#117 - Then forget it (4000 words, two in one)

Wei Xun explained the entire sequence of events to Emperor Wu, or rather, Wei Xun explained it to the civil and military officials.

However, Wei Xun placed a slight emphasis on how tyrannical the four families of Baihe County were and how the people were filled with grievances.

Wei Xun also vaguely implied that Xu Ming and Xu Pangda's actions were entirely out of desperation.

Otherwise, almost all the minor officials in Baihe County would have been bought off by the four families, making it impossible to find any witnesses or evidence of crimes. If they really wanted to solve the case, it would have been like a pipe dream.

After Wei Xun finished speaking, the voices in the court gradually died down.

They originally thought it was a big deal, that Xu Ming had clashed with the four powerful clans of Baihe County, and that Xu Ming, being young and impetuous, had killed them all.

But they never expected that Xu Ming and Xu Pangda were not acting for their own sake, but for the sake of the people of Baihe County.

"Minister Wang," Emperor Wu looked at Wang Can, "Xu Ming acted in such a way for the sake of the people. Moreover, before Xu Ming left, I bestowed upon him the Water Dragon Pendant, granting him the power to execute first and report later. How can Xu Ming's actions not be in accordance with the laws of my Wu Kingdom?"

Wang Can's forehead was dripping with cold sweat, but now he could only bite the bullet: "Even if Scholar Xu executes first and reports later, there must be a reason."

"Reason? Heh." Emperor Wu sneered, "The voice of the people in Baihe County is the reason! Furthermore! Magistrate Xu and Xu Ming are already collecting evidence and will soon send a report to Wudu. Why? How can you say they have no reason?"

"If they have no evidence, they should be punished. But if they collect evidence, what will Minister Wang have to say?"

Emperor Wu's tone already sounded somewhat displeased.

"Furthermore! I hope there will be more good officials like this! And not those kind of pedantic old fogeys!"

"Your subject is terrified!"

Wang Can hurriedly bowed, not daring to raise his head, but Wang Can's mouth was still very stubborn.

"However, Your Majesty, Scholar Xu's actions are still unreasonable. If everyone learns from Scholar Xu, what will become of the people? Wouldn't everyone be in danger? It would be detrimental to the dynasty!"

"Moreover, among the four families in Baihe County, there are cultivators. Even if the heads of those four families are at fault, what does it have to do with the cultivators in the families? It would be good if Scholar Xu could find evidence of those four cultivators oppressing the people.

But if he can't find any, how will we explain it to those four sects? How will we explain it to the thousands of large and small sects within the Wu Kingdom?"

"Lord Wang's words are wrong."

Just then, a voice rang out.

Everyone looked towards the source of the voice and saw Yu Pingan limping out and standing in the center of the hall: "His Majesty bestowed the Water Dragon Pendant upon Scholar Xu, so Scholar Xu has the power to execute first and report later.

How could it be that everyone in the world has a Water Dragon Pendant bestowed by His Majesty?

Furthermore, Lord Wang says he wants evidence. Without waiting for Scholar Xu to send over the memorial, this official can provide evidence on behalf of Scholar Xu."

Yu Pingan bowed deeply to Emperor Wu: "Your Majesty, this leg of mine was broken by Li Hui, the son of the Li family, in Baihe County when I was still a scholar for contradicting him."

As soon as Yu Pingan spoke, the entire audience was in an uproar!

"What does the Li family in Baihe County want to do?"

"They actually dared to break a scholar's leg? How dare they!"

"Does that Li Hui think he can do whatever he wants just because he is a direct disciple of a sect?"

"Your Majesty! This matter cannot be simply dismissed because of Li Hui's death! The sect behind Li Hui must be made to give an explanation!"

For a time, many officials, both civil and military, were filled with indignation.

A scholar already had a title. How could the other party break a scholar's leg?

What did these people consider the imperial examinations to be? What did they consider official titles to be?

This was simply slapping their own faces repeatedly.

The military officials had long been displeased with those sects in the mountains.

These sects were disobedient and disregarded the imperial court. They were either causing trouble or on the way to causing trouble.

This was a good opportunity to knock them down a peg.

Wang Can, who was standing on the other side, was stunned. He never expected that the feet of this Explorer Yu had been broken by the young master of the Li family in Baihe County.

