Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 559 - 198: It’s Still Better Down the Mountain (1/2)

With the misfortune befalling the Wu Family, Jing Feng City has seen a steep rise in lively events, where the merchants who were previously oppressed by the Wu Family seemed to have made a pact and started to suppress the Wu Family's business empire in return.

Many well-informed individuals had already heard about what Wu Junming, the family head of the Wu Family, has done in the past, and they knew that it was because the Wu Family was burgled that brought the past deeds to light.

Even the evidence was scraped up clean.

Testimonies and material evidence were tied together and thrown into the Government Office.

Of course, in the eyes of the Jianghu and Green Forest, such a person cannot simply be called a petty thief—at the very least, they must be addressed as a heroic bandit. Stories that circulate in the streets, wine houses, and teahouses, don't they all narrate it this way?

Ai Bojian, dressed in civilian clothes, sat at the head, listening to the Chief Arrestor report on the case.

This esteemed county official originated from a local noble clan and, though he had surpassed forty-five years, preserved his appearance quite well.

He had a fair complexion and a tall build, a pair of phoenix eyes, and a heavy scholarly aura. Though not young in years, he had recently taken in another concubine, evidence that his romantic charm hadn't waned since his younger days.

He lifted a teacup from the side of his desk, his face still showing a tinge of pallor.

To tell the truth, last night's incident had scared him a great deal.

Dozens of arrest officers searched for several hours and failed to find a single clue, leaving behind only a terrified man, who wept and wailed like a ghost throughout the night, chilling the hearts of those who heard it.

Humans leave traces, just as geese leave their calls.

Even if a Martial Artist of Jianghu could come and go without immediate detection, careful investigation afterwards should reveal many traces; the Ministry of Punishment specially has books researching this. However, last night not a single trace was left behind.

This Qinggong was frighteningly impressive.

It must be guarded against, it must be guarded against.

Ai Bojian drank another sip of tea, his mind slightly more at ease.

He didn't rush to handle the case early this morning; instead, he immediately sent his family members to the old house to be protected, which was, after all, in a bustling market area, close to the heart of the city where the noble Liang Family resided.

He had quite a connection with the Liang Family and requested their Martial Artist masters to provide protection for the safety of his womenfolk.

Otherwise, given the capabilities of the stealthy thief, he feared that one day he might just open his eyes and be smothered alive by several green hats falling from the sky.

The concubine he had taken recently, though of common birth, was prized for her voluptuous body and snowy white skin, especially her pair of three-inch golden lotuses that were his favorite to play with, as smooth as warm jade, and he was reluctant to let go once held. He certainly didn't want to lend them for another's pleasure.

Below, the Chief Arrestor, Wang Junyu, paused before speaking,

"My lord, this case should be as such."

"The evidence is conclusive, Wu Junming has already confessed without contest, and we can close the case within a few days."

Ai Bojian returned to his senses, placing the teacup on a table next to him, twisting his beard, pondering for a moment before saying,

"That would be best."

"Closing the case sooner will also allow for the vindication of the wronged souls."

"But it will trouble you to take extra care."

"This is within my duties, after all."

Wang Junyu nodded, but did not leave, his expression hesitant. Ai Bojian, having known him for nearly a decade, perceived that he had more to say and thus smiled and said,

"Junyu, we have known each other for ten years, if you have something to say, there's no need to beat around the bush. Just say it."

"You don't need to be so formal."

Only then did Wang Junyu speak, though his words were still hesitant,

"My lord, the Wu Family has also filed a case."

"The Wu Family? What kind of case have they filed?"

The county official scoffed, a flicker of irritation in his heart.

Wang Junyu said, "They reported a theft, claiming they could let go of everything else, but they hope you could help them retrieve their merchant contracts."

These were sales contracts drawn up by the merchants themselves, without copies stored in the government archives. Serving only as a witness, if these contracts were lost, it essentially would be the same as the merchant losing their business.

When the Wu Family was powerful, nobody dared to create trouble, and at worst, they could simply draft a new agreement.

But the Wu Family's reputation in Jing Feng City was in tatters, and they were planning to sell their contracts for silver coins and leave Jing Feng City for another settlement.

