Chapter 133: Riot

The wind stirred, rising like a surging tide. The sky hung like a grey, heavy shroud, from which a fist seemed to emerge, striking and awakening the chill of early autumn. The cicadas cried in mournful, piercing notes, and the sudden downpour had just ceased.

It was an extraordinary scene. The entire city of Lunu was now enveloped in a strange, palpable atmosphere.

"That 'Zhongshan Tiger' went to the Qin family's estate again today..."

"The Qin family? I know them. They are one of the city's old, scholarly houses."

"I heard that their ancestors served as officials in the imperial court for several generations."

"Alas, it's a pity their family fortunes have declined. The current head, Qin Jun, has little talent; he only knows how to live off his ancestral home. But his son is a bright, spirited lad—not bad at all."

"Stop!" the person who started the conversation interrupted. "That's not the point."

"Is the point even worth asking? Nine times out of ten, he's being coerced or tricked by that 'Zhongshan Tiger' into handing over his property," another person said, speaking as if they saw through everything.

"It is true. That 'Zhongshan Tiger' has been acting like a tyrant for so long—is there no one to stop him?"

"Stop him? He’s craftier than anyone. He never provokes those he can't afford to offend! I wish he’d try causing trouble for the Zhang or Su families—the two great philanthropists—but does he dare? He just relies on his sister whispering in the magistrate's ear to bully the down-and-out commoners!"

"Listen to me!" The man finally cut through the chatter that had been springing up like bamboo shoots after rain. "The point isn't the 'Zhongshan Tiger,' nor is it the Qin family. It's Yulang!"

"Yulang!?" Everyone was startled.

"Yulang sometimes wears a mask when he leaves Lunu. Many of us didn't know this, but I heard it from someone—earlier, there was a man in a green mask outside the Qin estate who looked exactly like Yulang!"

"And then?" someone asked urgently.

"He spoke up to help, but he was arrested by the guards along with the Qin father and son!"

…

One person, one family, one street, one city.
The word spread from ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand, a thousand to ten thousand.
It accumulated, built up, and the undercurrent was about to become a torrent.
Every alleyway seemed to transform into a long, coiling dragon about to boil over, brewing with the momentum of a catastrophic mountain flood.

"Boom!"

A dazzling, piercing bolt of lightning tore through the grey screen, acting like a general issuing an order.
The sound of rain rose once more.
Then came the sound of doors opening, shouts, rhythmic stomping, and even... the clashing of weapons.
The momentum was overwhelming, like the vast ocean!

…

Magistrate’s Residence.

"Sister, this Qin estate is different from the others. I specifically had someone calculate it—they say that living in this house will ensure my descendants become generals and ministers! You have to help your brother..."

Sitting opposite Lu Biao was a slender woman. Her face blended beauty with an indelible, bewitching charm. Her bright eyes seemed capable of piercing through a person's soul, and the slightly upturned corners of her eyes, matching the curve of her lips, radiated a silent mockery.

"Brother, your courage is growing bolder by the day."

"Sister..."

"Before, you only sought small gains. Now, haven't you gone a bit too far?"

"It’s just a house, and the Wang family also—"

"Ku Libiao! Do not forget your status!" The woman’s sharp rebuke startled the large man so much he nearly lost his footing.

"I hope you remember why Lord Qiliju sent us here," she said, her expression quickly softening. "A mere magistrate... is far from enough. If possible, I would much rather make connections with his older brother instead..."

As the woman spoke, the area outside the magistrate's residence suddenly erupted in noise and chaos. The two hurried to open the door, only to see the maids and servants inside scurrying about in a panic like headless flies.

"What is happening outside?" the woman asked, grabbing a servant.

"A riot! It's a rebellion!"

With that, the servant broke free from her grasp and hurried toward the backyard.

"How preposterous!" Gao Ping appeared in front of the hall, followed by dozens of armored soldiers led by his distant nephew, Gao He.

"Ru'er, wait here for your husband. These mere rabble can be scattered with a show of military might."

The gates were flung wide, and the armored soldiers charged out. Their imposing presence briefly quieted the infuriated crowd.

"Do you intend to rebel! Who are you people?" Gao Ping straightened his robes and shouted at the dense crowd surrounding the estate, only to see that the leaders were not just commoners, but also soldiers clad in armor and bearing weapons.

"Reporting to Magistrate Gao, my name is Li Dali. These are my colleagues; we are the gate guards of Lunu—"

Beside him, Gao He stepped forward. "My Lord, this man's son was previously involved in a case and is currently being held in prison."

Gao Ping nodded, assuming that Li Dali had incited the civil unrest. He scanned the crowd and, seeing the surging masses, felt a surge of anger. He roared, "Scoundrels! As gate guards, as soldiers sworn to protect my city, you should set an example! How can you commit such treason over mere personal matters? Your son's fate will be judged by the statutes; he may be innocent, but you are likely to lose your head!"

"That's not it—" Li Dali began, only to be cut off by Gao Ping.

"Disperse now, and I will spare your life!"

"Magistrate Gao! I didn't come for the boy. I and everyone else are here for Yulang!"

"That's right, we're here for Yulang!" a young man shouted, waving his fist.

"Release Yulang!" several young girls cried out in unison.

"What crime did the poor Yulang commit?" an old man with white hair and beard asked in a trembling voice.

"You speak of statutes, but have you ever practiced them?" an old woman leaning on a cane asked, supported by a young couple.

One sentence after another, the collective power of the people finally converged into a heaven-shaking roar from thousands of voices:

"Return our Yulang!"
"Return our Yulang!"

The repeated cries of "Yulang" hammered against Gao Ping's heart, leaving his mind in a state of chaos.

"Yulang? You arrested Yulang?" He grabbed Gao He by the collar.

"No... no, I wouldn't dare arrest him!" Gao He cried, on the verge of tears.

"Then how do you explain this!"

"My Lord."

A voice as clear and cool as a spring flowed into Gao Ping’s smoke-filled heart.

"Why have you come out? Go back inside!"

"Panyue might be able to ease your worries, my Lord." The woman named Panyue whispered into Gao Ping's ear, ultimately leading him to make a decision.

"Gao He, call out the troops!"

"Yes, my Lord!"

Gao He left to carry out the order, and the crowd, hearing this, began to waver.

"Calling the army—does he intend to strike us down..."
"He is the magistrate, the head of the county after all. Are we pushing too hard..."
"The law cannot punish the masses. We are only concerned for Yulang's safety; it is justified in both reason and sentiment!"
"But the law does not care for sentiment..."

…

In the prison.

"Listen," Li Cunxiao said, frowning as he looked at the other two.

"I hear it! Is it... 'Return our Yulang'?" Qin Fu asked.

"Return our Yulang? Could Yulang also have been—"

The two exchanged a glance and then turned, as if electrocuted, toward the person lying on the straw.

"May I ask, Brother Sifan... do you have any other titles?"

"Ah," Zhang Yu sat up and slowly removed his mask, feeling as though his entire body were glowing.

This pleasure was as indescribable as untying the white cloth from one's arm to reveal the glittering [Special-Grade Chef] medal beneath.

"I am styled Sifan, with the sobriquet 'Layman Wuyi.' I am known as the Jade公子 (Jade Young Master) of elegant bearing, the righteous assassin of Dong, the only living Special-Grade Master Vintner, the sworn brother of His Majesty the Emperor of Han—Zhang Yu is the name."

Li and Qin stood there, stunned and speechless.

"Of course, Yulang is me as well."