Chapter 51: The Way of Lying Flat

In the following days, the matter of the court establishing the martial alliance had been brewing, and the entire martial world of Yong Ning Prefecture began to stir with undercurrents.

Green Mountain Sect.

Inside the sect's main hall, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

Ah, what to do. How come we provoked the Embroidered Uniform Guard at this critical juncture, and now they want us to go to the Hundred Households Office within ten days.

What are we to do?

Six Sword Mountain Villa.

An elder smashed the table with a single palm.

Damn it, after adding that whatever martial alliance, can we still call ourselves the jianghu?

The same situation played out in various sects and gangs, all filled with arguing and worry.

As for the Red Cloud Sect,

Within a tranquil little compound, Sect Leader Su Zhen helplessly gazed at his own daughter, Su Jiu Die.

Su Jiu Die kept picking out clothes in the wardrobe; after careful consideration, she took out two dresses and excitedly looked at Su Zhen.

Father, do you think I should wear this white dress or this red dress when I go to see Sir Shen?

The West City Hundred Households Office of Luo Water City.

Shen Qing bathed in sunlight, reclining on a chair to read a book, enjoying the leisurely afternoon.

The scholar, meanwhile, was organizing information on the martial sects of Yong Ning Prefecture at the side.

Boss, all this information on the sects is here.

Should we do something about it?

Recently the jianghu has been abuzz, and several sects have been especially eager to jump.

Of these, the two most eager are: one called the Green Forest Sword School, saying they'd rather jump off Green Forest Cliff than join our martial alliance.

The other is arrogant, named the Double Absolute Sect, saying they want us to come to them personally and beg.

Shen Qing set down the book in his hand and spoke leisurely.

No rush.

Double Absolute Sect? Let them keep jumping for a while.

Yong Ning Prefecture may be big, but if you call it small, there are still hundreds of big and small sects.

Being anxious is useless.

Upon hearing Shen Qing say not to rush, the scholar also put his mind at ease; the boss not being anxious surely means he already has a plan.

Shen Qing took a sip of the green tea beside him and covered his face with the book.

Ah, scholar, these past few days we haven't looked after that white tiger—has it run away?

Just mentioning that, the scholar's expression turned a little strange.

Boss, we don't need to worry about the white tiger anymore.

At first I had to lead two pigs a day to feed him; when I arrived, there were few people at the West City Gate, and I feared the white tiger had run to the North and South City Gates to enter the city.

But when I went there the past couple of days, things started to feel off.

Some people discovered the white tiger doesn't hurt anyone; it just bares its teeth to scare them, so they stopped being afraid.

Then things got absurd—people said the white tiger was a heavenly auspicious omen that could bring good luck, so some went to worship it, offering tribute, using the finest beef and pork.

Even this morning, I brought a pig over, and the white tiger was still chewing on beef, eating better than I did; it didn't even glance at the pig I brought.

Shen Qing lifted the book from his face, his gaze somewhat strange.

This reminded him of a story: in a past life, there was a wild wolf that lived a wind-blown, dew-soaked existence until one day it ate an egg-yolk pie thrown by a passerby, after which it stopped hunting and began to guard the roadside for egg-yolk pies.

This white tiger seems to have a similar tendency.

The white tiger crouching at the city gate couldn't help but tear up, thinking, 'Damn, what miserable days I used to have—working hard all day just to eat tough, nasty wild boar meat; now, whenever I squat somewhere, people come to bring me food.'

Egret Marsh? What place is that, I'm really not familiar with it.

Now even if Shen Qing kicks it with his foot, it still won't leave.

Shen Qing chuckled: 'As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, it's fine—no need to raise it ourselves, saving effort.'

The scholar also hehehed: 'I was originally afraid the white tiger would cause trouble in Luo Water City, but now I see it's actually quite humane.'

Just arriving in Luo Water City, I have already grasped the supreme path of humanity—the Way of Lying Flat.

Suddenly, noisy sounds came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by faint wailing.

Here, Shen Qing had already placed the book to one side.

The scholar hurriedly set down his documents: 'Boss, I guess someone's causing trouble again; I'll go handle it.'

No need, it's been too quiet these days; my hands are itching.

Shen Qing straightened his clothes and walked toward the gate of the Hundred Households Office.

At the Hundred Households Office gate.

An roughly eighty-year-old old woman walked tensely toward the Hundred Households Office, but before she even got near the gate, two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers stopped her.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard ahead said, 'Move along if you have no business.'

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's expression was grave, his tone extremely stern.

The old woman halted her steps, hesitated a moment, then turned tremblingly; but after taking just two steps, she turned again and fell to her knees with a thud before the gate-guarding Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Two sirs, I beg you, please save my old man—he's gone missing...

The Embroidered Uniform Guard furrowed his brow.

Go file a report at the magistrate's office—why come to the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

At that moment, Old Li came out of the house: 'What's going on? What's going on? It's so noisy!'

The two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers hastily saluted; Old Li, the scholar, and Hei Gou three—although they were still colonels—since everyone regarded them plus Lin Zikai as the Chief Flag Officer, and everyone knew the four were Shen Qing's confidants.

Old Li glanced at the two, helped the old woman up: "Although our words were a bit harsh, it's indeed true—report the case first to the magistrate's office; if everyone were like you, we Embroidered Uniform Guard wouldn't have to work......"

Embroidered Uniform Guard spend all day dealing with serious criminals, only by risking their heads do they earn pay; for such groundless cases that come to them, even if they solve them, there will be no reward—in other words, it's thankless labor.

The best course is to go through the magistrate's office procedures, then to the garrison command.

The old woman, eyes swollen with tears, tightly grabbed Old Li's sleeve: "Sir, the magistrate's office won't accept it, telling me to go look myself—I really have no other way."

"My old husband is in poor health, and more than a dozen children have disappeared together; the magistrate's office ignores it, I..."

Old Li stared for a moment: "Granny, how many children did you say?"

"Fourteen children in total, one is twelve years old, the youngest is only four."

Old Li and the two Embroidered Uniform Guard exchanged a glance, sensing the smell of a major case.

More than ten people have gone missing, and the magistrate's office actually ignores it?

Old Li hurriedly shouted: "Why are you still standing there? Quickly go call the boss!"

"No need to shout, I'm already here."

At some point, Shen Qing was standing quietly at the side of the gate behind them.

"Elder, please tell us the details."

The old woman wiped her tears, her voice very agitated.

"Five days... no, four days? Actually it was five days ago; I saw the autumn harvest festival had arrived, so I wanted to go to the street to buy some malted cakes for the children, but who knew that when I returned home, the house was in utter chaos... the children were all gone... the old man was gone too—I really have no other way."

This old woman's cheeks were somewhat sunken, dark circles heavy; obviously she had been frightened, likely she hadn't eaten much these days, her speech somewhat incoherent, so Shen Qing softened his tone a bit.

"Elder, don't be anxious, where is your home?"

"It's right on Guyue Street in the West City, the first courtyard upon entering the street."

Shen Qing nodded: "Elder, rest assured, I will find everyone, and I will tear down the magistrate's office."

Afterwards he turned back and waved his hand: "Take the elder to the hall and cook some hot porridge."

The two Embroidered Uniform Guard hurriedly escorted the old woman to the battalion office.

Old Li: "Then boss, should we go directly to Guyue Street now?"

Shen Qing's expression returned to calm: "Guyue Street? Why go to Guyue Street?"

"Just go straight to the magistrate's office, catch that constable and give him a beating, and you'll know everything."