Chapter 53 - 49 Chivalrous Bones

Words : 1513 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 53: Chapter 49 Chivalrous BonesGuo Zhuang shouted the order of Magistrate He. Following that, two guards as fierce as wolves and tigers from Magistrate He’s side arrived at the entrance of the Zhao family’s residence and astonishingly broke open the gates using their mere bodies. "Razing the Mountain!" Guo Zhuang, upon seeing this, was extremely horrified. He hadn’t anticipated witnessing someone skilled in the legendary "Razing the Mountain" technique today. Magistrate He, truly deserving as the Lord of Zhili city from the Fourth Rank, was capable of recruiting such remarkable talents. Magistrate He, riding a tall horse, coldly commanded: "Fire the crossbow arrows." After the guards had broken open the gates, crossbowmen who arrived quickly began firing indiscriminately at the entrance of the Zhao residence. Many servants of the Zhao family at the entrance were hit by arrows, saw blood, and further collapsed in terror. Magistrate He knew that any delay could lead to complications. Sёarᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If they didn’t act ruthlessly now, allowing those inside to organize, who knew what kind of unexpected events could occur. "Charge in, capture Zhao Xiong, and I’ll reward the captor with one hundred taels of silver and a birthright," declared Magistrate He fiercely. Upon hearing Lord Prefect’s public promise, everyone below was red-eyed with eagerness. As the saying goes, the Yu Army is unsatisfied with just pay, but is unstoppable with full pay. On the other hand, the Zhao residence, lacking a strong leader, was in disarray like a tree collapsing and monkeys scattering. Suddenly, the Zhao residence became a place of utter chaos. At this time, Guo Li had returned. Guo Zhuang came to his brother’s side and asked, "Where is the young master?" "The young master said he went to capture Zhao Xiong." "What, foolish!" Guo Zhuang kicked his brother and cursed furiously, "Why didn’t you stop him?" "I didn’t dare, besides, the young master’s martial arts are even stronger than ours," Guo Li resisted the pain and retorted. Guo Zhuang, with veins popping, exclaimed furiously: "Say that again." He slapped Guo Li, causing his face to swell immediately. Seeing this, Guo Zhuang clenched his teeth and said, "Our entire wealth, life, and prospects depend on the young master, how could you allow the young master to take such a risk. Even if he goes, you must accompany him." "More talk is useless, quickly follow me to find the young master," Guo Zhuang, after kicking and slapping his brother, was ultimately worried about Xu Qing and hurried into the residence. Guo Li, realizing the severity of the issue, immediately followed. Soon enough, Guo Zhuang calmed down, rushed into the residence and immediately grabbed a servant to ask for the general direction to Zhao Xiong’s room. At this moment, Historian Li also learned about Xu Qing sneaking into the Zhao residence, and hurriedly entered, just in time to encounter Guo Zhuang. The group, amidst the chaos, was solely focused on rushing to Zhao Xiong’s main house. Historian Li and Guo Zhuang both displayed all their skills. Finally, amidst about of chaos, they arrived outside Zhao Xiong’s main house, seeing several Zhao family’s servants collapsed at the door. "Uncle, why the delay," Historian Li heard Xu Qing’s hearty laughter from inside. Guo Zhuang’s tension relaxed, such a robust man that he was, he couldn’t help but feel weak at the knees for a moment, collapsing on the threshold: "Young master, your subordinate has arrived late." Looking into the room, he saw Zhao Xiong lying on the ground tied up, and was overwhelmed with joy, thinking: "The matter is settled." And Zhao Xiong, seeing them arrive, had a face ashen as death. He was also a seasoned executioner, aware that once caught by the officials, whether guilty or not, one must admit to the charges. With things brought to light, he wanted no honor, but he would have it nonetheless. Soon, Magistrate He also arrived. "Zhao Xiong," seeing Zhao Xiong, a huge weight fell from Magistrate He’s heart. He then looked at Xu Qing, "Did you do this?" Xu Qing bowed deeply and clasped his hands: "It’s all thanks to Lord’s strategic planning, County Master’s personal risk in the rain of arrows, Archivist Li and arrest officer Guo’s willingness to die for the nation, and the capture of one of the thief leaders, Zhao Xiong. I am deeply impressed." Magistrate He was overjoyed and stepped forward to