Chapter 26: But I Am Going to Slay You!

As Du Yuan stepped outside, all eyes inside and outside the courtyard fixed upon him.

The common folk were eager to see who this extraordinary person was, the one who had stirred such a commotion in Qing County.

The constables regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, cautiously studying the man at the center of today’s events.

As for Qian Youcai, he hurried forward to offer his apologies:

“Unworthy and incompetent, I let this dog official disturb the Daoist’s quiet cultivation!”

“Qian Youcai, I am an official appointed by the imperial court, personally selected in the imperial examinations by the emperor! Watch your tongue when speaking to me!”

Though the magistrate of Fang County was known for his temper, he could not tolerate being insulted by a scion of a prominent family.

But Qian Youcai retorted sharply:

“Then the emperor’s choice was wasted. This Daoist is such a remarkable man, yet you fail to show him any respect. If you report this to the court and ask for the National Master’s position for him, that would be one thing. But to accuse the Daoist of being that Lawson’s demonist—if you’re not a dog official, then who is?”

In Qian Youcai’s eyes, Du Yuan’s stature was already beyond measure.

Now, Du Yuan himself suspected that if he said a single word—“You’d better go die”—Qian Youcai would grit his teeth and hang himself without hesitation.

Chuckling and shaking his head, Du Yuan patted Qian Youcai’s shoulder and said:

“There’s no need for this. I’ve heard of your good reputation, Magistrate Fang.”

During the days when Du Yuan earned his living as a storyteller, someone had told him that Magistrate Fang was a benevolent official who loved his people like his own children.

Not long ago, he had rescued a woman afflicted by a terrible disease, abandoned at a mass grave.

Before that, he had won the hearts of the people by personally handling every major and minor case and improving irrigation channels to enhance farmland.

He had done many good deeds.

For such an official, Du Yuan naturally felt a good impression.

“Daoist, this dog official is blind and unseeing. Why waste your breath on him? If you ask me, you and I should go to the prefectural office. I’ll do my best to arrange a meeting for you with the Prefect!”

“The Prefect and my family have a bit of history. He surely won’t be as blind as this fool who doesn’t recognize Mount Tai standing before him.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that.”

With demons springing up every few steps, Du Yuan had no intention of recklessly following Qian Youcai to such a large place as the prefectural office.

Of course, the matter with Magistrate Fang still needed proper resolution.

After dismissing Qian Youcai, who was about to say more, Du Yuan approached Magistrate Fang, hands behind his back.

The magistrate continued to scrutinize him.

Once both stood firm, Du Yuan cupped his hands and said:

“Magistrate Fang, I have long heard of your great name!”

Since the uproar in the front courtyard had woken him, Du Yuan had been observing Magistrate Fang.

The official wore a green silk robe over a sturdy frame like a mountain rock, the white sleeves faded and frayed.

His appearance was not handsome, but it was neat and proper.

Especially his hands—calloused from wielding knives and brushes, knuckles thick as ancient pagoda tree roots, clearly accustomed to grasping both plows and the wisdom of sages.

It seemed the rumors he heard on the road were true.

Magistrate Fang came from humble origins, and thus was particularly considerate of the people.

Having suffered the hardships of the common folk—and perhaps those of officials too.

Who could fail to feel goodwill toward such a man?

At least, Du Yuan was no exception.

“Demonist, since you have heard of the county’s good name, why come to Qing County to deceive the people with your wicked deeds?”

“Who stands behind you?”

“If you surrender now, I might be able to save you from the death penalty.”

Magistrate Fang was convinced Du Yuan intended to imitate the rebellion in the southwest, inciting the people of Qing County against the imperial court.

Du Yuan was not angry, for this was simply a misunderstanding.

But as he prepared to explain, he looked up and noticed wisps of black aura clinging to the magistrate.

From head to foot, an ominous, foul-smelling mist swirled around him.

Especially near the back of his head, where the shadows nearly escaped Du Yuan’s sight.

And this thing was familiar—it was the same as the one in the Qian family’s main hall just last night!

Huh?!

Du Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Was there some hidden truth? A gilded exterior hiding ruin within?

As thoughts flashed through his mind, Du Yuan halted his attempt to prove himself.

Something was clearly amiss: he had just struck down that entity last night, and now the magistrate came to arrest him.

Earlier, it might have been coincidence, but not anymore.

He needed to change tactics.

If things were wrong, he would have to reveal the truth directly.

