From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

Zhu Hong's eyes flickered slightly, and he bowed deeply to Gu Huai'an, replying:

"Thank you, Clerk Xie."

He slowly turned around, looking at the already insane Zhao Lai on the ground. His gaze lowered slightly, concealing the fleeting thoughts in his eyes. Without another word, he drew his knife with a "clang," saying, "You got off easy, you old bastard."

Before the words were finished, a cold glint appeared.

Blood splattered, and a human head rolled to the ground.

"You...you just killed him like that?"

The room erupted in chaos.

"That junior constable has misunderstood Lord Bo's intentions! He's too audacious."

"Hush——

Are you crazy? The person is inside, are you pretending not to hear you?

Zhu Hong sheathed his sword, glanced at Zhao Lai's decapitated body on the ground, and felt a sense of relief. This feeling was hard to describe; since he entered the government, apart from Zhao Biao, he hadn't paid any attention to Zhao Lai's family.

Whether to kill or not is simply a matter of sooner or later.

But when the time actually came to end it all, I felt an indescribable sense of comfort and ease, as if I had completely separated myself from my former self.

"what!"

Zhao Gui, a beat too slow, finally snapped out of his daze.

He collapsed to the ground, staring at his father's corpse, his mind reeling. He felt a burning sensation in his groin; he had wet his pants in terror. Madam Ma and Madam Liu had never witnessed anything like this before. They huddled together, not daring to utter a sound.

He was terrified that he would be the one to have his throat slit later.

"Report to the Registrar".

Zhu Hong immediately turned to face Gu Huai'an: "I have completed my task."

Gu Huai'an sat upright behind the desk, his expression, which had been somewhat indifferent just moments before, now softened into a smile that reached his lips: "So you just kill them like that?"

Zhu Hong stood with his head bowed and answered loudly:

"He disrupted the court proceedings and insulted his superiors. Killing him is just as good as killing him. It'll be a quick and painless death for him."

Upon hearing this, Gu Huai'an clapped his hands and chuckled lightly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried throughout the entire courtroom: "Well said, 'Kill him and then kill him.' Though hasty, it wasn't a wrongful execution." He stopped smiling, his gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people outside the courtroom, his voice calm:

"Today, the drum of petition will sound."

Everyone in Jinyang City was watching this courtroom closely. The government should investigate thoroughly, but if someone were to casually spill dirty water and speak ill of the people behind their backs, the government would truly be looked down upon in the future.” Having said this, he slightly raised his eyes and left a comment:

"So, that was a good job."

As soon as the words were spoken, the crowd outside the hall held their breath, and the previous buzzing discussions vanished instantly. Everyone understood that today, in this courtroom, the registrar's word was law, and the authority of the Jinyang Prefecture could not be disrespected in the slightest.

Those who had previously dared to watch the spectacle now dared not even breathe loudly, simply bowing their heads and waiting for what would happen next.

What will happen?

Zhu Hong slightly tightened his grip on his side, his gaze passing over Zhao Lai's corpse and landing on the limp Zhao Gui before turning back to Gu Huai'an. His voice was calm and clear: "Reporting to the clerk, although Zhao Lai has been executed, this case is not over yet."

Gu Huai'an tapped the edge of the table lightly with his fingertips, without even lifting his eyelids.

"Just say it."

Zhu Hong's tone was calm, sounding entirely fair and frank, yet every word concealed a deep-seated scheming: "Although Zhao Lai has been questioned, there is still one thing that I find unsettling." He paused slightly, his tone impeccably sincere:

"After today."

In Jinyang, rumors and gossip are bound to fly everywhere.

Following his lead, Gu Huai'an slowly asked, "Oh? Tell me, what rumors are circulating?"

Zhu Hong said:

"Zhao Gui just shouted and yelled, dragging the Jiang family into it as well. Of course, I don't believe it myself, but after this disturbance at the Dengwen Drum, there will inevitably be a lot of gossip directed at the Jiang family." He raised his voice a few octaves, adopting a righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor.

"Therefore, your subordinate believes that..."

The authorities should restore Jiang's innocence!

The dignity of the public office should not be unjustly tarnished by anyone. Now that someone has sounded the petition drum and falsely accused the Jiang family, we must investigate thoroughly and give the people of Jinyang City a clear explanation.

After he finished speaking, the courtroom fell completely silent.

Lin Jizhi was so shocked that his mouth was wide open, almost big enough to fit a fist. He was filled with admiration for Zhu Hong.

"Damn, he's really good with words."

He used to admire Wang Zhenshan, but now he realized that this man was the real role model.

It is said that:

When a scholar encounters a soldier, reason is useless.

But who would have thought that the most terrifying people in this world are actually cunning martial artists? Being able to fight and kill is nothing special. Being both literate and skilled in martial arts, killing with one hand and speaking of justice with the other, that's what's truly invincible.

Lin Jizhi couldn't help but admire him.

"Why isn't he that kind of person?"

Gu Huai'an leaned back in his chair, listened to Zhu Hong finish speaking, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand, took out a gold token from his sleeve, and casually tossed it aside.

The token fell through the air, and Zhu Hong reached out and caught it.

The Prefect's Golden Decree, issued by one of the most powerful people in the entire Jinyang, is never given lightly.

"Zhu Hong".

Gu Huai'an's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "Since this matter arose because of you, I entrust you with the responsibility of handling it to the end." He glanced up briefly, his tone calm to the point of indifference, but the weight it carried was enough to crush the entire city of Jinyang.

"All six squads of constables are at your command."

"Just remember, I want a satisfactory answer for the people of Jinyang."

Zhu Hong carefully put away the gold token.

He bowed, feeling that his plans had finally come to fruition.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

The turn of events was too abrupt, and the expressions of the constables in the hall changed simultaneously. Their hearts were in turmoil, and they all exclaimed inwardly, "What kind of scheme is this? Could it be that the young master has some plot that they are unaware of?" But under the watchful eyes of everyone, they had no choice but to suppress their surprise and doubt for the time being.

Only Wang Zhenshan remained calm.

Gu Huai'an took in the changes in the expressions of the constables. He neither explained nor said anything more. After a moment of solemnity, he slowly spoke and said, "That's enough!" After saying that, he stood up and left on his own.

Upon seeing this, everyone stood up and bowed to see them off.

"Wang Zhenshan, speak." As soon as Gu Zhangbo disappeared, Song Jiwen hurriedly questioned Wang Zhenshan about what had happened. The other constables also stared intently, waiting for his explanation.

Wang Zhenshan raised the corners of his lips slightly and uttered a light, airy remark:

"Just do as he says."

"Hmph!" Wei Qingyuan couldn't stand being bossed around by the brats from Class 2 anymore. He turned his head away in anger, too lazy to look at Wang Zhenshan's petty ambitions.

"Zhao Gui".

Zhu Hong seemed oblivious to the commotion behind him, his gaze slowly shifting to Zhao Gui, who lay slumped on the ground. With just that one glance, Zhao Gui felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his body trembling violently, his soul nearly leaving his body.

"Zhu, Zhu Hong!"

He prostrated himself on the ground, frantically kowtowing: "Please spare me, please spare me! I apologize, I'll be your servant from now on!"

"Then I'll trouble you."

Zhu Hong's expression was indifferent, his voice as soft as a breeze: "Would you mind coming with us to the Jiang residence to inquire?"