That night, Qi Chengming slept in the village’s crude earthen house.
He slept soundly, not at all bothered by the unfamiliar bed.
Xiao Dezi was still murmuring with relief in the morning, while Qi Chengming washed his face and silently grumbled to himself:
Since his transmigration, he had been constantly on the move, never truly settling down. What did it matter if the bed was unfamiliar? In this world, there wasn’t a single bed that truly belonged to him.
“How is the investigation into Yiyang County going?” Qi Chengming asked aloud.
“Yiyang County is surrounded by mountains, with the Yi River flowing downstream and converging with Lu Hun Lake. The water quality is excellent, and many locals make their living brewing alcohol,” Xiao Song Zongguan reported steadily, having gathered most of the information in just one morning. “The mountain ranges here are continuous, and the terrain is complex, so small bands of bandits often rob travelers on the main roads… This has been going on for seven or eight years. Whenever officials are sent to suppress them, they vanish into the mountains, impossible to find.”
Xiao Song Zongguan paused meaningfully at this point: “…However, under the governance of the Tongpan and county magistrate appointed in the last two years, bandit attacks on travelers have improved. Only a few casualties and financial losses are unavoidable.”
“Advisor Qin, named Qin Liusong, also took office this year. Whenever he uncovers information, he sends his servants to secretly spread the word. The villagers are very worried about him—several young men working in the city always accompany him, both to help deliver messages and ensure his safety.”
“This time, the person sent by Advisor Qin not only delivered a warning but also mentioned going to a friend’s place to send a message. After that, there was no further news. Those young men secretly inquired in the city and found that Advisor Qin hasn’t been seen at the county office for days. Instead, the Baihu, who is on good terms with the Tongpan, has been leading his men… frantically searching outside.”
Qi Chengming nodded with a grim expression.
Something was fishy.
Were they searching for bandits outside, or were they searching for Advisor Qin’s missing servant?
“—I had the bandits interrogated separately, and we indeed uncovered some information.”
Mao Dalingtong stood at the door, dark circles under his eyes but brimming with energy as he reported, “The leader died last night. The second-in-command revealed that the Baihu is actually his elder brother, and even the Garrison Officer and Lieutenant Colonel above them are all part of their group.”
As for the bandits half-pleading and half-threateningly revealing this information in an attempt to drag them into collusion, Mao Dalingtong didn’t need to explain further.
“Are they that foolish?” Xiao Dezi, listening nearby, couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, his suspicion flaring up. “…Revealing all their backers so readily—could some of them be innocent people being falsely implicated?”
“If it’s true, evidence can always be verified,” Qi Chengming tapped the table, producing a crisp sound. “—Actually, this is the clever approach of small-town figures.”
The collusion between officials and bandits in Yiyang County was known by so many people—how could it have remained hidden until today without consequence?
It was only because the bandits’ backers were all in positions of power, suppressing any opposition, leaving no one to stand up for the villagers.
Even if someone genuinely wanted to do something, like this Advisor Qin—he would have to find a way to topple all of them at once. Otherwise, even those with clear judgment who refused to collude would remain silent, fearing the sheer number of forces aligned against them.
“Since I’ve come, I cannot stand by and do nothing.” Having listened up to this point, Qi Chengming had already formed a plan in his heart. He issued orders: “—Take the bandits into custody and set off for Yiyang immediately!”
The son of the current emperor, Prince Rui. Was there any backer more noble or powerful than Qi Chengming’s status?
Now that he had arrived with so many soldiers—even if he had no authority to interfere in local affairs, so be it if he were impeached afterward. At least in this small county, Qi Chengming could bully others with his influence and act recklessly as he pleased.
Time waited for no one.
He needed to rescue Advisor Qin first.
As for evidence, they could search for it slowly… There would always be a breakthrough.
The convoy stood ready, the atmosphere growing unusually tense. In less than half an hour, they were fully prepared to depart. The Village Chief stood reluctantly at the doorway watching them, hoping they would bring back good news.
Just at that moment.
Xiao Chengzi reported with some surprise: “Your Highness, Grandmaster Huang requests an audience.”
“What business does he have?” Qi Chengming looked up, suddenly realizing.
Yiyang County was also Grandmaster Huang’s hometown. He had made no move last night, nor this morning, yet chose to come precisely when they were preparing to depart. Could it be…
Indeed.
Grandmaster Huang’s face was ashen, his expression one of heavy-hearted determination, his jaw tightly clenched.
