Chapter 80 - 78: Refusal
Chapter 80: Chapter 78: Refusal
A ten percent share of the wealth would likely amount to tens of thousands of silver.
An official position and money—the terms could not be described as anything but generous.
It was enough to save an ordinary Martial Scholar several years, or even a decade, of effort.
Several Martial Scholars immediately expressed their willingness. In the blink of an eye, the count reached five.
Fang Yue, however, frowned deeply.
He knew a little about the Mo Mountain Tribe. These mountain people actually lived beyond the so-called ’line’.
To be able to put down roots and survive for so many years in a place teeming with wild beasts, they must have had some unique capabilities.
And for the county to offer such a handsome reward, it meant this mission was definitely not simple. It was very likely a death sentence.
Otherwise, if there were no danger, how could the Mo Mountain Tribe have existed to this day?
’I can’t get involved in something so dangerous.’
’After all, I don’t need to rely on this kind of thing.’
Playing it safe and steady, patiently waiting for time to pass—that was what mattered most to him.
However, judging by the situation...
’It seems this County Magistrate Liu intends for all ten of us Martial Scholars to participate in this operation. He’s not going to let us off the hook easily.’
’So, I have to find a chance to get out of this without offending the County Magistrate.’
Fortunately, there were always some who looked down on such benefits.
The first one soon appeared.
It was Wei He, the one who placed third in the Martial Examination. He spoke slowly, his voice heavy with grief.
"For such an important matter, I should be duty-bound to accept. However, my dear mother passed away yesterday. I must observe a three-year period of mourning."
"Mm, filial piety is greater than heaven itself. Since there is a matter in Wei He’s family, you must prioritize your filial duties. You may go."
Liu Zheng naturally couldn’t force him. After all, the Wei Family was the number one clan in Xiahe County, wielding considerable influence.
Besides, the man had a legitimate reason—to observe mourning. How could he possibly press-gang him?
However, after the first, a second one quickly followed.
Chubby wasn’t from Xiahe County, and his family was also very influential in the Prefecture City. Naturally, he wouldn’t stick around to participate in some damn mission that sounded like a death trap.
He immediately stated that he had urgent business to attend to and needed to hurry back to the Prefecture City.
Before Liu Zheng could answer, Fang Yue also stood up. "Lord County Magistrate, I was struck by a hammer during the Martial Examination a few days ago, and my injuries have yet to heal. I am truly unable to go this time. I ask for your magnanimity, Lord County Magistrate."
Fang Yue had indeed been hit by a hammer that day, but the extent of his injuries hadn’t been checked on the spot.
At a time like this, he could say whatever he wanted.
It was just an excuse. In any case, he was a Martial Scholar now, not an official of the Government Office. Even the County Magistrate couldn’t force him.
Liu Zheng was initially displeased. Three people in a row had rejected the matter.
Just like that, three of the ten Martial Scholars were out.
That made things much more difficult.
However, the first one, Wei He, had a legitimate reason that he couldn’t refute.
He couldn’t be seen as unreasonable.
The second, Bai Xingqiu—he knew a bit about this person and was even more aware that his background was not simple.
’Alright, I can’t afford to offend him either.’
Then came Fang Yue. ’Hmm, he’s also tricky to handle.’
After all, he had had some good talks with Zhang Boyang over the past two days and had already received a twenty percent silent share in the White Tiger Tea House.
He couldn’t just take the benefits and then turn around and make an example of the man’s junior nephew, could he?
Besides, he’d heard that this Fang Yue had a very good relationship with Zhang Boyang—so good that Zhang Boyang was practically dying to marry his daughter off to him.
’Since it’s come to this, I’ll just make these three promise not to leak any information and then let them leave.’
Just as he was about to speak,
another Martial Scholar spoke up: "Lord County Magistrate, I was also injured that day and need some time to recover. This time... this time I’m afraid I won’t be of any help."
"Hmph! Liu Jinyuan, do you think I can’t tell whether you’re injured or not? Don’t think that just because your surname is also Liu, you can dare to deceive me. Do you want me to inspect your injuries right now?!"
Liu Zheng’s tone was icy, and his overpowering aura plunged Liu Jinyuan into a frozen cavern.
His mouth opened and closed, but in the end, he didn’t dare utter a single word.
