C85 You Come down and Talk

The world had scarcely seen a few good years when, at the twilight of the Qin Empire, demons breached its borders, leaving the once mighty empire in tatters. Not only were there external battles against these malevolent forces, but the internal clans seized the chaos as an opportunity to vie for power amongst themselves.

This infighting hastened the empire's decline, and before long, the Qin royal family lost their grip on the empire entirely. Resources and territories became daily battlegrounds, with once-dominant clans falling into obscurity and ruin.

A semblance of stability only returned with the emergence of three kingdoms and two dominant clans, easing the relentless strife.

Yet, the world had evolved. Clans were amassing and stationing troops, maintaining a fragile veneer of peace while preparing for the inevitable.

Qing Yangde gently tapped the head of his White Tiger beast, a loyal companion that had been by his side for years. Sensing its master's intent, the creature stepped forward and shifted its stance, granting Qing Yangde a clear view of the unfolding scene.

"Where did you get those skins?" he demanded, his piercing gaze settling on the bandits, who resembled startled birds, as he spoke with an icy edge.

Lee Yu trailed slightly behind, bemused by the irony of the situation.

'What kind of mess is this? Catching a thief only to find it's one of your own?'

He was at a loss for words. The bandits' mismatched inner garments contrasted sharply with their armor, which bore the unmistakable emblem of the Qing's, albeit with subtle distinctions. It was similar to the Azure Sun Army's practice of adding unique flourishes to the Qing family crest to create their own insignia.

At Qing Yangde's words, the more fainthearted bandits shifted their gaze to a middle-aged man shielded by two elders, cut off from the world outside.

"Step forward, let's see which family's brother you are," Qing Yangde commanded, his voice laced with an undercurrent of lethal intent that even strangers could detect.

At his side, Lee Yu gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. From their first meeting, it was clear that Qing Yangde, son of the County Duke, was destined to be one of Qingshan County's future leaders, and it was evident how dearly this commander cherished the welfare of his people.

Regardless of their origins, these bandits had crossed a line with Qing Yangde—a line that, given the current circumstances, was likely not the only one crossed.

"Sir, this is all a misunderstanding!" an elder implored, having pushed his way through the crowd to kneel on the ground.

Qing Yangde scoffed. "Misunderstand what?"

The elder seethed internally. He and another elder served as reverends in the City Lord's Palace and were distant kin to the City Lord's family, which earned them a measure of trust.

They were merely guards at the palace until the City Lord's wife approached them with a covert task. She pleaded earnestly, and without hesitation, the two relatives agreed.

It was only then that they learned of the City Lord's son's dark secret: a beloved figure among the territory's people, he harbored a bloodlust, and not for the execution of bound prisoners.

Having witnessed his behavior, the two knew they were in too deep. But with their salaries now doubled, greed quelled their doubts. The son was no fool, targeting only destitute villages, and with the City Lord's Palace's protection, no repercussions followed.

Today, however, the young master's whims had led them all into disaster.

"General, I must speak!" the elder exclaimed, attempting to rise and whisper, but the Azure Sun Army drew their weapons, their gaze sharp as if ready to strike him down at any further provocation.

"Speak plainly," Qing Yangde instructed, his tone nonchalant as he lifted his chin. "But if your excuse isn't ready, I'll grant you time to concoct one."

"Otherwise, I assure you, heads will roll."

No sooner had he spoken than a voice erupted from the crowd.

"I am the City Lord's son; you dare not lay a hand on me!"

The speaker was a middle-aged man. At his declaration, murmurs rippled through the bandits, many taken aback by the revelation of their formidable leader's identity.

It finally dawned on them why their numerous crimes hadn't triggered a government manhunt.

They also realized why their leader was always flush with supplies and resources, and why he never claimed his share of the loot.

While they were scraping by on the razor's edge, he was merely toying with the mortal world.

"Does this mean we're in the clear?"

"Our leader is actually of this stature? Incredible!"

Their words dropped like a boulder into a still pond, igniting a spark in the bandits' eyes as they erupted with the fervor of those who'd narrowly escaped doom.

"Silence!"

The elder, noticing the darkening scowl on Qing Yangde's face, barked out the command before casting a look of frustration at his young master.

'Is this something we should be broadcasting?'

He had been too afraid to raise his voice, hoping to covertly reveal their origins to the other party, with the wish that they might be spared on account of the City Lord's reputation.

As for the uninformed bandits, leaving no loose ends after such an event seemed prudent, and it would serve as a feather in the cap for their adversary.

With a sly grin, Qing Yangde taunted, "The City Lord? Oh, I'm quaking in my boots."

He then turned to Lee Yu and asked nonchalantly, "Lee Yu, are you frightened?"

This reference perked up the ears of the watchful elder.

'Lee?'

Wasn't Qingshan County under the dominion of the Qing's? How could an outsider lead the Azure Sun Army?

The elder was stumped but one thing was clear — the man before him was deliberately playing coy, angling for greater gains.

The initial impression of Qing Yangde as a General had them fearing they'd be abandoned here. But upon reflection, they realized it might be nothing more than a nominal title, not that of a true General.

After all, how could an outsider occupy a high-ranking position in the military?

The elder's conviction grew: What kind of young General was this? Perhaps the son of the County Duke?

With this thought, Qing Gaoyang gathered his courage and stepped forward.

Qing Yangde gestured with a wave of his hand, signaling the soldiers behind him to halt.

The old man interpreted the scene before him differently: it was all an empty threat!

Qing Gaoyang approached the side of Qing Yangde's exotic beast and cleared his throat. "My name is Qing Gaoyang, a consecrated member of the City Lord's Mansion. I trust today's matter can be resolved with your generous understanding. Rest assured, the City Lord's Mansion will certainly reward you handsomely. This could be the start of a beneficial relationship. Aligning with the City Lord's Mansion could propel you to great heights!"

Qing Yangde nodded in agreement. "You make a compelling point, but the City Lord's Mansion oversees civilian affairs. Do they have authority over the military?"

"They most certainly do. Take a good look—aren't all these armors the standard issue from the Qing's?" Qing Gaoyang said with a self-satisfied tilt of his head. "Without some clout, how could one possibly acquire such armors?"

Yet Qing Gaoyang realized that the young man before him was quite tall, especially seated atop his impressive white tiger beast. Even as he craned his neck, he barely met the young man's gaze. Clearing his throat again, he suggested, "Perhaps we could continue this conversation on equal footing—care to dismount?"

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