Emperor Wu was also very surprised, and his expression became extremely serious: "Yu Qing, tell the whole story from beginning to end."

Three days after the morning court in Wudu, in a farmhouse courtyard in Baihe County.

Xu Ming was playing chess with Fang Ling.

Two lazy cats in the courtyard were yawning on the courtyard wall.

Fang Ling's grandchildren, Fang Wan and Fang Qianqian, were catching chicks in the chicken coop.

"How are things going?" Fang Ling said lightly, placing a black piece.

"Not bad." Xu Ming looked at the situation and placed a white piece, "We have already collected a lot of evidence of the four families in Baihe County. After sorting it out, we have already submitted the memorial back to Wudu."

"Hmm." Fang Ling nodded, "Then what do you think His Majesty will decide?"

Xu Ming smiled: "His Majesty may order me to be punished, after all, I directly massacred the people of the four families in Baihe County without any evidence. But the problem shouldn't be too big, at least not to the point of taking my life."

"You kid..." Fang Ling shook his head, "I received a message that a few days ago, your affairs in Baihe County were known to the people in the court, causing a great discussion."

"Hmm?" Xu Ming raised his head, his brows furrowed, "How could it be so fast?"

"Need you ask? There must be some spies in Baihe County."

Fang Ling rolled his eyes at Xu Ming speechlessly.

"At that court meeting, Wang Can of the Censorate impeached you, saying that you were killing innocent people indiscriminately and disregarding the laws of the Wu Kingdom. However, the old eunuch Wei Xun had already received the news and defended you a little. Then, Yu Pingan also stepped forward and said that his leg was broken by the eldest son of the Li family."

Xu Ming: ". . ."

Fang Ling placed another piece:

"Someone is monitoring you, so when you do something, especially something bad, Wudu will receive the news as quickly as possible and then try to bring you down.

Moreover, this person's power is not small, at least he has a considerable influence in the court, and he is also willing to spend money, because of this incident in Baihe County, the other party directly let Wang Can come out to impeach you, which shows this point.

His Majesty is not a fool.

Why did Wang Can get your news so quickly? Anyone with eyes can understand that someone must have told Wang Can to do this. After this incident, even if Wang Can is not forced to retire, he will be transferred out.

Perhaps His Majesty is already investigating who is behind Wang Can.

But even if he finds out, it's probably useless, because there is no evidence, and it's likely to be one of the several feudal lords of the Wu Kingdom today.

Didn't you say before that someone wanted to kill you?

It's probably one of those feudal lords."

Xu Ming smiled and shook his head: "Because I am the future son-in-law of the Emperor?"

"Yes, just because you are the future son-in-law of the Emperor."

Fang Ling nodded.

"The other party didn't think of completely abolishing you through this incident, but at least it can put you in the midst of public opinion.

But what I didn't expect was that Yu Pingan actually stood up.

A scholar having his leg broken is a slap in the face to all those who become officials through the imperial examinations.

Those military officials must also be very angry, after all, they have long been displeased with those cultivators.

But this time, you killed too many people, His Majesty will definitely scold you.

As for the sect behind Li Hui, it should be directly crushed.

But can you find evidence of the evil deeds of the young masters of the Sun, Xiao, and Zhang families?

It should be very difficult.

The sects behind them have already used various means to cover up for them.

And if you can't find evidence but kill them, then you need to give them an explanation.

According to the rules of the Wu Kingdom's court and the Immortal Cultivation sects, they can seek revenge on you at any time. The only good thing is that those who kill you cannot be more than one realm higher than you.

I advise you to return to Wudu, otherwise, if you continue to travel outside, you will only be chased and killed again and again."

Xu Ming shook his head: "Thank you, Mr. Fang, for your concern, but if I go back like this, wouldn't I be ridiculed by the world? Wouldn't I be like a shrinking turtle? If the other party is only one realm higher than me, then I am still very confident."

"Boy, don't think that you are invincible in the world. There are far more geniuses in this world than you think." Fang Ling looked at Xu Ming seriously.

Xu Ming just smiled slightly and said nothing more.

"Forget it, forget it, I have already persuaded you, take care of yourself." Mr. Fang shook his head and said no more, "When do you plan to leave Baihe County?"

"There is nothing for me to do in Baihe County anymore, I will leave tomorrow," Xu Ming said.