support Xu Qing: "My good and worthy nephew, if this office cannot help you revitalize your family fortune in Jiangning Prefecture, it would be an outrage against both gods and men, an intolerable act in the eyes of heaven and earth." Xu Qing attributed the credit for capturing Zhao Xiong to him, and no matter how big of a mistake Magistrate He had made before, it was enough to cover the past and even turn misfortune into a boon. Like when he lured the snake out of its hole, used its plan against it, and crushed the bandit’s conspiracy. Who else has such backing! Without Zhao Xiong’s merit, even with support, it would be impossible to make up for past faults. Xu Qing knew this well, realizing that he could not truly claim this merit. Besides, what use would claiming it be? To receive a military post as a reward? In the kingdom, the pen is mightier than the sword; him being but a mere top scholar, actually receiving a military post would not be a reward, but a punishment. Rather than keeping this meaningless merit, he preferred to maneuver by stepping back. County Magistrate Wu is about to leave his post for a promotion, but Magistrate He has to serve as magistrate for two or three more years. "Mr. Ming is too kind; I am unworthy." Magistrate He and Xu Qing exchanged pleasantries for a while, repeatedly calling him a worthy nephew, seemingly more affectionate than Archivist Li, who was actually his foster father. As for how Xu Qing managed to capture Zhao Xiong, Magistrate He didn’t even ask. Xu Qing had capability and knew when to advance or retreat; right now, Magistrate He wished he could immediately push his youthful daughter towards this young man. In Guo Zhuang’s eyes, this young master’s actions clearly resembled those of the heroes of the bygone era. Heroes of the bygone era were not the type to dispense justice on behalf of heaven but to retire quietly after achieving their goals, deeply concealing both their skills and fame. Similar to those strategists who command great respect across the land, whose anger frightens the feudal lords, and whose peace calms the world. An appeal that commands unanimous response! Yet, in comparison to princes and feudal lords, what are they indeed. Thinking this, Guo Zhuang felt an overwhelming surge in his heart. For a man like him, having the opportunity to associate with powerful figures, what more could he ask for in life? At that moment, the sound of a fierce gust blasted outside the house. It was the fierce gray-robed bandit Niu Peng fighting with Magistrate He’s two guards in a fierce tangle. "Vajra Leg, Iron Sand Palm." Niu Peng shouted loudly, revealing the martial arts styles of the two guards. The two guards did not speak; their punches and kicks stirred up volumes of sand and dust. Niu Peng’s palms shuttled back and forth between their punches, but his figure was clearly clumsy, suffering several blows. However, his skin was indeed thick and rough, and despite many punches, he kept on fighting hard. Xu Qing did not join in, but instead focused on remembering the martial arts techniques of the three experts. These were valuable martial arts experiences, which he could ponder extensively upon returning. The two guards obviously had excellent teamwork; though their martial arts were not as good as Niu Peng’s, they could utilize their combined strength to be greater than the sum of their parts. Niu Peng quickly found himself at a disadvantage. The surrounding torches illuminated his figure. One guard attacked his groin, the other his eyes. Even with his thick skin, Niu Peng couldn’t protect these vulnerable points. Before long, with a painful scream, he was captured by the two guards, who disabled his limbs. Even so, Niu Peng still glared fiercely, his eyes shining with ferocity, resembling a wild wolf. Simultaneously, the two guards also sustained injuries but nonetheless bowed respectfully to Magistrate He: "Mr. Ming, fortunately, we fulfill your command." Seeing Niu Peng captured, Magistrate He further relaxed, and the other members of the Zhao family in the yard were also caught, though some took advantage of the chaos to escape with their valuables. And Zhao Bao, he actually crawled through a dog hole and escaped during the initial chaos. Even as a prisoner, Niu Peng unabashedly told the two guards, "You must have been strong warriors of the worldly society once, now reduced to being the Court’s hunting dogs, devoid of any heroic integrity, truly contemptible."

Chapter 53 - 49 Chivalrous Bones

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