Why do I have so many masters?

During this period, Yi Nanping committed a tremendous case that almost shocked the entire world. Three years later, the renowned detective Wuxin re-emerged from the Heavenly Capital, charged with the mission of capturing Yi Nanping. His return has added a touch of destiny to the legend of this astonishing young hero.

As soon as Wuxin was mentioned, everyone's expression became subdued, and they listened quietly to Gu Jianzhang's narrative.

The Confucian Scholar looked around slowly, then said in a measured tone,

"You all know that the renowned detective Wuxin was dispatched by the Ministry of Punishment to investigate this case."

"I have a good friend in Shaolin who wrote to me yesterday, mentioning this matter. Following Yi Nanping's trail, the legalist Wuxin first went to the mountain stronghold outside Guangwu City, and then entered Guangwu City."

"For several days, he made no mention of Yi Nanping's case, but instead mingled with noble clans and officials, indulging in drinking and feasting joyously into the dawn."

Wang Anfeng felt stunned, and upon hearing this, everyone else had peculiar expressions as well.

Gu Jianzhang's voice paused slightly, then he let out a breath and continued with gravity,

"Subsequently, he imprisoned seven people from noble families in the city and punished eight officials. County Magistrate Zhou Mingxuan touched upon 'lack of vigilance,' 'lack of achievements,' 'corruption,' among several laws, with irrefutable evidence. Wuxin, holding the direct authority of the Bi'an Golden Order from the Ministry of Punishment, detained him!"

"He will soon be publicly tried in the middle of the city!"

As he spoke, his tone involuntarily rose and sped up, with each word punctuated by increasingly shorter gaps, causing an unconscious tension in the listeners, as if they could see the scene after the merriment in Guangwu—a fury as tumultuous as thunder, striking continuously without leaving a moment of respite, and ultimately, with sword in hand and order at the ready, he imprisoned the high and mighty magistrate in one fell swoop.

All were silent, wordless.

Admiration appeared on the Confucian Scholar's face as he said,

"Named as banquets, but in truth, he was conducting a covert investigation."

"Three years of absence, yet once he acted, he struck like thunder with an impartial and strict judiciary—both admirable and deplorable."

"With the law as his sword, he purges filth to clean the world—how can he not be considered a heroic figure?"

Throughout his speech, reverence was unmistakable, and every sentence elevated Wuxin, ending in a collective sigh.

"It's just that I don't know why he would delay himself for three years, nearly confining himself in the Heavenly Capital."

"Alas..."

To speak further would involve personal speculation and certain secrets, inappropriate for casual conversation at a feast, so he stopped in time. At that moment, a youth with a gentle demeanor suddenly laughed, saying,

"The renowned detective Wuxin is probably still on his way through the county towns..."

"Looking at him this way, could it be that he is not really willing to pursue Yi Nanping?"

Wang Anfeng was caught off guard and instinctively glanced over, noticing that the youth had a fair and ordinary appearance, with eyes that were exceptionally captivating. The youth smiled faintly at Wang Anfeng, his eyes narrowing slightly, shining like the lustrous light of fine jade.

When he was introduced earlier, the youth stated his surname was Jiangfeng. It was said that his ancestors, more than a thousand years ago, had been vanguard generals. His descendants adopted that as a surname, coming from a long line of the Military Family. Yet despite his sharp and authoritative surname, the youth hailed from a school of law, and his name, as soft as his eyes, was Yi Qing.

Jiangfeng Yi Qing.

Gu Jianzhang chuckled and said, "Yi Qing, you haven't been in the Academy for long and might not be aware of the working style of this renowned detective—a common occurrence really."

"Three years ago, Wuxin had caught a similar case."

"It was also about a ranger who killed an official and fled. That ranger was a Sixth Rank Martial Artist with extraordinary qinggong, who had managed to escape a thousand miles, doubling back and reversing directions, playfully toying with the famous detectives. In the end, however, Wuxin predicted his next location and, after a fierce battle, captured him."

"When Wuxin took action, the ranger had already been on the run for over two months. Time was not an issue."

Wang Anfeng's pupils narrowed slightly.

At that moment, Jiangfeng Yi Qing spoke again, sighing regretfully,

"The Master once said, 'Observe the words and examine the deeds. He who can do, can surely speak.' I see that he is clearly a detective, an official, yet he seems to despise corrupt officials more than rangers."

