Why do I have so many masters?

Chapter 135 Foreigners (2/2)

Wang Anfeng made his way toward the Ministry of Punishment in the County City. The vermillion gates of the yamen stood wide open, flanked not by stone lions but by the grim visages of Bi'an, the guardians of judicial fairness. Their fierce features seemed to pierce through the secretive depths of one's heart, coldly observing every passerby who walked by.

Wang Anfeng steadied his spirit and stepped inside. Because of previous incidents, patrol officers of the Ninth Grade and above in the Ministry all recognized this youth from the Academy. With little impediment, he soon saw Yan Ling, who looked unlike the one Anfeng had seen in the Academy. That day, although still slightly stunned, Yan Ling seemed energized, at least.

Yan Ling's eyes were filled with weariness now, suggesting he hadn't had a proper rest in a long time.

His smile was forced, and even though he made small talk with Wang Anfeng, he couldn't stop his gaze from drifting towards the pile of case files on the desk behind him, revealing a hint of anxious impatience.

Realizing this, Wang Anfeng sighed inwardly, not wanting to impose any further upon Yan Ling. He stood up to take his leave. Stepping out of the Ministry, he slowly walked towards the Academy. On the street, pedestrians bustled about, with vendors calling out beside their stalls, children laughing and running past, all in a thriving and lively world.

But within the walls of the Ministry, just a wall apart, the atmosphere was utterly different; oppressive and heavy, as if more than three hundred bloody corpses stood behind the Ministry's people, waiting for them to vindicate their unjust deaths, leaving them no chance to relax.

In this world, human life is the lightest of things.

Yet, it is also the heaviest.

To the common folk, the case had already passed.

They could return to their regular lives, without fear or concern that such a tragedy could befall them. At most, it provided them with a topic of conversation when chatting idly with others.

This topic would gradually be replaced by fresher news, and eventually, those who had died would fade from their memories, gradually disappearing without leaving the slightest trace, as if they had never existed in this world.

However, for arrest officers and disciples of the legalist school, there were still many matters pending in this case filled with doubts, and they were not willing to let it go lightly.

Being part of the legalist school meant being fated to be estranged from certain aspects of life.

Wandering in his thoughts, Wang Anfeng gradually made his way back in the direction of the Academy, his mood becoming more serene.

With the Academy examinations nearing, students who used to socialize are now, voluntarily or by coercion, sitting in the classroom all day studying diligently to avoid scoring poorly in the martial arts and ethics exams.

As a result, though it was still early in the day, the vicinity of the Academy was rather deserted. Having grown used to the hustle and bustle, Wang Anfeng was slightly uncomfortable with the quietness.

Just as he was a few hundred meters from the Academy's main gate, the youth suddenly heard a commotion with a somewhat familiar intonation. Frowning slightly, he thought for a moment before he decided not to return directly to the Academy, instead, he turned into an alleyway.

After walking for several dozen meters, he saw Tuoba Yue in red, clasping her longsword so tightly that her hand was shaking, apparently in a state of agitated tremble. Two middle-aged men stood before her, dressed in Great Qin's finest silk, yet their dark complexions and prominent cheekbones indicated that they were not Qin citizens.

One of them was holding a chain, shackling a thin young boy who appeared to be no more than thirteen or fourteen. The boy's frail figure stood with little clothing in the late autumn weather when ordinary people without martial arts would wear thick clothes or even carry a delicate hand warmer to stay warm.

This youth, however, was only wearing trousers, revealing his emaciated body and distinctly visible ribs, where old and new wounds crisscrossed without a spot of healthy flesh, a harrowing sight that made one reluctant to fathom the cruelty he had endured.

Wang Anfeng paused briefly, then, a surge of righteous anger rose within him. Without rash action, he strode forward with a cool voice, calling out:

"The Great Qin Legal Code has long abolished slavery. Who are you to openly defy it here?"

His sudden outburst naturally drew everyone's attention. Tuoba Yue was momentarily startled and uttered:

"Anfeng?"

Wang Anfeng gave her a slight nod. To prevent the foreign men from making a sudden move, he gripped the hilt of his sword behind his back. As he stepped closer, the barbarian behind the two men suddenly stepped forward, his right hand brushing past his waist, drawing a Curved Saber and slashing out two Moon Blade arcs.

This action was not intended to truly strike Wang Anfeng but served as a deterrent. Having spent a long time travelling beyond the borders, the foreigner had naturally developed such reflexes.

The rich merchant didn't attempt to stop his underlings. Just as he was about to succeed, this youth's interruption had jeopardized his plans.

Angered, he felt it might be good for the youth to suffer a bit. As thoughts spun in his head, his face showed a laughing and benign manner, ready to stop his men in time after the youth had learned his lesson.

Then came a resonant sound of sword clashing.

The barbarian's Curved Saber shattered upon contact with the Wooden Sword, and the broken blade, propelled by the force of the clash, spun away, stabbing straight before the rich merchant, emitting a low hum. Fine patterns on the blade reflected the merchant's suddenly pale face.

At the same time, Wang Anfeng had advanced a step, thrusting the Wooden Sword forward, firmly touching the man's throat.