Chapter 399: Aim For The Heart

“It’s just a small misunderstanding, sir. Lord Chu mistook me for one of the rebels, that’s all. It’s really my fault for not clarifying things sooner,” Ye Qing replied with a warm smile. But on the inside, he was cursing Lei Xiaodan’s foxiness.

On the outside, Lei Xiaodan was encouraging him to tell the truth. But on the inside, he was really threatening him to gloss over the matter, or he would expose Chen Wuxin for who he was. Chen Ah Sheng was one of the leaders of the Thirteen Brigands, and unlike your petty criminal, he was so notorious that even the imperial court had a hefty bounty on his head. Anyone who colluded with him would be punished severely.

The reason Lei Xiaodan revealed the fact that he recognized Chen Ah Sheng but didn’t call him out for who he was was to warn Ye Qing to say anything but the truth. Otherwise, he would not hesitate to drag him down with him.

Technically, there was no harm in revealing the truth. After all, there was nothing shameful about destroying the Chaos Heaven Brigands. The problem was that he couldn’t reveal his deeds without explaining about his involvement with the Ghost Tower, and if his involvement with the Ghost Tower was revealed, then everything he did to shake them off would be for naught.

Besides that, the Thirteen Brigands were united in spirit. If they or Chen Ah Sheng’s friends and family learned that he was the one behind the destruction of the Chaos Heaven Brigands, then he wouldn’t survive very long at all, not unless he hid behind the Pacification Bureau’s skirt forever.

Without the necessary strength, fame and glory were nothing more but death sentences.

Maybe it was because Lei Xiaodan didn’t want to provoke the Pacification Bureau or Hong Jianglong, or maybe it was because he wasn’t sure why Chen Ah Sheng was standing together with Ye Qing. In the end, he only chose to threaten him subtly.

Ye Qing understood his meaning, which was why he ultimately didn’t reveal the full extent of Chu Renhe’s actions and behavior. The way he glossed over it, you would think that they hadn’t fought at all.

“It was just a misunderstanding? That’s great! Even so, the right attitude is necessary to resolve a misunderstanding.” Lei Xiaodan acted as a mediator and beckoned Chu Renhe over, “Come, Renhe. Apologize to Young Ye.”

A cold glint flickered in Chu Renhe’s eyes as he apologized, “I apologize for my recklessness, Brother Ye. I hope you will forgive me.”

“I wasn’t fully in the right either. I hope you will overlook my behavior,” replied Ye Qing with a smile.

“This is good, isn’t it? A family should always be in harmony,” Lei Xiaodan chuckled, “and youngsters like you two should get to know each other better.”

“Hmph.” Chu Renhe grunted but didn’t say anything.

“As you can see, Brother Hong, it’s just a misunderstanding. Should we overlook this matter now?” Lei Xiaodan looked at Hong Jianglong.

Hong Jianglong sneered. “It’s not like I can say anything else since both sides don’t wish to pursue this matter any longer, can’t I? A fair warning though, Lei Xiaodan. I don’t care what you and your ilk do in the norm, but never plot against or heaven forbid, lay a finger on the Pacification Bureau. Otherwise, we will retaliate in full force.”

“What are you talking about, Brother Hong? The Intelligence Department and the Pacification Bureau are the right and left hand of the Son of Heaven. We are united in our purpose to serve the emperor and the people, aren't we? Why would we ever scheme against our own?”

Lei Xiaodan declared in a fearful voice, “Don’t you know me, Old Hong? I can’t say for everyone, but you know that I would never do such a thing.”

“Good. You best remember what you said today and act like it.” Hong Jianglong declared imperiously. “This is the end of today’s incident. There won’t be an aftermath, and I better not hear anything untoward regarding Joyless and the Pacification Bureau in the near future, understand?”

“But of course,” Lei Xiaodan said with an obsequious smile. “You know what, I have some time today. Why don’t I negotiate a table with the Beauty Pageant Palace and treat Young Ye to a proper welcoming ceremony? It would make for a good apology, don’t you think?”

“Forget it. Unlike you, the Pacification Bureau has a lot of work to do.” Hong Jianglong glanced at Ye Qing and ordered, “Join me, Joyless.”

