Chapter 12: Is It You?

"What a Cai Zhong, I actually underestimated him!"

Above the Drunk Spring Pavilion in Baian County, a youth of about seventeen or eighteen years old was quietly holding a wine cup, though his eyes were filled with fury. In his view, the man was merely a prisoner, someone he could have dealt with at his convenience.

Yet, it was precisely this prisoner who had caused him to lose two great generals, and even escaped himself. It had even put him in a foul mood; for this alone, Cai Zhong deserved to die!

He did not feel he had done anything wrong. Once the County Magistrate's memorial was submitted and the Cai Family's numerous crimes over the years were proven with solid evidence, the Capital would surely issue a vermilion-brushed decree, and the entire Cai Family would certainly be unable to escape.

That he had allowed someone to send him on his way was already giving Cai Zhong face. Yet Cai Zhong had refused a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit; not only did he kill his men, but he also ran away—he simply deserved to die!

"Find Cai Zhong and kill him; this matter must absolutely not reach my father's ears!"

"Yes, Young Master!"

The shadow in the dark quietly vanished from the spot, but the youth in the room could no longer suppress the anger in his heart and kicked the table over. The new County Magistrate was a greenhorn who wouldn't even let him enjoy one of his own dogs!

"Someone, bring me two more women!"

While the young nobleman was venting wantonly, Shen Yu was walking out of the prison with an ugly expression on his face. He had just inspected the scene; all the members of the Cai Family had died from poison, but those two men in black looked as if their vital essence had been drained dry, and this was clearly no mere trick or illusion.

At the thought of this unfathomable martial arts World, Shen Yu could not help but feel uneasy. Who could know how many bizarre Cultivation Methods existed beneath these deep waters?

Could this person be hiding in Baian County? Could this person have a connection to Cai Zhong? And in the future, would this person come looking for trouble with him...

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and in the end, Shen Yu felt somewhat helpless. He had no way of determining who the perpetrator was, let alone catching them. In the end, he could only issue a warrant for Cai Zhong, though he didn't know if it would be of any use—what if a blind cat happened upon a dead mouse?

The most important thing now was to find a way to strengthen his own power; only by being strong himself could he remain invincible!

"My Lord, the County Lieutenant and several local gentry invite you to a banquet at the Drunk Spring Pavilion!"

Just then, the secretary hurried over, holding an invitation in his hand. It had to be said that once the County Assistant Cai Zhong fell, the entire Baian County was practically reshuffled, and everyone was scrambling to curry favor with Shen Yu, the County Magistrate.

"Drunk Spring Pavilion? A Brothel!" Raising an eyebrow slightly, Shen Yu took the invitation. He was accepting this invitation purely to give the County Lieutenant some face, not because he wanted to see what a Brothel looked like. Yes, that was the main reason.

But then again, since coming to this World, he had never seen what a Brothel was like. For some reason, he felt a little excited—cough, cough, he was a man of integrity, after all.

This trip was just to get to know the gentry of Baian County; yes, just to make some friends!

Returning to the County Government Office to change into scholar's attire, Shen Yu took Zhou Yuan out onto the street. The time on the invitation was for the evening, and it was still daytime, so the Drunk Spring Pavilion probably wasn't open yet. Shen Yu went out to observe the lives of the people, and also to see if there were any opportunities to act with chivalry and righteousness.

After all, it was still early, and every bit of "check-in" progress counted. When the time was right, he would just head over. Tsk tsk, a Brothel—he wondered what it would be like.

Following by Shen Yu's side, Zhou Yuan, dressed in plain clothes, was very helpless. The County Magistrate brought him everywhere, completely dashing his hopes of playing both sides. Now, he was thoroughly branded with the County Magistrate's mark and could never peel it off.

This young County Magistrate didn't look very old, but his heart was wicked to the core.

"Run, why aren't you running anymore?" A fierce voice suddenly entered his ears. Looking toward the sound, he saw five or six burly men surrounding a frail young girl.

The girl was about fifteen or sixteen years old, beautiful, pure, and shy, her eyes filled with ripples. Most importantly, she looked youthful and lively, overflowing with a sunny feeling rarely seen in ordinary people. That fresh, natural aura radiating from within was the most attractive thing about her.

"Don't come any closer, do you know who I am?" Surrounded by these burly men, the girl's face was clearly filled with panic. "In broad daylight, are you not afraid of the law?"

