The Bear Probing Palm isn't a killing move but a force-exerting technique that complements the Great Bear Stance.
With this technique's enhancement, other martial skills become more powerful and forceful.
"They're coming, be careful not to let those greedy soldiers snatch our goods."
Zhou Yuan was practicing the coordination between the Great Bear Stance and martial skills when the Old Station Guard suddenly called him and a few bailiffs over.
After instructing several villagers to guard the bear carcasses, he walked to the front of the crowd.
As expected, the city gate was already open, and a middle-aged man in luxurious clothing, accompanied by six attendants and more than thirty soldiers, approached.
Instead of inspecting the bear carcasses first, he smiled and asked:
"Who led the fight against the bear? I must reward him greatly."
His words were quite subtle; the difference between "greatly reward" and "handsomely reward" was just one word, yet the attitude was completely different.
At this moment, the Old Station Guard dared not speak recklessly and instead looked at Zhou Yuan along with a few bailiffs.
Zhou Yuan didn't shy away, stepped out of the line, cupped his fists, and saluted.
"Zhou Yuan from Qiaoxi greets the magistrate. Thanks to the trust of my brothers, I had the honor to lead the bear hunt."
"Good, good young man. I am Zheng Ji, the Leji County Magistrate. I certainly won't covet your goods.
Let my herbalists and butchers handle those four bears.
Come with me, I was just about to have breakfast, and we can enjoy a drink together."
"Thank you for your recognition, Magistrate."
Zheng Ji was somewhat courteous to Zhou Yuan but was very stern with the bailiffs, merely nodding coldly in response to their flattery.
Interestingly, he was very friendly to the villagers, promising them plenty of food while inspecting the bears.
This made the villagers think he was a rare good official, regretting they didn't live under his governance.
While examining the bear carcasses, Magistrate Zheng didn't care about the damaged fur but repeatedly observed the bears' abdomens.
"I've got it. Help with the bear dissection later. I'll head back first and send some food with the bailiffs."
"Safe travels, Magistrate. We respectfully see you off."
As Magistrate Zheng left, a clerk worried Zhou Yuan might not understand the situation and tugged him, signaling him to follow.
Honestly, Zhou Yuan didn't want to be alone with Magistrate Zheng. Their status difference was too great, and a few bear carcasses weren't enough for a banquet invitation. Enjoying the story? Read on at NovelPing.
But since Leji County was his territory, Zhou Yuan couldn't refuse the magistrate's face without reason, so he had to follow for now.
Entering the city, Magistrate Zheng took Zhou Yuan into the government office, and soon a maid came to serve food.
"Young man, I must thank you. You've solved a problem for me.
You don't know how hateful those black bears were. Thinking of the passing citizens harmed by those beasts pains my heart."
"There's no need for thanks, Magistrate. We fought desperately for our own survival."
"Don't be modest. How could it not be worthy? All matters are judged by deeds, not intentions. Since you rid the county of harm, you deserve thanks."
Magistrate Zheng seemed very kind, occasionally asking about Zhou Yuan's background and lamenting about young heroes.
The more Zhou Yuan listened, the more cautious he became, unsure of Magistrate Zheng's true intentions.
"Young man, you're so brave and strong, able to fight bears. You must have had some extraordinary encounters.
Besides caring for the people, I love strange tales. If you know any, do share them over drinks."
Only then did Zhou Yuan realize why Magistrate Zheng invited him, occasionally offering praise.
It turned out he wanted to use his noble status and compliments to provoke the young man's pride and lead to tales of extraordinary encounters.
This also made him understand that the ruling class of Great Wei indeed knew about the instances and valued related information.
Even a group of bailiffs killing black bears could arouse their probing.
"Strange tales, I've heard elders in the village mention them, saying there are immortal demons and everlasting immortals in the world.
But I've never seen anything supernatural myself. Fighting the bear was just taking advantage of the terrain, with my brothers wrestling it while I seized the chance to stab its mouth and nose."
"Immortality? Hahaha..."
Seeing he couldn't get anything out of him, the originally amiable Magistrate Zheng lost interest in the conversation.
After eating a few bites, he claimed he had government affairs to attend to and left the office first.
When Zhou Yuan returned to the convoy under the guidance of the bailiffs, he learned that the county's constable had just inquired in detail about the bear hunt and was now heading towards the post station.
The bailiffs' thoughts of claiming credit were exposed on the spot, even when the Old Station Guard hid in the cellar was questioned.
"Shi Tou, Magistrate Zheng is truly strict in enforcing the law. Whoever contributed gets the credit, unlike the muddle-headed characters in stories."
"Indeed, he's like a smiling impermanence, meticulous to the core."
Magistrate Zheng's actions made Zhou Yuan realize the world's dangers.
Fortunately, the bear hunt incident could withstand scrutiny, and the villagers' testimonies were enough to offset his uniqueness.
By the afternoon, the bear carcasses were already processed, and Magistrate Zheng belatedly sent two documents.
One was for Zhou Yuan, proving he had hunted a bear for Leji County; the other was for the Qiaoxi villagers, proving their collaborative effort.
The county bailiffs delivered the rewards, and after distribution, Zhou Yuan received five hundred coins, and each Qiaoxi villager got fifty coins.
The main reward was the purchase price of the bear carcasses. This time, Magistrate Zheng didn't divide it so finely, splitting the finances into four parts for Zhou Yuan, the Qiaoxi villagers, the bailiffs, and other villagers.
Due to the different numbers, everyone received different amounts.
Zhou Yuan held a small gold ingot, each bailiff received two hundred coins, each Qiaoxi villager got sixty coins, and other villagers only got twenty coins each.
Although this distribution mode gave Zhou Yuan the greatest benefit, it also made him a wealthy standout.
To break this extreme wealth disparity, Zhou Yuan proactively said:
"Magistrate, I'm about to return to camp, and there's nowhere to use these funds.
I wish to purchase some nourishing medicine to strengthen my body, and I hope the magistrate can fulfill this request."
"Oh, you're quite ambitious. Our meeting is fate, so I'll fulfill your request."
"This is the Spirit Ginseng Pill from my Linjiang Zheng family, best for nourishing and strengthening the body.
With your gold ingot and five hundred coins, I could only give you five pills, but since you rid the county of harm, I'll add one more to support your martial training."
"Thank you, Magistrate. Zhou Yuan from Qiaoxi will never forget today's kindness."
Magistrate Zheng was good at saying nice things, and Zhou Yuan was no less, both choosing the best words, appearing as one who appreciates talent and the other who knows gratitude.
The villagers saw this and thought Magistrate Zheng greatly appreciated Zhou Yuan, wondering why such a good magistrate didn't recruit such a promising young man.
Even when leaving, the Qiaoxi villagers were full of regret.
"Shi Tou, Magistrate Zheng thinks so highly of you, why don't you take the opportunity to stay? If you became a county bailiff, the villagers would all benefit."
"I can't stay, nor should I."
On the other side, Magistrate Zheng's attendants asked a similar question, as brave men willing to fight bears were rare, why not keep him as a subordinate?
"That young man has some courage and spirit, suitable for serving in Great Wei's military.
If I kept him, a small position would breed resentment, a big position would cause discord, what position could match a young man's ambition?"