Chapter 108 - 106: Heroic Thief
"Changming, this is the Patriarch of the Xu Family from the city, and these are disciples from the Sword Star Sect," Zhuang Ren first introduced to Song Changming.
Upon hearing Sword Star Sect, Song Changming was somewhat surprised; he had just received a challenge invitation from disciples of this sect not long ago. How coincidental.
"Greetings to Patriarch Xu and all the elders."
"The name ’Dragon Saber Guest’ I’ve heard even outside the prefecture, and today meeting you, you truly are extraordinary," said the eldest among the Sword Star Sect disciples, stroking his beard with a faint smile.
At first glance, he seemed to have a good impression of Song Changming.
Several young disciples behind him looked at Song Changming with intense gazes.
Song Changming secretly critiqued his strange nickname, but outwardly, he simply acknowledged the elder’s praise as excessive.
"It was you who captured my son!" On the other side, the Patriarch Xu did not speak kindly to Song Changming but questioned him directly.
"Indeed." Song Changming didn’t offer any explanations, answering directly.
The person was indeed captured by him, what of it?
"Hm, very well, let me ask you, my son was beaten in the street until he vomited blood incessantly, was this not a dereliction of duty by you as Patrol Captain?" Patriarch Xu hummed heavily, his tone unfriendly.
"Your young master was beaten for harassing a woman on the street, what has that got to do with me?" Song Changming said calmly, not bothering to argue further with this unreasonable old fellow.
"You! What kind of attitude is this!" Patriarch Xu was furious, immediately turning towards Zhuang Ren.
"Chief Zhuang, Song Guard has abandoned his post and still remains so stubborn, shouldn’t he be punished and dismissed?"
"Patriarch Xu, there are many misunderstandings in this matter, whether Song Guard was negligent, I will investigate thoroughly. The key now is to hear his story and resolve the misunderstanding," Zhuang Ren said.
What a joke, Song Changming is his most capable subordinate at present, the top talent in the General Department; how could he truly be willing to dismiss Song Changming?
Even if Patriarch Xu had already offered a sizable bribe, it was not feasible.
"Changming, recount clearly what you knew and witnessed at noon, do not hide anything or omit any details," Zhuang Ren, after appeasing Patriarch Xu, then instructed Song Changming.
Song Changming nodded, he had nothing to hide and disclosed what needed to be said.
In fact, the General Department had already verified these matters thoroughly; Song Changming’s presence was mostly to serve as an important eyewitness, bringing this matter to conclusion.
Zhuang Ren received benefits from both sides, thus choosing not to offend either.
This was not considered a major incident; after all, no one died, just some conflicts and skirmishes among youngsters.
Once the matter was clarified, he would release the people from both sides.
The primary purpose for Patriarch Xu and the Sword Star Sect disciples here was to take their people.
At this moment, Zhuang Ren’s Personal Guard hurried in.
"General Director, Liu Dingsheng seeks an audience outside the General Department."
"Hmm, let him come in," Zhuang Ren nodded.
Soon, an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed simply, walked in, clasping his hands towards Zhuang Ren.
"Lord Zhuang, since we parted in the Capital City, I didn’t expect to see you again here in Donglai Prefecture."
"It was a coincidence that I was reassigned here, Brother Liu, no issues since we last met," Zhuang Ren greeted him with a smile.
The two evidently had some past acquaintance, knowing each other well.
"Lord Zhuang, if you have leisure in the future, you are welcome to come and play chess and drink tea," the elder said, stroking his beard.
"I heard Brother Liu plans to hold a retirement ceremony in the city within a few days and invite friends; I will bring people to attend, will Brother Liu welcome us?" Zhuang Ren inquired.
"You are more than welcome, Lord Zhuang coming is my honor," the elder nodded.
Then Zhuang Ren introduced the Sword Star Sect and Patriarch Xu again.
"I am Teng Shan Hua, I’ve long heard of Elder Liu’s great name," the leading person of the Sword Star Sect offered a junior’s courtesy first.
"Sword Star Sect, I’ve visited twice in the early years, is Sect Leader Le well?" the elder smiled faintly.
Having roamed the Jianghu for a long time, the elder seemed to have connections with many people, having a very broad network.
"Master, our elder, researches Sword Dao on the mountain daily, and is very well," Teng Shan Hua replied.
Standing behind Zhuang Ren, Song Changming hadn’t seen this elder before, but had indeed heard of his name.
Heroic Thief Liu Dingsheng.
The majority of Jianghu people arriving in the city recently were there for him.
A retirement ceremony enough to attract so many people, it showed how high this elder’s status was in the Jianghu.
Even Zhuang Ren as General Director showed great enthusiasm towards him.
After some pleasantries, the elder then mentioned the main matter of this visit.
"Lord Zhuang, I wonder how my granddaughter is doing?" Liu Dingsheng asked.
"I learned later that Brother Liu’s granddaughter was also involved in this matter; rest assured, she is safe and sound under my care," Zhuang Ren said, then instructed his Personal Guard to bring her in.
Soon, those captured by Song Changming at noon were brought to the main hall.
Du Ling and others were intact, but their expressions were less than pleasant, while that Eldest Young Master Xu and the Xu Family Guards were all wrapped in bandages; their injuries had been treated but they still looked very miserable.
"Father!"
The Eldest Young Master Xu, seeing his father present, instantly called out for help with grievance.
He had never been beaten so badly before, today had truly been a disaster.
Seeing his own son beaten into such a state, Patriarch Xu’s face grew colder.
"Who beat my son like this!" he angrily scolded.
"It was me!" Du Ling glared, remaining very firm, stating directly that he deserved to be beaten for harassing women.
"Good, very good!" Patriarch Xu’s small eyes narrowed, glaring ominously at him.
However, although he was furious, he had not yet lost his reason.
At least here in the General Department, in front of Zhuang Ren, he dared not speak recklessly without regard for the law.
Instead, the elder Liu Dingsheng, upon hearing the events, also showed a cold expression and looked towards the Xu father and son pair.
"Yan’Er, have you been wronged?" Liu Dingsheng approached one of the white-clothed women, asking.
"Thanks to Young Hero Du and others for their righteous actions..." Liu Yan’Er said softly.
Song Changming recognized this woman as the one who had previously called out his name.
Unexpectedly, she was also Liu Dingsheng’s granddaughter.
"It’s all grandpa’s fault, having you travel from Wangyue Pavilion all the way here, and not having arranged things properly for you." Liu Dingsheng self-reproached, speaking with a rather doting tone towards his own granddaughter.
"Don’t worry, leave this matter to grandpa, grandpa will make it right for you."
Liu Yan’Er hurriedly said, "You’re about to wash your hands of Jianghu affairs and retire, you can’t break the rules over such a small matter of mine."
"Though I am about to retire, I still carry some weight in this Jianghu, so there’s no need for me to personally intervene." Liu Dingsheng waved dismissively, unconcerned.
He showed no concern even while within the Public Security Bureau, with Zhuang Ren listening by the side.
"Brother Liu, as for this matter..." Upon hearing this, Zhuang Ren’s expression also slightly changed, unable to resist advising a bit, only to be interrupted by Liu Dingsheng waving his hand.
"Lord Zhuang, rest assured, I know my limits."
Although he spoke with a kind tone, his words showed he remained unshakable and confident.
Zhuang Ren knew some background details about the person in front of him and understood that what he said was absolute.
Zhuang Ren pressed his lips together, choosing not to say more, just hoping the other would not make things difficult for him.
"Chief Zhuang, I need to take my son to heal, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving first."
Having said that, Xu Patriarch gave a cold snort, took his son, and left with a flick of his sleeve.
After leaving the General Department and getting into the carriage, his face turned completely gloomy.
"Truly thinking my Xu family is made of clay, a bunch of Jianghu bumpkins, I want to see what abilities that old fossil has!"
Inside the hall, after the Xu family’s departure, Liu Dingsheng also soon left with his granddaughter.
And as the people from Sword Star Sect were about to take their leave, a disciple who appeared to be around thirty suddenly looked at Song Changming as he stood before Du Ling.
"Earlier, I had someone send a challenge letter to Guard Captain Song, may I know if it was received?"
"Oh, is there such a thing?" Zhuang Ren asked.
Song Changming nodded, saying, "Indeed, I received a challenge letter today."
However, he hadn’t yet read it.
"I have long admired Guard Captain Song’s sword skills and wish to spar with you three days hence, what do you say?" Le Fenglin said directly.
"Sorry, I am not from Jianghu, I hold a position and never accept challenges from others, please forgive me." Song Changming refused without hesitation.
"What do you mean by this!" Du Ling immediately grew dissatisfied.
"With such cowardice, are you worthy of the name ’Dragon Saber’?"
Song Changming, hearing this, replied, "If you wish for my title, then it’s yours, from now on you shall be the Dragon Saber, does that satisfy you?"
"You!"
Du Ling gnawed his teeth in anger, not knowing why, but he just didn’t like this person since Song Changming appeared.
"That’s truly a pity." Le Fenglin shook his head but did not insist, leaving with the others.
On the way back, Du Ling still wore an angry expression, muttering.
"That Song Changming is just a cowardly person, the rumors were indeed exaggerated!"
"Indeed, even declining Senior Brother’s challenge without the slightest hesitation, I think he’s just scared, fearing defeat under our Senior Brother’s sword, losing his reputation!" another Sword Star Sect disciple mocked.
"Stop speaking." Le Fenglin glanced at those around him, speaking calmly.
"The man wasn’t wrong, he’s after all a person of the Imperial Court, not of Jianghu, and has no need to follow Jianghu’s rules like us. Whether to accept the challenge or not is entirely his choice."
"Fenglin is right." Teng Shan Hua, walking at the front, suddenly spoke.
"On this mission out of the sect, you should learn from Fenglin’s temperament, especially you, Du Ling, don’t act impulsively without consideration, think through the consequences of your actions more."
"Otherwise, in the future, not only might you harm yourself, but also implicate us and even the sect!"
Teng Shan Hua’s stern tone made all the disciples shut their mouths, not daring to say more.
Even Du Ling, known for his straightforwardness, did not dare to contradict the elder of the sect, only acknowledging his lesson.
In fact, if the sect hadn’t helped them this time, backing them up, they might have ended up in jail, without seeing daylight.
And also would have to face retaliation from the Xu family, and at that point, even being imprisoned might be a luxury.
...