Chapter 170

Agreed!

Xiong Paozi was the first to respond.

A shocking flash of ferocity suddenly shot from his usually timid eyes; he glanced left and right, spat, and snarled, "I've had enough of this sneaking-around life. For years, to avoid detection by the Court, we've had to sneak incense offerings to our ancestors."

"We of this generation have come this far and had enough; must we also force our descendants to live in darkness, with no hope in sight?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone objected, "Although these days are hard, at least we're alive; as long as we live, there will always be a turning point."

"Cut the crap!" Xiong Paozi turned and snapped, "If it weren't for us constantly licking the blade, the Chen clan would have been exterminated long ago—not to mention distant threats; just look at the recent bandit refugee raids on the village."

"Everyone here has contributed to this," that person said immediately.

"Yes, but you don't know that those bandit refugees are raised by certain bigwigs in Nan Jun; because we killed their people, they now plan to wipe out our whole village!" Xiong Paozi sneered, "You think Wuji got into trouble for nothing? It's because he killed Zhou Buping, that bandit chief!"

"Look at it this way: in the eyes of those bigshots, not resisting means death, resisting also means death; ants aren't worthy of reasoning with people—they only care whether you're alive and in their way."

The objecting clansman's expression shifted slightly, "Is that really true?"

"If I'm lying to you, I'll personally help your sheep give birth!" Xiong Paizi glared, booming.

"No need to be so fierce; I believe you, I believe!" the clansman said helplessly, "But speaking plainly, why stake your own descendants like that? Our Chen bloodline won't allow such defilement."

"Get lost!"

Chen Bushi calmly gazed at the dozen or so core clan members and said, "We've been secretly gathering strength and planning for this day all along. But after seeing how that brat Wuji rakes in wealth, I suddenly realize our years of effort have been somewhat foolish."

"It takes a year and a half of painstaking work to earn what that kid can scrape together with a few casual tricks—that's one reason I protect him. Another is that our Chen clan needs to step forward, flash our blades, and let the world know we're not extinct yet! To the south of here lies no path to survival for us."

"But more importantly, Wuji is the main vein of the Chen main line; even if he remains a fool as before, his bloodline cannot be cut off. Everyone, don't forget the ancestral teachings, don't forget why we took root here."

Chen Li said: "Old Three, the Chen folk never lack hot blood; quit over-explaining—everyone gets it, just tell us what to do!"

"Yes, Third Uncle, give the orders—some may want to merely survive, but that doesn't mean we all do. As I see it, when faced with such a necessary great deed, we shouldn't waste time on meetings; just drag those who want to live out and sacrifice them to the banner!" another shouted.

The clansman who had earlier opposed Xiong Paozi, neck stiff but spirit utterly dejected, said, "I just… don't want to see everyone die pointlessly."

"Shut up; if you speak again, I'll personally offer you to the banner!" the clansman grunted harshly, "Third Uncle just made it crystal clear: the ancestors commanded that the main line's bloodline must not be cut—this is the reason, the sole reason!"

"Some of you once looked down on Wuji because he's a fool—indeed, he deserved it—but look at what he's doing now; could you manage that over several lifetimes? I tell you, the main vein, forever the main vein, is why our Chen clan has endured a millennium with an unshakable foundation!"

"Wrong, truly wrong—lay off the insults!" the previously objecting clansman pleaded repeatedly.

Seeing no objections, Chen Bushi bluntly said, "Tonight we storm the city and break the jail! After success, Chen Luozi will lead the reinforcements; we'll head to Shenxian Ling, where everything has long been prepared in the mountains."

……

Chen Wuji finally met Magistrate Zhu.

Only the time and place differed somewhat from what he had imagined.

"Your surname is Chen, from Beijun Chen?" Zhu Wei sat high in the chief seat, his somewhat bulky frame nearly filling the entire master's chair, the string of prayer beads clicking as he turned them.

"Yes."

"The Beijun Chen clan's days are indeed a bit tight, aren't they?"

"Yes."

Zhu Wei glanced at Chen Wuji, chuckled, and said, "You killed the bandit refugee Zhou Buping, ridding us of Yunan of a major menace, yet you've also upset some folks. As the magistrate of this borderland, I'm none too eager to handle this; facing certain people, I sometimes feel utterly powerless."

"Your family's heirlooms are precious—indeed, very precious. People can't live without food, clothing, shelter, and travel; especially for those bigwigs, once they have wealth and power, their tastes amount to nothing more than belly and loins."

"Would you mind collaborating with the magistrate's office to make a little profit? You provide the family heirloom; we'll handle the rest, and we'll split the gains ninety‑ten afterward. Since you hail from the Beijun Chen clan—an identity too dangerous—the office needs to give you cover and protect your safety, so taking a smaller share is no problem, right?"

"Eighty‑twenty split, plus an identity!" Chen Wuji said.

Zhu Wei was somewhat displeased: "You, of Beijun Chen descent, how dare you haggle with me?"

"I think you ought to give me a larger share because of my Beijun Chen lineage; why are you so certain my family heirloom is just for cooking? The Chen clan isn't famous for cooking." Chen Wuji said calmly.

Zhu Wei's eyes flashed, then he chuckled: "No wonder you could hack a pet that's been trained for years into a corpse—young man, you've got promise. Tell me, what identity do you want?"

"Constable!"

Zhu Wei blinked: "You little brat, really know how to make lion-sized demands— a constable isn't something you can just hand out!"

"In my impression, the magistrate ought to have such authority, but it's merely a constable—surely the magistrate wouldn't begrudge it? We're right here; some matters are easier to discuss face‑to‑face, aren't they?" Chen Wuji laughed.

"In the magistrate's office, every radish has its hole; the constable post is already filled. Where could I find you another? Take another post, or be a constable's assistant!" Zhu Wei said.

Chen Wuji gave a slight grin: "Or perhaps the magistrate could just casually kill someone?"

Zhu Wei blinked: "Holy shit, kid, you truly live up to your surname."

Just then, a person suddenly walked in.

Zhu Wei's smile vanished instantly, and he asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?"

That person said nothing, walked straight up to Zhu Wei, and suddenly a cold light flashed.

"Borrow the magistrate's head for a moment!"

As the words fell, the magistrate's fine head flew up.

His blade was razor‑sharp, cutting more professionally than an executioner.

Chen Wuji, drenched in blood, was dazed.

"What the hell is going on now?"