However, they did not expect such an incident to occur.

And once the Wu Family can no longer stay and leaves in disgrace, the assets they left will be like ownerless fat, inevitably attracting many powerful families to vie for them. At that time, whoever holds these contracts will secure a considerable advantage.

That was nearly half of Jing Feng City's merchants affected, an amount that could captivate any local strongman. Ai Bojian almost instinctively opened his mouth, wanting to order Wang Junyu to thoroughly investigate the matter.

However, before he could speak, he uncontrollably thought of the master thief who had entered the Wu Family residence the night before. It was certainly that person's doing. He also remembered his concubine's warm, delicate feet, small as three-inch golden lilies, as if he could see a vast prairie shimmering with the light of spring, ready to fall on his own head at any moment.

His voice paused slightly, and finally, he could not bring himself to speak but merely asked,

"How much is missing?"

"The Wu Family has mastered the art of hiding away in multiple burrows. These business contracts would certainly not all be kept in one place. Heh, even if they were hidden in hundreds of locations, this official wouldn't be curious. But with the case being of such importance, if only a little is missing, there's no need to..."

Wang Junyu interrupted Ai Bojian.

He shook his head, looking up at the seated county magistrate with difficulty, and said,

"...All of it."

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Ai Bojian's voice came to a sudden halt.

Already frail, he swayed slightly, steadying himself against a nearby desk with one hand.

Ai Bojian felt his head spinning.

All of it.

Half the city?

In Fufeng County, Xi Dingzhou City.

Gongsun Jing, having carefully put away all the letters and paintings, looked at the hefty stack of business contracts in his hand and fell into deep thought once again.

....................

People from The Number One Manor in the World had extended an invitation, and even if Mu Shanxue was reluctant in his heart, he had to move forward.

After all, he was the sword-bearing traveler of this generation from the Weiming Sect. His ancestral master's sword from his youth still hung at his back. And though he considered himself only average in fighting, he couldn't tarnish the reputation of the Weiming Sect.

Especially not in front of The Number One Manor in the World.

The young woman, around twenty years old, introduced herself as Sikou Tingfeng.

The little Taoist Chong He and Sikou Tingfeng walked side by side.

Sikou Tingfeng wasn't very interested in Mu Shanxue, who was older, but she seemed to take a liking to the little Taoist, gently explaining the origins of the surrounding scenery as they walked.

Mu Shanxue, on the other hand, followed behind the two.

The gray donkey that had been with him for nearly ten years had already become enlightened and didn't need to be led. It knew to follow along, occasionally reaching out its mouth to taste the grass and leaves within The Number One Manor in the World, to see if they were indeed better than those outside.

From the donkey's braying, Mu Shanxue felt that this probably wasn't the case.

He fell half a step back, patted the donkey and murmured,

"Buddy, is the taste just so-so?"

The old donkey brayed twice, turning its head to spit out the mouthful of leaves.

Mu Shanxue was very satisfied with the donkey's performance, feeling that it was not like his little junior brother, who would forget his senior brother upon meeting a woman. He patted the donkey's head, lamenting,

"Right, you understand."

"Little Junior Brother just won't do, too young."

"Not to mention, look at these flowers and plants, they are too scrawny. The ones down our sect's mountain are better, savory and juicy, and even cheaper."

Mu Shanxue gave a thumbs-up.

The old donkey brayed in agreement.

Little Taoist Chong He and Sikou Tingfeng walked ahead, and Mu Shanxue's mutterings were clearly audible, causing Chong He to blush with embarrassment, fists unconsciously clenched. Sikou Tingfeng, however, remained composed, patting Chong He's hair and gently saying,

"It's no trouble."

Mu Shanxue picked a piece of grass, put it in his mouth and leisurely walked forward while gazing at The Number One Manor in the World, which was so grand it seemed bizarre. His teeth chewed on the grass, squeezing out the juice, which was slightly astringent. He spat out the masticated grass with a 'ptui', clicked his tongue, and said,

"Indeed, it's not as tasty as the ones down the mountain."

PS: First update of the day... here you go...

Happy 'Dog's Day' (｢･ω･)｢heh