The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 376 - 233 County Government Standoff_2

Chapter 376: Chapter 233 County Government Standoff_2

"Utter nonsense!"

"Investigating the Academy now!"

"Don’t think that Wu Dehai can cover the sky with one hand; we must submit a joint petition and see how long he can stay pleased."

The government officials, normally arrogant and imperious, had to bow and scrape in front of these Confucian scholars, saying with a face full of appeasement, "The head of the Academy misunderstands. We were merely going to ask questions, and this matter was initiated by the City God Temple, not the County Magistrate’s intention."

"City God Temple?"

Head of the Academy, Song Mingshu, snorted coldly, "The people from the City God Temple do not ensure peace and tranquility—how could they collude with Wu Dehai."

"Let’s go then. I want to see how they plan to frame and entrap!"

"We’re going as well!"

"Let’s go together!"

Most students at the Academy came from local wealthy families.

Since taking office, County Magistrate Wu Dehai had turned Zigui County into a place filled with dark smoke; people were discontented but dared not oppose openly due to his background.

This incident at Erbei Bay was an opportunity they had grabbed, and with the support of the head of the Academy, they weren’t going to back down.

Instantly, the mood at the Academy was one of excited agitation.

With a firm and resolute personality, the head of the Academy, Song Mingshu, was intent on escalating the matter and led the people out of the Academy without hesitation.

In no time, the scholars marched mightily into the city.

Their formidable presence immediately attracted the attention of many onlookers.

The surrounding populace was abuzz, some inquiring idly, and rumors quickly spread, with many following to watch the excitement.

Among the crowd, a man lifted his bamboo hat, thoughtful.

Had Li Yan been there, he would have recognized this person as Bai Ruoxu, the one who had stolen a Divine Fire Gun and was wanted by the court.

Watching the chaotic crowd, Bai Ruoxu did not join the thrill seekers but lowered his bamboo hat and turned into another street.

Casually yet observantly, he seemed to be looking at the surrounding shops but was actually inspecting each alley he passed.

Soon, a mark caught his eye.

It was a spiral pattern, skew and crude, like a child’s random scribble with pebbles, appearing insignificant.

Yet, Bai Ruoxu, without changing his expression, looked around, and seeing no one noticing, he turned directly into the alley.

Within the alley were ordinary residences of Zigui County.

Bai Ruoxu searched house by house and found the same pattern on the door of a residence, then went up and knocked several times, tapping long and short.

Creaking, the old wooden door slowly opened.

The person opening the door was an elderly woman in tattered clothes with snowy white hair and clouded, sightless eyes, clearly a blind person.

After opening the door, the old woman said nothing but stepped aside, waiting for Bai Ruoxu to enter before tightly closing the door.

With a grave expression, Bai Ruoxu pushed open the door to the inner chamber.

On the bed in the chamber, a woman sat cross-legged with a long sword on her lap, her expression cold, indeed the swordswoman who had escaped from Li Yan.

She evidently recognized Bai Ruoxu, a flicker of wariness in her eyes as her right hand involuntarily rested on the hilt of her sword.

"Miss Liu, there’s no need for caution."

Bai Ruoxu stated calmly, "This operation was commanded by Commander Wang. It’s not your fault. The master is just eager to know what exactly went wrong?"

The woman was silent for a moment, "I don’t know what spell it was, just darkness and couldn’t see anything."

"And then, everyone was dead..."

"Oh?"

Bai Ruoxu pondered, "Could you see who took action, Li Yan or Wang Daoxuan?"

"I’m not sure."

After finishing the inquiry, Bai Ruoxu shook his head, "Commander Wang had many men; whoever killed everyone in an instant shouldn’t be trifled with."

"The battle at Yunyang is intense right now. The master asked to put aside this matter for now, prioritizing the bigger picture."

"What about the matter I asked you to investigate?"

Upon hearing that the issue would no longer be pursued, the swordswoman visibly relaxed and spoke gravely, "I found out—the ’Red Maiden’ indeed frequents this area, casting a spell on the local magistrate’s son, though the intent remains unclear."

Bai Ruoxu’s eyes narrowed slightly, "Try to find her first. We can no longer delay the matter concerning Shennongjia..."

