No one understood Xu Qi An’s military salute from his past life, but Song Tingfeng sensed part of the killing intent from the Bronze Gong, which came from Zhu Yinluo’s direct subordinate.
“Grab him, don’t let him escape,” Song Tingfeng shouted, rushing forward to pin Xu Qi An down, twisting his arms behind his back. He then looked around at everyone:
“Bronze Gong Xu Qi An attacked his superior, disregarding the law. He must be handed over to the yamen for trial.”
Zhu Guangxiao came over silently, taking the rope from his waist to personally bind his colleague.
Seeing that the two had subdued Xu Qi An, the surrounding Bronze Gongs slightly relaxed.
Song Tingfeng’s face was grim as he whispered in Zhu Guangxiao’s ear: “You take him back to the yamen. I’ll go ahead and report this to the boss. Remember, don’t let Zhu Yinluo’s subordinates escort him. Keep him under guard.”
After saying this, Song Tingfeng clasped his hands and said: “This man and I both serve under Li Yinluo. He has committed such a grave crime, and we also bear responsibility. We will escort him back to the yamen. The rest of you, continue with the property confiscation.”
“Alright!”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
The other Bronze Gongs replied.
Since Song Tingfeng had taken responsibility, the crime of a prisoner escaping would also fall on him, and it would no longer be their concern.
Moreover, the task of confiscating property wasn’t finished, and everyone still wanted to pocket some silver.
Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao found a few colleagues who had played Russian roulette at the brothel last night to help escort Xu Qi An.
Old Song seemed angry and didn’t speak to Xu Qi An the whole way, even kicking him twice.
After leaving the mansion, he rode ahead at full gallop.
Xu Qi An, bound with ropes, sat on horseback, escorted by four Bronze Gongs towards the Night Watchmen yamen.
At this point, the adrenaline had worn off, and Xu Qi An began to worry about himself.
He was afraid of death, but he didn’t regret his actions. If the criminal official’s family members hadn’t been implicated; they could have left unscathed.
Xu Qi An had been trying to adapt to the rules of this era, striving to blend in and go with the flow, as he had told Xu Xinnian.
It was also what he had been telling himself.
At least now, as an eighth-rank martial artist, he could only learn to adapt to the environment.
Until he saw the fate that befell that child, Xu Qi An’s gradually cooling faith suddenly became fervent and clear. He had rediscovered his original intention.
…
“Hya! Hya! Hya!” Song Tingfeng spurred his horse on, whipping its hindquarters while shouting: “Night Watchmen on duty, get out of the way, everyone get out of the way!”
Pedestrians scrambled to retreat, with curses rising and falling.
Song Tingfeng ignored it all, galloping at full speed back to the Night Watchmen yamen. He didn’t even throw the reins to the white-robed attendant at the gate, rushing into the yamen.
…
Li Yuchun was working in the hall when his ears twitched. He raised his head, waited for a few seconds, and Song Tingfeng came rushing into the Spring Wind Hall.
“What’s the matter?” Li Yuchun asked.
Such hurried and urgent footsteps must mean there was something to report.
“Xu Qi An almost killed Zhu Yinluo. Boss, we need to save him quickly,” Song Tingfeng spoke rapidly, not waiting for Li Yuchun to ask questions, he continued: “Zhu Guangxiao and the other colleagues are escorting him back to the yamen. Zhu Jinluo will soon get the news. I’m afraid Xu Qi An won’t even have a chance to enter the yamen.”
Li Yuchun didn’t ask any more questions. He stood up abruptly and led Song Tingfeng out of the Spring Wind Hall.
His target was clear: Yang Yan’s Divine Spear Hall.
Only a Gold Gong could deal with another Gold Gong.
As they walked quickly, Li Yuchun spoke: “What exactly happened?”
Song Tingfeng, slightly out of breath, quickly explained: “Zhu wanted to violate the female family members of the criminal official. Xu Qi An stopped him, and they got into a conflict. Xu Qi An slashed Zhu Yinluo with one strike, leaving him on the brink of death…”
After finishing, Song Tingfeng continued to add details, including how Zhu Yinluo had deliberately targeted and made things difficult for Xu Qi An before they set out.
Violate the female family members of a criminal official?
If Li Yuchun had initially felt some reproach towards Xu Qi An for injuring Zhu Yinluo, he now firmly stood on Xu Qi An’s side.
“When we see Gold Gong Yang, you tell the story again, but remember one thing: don’t mention that Zhu Yinluo deliberately made things difficult for Xu Qi An,” Li Yuchun warned.
Song Tingfeng was stunned for a few seconds, then immediately understood, nodding vigorously.
If they mentioned the conflict within the yamen, Gold Gong Yang might think that the clash between Xu Qi An and Zhu Yinluo involved personal factors.
That would be equivalent to a feud and brawl.
By not mentioning it, Xu Qi An’s actions would be purely enforcing the law. Yes, that’s it, enforcing the law.
The composition of the confiscation team was designed to prevent embezzlement and ensure mutual supervision.
But Xu Qi An had still made a mistake, a very serious mistake. His correct action should have been to return to the yamen and report it, not to take matters into his own hands, causing his superior to be severely injured.
In any yamen, subordinates attacking superiors, killing or severely injuring superiors, was a capital offense punishable by waist-chopping.
“Can he… still be saved?” Song Tingfeng’s lips were dry.
“…” Li Yuchun glanced at him, “I don’t know.”
The two arrived at the Divine Spear Hall. Yang Yan wasn’t at the Lofty Spirit Tower accompanying Wei Yuan today. He was sitting cross-legged, practicing breathing exercises.
He didn’t seem inclined to open his eyes, continuing to breathe and circulate his energy.
Usually, Li Yuchun would obediently wait until Yang Yan finished his practice before reporting any matters.
But today he couldn’t wait. Li Yuchun said in a deep voice: “Gold Gong Yang, something serious has happened.”
Yang Yan opened his eyes, expressionless, showing no anger or displeasure: “What happened?”
Li Yuchun glanced at Song Tingfeng, who immediately reported the conflict between Xu Qi An and Zhu Yinluo during the property confiscation, omitting the personal grudge from the assembly time.
Li Yuchun then added: “With Zhu Jinluo’s temperament, I’m afraid Xu Qi An won’t make it back.”
Yang Yan’s expression became grave. “I understand.”
He stood up, took a step, and disappeared from the hall.
…
Zhu Yang was one of the ten Bronze Gongs in the capital’s Night Watchmen yamen, a fourth-rank martial artist. In his early years, he joined the army, starting as a common soldier and working his way up to become a Baihu (a military rank) through accumulated military merits. Later, he caught Wei Yuan’s eye and was recruited into the Night Watchmen organization for special training.
He was considered one of Wei Yuan’s direct Gold Gongs, with a status only slightly lower than the two adopted sons.
Zhu Yang had three sons. The eldest was neither good at literary nor martial arts, the second was mediocre in studies and worked in the Ministry of Personnel.
Only the third son, Zhu Chengzhu, was exceptionally talented. He was the youngest Silver Gong in the Night Watchmen yamen and was highly valued by Zhu Yang.
At this moment, one of his subordinates Silver Gongs rushed in, looking distressed, “Sir, sir, something terrible has happened… Young Master Zhu is in trouble…”
Zhu Yang, who had been looking down at documents, immediately raised his head. He listened as the Silver Gong continued: “Young Master Zhu was injured by a Bronze Gong. His life hangs by a thread. He’s been brought back to the yamen and is receiving emergency treatment. I’ve sent someone to summon a magician from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.”
Led by the Silver Gong, Zhu Yang rushed to his son’s Eagle Hall, where he saw his youngest son unconscious, with a ghastly wound on his chest.
Several Silver Gongs under his command were taking turns to transfer their energy to him, maintaining his body’s vitality. Two doctors from the yamen were providing treatment.
Gold Gong Zhu’s face was dark: “How’s the situation?”
The two doctors seemed not to have heard, continuing their work: stopping the bleeding, applying medicine, using acupuncture to sustain life, and suturing the wound.
“If the sword wound had been half an inch deeper, it would have split open his heart. At that point, even a magician from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices couldn’t have saved him,” one doctor looked up and said:
“It was the Bronze Gong’s magical tool that protected Young Master Zhu from the fatal blow, fortunately preserving his life. But the sword’s energy has invaded his internal organs. If we don’t extract the energy, Young Master Zhu will last at most another half hour.”
“When will the magician from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices arrive?” Gold Gong Zhu’s voice suddenly rose.
“We’ve already sent someone to summon them. They should be here soon,” replied the Silver Gong who had led him here.
Gold Gong Zhu nodded: “Who did this?”
The Silver Gong replied: “Bronze Gong Xu Qi An, under Li Yuchun’s command…”
Xu Qi An?
Gold Gong Zhu had heard of this minor figure. Jiang Luzhong and Yang Yan had fought because of him. But he was just a small Bronze Gong, how could he injure his son?
“During the assembly, that little Bronze Gong was late. Silver Gong Zhu disciplined him, but he harbored resentment. During the property confiscation, Silver Gong Zhu merely flirted with a criminal official’s female family member, and he drew his sword to attack.”
This Silver Gong had heard this from the reporting Bronze Gong. The events were indeed like this, but after his embellishment, the cause and effect became blurred, and concepts were subtly shifted.
He pinned the cause of the conflict on the Bronze Gong named Xu Qi An. After all, he couldn’t very well tell the father in front of him: Your son was violating a criminal official’s female family member and got slashed.
Seeing Gold Gong Zhu’s iron-grey face, the Silver Gong continued: “That Xu Qi An is already on his way back under escort. He should be reaching the yamen soon.”
Confirming that the white-robed magician from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices had ample time to arrive, Zhu Yang took a deep look at his unconscious youngest son, then vanished from the hall like a gust of strong wind.
Gold Gong Zhu had just rushed out of the yamen when looking towards the long street, he saw six riders approaching slowly. One of them was Xu Qi An, his hands bound with rope.
The other five riders surrounded him, escorting him back to the yamen. The rest of the Night Watchmen were still confiscating property and taking inventory of assets.
Gold Gong Zhu fixed his gaze on the small Bronze Gong on horseback, showing no anger or killing intent. His fingers manipulated his energy. With a “clang,” Zhu Guangxiao’s sword automatically unsheathed, and under the control of the energy, it slashed towards Xu Qi An.
Everyone was caught off guard, including Xu Qi An, whose hands were bound.
“Clang!”
Another Bronze Gong’s sword was also unsheathed, blocking the blade that was about to kill Xu Qi An.
Both standard-issue swords fell to the ground with a “clatter.”
Xu Qi An had been prepared for this, but cold sweat still broke out on his back.
Zhu Yang, who had been as emotionless as if crushing an ant, finally darkened his expression. He turned his head to glare at the expressionless man behind him, suppressing his fury:
“Attempted murder of a superior officer is punishable by death according to the law. You can’t protect him.”
“If he’s to be executed, I’ll do it,” the expressionless Yang Yan met the other’s furious gaze calmly. “Since when is it your place to touch my people?”
“Fine, let Lord Wei decide this matter.”
The two immediately went to the Lofty Spirit Tower to seek Wei Yuan’s judgment.
After being announced, the expressionless Yang Yan and the furious Zhu Yang ascended the tower, meeting Wei Yuan on the seventh floor.
Wei Yuan stood in the observation room, his back to the tea room.
Nan Gong Qianrou stood at the junction of the observation room and the tea room, leaning against the wall with a cold smile mixed with amusement.
“Lord Wei!” Zhu Yang cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: “My son Zhu Chengzhu was severely injured by Bronze Gong Xu Qi An, hanging between life and death. He’s still not out of danger.
“I implore Lord Wei to do justice for me and severely punish Bronze Gong Xu Qi An.”
He raised his head to look at Wei Yuan’s back, and seeing that he hadn’t turned around, continued: “Lord Wei, this matter…”
Zhu Yang recounted the events in detail.
Only then did Wei Yuan turn around, walk back to the tea room, and sit down at the table.
Yang Yan said: “Father, I have a different account. Zhu Chengzhu took advantage of the property confiscation to attempt to violate a criminal official’s female family member. He was stopped by Bronze Gong Xu Qi An. Not only did Zhu Chengzhu not rein himself in, but he dragged the woman into the courtyard, intending to violate her publicly. Xu Qi An tried to dissuade him but failed, and in anger, he took action.”
It was unlike Gold Gong Yang to say so much at once.
“Nonsense!” Zhu Yang exploded in anger. “It’s Bronze Gong Xu Qi An seeking personal revenge!”
Wei Yuan set out tea cups and brewed tea as if no one else was there, waiting for the two Gold Gongs to finish arguing—mainly Zhu Yang shouting and questioning angrily, while Yang Yan couldn’t be bothered to respond.
“Since there’s a disagreement, let’s have a confrontation,” Wei Yuan said.
Soon, Song Tingfeng, Zhu Guangxiao, and several other Bronze Gongs who had returned first were called up, including Xu Qi An.
He was surrounded by everyone, his hands bound with rope.
“Explain clearly!” Wei Yuan swept his gaze over everyone, speaking gently.
All the Bronze Gongs lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, even though this great eunuch had always presented a kind and modest image.
Zhu Yang fixed his sharp gaze on the Silver Gong who had reported to him: “You report the events to Lord Wei, one by one, in detail.”
The Silver Gong then reported again, his account identical to what he had told Zhu Yang.
Several Bronze Gongs frowned.
Zhu Guangxiao pushed Song Tingfeng. He was taciturn and not good with words, so he had to let his more outgoing colleague speak up.
I stammer when speaking in front of Lord Wei too… Song Tingfeng took a deep breath: “Lord Wei, I have something to report.”
After receiving Wei Yuan’s nod, Song Tingfeng said in a low voice: “When we assembled, we weren’t late, but Silver Gong Zhu deliberately made things difficult for us, physically beating me and Xu Qi An.
“During the property confiscation, he forcibly kept the three of us in the front hall, not allowing us to enter the inner courtyard. A higher-ranking official can crush a lower one, so we had no choice but to comply.
“It wasn’t until we heard the cries of the women from the back courtyard that Xu Qi An couldn’t bear it anymore and rushed over. He managed to drive away the other Bronze Gongs but was helpless against Silver Gong Zhu.
“Silver Gong Zhu knowingly broke the law. Not only did he not restrain himself, but he dragged the woman into the courtyard, intending to violate her publicly, to force Xu Qi An to take action.”
Zhu Yang narrowed his eyes: “Framing a superior is also a capital offense.”
Song Tingfeng gritted his teeth and said loudly: “Lord Wei, please judge fairly. All the Bronze Gongs present witnessed this.”
It was the same incident with similar accounts, but in fact, they represented two different concepts.
The Silver Gong’s report highlighted that Xu Qi An had seized upon Zhu Yinluo’s mistake to strike a fatal blow, seeking personal revenge.
The core of Song Tingfeng’s account was that the Silver Gong had maliciously provoked and made things difficult at every turn. Xu Qi An had endured for a long time until he finally couldn’t stand the Silver Gong’s crimes anymore and acted in anger to uphold justice.
Wei Yuan looked at the other Bronze Gongs.
The Bronze Gongs lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
It was a fight between titans; they couldn’t afford to offend either side.
Wei Yuan said gently: “Speak the truth, and I’ll ensure your safety.”
Reassured by this, the Bronze Gongs exchanged glances and said in low voices: “Xu Qi An and the other two indeed weren’t late…”
Another one held back, then couldn’t resist saying: “What Song Tingfeng said is true. Silver Gong Zhu did drag the woman into the courtyard, intending to violate her in front of us, and his words were full of provocation towards Xu Qi An.”
This was the advantage of a multi-team structure. If all the Bronze Gongs were under Gold Gong Zhu, their statements would have been uniform, pointing the finger at Xu Qi An.
Zhu Yang snorted coldly: “Even so, it should be handled by the yamen.”
He cleverly shifted the focus of the conflict. Regardless of the true reason, the fact that Xu Qi An had nearly killed his superior was indisputable.
His son had made a mistake, but since when was it up to a mere Bronze Gong to punish him? Moreover, the error of violating a criminal official’s female family member wasn’t that serious. At most, it would result in a salary reduction, confinement and demotion, or in the worst case, dismissal from office.
With the matter having escalated to this point, how many Night Watchmen in the yamen were watching and waiting? He didn’t believe Wei Yuan would show favoritism to a Bronze Gong, even if he had once been valued by two Gold Gongs.
Wei Yuan said: “Zhu Chengzhu knowingly broke the law. For disregarding criminal statutes, he is dismissed from office effective immediately and will never be employed again.”
Zhu Yang’s face changed.
Wei Yuan continued: “Bronze Gong Xu Qi An attacked a Silver Gong, causing severe injury. This is a heinous crime. He will be imprisoned and executed by waist-chopping at the vegetable market in seven days.”
Zhu Yang closed his eyes and said no more.
“You may leave now. Don’t disturb my reading,” Wei Yuan waved his hand.
Everyone bowed and was about to retreat when suddenly Xu Qi An said in a low voice: “Lord Wei…”
Under everyone’s gaze, he took two steps forward and asked: “To serve with a deep heart, not seeking personal benefit. Is that truly sincere?”
As he asked this question, Xu Qi An stared intently into Wei Yuan’s eyes.
Wei Yuan smiled and said: “Of course it’s sincere.”
Xu Qi An nodded. He looked around at everyone, pausing at the faces of Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, as if giving an explanation to his concerned colleagues: “You eat your salary, the fat and marrow of the people. The common people are easily oppressed, but Heaven is hard to deceive.”
He straightened his back: “This is equally my sincere words.”