In the end, Jiang Beiran was forced to listen to the young leader finish his story. The gist of it was simply about selling misery—how he once had dreams of being a hero but was eventually ground down by reality, forced to toil for survival until, without realizing it... he ended up like this.
Jiang Beiran felt nothing after hearing it. After all, the sob story wasn’t even as tear-jerking as the ones contestants told on talent shows back before he transmigrated. There was simply no emotional punch.
Just as he was about to yawn from boredom, however, a muffled sobbing suddenly came from beside him. Turning his head, he saw Fang Qiuyao already in tears, crying even harder than the children had earlier.
[Option 1: Hand your handkerchief to Fang Qiuyao. Reward: "Falling Star Demon Unbinding" (Earth Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 2: Comfort Fang Qiuyao quietly. Reward: "Hundred Strings Imperial Curse" (Mysterious Grade, High Tier)] [Option 3: "Only fools and idiots would believe such a story. Which one are you?" Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1] Without hesitation, Jiang Beiran chose the option that suited him best—the third one—and flicked Fang Qiuyao’s straw hat.
"Only fools and idiots would believe such a story. Which one are you?"
[Option mission complete. Reward: Calligraphy +1] "I..."
Fang Qiuyao wiped her tears and thought for a moment before answering, "What’s the difference between those two?"
"There is. 'Idiot' sounds slightly better."
"You! Hmph!"
Fang Qiuyao turned her head away, and the sadness she had just felt instantly faded by half. At this moment, the young leader protested indignantly, "I wasn’t lying! I really had no choice but to take this path.
If I were given another chance, I’d definitely be a good man."
"Mm. Save those words for them."
Jiang Beiran pointed behind him. Turning to look where Jiang Beiran indicated, the young leader saw a group of constables rushing toward them.
"Ah, before I go, let me give you a piece of advice—the Asura Sect isn’t to be trifled with."
"Oh."
Jiang Beiran nodded at him.
"Hahaha, I really can’t figure you out, but strangely, I don’t dislike you. Wang Laowu of the Heart Returning Sect—until we meet again!"
No sooner had the young leader spoken than dozens of constables arrived before him.
"Constable Lin, these are the thieves," Liu Ziqin said, pointing at the tied-up group on the ground.
The young man in white cloth robes first cupped his hands toward Liu Ziqin, then turned and displayed the copper badge that marked his identity as a constable. Finally, he shook an arrest warrant in front of the young leader.
"See this clearly? Arresting by order—take them all away!"
"Yes!"
Once the formalities were complete, the constables grabbed the thieves one by one and hauled them up. After counting the children present, Constable Lin cupped his hands toward Liu Ziqin again.
"The Heart Returning Sect truly lives up to its reputation. We’ve had warrants out for these thieves for a long time but couldn’t track them down. Now, thanks to you, Miss Liu, they’ve finally been brought to justice."
"You flatter me, Constable Lin. The one you should really thank is..."
Liu Ziqin turned to look, only to find that her senior brother was gone. Seeing Liu Ziqin’s confused expression, Fang Qiuyao also realized something was amiss.
Huh?
Where’s my senior brother? He was just standing here a moment ago. Realizing her senior brother must not have wanted to show himself, Liu Ziqin changed her response.
"My junior sisters—they’re the ones who really captured these thieves."
"Hahaha, then I must thank all of you. But now we must hurry back to report, or the magistrate will accuse us of slacking again."
With an "Understood," the five junior sisters followed Constable Lin as they escorted the thieves back to Northern Marsh Town. Everything that followed went smoothly—arriving at the yamen, giving statements, collecting the bounty. With this, Liu Ziqin and the others had once again bolstered the Heart Returning Sect’s reputation in the area.
Once all the thieves had been locked up, Constable Lin jogged up to Liu Ziqin and said, "You’ve rid Fortune Gathering Village of a great scourge and lightened our burden. To show our gratitude, we’ve prepared a feast at Green Peak Inn in your honor. We’d be honored if you’d join us."
Just as Liu Ziqin was about to accept, Fang Qiuyao stepped forward and cupped her hands.
"Our apologies, Constable Lin. Our sect set a strict time limit for our mission, and we have only half a day left. So we must decline the invitation. Perhaps we’ll meet again in the future."
With that, she immediately pulled Liu Ziqin away from the yamen gates. Constable Lin didn’t even have a chance to stop them before the five female cultivators of the Heart Returning Sect vanished before his eyes.
"Eh!? Why’d they leave so suddenly?" one of the constables behind him muttered.
"Yeah, that was way too fast. I didn’t even get a proper look at them."
"Exactly, what a shame. Even with half their faces covered, just their eyes alone... tsk tsk, I’d wager a month’s worth of wine money that even Qin Wanwan of Heavenly Rain Pavilion isn’t as striking."
"Right, and those figures... truly..."
"Enough!"
Constable Lin barked.
"You all sound like a bunch of thugs—no wonder they ran off! Go run laps in the courtyard, all of you!"
"Yes..."
The constables quickly complied. Once they had filed back into the yamen, Constable Lin sighed regretfully. The moment he had first laid eyes on Liu Ziqin yesterday, he had been stunned—just from that half-covered face, he was certain she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
During their interactions, he had done his best to present himself in the best light, hoping to leave a good impression. But just as he was about to make his move... she was gone.
"Ah..."
Sighing again, Constable Lin turned and walked back into the yamen, consoling himself with the hope that he might at least see Miss Liu again in his dreams. By now, Liu Ziqin had already been dragged two streets away by Fang Qiuyao. Confused, she asked, "Qiuyao, why the rush?
I wanted to ask Constable Lin more about how they usually handle cases so we’d know what to do if we encounter something like this again."
"Don’t blame me, Sister Ziqin. Senior Brother told me to do this."
"Senior Brother Jiang?"
Liu Ziqin asked in surprise.
"He’s back?"
"I’ve been behind you the whole time."
Jiang Beiran’s voice suddenly spoke up, startling Liu Ziqin.
"Let me teach you one more thing—aside from the case itself, don’t get too entangled with constables. They’re not much better than those thieves."
"Huh?"
Liu Ziqin was stunned. In her mind, constables were noble figures who protected the weak and upheld justice—how could they be like thieves? Looking at their five bewildered faces, Jiang Beiran continued, "You’ll understand eventually.
For now, just trust me."
"Yes..."
The five junior sisters nodded in unison. Though they still didn’t understand how constables could be like thieves, they chose to believe their senior brother. Once they left the town, Jiang Beiran unfolded a map and said, "We won’t be staying at an inn tonight.
We’ll camp outside—it’ll be good training for you."
"Understood."
None of the junior sisters objected.
(End of Chapter)