Du Yuan feared the magistrate might act desperately and use magic against him.

At this point, Du Yuan, who was still uncertain of his own true strength, sincerely wished to avoid such confrontation.

He believed he still had many chances to rally more townsfolk and strengthen himself before a true clash.

Countless thoughts raced, and a viable plan solidified in his mind.

“If I say I have no one behind me, how then do you intend to deal with me, Magistrate?”

The magistrate narrowed his eyes and said:

“Whether you have backing or not, judgment will be made in the public court!”

“Do you intend to bring me to the court, and summon many townspeople to witness?”

Du Yuan recalled that county courts held public hearings to ensure fairness.

“How can the people believe you are a babbling demonist if they do not see your true face?”

Really? That’s perfect!

I was just thinking how to expand my influence and gain the confidence to dispel the fog and set things right!

Du Yuan’s eyes brightened as he said:

“Then please, let us proceed swiftly!”

I love crowds!

Huh?!

Magistrate Fang was taken aback. This demonist seemed eager to go to the court.

Did he have confidence to confront me?

Ridiculous!

Just as Magistrate Fang was about to order the constables to take Du Yuan to the court, he noticed the black aura swirling before his forehead again.

In an instant, his thoughts shifted.

Was he not afraid that a few strikes would shatter this man’s facade immediately?

No, that couldn’t be right; a normal person would be terrified now.

Yet he showed no fear. Was he trying to deceive me?

Wait!

Magistrate Fang glanced suspiciously at the constables beside him.

Though he was the highest official in Qing County in name, as an appointed official without a local base, he was far less entrenched than the county vice-magistrate and others.

Earlier, Purple Cloud Master had proven this by ignoring his orders.

If he hadn’t shown the imperial edict to force the vice-magistrate’s hand, those constables may never have arrested that Lawson’s Purple Cloud Master.

So, if this demonist is not afraid of the court, perhaps his backers have already infiltrated the county government and bribed the constables, waiting for him to “add fuel to the fire.”

Magistrate Fang had always believed he controlled Qing County, but the constables’ conduct yesterday during the Purple Cloud Master incident had sown seeds of doubt.

Now Du Yuan’s strange behavior deepened his suspicions.

His doubtful gaze swept over the constables before him.

Then, in a low voice, he said:

“Demonist, I have imperial orders to root out rebels plotting to imitate the southwest by using supernatural forces.”

“So?”

The black aura around his brow thickened, his thoughts growing more paranoid.

Such a rebellion was beyond the reach or ambition of the Qian family.

Their actions did not seem like foolish self-destruction on this demonist’s part.

Therefore, it must be local elites discontent with the court.

This matter must be crushed at its inception with the utmost force!

In his thirty years of life, the magistrate had never seen any ghosts or spirits, so he never considered that Du Yuan might truly possess such power.

To him, this was simply a local elite’s attempt to mimic the southwest rebellion.

“Therefore, by my delegated authority, I have decided to immediately send you to the execution grounds for beheading!”

Once your head falls, the people will no longer believe you are some so-called great master.

He no longer dared to have Du Yuan tortured in the county jail.

He knew well the constables responsible for executions, how they often took bribes and deceived the law.

They might break all the rods at once and make it look like an accident.

If that happened, who could control the crowd?

But the execution grounds were different.

When the executioner Wu the Big Knife’s wife had a difficult labor, it was Magistrate Fang who had brought a doctor and paid money to save both mother and child.

They were truly his own people!

“What? You dog official!”

Qian Youcai exploded in anger.

This man did not even want to report to the court and insisted on beheading the Daoist immediately?

Where was the law? Where was justice?

But Du Yuan suddenly raised his hand to stop the Qian family members from rushing forward.

Instead, he asked incredulously:

“You mean you want to send me to the execution grounds and have countless townsfolk watch?”

“That’s right. At least half of Qing County’s people will come to see your noon execution!”

At that moment, Du Yuan had no idea what Magistrate Fang—or whatever stood behind him—had endured to come up with such a plan.

But he knew how hard he was restraining his laughter.

He was never afraid of crowds!

This wasn’t digging a pit for him, but for themselves!

So moments later, Du Yuan raised his hand, pointed repeatedly at Magistrate Fang, and laughed:

“Just what I wanted!”

Huh?!

Magistrate Fang was stunned.

After a long moment, he said:

“I will execute you today!”

Du Yuan laughed uproariously:

“Please, begin at once!”