Chapter 928 - 420: Patrolling to Subdue Evil, Another Encounter with Li Hengfeng, The Courtesan’s Heart—Do You Want It?

Chapter 928: Chapter 420: Patrolling to Subdue Evil, Another Encounter with Li Hengfeng, The Courtesan’s Heart—Do You Want It?

Li Xian said, "Fraudulent deceit against the Gold Appraisal Guard, with intent to harm Jade City, is this crime enough?"

The prison officer’s face turned pale as a sheet, "My... my lord... please judge clearly, I... I... how dare I harm Jade City? My lord... spare my life!" He was utterly incoherent, kneeling and bowing.

Li Xian said, "I’ll give you a chance, speak for yourself. Otherwise, bear the consequences."

The prison officer was terrified, body trembling. Li Xian raised his voice slightly, saying, "Lift your head, speak truthfully!"

The prison officer reluctantly raised his head, seeing Li Xian wearing a silver mask that concealed his face. His calm voice further stirred suspicion. The intangible intimidation weighed directly on one’s soul. The flickering firelight cast him half in shadow and half in light.

The prison officer then revealed all matters, shaking out everything. How he was bribed daily, what bribes he received. All evil deeds committed, all crimes committed, whatever existed, he confessed completely. Even things that didn’t exist, he falsely confessed to, just seeking a hope of leniency in exchange.

Brother Li laughed heartily, his grievances for two months were vented thoroughly, feeling very satisfied. Li Xian also understood the situation.

It turns out... by coincidence. Brother Li is a notorious thief from the outer city, skilled in theft and possessing quite the personality. He only steals precious items, never harming anyone’s life. He offended the "Thieving Alliance" several years ago.

He didn’t care at the time.

Who knew upon entering Jade City, he failed to steal and was caught into prison. There were also several "Thieving Alliance" thieves in prison, caught for theft in Jade City, thus confined in the same place.

Brother Li was then retaliated against. Those Thieving Alliance thieves had been imprisoned for some time, becoming acquainted with the prison officer. They offered benefits as an inducement, promising the prison officer one hundred taels, one thousand taels of silver in the future, prompting the prison officer to find any excuse to harshly punish Brother Li.

Thus, the prison officer fabricated a crime, dragging Brother Li out for punishment. Brother Li was skilled in theft, his Lightweight Skill also notable, but enduring beating and punishment were his weak points.

Being tormented like this, he gritted his teeth to endure. Luckily, his Martial Arts attainments were present, Martial Arts First Realm rebirth, Martial Arts Second Realm bone transformation. His body ultimately endured more torment, though it was hard to bear and despairing, his life was not in danger.

Li Xian understood the situation, thinking, "This person is wicked, I can punish him heavily, it’s indeed easy. But it’s better to gain some benefits for Brother Li.", saying, "With what you’ve done, on a smaller scale, it’s seeking personal gain, on a larger scale, I say you’re disrupting Jade City, it’s not unfeasible, it all depends on how I decide." Pretending to ponder.

The prison officer heard this and his eyes roved, "These thieves are already guilty, whether they receive a few more lashes or a few fewer lashes, what difference does it make? Ultimately, this issue is due to bribery, and can be big or small." He took out all his gold and silver trinkets, offering them with a fawning smile, saying, "My lord, I understand the reasoning, I understand, these are for you first..."

Li Xian swept them aside with his sleeve, coldly snorting, "Why would I lack these things, why need you to give them?"

The prison officer was stunned, his speculation falling short, again filled with fear. Li Xian said, "Discussing business, here’s the deal. I’ll give you a private settlement opportunity. One month later, I’ll return here to interrogate these thieves. If he forgives you, it will be disregarded. If not, it will be handled severely."

The prison officer hurriedly kowtowed upon hearing there was still a chance. Li Xian impatiently said, "Alright, leave!"

The prison officers all left, waiting outside the punishment room. Li Xian concentrated his energy, burning through the ropes binding Brother Li’s hands. Then sending a wave of palm energy, he pushed a chair to catch Brother Li.

Brother Li gradually steadied himself, lifting his feet high, not daring to let his nailed boots touch the ground. With his hands clasped in fists, his posture was quite strange, but in this situation, it was hard to pay attention to much, saying, "Unexpectedly, there are people like you in the Gold Appraisal Guard! Admirable! Admirable!"

Li Xian had twice met Brother Li, both times wearing a mask. The front and back masks had different patterns, materials. Naturally, Brother Li couldn’t recognize him. Li Xian laughed, "Brother Li, have you forgotten me?"

Brother Li was taken aback, saying, "My friend, could it be..." Li Xian said, "Hahaha, I must thank you for the favor of completion from the past!"

Brother Li said, "Ah, so it’s indeed Brother Li, no wonder! Hey, what favor of completion, it was my lack of skill that led to you catching me. It’s only right you gained accomplishments."

"Brother Li is loyal and righteous, standing up for me, with careful thought, I now understand. Making me deeply grateful! However, from the past, there was no chance to drink with you, truly a big regret. I wonder if meeting today can fill the regret?"

Li Xian laughed, "Naturally!" Ordering people to bring fine wine, bring bowls of wine, and all the small dishes and accompaniments available.

The prison officers, though surprised, all complied. Soon, gathered in the middle of the table was a plate of "sliced cured meat", a dish of crispy melon seeds, a salted duck egg, and a dish of long grass roots.

Though simple, eating with wine had quite a distinct flavor. Li Xian said, "Brother Li, have you been well recently, let’s not talk about it now. But do you know when you’ll be released?"

Brother Li said, "Pah, that Xu Sun..." Glancing at Li Xian, considering Li Xian’s presence, he refrained from cursing Xu Shaoqian, saying, "That General Xu, to win Tao Xiangrong’s favor, though not killing me, he obstructed from within, sentencing me to thirteen years."

Li Xian sighed, "For a mere box of rouge, this sentence is indeed heavy. But since I’m not familiar with General Xu, pleading is useless. Let’s see if I can achieve an advance in the future, I’ll find a way to help you then."

Brother Li sneered, "That Xu Shaoqian is a mediocre talent, but he’s swayed by beauty. With someone like him, trying to win Tao Xiangrong’s heart, ha, I see it’s unlikely, bound to be busy in vain."

Li Xian smiled without speaking. The cell was enclosed, outsiders couldn’t hear. Brother Li said, "Don’t look at Brother Li in a low position temporarily, but after three days, it should be looked at with fresh eyes. Today’s Brother Li is far better than yesterday’s Brother Li, tomorrow’s Brother Li is bound to be even better than today’s Brother Li. In my view, Tao Xiangrong is more likely to fancy someone like Brother Li."

Li Xian said, "Why should I flatteringly win her favor?" Brother Li’s eyes suddenly lit up, saying, "Brother Li, you’re extraordinary, you helped me this time, let me give you a method, maybe you could win Tao Xiangrong’s heart, would you want it?"

He admired Li Xian but harbored resentment towards Xu Shaoqian. After pondering over and over, the way to retaliate against Xu Shaoqian seemed to lie here.