Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 54 Martyrs

The next morning, the two got up early.

Shen Wenxing changed into casual clothes and followed Zhang Bin on the streets of the capital, spending nearly a hundred taels of silver to buy some high-end gifts before heading towards the military headquarters.

Upon arriving at the military headquarters, Zhang Bin cupped his hands and said, "Zhang Bin, Left General of the Yunzhong Border Army, has business with Counselor Wang. Please help me inform him."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers said "Wait here" and then turned and left.

a long time--

"The advisor will arrive shortly. General, please wait in the side room."

The two were led to a side room, where a servant from the yamen served them tea.

Footsteps could be heard outside.

Before the person even arrived, a hearty laugh rang out.

"Old Zhang, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing the sound, Zhang Bin quickly put down his teacup and got up to go out to greet the person.

Shen Wenxing followed closely behind.

"Zhang Bin, Left General of the Yunzhong Border Army, pays his respects to Advisor Wang."

"Fuck your mother!"

"Are you making fun of me?"

No sooner had Zhang Bin finished speaking than a huge fist slammed into his shoulder, causing him to stagger.

"Ha ha……"

Zhang Bin laughed heartily, clutching his shoulder, then opened his arms and hugged the person tightly.

"Old Zhang, your face..."

After the two brothers embraced, the burly man opposite them frowned and looked at the left side of Zhang Bin's face.

"Hey... a minor injury!"

Zhang Bin smiled indifferently: "In the battle of He County, I almost had my head cracked open by a son of a bitch of a barbarian warrior."

"Thanks to my personal guard."

"Oh?" The burly man looked at Shen Wenxing curiously.

"Concealed aura, a martial artist who has acquired cultivation?"

Zhang Bin chuckled and introduced, "Kid, let me introduce you. This is Wang Chan, the military advisor."

"Old Wang, this is Shen Wenxing, the bodyguard who saved my life. He is a peak-stage acquired martial artist."

"Greetings, Counselor Wang." Shen Wenxing quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

Wang Chan smiled and waved his hand: "Heroes emerge from among the young. You've already reached the pinnacle of your abilities at such a young age. Your future achievements will far surpass those of us old folks."

"Old Zhang, you've found a real gem."

The three of them sat down with smiles on their faces.

Zhang Bin immediately signaled Shen Wenxing to bring out the gifts he had bought on the trip.

Wang Chan glanced at those things and frowned.

"When the hell did you learn this trick too?"

"Return the item to where it came from; I don't want it."

Zhang Bin smiled, took a sip of tea, and sighed, "Normally, I really wouldn't be willing to buy you these things."

"I have a favor to ask this time."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chan put down his teacup and asked seriously, "What is it?"

He knew that Zhang Bin had brought a generous gift, which must be something important.

"You still remember Huang Yunxiao, right?" Zhang Bin asked.

Wang Chan pondered for a moment and said, "That hothead from Yunzhong County?"

"I remember he was transferred to be the county magistrate of Anyang County a few years ago, wasn't he?"

Zhang Bin nodded and immediately explained the relationship between Huang Yunxiao and the Shen family.

“Now, the second son of the Shen family has been arrested by the Black Scale Guards of the Surveillance Bureau because of Master Lu’s matter. I have come here to ask for your help, Brother Wang…”

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Chan shook his head.

“Old Zhang, it’s not that I’m unwilling to lend a hand, but even if I were just a minor military advisor, I wouldn’t dare to interfere in the affairs of the Inspectorate.”

"This is a matter I am unable to help with."

After saying this, he looked at Shen Wenxing and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the one who was arrested should be this kid's brother, right?"

Shen Wenxing immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "It is indeed my younger brother, Anu."

"Counselor Wang, I know it's difficult to rescue someone from the Censorate. I just want to ask for your help, at least to let me know why Anu was convicted and whether he is alright now."

Wang Chan nodded.

Preventing him from getting people released from the Censorate is not too difficult; he can at least inquire about some things.

"Old Zhang, where are you living now?"

"I will have someone inquire about it later, and I will inform you as soon as I have any news."

After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Bin said, "We are currently staying at the Chengnan Inn. We are grateful for your help this time, brother."

Wang Chan waved his hand: "I can't be of much help, it's not worth thanking for such a small thing."

"That's all for now, wait for my message."

After seeing the two off, Wang Chan frowned and pondered for a long time. Finally, he summoned a military officer and whispered a few words in his ear.

The soldier bowed in response and then left the military headquarters.

Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, the two were anxiously waiting at the post station when Wang Chan came looking for them.

"How's it going?"

After taking their seats, Zhang Bin couldn't wait to ask. Wang Chan replied with a solemn expression, "It's more serious than I imagined. I've received news that His Majesty has ordered a joint trial of Lu Zhiyuan in three days, and the Confucian scholars will be invited to attend."