"The law? Haha, in this Baian County, we of the Flying Tiger Hall are the law!"

"Oh my!" Shen Yu, who was preparing to come over to save the girl, couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. As the County Magistrate, shouldn't he follow up by saying that Baian County did not allow such arrogant people to exist!

However, although the people around who saw this scene were pointing and whispering, no one dared to step forward to stop it, letting the few burly men surround the frail young girl. Once they snatched this girl back, what difference would it be from a sheep entering a tiger's den?

"My Lord, it's the people from the Flying Tiger Hall!"

"Flying Tiger Hall? That number one gang in Baian County!" Waving the fan in his hand, Shen Yu's face already showed a trace of dissatisfaction. "The Flying Tiger Hall is so arrogant that they dare to snatch a woman in broad daylight?"

"My Lord, you may not know, but the Flying Tiger Hall is deeply rooted in Baian County and has a large following, with hundreds of gang members. They also have several Second-rate Experts, and it is rumored that the Hall Master of the Flying Tiger Hall is a First-rate Expert. This subordinate is ashamed; after years of hard practice, I am barely a Second-rate Expert!"

"Previously, the County Assistant Cai Zhong seemed to have an agreement with the Flying Tiger Hall, letting them not easily cause trouble during the day. I don't know why they violated the agreement today, daring to snatch a woman in broad daylight!"

"You mean to say that it was I who took down Cai Zhong, causing the previous agreement between the Yamen and the Flying Tiger Hall to break?"

"This subordinate would not dare!"

"Not allowed to cause trouble during the day? That means they can act wantonly at night? Dealing with tigers to get their skin—their hearts are truly punishable!"

"Fine, you can say whatever you want!" Listening quietly to Shen Yu's words from the side, Zhou Yuan didn't dare to speak easily, but he had to admit that Shen Yu was right.

Baian County looked peaceful during the day, but at night, it was full of thugs and riots; not to mention ordinary people not daring to go out, even the Yamen Runners didn't dare to go out easily.

"Little girl, come back with us obediently, and save yourself from physical pain!" Walking toward the girl step by step, the men all wore triumphant smiles, as if the girl before them was already in their pockets.

They had been roaming the streets of Baian County for so long, when had they ever encountered such goods? Whether they resold her or handed her over to the Hall Master, it would be a successful big deal. Especially since the other party looked like an outsider, how could they let such a good opportunity slip away!

Don't look at how she was struggling now; once inside the Flying Tiger Hall, there were plenty of experts to train her. For so many years, how many people had acted like chaste maidens, only to obediently submit in the end?

Reaching out with a large hand, the burly man wore a ferocious smile; they seemed to see the scene of their future promotions and salary increases, being valued by the Hall Master.

"Stop!" Just as the girl was about to be grabbed, Shen Yu shouted, walking out quietly while holding his folding fan, his eyes filled with a touch of coldness. Coupled with the aura he was gradually cultivating, his appearance truly had a bit of a deterrent effect.

"A mere scholar, also learning to play the hero saving the beauty? Little baby, have you been weaned yet? Haha!" After a brief moment of distraction, the burly men began to mock him one after another, as if to regain the face they had just lost from being shocked.

He was just a mere scholar, what was there to be afraid of? These days, besides talking big, what else could scholars do? They were people from the Flying Tiger Hall; what was there to fear in the entire Baian County?

"Brothers, first loosen the bones of this little scholar, then take him and this little girl away together. Let the people of Baian County know, so that no Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to interfere in the affairs of our Flying Tiger Hall!"

Two burly men walked up with ferocious smiles, surrounding Shen Yu. The scholar before them had delicate features, and his clean face had distinct angles. The key was the temperament he carried; he estimated that many people would like it.

They had been in this business for a long time and naturally knew that not only beauties could make money, but handsome scholars like this were even more valuable; there were plenty of people who liked this style. Since this scholar had delivered himself to their door today, don't blame them for being impolite!

"How is this possible?" But just as the two burly men threw their punches, they flew out at an even faster speed, mouthfuls of blood spraying from the corners of their mouths. Looking closely, it seemed that the chests of these two men were even slightly sunken.

"A tough nut! We are from the Flying Tiger Hall, do you dare?"

"This official is hitting the people of the Flying Tiger Hall; you of the Flying Tiger Hall attacked a court official in broad daylight, what is your intention?"

"This official? You, you wouldn't be that little County Magistrate? Is it you?"