Chapter Sixty-One: Judged for Treason
After greeting the two women, he bound the young master tightly. Behind him trailed the wretched Elder Ge and several henchmen, some missing hands or legs, as he dragged them straight toward the villa Cang Aotian had arranged in advance, ignoring the young master’s furious screams and curses.
Such a bizarre scene drew countless onlookers along the way.
...
Several kilometers from the prefect’s mansion, in a solitary villa, Gu Xiaopang was merrily drinking with the two women on the second floor when chaos erupted below.
“Surround all four directions! Don’t let even a fly escape!”
Over a thousand soldiers clad in velvet armor, wielding long halberds, swiftly encircled the villa in layer upon layer of blockade.
The commotion brought out countless curious spectators, who called friends to join them. Soon, outside the street, a human sea formed an unbroken chain.
“Listen inside! I am Lin Gang, commander of a thousand men from the prefect’s office. Surrender your hostages and lay down your arms at once!”
...
“What an imposing presence! I will count to three—if you refuse to show yourselves, you will be charged with resisting arrest and executed on the spot!”
“One!”
“Two—”
“I’ll help you count! Three!”
Just as Commander Lin Gang finished his second count and paused for breath, a furious shout rang out from the second floor of the villa, completing the count for him.
“Bold! Boy! How dare you call yourself ‘Young Master’ in front of Lord Lin?! ...”
“Under what authority do you surround my villa? Is there an order from the prefect’s office, or are you backing that shameless young master?”
“You...”
“Enough nonsense! Release them at once, or else...”
“Or else what?”
...
“Charged with rebellion...”
The commander, silenced by the interrogation, trembled with rage and blurted the threat without thinking.
...
“This kid’s got guts—Lin Gang’s notorious reputation precedes him...”
“To offend Lin Gang like this, his days of ease are surely over.”
“Do we even have to ask? If this were an official order from the prefect’s office, would it have come to this? Clearly Lin Gang’s been bribed to stand up for that bound brat.”
“Exactly. Lin Gang is infamous for crushing ‘rebels’ and has harmed many good men...”
...
The crowd outside the street discussed heatedly, but none dared to intervene. Yet...
“Stop!”
“Lord Lin, I witnessed the entire incident. The fault does not lie with this gentleman, but entirely with that young master...”
“Impudent! Men!”
“He’s their accomplice! Seize him at once—if he resists, kill without mercy!”
...
“What authority you wield!”
Angered to laughter by the spectacle, Gu Xiaopang flashed from the second floor and landed. In the blink of an eye, his Five Spirit Rings swept through the soldiers around Lin Gang, scattering them like leaves.
Before Lin Gang, in his false pill realm, could react, Gu Xiaopang struck first, landing a fierce kick to Lin Gang’s dantian.
“Crack—”
“Ugh!”
Gu Xiaopang’s body had long reached the foundation-building stage; with his cultivation supporting him, the kick was more than any false pill could withstand. Lin Gang fell from his horse, his dantian shattered, blood spewing instantly.
“Does this count as rebellion? Hmm?!”
“You...”
Gu Xiaopang seized Lin Gang by the collar, lifted him, and questioned word by word. Lin Gang, eyes wide in terror, managed only a single syllable before fainting.
...
“Ruthless.”
“Satisfying!”
“Didn’t expect this kid to be so fierce!”
“He kicked down a false pill cultivator! Remarkable!”
“This kid... has really stirred up trouble now.”
...
The crowd murmured in astonishment.
“Brother, thank you for your righteous words just now. I am Gu Changqing—may I ask your name?”
“No need for such formality, friend. I am Li Haisong. I just happened to pass by and spoke the truth.”
...
Having subdued Lin Gang and his soldiers, Gu Xiaopang clasped his fists in gratitude to the man who had spoken up for him. They quickly fell into friendly conversation.
...