Free Web NovelChapter 39: Chapter 37: I Am But a Mere Horse Groom
"I just said that all you worthy talents are permitted to refuse. Since Martial Artist Fu now wishes to withdraw, I will naturally not go back on my word..." For a moment, Hex Prefecture’s face was dark with anger, but then he suddenly smiled. He did not punish Fu Zhizhou for his insubordination. Instead, he said these words.
Upon hearing this, the Martial Artists in the hall looked at each other in astonishment, and a low uproar broke out.
They hadn’t expected Hex Prefecture to be so reasonable. ’If we’d known, we would have stood up with Wei Tu and the others and refused outright.’
Aside from the few Martial Artists blinded by greed, the rest who had agreed to go to the Wuyun Tower had not done so willingly. They had been coerced by Hex Prefecture’s intimidating authority, fearing they would offend the man in charge of the entire prefecture if they refused.
"But—"
Suddenly, a single word rang out.
The Martial Artists fell silent, their eyes drawn to the main seat where Hex Prefecture sat.
Just then, Hex Prefecture, the one who had spoken, picked up the teacup from the table beside him and rose to his feet.
Dressed as a scholar, with the air of a man of letters, he looked exceptionally frail standing among the crowd of Martial Artists, as if a single gust of wind could topple him.
But Hex Prefecture showed not a hint of intimidation. He surveyed the surrounding Martial Artists, his gaze icy. Any who met his eyes immediately felt a chill run down their spine. They lowered their heads and bowed slightly, not daring to meet his gaze directly.
This was the aura of authority.
A single word.
A single gesture.
Was enough to plunge the hall’s atmosphere into a state of tense suppression.
At this moment, everyone in the hall remained silent, the only sound seemingly their own ragged breathing...
Finally, Hex Prefecture’s gaze swept over the topknots of the Martial Artists in the hall, flickered past Fu Zhizhou’s face, and finally came to rest on Wei Tu, Weii Fei, and Kou Liang.
All the pressure in the room.
At this very moment.
Shifted onto Wei Tu and the other two.
The other Martial Artists, who had been holding their breath, let out a collective sigh of relief.
"But... Fu Zhizhou is different from the three of you. His uncle is a Captain in the Xiaoyi Prefecture’s Xiang Army, a Seventh-Grade Official..."
"Even if he gives up this opportunity for promotion today, he can still rely on his uncle’s patronage tomorrow. But what about the three of you?"
Surprisingly, Hex Prefecture’s words were gentle, like a genial teacher patiently instructing his disobedient students.
He offered not a single word of blame toward Wei Tu and the other two. Only the earnest tones of someone explaining simple logic.
However, to the other Martial Artists, his words carried a bone-chilling cold.
His words confirmed their suspicions. Refusing this mission would likely lead to suppression and retaliation from Hex Prefecture.
Hex Prefecture’s implication was clear—
Fu Zhizhou could refuse.
That was because he had the protection of a Seventh-Grade Military Officer for an uncle. Even if he were suppressed, he would only have to endure two or three years of undesirable assignments before getting a promotion.
But what about Wei Tu and the other two?
If they were suppressed, they might never be promoted for the rest of their lives, destined to die in the lowest ranks.
"This..."
Hearing this, Fu Zhizhou’s throat bobbed. He desperately wanted to speak out and warn Wei Tu and the others not to be swayed by Hex Prefecture’s words.
But under Hex Prefecture’s piercing gaze, he was forced to swallow his words and remain silent.
Besides, Hex Prefecture was telling the truth. The reason he had dared to be the first one to stand up and refuse was inextricably linked to his uncle being a Seventh-Grade Military Officer.
’Only with backing does one have the power to be willful.’
After waiting a moment and seeing that Wei Tu and the others hadn’t responded, Hex Prefecture sneered inwardly. ’A Martial Artist is still just a Martial Artist. A few words and... they’re ready to yield.’
"I don’t have the Fu Family behind me, nor a Seventh-Grade Military Officer for an uncle like Fu Zhizhou... But I am a simple, clumsy man... I fear I would only hinder the Lord Prefect’s plan. I beg the Lord Prefect’s forgiveness."
