My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 754 - 477: Calm Down (Two in One)_2

"If you ask me, they should really be thrown into prison and forced to pay up. Anyway, after the rebellion, the credit can smooth it over."

The County Magistrate Wei turned his head, placing the fan into the hand of the maid massaging his feet, and ordered, "Hit him."

The maid froze, but seeing the County Magistrate Wei's resolute expression, she nervously took the round fan and lightly swiped it across Shao Po's face.

The gesture was neither painful nor harsh, but it was deeply humiliating. Shao Po stopped speaking mid-sentence, completely at a loss as to what he had said wrong.

The County Magistrate Wei asked, "Do you know your mistake?"

"... Po does not know."

The County Magistrate Wei snatched the fan from the maid's hand and personally stood up to administer a harsh slap.

SLAP!

A faint red mark from the fan's frame appeared on Shao Po's face.

Shao Po's face immediately flushed bright red as he said, "Uncle, please enlighten me."

The County Magistrate Wei shook his head, let out a cold chuckle, then sat back down in the pavilion and asked, "Are you aware that your Uncle also started out as a merchant?"

"Of course... I know."

"And when I was a merchant, was there not always a government official backing me?"

"... There was."

At this point, Shao Po suddenly understood.

"Po was wrong."

After all, his nephew was not completely foolish—just limited in perspective after serving as a petty official for too long. The County Magistrate Wei lightly shook his fan, breaking the situation down step by step, and said with faint guidance, "Those people are merchants too, and they have connections. How can you guarantee that one of those connections won't land you in prison?"

Shao Po murmured, "I only thought to act boldly in extraordinary times, to cover the risk with merit."

"Is this an extraordinary time? Has the White Lotus Sect marched into the Capital City? Even if they caused havoc beyond imagination, they are only in Hu-Guang! Cover the risk with merit? If I were to do such a thing, Lord Su would shield me, but who are you? Does Lord Su even know you? Even his gatekeepers wouldn't know which mutt you belong to."

Shao Po's face turned green and white under the reprimand. He continued, "Uncle, you would shield me..."

The County Magistrate Wei sneered, "And how do you know I would definitely shield you and not kill the donkey after it's done working?"

As soon as those words fell, a cold wind blew, chilling Shao Po to the bone and sending sweat trickling down his neck.

Seeing he no longer dared to argue, the County Magistrate Wei sighed, his tone carrying a touch of exasperated persuasion:

"If you're not bearing the blame on behalf of someone important, don't gamble with crimes. Adding flowers to a brocade — no one appreciates it and they'll see you as a burden. Only when you deliver charcoal in the snow will they truly be grateful. In matters that are a sure thing, don't rush to achieve success. In situations where stability ensures victory, it's better to be defeated than to create chaos. You, having little worldly experience, don't understand these principles. I'm teaching you now so that you can still earn a living even when down on your luck."

No matter how unkind the advice, Shao Po now lacked the standing to refute it.

The County Magistrate Wei, too, realized that much of what he said would go in one ear and out the other for someone who hadn't learned through experience. He coldly added, "In short, don't act rashly with those wealthy households unless necessary. As for those impoverished debtors who borrowed money, arrest those who should be arrested, imprison those who should be imprisoned. Keep them detained. If they want a hearing, I'll suppress it to show the wealthy—kill the chicken to scare the monkeys."

This was the state of affairs in Tai County: the poor were thrown into prisons while the wealthy paid their respects with money.

The County Magistrate Wei suddenly thought of a tough problem. "As for Madam Yan, the mage will arrive in a few days. Once this haunting is dealt with, immediately detain her and send her to prison. Do not delay; it would compromise the county's determination to recover debts."

Shao Po nodded emphatically, "Yes."

"Have a cup of warm wine and head out."

The wine had been warmed up. The County Magistrate Wei poured a bowl of the heated wine and handed it over, then poured one for himself, enjoying the sight of the maids' white necks tinged with pink before glancing up at the moon.

A moon in the sky, beauties by his side—how joyous.

As a merchant, he had always been on edge, currying favor all along his journey, never able to enjoy himself fully. The reason he was willing to fill a vacancy and become a County Magistrate was that, through his years of traveling widely as a merchant, he had learned one irrefutable truth—making money as a merchant could never compare with the peace of mind that came from being an official.

Three years as a clean magistrate, ten thousand taels of silver.

"A father and mother official." The County Magistrate Wei sighed.

What did it mean to be a father and mother official? It meant serving as a parental figure for the common people, managing, educating, and dispensing justice—all the responsibilities of a parent. If that was the case, then raising extra taxes during difficult times for the country was no different than supplementing household expenses.

Thinking in this way, his demands for money were not entirely devoid of compassion.

