Chapter Fifty-Two: Hooves Crush Bones, Crime of Deceiving the Army

Han Chong and his companion did not follow the crowd into the city immediately. Instead, they visited the other three gates, applying the same method as before, and only then did they enter the city along with the masses.

Yunzhou City truly deserved its reputation as the capital of the region. Not only were its walls sturdy and its moats deep, but it sprawled over nearly five hundred li. The streets were wide and bustling, lined with taverns and shops; everywhere, one could see red-maned horses and gilded saddles. People dressed in silk and satin, adorned with pearls and jade, were too numerous to count.

When they reached the southern market, a sudden clatter of galloping hooves echoed through the air. Turning to look, they saw a richly dressed young man riding a tall horse, accompanied by several servants. The man’s features bore a striking resemblance to the so-called “peach blossom eyes.” He paid no heed as his horse trampled and scattered the wares of street vendors, instead wearing a faint smile, as if riding through the bustling market brought him a sense of undeniable presence.

Seeing that it was only a matter of time before innocent citizens were injured, a flash of white light appeared in Han Chong’s concealed hand. A single-wheel cart, about to be overturned, suddenly spun and blocked the path of the horse, sending both rider and horse tumbling to the ground.

The servants behind could not stop in time. The sound of a horse’s hoof striking bone rang out, followed by the crack of a leg breaking. The servant’s lower leg was crushed.

Han Chong shrugged. He could hardly be blamed for this; he merely intended to unseat the rider, but by some twist of fate, the servant’s horse hoof landed directly on the bone. Even if a martial master had suffered such a blow, they would be crippled for life.

A heart-rending scream echoed down the street.

“Master, are you all right?” Several servants dismounted and hurried to check on him.

Unexpectedly, the young master drew his sword and, in a swift arc, killed all five servants on the spot.

Yet, despite venting his rage, he soon discovered that no one dared carry him off for treatment. He remained in place, crying out in pain.

Who would dare help him now?

Han Chong shook his head. Truly a spoiled scion, he thought, wondering if the young man was related to the officer with the peach blossom eyes.

Han Chong and his companion settled at a roadside stall, ordered two large bowls of tea, and waited quietly.

After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, a team of constables passed by. Upon seeing the carnage, they grimaced and prepared to retreat.

But they could not escape the gaze of the crippled young master, who began cursing loudly.

“Cai Zizhen, you fool! Can’t you see I’m here? How dare you try to run? Do you want to keep your job or not?”

“Eh! Isn’t this Fourth Young Master? Why are you sitting on the ground? Someone, quickly carry Fourth Young Master home!”

The constable, with a smile as insincere as a tiger’s, hurried over, feigning surprise and concern.

Smack! A resounding slap landed on the constable’s face, leaving a blood-red print.

“Heh, Fourth Young Master, well struck! It seems your martial skills have improved yet again. I truly admire you!”

Not for nothing was he called the smiling tiger; even after a slap, his expression did not change, showing not a hint of anger.

From the constable’s words, it became clear that this Fourth Young Master was the brother of the peach blossom-eyed officer, the fourth son of the prefect. Han Chong pursed his lips, thinking that like father, like son.

Yet it was odd—every official Han Chong had encountered, from the county magistrate to the governor, had been controlled by the Fourth Prince of Resentment. If the prefect himself had submitted to the Silver Moon Bronze Guard, he should have opened the gates to welcome the rebel armies.

Yet he kept the gates tightly shut, exacted extra fees from honest citizens, seeming untouched by the turmoil.

...

Han Chong led Mingzhen to the Demon-Slaying Provincial Office. Unlike the desolate branch offices, this place was neither empty nor bustling, but dozens of people came and went. Its gates were high, eaves soaring, black-tiled courtyards and halls numbering over ten, with officials in crimson robes—likely the civil officers of the province.

Upon reaching the third courtyard, Han Chong spotted Leng Yue and his companions sitting quietly in one of the halls. He approached, and they noticed him, their eyes lighting up as they rose to greet him.

