Chapter 32: Picking a Fight

Qilu territory, Jinan Prefecture, Tai'an Department.

After a long journey, Li Miao and Mei Qinghe finally arrived at the department city next to the Mount Tai Sect.

Instead of finding an inn to rest, the two went straight to the Tai'an Department Magistrate's Yamen.

Mei Qinghe waited at the entrance holding the horses. Li Miao dismounted, brushed the dust off his clothes, straightened his collar, and handed the reins to Mei Qinghe.

He then strode with a steady, imposing gait toward the Yamen entrance.

"Come here," he said, raising a hand to beckon a Yamen Runner.

The profession of a Yamen Runner is one that relies on keen observation.

When encountering those they cannot afford to offend, they must lower their status and be obsequious. When encountering those they can easily manipulate, they must be ruthless and squeeze every bit of profit out of them.

Especially in the Great Ming, they had to be careful even with martial artists who looked poor and shabby. If they accidentally provoked someone lawless, that person might kill them with a single blade strike, shout "ridding the people of a scourge," and walk away, leaving them with nowhere to seek justice.

Thus, in the Great Ming, the martial world and the imperial court effectively restricted each other. On one hand, the court restricted martial artists from acting too recklessly; on the other, the existence of martial artists made local officials restrain themselves, trying not to do things that would provoke a hero to "rid the people of a scourge."

Back to the present, the Yamen Runner saw Li Miao’s composed and leisurely demeanor and naturally knew better than to be the one without eyes.

He approached cautiously and bowed to Li Miao: "This... my lord?"

Li Miao did not beat around the bush: "Take this waist medallion to your Police Inspector and tell him to come out and see me."

With that, he handed the Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander’s waist medallion to the runner.

The runner was illiterate, but one look at the craftsmanship of the medallion told him this was not someone to be trifled with. He nodded and quickly ran into the Yamen.

Before long, a middle-aged man walked out quickly and bowed to Li Miao: "Battalion Commander."

"You know why I'm here, don't you?"

"The family has already sent word. This is what they asked me to deliver to you."

The middle-aged man handed Li Miao a heavy package.

He was an undercover agent planted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Tai'an Department. He had long known Li Miao’s intent and had prepared everything accordingly.

Li Miao took the package, nodded, turned around, and called for Mei Qinghe to leave.

He did not go to see the Tai'an Department Magistrate.

This brings us to the relationship between martial sects and local officials.

Wu Gong is, in essence, a form of violence.

And martial sects are organizations that control this violence.

A major sect like the Mount Tai Sect, with its deep roots, has been cultivated in the local area longer than the political regimes have lasted, and the power it wields is greater than that of the local government.

Therefore, it is only natural that the Tai'an Department Magistrate would be in collusion with the Mount Tai Sect.

It could be said that when Zhu Zai made the decision to "exterminate the Five Mountains Sword Sects," the Tai'an Department Magistrate was already a target to be cleared out as well.

Li Miao had no interest in trading barbs with a dead man. Since the subsequent matters would not require local soldiers, he couldn't be bothered to pay a visit.

As for the reaction the Magistrate might have later, he had already accounted for it.

Back to the present, Li Miao and Mei Qinghe arrived at an inn and checked in.

By noon, Mei Qinghe knocked on Li Miao’s door: "Master, would you like to eat?"

The door swung open, and Li Miao stepped out.

The sight startled Mei Qinghe, causing her to step back twice, stammering: "Ma... Master..."

Li Miao had changed his attire. He was now in a profound black martial outfit, with a copper sunflower belt and black-patterned boots. A Embroidered Spring Blade hung at his waist, one hand resting on the hilt, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard waist medallion hung prominently from his belt.

His back was straight, his bearing heroic. His sword-like eyebrows slanted toward his temples, and not a single strand of his dark hair was out of place.

What a heroic figure!

Mei Qinghe had been traveling with Li Miao for over a month and had only ever seen his lazy, casual dress and attitude. He would rather sit than stand, rather lie down than lean; his shoulders were slumped, his back relaxed, and he spoke with drawn-out tones.

She had never seen Li Miao with this demeanor!

Li Miao’s natural features were excellent, but his previous behavior made him look like a lazy street bum. Although Mei Qinghe knew his Wu Gong was shockingly formidable and did not look down on him, he hadn't been particularly eye-catching.

Now, caught off guard by this sight, Mei Qinghe couldn't help but blush.

Li Miao glanced at her and smiled: "Do you know how to bully people?"

"Ah?"

"Bullying people, being arrogant and domineering, eating without paying—you know how, right?"

"I... I don't..."

"Learn. I’ll set an example for you today, and starting tomorrow, you’ll do it."

Li Miao finished speaking and stepped onto the street. Mei Qinghe paused for a moment before following closely.

Li Miao’s demeanor was clearly very eye-catching. Passersby turned to look, but since few were literate, few could recognize the characters on his medallion; they only sighed inwardly: "What a fine man!"

Only a few martial artists carrying blades or swords saw the medallion, their expressions changing as if they had encountered a venomous snake, and they quickly moved aside.

Li Miao walked straight to a civilian house, looked it up and down, nodded, and kicked the front door.

Bang!

The door panel flew open, crashing against the wall.

"Who is it!?"

A dozen people carrying swords immediately ran out, shouting at Li Miao.

This was the Mount Tai Sect’s "office" in the department city, and those who ran out were the disciples stationed there.

Li Miao didn't answer and just kept walking inside.

The Mount Tai disciples were unsure of what to do, surrounding Li Miao and keeping their eyes fixed on his vital points.

Finally, someone saw Li Miao’s waist medallion, turned pale, and quickly ran to the backyard, presumably to fetch the person in charge.

Mei Qinghe stood at the door, not knowing what to do. She was being coerced by Li Miao, and seeing his attitude, it was clear he had no intention of keeping a low profile.

She was not without background; she had attended the Five Mountains Alliance meetings in previous years, and there were people in the Mount Tai Sect who recognized her.

After hesitating for a while, she sighed, gripped her sword hilt, walked to Li Miao’s side, and stood still, her eyes cold as she looked at the Mount Tai disciples.

She had made her choice.

Li Miao said leisurely, "Don't you know the way to treat guests? Bring some seasonal fruits, snacks, and tea first!"

A middle-aged man walked out from the backyard with a vigorous, tiger-like stride. His Wu Gong foundation was clearly not bad; he must be the manager.

He was indeed the Mount Tai Sect manager, named Fei Junxuan, a second-rate expert.

He walked to the table and bowed to Li Miao: "My lord."

He turned and ordered: "Didn't you hear the lord? Bring tea!"

With that, he prepared to sit opposite Li Miao.

Li Miao glanced at him and struck his chest with a palm from a distance.

Bang!

The middle-aged man stumbled back several steps, fell to the ground, looked up in shock and anger: "You!?"

"A commoner like you, fit to sit at the same table as me?"

Li Miao said calmly.

"Bring some cold dishes first, and then bring over a dozen hot dishes."

"I am hungry."

(End of Chapter)