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Chapter 20: Rumors in the Martial Arts World
Head Constable Luo hurried into the county government office and immediately gathered his subordinates. Just as he planned to solve the case completely, he happened to encounter beaming County Magistrate Liu.
As the magistrate of Yidu, County Magistrate Liu theoretically held a significant position in the county. However, Yidu, being the governing place of Yizhou, operated within the administrative structure of Dayan, which consisted primarily of three levels: province (州), prefecture (郡), and county (县). Dignitaries from the provinces and prefectures were nearly all present. In comparison, while County Magistrate Liu held a higher rank than ordinary magistrates, he appeared somewhat insignificant.
Recently, a notorious underground-fleeing thief had been rampant, targeting treasures in the mansions of the wealthy. Magistrate Liu secretly speculated that in addition to gold, silver, jade, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and rare medicinal herbs, the thief might have also stolen items that the dignitaries wished to keep from the public eye.
He was under immense pressure.
Now that such a big case was solved, although Head Constable Luo's handling of the case was efficient, it was also thanks to the county magistrate's steadfast support behind the scenes that earned him much praise from the influential figures in the city. Given the current momentum, if the matter of the stolen goods was dealt with properly, it wouldn't be difficult for him to be promoted to a higher position.
County Magistrate Liu was feeling quite pleased with himself.
Seeing Head Constable Luo in such a hurry, he couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Mingyuan(名远 Courtesy Name of Luo), what's the matter again? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Your Excellency, the case of the underground-fleeing thief has not been completely resolved yet. I need to make another trip to the Temple of Peace and Tranquility," replied Head Constable Luo.
"Mingyuan, I know you are upright and eager to solve the case, but now that the criminal has been captured, you don't need to exhaust yourself like this anymore. Why don't you go home and rest for a couple of days? You can leave the rest to your subordinates to investigate slowly. There's no rush," Magistrate Liu advised. "You've been working tirelessly for days. Even the strongest body can't endure such exhaustion."
"Your Excellency," said Head Constable Luo urgently, "I have some leads now. I'm about to crack the case completely. Please attend to other affairs first and allow me to thoroughly investigate the case. I will return to inform Your Excellency of the interesting details I uncovered."
"Interesting details?"
"Even more interesting than you think."
"In that case, you may go ahead and continue your investigation."
“Thank you, Your Excellency" Head Constable Luo immediately splitted his subordinates into two groups, one to hurry to the Temple of Peace and Tranquility to gather information quickly, while he led the other group into the county prison.
As soon as they arrived at the prison, they brought out the impoverished scholar who had learned the spell of escape. The scholar was covered in bruises, but Head Constable Luo politely invited him to sit down, poured him a cup of tea, and reprimanded the bailiffs(衙役) who had used force on him before informing him of the strange incident at the Temple of Peace and Tranquility that afternoon. He also hinted that he was aware of the scholar's involvement with Buddhist Master Guang Hong, advising him to confess.
Sure enough, the scholar was shocked after learning of the incident and immediately confessed.
A few years ago, the scholar went to the Temple of Peace and Tranquility to pray for success in the imperial examinations. There, he met Buddhist Master Guang Hong and they had a conversation. Buddhist Master Guang Hong told him that he was not destined for success in the imperial examinations in this lifetime, but rather had talent in the mysterious magical spells.
From then on, the two of them collaborated.
The scholar quickly mastered the escaping magical art, outpacing even the achievements of Buddhist Master Guang Hong within just two years. Following the guidance of the master, he engaged in thefts, retaining all the stolen gold, silver, and jewels for himself, while dividing the antiques and paintings equally, with Buddhist Master Guang Hong selecting first. Additionally, all rare medicinal herbs were designated for Buddhist Master Guang Hong's alchemical pursuits.
In addition, sometimes he would steal account books and the like for Buddhist Master Guang Hong.
Head Constable Luo listened in shock.
As the most prosperous temple in the city, the Temple of Peace and Tranquility, although not as influential in the religious world as the thousand-year-old Daoist temple outside the city, still had a significant status. Buddhist Master Guang Hong was also a guest of honor for many nobles in the city.
