Chapter 153: Winning the Prefect's Trust, Smoothly Entering the Hot Spring Residence

As soon as these words were spoken, You grew suspicious.

Upon a little thought, one could indeed see the unreasonableness of this.

You withdrew his smile, staring gloomily at Duan Wu and Xiao Qidi, waiting to see how they would answer.

"Naturally, it's to eliminate future trouble," Xiao Qidi said lightly. "If we don't take this opportunity to kill your whole family, what if you later bite us and refuse to let go? Besides, who knows if your family still hides more wealth? Killing them and then confiscating their property under a righteous pretext might even net us more."

"I... you... you..." the He Wan County Magistrate staggered, a surge of heat rose in his throat, and with a puff he spat out a mouthful of blood.

A flash of astonishment crossed You's face as he coldly said, "You're really ruthless."

It sounded like a reprimand, yet his tone carried a hint of admiration.

Xiao Qidi continued, "Of course, now we know that the magistrate and you are close associates, so we wouldn't do that. Later we will return the magistrate's property, and as for the punishment and fright he just suffered, we will apologize."

The He Wan County Magistrate's face turned green. "If I hadn't sent someone ahead to inform you, I would already be your ghost under the blade! Is an apology enough?"

"What more do you want?" Duan Wu roared. "I'm doing this to give you face! Don't get overconfident, old thing!"

The He Wan County Magistrate shuddered in fright, nearly falling from the long bench he was leaning on.

"Hahaha!" You smiled again. "Magistrate, you only suffered a minor external injury and a fright—don't quarrel with General Duan. For my sake, let this matter pass, how about that?"

The He Wan County Magistrate felt resentful, but since the Commandery Governor had put it that way, he could only agree.

After dispelling that suspicion, Duan Wu deliberately said, "Besides, regarding the human traffickers gang, that bunch is already down to three survivors; even if the remaining three were healed, they'd be crippled—beyond salvage—so please, Magistrate, drop the investigation."

Before You could speak, the He Wan County Magistrate blurted, "You're dreaming! Even if I don't pursue it, You won't let you off!"

You instantly pulled a long face and glared at the magistrate.

Only then did the magistrate realize he had let slip, but it was too late.

Seeing that Xiao Qidi and Duan Wu had drawn out the words, they both looked at You.

Duan Wu also feigned shock, saying, "Sir, are those human traffickers your people? I... the lowly officer has truly caused a great disaster."

Xiao Qidi also went along, clasping his fists: "If I had known they were related to you, I wouldn't dare offend them even with ten courages; I only used excessive force to find a handle on the magistrate, so please forgive me, sir."

You remained silent for a long time, idly playing with the jade pendant at his waist and that string of hair, his eyes gloomily fixed on Duan Wu and Xiao Qidi.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was oppressively cold and stern.

Duan Wu felt uneasy, not knowing whether he would ultimately gain the Prefect's trust.

If he failed, the disgusting act he had just forced himself to perform would be wasted; and if he couldn't save the child named An An...

He had never feared countless battles and deadly situations, yet now he was so nervous that cold sweat broke out on his palms; he unconsciously lowered his head, daring not to meet the Prefect's gaze.

Meanwhile, Xiao Qidi remained as steady as Mount Tai, his expression unchanged, standing ramrod straight with no emotional fluctuation in his eyes.

You finally turned your gaze to Xiao Qidi, paused a while, then suddenly laughed: "Hahaha, I originally thought that gang was already formidable—skilled, bold and meticulous, and ruthless enough—but I didn't expect you, this youngster, to settle them all. You look about eighteen or nineteen; truly remarkable."

"Are you praising me or mocking me?" Xiao Qidi asked calmly.

You rose, walked over to Xiao Qidi, pinched his arm and patted his shoulder, then stepped back two steps, looked him up and down, and said, "Your build is exceptional, and you're tall, mighty, yet still handsome—calling you a dragon among men is no exaggeration. How could I mock you? I am appreciating you!"

Duan Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and added, "It would be an honor for him to gain the Prefect's appreciation; if you don't disdain him, I am willing to serve you alongside Su Mu."

"Not bad, not bad!" You nodded, "I've been waiting for your statement, Su Mu—your general said all that; what do you think?"

Xiao Qidi said, "I don't know what you need me to do."

You laughed and said, "You have a strong personality; it seems we need to first understand the situation before deciding whether to employ you, but let me remind you: once I tell you, you'll have no choice."

