Chapter 105: The Gentleman Dressed in Red

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Placing a few coins on the table inside the room, Li Dong returned to the study and sat before the desk. He buried his head deep in thought, pretending to be writing something, then called the soldier standing at the door inside.

“Ride a fast horse and buy one ingot of ink,” Li Dong ordered without looking up, swiftly writing with great intensity, making the act appear very convincing.

“Yes, sir!” The soldier responded without suspecting Li Dong had transformed into his own appearance. He took the money from the small table and turned to leave the room.

Suddenly, Li Dong leapt forward and struck the back of the soldier’s head fiercely with the hilt of his sword. The soldier barely made a sound, like a piece of wood, collapsing weakly with his limbs twitching a few times before falling completely still.

Dragging him aside, Li Dong stripped off the soldier’s uniform and swapped clothes with him. Feeling a bit guilty, he said, “My little brother, pardon me. You can rest for a while now.”

Holding the coins, Li Dong swaggered to the main gate, loudly calling out, “A swift horse, one ingot of ink!”

The guard captain on duty quickly ordered someone to bring a horse over for Li Dong to ride and purchase the ink. He didn’t pay close attention to whether Li Dong’s height or voice seemed different, since the soldier had gone inside and returned in the blink of an eye—what could possibly go wrong?

Li Dong urged the horse forward and galloped swiftly, heading straight for Zhang Xutuo’s residence.

At the county magistrate’s mansion, the gate guard recognized the comrade and, seeing that he had urgent business to meet Zhang Xutuo, promptly informed inside.

Soon after, the soldier returned and led Li Dong to the reception hall.

With no one else present, Li Dong performed a quick sleight of hand and resumed his original appearance.

Zhang Xutuo’s eyes widened in astonishment, speechless for a long moment. Upon regaining his senses, he pointed at Li Dong and stammered, “You… you… what’s going on here? Could it be that you know magic?”

Li Dong smiled and bowed, briefly explaining the circumstances that had led to his disguised confinement.

After hearing the story, Zhang Xutuo’s fierce eyes suddenly narrowed as he shouted angrily, “How dare that old scoundrel deceive me so!”

Indeed, he was completely in the dark. Li Dong quickly reassured him, “County Magistrate Zhang, you were also kept in the dark and cannot be blamed for ignorance! The officialdom has always been like this—either I use you or you use me. Please calm your anger.”

Zhang Xutuo was still furious and asked gruffly, “How shall we deal with this now? Are you willing to remain imprisoned?”

Li Dong bowed deeply and earnestly replied, “I earnestly ask the county magistrate to kindly assist. If you do this and that, it will suffice…”

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“Will that do?” Zhang Xutuo doubted, looking at Li Dong as if he were a stranger. He asked, “If something goes wrong, won’t all our efforts be wasted?”

“Please rest assured, County Magistrate Zhang. I haveI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.