“What’s this? Only a few days apart, and you don’t recognize me?” Han Chong asked with a smile.

“You?” They looked puzzled. Though only days had passed, he seemed strangely unfamiliar, especially to Leng Yue.

When he had first met Han Chong, he was a mere junior constable. Now, his aura was robust, his spirit intense, and his features seemed to have aged by more than ten years, resembling Captain Ning in middle age.

“You’ve changed.”

Han Chong understood. First, his breakthrough into a higher realm had deepened his presence, which was normal. Second, the God-Slaying Pursuit Curse had consumed much of his lifespan, making him appear suddenly older. Leng Yue sensed it at a glance—Han Chong had transformed from youth to middle age, and Han Chong himself felt a pressing urgency.

“Heh! Changed or not, I’m still myself. How are you all? Where are Captain Ning and Captain Wu?”

“They’re in the inner hall for a meeting, just left not long ago. Would you like me to take you?”

“Yes, that would be good.” Han Chong nodded. It must be a meeting of officers ranked above Captain in the Demon-Slaying Provincial Office, and perhaps the rumored General of Guerrilla Forces was present.

With Leng Yue guiding him, Han Chong reached the second floor of the hall, explained his identity, and two black-robed captains opened the door to admit him.

Inside, over twenty gray-robed captains sat in a circle, with nine purple-robed officers seated around the central table, all glancing at the entrance. Upon seeing Han Chong’s attire and face, they turned back to focus on the man seated at the head.

Han Chong bowed respectfully to him. The man wore a sleeved robe of bronze armor, a bronze helmet with a cloud-shaped crest, a bristling beard, fierce brows, a scar across his nose, and a murderous glint in his eyes.

“Han Chong, Captain of Martial Valor from Pei Jun’s Prefecture, pays respects to the general!”

“Sit,” the general replied unemotionally, nodding slightly.

Han Chong nodded in assent and found a seat.

“Captain Li, continue,” the general said.

“Yes, General, fellow colleagues,” replied a round-faced, purple-robed captain. “As I understand it, the sudden uprising in Ma Yi Prefecture was due to officials’ extortion and oppression, compounded by agitation from the Black Lotus Sect. The turmoil surged like a tide, overrunning the prefectural office. Our branch office has no authority over civil affairs, and since events unfolded rapidly, the prefecture was breached in a single day, the governor vanished, and our captains had to relocate to the provincial office.”

“Oh? What about the rest of you?” The bronze-armored general swept his gaze over the others.

“My prefecture was the same!” Several purple-robed officers nodded in agreement.

“Hmph! If what you say is true, why has Pei Jun’s Prefecture remained peaceful and stable? Captain Chen, tell us—what is the situation in your jurisdiction?”

All the purple-robed captains turned their gaze to the officer with the peach blossom eyes.

“This—reporting to the general, I only recently joined the Pei Jun branch office and am not yet familiar with its workings. Perhaps the Black Lotus Sect hasn’t infiltrated my prefecture.”

He felt a chill, his eyes flickering, and replied awkwardly.

“Hmm?” The general’s fierce eyes widened, a flash of red appearing, startling the officer into shrinking his neck and breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Captain Chen, do you realize that deceiving this general is a crime against the army?”

Swallowing hard, the officer bowed again.

“Not at all, not at all. Actually, we did encounter some evil spirits in Pei Jun’s Prefecture, but after slaying them, calm was restored.”

At those words, the captains all narrowed their eyes, staring intently at the officer with the peach blossom eyes. If what he said was true, it implied that evil spirits had been stirring trouble in every prefecture, and they had failed in their duty to exterminate them.

Yet everyone knew that this officer was the third son of the prefect, and had recently broken through to the realm of spiritual energy refinement. With Captain Jiang of Pei Jun dying unexpectedly, he had taken advantage of connections, been selected by the general, and appointed as the Officer of Pacification.