Different Year, Same Thing (Part 21)

One man, perhaps, deserved more credit than Shen Yiren, who brought down the gavel, and that was Linan's county magistrate. He was always a yes-man as far as everyone was concern, yet he managed to call in backup within a day.

Seeking Liu Shan Men's aid came as a surprise to everyone as their downfall the last two years was woefully evident, with their numbers dwindling dramatically due to members leaving for one reason or another, while Yan Shisan had vanished into thin air after being fired and placed under internal investigation, apparently. What they didn't know was that the county magistrate was neither stupid nor crazy but an erstwhile member of Liu Shan Men.

"I must report this to my superiors," decided Xie Duzhe, galloping back into the city after heading to the gate once he saw and heard the crowds cheer on Shen Yiren for her verdict.

Although Xie Duzhe hadn't been in Hangzhou for long, he had visited all of the places the wealthy and influential had visited, which was why the proprietor of an inn recognised him as he climbed the stairs leading to the backyard.

Xie Duzhe ambled, though on high alert, over to sit next to a gentleman.

"So?" uttered the man, unsurprised to have a guest.

Though the man's voice was deep and low unlike the vibrant atmosphere, nobody seemed to hear him. Even though Xie Duzhe was cognisant of the fact that the man was an adept, that sort of internal strength was the haymaker of punches. His gaze triggered an irresistible urge to voluntarily genuflect. Xie Duzhe would've spent a few more seconds in admiration if he wasn't aware the man disliked waiting for he deemed it a waste of time.

"Your subject wanted to settle the matter without being conspicuous, one, to have the six clans be more subservient to Dark Robe Brotherhood and, two, to avoid drawing attention from the imperial court for that might impact your designs for Hangzhou. Unfortunately… an unpredicted variable was introduced. The girl who was invited to stand in for me was Liu Shan Men's Shen Clan's descendent…"

"Shen Yiren."

"Y-you know her, Sir?"

"What did she do?"

"She… She…"

"You must think I have spare time on my hands."

Feeling a dire hunger for air, Xie Duzhe answered as if his life rode on his response, saying, "… Sh-she gave the order to execute the six, confiscate their clans' assets and exile their immediate family five hundred kilometres. If they resisted or dodged their penance, their clan would be beheaded and put on public display."

The man kept his gaze on Xie Duzhe, but the pressure emitted from him reduced as though it was a visual spell he could switch on and off at will. Perspiring and gasping for air, Xie Duzhe stuttered, "Th-thank you, Sir."

Once he was done deliberating, the man questioned, "What's your evaluation of Shen Yiren?"

"Huh?" Recalling he just had a brush with death for dithering, Xie Duzhe blurted with reckless abandon, "In your subject's opinion, she is very likely to be the next Yan Shisan. With her at the helm, Liu Shan Men can rise from the ashes."

What the heck did I say that for? He hates Yan Shisan as much as Ximen Chuideng. Curse my stupid mouth! Why didn't I heed my family's advice, working as a scholar instead of joining Qilin Guards. I'm still not valued, and this looks like the end of the line for me now.

"… I… agree."

"Eh?"

"I'm not surprised with her performance given. Yan Shisan personally mentored her. Her father was Liu Shan Men's former commander, and Emperor Yuansheng dotes on Shen Clan. He, as a matter of fact, might even like Shen Yiren more than his own daughters. She's a competent girl, evident from the ten-odd big cases she's cracked in less than a year and the order she has instilled at Liu Shan Men. No female official has ever made a name for themselves at such a young age before."

I see. Knowing how he looks down on everyone, yet happened to know Shen Yiren's name, he must've been monitoring her all this time.

"She has a sense of belonging to Liu Shan Men and treats it as her pride, so she can ever be bribed. Liu Shan Men's return to glory is only a matter of time under her leadership."

"You mean we need to deal with her as our priority?"

"No, never harm her. Just because His Majesty relies on the Qilin Guards a lot, doesn't mean he holds them in high regard; he just has no choice since they're the strongest faction. He has never considered them among the three offices overwatching the martial world. Targeting Shen Yiren is tantamount to hurting a Princess. The Qilin Guards' are his blade, not the imperial court's poison."

"Does that not mean we are letting her run wild?"

The man wagged his hand: "It doesn't matter. Her twin brother is almost the complete reverse of his sister. In saying that, he will be Shen Clan's successor in the end because Shen Yiren will have to marry. It's not difficult for me to advise His Majesty to set up a marriage for her when she comes of age; there are plenty of candidates in the imperial court to choose from. Therefore, it is impossible for her to revive Liu Shan Men before she must marry into another clan."

Indeed, His Majesty is always generous towards descendants of old friends and, therefore, would never leave Shen Yiren single forever. Should she refuse to marry, His Majesty will infer that she covets her brother's leadership. Though he may dote on her, His Majesty is not the type to be lenient on the ambitious. This strategy will imperceptibly eliminate Shen Yiren perfectly. Beautiful.

The man wasn't keen on continuing with the topic for he believed he already had it in the bag. Never in his wildest imagination did he expect a curve ball from her and her victory. It was then that he finally treated her as a strategist worth taking seriously. Nevertheless, that is a story for another day.

"Also… Mount Lu's forces have pulled out of Hangzhou. Ling Xuezhao, Ling Cong, Murong Song and even Wind Passing Dragon Hall were seen amongst those on the expedition."

"Hmph, Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary was just marching to their death."

"Your subject does not follow."

"I had thirty thousand Qilin Guards nearby a day's journey away to decimate that old fox."

No wonder why Ling Hanzhong never noticed the Qilin Guards' presence. That said, the Qilin Guards would never make it in time to stop Ling Hanzhong from that far away. Wait… wait… He set them a day's journey away on purpose!

"The plan was to have the Qilin Guards sneak into Hangzhou via a secret path once Ling Hanzhong's forces were exhausted, taking them out in one effortless fell swoop. With Demon Sect out of the picture, the fall of Mount Lu would spur them to call for support from Sword Immortal Grasshouse and Cold Mountain Temple, inciting a long war between the Seven Champion White Princes."

Merely thinking I was part of such an elaborate plan will give me nightmares.

"Wh-what about the dead?" stuttered Xie Duzhe, uttering words only those eager for an early funeral would in that situation.

"They're pitiful. However, they would be even more pitiful if we don't do that… No world needs two orders."

The man walked off with the weight off the world on his broad shoulders. Nobody remembered his appearance or that he dropped by. Howbeit, they would remember the silver ring embellished with a white horse on his left thumb.

Xie Duzhe breathed as though he was oxygen deprived after the man left. He was trying to adjust himself when a smiling face popped into his line of sight and called, "Constable Xie."

"You are…"

"It is understandable for a man as busy as yourself to forget about me. It is our inn's great honour to have you here."

"How can I help you?"

"As you would seldom visit, I wish to ask you for a reward."

Xie Duzhe couldn't say know to the proprietor smiling so brightly. Unfortunately, Xie Duzhe realised he forgot his wallet.

"If you could reward me with a few words, it would be my family's honour."

Not having a better suggestion, Xie Duzhe grabbed a brush and wrote, "Xie Duzhe's Reward" dead centre on a sheet of white paper.

***

Ling Qingshu, looking as savage as beasts in the woods, went like a bat out of hell in female clothing that was visibly too small for him and torn as a result of violence, panting and recalling the moments he wished he was rid of his three-day nightmare already. Whenever he heard a sound, he'd instinctively speed up even though nobody was on his tail.

The proprietor was so pleased with Ling Qingshu after his first night serving customers, which left him covered in clear liquid, stinking and bloody, that he had Ling Qingshu dolled up as a