Chapter 228: When Will Your Great Xuan Army Arrive?

"Hey you! You're making us anxious!" the prison guards urged, "Quick, tell us what happened?!"

Li He glanced at the coarse grain and the small pickles.

The prison guards, without a word, brought a bowl of coarse grain, added some small pickles on top, and handed it to him.

Li He beamed, wolfed down the meat and bone, gulped the pickled vegetables mixed with the coarse grain in a few bites, then, satisfied, licked his lips, burped, and said, "A broom stick stabbing the butt, even an Immortal can't stand it; Du Yan Long rolled over, clutching his butt in pain and fainted, and I raised my hand to strike…"

"Wait!" a prison guard said suspiciously, "I heard the Constable say that Du Yan Long died from a shattered sternum, and his wife was the one stabbed to death; how does your story not match?"

Li He only then recalled the rough account he had heard from those benefactors.

Earlier, in order to get a bite to eat, he had been blathering nonsense to fool people, nearly exposing himself.

But there's no need to panic.

His eyes flicked, and with an unchanged expression he said, "Why the hurry? I'm not done yet! Just as I was about to raise the knife, his wife rushed out and gave me a fright! I immediately threw the knife at her, missed her, and it struck the house's main beam."

"His wife wanted to kill me, so she tried to pull the knife out of the beam."

"As you know, that fat woman was a shrew, unbelievably strong; in a moment of carelessness she cracked the main beam. I seized the chance, kicked the beam apart, letting the crossbeam fall and strike Du Yan Long right in his heart! He instantly had his sternum shattered, coughed up blood, and died on the spot!"

The barely exposed fabricated story was somehow wrapped up by Li He, and the prison guards exclaimed "So that's how it was," truly finding it thrilling and exciting.

Then Li He added that Du Yan Long's wife, upon seeing her husband die, panicked, slipped, and was stabbed to death by the knife she was holding.

Thus, the tyrant couple perished together!

This story, ninety percent false and ten percent true, was immensely satisfying for the prison guards to hear.

One prison guard looked slightly conflicted, hesitated a moment, then suddenly bowed to Li He.

Li He, surprised, said, "Brother, what are you doing? You gave me food; if thanks are due, I should thank you."

The prison guard said, "Not to hide it from you, my parents were also oppressed by Du Yan Long; now that we know it was you, a young hero, who eliminated that scourge, I of course must thank you, but unfortunately... I can't do anything for you."

That guard revealed his personal matter, and two other guards recounted similarly comparable experiences.

Though they served at the County Office, they held little power; their families were ordinary civilians, also inevitably bullied by Du Yan Long.

In a sense, Li He had spoken for them, and from now on they wouldn't have to worry about that tyrant couple running amok in the village.

"Little brother, the few of us are powerless to help with your impending beheading, but rest assured, in these final three days we will make sure you eat and drink well."

"If in the future your parents need assistance, we will do our best to help."

Several prison guards solemnly gave Li He their promise.

Their abilities were limited, but they moved Li He.

While moved, Li He couldn't help feeling a bit guilty.

After all, the ones who truly eliminated that tyrant couple weren't him; he just couldn't reveal that, or his plan to protect his benefactors would fall apart.

He had no choice but to accept the guards' kindness, both guilty and touched.

At that moment, footsteps sounded.

The prison guards hurriedly moved the table back to its place, pretending nothing had happened.

Two County Officers entered, and the prison guards politely greeted them.

The County Officer ignored them and walked straight to the cell holding Li He.

The prison guards, extremely nervous, forced themselves to ask:

"Are you going to take him out?"

"Didn't you say the beheading is in three days? Why now…"

"…"

Li He remained calm, guessing that Sun Captor Head had already received the money and, to avoid complications, had advanced the execution date.

It didn't matter; as long as those two benefactors escaped safely, that was enough.

"Open the door," the County Officer ordered.

The prison guard hesitated.

Li He smiled, "Brothers, no need to worry about me; my life is cheap, if I die I die, and in the next life I'll still be a good man."

A prison guard mustered courage and pleaded with the County Officer, "Could we delay a bit, let us pool money to buy better food and drink, so he can have a good meal before leaving?"

"No need, no need!" Li He patted his belly, "I'm already full; brothers, please don't spend extra!"

The County Officer, impatient, said, "Can't you eat outside? Why must you eat in the cell? What's the point, is it tastier here than outside? Cut the chatter, open the door quickly, and get this kid out, don't waste our time."