As for the upright and honorable plaque hanging outside? With court sessions held dozens of times a year, the burden of official duties heavy as his ceremonial robes, it was hard for him to even glance at it, let alone remember it.

......

"Are you saying... the two Taoists wearing robes at that inn have left?"

At a wonton stand, Shao Po was holding a bowl of steaming hot wontons he'd gotten for free, listening to a report from a stalking constable.

"Not mistaken. The two of us took shifts watching for two nights straight. Just today, the two Taoists—one tall, one short—left."

"Did they go... toward Madam Yan's direction?"

Under the bright daylight, Shao Po's expression turned dark and unreadable.

"Boss, that's right."

Shao Po's eyes narrowed slightly as he calculated inwardly. Last night, he'd caught a glimpse of those two wandering Taoists from who-knows-where, though the impression they left was faint. And now, they'd gone to Madam Yan's residence—was it to banish demons?

No, they were probably up to something underhanded!

How could there be such a thing as a free windfall in this world? Especially for Taoists, a profession infamous for being riddled with frauds who scammed people with divinations and fortune-telling. Altruistic heroes ready to act for free? Look for them in storybooks!

Shao Po bit into the thin-skinned wonton, its juices bursting in his mouth. He casually dropped the bowl, then took large strides in the direction where the two Taoists had gone.

The bowl cracked open upon hitting the ground, broth spilling across half the table.

The stall owner watched with a pained heart,

as a cold wind swept in. Bowing his head, he silently wiped the spilled soup with a cloth,

"Take care, Lord Shao..."

Meanwhile, the Taoist pair—one male, one female—were walking at a leisurely pace. They even stopped to ask for directions along the way. Familiar with Tai County, Shao Po quickly caught up to them from a distance.

However, the two suddenly stopped, turned their heads, and seemed to notice him.

Hiding was now futile, so Shao Po openly stepped forward. "We met last night. If I was disrespectful, please forgive me." After the pleasantries, he cut straight to the point: "Are the two masters heading to Madam Yan's residence?"

Chen Yi's expression remained calm as he nodded, while Yin Tingxue beside him showed no reaction.

Shao Po smiled and said, "That Gu Huo Niao has been causing trouble for a long time and is extremely hard to subdue. I, being mere mortal, fought it for 30 or 40 rounds and was utterly exhausted, suffering defeat and mockery from others. I trust in the two masters' profound Taoist skills, but without a guide along the way, I'm afraid it may prove perilous."

"Very well."

Shao Po was momentarily stunned, then realized and said, "... Master, you agree to travel with me?"

"Indeed."

Deceitful, sanctimonious Taoists. Shao Po cursed under his breath, his face maintaining a forced smile. "Then allow me to lead the way."

Chen Yi raised his hand and gestured ahead. "By all means."

Hesitating only briefly, Shao Po silently gritted his teeth and set off in the lead. With him accompanying them, if these Taoists tried to pull any tricks, their sorcery would be rendered useless. If they truly succeeded in defeating the demon, he could save the County Magistrate Wei the cost of hiring a mage and could imprison Madam Yan along the way—double the merit in one stroke.

He walked slightly ahead, only half a step forward, ensuring his peripheral vision could always catch the movements of the two Taoists. Following his memory, he led them through streets and around corners until suddenly they veered from the broad road into a cramped alley. The dim light gave the area an eerie chill that hung visibly in the air. Moss crept across walls cloaked in a murky haze, and the path ahead was devoid of any human presence.

"Just a few more turns, and we'll reach Madam Yan's house. The matter began when she first lost her child. I thought it was simply a case of the child wandering off, but then rumors of shadows lurking emerged—claims of ghosts. Next thing, several households also reported missing members. When I led a search, all we found were clothes..." His voice quivered as his surroundings summoned up old fears, "Back then, I fought that creature through several alleys."

Chen Yi lightly touched the hairpin at the top of his head and smiled, "No need for unease, Officer Shao. As long as I am here."

"Heh, people fear ghosts three parts, but ghosts fear humans seven. What's more, as a constable, one acts in accordance with heavenly law."

"Heavenly law?"

"Those in debt must repay what they owe—heavenly law."

After speaking, Shao Po led the way again, his grip tightening unconsciously around his saber.

The alley was eerily quiet, but there were no abnormalities as they went, though the moss on the surrounding stone walls darkened from green to black.

Turning a familiar corner, Shao Po peered ahead. Seeing nothing amiss, he discreetly exhaled in relief.

"One more turn, and we'll see, see, see..."

Shao Po spun around only to freeze in his tracks. His pulse thundered in his ears, goosebumps spreading like wildfire across his skin, his eyes refusing to look away.

A sharp chill surged up his back like a blade cutting through his spine,

for above the courtyard wall loomed a ghostly, disheveled face, its vacant eyes fixed directly on him.

"A ghost!"