Chapter Twenty-One: A Master

Seeing the situation growing increasingly dire, the county captain and the head constable exchanged a glance, ready to strike first and intimidate the crowd by swiftly taking down a few people.

Both were martial artists.

The head constable was a ninth-rank warrior, while the county captain was even stronger, an eighth-rank warrior.

Their strength was the backbone of the soldiers’ confidence.

Only by intimidating the crowd first could they prevent a chaotic brawl.

At the critical moment, a cold snort rang out:

“Who dares to make a move?”

With that snort came a fierce murderous intent that instantly fixed upon the two men.

The county captain and head constable turned in shock to see Miao Yuanzheng standing atop the high platform, long blade strapped to his back, glaring at them fiercely.

Both men were taken aback:

“This is a master!”

Though Miao Yuanzheng had yet to make a move and his true strength was unclear, the intense killing intent and overwhelming presence he radiated caused panic to rise in their hearts.

They began to suspect that Miao Yuanzheng’s power was likely no weaker than an eighth-rank warrior.

“Damn it! How could there be such a formidable expert here?”

Their previous confidence evaporated in an instant.

They also realized they had gravely underestimated the intelligence on the Taiping Sect.

Angrily, they cast a glare at Lu Tianxing.

How could there be such a powerful martial artist in the Taiping Sect without Lu Tianxing reporting it?

Lu Tianxing felt innocent.

He was just an ordinary man with no martial skills, so he couldn’t judge Miao Yuanzheng’s strength.

Moreover, he had never been deeply involved in the Taiping Sect’s affairs and knew little about Miao Yuanzheng.

But now, the soldiers found themselves trapped, unable to back down.

It seemed that a bloody clash was inevitable.

At that moment, Liang Jin loudly called out:

“Who is in charge at the yamen?”

“Now that matters have come this far, won’t you come out and see for yourself?”

Upon this inquiry, the county captain and head constable fell silent.

Though they represented the yamen’s military force, they were clearly not the decision-makers tonight.

Then, a man stepped out from the crowd.

He wore a blue robe and sported a pointed goat beard.

He bowed slightly toward Liang Jin on the platform:

“I am Zhang You, the yamen’s scribe, greetings to the great healer.”

The scribe held no real power in the yamen.

But as the magistrate’s trusted aide and advisor, he often represented the magistrate’s opinions.

With Zhang You’s appearance, even the county captain held his tongue, clearly indicating Zhang You was the one in charge tonight.

Liang Jin asked:

“Scribe Zhang, why do you bring people to visit so late at night?”

Zhang You glanced at the agitated patients surrounding them, then at the group of armed peasants led by Lu Qiannan holding long spears, and finally at the murderous gaze of Miao Yuanzheng.

He then forced a smile and replied:

“Our county magistrate has heard that the great healer canI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.