"I just want to see if you truly trust me," Xiao Qidi said calmly. "Su Mu is giving his all for General Duan precisely because he has earned the general's deep trust."

You now liked this exceptionally capable youngster more and more, wanting to take him into your service, unconsciously being led by the nose without realizing it; you hastily took Xiao Qidi's hand and said with a smiling squint, "I am a person who cherishes talent; as the saying goes, 'if you doubt, don't employ; if you employ, don't doubt.' That's why my subordinates would give their all for me—otherwise, how could they endure your torture and even murder and keep silent? Moreover, General Duan is also inclined to follow you; since you are loyal to him, shouldn't you also serve me?"

Xiao Qidi timely lowered his head slightly, clasped his hands in a gesture of modest submission, and said, "You make sense; Su Mu is willing to contribute his strength for you."

"Good! Excellent!" You beamed, eyes shining, and also took Duan Wu's hand, saying, "Today to obtain General Duan and Su Mu, the little brother, two talents rare in ten thousand, is truly my fortune! I wish to invite you two to my Hot Spring Residence for drinks and pleasant talk!"

Beside him, the He Wan County Magistrate felt deeply lost, his old face full of the look of a discarded concubine.

Last night his home was robbed, then he suffered a brutal beating, even losing a tooth; seeing the present scene, he felt ever more wronged, tears streaming down his face as he couldn't help but say, "You... that Hot Spring Residence of yours was specially built for you by me, your subordinate, yet over all these years you've never invited me; now that you've just met those two, you're taking them there—am I really that worthless?"

You laughed heartily, "What nonsense! Among the more than ten magistrates under me, you are the most diligent in handling affairs; otherwise, how could I turn a blind eye to your extortion of He Wan County's populace under fabricated pretexts? You've been able to amass wealth openly without the court noticing—do you think it isn't me covering for you?"

The He Wan County Magistrate almost blurted that he handed over half of his extorted earnings each year as tribute to you, but he swallowed the words and forced a smile: "My heart naturally knows this, so I have always been grateful, devoted, and loyal to you, sir..."

You nodded, "First tend to your wounds; when you're healed, I'll issue another invitation—how does that sound?"

The He Wan County Magistrate exclaimed, "Yes, thank you for your favor, sir!"

Thereafter, Xiao Qidi and Duan Wu left the County Office together with You.

You saw that Duan Wu's roughly fifty soldiers wanted to follow, and laughed, "General Duan, my place is small; I fear I cannot accommodate so many."

Duan Wu naturally understood his implication and ordered the soldiers to remain in the County Office awaiting.

Only then did You board the carriage.

Xiao Qidi and Duan Wu also mounted their horses and followed behind.

As they went on, the surroundings grew increasingly remote.

Duan Wu couldn't help but feel wary, constantly watching the surroundings.

Upon entering a forest, Duan Wu's expression grew ever more solemn.

Seeing the Prefect's carriage still heading in, Duan Wu slowed his pace, quietly drew alongside Xiao Qidi, and whispered, "Besides the fact that this place sees hardly any foot traffic, the terrain is special—if troops were to encircle from the sides, one need only guard a few passes to hold off a hundred; the more I look, the more I think this is no ordinary spot..."

Xiao Qidi said lightly, "The Governor of Daxuan Commandery is essentially a petty lord of a region, and being versed in both civil and military affairs, naturally understands much about warfare; clearly this site was meticulously selected by You. Moreover, we have just passed several hidden posts—describing this place as a copper wall and iron wall is no exaggeration."

At that moment, the carriage ahead came to a stop.

An attendant approached and said, "General Duan, Mr. Su, the road ahead is narrow and rough; carriages and horses cannot enter, so please dismount and proceed on foot."

Xiao Qidi and Duan Wu dismounted, and the attendant took their reins and left.

"Gentlemen, follow me," You beckoned.

The two continued following You, winding seven turns and eight turns around a large circle; after passing through a dense forest, the view suddenly opened up, and they finally saw a grand residence built against the mountain and beside the water.

The sky was bright with sunshine, and misty vapor hovered around the residence.

Duan Wu inhaled a few breaths and wondered, "What is this smell? So strange."

Hehehe... You laughed and said, "There is a natural hot spring here; this special smell is what the hot spring brings up from underground. At first you might not be used to it, but after smelling it for a while you will come to like it. I chose this place precisely because of its excellent environment, so I ordered the He Wan County Magistrate to build a residence for me here. Whenever I have free time, I come to live here. Don't worry about being laughed at; I spend more time living here than in the Governor's Mansion."

