Seeking Truth with a Sword
Chapter 40 - 39 Important

Chapter 40: Chapter 39 Important

"GASP... GASP..."

Zhou Pingchun’s eyes bulged as he stared at Li Ang in disbelief. A choked, gurgling sound came from his throat, blood foaming between his fingers.

He scrambled to his feet, stumbling back several steps. He waved his blood-soaked hands aimlessly for help, but all the villagers seemed to shun him, retreating en masse.

THUMP.

Zhou Pingchun fell to his knees, his face pale. His silk robe, embroidered with gold coin patterns, was soaked with blood and mud, his hunched body appearing so small.

"Sigh..."

Cheng Juxiu sighed deeply and executed a sword seal. The longsword at his waist flew from its sheath, transforming into a blurred green shadow that circled lightly around Zhou Pingchun’s neck.

SWISH—

Zhou Pingchun’s head was flung upwards, soaring into the sky. It was split in two by the Flying Sword before falling heavily onto the muddy ground along with his headless body.

"Squire Zhou Pingchun, who harmed others and nurtured demons, deserved more than death! On May 20, the third year of Zaiqian, he was executed east of Sha Tao Village, Yizhou City!"

In the sun-drenched mountain hollow, Cheng Juxiu’s resolute voice echoed.

In the evening, a carriage bearing the insignia of the garrison traveled the streets of Yizhou City.

The laughter of children playing, the calls of street vendors, the haggling of customers, and the whistles of boatmen on the river—everything was as calm as the day before.

As if nothing had happened.

CREAK.

The carriage slowly stopped at the back gate of Security Hall.

Li Ang quietly jumped off the carriage, his nightmare bell and leather armor gone. They had been returned to the Yizhou Town Governor’s Office and resealed.

"Risheng."

Cheng Juxiu stepped down from the carriage. Looking at the silent Li Ang with concern, he sighed. "Niu Wenshu and I have already filed the report with the garrison for you. For the next few days, just stay home, read, and prepare for the Academic Palace entrance exams."

"Senior Brother,"

Li Ang looked up, gazing at the gently swaying green willow branches, and said softly, "should I not have killed Zhou Pingchun?"

"...He was scum, plain and simple. Killing him was no loss," Cheng Juxiu replied, also gazing at the lush willow tree across the street. "Those who aided Zhou Pingchun in his crimes will also be sentenced according to the severity of their involvement. Punishments will range from exile to hanging.

The ill-gotten wealth Zhou Pingchun’s family acquired through their crimes will be inventoried and distributed to Gan Xiao’er and the other villagers of Sha Tao Village.

If Gan Xiao’er doesn’t want to live in Sha Tao Village anymore, he can live with Wang Liubao or be taken in by the garrison.

As for Princess Anle, I will report this matter to my superiors. However, it will be difficult. We found no evidence that Princess Anle or the Princess Manor knew about this..."

"I understand."

Li Ang nodded, his voice still distant. "I just don’t understand... why is a noble’s dog more important than a commoner’s life?"

"..."

Cheng Juxiu gazed at the fluttering willow branches and fell silent.

The setting sun cast its last rays, dyeing the buildings of Yizhou City a magnificent, bloody red.

"Risheng..."

"I’m all right, Senior Brother."

Li Ang shook his head. "I’ll head back first."

"Alright, take care of yourself."

Cheng Juxiu watched Li Ang’s desolate figure depart, sighed softly, and re-boarded the carriage.

Rice wine? Too sweet.

Fruit wine? Too cloudy.

Spiced wine? With official cinnamon and a bunch of flowers added, can you even call that wine?

"’This one, then. Jian Nan Saké.’"

Li Ang picked a jug from the shelf, patted the red paper seal on top, and carried it to the courtyard.

In the Security Hall courtyard, Chai Cuiqiao had sensed his dark mood. She had already brought out a stool and set a few small dishes on the stone table. "Young Master," she advised softly, "drink less. Drinking too much will stunt your growth."

"I know, I know."

Li Ang impatiently sat on the stool, took a ladle, scooped out some wine from the jug into a ceramic cup, and took a sip.

The strong liquor burned its way down his throat, acrid and choking, just as he’d expected.

"COUGH, COUGH!"

Li Ang coughed repeatedly, tears streaming down his face. Chai Cuiqiao sat beside him, full of concern, gently patting his back.

"I am going to get into the Academic Palace!"

The wine cup slammed onto the table. Li Ang’s eyes were bloodshot. He looked up at the moonlit, star-dusted night sky and shouted hoarsely.

"You’ll definitely pass, Young Master."

"It’s not ’definitely pass,’ it’s ’I must pass,’" Li Ang said. "I want people to have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear! To afford doctors when they’re sick and to send their children to school!

I want a world without crushing taxes, without greedy and corrupt officials!

I want to protect ordinary people who just want to live decent lives! I want to punish those who profit by harming and exploiting the innocent! _{freew\ebno\vel..(c)om}

I want people to live with dignity! To live like human beings!"

Chai Cuiqiao listened intently to Li Ang’s drunken rambling, a cattail fan in her hand, gently waving away the mosquitoes that buzzed around the tipsy young man.

"I want every family to afford coal for heating, to have hot water to drink, and meat to eat!

I want to wipe out disease, eradicate ignorance, and banish foolishness!"

Li Ang gulped down more of the watered-down wine. He felt the cool courtyard breeze as drunkenness muddled his thoughts, and he mumbled incoherently.

"Young Master, let’s go back to your room. It’s starting to rain."

"Mm, let’s go."