July 31, 2024
Du Huoguan said, "That's right. His actions indeed gathered the people's hearts. Because of this, the entire Eastern Nine Plains listened to him, united as one, waging wars east and west, south and north, sweeping through surrounding areas, repeatedly defeating invaders, making neighboring powers wary of attacking."
Nie, uninterested in his statement, asked casually, "Over the years, you've had dozens of chances to leave, yet you’ve given them all up. With someone like that, could you think of any other possibilities?"
Du Huoguan seriously lowered his head to ponder for a while, eventually shaking his head slowly, "In a short time, there might be forced abandonments due to circumstances. However, over such a long period, giving up dozens of times is unlikely. At least, I haven’t heard of a second such case. Everyone here knows, trying to leave is the greatest desire of the locals. The purpose of living is just for this. Whenever there's a chance, no one would want to give it up."
"And these so-called leaders here, do any of them really wish to deeply root themselves to manage their powers long-term? Almost all take turns holding the flag, each with their own schemes. If not for this, the Eastern Nine Plains wouldn't easily sweep through the surroundings."
Nie knew the people and situation here well enough, having stayed here for a very long time.
The anomaly before him only aroused his interest.
He asked Du Huoguan to confirm, in case he, being less involved in worldly affairs, might have missed something.
With confirmation received, a stack of papers was handed out again.
Du Huoguan quickly took them with both hands.
Seeing the person on the couch close their eyes as if uninterested anymore, he continued explaining, "Considering all situations, the significant material the Eastern Nine Plains acquired is suspicious. Given the hundreds silenced there, it seems someone is using this material to clear Eastern Nine Plains to avoid being discovered by local bullies."
"The fact that Shi Chun and another person haven't left may be linked to their framing. It might be related to the fallen Lady Qi Yueru’s son and brother. If suspected, it’s understandable. The reports indicate they died by the blade, and it's true Shi Chun and the other use blades. The incident occurred in Eastern Nine Plains, with a knife-wielding enemy tied to her son’s grudge. It's hard not to suspect. Yet, it’s strange: if it’s her, why didn’t Lady Qi Yueru strike after they left?"
Nie, feigning rest with eyes closed, casually suggested, "Have the accuser and Shi Chun fight. If there’s a grudge, settle it. The survivor goes free."
If Shi Chun knew his name was uttered by this person, he’d feel incredibly honored.
Du Huoguan hesitated, then said, "From the information gathered, Shi Chun can indeed fight well, making it unlikely the accuser is his match."
His implication was clear.
During his investigation, he assured the accuser no retribution, feeling confident in his promise.
With many present then, admitting fault now would be embarrassing.
Nie wasn’t concerned with his thoughts, responding more harshly, "Ten strikes of the drum decide the outcome. After ten strikes, only one walks away alive. If both survive, execute them both."
What did this mean? A sudden twist! Du Huoguan felt confused.
Settling matters in ten counts? Shi Chun was falsely accused!
Alright, Du Huoguan didn’t care for Shi Chun’s life.
Regarding his promise to the accuser, he prepared to retract his word.
There’s no avoiding it.
Who knew why the Warden, indifferent about moles, intervened in trivial matters, even specifying actions? What could he do?
He could only comply without resistance.
This Warden might seem peaceful but was terrifying when provoked.
"Long time since I watched some bare-knuckle brawling," Nie added.
Though Du Huoguan didn’t understand, he realized the Warden wanted to see the fight, giving him no excuse not to comply.
He promptly set arrangements.
After he left, Nie, lying on his side, opened his eyes slightly, murmuring, "No wonder I can't understand what that girl says."
To some, unfamiliar things aren’t about misunderstanding or lack of intelligence or ignorance; rather, it stems from excessive rationality, facing all matters logically or detachment from human nature due to long-term supremacy.
"Sentiment and loyalty..."
In a seeming sleepless mumble, Nie uttered the four words, Lan Qiaoyan, rising from the couch.
He strolled to a window, gazing upon the bleak wilderness outside the city.
The sky was vast, yet lifeless.
His eyes clouded dreamily, murmuring, "A flower bloomed in the desert, a rare bloom..."
Shortly after, Du Huoguan hurried back, reporting to the Warden that the brawl would take place on a vacant spot outside the building.
Inside the prison, instructed by the Overseer, a city guard had no choice but to persuade the deceitful accuser.
As for the Overseer himself, no matter how respected, he lacked face to meet this accuser.
Being looked down by big figures was normal, but even minor figures dismissing someone was embarrassing.
The accuser, upon hearing, was truly shocked, asking anxiously, "The Overseer promised no retribution. How can..."
His words trailed off, yet the implication was clear to the wise.
Patting his shoulder, the guard advised, "Of course, the Overseer keeps his word, but you must consider those two wrongfully accused wanting justice. If we release you like this, they won’t accept it. Both are stubborn, never yielding. During torture, they stayed silent, demanding now to duel you. We can't blatantly side with you."
"But rest assured, since the Overseer promised, we’ll favor you. That tall guy looks formidable; test the shorter one. He’s weaker, seriously injured from prior punishment, definitely not your match."
To avoid blame, neither the Warden nor the Overseer, it fell upon Shi Chun to bear it.
The accuser skeptically asked, "Then why decide life and death in ten counts? Why execute both if undecided?"
The guard faced difficulty; he merely acted per orders, not knowing why.
Instantly he turned stern, harshly stating, "Why ramble? Do you have a choice?"
Conversely, Shi Chun was silently brought out of the cell.
Nothing more needed to be said; he was informed of the rules: fight or die, no negotiation.
He was escorted to the open ground, visibly heavily injured, dressed raggedly, crisscrossed with bloodstains, and looking unwell.
Noticing the powerful acted so irrationally, addressing the issue not through uncovering the truth, but by determining might, relying on force as justice, felt excessively reckless and trivial.
Is this what others view as ants?
(End of Chapter)