Chapter Sixty-seven: Cause and Effect...

After bidding farewell to Empress Dowager Chen, Xu Boqing paid his respects at Chief Huang’s grave. Afterwards, dressed in a pale moon-white robe, he arrived at the Western Depot’s headquarters, poured himself a cup of tea, and sipped it slowly.

Before long, the senior officials of the Western Depot, having heard the news, gathered at the door. After exchanging glances, they entered one by one and bowed deeply.

“Greetings, Governor!”

“No need for excessive formalities,” Xu Boqing waved his hand and set down his teacup, then asked pointedly, “How goes the investigation?”

The dozen or so subordinates below him, looking much like quails, remained silent, none daring to answer.

After a moment, Jiang Jin stepped forward, uneasy, and said, “Reporting to Governor, of the two matters you instructed, we’ve managed to uncover some leads regarding the thief with the portrait…”

Xu Boqing raised his brows. “Speak.”

“Our spies, using the portrait and information you provided, traced the group of thieves to Autumn Wind Stronghold, less than three hundred miles from the capital. The people you drew are the second-in-command of that stronghold and several of his lieutenants,” Jiang Jin paused, then continued, “Autumn Wind Stronghold is a gathering of mounted brigands, notorious for robbing wealthy merchants on their way to the capital. Most in the stronghold are fugitives with blood on their hands, ruthless in burning, killing, and looting. They often not only steal wealth but also take lives, earning a terrible reputation even among outlaws.”

“Oh?” Xu Boqing asked in surprise, “With such a bandit stronghold, why haven’t the local authorities sent troops to exterminate them?”

Jiang Jin, feeling the governor’s scrutinizing gaze, broke out in a cold sweat and hurried to explain, “The local authorities have tried several times… but Autumn Wind Stronghold is sizeable, and the bandits are mounted. Too few soldiers can’t capture them; too many, and the thieves flee at the first sign. Thus, repeated attempts have yielded little result…”

Xu Boqing let out a cold chuckle.

Mounted bandits are indeed hard to pin down, but if the authorities claim they can do nothing against such a group, it’s little more than a farce. In these times, collusion between officials and bandits is hardly uncommon.

“I’m aware of the situation at Autumn Wind Stronghold,” he said, shaking his head, not bothering with such trivialities. He asked offhandedly, “And the other matter?”

Jiang Jin relaxed a bit, seeing the governor wasn’t pressing further, but barely had time to catch his breath before Xu Boqing inquired about the other issue, making him tense again.

Bowing, he replied, “The other matter is still under investigation. It may take more time to uncover any clues. I have been remiss in my duties and await your punishment.”

“No matter,” Xu Boqing nodded slightly. “I gave little information, and our intelligence takes time to move. I was only asking casually—there’s no rush.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Governor.”

“Now, the main business?”

“It’s ready,” Jiang Jin quickly stepped forward, producing a folded piece of cowhide parchment from his robe and laying it on the table—a map of Great Liang.

“Please have a look,” he said, bowing beside the table, pointing to several marked locations. “His Majesty’s intention is to eradicate all grandmasters of the innate realm in the martial world… These marks are sects that possess such experts.”

“The targets are too many, too broad, and too vague,” Xu Boqing frowned. “Single out the Chongxu Sect, Five Venoms Sect, Sword-forging Villa, and Fierce Tiger Gate.”

“Yes,” Jiang Jin nodded, pointing to a marked spot. “These four sects are spread across the borders of Great Liang, far apart from each other. The nearest, the Five Venoms Sect, is at the southwestern border of Jiangling Prefecture, less than a thousand miles from the capital… But their headquarters is in a valley, surrounded by dense woods and poisonous miasma, making it harsh for troops to maneuver. Next is Fierce Tiger Gate, in Xingyuan Prefecture to the northwest, about a thousand miles away, and reputedly influential locally. Then there’s the Chongxu Sect in Daming Prefecture to the northeast, said to be a prominent martial sect with a near thousand-year legacy. The farthest is Sword-forging Villa in Lin’an Prefecture to the southeast, famed for its collection of forged swords…”

Xu Boqing nodded thoughtfully, studying the map for a moment, tracing several routes with his finger, but no matter where he started, none were convenient.

He simply tapped the Five Venoms Sect’s location and said, “Since none are on the way, let’s start with the nearest and most difficult terrain—root out the Five Venoms Sect first.”

Jiang Jin nodded. “I’ll arrange for the men immediately.”

“Good.” Xu Boqing tapped the armrest of his chair lightly, as if pondering something. After a moment of contemplation, he stood and said, “I’ll make a trip to Hongyang City. You all go to Autumn Wind Stronghold and bring me the heads I drew.”

The staff of the Western Depot didn’t know what the governor intended in Hongyang, nor did they dare ask. They only knew this was a chance to prove themselves.

As his figure faded from sight, they exchanged knowing smiles and each took their trusted men, saddled up, and sped out of the capital.

The capital was nearly three hundred miles from Autumn Wind Stronghold. Though Xu Boqing had set no deadline, none dared delay for a moment.

Early the next morning.

Dozens of Western Depot leaders, traveling day and night, appeared outside Qizhou City, just as the stronghold’s headquarters lay within Qizhou’s territory.

Clad in plain clothes but riding tall steeds and carrying weapons, their presence quickly drew the attention of the city’s defense bureau.

Jiang Jin flashed the gold token bestowed by the governor; the bureau’s officials, recognizing its significance, offered their assistance eagerly, addressing him as “sir” at every turn.

But as the Western Depot began mobilizing troops to besiege Autumn Wind Stronghold, the Qizhou City Magistrate was roused from his concubine’s bed by his advisor.

The advisor whispered a few words in his ear.

The magistrate was taken aback, then, as he dressed, grumbled and cursed about “Someone here to wipe out bandits?” “I want to see who sent them!” “With me here, nothing can shake Qizhou!” and other such blustering remarks.

Arriving at the scene, he saw real troops being marshaled and barked, “Stop, stop! I am the magistrate of Qizhou. Troop deployment requires my official seal!”

Jiang Jin frowned, seeing the foolish magistrate interfering, and without hesitation slapped him hard, knocking him to the ground and breaking several teeth.

“Blind, are you!” he shouted, brandishing the gold token. “I act under imperial command to eliminate the 138 bandits of Autumn Wind Stronghold. Let me make this clear: If a single bandit escapes, I’ll take your head as payment. However many escape, I’ll take the heads of your nine generations to make up the count!”

At the sight of the imperial token and hearing the threat against his family, the magistrate wet himself in terror. Upon hearing that his entire clan would pay the price, his eyes rolled back and he fainted dead away.

Jiang Jin wasted no time on him and resumed organizing the troops.

Soon, dozens of Western Depot leaders and several thousand mobilized soldiers blocked every escape route from Autumn Wind Stronghold.

The purge began.

The stronghold’s chief was captured, still dumbfounded as he saw the mountain surrounded by impenetrable troops. Even as his head was about to be severed, he could not help but wonder,

“Did I offend Heaven itself?”