"What? Get out?" Li He was stunned.

From the meaning, it seemed they wanted to release him?

The prison guards showed delighted expressions; though they didn't know what was happening, since the kid no longer had to lose his head, it was good anyway.

So they hurriedly unlocked the cell chains, cheerfully calling him out.

Li He frowned.

This isn't right...

If I release myself, wouldn't that mean the one to be beheaded becomes someone else?

And who could that other person be, besides the two benefactors?

No, absolutely not!

After a brief thought, Li He quickly retreated to the corner of the cell, shouting, "I am the one who killed Du Yan Long and his wife; I accept killing for a life! If you cut off my head, that's fine! No need to release me!"

The prison guards were dumbfounded.

What's up with the kid? He could have lived, yet he refuses to go? So stubborn about death?

The County Officer was speechless and ordered the guards, "Drag him out!"

"Yes!" the guards hurriedly acted.

Li He, being hauled out with seven hands and eight feet, in desperation clutched the cell door's wooden beam, "Let go of me! I must die! I want my head cut off! I won't go!"

"First time I've seen someone looking for their own death!" the County Officer shouted angrily, "If you want to die, go die outside! Don't cause a ruckus here!"

Li He is only fifteen after all; he couldn't withstand several strong jailers dragging him together.

After a brief standoff, he was carried out of the county office jail.

The two county officers kicked him a few times before leaving, saying they had lived half a lifetime and never encountered such a bewildering madman.

"Don't drive me away… let me in!" Li He howled, clutching the jailer's leg.

Those who didn't know thought the cell was his home.

The jailers' expressions were grave; they looked at each other, shook their heads, and sighed.

Such a fine young man, and suddenly he went mad.

The two county officers walked a distance away and came before Xiao Qidi, saying, "Following the magistrate's order, we have already released the person, but that lad has gone mad and clings to staying; you deal with it yourself."

Xiao Qidi clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

The county officers left.

Xiao Qidi walked to the jail's entrance and saw a scene that was both laughable and exasperating.

"Li He, stop clinging to them."

Hearing the familiar figure, Li He turned his head, thought briefly, then hurriedly rose and ran over.

Then he lowered his voice and asked, "Why did the county officers suddenly release me? Didn't you follow my plan?"

Before Xiao Qidi could explain, Li He wondered aloud, "That doesn't make sense—if you didn't follow my plan, how could you end up proper and sound inside the county gate?"

Xiao Qidi smiled and patted his arm, saying, "Let's talk about it when we get back to the ruined temple; anyway, we're both fine."

After returning to the temple, Li He learned that Fang Hui had been sent to the city medical clinic, where a doctor continued to attend to him.

As for his puzzling release, he also came to understand the whole story.

"One hundred taels… of gold?" he exclaimed in anguish, "That's too cheap for the magistrate—couldn't you haggle a bit lower?"

Xiao Qidi smiled and said, "As long as your life is spared, I'd give not just a hundred taels of gold, but even thousands or tens of thousands of taels."

Li He exclaimed in surprise, "You're that rich? You're just bragging!"

"Here, take this." Ning Jinli placed the bamboo slip Li He had given her the night before into his hand, saying, "The county office will soon post a notice declaring you not only innocent but also a hero who eradicated corruption and evil, and the county office will outwardly announce a reward of one hundred taels of silver for you—of course they won't actually pay it, but this gives you a legitimate excuse to take out the hundred taels you won gambling and present them openly to your parents."

Li He took the bamboo slip, his feelings a mixture of emotions.

Ning Jinli said, "From now on, you are not allowed to gamble."

Li He came to his senses, clasped his fists solemnly, and said, "Yes, I will absolutely not gamble again."

"And no more stealing chickens or dogs," Xiao Qidi added.

Li He grinned and said, "It's not like I have a choice… when there's often nothing to eat, I can only…"

Xiao Qidi's eyes sank slightly.

Li He hurriedly said, "No stealing, no stealing! I can openly use that hundred taels now—why would I need to steal? Hehe."

"By the way, I still don't know the names of my two benefactors," Li He asked tentatively, "If it's convenient, could you tell me? Of course, if it's not, then don't."

He had already realized that these two people's backgrounds were certainly not simple.

They were definitely not children who had eloped from some petty wealthy family.

"My name is Ning Jinli," Ning Jinli announced.

