The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 6

25

The martial arts world was full of experts. Zhang Xiaoyuan no longer wanted to speak.

Hua Liuque continued to send charming glances towards Wen Tingting without fear, but Wen Tingting ignored him completely. She instructed the constable behind her to lift up the injured Hua Liuque's broken leg. Then, she turned to the crowd, clasped her fists, and asked, "May I know which noble heroes caught this flower thief?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan gently nudged Lu Zhaoming, but Lu Zhaoming looked towards Wang Henian.

He seemed reluctant to stand out in front of so many people and was uncomfortable dealing with this situation. Wang Henian was still immersed in the pain of his disciple growing up. She Shuyi had to cough lightly and whisper a few words in his ear to snap him out of it.

Wang Henian stood up and walked to Wen Tingting. "It's my eldest disciple."

Wen Tingting smiled at him and said, "Magistrate Qi invites these noble heroes to the county office."

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but think, "Money is coming. They are going to distribute money!"

Moving along with the group, he pondered the promised one hundred gold taels, only to suddenly recall something dreadful.

Judging from the text above Hua Liuque's head, he was purely a victim of injustice.

So, did that mean... the one hundred taels reward would go down the drain?

Zhang Xiaoyuan was deeply affected.

......

As dawn approached, the group followed Wen Tingting and several constables back to the county office.

The streets were initially silent, with only a few early-rising vendors tidying up their shops. However, in the inn where the flower thief was apprehended, many guests, awakened by the commotion, joined in to witness the spectacle. The noise even roused residents along the street, and quite a few curious onlookers followed suit.

The group made a grand entrance upon reaching the county office. However, casual onlookers were not allowed inside. Wen Tingting ordered her constables to first detain Hua Liuque, this wanted criminal across multiple prefectures. Perhaps they would have to wait for the arrival of the magistrate before the trial could commence.

Hua Liuque, with one leg suspended and hopping, had his injured leg swollen to the thickness of a thigh. Every touch to the ground caused excruciating pain. Grievously, he held onto the hand of the constable, casting a resentful gaze at Wen Tingting. "You must at least get me a physician!"

Lu Zhaoming indicated that he had something to say.

Hua Liuque hadn't expected this stern-looking individual to speak up for him. Touched, he couldn't help but gaze at Lu Zhaoming once again.

Lu Zhaoming: "He can pick locks. Better knock him out for security's sake."

Hua Liuque: "......"

Wen Tingting touched her chin and said, "Makes sense."

Hua Liuque staggered backward.

"My leg is broken!" He looked at Wen Tingting approaching, panic-stricken. "I-I can't escape!"

Before the words could settle, Wen Tingting swiftly chopped at the back of his neck with one hand.

Hua Liuque's eyes rolled back, and he fell into the arms of the constable.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

He understood now. Eldest Senior Brother might seem taciturn and, at times, slow to react in conversation, but when it came to action, he was truly ruthless.

He could only be thankful he wasn't an enemy of Lu Zhaoming.

Moreover... Lu Zhaoming seemed to be quite likable to dogs.

After returning to the office, Wen Tingting loosened the leash on the dog. Now, Pidun was squatting next to Lu Zhaoming, lifting its head, crazily wagging its tail, and gazing at him with a look that seemed to want to smear its drool all over his face.

In this state, anyone would be unable to resist crouching down, patting its head, and giving it a meaty bone!

Lu Zhaoming, unfazed, remained expressionless.

Zhang Xiaoyuan shifted to Lu Zhaoming's side.

"Eldest Senior Brother," he whispered, "Pidun seems to really like you."

Lu Zhaoming paused, then repeated slowly, "Pidun?"

Wen Tingting turned around suddenly, curious. "Huh? How do you know its name is Pidun?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

26

Zhang Xiaoyuan was extremely nervous.

He really didn't want to reveal his peculiar ability in front of others.

He didn't know the origin of his ability, and he found it quite peculiar. He didn't want others to perceive him as crazy or be on guard against him. So, he forced a smile at Wen Tingting and said, "I just heard you calling it that... the name is really nice! It leaves a lasting impression!"

Wen Tingting proudly lifted her chest and said, "I also think it's a great name."

Pidun: "Woof!"

In the midst of the conversation, Magistrate Qi, the county magistrate of Fengji, emerged from the hall.

He appeared to be a scholar in his early twenties, with a feeble and floaty gait, a slender figure suggesting a lack of martial arts prowess. He politely bowed to them and said, "Gentlemen who rid the people of harm, on behalf of the citizens of Fengji, I thank you all for your heroic deeds."

Zhang Xiaoyuan, as usual, glanced at the top of his head.

DING.

