Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Bizarre Flowers
Du Huoguan: "That's right. His strategy truly consolidated the people's hearts. Thus, the entirety of East Nine Plain became convinced and readily followed his command. United in purpose, they launched campaigns to the east and west, battled to the south and north, sweeping through the surrounding areas, repeatedly defeating invaders, ensuring that nearby forces dared not offend them lightly."
Nie showed no interest in this line of reasoning and asked indifferently, "Over the years, dozens of opportunities to leave have been abandoned. Considering this, can you think of any other instances?"
Du Huoguan actually pondered this question seriously for a while before finally shaking his head slowly and saying, "In a short time, it may be possible to abandon a few opportunities due to circumstances, but over such a long period, abandoning dozens of opportunities is unlikely. At least I've never heard of a second case.
You also know that finding a way to leave this place is the greatest desire of the locals. The purpose of living is just that. As long as there's a chance, almost no one is willing to give it up. And here, the so-called Masters of various factions, who truly want to take root here and manage their power for the long term? Almost all of them take turns in charge, waving their flags—one departs and another steps up, all with their own agendas. Otherwise, East Nine Plain wouldn't have swept through the surroundings so easily."
Nie knew the sentiment and situation of the people here, having stayed here for a very long time himself. It was precisely the abnormality before him that piqued his interest, which was why he asked Du Huoguan. He feared that he might be unaware of some matters due to his usual disinterest in worldly affairs, so he sought to confirm.
Having received the confirmation, he passed over another stack of papers.
Du Huoguan hurriedly received them with both hands and saw that the person on the couch had closed his eyes again, apparently losing any further interest in the matter. Immediately, he continued explaining, "After considering all the factors, that large batch of goods received by East Nine Plain is too suspicious. Coupled with the silencing of those hundreds of people, it seems like someone is using that batch of goods to 'cleanse' East Nine Plain to prevent those local snakes from discovering it.
The prolonged stay of Shi Chun and his companion might be related to this.
Qi Yueru's son and brother were killed, yet she remains in the city. If their framing is related, Qi Yueru may very well suspect that they are the murderers.
And there is indeed reason to suspect: the autopsy report states that her son and her brother died by the knife, and Shi Chun and his companion are known to wield knives. The incident occurred in East Nine Plain, the murderer used a knife, and they had issues with her son. It's hard not to be suspicious. However, one thing is very strange—if it was her, why didn't Qi Yueru wait for them to leave the city before taking action?"
Nie, with his eyes closed as if dozing, suddenly uttered softly, "Let the accuser and Shi Chun fight it out, let grudges be settled. The survivor goes free."
If Shi Chun knew his name was personally mentioned by this person, he would surely feel greatly honored.
Du Huoguan choked, then quickly said, "Based on the information we've gathered, Shi Chun is quite a fighter. I'm afraid the accuser doesn't stand much of a chance against him."
What he meant to say was that he had already promised the accuser during the interrogation that as long as he confessed truthfully, all would be forgiven. He had been quite brazen in assuring that his promise would be upheld.
Others were present at the time. To go back on his word now would be embarrassingly awkward. What would the people below think?
Nie didn't care about his thoughts. The instructions he followed were even more demanding, "Ten drum beats to determine the victor. After ten beats, life or death will be decided. Only one is allowed to leave alive. If both survive, then they shall be executed together."
What did this mean? All of a sudden, there was this turn of events. Du Huoguan felt completely befuddled. Ten counts of time for both parties to face life or death? Shi Chun was the one being framed.
Well, he didn't care about the life or death of Shi Chun, and as for the promise to the accuser, he was prepared to go back on his own word.
There was no helping it; who knew what was going on? The prison master didn't seem to take seriously the possibility of having a traitor among them, and now he was actively meddling in the affairs of these minor characters and even gave explicit instructions on how to proceed. What else could he do?
Unable to avoid it, he could only comply. He couldn't resist or question either, for as mild as the prison master seemed, his outbursts could be quite terrifying.
"It's been a long time since I've seen such a bare-knuckle brawl," Nie added.
Although Du Huoguan didn't fully understand, he caught on that the prison master wanted to see the fight, leaving him without an excuse. He immediately agreed and went to make arrangements.
After he left, Nie, who was lying on his side, opened his eyes slightly and muttered as if to himself, "No wonder I can't understand that girl's words."
Some things are not due to a lack of understanding, not because one can't comprehend, nor because of ignorance leading to unenlightenment, but rather due to excessive rationality. Accustomed to confronting all problems with rational thought, or perhaps having been high above for too long, one becomes indifferent to human nature.
"With sentiment and integrity..." Seemingly losing the inclination to sleep further, Nie murmured Lan Qiaoyan's words as he rose from his couch and strolled to a window, gazing out at the desolate wilderness beyond the city, vast and boundless, yet devoid of life. His eyes appeared hazy as he mumbled, "A flower blooms in the desert, a rare and exotic bloom..."
Not long after, Du Huoguan hurried back, informing the prison master that the fight would take place on an empty ground outside the building.
Inside the prison, on the orders of the Prison Inspection Envoy, a city guard had no choice but to persuade the falsely accused victim.
As for the Envoy himself, with all his pretense, he had too little face to meet with the victim.
After all, it's one thing to be looked down upon by the great figures, which is normal, but quite another to be belittled by the lesser ones—that would be truly embarrassing.
"What?" The victim was indeed shocked and asked urgently, "The Prison Inspection Envoy promised absolution, how could, how could he..." He didn't dare finish the sentence, but the implication was clear enough; anyone with sense would understand.
The city guard patted his shoulder and advised, "The Envoy certainly keeps his word, but you've forgotten about the other two, those who you wronged. They want to seek justice from you, and if we simply let you go, they wouldn't agree.
"Both are hot-tempered and unyielding; they withstood even severe torture without confessing. Now insisting on a life-or-death duel with you, we can't just blatantly favor you.
"But rest assured, since the Envoy has given his word, we will be inclined to help you. That tall one looks tough, so we chose the shorter one for you. His strength is a bit less, and we were a bit more forceful during the interrogation, so with his injuries, he definitely won't be a match for you."
The Prison Inspection Envoy didn't want to take the blame, and he dared not let the prison master take it, so it had to fall on Shi Chun and the others.
The victim was full of doubts and uncertainty, "But why must life or death be determined within ten counts, and if it can't be, why must we both be executed?"
The guard was having trouble justifying it, simply carrying out orders without understanding the reasons. His face suddenly darkened, and with a quick change of demeanor, he snapped viciously, "What's there to fuss about? Do you have a choice?"
Elsewhere, Shi Chun had already been led out of his cell. With nothing more to say to him, he was directly informed of the life-or-death duel rules: refuse to play, and die. There was no choice.
The man had been taken to that empty ground to wait, and indeed, he seemed to have been severely injured, with tattered clothes and bloodstains crisscrossing his body, his complexion also looking unwell.
He realized these people in power were too unreasonable, not resolving the issue by ascertaining the true details of the case, but rather allowing the one who won the fight to have the final say. The city guards were enforcing law in such a capricious and frivolous manner; was this really how so-called insects were viewed in the eyes of others?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone