Chapter 65: Washing the Tassels

“You can also adopt another child to accompany you through the rest of your life, and he can continue the family lineage. After all, the two elders are already at such an advanced age—someone will have to care for them. Now that he’s gone, you must shoulder his responsibilities.” Ling Chi wished to give her a sense of duty, a reason to keep living.

“You have already avenged them with your own hands. Their enemy was sliced into over six hundred pieces by you; they may now rest in peace.”

Ling Chi turned to Zhang Shunzhi, who nodded repeatedly—he could no longer bear the pain of losing family.

The woman nodded and stepped forward to take her mother-in-law’s hand.

Madam Zhang Li, Zhang Shunzhi’s wife, wept silently as she embraced her daughter-in-law.

“Uncle Zhang, you should all move your family to the Department of Tranquil Justice. Here, no one will dare gossip. From now on, she will serve under me as the Standard Bearer of the Penalty Division, with a monthly salary of two gold coins—enough to support your family.”

The woman, Zhang Shunzhi, and Madam Zhang Li all knelt in unison before Ling Chi, bowing their heads to the floor. Ling Chi stepped aside, avoiding their obeisance.

The woman knelt to thank Ling Chi for granting her revenge, while Zhang Shunzhi and his wife knelt not only for the justice he had secured, but also in gratitude for saving their daughter-in-law’s life and giving her hope.

“What is her name?” Ling Chi asked Zhang Shunzhi, for the woman, having lost half her tongue, could no longer speak.

“She’s called Su Yuan,” Zhang Shunzhi replied.

Unexpectedly, the woman shook her head and, dipping her finger in Xue Da’s blood, slowly wrote the characters “Zhuo Ying” on the ground.

Clear are the waters of the Canglang; with them I may cleanse my tassel.

Her meaning was clear: she wished to be as the waters of the Canglang, cleansing the world’s dust from others’ tassels.

Ling Chi understood, and looked at Zhuo Ying, nodding slowly.

Zhuo Ying smiled too, despite her body being filthy and stained with blood.

Ling Chi sent someone to summon Mayor Xu Dongfeng; he wanted to question him about his knowledge of these events.

“Whoever vomited at my doorstep, clean it up yourself. The Department of Tranquil Justice is not responsible for washing the streets,” Ling Chi declared, his voice ringing out like thunder over the entire town as he surveyed the wreckage before him.

Those who had not yet left hurriedly fetched tools and began scrubbing the street, fearing Ling Chi’s displeasure.

The Zhang family carried their loved ones home for burial. Ling Chi had the skeletal remains of the Xue brothers wrapped in straw mats, intending to send them, along with He He, as a grand gift to the He family.

Mayor Xu Dongfeng was filled with anxiety over such a heinous crime occurring under his governance. In his two or three months in office, he had prided himself on his diligence. Now, as a man in his late thirties or forties, he could only hope the Department of Tranquil Justice would spare him.

Upon hearing that someone from the magistrate’s office had summoned him, Xu Dongfeng mounted his horse and hurried over.

Ling Chi was drinking tea in the reception hall. When told of Xu Dongfeng’s arrival, he rose to greet him at the door. He did not have a poor opinion of Xu Dongfeng; it was only because of that scoundrel He He that Ling Chi felt any unease.

“Master Ling, I am sorry for my late arrival. Please forgive me,” said Xu Dongfeng, lowering himself with evident apprehension. He, too, was a martial artist and knew Ling Chi’s cultivation was among the highest in Crane County.

Moreover, Ling Chi was ruthless, exterminating entire families without hesitation. It was said that, during the case in Li Village, he’d even slain the plaintiff who filed the complaint—a chilling tale that ran shivers down one’s spine.

“Mayor Xu, that’s not necessary. Please, just call me Ling Chi. Come, sit and have some tea.” Ling Chi smiled warmly, motioning for Xu Dongfeng to take a seat.

“Thank you, Master Ling. May I ask why you summoned me here?” Xu Dongfeng knew these were merely polite formalities. In this society, age and seniority did not guarantee righteousness.