’Of course, he was cursing inwardly. Why did it work when others said it, but not when it was his turn?’
’Besides, he was a member of the Liu Family, one of the four great families in the city.’
’Was he somehow less important than a kid from the White Tiger Boxing Hall?’
But these were words he only dared to think, not speak aloud.
After this man’s little scene, no one else dared to raise any objections.
Liu Zheng promptly sent Fang Yue and the other two away.
~~~~~~
Outside the restaurant, Chubby immediately looked Fang Yue up and down.
"Tsk tsk, Fang, I never would have guessed. You look so ordinary, yet you managed to walk out of that lion’s den completely unscathed. Impressive, impressive! Truly a brother worthy of my, Scholar Bai’s, esteem."
Meanwhile, Wei He, who was trailing behind them, also wore a curious expression.
After all, one look at Chubby’s clothes and accessories told you they were priceless, and he wasn’t even from Xiahe County.
An outsider capable of taking the Martial Examination here... his status was definitely not simple.
Therefore, it made sense that County Magistrate Liu let him go.
As for this Fang Yue, the fact that he’d defeated Huang Ziyu that day had made Wei He look at him in a new light.
He had originally thought that was all there was to him.
He never expected that today, County Magistrate Liu would let him go as well.
It even seemed this person was more important in the County Magistrate’s eyes than that scion of the Liu Family who ranked third.
’Fang Yue of the White Tiger Boxing Hall... what is his background?’
Wei He immediately recalled that during the examination, the official had also seemed to be protecting Fang Yue. ’Could this kid have some hidden identity?’
"Not at all, not at all. I really am injured. An internal injury, no less. That hammer blow was no joke. My internal organs are all damaged. If I don’t rest and recover, I’ll be completely ruined."
Fang Yue was also a little confused by the turn of events, but it didn’t bother him.
’In any case, even if it meant offending the County Magistrate, I was determined to refuse this assignment. This outcome is for the best.’
"Haha! In that case, since we have the time now, your big brother here will treat you to a trip to Yihong House! Time to get you some action and wash away this bad luck."
Chubby didn’t press the issue. When you’re friends, sometimes digging into the details isn’t a good thing.
Ignorance is bliss, ignorance is bliss.
"Gentlemen, we’ve weathered the same storm today. We should celebrate. Why don’t we go together?"
At that moment, Wei He caught up to them and spoke.
’These two have impressive backgrounds. I should befriend them.’
’Whether in official circles or in life, more friends mean more opportunities.’
’There will surely be a time when they can be of use to me.’
"We already have plans today. We’ll talk another time when there’s a chance. The two of us are going carousing. Since Wei is in mourning, I’m afraid you can’t come."
Chubby rejected Wei He outright. He didn’t like the man and felt he wasn’t worth his time.
So, he would never befriend him.
Besides, the man had just said at the banquet that his mother had died and he had to observe three years of mourning.
’The moment he’s out the door, he wants to go carousing with us. There’s something wrong with this guy’s character.’
"Well, in that case, I shall take my leave."
Wei He’s smile froze on his face at the rejection. A flicker of malice crossed his features. He gave a stiff, cupped-fist salute and then turned and left without another word.
"So pretentious. A total hypocrite!"
Chubby shot a glance after him and commented bluntly.
Fang Yue deeply agreed. He had a very bad feeling about Wei He; he didn’t seem like a good person.
However, regarding Bai Xingqiu’s insistence on taking him to get some action...
He still couldn’t accept. He immediately demurred, saying:
"Bai, I don’t think we can go carousing. It’s getting a little late tonight. Let’s go some other time when we’re free."
The first time he went with Chubby, it was to broaden his horizons. Besides, they only had a meal and didn’t indulge in any carnal activities.
If he went again, he couldn’t guarantee he’d be able to restrain himself.
’This kind of corrupt lifestyle isn’t what I want.’
’I have to stay true to myself. How can I let this fatty lead me astray?’
"Boring, so boring. Forget it, forget it."
"This isn’t me not treating you, it’s you who won’t go. But that other matter—you can’t back out of helping me with that!" Chubby said, his enthusiasm waning.
"It’s just an introduction, a small favor. Of course I’ll help with something like that," Fang Yue laughed and assured him.
With that, the two of them returned to the restaurant.