Head Constable Luo felt that he needed to solve the case as soon as possible.
So he rushed to the Temple of Peace and Tranquility again.
Previously, he had dispatched his most capable subordinates to investigate the matter thoroughly. Presently, the onlookers still remained, driven not by any coercion from his subordinates, but rather by their own insatiable curiosity. They'd gathered eagerly, their faces flushed with anticipation, all waiting to witness the unfolding spectacle.
Upon Head Constable Luo's arrival, everyone started talking animatedly. In their statements, they couldn't help but mention a refined young man.
Some witnesses reported seeing the young man enter the Five Contemplations Hall accompanied by a cat. Finding no available seats, he politely approached Buddhist Master Guang Hong before taking a place beside him. The interaction appeared serendipitous, as if it were a mere coincidence.
Others recounted observing the young man and Buddhist Master Guang Hong strolling together along the winding corridor toward the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, engaged in quiet conversation. Their demeanor was polite, suggesting a familiarity yet also an air of mutual reserve.
Some claimed to have heard Buddhist Master Guang Hong asking the young man about his intentions.
Some speculated that the young man must be a Yaokuai who used evil magic to harm Buddhist Master Guang Hong. Others said that Buddhist Master Guang Hong himself had a guilty conscience, which led him to self-immolate before the Buddha.
Some said the fire had no heat, while others claimed they could feel the heat from afar. Some said the flame was yellow, while others said it was red. But Buddhist Master Guang Hong's clothes, which fell to the ground unharmed, couldn't have been faked.
Everyone vividly described the scene at the time.
Head Constable Luo listened with growing astonishment.
Having served as a head constable for many years, he had dealt with many cases involving supernatural entities such as Yaoguai and evil spritis, but he had rarely handled cases involving deities and Buddhas.
Even his father hadn't encountered such cases many times.
Nevertheless, he remained calm.
He first led his men to search Buddhist Master Guang Hong's residence.
Apart from the wicked monk, it appeared that there were no other practitioners with significant cultivation attainment in the Temple of Peace and Tranquility. However, considering their public positions, even if Buddhist Master Guang Hong were still present, any attempt to halt his actions would require pressure from the city's dignitaries. Consequently, no one dared to intervene.
As expected, relying on years of experience, the constables soon found the stolen goods hidden by Buddhist Master Guang Hong.
A pile of unused medicinal materials, some antiques and paintings. As for the books, whether they were Buddhist scriptures or something else, Head Constable Luo didn't bother to look at them.
He just put them in a box and took them back to the government office.
...
Two hours later, at the Yidu government office.
The sky had darkened.
In the middle of the courtroom, there was a wooden box with candles lit on the side, casting shadows on a few figures.
County Magistrate Liu was of short stature, standing in the middle of the courtroom, in front of the box. Behind him was the court advisor (师爷), and Head Constable Luo and two constables stood respectfully on the side.
While operating within a temporary official system, as the principal figure of a county, he naturally held authority over the lower-ranking officials. Nonetheless, the execution of administrative directives by the principal official relied heavily on the cooperation of these subordinates. Coupled with their emphasis on interpersonal relations, in their daily interactions, Luo, the head constable, consistently showed profound respect to Magistrate Liu, who reciprocated with equal politeness. This mutual respect formed the foundation of their collaborative partnership.
Head Constable Luo was meticulous in his work. From the morning when he noticed the damaged wall of Master Song's courtyard, to his visit to Master Song in the afternoon, their conversation, and then the trip to the Temple of Peace and Tranquility, even his own speculation, he reported everything clearly to Magistrate Liu.
After listening, Magistrate Liu remained silent for a long time.
After a while, his aide quietly reminded him from behind, "Your Excellency, it's better to deal with the lost items of the dignitaries first..."
"Right." Only then did Magistrate Liu come to his senses and immediately look at the box, then turn to Head Constable Luo. "Have you counted the items inside this box?"
"Your Excellency, I haven't looked at them yet."
Magistrate Liu turned around and exchanged a glance with his aide.