“As you command,” Ye Qing replied before saluting Lei Xiaodan again. “I shall be taking my leave, Lord Lei.”

Ye Qing wanted nothing more than to stay far, far away from Lei Xiaodan. However, some amount of pretenses were still necessary.

“Off you go, Young Ye. Do visit the Intelligence Department when you have time. I’d like nothing more than to spend some time with you,” Lei Xiaodan said affectionately.

I think not, you suspicious old man!

Ye Qing barely suppressed his impulse to break out in goosebumps as he replied, “Sure. I will make time.”

Lei Xiaodan guffawed. “Hahaha... I look forward to your arrival, Young Ye.”

“Be seeing you, Lord Lei,” Ye Qing said one last time before falling behind Hong Jianglong.

As the duo left, Lei Xiaodan called out to Hong Jianglong, “Let’s have a drink when you have time, Brother Hong!”

The Pacification Commissioner did not reply.

After Hong Jianglong and Ye Qing were gone, Chu Renhe’s expression suddenly morphed into an angry, vengeful snarl.

“Are you angry that I didn’t take revenge for you, Renhe?” Lei Xiaodan turned to look at his disciple.

“I wouldn’t dare!” Chu Renhe replied.

“So, you’re saying that you are angry.” Lei Xiaodan didn’t get angry despite his answer.

Chu Renhe hesitated for a moment before answering, “I’m not angry for myself, master. I’m angry for you.”

“You are the Judicial Commissioner of the Intelligence Department. Both your rank and your strength are greater than Hong Jianglong’s, not to mention that the Intelligence Department isn’t inferior to the Pacification Bureau in any way. Why must you always... always...”

“Act like a meek servant, am I right?” Lei Xiaodan smiled.

“I wouldn’t dare,” Chu Renhe replied again.

“You don’t really think I’m cowardly just because my name is Lei Xiaodan (Surname: Thunder, Name: Cowardly), do you?” Lei Xiaodan let out a chuckle. “I just think that most face aren’t worth fighting for, that’s all. Let’s say that I dominated Hong Jianglong in a verbal spar and trampled all over his face. Would that really help me? Would it really hurt Hong Jianglong? Nay, it wouldn’t. It would just be a waste of time and energy.”

“If you’re going to kill a snake, aim for the spot seven inches below its head. If you’re going to kill a man, aim for the heart or the brain. If you’re going to commit to something, you should make sure that said action is as effective as it is permanent.”

“Otherwise, forget killing the snake, all you’re going to do is to alert it. On top of that, you might give it the chance to bite you—just like what you did today.”

Lei Xiaodan looked at Chu Renhe sternly. “You acted recklessly and didn’t investigate if Ye Qing is alone or has a lot of backing. As a result, you not only failed to kill him, but also took a massive loss in return. Am I wrong?”

Chu Renhe opened his mouth, but he couldn’t say anything.

“You’re still too young. Too impatient.” Lei Xiaodan gave him a consoling pat on the shoulder.

Chu Renhe sucked in a deep breath and saluted Lei Xiaodan. “This disciple recognizes his mistake, master.”

“And if you can fix it, then it is all worth it.” Lei Xiaodan smiled. “You’re still young. You still have plenty of room to make mistakes. What is scary is not fixing your mistakes despite knowing them.”

“Only those who are brave enough to recognize their shame, accept it, and never forget it may wash away their shame one day.”

“I will remember this, master.” Chu Renhe bowed his head deeply.

“Good. Now lead our men back to their posts, and remember to compensate those who were injured or killed properly. We mustn’t maltreat those who serve us faithfully.” Lei Xiaodan patted Chu Renhe’s shoulder one last time before he slowly turned transparent. A paper doll fell from the center of his silhouette and burst into flames before it hit the ground.

Chu Renhe was stunned and in disbelief. He had no idea that his master had been a paper doll this whole time.

“Is this... the Judicial Commissioner’s magic, the Paper Doll Art?!” Tong Zhen was just as shocked as Chu Renhe was. “To think that the Judicial Commissioner’s magic could fool even Hong Jianglong. He must have gotten stronger.”

“Yeah!” Chu Renhe replied enviously before ordering, “Anyway, let’s clean up the scene and go home!”