His opening words were earth-shattering:
“I’ve heard about Advisor Qin’s situation. As for the evidence of their collusion… actually, I have it.”
Everyone present was startled.
Recalling Grandmaster Huang’s complex, almost hateful expression and his long-delayed decision to return home, Qi Chengming wasn’t entirely surprised.
Instead, it felt like a heavy weight had been lifted.
…So Grandmaster Huang had been wandering abroad, obsessed with architecture, never returning home, and reaching this age without wife or children—it was indeed related to the mess in his hometown.
Just as Qi Chengming had thought earlier, there were never few clear-sighted people in any region. But under persecution, they often could only choose silence and escape.
Grandmaster Huang might be one such person.
“Having evidence makes it even better.” After some consideration, Qi Chengming made a decision: “Mao Dalingtong, detach some of your men. Here’s what we’ll do…”
He summoned the tall man and whispered something in his ear. Mao Dalingtong understood and hurried away.
Not long after.
The sealed-off Yiyang County was thrown into commotion. A mighty convoy poured onto the official road, carriage after carriage passing by, their windows crowded with people secretly watching the spectacle.
People whispered about the eunuchs’ beardless, delicate faces and murmured about the palace maids’ refined bearing and lovely features, discussing it all with great interest. But no one dared speculate about the most magnificent dragon-marked carriage in the middle.
Those remaining by the street hardly dared breathe, at a loss, and could only kneel by the roadside.
Yet the chaotic streets had remarkably few people maintaining order.
Qi Chengming watched from behind the drawn carriage curtain with a faint, mocking smile: “Hmph… The Baihu has sent everyone away. This conveniently suits my plans.”
He directed the convoy straight toward the county government office with clear purpose.
Without even stopping at an inn, they paraded through the streets, creating an enormous stir.
News quickly reached the other side.
“Your Honor… Your Honor! Terrible news! A noble is coming this way with many soldiers!”
The County Magistrate, surnamed Tang, had been living in constant anxiety since Advisor Qin’s incident. Now he finally felt the other shoe had dropped.
He was the lowest-ranking official, yet no one above him was as panicked as he was. “What noble? Explain in detail, clearly!” County Magistrate Tang gripped the armrest of his chair, forcing himself to appear calm as he asked.
“It’s… someone from Jingcheng. They say it’s a prince on his way to establish a fiefdom! Those elite soldiers are all Imperial Guards from the palace!” the guard mustered his courage to report.
County Magistrate Tang’s vision darkened, his body trembling slightly, his face pale. He inwardly encouraged himself:
Stay calm.
Such a high-ranking noble might just be passing through. All he needed to do was offer lavish hospitality and send this great deity on his way.
Would a prince even care about such trivial matters? Even if things were exposed, it might not necessarily reach His Highness the Prince…
He repeated these reassurances to himself until Qi Chengming arrived. By then, County Magistrate Tang had managed to put on an earnest smile and stepped forward to greet him: “This humble official pays respects to Your Highness the Prince. We’ve prepared everything for your arrival…”
Before he could finish his pleasantries, Qi Chengming waved a dismissive hand.
Xiao Song Zongguan stood with sharp-eyed authority, exuding the imposing aura of a chief eunuch as he barked out a blunt order: “Search the place for us!”
Two columns of Imperial Guards, fierce as wolves and tigers, charged forward.
“Ah—Your Highness?!” County Magistrate Tang’s smile strained, wanting to protest but unable to stop them. “What has happened? This humble official… I should at least…”
Qi Chengming paid him no mind, sitting composedly with an unreadable expression.
He had the authority to do so.
Not just the county office, but even the magistrate’s private residence was being searched, guided by young men from the village alongside the Imperial Guards. The sounds of doors being kicked in and screams echoed one after another. In that moment, Qi Chengming felt he sounded more like a bandit.
Soon, Xiao Chengzi and another Imperial Guard escorted over a scholarly young man.
“Are you alright?” Qi Chengming asked gently, addressing the courageous and kind-hearted Advisor Qin.
“…”
The rescued Advisor Qin showed no signs of mistreatment and appeared in good spirits, but his expression upon seeing Qi Chengming was profoundly complex.
Strangely mixed within that expression was a hint of… frustration?
Qi Chengming: “…?”
Author’s Note:
Advisor Qin (utterly horrified): Heaven knows, I haven’t even accomplished anything yet, and such a high-ranking prince drops right in front of me!
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