Chapter Two: Are You Confident?

The sound traveled some sixty or seventy meters, reaching the yamen, where everyone inside turned their curious eyes toward the rapidly approaching Xu Xing.

Watching Xu Xing stride away, Su Mei sighed and said in a low voice, “That boy…” Then, following Xu Xing’s lead, she and her companions made their way into the yamen as well.

Xu Xing raced along the avenue paved with blue stone, cursing under his breath—he was running too slowly. At such a critical moment, when every second counted, he was frantic: Damn it, why am I so slow? I’m already going all out.

Suddenly—smack!—Xu Xing tripped over the yamen’s threshold, which stood about twenty centimeters high, and fell flat on his face.

Everyone present burst into laughter, and instantly the yamen was filled with uproar.

Lying on the ground, Xu Xing wasn’t bruised or battered from the fall. After all, he was a minor expert in the Qi Refining stage; such trivial bumps and scrapes left no trace on him.

He might not be as powerful as his elder brother Xu Hai, who was at the peak of Qi Refining, but he still had some ability to protect himself.

Xu Xing picked himself up, dusted off his clothes, straightened his posture, and walked confidently through the gates. About ten meters ahead of him was his elder brother, Xu Hai, kneeling on the ground, his hands bound with hemp rope.

Hearing Xu Xing’s arrival, Xu Hai shifted his body and turned his head. His eyes brightened as he looked at Xu Xing’s confident face, and he said excitedly, “Second Brother, you finally got back on your feet. You’ve stepped out of the shadows.”

Xu Xing approached and bent down slightly, reaching out to untie Xu Hai.

At that moment, a black-clad guard standing in the main hall appeared beside them in a flash, raising his blade against Xu Xing’s hand.

“Ahem, Magistrate, as per the laws of Great Shu, even those under trial are entitled to human rights. Treating my brother as if he were an executed criminal is an affront to his rights. If word of this got out, would it not be a laughingstock?” Xu Xing declared righteously to the magistrate.

His words ignited a storm of discussion among the crowd—surprised that the man who once squandered his days in drunken revelry now spoke with such reason and logic, leaving no room for refutation.

People couldn’t help but wonder—what had happened to him?

On the dais, the county magistrate, Li Mo, dressed in his official robes and holding a cup of some thick, white liquid—perhaps bird’s nest soup—took a sip and said calmly, “Step back. He is right. This was indeed my oversight.”

The black-clad guard flashed back to the dais, resuming his place by the magistrate. The hall was divided into two areas: below the steps sat the plaintiffs, defendants, and onlookers; above, the tribunal and jury.

“Xiao Xing, you finally made it. I thought you were drunk again. Earlier, when the summons was read at midnight, it was said you were too intoxicated to be brought in—that you were verifying something. Thankfully, you’re here now. I nearly ended up in prison,” Xu Hai said cheerfully as the ropes were removed. He embraced Xu Xing, then, letting go, spoke with heartfelt relief: “Second Brother, you’ve grown up. You’re yourself again! No longer trapped by matters of the heart.”

Xu Xing felt a bit awkward at that, vague memories surfacing and sending goosebumps all over him.

But as this was the yamen, a place for official business, he did not linger on small talk. He cut to the point, asking, “Brother, what do you need me to assist you with?”

At this, Magistrate Li Mo spoke from the dais: “You are here as a witness. The defendant may not speak; otherwise, he shall be flogged fifty times!”

Xu Hai fell silent, speaking no more.

“Xu Xing, this afternoon, did you personally witness your brother Xu Hai leaving at dusk?”

Xu Xing hesitated, glancing at his brother’s unhappy expression.

“Answer the question.”

“Yes,” Xu Xing replied, meeting his brother’s gaze with determination.

“And can you confirm that your brother went out after washing clothes?”

Thinking back to the damp garments hanging from the willow tree and remembering that his brother was henpecked—his personal clothes were surely washed by himself and not the servants—Xu Xing nodded.

“Good. Two more questions. Answer truthfully.”

This left Xu Xing feeling powerless, as if his abilities were of no use. Was his brother really going to be ruined by this?

No, he wouldn’t allow it. Resolute, Xu Xing asked, “Magistrate, do I have the right to make a statement?”

“No. This is the time for questioning. Statements may only be made before the final verdict.”

What a ridiculous rule! Xu Xing cursed inwardly. Who on earth came up with this nonsense? Clearly someone who had never studied Marxist social theory—but then, this was ancient times, after all.

“Has your brother reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage?”

Xu Xing looked at Li Mo doubtfully. Was the cultivation of Great Shu so hard to determine that they needed his testimony? Still, he nodded, recalling that his brother was indeed at the peak.

Xu Hai closed his eyes, as if resigned to his fate.

“Very well, last question: After your servant was brought to the yamen, did you receive a delivery in the courtyard—a roast chicken and two catties of strong liquor?”

Licking the remnants of roast chicken from the corner of his mouth and savoring the lingering taste of the liquor, Xu Xing nodded with a smile.

Yet he felt uneasy—how did Li Mo know everything? His brother’s cultivation, his brother’s departure, the laundry, even his own meal of roast chicken and liquor—he knew it all.

But now, these scattered clues began to form a storyline in Xu Xing’s mind. He was seventy percent certain of what had happened.

After answering, he glanced at his brother, who looked ashen and sighed deeply.

“It’s over. You nodded at everything. Looks like I’m really going to suffer in prison, surrounded by muscle-bound men and murderers. Who knows what I’ll turn into?”

Up to now, it seemed he’d done more harm than good, not using any of his knowledge, and Xu Hai appeared to be in despair.

But Xu Xing was confident he could clear his brother’s name—at the very least, save him from imprisonment. For from Li Mo’s questions, Xu Xing could already piece together much of what had happened.

At last, Xu Hai pulled Xu Xing into a hug, unable to hold back a sigh. “Brother, I might really end up in prison this time.”

“Why? We still have a chance,” Xu Xing replied, puzzled, but his brother only held him tighter.

“Because now all the evidence is against me. But I swear, I didn’t do it!”

Hearing his brother’s aggrieved words, Xu Xing was deeply moved. He placed his hands on Xu Hai’s shoulders and gently patted his back, a slow and steady rhythm.

“Second Brother, if I do end up in prison, take care of your sister-in-law for me.”

“Of course. Wait—no, you’re not going to prison. I’m here.”

“Don’t be stubborn. We grew up together—I know you too well. Also, look after your foster sister. Wait for our parents to return.”

For a moment, Xu Xing was speechless. He quickened his pats, then, as inspiration struck him, pushed his brother aside and stared at him with shining eyes. “Brother, I know now! With what I learned from Su Wei and this sudden idea, I can almost piece it together!”

“I’m certain! I’m almost sure of it!”

Xu Hai was astonished—not that he doubted Xu Xing, but he had watched his younger brother grow up. How could he not know what kind of person he was?

His brother was dashing but had never seriously practiced martial arts nor studied the classics—could this really be?

But thinking it over, he felt content. Seeing his little brother finally step out of those dark times, he was gratified.

Looking at Xu Xing, Xu Hai even managed a faint smile. The confidence radiating from Xu Xing sparked a glimmer of hope in his heart.

His brother’s resolve was unwavering. Today, he seemed like a changed man. Could his second brother truly clear his name?

With a tentative hope, Xu Hai patted Xu Xing and asked, “Are you really certain?”