"You should know what kind of people those old folks are."

"He talks a lot about benevolence and morality, but his mouth is sharper than a knife that can kill."

“Back then, when Master Lu wanted to innovate his studies, he was met with a barrage of criticism and condemnation, with people wishing they could tear him apart.”

"With them here during this joint trial, it will be difficult for Master Lu to escape death."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenxing's expression suddenly turned ugly.

He hadn't expected things to be so serious.

"Kid, you don't need to worry too much."

“Master Lu is doomed to die, but your brother is just his student. All you need to do is shift all the blame onto Master Lu and publicly sever ties with him, and you should be spared.”

"If you're willing, I'll pull some strings and arrange for you and your brother to meet. You can then give him some advice."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenxing's face lit up with joy, and he quickly stood up and clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Counselor Wang!"

Wang Chan waved his hand.

"Stone, you go out first. I'll discuss this with Brother Wang."

Seeing this, Zhang Bin sent Shen Wenxing away.

A moment later, the two came out of the room.

"Tomorrow at the hour of You (5-7 PM), you will have a quarter of an hour. At that time, I will take you into the prison of the Censorate."

"Old Zhang, goodbye."

After Wang Chan finished speaking, he hurriedly left the post station.

"General, how much silver did it cost to make these arrangements?"

Shen Wenxing spoke up, knowing that Zhang Bin had sent him away to inquire about the expenses required for bribery.

The gates of the Censorate are very high; getting them to make exceptions would definitely cost a fortune.

Zhang Bin slowly extended two fingers.

"Twenty taels?" Shen Wenxing asked tentatively.

Zhang Bin glanced at him: "The Black Scale Guards of the Inspectorate only get twenty taels a month. Do you think twenty taels will make them lenient?"

"That...two hundred taels!?"

He asked, somewhat incredulously.

Zhang Bin nodded: "Two hundred taels of silver seems like a lot, but we still have to use favors to pay for it."

“Young man, after this ordeal, you brothers owe your brother a great debt of gratitude.”

Shen Wenxing nodded slightly without saying a word.

Two hundred taels it is. As long as my brother can be rescued, this money must be spent.

The next day at Shenshi (3-5 PM), the two arrived at the military headquarters again.

Wang Chan found a set of armor representing the Imperial Guards and had Shen Wenxing put it on, then took him directly to the Inspectorate prison.

After going through layers of checks, Shen Wenxing finally saw his younger brother in the prison cell.

At this moment, Shen Wenyan's hair was disheveled, his clothes were covered in blood, and he was huddled in a corner of the cell.

Time was of the essence, and Shen Wenxing didn't have time to feel sorry for himself. He went straight up to her and whispered his name.

"Anu!"

The figure in the corner of the cell trembled slightly and slowly raised its head.

"Brother!?"

Shen Wenyan rushed over in disbelief. When he realized that the person in front of him was indeed his elder brother, he couldn't help but choke up, "Brother, you... how did you get here?"

Shen Wenxing touched his thin face with heartache and said, "Anu, time is of the essence. What your elder brother is about to say is the key to whether you can get out of here alive. You must remember it!"

Shen Wenyan nodded.

After a while——

"Big brother, Anu...can't do it."

Shen Wenyan struggled for a long time before smiling bitterly, "A teacher for a day is a father for life."

“In Anu’s heart, the teacher is just like her father and mother. A scholar should have integrity. If he has to live by this, the rest of his life will be a torment.”

"Shen Wenyan!" Hearing his younger brother's stubborn words, Shen Wenxing said anxiously, "Master Lu doesn't want to see you die either!"

"Think of your father and mother. What would they do if something happened to you?!"

“Father…Mother…”

A bitter smile appeared on Shen Wenyan's face as he looked up towards Anyang County.

"Brother, I am an unfilial son. I entrust my father and mother to you from now on."

“If the Master is to become a martyr, then as his student, Anu is willing to follow him.”

"You!" Shen Wenxing was furious. Just as he was about to say something, a Black Scale Guard from the Inspectorate rushed over: "Time's up, don't delay any longer!"

Helpless, Shen Wenxing could only hurriedly leave the prison with the Black Scale Guard.

"how?"

Outside the prison, Wang Chan asked, his hands clasped together.

Shen Wenxing forced a smile and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you for your help, Counselor Wang. I have already told him."

Wang Chan nodded: "That's good, that's good."

"Go back and wait. After the joint trial in court the day after tomorrow, everything should be fine."

The two parted ways, Shen Wenxing's face full of sorrow.

He knew that the only way to save his brother's life was to rely on the two immortals, Li Heshan and Zhong Liqing.

After some hesitation, he immediately headed towards Yingxian Garden based on his memory.

Please keep reading and vote! Thank you all, my godfathers!
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(End of this chapter)