"You really know how to enjoy life," Duan Wu casually agreed, smiling on his face while cursing inwardly.

This Dog Official's wickedness surpasses even that of the He Wan County Magistrate.

Just that residence alone, who knows how much blood and sweat of the common people went into building it.

"Of course, in this world one must enjoy life to the fullest," You said with a lascivious look, "otherwise, as a grand Prefect, wouldn't I be serving in vain?"

Xiao Qidi casually asked, "Forgive my bluntness, but aren't you afraid that the ministers in the Capital Royal City will find out?"

"Hahaha!" You laughed until your whole body trembled, "Little brother, haven't I already discovered what you and General Duan have done? Aren't you scared?"

Xiao Qidi said, "What do you mean?"

You did not answer, and now the group had arrived at the residence's gate. You told the attendants, "Take them to change into more comfortable clothes, especially General Duan—wearing full armor, how can he accompany me in drinking and soaking in the hot springs?"

"Yes, sir."

The attendant bent over and extended a hand, "Please, both of you."

Both Xiao Qidi and Duan Wu knew this was You's pretext to relieve them of their equipment.

But even knowing that, the two could only comply.

Under the attendant's guidance they entered a room, spent about the time it takes to burn an incense stick washing up, and then changed into the loose robes provided by the attendants.

"Not to mention, this robe is really comfortable to wear, but you can't hide anything in it," Duan Wu said, spreading his hands and looking down at it.

Xiao Qidi pinched the fabric of the robe, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "This material is extremely luxurious, requiring vast amounts of manpower, money, and resources to produce; it was once specially made for the royal palace nobility, but because it would burden the people and waste wealth, it was abolished—yet I never expected to see it everywhere here."

"Have you two finished changing?" an attendant outside asked.

"Changed," Duan Wu replied.

Several attendants immediately entered, one of them beaming, "You have prepared a feast, sir, and are waiting for the two of you; please come this way."

While speaking, a few other attendants swiftly collected Duan Wu's armor and weapons.

Xiao Qidi and Duan Wu exchanged a glance and headed toward the door; immediately two attendants took charge of guiding them, while four more followed closely, leaving no chance for the two to wander freely.

In a hall of the residence, You stood beside the hot spring pool, listening to a report from an attendant.

"Sir, following your orders, I have dispatched five thousand elite troops; they will soon arrive here and take their positions."

"Remember, without my command, do not act rashly; this is merely a precaution. If those two turn out to be innocent, yet they sense that I am on guard, it would only breed resentment."

"Yes, sir."

Soon after, Duan Wu and Xiao Qidi arrived at the hall.

You laughed and called out, "Come, come, fine wine and delicacies are here; today you must drink with me until you're drunk!"

The two strode in and sat down at the table beside the hot spring pool.

Then servant girls knelt to their left and right, ready to serve them.

Duan Wu saw that these servant girls were not only young, at most twelve or thirteen, and wore only a thin gauze layer, and his face immediately flushed with embarrassment.

Xiao Qidi simply lowered his gaze, practicing the meditation of "eyes on the nose, nose on the heart."

"Pour wine for these two honored guests of mine!" You commanded.

The Xiaoshi Nu assigned to serve Duan Wu appeared to be the youngest, perhaps around ten years old, and her pouring was somewhat unskilled; absentmindedly her arm bumped against Duan Wu's forearm.

Duan Wu hastily dodged, saying, "Let me do it myself!"

As he spoke, he reached to take the wine jug from her hand.

"No, you are a guest," the Xiaoshi Nu said timidly, insisting on pouring the wine.

Duan Wu grew anxious and exerted a bit more force.

With a clang.

The wine jug fell to the ground.

"Hmm?" You's face darkened, and you gave them a cold look.

"Please spare my life, sir," the Xiaoshi Nu cried, throwing herself to the ground as her thin shoulders trembled.

You snapped, "You've been here for years—how can you still be so clumsy!"

Duan Wu hurriedly said, "Sir, it was I, the junior general, who accidentally knocked over the jug; please don't blame the child."

"Take your punishment!" You bellowed.

The Xiaoshi Nu's face filled with terror, her body shaking even more, and for a moment she had no strength to move.

"Sir," Duan Wu added, "it's not her fault—why punish her?"

You gave Duan Wu a sideways glance and said coldly, "Is it really your place to interfere when I discipline my subordinates?"