Chapter 91: Chapter 90: Villain

Liu’an Inn.

It was already noon.

The hall was filled with diners, some were passersby, and some were staying guests, like Mei Nianzhi and his group.

They had just returned from outside and saw the streets plastered with notices.

They were all about the affair in Changze County.

The Government Office had closed the case and was making every effort to arrest the remaining members of the Evil Wolf Gang around Wu’an County.

“It seems there should be no more issues in Changze County.”

“It’s said that on the night of the 14th day of the first month, the Evil Wolf Gang suffered great losses, and later some were caught by the government. The remaining either hide out of fear or have fled far away.”

“Hall Master Mei, since that’s the case, why don’t we return early? After all, with such a big incident at home, we should go back and check, lest villains take the opportunity to cause trouble.”

A wealthy gentleman from Changze County suggested.

Their properties were all in Changze County.

Since Changze County was now safe and the government had closed the case, everyone thought it best to return early to guard their homes.

Mei Nianzhi nodded.

No one from the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall in Wu’an County had succeeded in anything, so staying there held no meaning. It’s best to return early.

After all, the martial arts hall still needed his oversight.

At this moment, two governmental officials swaggered in from outside, looked around, and frowned upon seeing the hall full of people.

The shop assistant, seeing these two, was somewhat intimidated and did not dare approach; he glanced towards the shopkeeper at the counter.

“Oh my, Master Bai, Master Shi are here!”

The shopkeeper quickly stood up, jogged over, and with a smiling face and a bow, said, “Masters, I’m afraid we’re all out of space today, would you please take a look…”

“Shopkeeper, business seems good.”

The official with the surname Shi patted the shopkeeper’s shoulder, smiling squint-eyed.

The official with the surname Bai glanced around, his gaze fell on a table with three people, and pushed the inn shopkeeper aside, walking straight over.

He reached the table, removed the saber from his waist, and with a bang placed it on the table, saying, “Make some room!”

The official with the surname Shi followed along.

Lu Shizong’s family of three was startled.

They had just ordered food, and before dishes arrived at the table, a saber was already placed there.

The inn shopkeeper hurried over, looking apologetically at Lu Shizong’s family, whispered, “Guests, I’m really sorry, could you please make some space?”

Lu Shizong and his family had nothing to say.

Although they were displeased, they did not dare show it, merely nodding in agreement.

Local people in Wu’an County were not surprised by this scene, having become accustomed to it.

People like Mei Nianzhi from out of town disapproved inwardly, but dared not stand up and argue with the governmental officials.

“Shopkeeper, serve the best wine and food to us masters, we’re exhausted from posting notices all morning!”

The official named Bai called out.

“Right away!”

The inn shopkeeper put on a forced smile, agreeing readily, though his heart ached.

These two never paid for their drinks.

The previous shopkeeper had once reported them.

The Commander was fair and personally handled the matter, not only ordering them to pay for the drinks but also to compensate some.

But after that, this inn never had peace, often having governmental officials come under the guise of searching for thieves, scaring the merchants away who moved out the next day.

Or a few governmental officials would loiter near the inn, never coming in, but seeing such a scene, passersby dared not stay.

There was no place for reasoning about such things.

These officials had plenty of ways to deal with them.

Even if they could win a lawsuit, it involved writing petitions, court hearings, confrontations, debates… ordinary people couldn’t keep up with them.

In the end, the shopkeeper couldn’t continue and sold the inn.

After taking over, whenever these officials came for free meals, he never dared say anything.

Thinking today’s full house might make these two masters go elsewhere.

Unexpectedly, the officials paid no mind, forcefully made space, and sat down.

At this moment, the shop assistant brought over the steamed fish and roast chicken that Lu Shizong’s family ordered, placing them on the table.

Lu Shizong’s family, already hungry, was just about to reach for their chopsticks.

The two governmental officials pulled the two plates over to themselves first.

The official named Bai grinned, “This is what we ordered, right?”

The other tore off a steaming chicken leg, eating and saying, “Exactly, what you ordered is yet to come.”

The inn shopkeeper shook his head from the side, signaling Lu Shizong’s family to let it go.

Even without the shopkeeper’s reminder, Lu Shizong dared not speak up, only smiling sheepishly.

“Mother, I’m hungry, that was clearly ours…” Lu Ziqi whispered a complaint.

The Lu Clan hurriedly covered his mouth, fearing the two officials would take offense.

Official Bai, after taking a big swig of wine, looked around the room and said loudly, “You all saw the notices, right? If you have any leads on the remaining Evil Wolf Gang members, let us brothers know. As long as the information is accurate, there will be a silver reward.”

Lu Shizong, hearing this, was moved, and his eyes darted a few times, seemingly unintentionally turning his head towards Mei Nianzhi’s direction.

Mei Nianzhi frowned.

These two officials were talking about the remaining Evil Wolf Gang members, so why was Lu Shizong looking at me?

As expected.

The two officials, sitting directly across from Lu Shizong, immediately noticed and followed his gaze, scrutinizing Mei Nianzhi and his companions.

Official Bai stared at Lu Shizong, with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes, and asked, “Do you have any leads?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Lu Shizong’s gaze was evasive, pretending not to know.

The governmental official surnamed Bai sneered inwardly; this expression clearly showed he knew something!

