Preparing to Depart

Meng Qingshan's words were half-truth and half-false, but not entirely meant to deceive her.

Seeing this, Li Qingzhu felt a stir in her heart. She stepped forward involuntarily and gently touched the spot on Meng Qingshan that had been bloody and wounded just yesterday.

Yet, the moment she made contact, she yanked her hand back as if shocked by lightning.

Then, she lowered her head shyly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "If that's really true, then that would be wonderful!"

Seeing this, Meng Qingshan stopped teasing his adorable cousin. After dressing neatly, he strode steadily toward the front hall.

The moment he stepped inside, his gaze landed on a young man.

This person had his back to Meng Qingshan, intently gazing up at a scroll of calligraphy and painting on the wall.

Beside him, the Secretary and several bailiffs stood in silence.

Meng Qingshan cupped his hands in greeting and was about to speak, but the Secretary spoke first: "Your Honor, the young hero who slew the tiger has arrived!"

Hearing this, the County Magistrate turned around swiftly.

Meng Qingshan steadied his gaze and saw that this man had sharp eyes and wore an official robe, both dignified and imposing.

The Magistrate stepped forward warmly and took Meng Qingshan's hand. "Ever since I heard of the young hero's brave feat of slaying the tiger yesterday, I've been imagining what you might look like. I thought you'd be a burly, broad-shouldered, and strong warrior.

I never expected such a valiant and handsome youth. May I ask, young hero, where is that fierce tiger now?"

Come to think of it, ever since he carried the tiger's carcass back that day, he hadn't had time to deal with it. It was currently stored in a cool corner of the side courtyard.

Hearing this, Meng Qingshan immediately brought out the tiger's body and set it down in the front hall. "Your Honor, please take a look!"

The Magistrate slowly paced around the massive tiger carcass a few times, then praised loudly, "Excellent! Truly, a hero emerges among youth! Men, bring wine and reward money!"

No sooner had he spoken than the bailiffs on both sides stepped forward.

Meng Qingshan saw that the bailiff on the left carried a jug of fine wine, and the one on the right held a stack of official silver.

The Magistrate personally poured three cups of wine. Meng Qingshan was not one to refuse a gesture of goodwill, so he drank them all.

At this moment, his mind was as clear as a mirror.

Clearly, this Magistrate intended to recruit him.

He thought to himself that this Magistrate was a capable man with a pleasant way of speaking, so he responded with courtesy: "All thanks to Your Honor's blessings. This Humble One merely got lucky and killed the tiger by chance. I truly dare not accept such a generous reward."

"Ah~" The Magistrate suddenly sighed and said, "I have recently heard of the troubles your escort agency has faced. As the parent official of Jade Mountain City, I deeply grieve over your plight.

Therefore, to prevent such incidents from recurring and for the safety of the city's people, I intend to form a bandit-suppression force to strike at Black Wind Stockade. I would like to appoint you, young hero, as the Constable of this county. What do you think?"

Meng Qingshan said, "I am honored by Your Honor's regard. This matter concerns tens of thousands of people in Jade Mountain City, and This Humble One naturally cannot shirk his duty. However, I have urgent matters to attend to recently. Could Your Honor grant me some leeway?"

"Oh, in that case, it's settled then. I will await the young hero's good news at the County Office!"

The Magistrate did not ask how much time Meng Qingshan needed. He shared a drink with him and then hurriedly left.

Seeing this, Li Qingzhu said worriedly, "Cousin, this Magistrate doesn't seem like a good person. Are you really going to agree to serve as the Constable of Jade Mountain City?"

Meng Qingshan smiled faintly. Since last night, he felt that his relationship with this girl had grown much closer.

In the front hall of the Changfeng Escort Agency.

Meng Qingshan lightly picked up the silver ingot the Magistrate had rewarded him with and weighed it in his hand.

This single ingot weighed a full ten taels. Ten ingots of silver, and he was supposed to risk his life.

Not to mention anything else, the Magistrate's wishful thinking was clattering away loud and clear.

Meng Qingshan said, "Cousin, why do you say this Magistrate is not a good person?"

Li Qingzhu said, "Cousin, I feel that the Magistrate didn't come to see the tiger, but rather to see you.

Moreover, although this Magistrate keeps talking about the people's welfare, there's not a trace of genuine concern in his tone. This hypocritical, bureaucratic act is utterly nauseating."

Meng Qingshan nodded in agreement. "Cousin is right. However, I will never forget Uncle's vengeance. That's why I'm temporarily playing along and pretending to agree.

If I can use his power to wipe out Black Wind Stockade, then for both public and private reasons, it would be a great benefit to the people."

"You're saying that the newly appointed Magistrate visited the Changfeng Escort Agency today? And brought rewards?"

"Reporting to Chief Escort Zhao, this matter has already spread through the city since this morning. It's said that the Magistrate wanted to meet the young hero who slew the tiger!"

"What kind of act is this?"

Zhao Zhicheng's face shifted between uncertainty and gloom. He lightly pinched his chin and muttered to himself, "I sent someone to contact Chen Sandao of Black Wind Stockade the day before yesterday. Could that scoundrel have taken the silver and gone off to enjoy himself without getting the job done?"

But the thought barely surfaced before he dismissed it.

He and Chen Sandao of Black Wind Stockade were old acquaintances. They had collaborated on such matters no fewer than ten times.

Although Chen Sandao had the bad habits of womanizing and gambling, he would never let personal desires delay business.