Pan City had a long history. It was an ancient city of eight hundred years, nestled among the mountains. The martial arts spirit ran deep within its walls, and martial artists could be seen performing their skills everywhere.
Li Qingqiu wandered along the streets, bought a flatbread, and hung a wine flask from his waist. He was thoroughly at ease.
He wondered whether Qingxiao Mountain should establish its own commercial network. It would make the sect seem more prosperous.
The only drawback to Pan City was its muddy streets, which dirtied the hem of his robe.
After an hour of wandering around the city, Li Qingqiu arrived in front of the government office. He saw a large crowd of commoners gathered there, making quite a racket.
He stepped closer to see what was going on, and their murmurs reached his ears:
"Truly heartless! They're driving her to her death!"
"Poor woman. Who knows how she'll survive after this?"
"Exactly. The county magistrate won't stand up for her because he's afraid of offending the Cui Family and losing his position."
"The Cui Family now holds the title of Grand Commandant and wields power across the court. Who would dare cross them?"
"Tragic, truly tragic. In this world, men can't protect their wives and children, wives can't seek justice for their husbands and children, and no one knows when disaster will fall on their own heads."
Li Qingqiu squeezed through the crowd and saw a woman kneeling before the steps, with a young boy kneeling beside her. Above them, a group of constables looked troubled as they whispered among themselves, trying to figure out what to do.
The woman suddenly lifted her head and cried out, her voice shrill with despair. "If the county magistrate won't give my son and me justice,