"I, Yan, have met Young Master Lu."
A middle-aged man with phoenix eyes approached Lu Qing with a smile on his face, but immediately recognized Lu Qing's identity.
At this moment, Lu Qing's vision had already revealed the information of the newcomer.
Within the intense red light, several words were emerging.
【Yan Canghai: County Magistrate of Cang County, of royal blood, with a carefree and unconventional personality, unconcerned with details, and extremely curious.】
【Cultivation Level: Acquired Inner Strength Realm, Great Completion; Possesses multiple secret techniques, especially skilled in swordsmanship.】
【Originally a member of the royal family, he was banished from the capital for his excessive curiosity and inquiries into forbidden matters.】
He was originally the nominal ruler of the county town.
After reading the information, Lu Qing understood.
Unexpectedly, the other party's background was quite extraordinary; he was a member of some royal family.
"Your Excellency, did you come looking for me because of that ruffian from the market?"
Lu Qing was not surprised that this person knew where he was.
If a county magistrate doesn't even have this much intelligence capability, then he's utterly useless.
"No, that's not true. I've already investigated and found out that Chen Wencai is taking advantage of the market to extort money from the people. Young Master Lu, there's no need to worry," Yan Canghai said.
"Oh, then how did the magistrate deal with that person?" Lu Qing asked curiously.
“Naturally, he will be imprisoned for a year, his family property will be confiscated, and after serving his sentence, he will be expelled from the city.”
Lu Qing nodded. He was unfamiliar with the laws of this world and didn't know whether the punishment was severe or lenient, so he didn't offer any comment.
"But I've heard that Chen Wencai was able to act with impunity and extort money at will in the market because his brother-in-law, who works for the county magistrate, was protecting him. I wonder how the county magistrate dealt with that?" Lu Qing continued to ask.
Yan Canghai paused for a moment before saying, "Wang Yi, Chen Wencai's brother-in-law, has been a constable for several years. He has worked diligently and has done a lot of hard work. However, he was unaware of the fact that Chen Wencai was using his name to commit fraud and extortion. Considering his hard work and lack of knowledge about the matter, he is fined three months' salary as a warning to others."
Lu Qing smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
It was not explained how this matter would be handled.
"Now that Your Excellency has ascertained the truth, I suppose there is nothing more for me to do. Please allow me to take my leave."
Lu Qing bowed slightly, intending to carry Xiao Yan away.
Yan Canghai quickly called out to him, "Young Master Lu, I have prepared some wine and dishes at Yanfeng Tower. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a meal?"
Yanfenglou is the most expensive and best restaurant in the county.
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, sir, but I have already eaten and have been out for quite some time today. I fear that my master will worry, so I must return to pay my respects as soon as possible. I can only thank you for your kind offer."
However, Lu Qing refused outright and carried Xiao Yan slowly toward the Wei residence.
Only Yan Canghai remained, looking regretful.
"Zhi Rui, why do you think he refused my invitation?"
After Lu Qing's figure disappeared, Yan Canghai suddenly spoke.
He doesn't like you.
A figure appeared beside Yan Canghai, his expression calm; it was the young man in plain clothes.
"Why is that? I shouldn't have offended him." Yan Canghai was somewhat taken aback.
"He already disliked you when he heard about your handling of that royal servant," the young man in plain clothes said calmly.
"What's wrong with my punishment?"
"Yan Canghai, ask yourself honestly, do you really believe that what Wang Yi said is true, that he didn't know that Chen Wencai was using his name to extort money in the market?"
The young man in plain clothes looked at his friend with a hint of sarcasm: "If you really think that way, then you've been getting worse and worse over the years."
Yan Canghai fell silent.
After a while, he said, "That Wang Yi is a talented person. He was able to cultivate to the Qi and Blood Realm in just a few years using only the ordinary cultivation method issued by the county magistrate's office. If he were given more resources, he might be able to reach the Tendon and Bone Realm in time, or even step into the Inner Organ Realm."
"As you know, I have no one else at my disposal right now."
"So you're pretending to be confused, wanting to give him a chance?" The young man in plain clothes shook his head. "Yan Canghai, you've really disappointed me."
"I thought that being demoted to this remote Cang County would make you more clear-headed, but I never expected that you would become even more confused."
"A mere Qi and Blood Realm Perfection is enough to make you break your own principles? With your abilities, you still dream of one day returning to the capital and taking back what rightfully belongs to you?"
"Yan Canghai, when did your magnanimity become so petty?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Canghai trembled violently, and his face suddenly turned several shades paler.
Upon seeing this, the young man in plain clothes shook his head, his disappointment deepening.
He turned and left: "Since this young master Lu doesn't like you, I advise you not to provoke him. Don't be fooled by his gentle appearance; I can tell he's extremely bloodthirsty. If you anger him, he might just kill you."
Lu Qing was unaware that such a conversation had taken place after he left.
He had just returned to the Wei residence with Xiaoyan and Xiaoli when he saw Wei Xinghe and Madam Wei walking out from the backyard.
"Young Master Lu, Xiao Yan, you're back! Did you have a good time?"
When Madam Wei saw the two of them, she was very happy and came to greet them.
"It's alright," Lu Qing said with a smile. "The city is indeed very different from our countryside. The bustling areas are dazzling."
"Auntie, we went to so many places, ate so many things, and even bought books!" Xiaoyan said happily.
Because Lu Qing had instructed her on the way back, Xiao Yan did not tell anyone about what happened in the market.
"Did Young Master Lu go to buy books?"
Wei Xinghe then noticed the books Lu Qing was carrying.
"Yes, books are a rare sight in our countryside. Usually, when I teach Xiaoyan and the others to read, I have to rely on the medical books that my master has collected. This time, since we rarely come to the city, I'll buy some books to take back and broaden our horizons."
"Xiaoyan, you've started recognizing characters?" Madam Wei asked, somewhat surprised.
"Yes, Xiaoyan knows a lot of words!" the little one said proudly. "Not only me, Xiaoli knows words too!"
This truly surprised Wei Xinghe and his wife.
The way they looked at Xiao Li had changed.
This little black beast can even read?
Unfortunately, Xiao Li has never liked to talk to people she doesn't know well.
Facing the gazes of the two, it didn't even open its eyes, but instead lay on Lu Qing's shoulder and pretended to sleep.
Wei Xinghe suppressed his surprise and said to Lu Qing, "Since Young Master Lu loves books so much, my Wei family also has a collection of books. If you are interested, you may visit the study and see if there is anything you like."
Lu Qing's heart stirred. Books that could be collected by the Wei family must be extraordinary, and perhaps they contained the information he wanted.
He nodded gladly: "Then Lu Qing will thank Patriarch Wei in advance."
After chatting for a while, Lu Qing learned that Chief Steward Wei was still at the Ma family and had not returned, while his master had been invited by Wei Shanhai to discuss his insights into innate martial arts.
Madam Wei also invited Xiaoyan and Xiaoli to play in the backyard.
With nothing to do, he simply made an excuse to go back to his room to rest.
Back in his room, after closing the door, Lu Qing took out his loot for the day.