“A few hours ago, He He sat in that very seat and brazenly demanded that I release the Xue brothers, warning me not to bring trouble upon my master. I want to know, Mayor Xu, how close are you with He He?”

“I have a good impression of you. You’ve been conscientious these days, managing Willow Town well. I’m not your superior, nor do our offices overlap, so I’ll be direct rather than investigate you behind your back. I hope you understand my meaning.”

Ling Chi spoke each word with precision. Xu Dongfeng was, after all, appointed by Magistrate Cui, and thus deserved some respect—provided he had not entangled himself in Ling Chi’s affairs.

Hearing this, Xu Dongfeng’s heart tightened. So He He was involved after all. No wonder he hadn’t been seen all morning—he’d been taken down.

“As you know, Master Ling, I always serve under Magistrate Cui’s orders. He He’s second uncle is He Quan, and his father is the clan head. He’s never paid me any heed.”

In other words, this troublemaker was not his responsibility; he had no authority over him.

“How much do you know about the Xue brothers, Mayor Xu?” Ling Chi asked, sipping his tea without even looking up. This boy was only fifteen or sixteen, yet his official air was more commanding than his master’s.

“Magistrate Cui tasked me with rebuilding Willow Town and revitalizing its trade routes. As for local law enforcement and the pursuit of thieves, those were He He’s responsibilities—an arrangement reached as part of the interests exchanged between Magistrate Cui and the He family.”

Xu Dongfeng spoke with complete candor. He feared that, should he hide behind official jargon and Ling Chi failed to understand, he might, in a fit of anger, lose his head.

Ling Chi understood. His suspicions were confirmed. A man in his thirties or forties like Xu Dongfeng surely had the requisite cunning; otherwise he’d have wasted the past decades.

“I trust Magistrate Cui, and I trust you as well. As for the He family, I will demand an explanation from them. Previously, the Department of Tranquil Justice did not meddle in town affairs, and unless something unexpected happens, we won’t in the future either. Please rest assured, Mayor Xu,” Ling Chi said frankly.

“However, there is one more thing. I hope you will keep a tight rein on the yamen officers. If another death is forced, it will be too late.”

“I will maintain strict discipline within the Department of Tranquil Justice, ensuring they don’t disrupt your affairs. Today, I will thoroughly investigate my own ranks. Anyone who dares stir up trouble will not be spared,” Ling Chi said, setting down his teacup.

Realizing that Ling Chi did not blame him, Xu Dongfeng finally breathed easy. At his appointment, Magistrate Cui had sternly warned him not to provoke Ling Chi; after all, Ling Chi dared even to strike the magistrate’s own son—he surely would not respect Xu Dongfeng.

Xu Dongfeng repeatedly promised to cooperate with the Department of Tranquil Justice, then took his leave.

By the time all was settled, the afternoon was waning.

Ling Chi went to the training grounds to practice his boxing forms, and the Zhang family returned as well.

He arranged for Zhuo Ying to go to the prison to identify the culprits. She selected seven or eight, who were then held separately. Ling Chi told her to rest and heal first; these men would be left for her to deal with in due course.

He also had Zhang Shunzhi’s family move into the Department of Tranquil Justice. Rumors can destroy a woman who has escaped the tiger’s jaws more surely than the tiger itself.

Keeping them at the Department was not without purpose. Beyond Zhuo Ying’s talent, even Zhang Shunzhi could be given a post within.

As for the seven or eight men Zhuo Ying had identified, the rest were executed—each one, without exception. Ling Chi made no distinction between principal and accessory; all were equally guilty in his eyes.

He gained only a scant hundred wisps of thunderous spiritual energy—a great disappointment.

He instructed Zhuo Ying to focus on her recovery; he would teach her the art of interrogation in due time.

As night fell, Ling Chi summoned Pei Shinan. The two sat around the brazier, roasting meat.

“Old Pei, you’ve managed the Department of Tranquil Justice’s office most days, but now there’s a problem with our ranks. Some are taking bribes, extorting the common folk. What do you think should be done?” Ling Chi asked, chewing his roasted meat slowly.

“Hoo—”

He had been waiting for this. Pei Shinan had been uneasy since morning, and now at last Ling Chi had broached the subject.