Chapter 82: Chapter 81: Famous Sword Qiushui
They’d probably be the first to run if they ever actually saw one of the fugitives from the most-wanted list.
"Brother Su!"
A young man in an official’s uniform ran out from the Government Office, calling out breathlessly.
He ran in such a hurry that his official hat was knocked askew.
"Greetings, Lord Sima."
Su Mu said with a cupped fist salute.
"No need for formalities."
Wang Guan waved his hand dismissively. "Brother Su, we meet again! Have you missed me? I’ve been thinking about you day and night."
Su Mu: "..."
He subconsciously took a small step back from Wang Guan.
’That’s the kind of talk that could easily cause a misunderstanding.’
’He certainly had no... peculiar preferences of that sort.’
"You have no idea, Brother Su. Ever since we last met, I’ve been thinking of you constantly. I only came to be the Sima of South City for you."
Wang Guan continued, completely oblivious to how inappropriate his words sounded.
Zheng Wang and the others also subconsciously took a few steps back.
’Was this something they were supposed to be hearing?’
’Wang Sima looked so prim and proper, but he was actually... that kind of person!’
They all bowed their heads, terrified that Wang Sima might take a liking to them.
’A dark cloud formed over Su Mu’s head. If he let Wang Guan keep talking, who knew what would happen.’
’By tomorrow, the entire South City would be gossiping that the Sima and the head constable of the South City Bureau were... involved.’
"Lord Sima, these are the bodies of Peng Li and Gao Yuanhua. Please verify their identities."
Su Mu interrupted Wang Guan, his expression turning serious. "If there are no issues, you can pay out the bounty, my lord."
"Right, business first. I’ll give you a fine gift later."
Wang Guan said, slapping his forehead.
"Forensic doctor, Master, Uncle Lai, all of you, take a good look! Are these two really the fugitives from the most-wanted list?!"
Wang Guan shouted.
The South City Bureau’s forensic doctor hurried over with his tools and began examining the bodies.
The Master also produced the most-wanted list, found the warrants for Peng Li and Gao Yuanhua, and began cross-referencing their facial features one by one.
Meanwhile, Zheng Wang and the others were busy shooing away the curious crowd.
Mainly, they wanted to keep their distance from Lord Sima.
’He was too scary.’
After a full hour, the forensic doctor and the Master came before Wang Guan and reported solemnly, "Reporting to Lord Sima, they are indeed Peng Li and Gao Yuanhua. There is no mistake."
Wang Lai had also personally inspected the bodies, and he nodded with a sour expression.
"Hahaha!"
Wang Guan burst into a triumphant laugh. "I’ve just taken office, and I’ve already caught two fugitives from the most-wanted list! I ask you, of the four Simas in the Outer City, who else can do that?!"
He stood with his hands on his hips, wearing an expression that screamed, ’I’m the man’.
Su Mu kept a distance of three paces from him. As his direct superior, Wang Guan was entitled to a share of the credit, no matter what.
"Lord Sima, about the bounty—"
Su Mu began, determined not to be shortchanged by a single coin.
"Good performance! You must be rewarded!"
Wang Guan blurted out. "Master, what’s the bounty on these two? Double it for my Brother Mu!"
In a flash, "Brother Su" had become "Brother Mu."
The Master whom Wang Guan had brought from the Wang Family looked troubled. "My lord, the bounty silver is a fixed amount. It can’t be changed arbitrarily..."
"I’m the Sima! I say it can, so it can! If you spout any more nonsense, believe me, I’ll send you off to raise pigs!"
Wang Guan said angrily.
The Master’s face fell, and he meekly retreated to the side.
"Brother Mu, let’s talk inside."
Wang Guan reached out to grab Su Mu’s arm.
Su Mu shifted slightly to the side, avoiding his hand.
"I still have to go on patrol. Whatever you have to say, Lord Sima, please say it here."
Su Mu said, "There are no outsiders here."
’Su Mu made a firm resolution: he would never, ever be alone in a room with Wang Guan.’
’These rich dandies and their games were too wild.’
"Patrolling the streets is such a trivial matter. Why would Brother Mu need to handle it personally?"
Wang Guan waved his hand dismissively. "Just let the men under you do it."
"A man must do the duties of his station. Since I am the head constable of the South City Bureau, I must be loyal to my post and not slack off in the slightest."
Su Mu said.
"Fine, then."
