Chapter Nineteen: Come at Me Together!

At the dining table, Master Xue forcibly seated Li Yun at the place of honor. Those accompanying him included Master Xue himself, his two sons, as well as the county assistant, magistrate, registrar, and other prominent officials from Qingyang County. Besides these officials, several notable gentry from Qingyang had also been invited.

Seated at the head of the table, Chief Li glanced at Magistrate Xue, who sat nearby with a glowing, ruddy face. It was clear that this county magistrate, in order to preserve his daughter's reputation, was determined to make Li Yun the model hero and broadcast his deeds to all. The greater Li Yun’s renown, the more unblemished Miss Xue’s name would remain.

It was worth noting that none of the former captains of Qingyang County, nor the constables who had previously met Li Yun, were present—clearly another arrangement by Magistrate Xue.

At this moment, Li Yun felt his guard ease somewhat. With such a public display, it was unlikely Magistrate Xue would turn hostile; if he did, it would ruin his daughter’s reputation before all the county’s important figures.

When Master Xue began serving dishes, Li Yun finally picked up his chopsticks.

Magistrate Xue raised his wine cup, his face beaming with smiles, and said, “Hero Li, single-handedly eliminating several bandits and rescuing my daughter, has bestowed upon my family a favor we can never forget. Allow me to toast you in gratitude.”

He tilted his head back and drained his cup. With the leader having spoken, the other county officials followed suit, toasting Li Yun.

Chief Li feared nothing when it came to drinking; after confirming the wine was safe, he clinked cups with each of them. After the first round, Li Yun rose, toasted Magistrate Xue, and spoke aloud: “When I passed through Cang Mountain, I happened upon some bandits committing evil deeds. Having trained in martial arts since childhood, I could not let such villainy pass, so I stepped forward.”

“Yet those bandits were fierce, and I, outnumbered, suffered some wounds. With other bandits prowling nearby, I was forced to seek shelter with a farmer to recover; only after healing did I return Miss Xue to Qingyang.”

“This is merely the duty of one who practices martial arts, hardly worth mentioning. Magistrate Xue’s banquet today embarrasses me.”

His speech was clear and his bearing impressive; after his words, all present voiced their admiration.

Master Xue, smiling broadly, said, “To have such a righteous man is indeed a blessing for our great Zhou.”

“The previous captain of Qingyang County was so terrified by the bandits that he was dismissed. As luck would have it, Hero Li’s ancestral home is Qingyang. Why not remain and serve as captain?”

At these words, the registrar Jiang Cheng’s smile froze. The position of captain sounded grand, but was in fact merely the head of the county’s security, appointed by the county office, leading a few soldiers to maintain order.

As registrar, Jiang oversaw arrests and the jail; in theory, there was no conflict between their roles. Yet in the Zhou dynasty, the registrar was an official position, while captain was an external hire without official rank.

Even if the registrar was only a minor functionary, he was still one of Qingyang’s four chief officials.

The previous captain had worked under Jiang. Now, someone else was being considered for the role—unexpectedly, a hero had appeared out of nowhere.

Magistrate Xue was an outsider; Jiang was a native. He only frowned slightly, then quickly restored his enthusiastic smile, stood, raised his cup, and said, “Hero Li’s valor is unmatched. As registrar of Qingyang, it is my duty to apprehend thieves. My shortcomings are many; I toast you in respect.”

Having already drunk together, Chief Li did not think much of it and clinked glasses again.

After a drink, Jiang maintained his smiling face: “I heard from our former captain that those bandits were not only fierce but skilled in martial arts. For Hero Li to overcome them and rescue the young lady is truly extraordinary.”

Li Yun waved his hand, replying modestly, “It was mere luck.”

After a few words, Jiang glanced unobtrusively at a fortyish gentleman, surnamed Zheng, who was related to him by marriage. Their eyes met, and Mr. Zheng quickly understood, stood, and toasted Li Yun as well.

After praising Li Yun, Mr. Zheng smiled and said, “Since childhood, I’ve admired righteous heroes and enjoy martial arts myself. On my estate, I employ several instructors skilled in boxing and weapons.”

“Yet none are as brave as Hero Li.”

After his flattery, Mr. Zheng continued, “By chance, two of these instructors came to town with me today. Hero Li, having subdued fierce bandits, might you demonstrate your skills for us?”

He stood and looked around the table.

“It would both enlighten us common folk and—” Mr. Zheng smiled, “add some entertainment to the banquet.”

At this, Magistrate Xue’s cheerful demeanor vanished instantly. He was uncertain of Li Yun’s abilities; Li Yun had arrived dressed as a scholar, spoke eloquently, and in Magistrate Xue’s opinion, perhaps had wit but was surely no match for martial artists, let alone the bandits.

If Li Yun were defeated by the gentry’s instructors before all, the carefully staged drama would collapse!

“Mr. Zheng, Hero Li has said he only recently recovered from serious wounds, and—he is my family’s benefactor.” Magistrate Xue’s face darkened. “Must he really perform for your entertainment?”

As the county’s chief, Magistrate Xue might appear meek before provincial officials, but here in Qingyang, his word was law. To anger him could mean ruin with a single utterance.

Mr. Zheng, chastened by Xue Song’s rebuke, grew flustered. He instinctively looked to Jiang the registrar, who feigned ignorance and looked away.

A joke! As one of the four chief officials, how could he risk offending the magistrate? At such moments, he would never step forward.

Mr. Zheng managed a strained smile, bowing to Li Yun, “I was presumptuous—please forgive my offense, Hero Li.”

Chief Li glanced at Xue Song and then at Mr. Zheng, seemingly understanding now. Clearly, the captain’s post, which he had little regard for, was coveted by many in Qingyang.

Indeed. Even the county constables were held in high esteem by the common people; done well, this post was a lucrative one, and many eyed it, unwilling to let an outsider take it so easily.

With this in mind, Chief Li drained his cup in a single gulp, stood, and placed it heavily on the table.

He turned to Mr. Zheng, stepping forward.

“Mr. Zheng, how many instructors did you bring?”

Mr. Zheng waved his hand, “What I said was only a jest. Since you have just recovered, let’s forget it…”

Li Yun’s expression remained calm. “Mr. Zheng has not answered my question.”

Mr. Zheng glanced around, actually seeking Jiang the registrar’s reaction; seeing Jiang bow his head, Mr. Zheng finally gritted his teeth, “Three—three or four.”

Li Yun left the table, walked to an open space, hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor serene.

He had come to this world, or rather awakened here, for more than a month now.

In all that time, he had never truly exerted himself, and did not know how his martial prowess ranked in this era.

This was a perfect opportunity to test himself.

His voice rang out, clear and strong.

“Let them—come all at once.”