“Then why were you looking over there?”

The governmental official surnamed Bai pressed further.

“I, I…”

Lu Shizong stammered, appearing very troubled.

“Speak!”

The governmental official surnamed Bai suddenly slammed the table, causing the dishes to jump.

The faces of Lu Clan and Lu Ziqi turned pale with fright, trembling.

Lu Shizong was also startled, “It’s nothing, really. That Hall Master Mei opened a school in Changze County, taking in disciples, and one of them was the only son of the Evil Wolf Gang Leader, Gou Dai.”

Upon hearing this, Mei Nianzhi’s face darkened.

Lu Shizong hurriedly added, “But on the way here, Gou Dai already died. I don’t think Hall Master Mei has anything to do with the Evil Wolf Gang.”

Yet, to the others, these words seemed to conceal more than they revealed.

Mei Nianzhi slammed the table and stood, coldly saying, “Lu Shizong, what are you saying!”

Lu Shizong, in a panic, quickly stood up, innocently responding, “Hall Master Mei, I’m telling the truth, everyone in Changze County knows this, it’s surely not something that can be hidden from the authorities.”

Mei Nianzhi was furious inside.

What Lu Shizong said was true.

But saying it at this moment would undoubtedly arouse the governmental officials’ suspicion.

Mei Nianzhi looked towards the two officials, cupped his fists, and said in a deep voice, “It’s true that Gou Dai was a disciple of my martial arts school, but I was only paid to teach him skills and have no personal connection with anyone else from the Evil Wolf Gang. I hope you can see this clearly, sirs.”

“Heh heh.”

The governmental official surnamed Bai chuckled, “Whether or not there’s a personal connection, that’s for the government to decide. Hall Master Mei, is it? Come with us.”

The two officials were worried about lacking achievements, and here someone was delivering themselves up.

Mei Nianzhi clenched his fists tightly, unwilling in his heart, glaring angrily at Lu Shizong.

“What, does Hall Master Mei intend to resist arrest?”

The two officials picked up their sabers, slowly approaching Mei Nianzhi.

The official surnamed Bai smirked, holding a rope, threatening, “If you resist arrest, Hall Master Mei, the charges will be much greater!”

Seeing the two officials rise, Lu Shizong sat back down and brought back the steamed fish and roast chicken that were taken by the two earlier, placing them in front of his children, whispering, “Eat.”

“What are you doing!”

Mei Yingxue was anxious, blocking the two official, lightly rebuking, “In broad daylight, under the vast sky, how can you wrong a good person!”

“Little girl looks nice but has quite the temper.”

The governmental official surnamed Bai licked his lips and said, “You’re with them, aren’t you? All of you, come with us!”

With that, the official surnamed Bai reached out to grab Mei Yingxue.

“I’ll go with you, this has nothing to do with her!”

Mei Nianzhi raised his hand, blocking the official surnamed Bai, and stood in front of Mei Yingxue.

“Oh dear!”

The governmental official surnamed Bai’s expression changed, glaring, “So you are resisting! Daring to resist arrest openly in Wu’an County, you must be feeling guilty, must be part of the Evil Wolf Gang!”

Clang!

The two officials simultaneously drew their sabers.

Mei Yingxue was furious, her eyes red, her blood boiling, and she reached for the long sword at her waist.

But as soon as her sword was halfway drawn, Mei Nianzhi’s large hand pressed it back down.

“Yingxue.”

Mei Nianzhi shook his head slightly, softly saying, “Civilians do not fight the government; we cannot win against them.”

Upon hearing those words, a loud noise exploded in Mei Yingxue’s mind, as if she remembered something, stunned on the spot.

She had once said that to Chen Tang.

Back then, she didn’t understand Chen Tang’s father, thinking Chen Da’an was too impulsive and not rational enough.

But having gone through all this herself, she now understood that feeling.

Aggrieved, angry, unwilling…

Truly being pushed into a corner, with no choice but to fight back.

Mei Nianzhi whispered, “Don’t worry, Yingxue. I’ve heard that the Commander is fair and just, and will surely get to the bottom of this and clear our names.”

Mei Yingxue was in a daze, just nodding instinctively.

Mei Nianzhi took off the long sword at his waist, his expression calm, and surrendered.

“Hmph, you picked the wise option.”

The governmental official surnamed Bai stepped forward, tied up Mei Nianzhi, then tied Mei Yingxue’s hands, pushing them, scolding, “Move!”

Walking past Lu Shizong, seeing the three eating and drinking, Mei Nianzhi halted, gritting his teeth, saying, “You scoundrel!”

Lu Shizong gave a dry laugh, “Hall Master Mei, you really misunderstood me, I’m just too honest, I can’t keep things bottled up.”

The Lu Clan chimed in, “Our master didn’t say anything wrong, your martial arts school indeed accepted Gou Dai as a disciple.”

“Move, don’t dawdle!”

The governmental official surnamed Bai pushed Mei Nianzhi again.

The surrounding diners watched the scene, shaking their heads, sighing quietly.

Just then, the light in the inn suddenly dimmed.

A tall figure appeared, standing at the inn’s entrance, wearing an Armor-Piercing Sword. The broad and strong figure blocked out most of the sunlight, also blocking the path of Mei Nianzhi and the others.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep