Chapter 18: Master of Both Light and Shadow?!
Magistrate Xue no longer pressed for answers; instead, he nodded silently. When he raised his eyes again to look at Li Yun before him, the murderous intent in his gaze had faded somewhat.
No one is truly foolish.
Having navigated the bureaucracy for years, even as a mere seventh-rank county magistrate, his shrewdness far surpassed that of ordinary people.
The story Li Yun spun, riddled with loopholes, was enough to deceive the common folk, but fooling Magistrate Xue would never be so simple.
In fact, had the magistrate of Qingyang not chosen to cooperate in this little drama, even deceiving the people of Qingyang would have been uncertain.
Once inside the private quarters of the county office, the old master Xue first had his wife take Xue Yun’er away to rest, while he himself brought Li Yun to the main hall and served him tea.
There, he poured Li Yun a cup himself, his face adorned with a smile. “Thank you, brave sir, for rescuing my daughter and returning her home. Had she remained lost in that ruthless bandit stronghold, who knows what fate would have befallen her.”
Li Yun smiled and replied, “You are too kind, Master Xue. Anyone who witnessed such a thing would surely lend a hand.”
“No,”
Magistrate Xue looked at Li Yun and spoke slowly, “If ordinary people saw mountain bandits kidnapping innocents, not one in a hundred would dare intervene.”
“You, benefactor… are no ordinary man.”
“Well, perhaps I am different from most,” Li Yun replied with a smile. “I have practiced martial arts since childhood—perhaps I am just a little bolder than most.”
Magistrate Xue seemed thoughtful, glancing at the tea before Li Yun. “Why don’t you drink your tea, sir?”
Li Yun, the bandit chief, shook his head with a smile. “I’m not thirsty.”
He was hardly going to drink tea before he understood the old master Xue’s intentions, especially when he was ready to flee at a moment’s notice. How could he take even a sip? While the infamous Ten Fragrances Numbing Powder might not be present, knockout drugs likely were.
If he remained clear-headed, Li Yun was confident he could escape this small county even if it meant injury. But if drugged, he might well fall here.
He was not the reckless scholar from before, forcibly held down by several bailiffs.
Magistrate Xue poured half of Li Yun’s tea into his own cup and drank it down in one gulp.
“The Xue family will not harm our benefactor.”
Li Yun still shook his head. “I truly am not thirsty.”
Magistrate Xue took a deep breath and turned to his two sons and a few idle guests, who were also present in the hall. He spoke in a low, commanding tone, “Leave us. I wish to speak with our benefactor alone.”
Though his rank was not high, within Qingyang County, he was the undisputed authority. At his command, everyone withdrew.
Only the two remained in the main hall.
Xue Song raised his head to look at Li Yun. After a long silence, he spoke quietly, “First, regardless of your true identity, I am deeply indebted to you for returning my daughter unharmed.”
“Beyond that, I must ask, if I may be so bold.”
He studied Li Yun’s expression and spoke slowly, “You must have… some connection to those mountain bandits, do you not?”
Li Yun’s expression remained calm.
Being found out was inevitable—he never expected his story to be flawless.
He looked at Magistrate Xue and said gently, “Since Master Xue believes so, why not have your bailiffs arrest me for my crimes?”
Magistrate Xue lowered his head, sipping tea and shaking it. “You are a clever man. Before entering the county office, you declared your identity publicly. If I were to arrest you and charge you as a bandit, then…”
“My daughter’s reputation would be ruined.”
He sighed and continued, “I must admit, you are brave indeed, daring to gamble your life on my determination to protect my daughter.”
Li Yun had not intended to gamble at first.
But when the old master Xue led the county troops up the mountain himself, Li Yun realized Xue Yun’er meant everything to her father.
Only after that did he ask Xue Yun’er to write home and promise to return her.
Before that, the best Li Yun could do was escort her to the outskirts of Qingyang County—never would he risk entering the town.
Now, it was clear: his gamble had paid off.
Whether out of love for his daughter or concern for the family’s honor, Master Xue had played his part flawlessly.
Li Yun lowered his gaze. “How did you see through my story, Master Xue?”
“From the moment my daughter’s letter arrived, I had my suspicions. Now that I think about it, the month’s delay was likely…”
“The bandit chief needed time to send word for you to come to Qingyang and resolve the matter.”
“Hundreds of armored county troops couldn’t take the mountain stronghold; no matter how bold, you couldn’t single-handedly rescue my daughter from there.”
Li Yun laughed, “So, Master Xue, what do you think my connection to the mountain stronghold is?”
“My guess,”
Master Xue lowered his gaze, “is that you are a relative of someone important in the mountain stronghold, or perhaps a distant kinsman of the bandit chief himself.”
Li Yun smiled, “You don’t suspect I am one of the bandits?”
“Impossible,”
Magistrate Xue shook his head. “No bandit would carry himself as you do.”
“Master Xue…”
Li Yun, the bandit chief, sighed, “You see through everything.”
“To be honest, I am indeed the bandit chief of Cangshan…”
“The elder brother!” he added, rising to his feet. “My younger brother made a mistake and kidnapped the wrong person—when he realized she was your daughter, he knew he had erred. For a month, he lived in constant fear and touched not a hair on Miss Xue.”
“He then asked me, returning from afar, to handle the matter.”
“To preserve Miss Xue’s reputation, I had no choice but to deceive you. I am deeply ashamed.”
Li Yun sighed, stood, and bowed respectfully. “I had hoped to fool you, but your sharp eyes saw through me at once. I have no face left to remain here—allow me to take my leave.”
Xue Song rose and caught Li Yun by the sleeve, shaking his head, “You cannot go yet. The play must be completed…”
“Otherwise, my daughter’s reputation will be ruined.”
Li Yun, the bandit chief, found it amusing, though his face remained solemn. “How does Master Xue propose we finish the act?”
“I see you possess some skill in martial arts,” Master Xue said. “In a few days, I will report to the prefecture, granting you the post of Captain of Qingyang County. That way, the matter will become well known, and my daughter’s reputation will remain intact.”
“It will become a fine story.”
Li Yun shook his head repeatedly, “That will not do, absolutely not.”
Master Xue frowned, “Do you have other plans, sir?”
Of course! I must return to lead my bandit stronghold—how could I stay here as your captain? Am I to play both sides?
He appeared troubled, speaking quietly, “Master Xue, my brother said that when he kidnapped Miss Xue, he was seen by several of your bailiffs. I resemble my brother somewhat…”
“If I stay, misunderstandings may arise…”
“Don’t worry.”
Master Xue snorted, “Those useless fellows have already been punished by me—they are no longer at the county office.”
Li Yun, the bandit chief, rolled his eyes and thought carefully, then bowed his head, “Master Xue, I must consider the matter for a few days. Perhaps I should remain in Qingyang a bit longer and give you an answer then?”
“Agreed.”
Magistrate Xue answered readily.
“I hoped you would stay a few days longer—that way, the story will be convincing and leave no loose ends.”
As they spoke, Xue Yun’er’s voice came from outside, “Father, Brother Li!”
Master Xue rose, smiling warmly.
Li Yun, the bandit chief, stood with hands behind his back, winking playfully at Miss Xue.
His meaning was clear: the matter was settled.
Miss Xue could not help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Master Xue saw this, glanced at his daughter, then back at Li Yun. He frowned instinctively, then seemed deep in thought.
“Come,”
He took Xue Yun’er’s hand, forcing a smile onto his face.
“My daughter has suffered enough—let us enjoy a proper meal today.”