Chapter 784: Chapter 66: Escaping (Combined Parts)
“Hold on…”
These words, spoken leisurely, carried the sll of alcohol and drowsiness from deep within, montarily suppressing the murderous intent brimming in the sheathed swords.
The martial artists in this courtyard mostly worked under the provincial governnt. Their abilities aside, their eyesight was unquestionably sharp. Tonight, too many nobles had passed through, and with many uncertainties in the events, their nerves had already been strained to the limit. At these words, their movents paused subconsciously, and their weapons clanged noisily.
Simultaneously, they turned sharply toward the source of the sound and discovered that the speaker was no noble but rely an ordinary old man whose clothes seed as if they hadn’t been changed in a long ti, pressing down on him like iron, reeking of alcohol.
Such people were common in Liangzhou, rely old drunkards.
The guard leading Wang Anfeng and another person inside was the first to bring them forward, but suddenly, a chill struck his heart as he recalled a critical issue he had overlooked earlier amidst his excitent, a deadly issue.
He rubbed his fingers together, feeling a slippery sensation, and brought them to his nose for a light sniff. The scent was faint but lingering, soothing to the mind and spirit. Yet, his heart trembled in an instant, and his face paled.
His hand had just touched the wooden plaque the old man had pulled from his sleeve.
It was made of sandalwood.
Liangzhou’s wine gatherings might now be a significant event in Xianping County, but originally, they were re ‘literary spats’ among local craftsn. The plaques from those tis made by Liangzhou’s taverns were typically of willow or peach wood, with the finer ones made from nanmu, another quality material. The finest, however, were made of sandalwood.
Sandalwood was expensive, even for a re plaque, costly enough to be valued similarly to gold. Only a handful initially received a sandalwood plaque from the tavern, including the Grandmaster Jiu Zizai, who later committed a significant cri. Soone possessing a sandalwood plaque was either wealthy or noble, or of a distinguished origin. In any case, they couldn’t be regarded ordinarily.
He had been so eager in his attack earlier that he had completely forgotten about it.
As this thought flashed through his mind and he saw Liu Ling’s relaxed deanor, carelessly smiling at him, the guard’s face turned ashen, and his stout body nearly buckled.
Tie Lin, a renowned catcher in Vermilion Clothes, narrowed his eyes and raised a hand to stop the martial artists, turning toward Liu Ling. Amid the unresolved situation, this catcher, who was well-disciplined with everyone, even during the earlier ‘fishing’ incident, hadn’t relaxed his adherence to the rules. He crossed his arms in front of Liu Ling, his voice softer than when he faced Wang Anfeng, and asked,
“May I know what further instructions the elder has?”
Liu Ling smacked his lips, tucked the wine jug into the loop of his Cloud-Patterned White Jade Belt at his waist, lifting his robe to reveal a golden silk bag embroidered with a leaping fish under the glistening waves. Originally tied at one side of his belt, it had been hidden under the layers of his robe until he deliberately lifted it a bit for everyone to see clearly.
Under the moonlight, the carp seed poised to leap over the Dragon Gate.
Tie Lin’s pupils sharply contracted.
Liu Ling flicked his robe, letting the dusty hem fall to cover the goldfish bag, and said lazily,
“I rember, in the laws of Great Qin, there was a decree stating that the Jianghu and the Imperial Court are distinct. If an official of Great Qin falls into a Jianghu vendetta, certain leniencies are allowed. However, if later investigations reveal more, severe punishnts can follow.”
“Being of advanced age, my mory might not be accurate, but I am sure I haven’t misrecalled.”
Tie Lin’s expression changed repeatedly.
Sure enough, such a law existed within Qin’s legal code, essentially allowing the Imperial Court to ‘fish’ within Jianghu. Originally crafted by Zhou Fengyue, Scholar of Heaven Capital City, countless Jianghu moles of the Imperial Court had been exposed due to this Qin decree and were subsequently utilized and disposed of neatly once deed valueless.
Official kills official, more adeptly than even the Jianghu people.
Jianghu folk kill with swords; officials kill with pens.
When the decree left the Ministry of Punishnt, while the deceased belonged to Jianghu, it ran on dual tracks. Thus, Zhou Fengyue quietly cleared his na, leaving the huge bla to be shouldered by the Court of Judicial Review and all the scholars of the legalistic school who were involved. Remaining at ho, studying and practicing martial arts, they were hit by a trendous scapegoating, often resulting in conflicts with martial artists of Jianghu, leading to much bloodshed.
With such profound enmity, disciples of the legalistic school naturally disliked ntioning this law, yet bringing it up now seed perfectly fitting.
Earlier, the hook of Liu Ling’s Cloud-Patterned White Jade Belt, along with that goldfish bag, had repeatedly erged before Tie Lin, igniting a burning desire and greed within him. However, he suppressed this craving as he heard Wuxin’s footsteps behind him.
Though his face remained calm, his heart was still tumultuous.
That was a goldfish bag.
Great Qin’s ancestor by the na Li Hu, marked the only absence of a ‘Tiger Talisman’ within Great Qin, instead representing ‘Li’ through ‘carp,’ aning the ‘Fish Talisman.’ Even the seal of high officials could be hidden within the fish bag, and to wear such a fish bag, one must be at least Fifth Rank or higher.
The goldfish bag, according to regulations, was an honor reserved for Third Rank officials of the Imperial Court.
If not so, then it implied imnse imperial favor; having once received the emperor’s special grace, such a person was equally untouchable, especially soone he could not afford to provoke. These rules were not necessarily adhered to strictly; there was no need to incite conflict with such individuals.
Just as he was about to retreat, Wuxin, who had stepped forward, crossed his arms and spoke lightly,
“Qin’s laws indeed have such a clause, but may I boldly ask which rank the elder holds? What brings him here? Which year’s official rank is yet to be corrected? And where did this goldfish bag co from? The regulations of the Ministry of Punishnt require clarity. I hope you don’t mind.”
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