"Elder Brother Gu praised him as a heroic figure. I had thought he could find common ground with rangers..."

Gu Jianzhang's expression shifted as he sighed,

"In his eyes, rangers were both righteous and harmful, while corrupt officials were an endless scourge, whose deaths brought satisfaction. There are priorities and urgencies in affairs; he's not the kind of fool who blindly obeys orders."

"And indeed, he did share a certain mutual admiration with those rangers."

"Thus, three years ago, he first invited the noble ranger to drink heartily, then engaged in a bloody battle to capture him alive, sparing no effort."

"This is what mutual admiration is."

"And after being imprisoned, he debated forcefully, arguing for a reduced sentence for him, even going so far as to defy the Minister of Justice in court, incurring a crime upon himself. This, too, is mutual admiration!" Experience more content on empire

Wang Anfeng and Jiangfeng Yiqing were slightly taken aback, while complicated expressions emerged on the faces of others. Gu Jianzhang let out a long sigh and said, "If it's because of mutual admiration, then toying with one's duty is an insult to them."

The voice paused, not intending to continue, but the frustration lodged in his chest made it hard to feel at ease. Without wine, he drank tea, and then added:

"If anything can be said, it's that walking the path of a ranger who imposes strict criminal laws upon the world, ensuring that all people have laws to follow, using the severity of punishment to protect the people of Great Qin, and deter the petty criminals, is the way of Wuxin."

"His word is his deed, his actions are decisive, risking his life to help others in distress, that is chivalry!"

"And to enforce the laws with integrity, rectifying injustices, so that the wronged may be vindicated, risking his life to brave dangers alone, ensuring that the wicked face punishment before all, isn't this also the way of a noble hero?"

"Three years ago, when the legalist Wuxin defied the minister in court, nearly drawing his sword in agitation and being thrown into jail, it is said he was imprisoned with that hero. When they looked at each other at that time, I reckon there was no resentment whatsoever..."

With a sigh, before the wine even arrived, he picked up his tea cup and swallowed the liquid. Discussing such characters seemed to ignite a flame in his chest. How could a cup of tea extinguish it? He continued to pour and drink the tea. The rest were silent, glimpsing through the recent conversation a corner of the magnificent Jianghu and the surging undercurrents beneath.

At that moment, the voice of the waiter came from outside the private room. Opening the door, various dishes and drinks were brought in. Everyone began to toast and chat while eating, and the heavy mood from moments ago slowly started to become warm again.

The banquet was exceptionally exquisite, but Wang Anfeng's meal tasted like wax, utterly flavorless.

Anyone who had a powerful, intelligent opponent, equally committed to justice and acting with integrity, resolved to put oneself back in prison, could not be happy.

And the surrounding scholars, because the world, despite being well-governed, still had various problems forcing noble rangers and heroes to confront each other as enemies, felt a heavy frustration at their own impotence, despite claiming to be the talents of their age.

Wang Anfeng took a bite of his food, unable to help the thoughts that rose in his mind.

Wuxin, he could track me down.

Another chopstickful.

No, with no traces, he can't track me down.

Another chopstickful.

The world's best tracker, he can catch up.

Another helping.

The miraculous Shaolin, he can't catch up.

Just as he was about to take another helping, he realized there was no more food. Gu Jianzhang on the side asked with concern:

"Brother Wang, do you like this dish so much? If it's not enough, we can order more."

The young man exhaled and suppressed the whirlwind of thoughts that were uncontrollably surfacing in his mind, smilingly saying:

"No need to trouble..."

Gu Jianzhang nodded agreeably, and the young man's gaze swept over this elegant scholar. Suddenly, he remembered that it was Gu Jianzhang who veered off the topic of 'Aura-Activated Hand Yan Ling' to discuss the famed tracker Wuxin, just to lift the mood of the banquet.

Why did it feel that although the topic was not frivolous, it had become exceptionally heavy, totally unsuited for a banquet, instead tipping towards a worse atmosphere?

As the young man looked at the faces around the table, forcing smiles, and then at the elegantly morose scholar beside him, he found himself unable to articulate the complex emotions within him. His mind wandered aimlessly, and he thought:

In future banquets, Gu Jianzhang must not be allowed to speak.

PS: Thank you to the generous donations from "Happiness Won't Come". Today's chapter was not enough, but a longer chapter will be offered tomorrow. I bow in gratitude.