Chapter 845 - 399: Li Xian Blocks the Way, Vengeance Is Swift, County Captain Kong Li, Please Dismount!

Chapter 845: Chapter 399: Li Xian Blocks the Way, Vengeance Is Swift, County Captain Kong Li, Please Dismount!

Magistrate Kong watched eagerly as the "Gold Appraisal Guard" passed by, wearing the "Tiger Python Robe," accentuating his build—broad shoulders and slim waist. He exuded masculine charm and was impressively imposing. Even without seeing his body or face, moving through the street, he was more striking than the County Captain. He was surely a dragon or phoenix among men, with a distinguished family background.

Magistrate Kong dreamed of joining the "Gold Appraisal Guard," wearing the Tiger Python Robe, with a Horizontal Saber at his waist. Parading through the streets, what a spectacle it would be. It would bring glory to the Kong family and open up wide prospects.

In his early years, he attempted to join, his family working behind the scenes to obtain a chance to be selected. But early on, Magistrate Kong’s Martial Arts were mediocre, being too indulged in wine and women to put in the hard work. Thus, he missed the opportunity, which he regretted for life.

Later, heavily affected, he diligently caught up. Gradually, he achieved success, taking the position of County Captain in Ximen County. Yet, he still couldn’t forget the regrets of his youth, with plans for "muddy body" lingering unresolved, forming a knot in his heart, occasionally causing him to beat his chest in frustration.

Therefore, being drawn by the Gold Appraisal Guard, Magistrate Kong was thrilled, wanting to fully showcase his abilities in hopes of entering the Gold Appraisal Guard. At this time his position as "County Captain," his skills and power indeed surpassed that of ordinary Gold Appraisal Guards. Yet the Gold Appraisal Guard promised boundless future prospects, "muddy body" scheming, indeed a great opportunity for progress.

Magistrate Kong looked away and shouted, "Gold Appraisal Guard order, everyone, immediately put on your official uniforms and follow me into battle!"

The Yamen Runners glanced at each other, all severely wounded last night. Though somewhat recovered with treatment today, they still needed several days of rest before barely being able to get up. Hearing the order now made them bewildered, all thinking, "In this state, if we encounter bad people, wouldn’t we be sending ourselves to death?"

Magistrate Kong said coldly, "What are you dazing for? Get up quickly, don’t think you can use your injuries as an excuse to slack off. We are servants of the public body, dying as the soul of the public body, neither alive nor dead, still the living dead of the public! Even if left with only one breath, you must crawl up for me. This concerns my future, if you delay me..."

He looked at a stone pedestal. Normally used by the Yamen Runners for martial training, made of hard stone, extremely heavy. Magistrate Kong struck at the stone remotely, his Palm Force hitting it, suddenly heard a "bang," the sound of it smashing into dozens of pieces.

Magistrate Kong said in a booming voice, "Such stones, unforgivable!"

The Yamen Runners felt chills all over, dark in their hearts, knowing Magistrate Kong spoke the truth, any disagreement now meant a miserable death on the spot. Forced to crawl up, they put on their armor. Magistrate Kong said smugly, "See, you can stand up, huh, a bunch of rice worms, always scheming to slack off!" He flung his sleeve and went back to put on his armor.

There were thirty-seven Yamen Runners, fifteen severely injured, the rest slightly better but all had injuries to bones and organs. If not properly treated with good medicine, even if temporarily recovered, hidden ailments would remain.

Clearly, Magistrate Kong was malicious. He vented his anger recklessly, not considering the Yamen Runners as human. Now they forced themselves up despite injuries, donning armor and holding weapons, waiting in the hall. After some time, Magistrate Kong, with the stride of dragon and tiger, emerged from the depths of the hall.

His armor was unique, with a tiger head carved on the chest and snake scales embroidered on the back, strikingly similar to the Gold Appraisal Guard’s robes. He seemed high-spirited, awe-inspiring, raising a hand, leading the injured runners out.

Li Xian suddenly said, "Hold on!"

Magistrate Kong paused, recognizing Li Xian, recalling the day’s events, thinking if not for urgent matters, he would have dealt with this guy long ago. Suffering due to his carelessness, he felt resentful, questioning loudly, "Do you dare stop me?!" His hand gripped the saber hilt, with hidden sharpness. Just waiting for any word from Li Xian to retaliate and satisfy his anger.

Li Xian said, "Naturally not. But the runners are injured, why not let us doctors accompany them, perhaps providing care anytime?"

Magistrate Kong shouted, "Ridiculous, calling your doctors to accompany would be embarrassing! Suggesting all my Yamen Runners are injured, making Ximen County seem incompetent?" Suddenly his eyes turned, thinking: "Yesterday the thief escaped, I thought there was no more chance, frustrated to the extreme, thus punishing the runners. Unexpectedly, opportunity arrived today. My runners are ultimately injured, however much I force, these injuries won’t heal immediately. Leading such injured crowd, morale is weakened by several degrees, if noticed by the Gold Appraisal Guard, they may belittle me, which would be very improper."

His eyes shifted, thinking: "If I let the doctors dress in armor, posing as my Yamen Runners, in a look, my runners would appear tenfold healthier, dispelling the illness, naturally boosting morale. Since this was Li Xian’s proposal, if issues arise, I can blame Li Xian. Taking the opportunity to trouble him, why not achieve several goals at once!"

Magistrate Kong then laughed heartily and said, "Upon careful thought, what Divine Doctor Li says makes sense. The doctors of the Miracle Medicine Pavilion, being skilled in medicine, must also understand Martial Arts. Capturing thieves and curing people aren’t essentially different. Please, esteemed doctors, change into attire and join me in capturing the thieves!"

"Magistrate Kong will later host a banquet in appreciation!"

One Hall Doctor said, "Magistrate Kong, this... this... might not be appropriate. We are not Yamen Runners..."

All Hall Doctors had some Martial Arts foundation. Yet, having practiced medicine long, suddenly facing such a scenario, they were secretly anxious. Magistrate Kong said, "What’s inappropriate, I temporarily hire you as emergency constables. I’ll personally pay, first giving one-tael of silver as a sign of gratitude, considered hiring money."

Magistrate Kong looked at Li Xian, continuing, "This proposal by Divine Doctor Li is excellent. I offer two-taels of silver, hiring him as temporary squad leader, with you temporarily under his command."

Li Xian coldly sneered inside, "This Kong initially appoints me to shoulder the blame in the future. If I take responsibility, any harm or death among the doctors would be pinned on me. Then my medical identity might be stripped, possibly leading to imprisonment. I’ll play along."

He then first accepted the silver, saying, "With Magistrate Kong entrusting significant duty, Li Xian cannot refuse!"