Chapter Thirty: The Great Hero!

Gu Cheng and Gu Zhang were both tied to pillars, with cloth strips gagging their mouths, a thick wad pressed firmly between their teeth. At this moment, uncle and nephew looked up at Li Yun, tears streaming uncontrollably down their faces.

Heavens above! The officials had finally arrived!

No one could have guessed how much suffering and humiliation the two of them had endured these past few days.

As the effects of the drug wore off, the pair began to moan, prompting Chief Li to “notice” the strips tied behind their heads. He walked behind them and, with a gentle pull, snapped the bindings apart.

Now, both men were tearful, their eyes swollen. Before they could utter a word, Chief Li cleared his throat and said, “A few days ago, bandits entered Tangxi Town and kidnapped townsfolk. Magistrate Xue sent us to investigate, and we traced them all the way here to Erlong Mountain. I never expected to find you two here.”

Their minds still clouded, Gu Zhang—once the poised, unflappable second elder of the Gu family who held his own before the magistrate in Qingyang—could not hold back his tears. Choking up, he said, “You’ve finally come. Finally…”

Gu Cheng, too, was in tears, grinding his teeth. “Erlong Stronghold! Erlong Stronghold! I swear, if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll see every villain in that den ground to dust!”

His rage peaked, and with days of little food and constant distress, he fainted from sheer emotion.

Li Yun drew the dagger from his belt and cut their ropes, then frowned. “Gentlemen, some of the Erlong Stronghold’s thugs outside have already been captured, but this is their territory—we cannot linger. Reinforcements may arrive at any moment.”

“Gentlemen…” Chief Li’s face was calm as he looked at Gu Cheng, then asked Gu Zhang, “Mr. Gu, can you walk?”

“I can, I can…” At over forty, the trauma of the past days had left deep psychological scars. Not a moment did he wish to remain here, even though it was not where they were first imprisoned.

Freed from his bonds, Gu Zhang staggered to his feet, only to collapse to the ground—the ropes had been too tight for too long, leaving him numb.

Grinding his teeth, Gu Zhang slapped his thighs several times, forcing himself to stand. Seeing his nephew still unconscious, he hesitated, then turned and slapped Gu Cheng’s face twice, rousing him.

“Second Brother, hurry, hurry!”

Without waiting for his nephew, Gu Zhang stumbled out, while Gu Cheng, once awake, wasted no time. He discarded his ropes and limped, half-crawling, after his uncle.

Chief Li followed behind, arms crossed, watching the pair’s undignified escape.

Previously, in Qingyang, he had seen these two in a very different light.

Back then, Gu Zhang spoke with conviction and carried himself with dignity. Gu Cheng, though cunning, was articulate and appeared every bit the refined gentleman.

Now…

Chief Li walked behind them, hands clasped behind his back, eyes narrowed.

The Gu family—barely qualifying as a local gentry. It seemed that, when faced with life and death, even the mighty families lost their lofty airs.

He wondered…

Looking up at the sky, Li Yun grinned. He had seen enough of these so-called local gentry, but what of those ancient clans boasting a thousand years of lineage?

Would they, too, feel fear?

…

After descending Erlong Mountain, the Gu family’s uncle and nephew ate ravenously in a village at the foot of the slope.

Once the meal was finished, Li Yun instructed Chen Da and his men to hire several carts. One carriage carried Gu Zhang and Gu Cheng, while a flatbed cart hauled the three captured bandits.

Having eaten their fill and boarded the carriage, the Gu men looked at Li Yun with gratitude. Gu Zhang bowed his head, saying, “Li… Chief Li, thank you. We are indebted to you for sending us back to Shidai. In due time, our family will send a proper token of thanks.”

Chief Li shook his head, his expression stern. “Mr. Gu, capturing bandits and rescuing victims is my duty, hardly something to warrant thanks. However, sending you straight back to Shidai now is not possible.”

Gu Zhang wiped the dust from his brow. “Li… Chief Li, why is that?”

“I am acting under orders from the magistrate, investigating the kidnapping in Tangxi Town. Though not all the culprits have been caught, at least you two victims have been found. I must take you back—not only to report to the magistrate, but also to have you testify that I did indeed rescue you from these bandits. After all, I am newly assigned to Qingyang, and my subordinates are not yet convinced. I need achievements to silence them.”

Gu Cheng, the second young master, battered and bruised, struggled to maintain composure. He gritted his teeth. “Chief Li, our family will write to the Qingyang yamen explaining today’s events. You should send someone to escort us home. We were beaten by the bandits and need rest. Please, send us back to Shidai.”

Li Yun glanced at Gu Cheng’s face, then smiled and replied briskly, “Very well. If that’s your wish, I’ll take my leave.”

Gu Zhang’s face changed dramatically. “Chief Li, you won’t send us back?”

“It’s not that I won’t,” Li Yun said, glancing at the flatbed cart behind the carriage. “You see, we’ve captured three bandits, and we only have three men. We must escort them to Qingyang. If you won’t come, we must part ways here.”

What a joke! This may not be Erlong Stronghold, but it was clearly still on Erlong Mountain. Who knew if bandits were lurking nearby?

How could they separate from the officials now?

Gu Zhang swallowed hard and shook his head. “In that case… Chief Li, please take us to Qingyang…”

Gu Cheng’s expression soured, but he did not object.

Li Yun nodded with a smile, called to his two subordinates to watch the tied bandits, and personally took the reins, driving the carriage for the pair.

After some time on the official road, Li Yun asked, smiling, “Mr. Gu, what old grievance does your family have with Erlong Stronghold? I asked around in Tangxi Town. On that day, they only seized you two—not even your servants.”

Gu Zhang’s face darkened. “I’m not sure. I’ll need to ask my elder brother when we return home.”

Li Yun narrowed his eyes and said no more, focusing on driving.

Fortunately, Erlong Mountain was not far from Qingyang County. By nightfall, they arrived outside the city. The gates were already closed, but Li Yun managed to have them opened and brought the Gu men to the county office.

There, Li Yun handed them over to Magistrate Xue. It was too late for a thorough inquiry, so the magistrate arranged temporary lodging, intending to question them in detail the next day.

Once the Gu men were settled, Magistrate Xue grabbed Li Yun as he was about to leave, pulling him aside with a grave face. “Why did you bring Gu Zhang back?”

Chief Li smiled. “That day, Gu Zhang slighted the magistrate. Now, with the magistrate showing him favor, tomorrow he can return the gesture with some sharp words—wouldn’t that be satisfying?”

Magistrate Xue frowned, but then a look of excitement flickered in his eyes.

He remembered another matter and asked, “And the other three you brought back—what’s their story?”

Chief Li stretched and replied with a laugh, “Chen Da and the others questioned them on the road. They’re indeed bandits from Erlong Stronghold. I happened upon them.”

“Magistrate, reporting this will bring considerable merit.”

Li Yun smiled. “We, your humble constables, under your wise leadership, have eliminated the scourge of Erlong Stronghold.”

He continued, “If you publicize this, it will highlight your achievements, and establish my reputation as a hero.”

“From now on, I’ll work diligently to root out bandits for you.”

“And when word reaches the provincial authorities…”

Chief Li paused, then grinned, “Perhaps the higher-ups will send me to rid the entire province of bandits…”

“One never knows.”