Chapter Ninety: A Slight Stir

A dozen swift horses galloped forward, and before the crowd could react, the riders had already surged past them, then abruptly reined in their mounts, turned around, and blocked the way.

Zhou Zhi’s star-like eyes remained fixed on the newcomers. It was clear from their attire that they were soldiers, and the burly, bearded officer, Li Lin, was among them. He had changed into a different outfit: a black cloak draped over a pale blue padded jacket.

His curved blade was already drawn, and he shouted, “Stop! All of you troublemakers, halt right there!”

He held the blade across his chest, casting a cold glance over the crowd before turning to a young man beside him, also clad in a black cloak, with dignified features and about twenty years old. “Sir, this rabble caused trouble in Xin Village, bullied me, and bound my sister. I beg you to uphold justice for me!”

The young man wore a sword slung across his waist, exuding heroic bearing. He nodded lightly to Li Lin, then demanded sternly, “What exactly are you doing? Why did you go to Xin Village to stir up trouble, assault the villagers, and bind someone to take them away?”

Zhou Zhi was taken aback the moment he saw the young man.

It was him.

Zhou Zhi had seen this youth twice before: once at the drying yard, once on the road to borrow books from Shulu Village. He was the companion of the beautiful woman who had stirred waves in Zhou Zhi’s heart; likely her brother.

At the same time, the young man, catching sight of Zhou Zhi, was also momentarily surprised. Having seen him twice before, his solemn expression softened a little. Pointing with his sword, he said, “You—come forward and speak!”

It was clear he meant Zhou Zhi, who stepped forward, cupped his hands, and replied with calm dignity, “We’re all from the area around Baiyue Village. We came to Xin Village tonight to save someone, not to make trouble.”

“Tell me,” the young man said, frowning slightly.

Zhou Zhi briefly explained the situation and concluded, “Geng Zhong from Xin Village detained and framed my father. I am but a country farmer, with nowhere to seek justice, so I gathered a few people to rescue him. Sir, is it wrong for me to act so?”

“Don’t listen to his excuses, sir!” Li Lin interjected hastily. “This rabble came to Xin Village seeking trouble for no reason. My sister has always been honest and proper, keeping to her duties—how could she provoke them? Yet they bound her, sir, you must stand up for me!”

The young man hesitated, unsure whom to believe, and frowned in deep thought.

Suddenly, he turned to Li Lin with angry eyes. “Li Lin, do not deceive me. I’ve heard your sister’s reputation in Xin Village is far from good!”

Zhou Zhi had already made clear that Li Xiaoying and Li Shun, the Taoist, were lovers, and together they incited Geng Zhong to frame and detain Zhou Tie, his father.

It was evident the young man knew something about Li Lin’s affairs. Though he had come here at Li Lin’s request, he now doubted his words.

Liu Hui, who had been at the rear of the group, now stepped forward to stand beside Zhou Zhi. He cupped his hands to the youth and said, “Please, sir, judge fairly. We are honest folk, but Li Lin just impersonated an officer and assaulted and threatened us without cause. You seem a righteous man, sir; I beg you to defend us law-abiding villagers.”

Liu Hui, despite being a local ruffian, was clearly at a loss, his words stumbling. He’d never faced anything like this: a dozen military riders blocking the road, all real soldiers. His courage faltered.

Many in Liu Hui’s group carried sticks and blades—hardly the image of honest villagers. The young man saw through his words as mere evasion.

Li Lin seized the chance, protesting, “Sir, listen to them claiming to be honest folk—would honest folk gather forty or fifty men armed with blades? Sir, I wouldn’t dare deceive you, not for anything in the world!”

The young man glanced at Zhou Zhi and Liu Hui, then at the rough-looking rabble behind them. The ruffians were pale with fear; their shifty eyes darted about, making them seem anything but proper.

The young man waved his hand and said in a deep voice, “Bind these two and take them back. Let the others go for now.”

He meant Zhou Zhi and Liu Hui. Seven or eight soldiers behind him urged their horses forward to seize them.

Earlier, Zhou Zhi had dared strike the fake officer, seeing through the disguise. But this group was clearly legitimate soldiers—no flaw could be found. Zhou Zhi, though helpless, kept a clear head. To resist these soldiers? The outcome aside, such defiance would bring serious charges. Surely the authorities would investigate, and he didn’t know the soldiers’ origins. He must tread carefully.

Still, he had met the heroic youth twice before. From his careful questioning of Li Lin, not blindly siding with him, Zhou Zhi could tell this young man was reasonable and discerning.

So Zhou Zhi smiled slightly and said, “Sir, you may take me away, but I beg you to judge fairly. Li Lin is your subordinate, yes? Surely you would not let him impersonate an officer and harm the villages?”

The young man saw Zhou Zhi’s calm, unflinching demeanor, and was struck by it. He turned coldly to Li Lin. “Of course! If Li Lin truly impersonated an officer, I will punish him severely.”

Just then, a chestnut horse suddenly burst forth from the rear of the troop. Its rider also wore a black cloak, sword slung at the waist, but her features were delicate and her figure petite.

Though still dressed as a man, Zhou Zhi instantly recognized her—it was the beautiful woman he had met twice before, who had left a deep impression.

Zhou Zhi had been watching the riders closely, searching for her. On his previous encounters with the youth, his sister had always been present. Seeing her now come forward, his heart stirred with a quiet excitement.

Since the young woman already knew Zhou Zhi was aware of her true identity, she blushed when she glanced at him, hurriedly averting her gaze.

She spoke softly to her brother, “Brother, don’t act rashly. Are you thinking of handing these two over to the authorities? You must think carefully. When we passed Xin Village, we saw four farmers impersonating officers. That alone is highly suspicious. Li Lin claims he has been wronged and wants us to avenge him, but you must consider—why did Li Lin’s sister fall into their hands? These people traveled seventy or eighty miles; would they come all this way just to capture Li Lin’s sister? And that man—you’ve met him before. He’s just a poor country boy. I’d rather believe his words than Li Lin’s.”

Her voice was soft, but Zhou Zhi, standing nearby, heard it clearly. His heart leapt with joy—this girl, once thought headstrong and domineering, now appeared quite decent, speaking up for him.