Just then, an inopportune voice suddenly broke the silence in the hall, coming from Kou Liang, who stood beside Fu Zhizhou.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the hall once again fell into a deathly silence.
No one dared to speak loudly.
Or even—to breathe too loudly.
However, before anyone could react, a breath later, Wei Tu, who stood with Fu Zhizhou and Kou Liang, also began to speak.
Compared to Kou Liang, Wei Tu was far more polite. He offered Hex Prefecture a fist-and-palm salute and said, "I am of humble birth. Before I took the Military Examination, I was merely a Horse Groom, looked down upon by everyone. Now... even as a low-ranking Military Officer, I imagine... my life is much better than it was before..."
’He had known them for less than half a day, so it wasn’t as if he felt a deep brotherly bond with Fu Zhizhou and the others. But he knew he had to avoid this ’calamity’ at all costs... even if it meant being targeted by Hex Prefecture.’
’Could anything be worse... than the day he had to buy his own freedom?’
Soon after Wei Tu finished speaking, Weii Fei also gritted his teeth and spoke. Unlike the others, he said only three words: "I’m the same."
But those three words were enough to show his stance. The length of his speech didn’t matter.
After hearing all three speak, Hex Prefecture understood the intentions of all four men. He didn’t press them further. After silently committing their four names to memory, he turned his gaze to the other Martial Artists. "Your worries... are simply about whether this mission will be kept secret, are they not?"
"You were all invited by me because you are Martial Artists with impeccable backgrounds and bright futures... I trust none of you would carelessly leak what has been discussed here. As for the maids and servants in this room, they are all my personal confidants. They will not speak out of turn..."
As his voice fell, the Martial Artists who had considered following the example of Wei Tu’s group and defying Hex Prefecture immediately began to waver. They froze, not daring to take that ’second step.’
There was some logic to Hex Prefecture’s words. The Martial Artists present were no ordinary men; they wouldn’t just carelessly leak secrets.
And the maids and servants, as the Prefect’s long-time confidants, were probably even more trustworthy than the Martial Artists themselves.
Wei Tu and his companions were unaware of the other Martial Artists’ internal struggles. After exchanging a look, they offered another salute and took their leave of Hex Prefecture.
Under the gazes of all the other Martial Artists, the four of them walked out of the main hall and left the Qingfeng Prefecture Government Office.
...
"That was a close call..."
"I was almost swayed by that Hex Prefecture. I wouldn’t have dared to refuse again..."
Outside the Government Office, Kou Liang patted his chest, took a few deep breaths, and chuckled.
"Brother Kou, thank you." Fu Zhizhou patted Kou Liang’s shoulder, his face full of gratitude.
Just now, if Kou Liang had backed down and not spoken up in time, he, Fu Zhizhou, would have lost all face.
"And Brother Wei, Brother Weii!"
"I won’t just thank you with words for such a great favor."
Then, Fu Zhizhou turned to Wei Tu and Weii Fei behind him. He laughed heartily, his large, calloused hands suddenly gripping theirs tightly.
He and Kou Liang at least shared the bond of coming from the same hometown.
But he had only just met Wei Tu and Weii Fei.
For Wei Tu and Weii Fei to take this risk alongside a "young master" like him—even though a large part of it was for their own sakes—was still a great favor to him.
"Back in the Government Office, we said it: once we get out, we’ll become sworn brothers. From now on, if any of us is in trouble, we’ll face it together!"
"Even if Hex Prefecture suppresses us, he can do it for a year at most. Once that Overseas Dragon is gone, I’ll use my connections to pull you guys up with me, no matter what."
Fu Zhizhou declared magnanimously, patting his chest.
"First, let’s go to Xuanhe Tower for some drinks."
"At dawn, the results of the Daoist Examination will be posted. We’ll see then what tricks Hex Prefecture can play..."
Kou Liang said with a smile.
Having gone through this ordeal together, the four of them, despite having just met, now shared a bond of trust deeper than any they had with other acquaintances.
"The Daoist Examination is the grand talent selection for all of Shannan Dao. What influence can a single prefect possibly have? The Military Examination isn’t like the Literary Examination—it’s obvious at a glance who’s strong and who’s weak."
Hearing Kou Liang say this, Fu Zhizhou laughed, showing his disdain for Hex Prefecture’s supposed power.