Li He performed a proper salute and said, "Sister Jinli."

Xiao Qidi then immediately gave his own name.

"Xiao Qidi? I think I've heard that name somewhere," Li He pondered, then said, "Oh! The ruler of Xuan Guo also seems to be called that—do you share the same name and surname as him?"

Xiao Qidi lifted his chin, wearing an arrogant expression, and said, "Could I not be him himself?"

Li He burst out laughing, punched Xiao Qidi's arm, and said, "Stop joking—how could the exalted ruler of Xuan Guo possibly run off to this poor, backwater Ze Guo? Even if you were to assume a false name, you shouldn't use this one; if the Ze Guo folks misunderstand, you'll be in trouble! Quick, tell me what your real name is."

Xiao Qidi replied helplessly, "First, I am indeed called Xiao Qidi; second, I am indeed the ruler of Xuan Guo."

Li He laughed until he doubled over, "Hahaha, really, don't say that—you're pulling off a pretty convincing act."

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli watched him in silence.

Li He's laughter faded slowly, his expression turning stiff, and he incredulously sought confirmation from Ning Jinli, "Is he truly the ruler of Xuan Guo, Xiao Qidi?"

Ning Jinli smiled and nodded.

Li He swallowed, his eyes wide, and asked, "You're not deceiving me?"

Ning Jinli said, "Absolutely true, I'm not deceiving you."

Li He momentarily panicked, but quickly composed himself and respectfully bowed to Xiao Qidi, saying, "Your subordinate pays his respects to His Majesty."

After finishing the salute, he put on a solemn face and asked, "When will your Daxuan army launch its attack?"

That question left Xiao Qidi stunned.

Ning Jinli countered, "Who told you that Daxuan is coming to attack?"

Li He chuckled, "Do we really need someone to tell us? A mighty king hiding his identity and risking exposure to come here—surely it's not just to sightsee; it must be to prepare for an assault on Ze Guo. This dump hardly has anything fun to offer."

"What, you're thinking of leaking the news?" Xiao Qidi's eyes narrowed slightly.

Li He frowned, annoyed, and retorted, "Am I that kind of person? You're seriously underestimating me!"

Xiao Qidi's thin lips moved as he said, "If you leak the information, you could earn great merit, securing wealth and honor for your whole family for life."

Li He tucked his hands behind his back and paced back and forth, nodding.

"Hmm… Your Majesty, that makes sense."

He then shifted tone, grinning, and said, "Too bad I can't bring myself to do such treachery—especially since Your Majesty and Sister Jinli are my benefactors; if my parents learned I'd sold them out, they'd skin me alive. How about this: I'll follow you, Your Majesty, and you just give me a minor post."

Hearing this, Xiao Qidi frowned and said, "You're still after riches—aren't you afraid your parents will scold you for disloyalty to Ze Guo?"

"Of course I want wealth!" Li He said frankly, "Who in this world doesn't hope to be rich and prominent? As for loyalty to Ze Guo—well, whether it's Ze Guo or not, all the major states of Zhong Yuan belong to Huaxia; fundamentally we're one family, so sooner or later we'll become a single nation. Wherever I hang out makes no difference, and besides, my ancestors once held high office in An Guo before drifting down to Ze Guo."

After hearing his candid words, Xiao Qidi's brows relaxed, and he grew even fonder of the lad, prompting him to ask, "Then who do you think will eventually unify the world?"

"Certainly you," Li He replied without hesitation, pointing at Xiao Qidi, "Sweeping across Zhong Yuan and uniting the states—none but you!"

Xiao Qidi was quite surprised, "Oh? Why are you so certain?"

Li He grinned, "You are not only my benefactor, but also the king of Xuan Guo; I can't help but flatter you a bit."

Xiao Qidi's cheek twitched.

He had thought he would be praised, but instead the person spoke so bluntly.

But having said that, this guy is quite straightforward; although we haven't known each other long, from what has happened in this time, he is indeed not an ordinary person.

Ning Jinli said, "Li He, shouldn't you go home? You haven't returned all night; your parents must be worried."

"That's true..." Li He pondered, "Then please, both benefactors, accompany me back home."

Xiao Qidi asked, "Why?"

Li He scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed, "The county office's notice hasn't come out yet; I need someone to vouch for me, otherwise my dad definitely won't listen to my explanation and will just beat me up as soon as he sees me—I don't need to suffer a beating for nothing, right?"