Chapter 39: The Spy, the Brutal Beating, and a Misunderstanding?

"Young Master, the miasma in this area is thickening, and there are fresh tracks and droppings from a black bear nearby. We cannot go any further."

The lead man, gripping a wide-backed saber, spoke with a solemn expression to Chai He.

"Uncle Ping... but we haven't found the medicinal herbs yet. If I return empty-handed, won't everyone in the garrison be waiting to mock me?"

Ping Liu was momentarily speechless, then offered a bitter smile. It was commendable that the young master wanted to save the local people upon his arrival. However, judging by the attitude of the chiliarch and the garrison troops toward them, the waters here ran deeper than they appeared. The young master was simply too young, and he would not be dissuaded. They were newcomers unfamiliar with the terrain; if they truly encountered a beast or a black bear, things would become uncontrollable and perilous.

"No, we cannot just turn back. Let's push on a little further."

Seeing that Chai He could not be persuaded, Ping Liu sighed deeply.

As the group pressed forward, the surrounding trees and vegetation grew increasingly dense. In many places, greyish-blue miasma billowed like thick smoke, poisonous enough to harm even a warrior who had mastered the art of refining blood. Suddenly, a valley appeared before them without warning. Seeing the lush, verdant scene within, Chai He’s heart leapt with joy.

"Quick! Go ahead and take a look! I can smell the fragrance of medicinal herbs!"

He hurriedly sent his men to scout the area. Before long, they returned to report that a vast expanse of precious herbs was growing within the quiet, deep valley. The news filled Chai He with excitement.

However, just then, several disciples clad in long robes rushed out from the depths of the valley, shouting loudly and quickly surrounding the scouts.

"Who are you?"

"This is the private forbidden ground of the Spirit Snake Martial Hall! All unauthorized persons must leave at once!" the lead disciple shouted, his tone extremely harsh.

Chai He’s jaw dropped in disbelief, his anger boiling over. "This is the middle of the wilderness! Since when did it become your private territory? This is complete lawlessness!"

"I am the newly appointed Town Magistrate! Are you trying to rob me?"

"Town Magistrate?" The disciples exchanged suspicious glances, but they showed little fear. Instead, they soon broke into mocking laughter. A middle-aged man stepped forward, looked him up and down, and sneered, "You dare impersonate the Town Magistrate? Are you a spy for the barbarians? Seize them and hand them over to the Chiliarch for disposal!"

"A spy?" Chai He was trembling with rage. "You... you are making false accusations!"

It was one thing for the garrison troops to disregard them, but for the local martial hall to look down on him as well! This was an outrage!

The men from the martial hall were burly and tough; it was clear they were no ordinary foes. They were all blood-refining warriors! Chai He’s guards were shocked. Even in the military, it was extremely difficult to cultivate blood-energy, yet this town’s martial hall possessed such hidden strength. Sensing the situation turning dire, he shouted, "Protect the Young Master!"

The martial hall disciples lunged like starving tigers descending a mountain, their speed and momentum startling. In the blink of an eye, they reached the guards, striking without mercy. With several dull thuds, the guards were knocked to the ground before they could even react. The disciples then skillfully employed grappling techniques, pinning the guards firmly in place.

Chai He, now in a wretched state, struggled to break free while repeatedly reciting his status as the Town Magistrate, hoping to intimidate them. Unfortunately, the disciples remained unmoved, completely disbelieving his claims. The middle-aged man watched with a disdainful sneer and gave the order to escort Chai He to the garrison. His subordinates grinned and prepared to carry out the order.

Just then, footsteps approached from afar. The middle-aged man frowned and turned, his expression changing instantly upon seeing the newcomer. He hurriedly signaled his men to stop and approached with a friendly, flattering smile.

Xia He had not expected to run into people from the Spirit Snake Martial Hall in this place, let alone find them in a conflict. Previously, the young master of the Spirit Snake Martial Hall had tried to recruit him, so the middle-aged man’s attitude toward him was exceptionally warm.

"Little Brother Xia, it has been a while."

Xia He offered a casual bow and nodded slightly. Seeing the wood with a golden sheen in the basket on Xia He’s back, the middle-aged man’s expression shifted, and he looked on with shock. "Mysterious Golden Wood? Judging by the quality, it’s at least thirty years old..."

"This item is incredibly rare. Little Brother, you are truly extraordinary. The Young Master was right about you."

Xia He could not be bothered to engage in small talk and offered a few perfunctory words. Glancing to the side, he spotted the disheveled Town Magistrate, Chai He, being held captive. The sight made him pause, secretly surprised.

"Why are you detaining the Town Magistrate?"

"Ah?" The middle-aged man seemed stunned, then looked at Chai He with shock. "Is it truly the Town Magistrate? Men, release them at once!"

He hurried forward, untying the ropes binding Chai He, and apologized profusely. "Oh, my! I am terribly sorry! It was a moment of negligence; we mistook you for thieves." He bowed repeatedly, feigning deep regret. "We are acting under the orders of the Chiliarch to track the barbarians. The garrison is short-handed, so we were ordered to search the mountains."

Although Chai He was seething with rage, the mention of the Chiliarch kept him from lashing out. He could only grit his teeth in silence.

"Little Brother Xia, the mountains are dangerous. Would you mind taking the Town Magistrate back to town safely?"

Xia He did not refuse and turned to leave. Despite his simmering anger, Chai He hurriedly followed. He could not fathom how, as a dignified Town Magistrate, he had been subjected to such a beating for no reason. It was a complete loss of face! He sighed inwardly, praying that word of this incident would not spread.

...

"Steward Cui, are we just letting them go like that?"

"Don't be a fool!"

"Why do you think the Young Master wants to recruit that man? It’s because he has caught the eye of the Chiliarch!"

"That man has great potential. The Chiliarch specifically instructed us not to offend him. Do you want to suffer the Chiliarch's wrath?"

The disciple fell silent, trembling.

"Hmph, use your head more often. Don't think that just because you practice martial arts, you don't need to consider anything else."

"When you're out in the world, it's all about power and connections, understand?"

"Heh, so what if he’s a Town Magistrate? In front of the Chiliarch, he’s nothing."

"The previous Town Magistrate died just like that, didn't he?"

The disciple finally realized the gravity of the situation and gasped. "Steward Cui, you recognized the Magistrate earlier..."

"Enough, shut your mouth. Get back immediately and report this to the Young Master."