Du Huoguan: "Exactly. This move of his indeed united the people, and everyone in East Nine Plains has since been convinced and obedient to him.
With everyone working together, they campaigned east and west, north and south, sweeping through the surrounding areas, repeatedly defeating invaders, and beating back the surrounding forces until they no longer dared to easily offend."
Nie showed no interest in his statement, asking indifferently, “He gave up dozens of opportunities to leave over several years.
Can you think of anyone else like that?”
Du Huoguan genuinely lowered his head and pondered for a while, finally shaking his head slowly and saying, “It’s possible to give up a few times due to circumstances in a short period, but to give up dozens of times over such a long time, I’m afraid there won’t be another; at least, I haven’t heard of a second. As you know, finding a way to leave this place is the greatest desire of the local natives.
The purpose of living is for this; as long as there’s an opportunity, almost no one is willing to give it up.
And what kind of true intention do these so-called Chiefs of various factions have to genuinely take root here and operate their forces? They almost all take turns sitting the throne and waving flags, one leaving and another taking over, each with their own schemes.
Otherwise, East Nine Plains wouldn’t have been so easy to sweep through.”
Nie also knew the situation and morale of the people here, having been here for a very long time.
It was precisely because of the abnormality before him that he was surprised and drew his attention. The reason he asked Du Huoguan was out of concern that he might not be sufficiently informed about worldly affairs, and thus just wanted to confirm one or two things.
After receiving confirmation, he handed over the stack of papers in his hand again.
Du Huoguan quickly took them with both hands and saw that the person on the couch had closed his eyes again, seemingly no longer interested in the matter.
He immediately continued to elaborate, “Considering all circumstances, the large amount of supplies East Nine Plains received is too suspicious. Combined with the elimination of hundreds of people in East Nine Plains, it’s as if someone is using that large sum of supplies to clear out East Nine Plains, to prevent those local influential figures from discovering it.
Shi Chun and the other person, who had not left, were framed, and this might be related to it.
Qi Yueru’s son and brother were killed, and she herself is still in the city.
If it’s related to Shi Chun and the other person being framed, Qi Yueru is very likely to suspect them as the murderers.
There is indeed reason for suspicion.
The autopsy report stated that her son and her brother died by the sword, and Shi Chun and the other person both use swords. The incident occurred in East Nine Plains, the murderer used a sword, and there was a grudge with her son; it’s hard not to be suspicious.
However, one point is quite strange: if it really was her, why didn’t Qi Yueru wait for the people to leave before acting?”
Nie, who was feigning sleep with closed eyes, suddenly uttered indifferently, “Let the false accuser and Shi Chun fight. Vengeance will be taken, and the survivor released.”
If Shi Chun knew his name could be spoken by this person, he would probably feel extremely honored.
Du Huoguan choked, then said, “According to the information gathered, Shi Chun is quite capable in a fight.
The possibility of that accuser being his opponent is probably not high.”
What he meant by this was that when he had interrogated that accuser earlier, he had already promised the person that as long as they confessed honestly, bygones would be bygones, and he had brazenly asserted that his guarantee was effective.
There were other people present at the time, and to go back on his word now would be too embarrassing. How would the people below see him? Nie didn’t care what he thought.
The instructions that followed were even more stringent: “A drum will sound ten times to decide victory or defeat. After ten sounds, life or death will be decided.
Only one side is allowed to leave alive. If both sides are alive, they will both be executed.”
What does this mean? This sudden turn of events left Du Huoguan utterly bewildered. Ten counts to decide life or death? Shi Chun was the one who was framed.
Well, he didn’t care about Shi Chun’s life or death. As for his promise to the accuser, he was ready to go back on his word.
There was nothing he could do. Who knew what was going on? The Jailer didn’t even seem to care much about the possibility of an internal spy, yet he was actively interfering in the trivial matters of such small figures, even giving specific instructions on how to proceed.
What could he do? He couldn’t avoid it, he could only comply. He couldn’t resist or question.
Don’t be fooled by how calm the Jailer seemed; when he acted up, it was terrifying.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such bare-handed combat.” Nie added.
Though Du Huoguan didn’t understand why, he understood that the Jailer wanted to watch the fight, so he no longer had an excuse.
He immediately agreed and went to make arrangements.
After he left, Nie, lying on his side, opened his eyes slightly, as if muttering to himself, “No wonder I couldn’t understand that girl’s words.”
Some things, for some people, are not because they don’t understand, nor because they cannot comprehend, nor because they are un enlightened due to foolishness. Rather, it’s because they are too rational, accustomed to rational thinking to face all problems, or perhaps they have been high above for too long, becoming indifferent to certain aspects of human nature.
“loyalty and righteousness…” Seemingly no longer interested in resting, Nie, muttering Lan Qiaoyan’s two words, rose from the couch and paced to a window, gazing at the desolate wilderness outside the city. The sky was vast and the land wide, yet there was little vitality.
His eyes seemed hazy, and he murmured, “A flower blooming in the desert, an oddity…”
Not long after leaving, Du Huoguan hurried back and informed the Jailer that the fight would be arranged in an open space outside the building.
Inside the prison, under the Prison Inspector’s arrangement, a city guard had no choice but to persuade the deliberate false accuser.
As for the Prison Inspector himself, no matter how influential he was, he didn’t have the face to see this accuser.
Well, it’s fine for people to be looked down upon by important figures, as that’s normal.
But if even small figures look down on you, that’s a bit embarrassing.
“Ah?” The accuser was indeed greatly surprised upon hearing this and asked urgently, “The Prison Inspector promised with his golden word that bygones would be bygones.
How, how can this…” He didn’t dare to speak the rest of his words, but the meaning was clear enough for anyone not foolish to understand.
The city guard patted his shoulder and advised, “The Prison Inspector naturally keeps his word, but you forgot about the other two.
Those two people you wronged want to seek justice from you, and we can’t just let you go for free; they won’t agree.
Both of them have strong tempers, the kind that won’t bend even when broken.
Before, they endured even severe torture without confessing. Now, they insist on a life-or-death duel with you, and we can’t openly favor you.
But don’t worry, since the Prison Inspector promised, we will definitely favor you. That tall guy looks difficult to deal with, so pick the shorter one.
His strength is a bit weaker, and when we tortured him before, we were also harsher on him. He’s seriously injured, so he definitely won’t be your opponent.”
The Prison Inspector didn’t want to take the blame, nor did he dare to let the Jailer take it, so only Shi Chun and the other person could bear it.
The accuser said with suspicion, “Then why must life or death be decided in ten counts? Why must we both be executed if life or death isn’t decided?”
The city guard found it hard to explain.
He was just following orders and didn’t know why. His face immediately darkened, and he turned hostile instantly, growling, “What are you nagging about? Do you have a choice?”
On the other side, Shi Chun had already been brought out from the prison first.
There was nothing to say to him; he was directly told the rules for the life-or-death duel: fight or die, no choice.
The person had already been sent to that empty space, waiting, and he indeed looked seriously injured, his clothes ragged, his body crisscrossed with bloodstains, and his complexion was not good.
He found these powerful individuals too unreasonable. Instead of resolving the problem by investigating the truth of the case, they actually let the winner decide.
The city guard even enforced the law in such a hasty and childish manner. Was this what it meant to be an ant in the eyes of others?