"Have you thought about where to go next?" Fang Ling asked.

Xu Ming nodded: "Go to a place to keep an appointment. Although she may have forgotten me, I can't break my promise."

"White Deer Academy?" Fang Ling smiled gossipingly.

Xu Ming asked in confusion: "Why White Deer Academy?"

"If it's not White Deer Academy, then it's the Tianxuan Sect."

Fang Ling stroked his beard, stood up, and patted Xu Ming on the shoulder.

"That works too. Although that Miss Qin probably doesn't recognize you anymore, and might have even forgotten you entirely. Even though you were always destined for separate paths as mortals and immortals, going to see her would at least resolve a knot in your heart. After you return, you can properly marry the princess of our Wu Kingdom."

Xu Ming smiled helplessly, "I truly didn't call off the engagement because of Qing Wan."

"Alright, alright." Fang Ling put his hands behind his back and walked towards the room. "This old man is going to take a nap. I won't see you off tomorrow. Come visit this old man when you have time."

Xu Ming stood up and bowed deeply to Elder Fang, "Take care, Elder."

Fang Ling stopped walking and nodded with his back to Xu Ming. His voice came from behind him, "Come back alive."

"Yes."

After leaving the old farmer's courtyard where Elder Fang was living in retirement, Xu Ming returned to the county office to pack his luggage.

Xu Ming didn't have much luggage, just a single bundle. The big white goose was very happy when Xu Ming told it that they would be leaving tomorrow.

"Sir, the County Magistrate is looking for you."

In the evening, a servant came to Xu Ming's courtyard to deliver a message.

"I understand."

Xu Ming nodded, tied up his bundle, and walked with the white goose to Xu Pangda's courtyard.

As soon as he walked in, Xu Ming smelled the aroma of food.

Xu Pangda came out of the kitchen carrying a Squirrel Fish dish, smiling憨厚ly and saying, "Fifth Brother, come and eat."

"Okay."

Xu Ming sat down, and Xu Pangda quickly took off his apron and poured a cup of wine for his fifth brother.

"Did Third Brother make all of this himself?" Xu Ming asked with a smile.

"Hehe," Xu Pangda nodded, "The taste isn't very good, Fifth Brother, please forgive me."

Xu Pangda raised his glass, "Third Brother is giving Fifth Brother a send-off."

"Thank you, Third Brother." Xu Ming clinked glasses with Xu Pangda and drank it all in one gulp.

"Isn't Fifth Brother waiting for the imperial decree to arrive?" Xu Pangda asked.

"I'm not waiting." Xu Ming shook his head, "The imperial decree will only be to scold me, so I might as well just leave first."

Xu Pangda frowned, "Fifth Brother, don't worry! Third Brother will definitely hold the line for you in the imperial court! If they want to touch you, they'll have to get through Third Brother first!"

"There's no need for that." Xu Ming smiled, "On the contrary, Third Brother, you must be careful in the officialdom in the future, especially when you get to Wudu and are by His Majesty's side. Keep a few things to yourself. Serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger; the emperor's heart is unpredictable."

Xu Pangda nodded, "Third Brother will remember."

"Also, don't get too close to Mr. Xiao." Xu Ming continued, "Mr. Xiao's ending might not be good."

Xu Pangda opened his mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but in the end, he closed his mouth and nodded silently.

"Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's drink and eat." Xu Ming changed the subject, "I don't know when I'll get to eat Third Brother's cooking again."

Xu Pangda also smiled, "Fifth Brother is probably going to the Tianxuan Sect."

Xu Ming nodded, "Third Brother guessed it all."

"But Fifth Brother, what if Qing Wan doesn't recognize you anymore? Wouldn't Fifth Brother be going for nothing?"

Xu Pangda looked at his fifth brother with some concern.

Over the years, Xu Pangda had learned a lot about cultivators.

Many cultivators in the mortal world may have someone they admire, but once they enter the path of immortality, that so-called admired person is nothing more than a fleeting cloud.

Not to mention that Fifth Brother and Qin Qing Wan separated when they were six or eight years old, right? So many years have passed now, how could she possibly still remember?

Xu Ming smiled, "Third Brother is overthinking it. I'm just going to fulfill my promise. If Qing Wan has forgotten me, then so be it."