The aide nodded to him. "Mingyuan, you have always been meticulous in your work. I trust you. I will invite the dignitaries to come and claim these items." Magistrate Liu said, but paused, unable to resist asking again, "Is it true that the master from Sweetwater Alley caused Buddhist Master Guang Hong to self-combust with just a few words to him?"
"Your Excellency, with many incense worshippers present at the Temple of Peace and Tranquility at the time, everyone was saying the same thing."
Magistrate Liu was internally shocked, feeling as if it were a magical technique. "What about the damaged courtyard wall you mentioned..."
"Although I didn't hear from Master Song himself what caused the damage, the thief in prison mentioned that Buddhist Master Guang Hong kept three green-faced night yakshas, each over ten feet tall and as big as a cow. Even standing on the ground, they can effortlessly peer into the windows of the second floor. It is likely that these creatures were responsible."
"And you said there were no signs of fighting in the courtyard..."
"Not only were there no signs of fighting, when I went to inquire in the afternoon, Master Song seemed unconcerned. I'm afraid this yaksha was subdued in an instant."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Liu turned to exchange a glance with his aide again, then sighed, "Such a master, usually secluded in the mountains for cultivation, when did one come to our Yidu city..."
Head Constable Luo understood his meaning.
The magistrate had previously expressed an interest in meeting such a person. Now, he probably had the intention of visiting.
"Master Song, as I've heard, is merely passing through for a brief respite. He once led a solitary existence in the mountains and even in the city, he chooses to dwell alone, accompanied only by his feline companion. He treasures tranquility and solitude, navigating the urban clamor on his own terms. It appears he's here simply to immerse himself in the vibrant way of the world," Officer Luo subtly suggested.
"Such a pity..." Magistrate Liu shook his head.
If that were the case, he dared not disturb him. However, the governor of the province had long admired this path. After the case of Buddhist Master Guang Hong spread, he would probably come to inquire. Magistrate Liu felt that he could take the opportunity to talk to him in detail. On one hand, it would cater to the governor’s interests and provide him with more topics of conversation, and on the other hand, the governor's status was extraordinary, and he naturally had the qualification to visit.
As for Buddhist Master Guang Hong...
He evidently violated the precepts and did something unscrupulous, leading to his incineration before the Buddha.
...
Head Constable Luo repaired Master Song's courtyard wall.
Song You did not refuse—
Devising a plan for Head Constable Luo was a transaction settled by payment; neither party owed anything further. Bearing the risk of retaliation from the thief was implicit in the agreed-upon sum of twenty taels of silver ingots. However, given his pivotal role in completely resolving the case, it seemed only equitable that Head Constable Luo reciprocate by repairing his courtyard wall.
In Song You's mind, this still left both parties even.
However, Head Constable Luo didn't seem to think so.
He felt that he hadn't fully repaid Master Song's assistance, so he often sent some things over, but they were always daily necessities like meat, vegetables, and fruits.
Sometimes Song You accepted them, and sometimes he didn't.
It was still the same saying—
Sometimes, appropriately accepting someone's goodwill was actually a manifestation of generosity.
Accepting sometimes made Head Constable Luo feel relieved. Not accepting sometimes was about grasping a certain degree, so as not to cause too much entanglement.
Day by day, life passed quickly, and the weather was getting colder.
Hidden within the ordinary were extraordinary pleasures.
The incident of Buddhist Master Guang Hong self-immolating in front of the Buddha's hall quickly spread, becoming a topic of conversation for the common people of Yidu, and even more so in the martial arts circles, where it became even more mysterious as it spread.
This was generally how rumors spread.
And Song You, besides listening to the stories told by the storyteller, became fascinated with listening to the guqin.
The Pine Pavilion(松庐) in the city north was the residence of Master Yang. Master Yang was famous for his skill in playing the guqin and often invited three or five friends over to enjoy the guqin music for pleasure at home. Many nobles in the city would visit him, and he would play the guqin every evening, so some music lovers would go to the Pine Pavilion at that time, sit under the tea shed, and enjoy the music.
The Pine Pavilion was not far away, and Song You would often pass by and stop for a moment.
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