Seeing Su Mu’s earnest expression, Wang Guan thought for a moment and relented.
"Uncle Lai, hurry up and bring it over."
Wang Guan called over his shoulder. "Even if you lose, you can’t lose face. Don’t be a sore loser now."
Wang Lai looked like he wanted to cry but had no tears left. He shot a hateful glare at Su Mu.
’Su Mu was completely bewildered. ’Old sir, I believe this is the first time we’ve met? We have no grudge between us, so why are you looking at me like that?’’
’It’s like I stole your wife or something.’
Wang Lai went into the Government Office and returned a good while later, cradling a saber in his hands.
Wang Guan snatched the saber from him.
"Second Master, be careful!"
Wang Lai’s heart ached so much he could hardly breathe.
He had been rewarded with this saber after risking his life to save the Old Master. He had always treated it as his most precious treasure, rarely even willing to use it.
Seeing the treasure he was normally afraid to even drop being treated so roughly, he was on the verge of tears.
’Su Mu watched with curiosity. ’What kind of performance are these two putting on?’’
"Brother Mu, for you."
Just as he was wondering, Wang Guan had already presented the saber to Su Mu.
"For me?"
Su Mu was rather surprised.
"That’s right."
Wang Guan said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "I made a bet with Uncle Lai. I bet him that I could catch a fugitive from the most-wanted list within ten days."
"This saber was the stake."
"Heh, and on the very first day, you caught two, Brother Mu!"
"Since you won the bet for me, Brother Mu, the prize naturally belongs to you."
’Su Mu finally understood. No wonder the steward looked at him as if he’d stolen his wife. So that was why.’
"This was your bet, Lord Sima. It has nothing to do with me—"
Su Mu said, beginning to refuse.
"That won’t do. I, Wang Guan, am not that kind of person. In my book, whoever does the work gets the reward."
Wang Guan continued, "I win the bet and get the glory, you get the tangible benefit. That’s how we can work together again in the future."
’It was twisted logic, but it sort of made sense,’ Su Mu thought to himself.
"Besides, Brother Mu, don’t you think this saber in my hands is like... what’s that saying? A bright pearl thrown into secret hands?"
Wang Guan continued.
’You’re trying to say ’casting a pearl into the darkness’, aren’t you?’
’Su Mu was speechless. ’At least you’re self-aware.’’
"Go on and take it, Brother Mu. This Qiushui is a really fine blade."
Wang Guan extended his hands forward once more.
Since he’d put it that way, Su Mu no longer refused.
He reached out and took the saber.
With that movement, Wang Lai felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. His Qiushui—
SHING!
Su Mu drew the blade partway from its sheath, and a chilling aura washed over him.
"A fine blade!"
he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
He had been somewhat envious of Luo Anning’s precious sword that could kill without being stained by blood. Even if this Qiushui couldn’t compare to hers, it was far better than the long saber he was currently using.
"A fine saber belongs with a hero. The Autumn Water Saber, crafted by a master artisan, belongs in the hands of a hero like you, Brother Mu."
Wang Guan clapped his hands. "Uncle Lai, no offense, but I’m just saying, the Qiushui was wasted on you."
"..." Wang Lai suffered another heavy blow.
"Lord Sima, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be off on patrol."
Su Mu sheathed the saber and carefully secured it to his waist.
His careful movements made Wang Lai feel a little better. At least this Su Mu wasn’t as rough as the Second Young Master.
"Go on, Brother Mu. Now that I’m here, South City is our turf. Do whatever you want. With our two swords joined as one, we’ll surely achieve great things!"
Wang Guan declared with a grand wave of his hand.
"Oh, right! I’m hosting a banquet at the Government Office tonight to celebrate our reunion. You have to be there, Brother Mu!"
Wang Guan continued, "Hehe, I specially invited the top Courtesan from the Qunfang Building in the Inner City. Cost me quite a lot of silver..."
Su Mu had been about to refuse, but his heart stirred when he heard the word "Courtesan." "Is the Courtesan skilled with musical instruments?"
"But of course! Miss Xiang’s pipa playing is renowned throughout Wuling City. Everyone who’s heard it says it’s magnificent."
Wang Guan said.
"Alright, I’ll attend the banquet."
Su Mu agreed before Wang Guan could even finish, then turned and walked away.
"You have to treat Qiushui well! Otherwise, I’ll never forgive you!"
Wang Lai’s voice, mournful and heartbroken, followed him from behind.
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