Tong Zhen looked at the ruined inn and the warrioress who was still stuck in the ground, hurt and spent. His complexion slowly darkened as he asked, “Are we going to overlook this, Renhe?”

“Overlook?” Chu Renhe’s expression turned cold and cruel. “I have never suffered such humiliation in my life, and you’re asking me that?”

“What do you want to do?” As one of his long-time subordinates, Tong Zhen wasn’t surprised by Chu Renhe’s answer in the slightest.

“We will see!” Chu Renhe said coldly.

An idea suddenly occurred to Tong Zhen. “According to the Judicial Commissioner, the guy who protected Ye Qing is most likely Chen Ah Sheng. We can use that to our advantage, can’t we? Chen Ah Shen is a member of the Thirteen Brigands, and we all know that it’s a death sentence to collude with one of their ilk. If we expose this, no one can save Ye Qing even if he is a member of the Pacification Bureau, right?”

Chu Renhe’s eyes lit up for an instant before dimming again. “No, no. Master didn’t expose Ye Qing despite knowing who Chen Ah Sheng was. He must have his reasons. Besides, master promised Hong Jianglong that this is the end of today’s incident, and bringing up Chen Ah Sheng would be to reopen old wounds and worse, bring shame to master.”

“I shouldn’t need to tell you the consequences of annoying master, should I?”

Tong Zhen gulped and turned as white as a sheet. The Judicial Commissioner might be the picture of kindness and benevolence in the norm, but when he gets angry, it was like an inner demon had awakened inside him. Not only that, Lei Xiaodan had the peculiar hobby of researching ancient punishments and applying them on his victims. He especially enjoyed the cruelest and most inhuman punishments such as Death By A Thousand Cuts, Human Swine[1], Wax Boiling[2] and more.

In fact, many of these Human Swines and wax statues decorated the interior of the Intelligence Department.

“What should we do then?” Tong Zhen asked.

“There’s no hurry. We have plenty of time to come up with a perfect solution.” Chu Renhe’s expression loosened into a feminine, cruel grin. “Master is right. If you’re going to kill a snake, aim for the spot seven inches below its head. If you’re going to kill a man, aim for the heart or the brain.”

“When next we strike, death will be his only fate!”

.......

“That was a hell of a ‘pleasant surprise’ you brought me, Joyless!”

On the way to the headquarters, Hong Jianglong teased Ye Qing while feeling both shocked and impressed at the same time.

When he first saw Ye Qing, he was still a late-stage Astral Refiner. Later, he entered the Spirit Purification stage after emerging from the Demon’s Tomb. Less than a month after that, he had entered the middle-stage of the Spirit Purification stage, and not as an empty shell that forsook everything for speed either. His senses told him that his spirit was potent and vast, and his vigor felt as strong as a mini sun. He had no idea how the young man managed to grow so strong in so short a time.

Forget Luo Zhan, even Chu Qingge might be no match for him anymore. This was just insane.

“I didn’t want this either. I was just looking to eat lunch,” Ye Qing argued with a bitter chuckle. He had told Hong Jianglong everything that truly happened in the restaurant earlier, so he knew that the guy was just making fun of him.

“It’s fine though. The Intelligence Department more than anyone else needs someone to spank them once in a while. If they dare to provoke you in the future, don’t hesitate to beat the shit out of their assholes. I will shield you from all consequences.” Hong Jianglong waved his hand.

“My lord is strong,” Ye Qing flattered before asking, “by the way, how did you know I was in trouble?”

Hong Jianglong scoffed, “What, you think that the Intelligence Department is the only one who has spies? Besides, the commotion you caused is loud enough to wake even the dead.”

“It’s my turn to ask you a question. Who is he? Is he really Chen Ah Sheng?” Hong Jianglong abruptly glanced at Chen Wuxin with a severe look.

1. ... She then had Concubine Qi's limbs chopped off, blinded her by gouging out her eyes, cut off her tongue, cut off her nose, cut off her ears, forced her to drink a potion that made her mute, made her dumb with toxins, and locked her in the pigsty, and called her a "human swine" (人彘)... ?

2. A slow and agonizing punishment, this method traditionally saw the victim gradually lowered — feet-first — into wax. ?