’s horse-like face. Blood flowed freely, his cheeks swollen grotesquely; he likely lost several teeth. Unable to withstand the fear, Xue An wet himself, a foul-smelling puddle forming beneath him.

Murong Kai pinched his nose in disgust. “Even now, he disgusts me! Someone, break his dog legs!”

“Yes!” Master Ma waved and several officers pinned Xue An like a piglet.

Crack! Crack!

In turn, the constables wielded thick wooden rods, raining blows upon Xue An’s buttocks and legs. Within moments, Xue An was covered in blood, lying in a pool of it, unconscious and uncertain to survive.

Murong Kai didn’t so much as glance at him, dismissively waving his hand. “Drag this dead dog away and punish him severely!”

“Yes!”

Soon, the officers dragged Xue An off like a dead dog, while others fetched shovels to cover the bloodstains with dirt. As the stains disappeared and the north wind scattered the stench, Murong Kai’s mood improved. Smiling, he clasped his hands to Li Yuanjing.

“Brother Li, your talent is immense! Those two lines—‘Though fate draws us together from a thousand miles, without it, we cannot meet even face to face’—truly enlightened me.”

Nearby, Zhao Bingchun quickly bowed with a smile. “Worthy Brother Yuanjing, your talent leaves me in awe—admiration is all I can offer. May I ask, Brother Yuanjing, those two lines seem to be from a regulated verse; might there be an upper or lower stanza?”

That “Worthy Brother Yuanjing” shocked Li Yuanjing—this was an official county magistrate, a true parent of the people, a court official! Moreover, the old man was nearly fifty or sixty, yet he called him “worthy brother”…

“Yes, yes.” “Brother Li, might you share the upper or lower stanza of your poem? We would like to appreciate your fine work.”

Murong Kai, now recovered, looked at Li Yuanjing with fervent admiration.