「Qi Chaoyun, the only son of the current Prime Minister. Due to his refusal to comply with his father's wishes and to avoid suspicion, he concealed his identity and traveled far to serve as an official in Fengji County.」

Huh?!

Do you two know that you are each other's runaway marriage partners?!

......

27

This was a bit too exciting.

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt like he had stumbled upon an earth-shattering secret.

He had grown accustomed to this extraordinary county, as well as his hidden dragon, crouching tiger sect. Even the mention of "the only son of the prime minister" didn't excite him too much. What was the only son of the prime minister? He had even seen the eldest son of the late emperor.

Wang Henian exchanged polite greetings with Qi Chaoyun. A few words later, Qi Chaoyun brought up the reward for capturing Hua Liuque.

"To be honest, Hua Liuque is a wanted criminal across various prefectures, and the reward on his head is substantial. The noble heroes who captured him were supposed to receive commendation," Qi Chaoyun explained. "However, this case requires thorough investigation by this magistrate, so the reward may not reach your hands so soon."

Originally, he intended to have them leave their addresses, and once the trial was over, he would send someone to deliver the reward. However, as soon as he mentioned it, Zhang Xiaoyuan recalled — Hua Liuque was evidently wrongly accused.

Although these unfaithful people were despicable, if his unjust accusations were truly brought to trial, it would be a deadly sin. If Zhang Xiaoyuan had been ignorant of the situation, it might have been forgivable, but now that he knew the truth, he could not turn a blind eye for the sake of a hundred taels of gold.

Unable to speak directly, he hesitated for a while, then he mustered the courage to speak to Qi Chaoyun, "Magistrate Qi, just now, Hua Liuque repeatedly claimed he did not commit that deed, perhaps..."

Perhaps he needed to be cautious.

Qi Chaoyun, unaware of who he was, smiled amiably. "Young hero, rest assured. This magistrate will investigate further, and if he is truly innocent, we will not wrong him."

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded while feeling sorrow in his heart.

The one hundred taels of gold were gone.

He even rejected the gold outright.

Once again, he had to worry about Master's remaining fifty copper coins.

......

28

Having official matters to attend to with the daylight fully bright, Qi Chaoyun left the county office. Wen Tingting, in the meantime, went to find a physician for Hua Liuque.

Leading the way, Wang Henian walked a few steps ahead, then suddenly heard someone calling them.

"Uncle Wang," the man smiled, "please stay a moment."

Everyone turned around to see a young man approaching them briskly. Dressed like a Confucian scholar in ink-black robes, he had a tall and gallant posture, exuding a hint of heroic charm. Yet, his features didn't quite resemble a scholar. Instead, he looked more like a young martial artist. He clasped his fists in a gesture befitting the martial arts world and smiled. "Uncle Wang, do you still remember Pei Junze?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan shifted his gaze to the man's head.

Zhang Xiaoyuan carefully examined the man's face. He had heard rumors that Mo Wentian, while ruthless in his actions, possessed exceptional looks. Calling him a beauty wouldn't be an exaggeration, but his countenance hinted at a sinister nature. On the other hand, Pei Junze's appearance... it was as if he was only a step away from having "righteous" carved on his forehead. Clearly, it was the face of a hero

Moreover... why would the son of the Demon Sect Master be working as a strategist for the magistrate in a small county?!

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt like he was increasingly unable to comprehend this martial arts world.

Wang Henian evidently remembered him. He joyfully grasped Pei Junze's hand and said, "Junze, it's been a few years. You've grown taller."

Pei Junze smiled. "Uncle, it's been nearly ten years since we last met."

Wang Henian turned around, introducing the people behind him to Pei Junze.

"This is my Junior Brother, She Shuyi. Junze, do you remember?" Wang Henian said, "When you were five or six..."

He hesitated for a moment, as if recalling something amusing, then couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course, I remember," Pei Junze also laughed, "When I was a child, I got lost once while following Martial Uncle She."

"Let's not dwell on the past." She Shuyi couldn't help covering his face, feeling embarrassed. "I was just over ten at that time."

"This is my eldest disciple, Lu Zhaoming, and my second disciple, Jiang Jianyu." Wang Henian introduced each one to Pei Junze. "Also, our newly accepted disciple, Zhang Xiaoyuan. By the way, he is the son of your Uncle Gaoling, an old friend of your father."

Zhang Xiaoyuan was momentarily stunned.

Wait, does Dad have connections with the Demon Sect Master?

Isn't Pei Junze Mo Wentian's son? Why do Wang Henian and She Shuyi look at him with eyes that seem to see an old friend's child?

Wang Henian turned again to introduce Pei Junze to them.

"This is Pei Junze," Wang Henian said with a smile, "he is the only son of my good friend... the Chief of Martial Arts Alliance, Pei Wuluan."

Huh?!

Who?