No Way to Rise Again

Hearing this, Meng Jingshan, clan leader of the Xinghua Village Meng Family, and Wu Bochang, head of the Ranked Wu Family, exchanged a glance. Each saw his own thoughts reflected in the other's eyes.

Meng Jingshan stepped forward and addressed the crowd in a grave voice. "Li Jiaheng, head of the Ranked Li Family; Sun Mingrui, head of the Ranked Sun Family; and Xie Rongxuan, head of the Ranked Xie Family: you three were secretly colluding with Zhang Wenhai, head of the Ranked Zhang Family, Wang Renhua, head of the Ranked Wang Family, and Yang Shouming, head of the Ranked Yang Family. Whether you knew what they intended or not, you have committed an offense under the laws of the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty!"

Wu Bochang added, "We are all heads of Ranked Families in Qingyang County Territory. Since you three did not deliberately seek to put Clan Leader Jingshan and me to death, we can spare you in the presence of the county magistrate. But though you may escape death, you cannot escape punishment. The laws of the Great Yu Immortal Dynasty must still be enforced!"

Hearing that their lives would be spared, Li Jiaheng, Sun Mingrui, and Xie Rongxuan repeatedly knocked their heads against the ground and thanked Wu Bochang and Meng Jingshan in solemn voices.

Wu Bochang and Meng Jingshan then turned their gaze toward Zhou Qingyuan, the county magistrate standing nearby.

"Your Honor, we leave the handling of Sun Mingrui, Li Jiaheng, and Xie Rongxuan—and the Ranked Li, Sun, and Xie Families behind them—entirely to you!"

Zhou Qingyuan understood their intent at once. Wu Bochang and Meng Jingshan had kicked this troublesome ball straight back to his feet.

He said gravely, "Clan Leader Jingshan and Head Wu have forgiven you three today. But as the magistrate