While the two conspired, the people from the Academy also arrived at the county government.

"Out of the way!"

Danyang Academy’s head, Song Mingshu, filled with pent-up anger, shoved aside the approaching government official.

With a group of people, he entered the county government hall with great force.

"County Magistrate Wu!"

This elder remained defiant after entering the hall and casually saluted with folded hands, speaking coldly, "I hear you suspect my academy is causing trouble in Erbei Bay?"

"Please calm down, Elder Song."

Although there was displeasure in County Magistrate Wu’s eyes, he patiently responded, "It’s only that someone from the City God Temple came to inquire about the situation there; how could we suspect the academy?"

Seeing his softer approach, Elder Song’s face slightly improved.

Li Yan was just observing coldly from the side.

He had already made his judgments based on intelligence long ago.

Despite the righteous words of these academy students, truth be told, their anger and conflict with County Magistrate Wu stemmed solely from interests.

The biggest conflict at court now was between the local officials and the Sea Opening merchants; their interests were not actually significantly conflicting.

When it came down to it, it was a matter of "propriety."

"Scholars, farmers, artisans, traders"—these were the ancient customs of Divine State, emphasizing agriculture over commerce as the foundation of the state, yet now, merchants everywhere wanted to use the opportunity of the Sea Opening to elevate their status.

And the Great Xuan Emperor wanted, firstly, to replenish the national treasury depleted from several wars and the reconstruction of the imperial city, and secondly, to use this force to suppress the local clans and officials.

These people’s foundation was to control land and population, not only accumulating vast personal wealth and holding considerable local power but also evading taxes through their official status.

If it were only in one place, it wouldn’t be noticeable.

But when the small and large officials across the nation, occupying different regions, all acted this way, they were like countless giant rats, crazily eroding the national foundation.

The officials were rich, the people were poor, the national treasury was empty.

This was the true depiction of the Great Xuan dynasty in recent years.

What infuriated the Great Xuan Emperor even more was that these people indirectly criticized him for depleting the treasury through relentless warfare.

Had not the Sea Opening been highly profitable, providing some relief to the court these last two years, imperial authority might have already been suppressed by the ministers.

The Emperor’s use of the Sea Opening Sect to suppress the Local Faction was the root cause.

Many people clearly understood this.

Thus, whether an inn could open to allow businessmen to stay by paying money could lead to heated arguments.

Behind this were the repeated tests by the businessmen.

As for national sacrificial rites, because nobody interfered, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect maintained its aloof and transcendent status.

Likewise, as the brother of County Magistrate Wu was the chairman of the Ezhou Chamber of Commerce, whether he wanted to participate or not, his presence in Zigui County was already impacting local gentry interests.

Take, for example, the imperial exam.

If these people didn’t unite and make their voices heard, fear would probably rise that more children of businessmen would enter the academy, and with the protection of County Magistrate Wu, many slots would definitely be taken from them.

Li Yan had no particular fondness for either side.

Soon, Elder Song turned his focus back to the City God Temple, saluting the temple priest and saying, "Daoist Feng, do you suspect our academy has any concrete evidence?"

"Just asking, just asking."

Daoist Feng chuckled and raised his hand, saying, "This young hero Li is a master dispatched from the Yichang City God Temple, wanting to understand the situation."

Elder Song gave Li Yan a cold glance and stroked his beard, saying in a deep voice:

"Oh, so isn’t that still suspecting my academy?"

His towering presence commanded a certain authority as he bombarded with questions after entering, seizing the initiative.

Even knowing that Li Yan and his companions were magicians, he showed no fear.

Li Yan naturally wouldn’t indulge the elder, glancing faintly,

"Are you feeling guilty?"

"Impertinent brat!"

The lecturers nearby immediately erupted in anger.

Elder Song raised his hand to stop the rebukes and then said coldly, "Tell me, what should I be guilty of?"

Li Yan answered lightly, "If not guilty, why create confusion? Just asking for some information, and yet you keep pushing back with accusations?"

"They say Confucian gentlemen are gentle as jade, so how come you all act like fighting cocks?"

"Impudent!"

"Ridiculous!"

The academy crowd burst into annoyance upon hearing this.