Chapter 60: Recognizing One's True Identity (Part 2)

The start of a new week!
A new round of battles is about to commence!

Old Xin earnestly begs everyone for your strong support—rolling on the ground as always, pleading for clicks, recommendations, and favorites...

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Deng Cai couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

"If Lady Cao were to dress up, she'd be exceedingly beautiful."

Ma Yu burst out in raucous laughter. "Once the journey starts tomorrow, there'll be no more opportunity... I've had my eye on that little woman for ages. Now that Deng Ji is dead, I'll take his woman for myself—and I'll do it right in front of her father. Even if Deng Shusun is in the netherworld, he'd probably thank me!"

He added with a grin, "Brother-in-law, how about we do it together?"

"Hahaha, little Yu, you know me so well, you truly understand my heart..."

Deng Cai and Ma Yu exchanged lascivious smiles, their schemes obvious. Arm in arm, the two scoundrels left the public office and headed straight for the prison.

In Deng Cai's mind, the prison was mere formality. He, an Assistant Historian, was the superior of the warden; who would dare stop them?

But unexpectedly, Deng Cai was blocked at the entrance.

"The magistrate has ordered: Without his written command, no one may enter or exit the prison."

"You fool, look carefully at who I am," Deng Cai snapped.

The warden replied, expressionless, "Of course I know. You're Assistant Historian Deng. But without the magistrate's written command, you cannot enter."

Ma Yu was incensed! He was riding high, now considered part of the Huang family. Chen Jiu might not care for him, but Huang She remembered Ma Yu's name. Without that, Ma Yu wouldn't have easily secured the post of Captain. Whether Huang She valued Ma Yu or not didn't matter—what mattered was that he knew Ma Yu existed. Just knowing his name meant there would be opportunities. For example, in this prisoner escort mission, Huang She himself appointed Ma Yu.

If he succeeded in this task, Ma Yu might gain even more chances.

But now, the future favored son-in-law of the Huang clan was being stopped by a mere prison warden!

Ma Yu would not tolerate it.

"I'm here on the orders of Huang She, the Military Historian, to escort prisoners. Anyone who blocks me is delaying military matters—such a crime deserves beheading!"

His shout was loud, drawing attention from the crowd. He even reached for his weapon, clearly threatening to cut down the warden if he continued to obstruct him.

At that moment, a cold voice rang out from inside the prison.

"Huang She, the Military Historian? How impressive! But this is Jiyang County, not Nine Maidens City!"

With those words, Kuai Zheng strode out from within the prison, his face stern. He paused at the entrance, glanced at Ma Yu, and sneered, "I wondered who was making such a fuss—turns out to be a petty criminal. Ma Yu, you are brazen indeed!"

Ma Yu could act tough before ordinary folk. But before Kuai Zheng, he didn't dare utter a word—not even Deng Cai could muster his earlier bravado.

Both hurried forward to salute, but Kuai Zheng brushed them off with a sweep of his sleeve.

"You two are quite bold—I, Kuai Zheng, dare not accept such arrogance."

His words were biting, and Deng Cai and Ma Yu felt their hearts tremble.

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Kuai Zheng was deeply unsettled.

Who did Huang She think he was? Just because his father Huang Zu was favored by the provincial governor, he wielded power like a dog relying on its master. In truth, they were both sons of noble families. Kuai Zheng was not of the main branch, but he was by no means inferior to Huang She. Yet, when Huang She arrived at Nine Maidens City, he demanded men and grain, always citing the governor's orders, completely disregarding Kuai Zheng. That was humiliating.

Still, Huang She was the legitimate heir, Kuai Zheng a collateral branch. The Kuai clan was not necessarily weaker than Huang's, nor was there any need to fear. Kuai Zheng preferred to avoid unnecessary conflict and didn't challenge Huang She as long as his own interests weren't threatened.

But Huang She was insatiable.

You asked me to send Deng Ji—I did.

You framed Deng Ji—I looked the other way; no need to fall out over a minor figure. In time, someone else would settle accounts with you.

You ordered me to arrest Deng Ji's family—I complied.

But then you pushed too far, sending a letter demanding I kill Deng Ji's family.

Who do you take me for in your Huang clan? Kuai Zheng might seem amiable, but deep down he possessed the pride common to noble sons. I showed you respect, yet you treat me as a mere servant. Killing is simple—but why should I obey your orders?

It was also because Huang She was young and inexperienced in dealing with people.

If it were someone else, they'd at least send a representative to express gratitude before making further requests.

But he never showed Kuai Zheng the slightest appreciation. In the Jian'an era, rites and music were in ruins, Han law barely existed in name—justice was a farce. Yet Kuai Zheng studied law and still valued its principles. Arresting Cao Ji and his family was acceptable, but to kill them without cause was against the law. He would have to report up the chain.

Besides, Kuai Zheng didn't want to be a villain.

Though Deng Ji was a minor official, Kuai Zheng recognized his talent and learning after meeting him...

Fortunes change; if Deng Ji survived and returned, Kuai Zheng would have made an enemy for nothing, all for Huang She.

And then there was Deng Ji's brother-in-law, whom the old steward praised highly.

Although the Pang family had been silent, it wasn't necessarily out of fear. Pang Ji and Pang Yuan'an had fallen ill at the start of the year, their lives hanging by a thread, so the family had other priorities. But once they were free, would Pang Degong easily let things go?

That was a man who rarely got angry, but when he did, it was formidable.

The old Pang family was deeply rooted in Jingxiang, possibly even more powerful than the Huang clan.

Kuai Zheng had come to the prison today to inform Cao Ji's family of the situation outside.

He sought peace of mind, to let them know it wasn't his intention to target them—it was Huang She who wanted them dead.

If they died, they shouldn't blame him.

If they had unfinished business or last words, he'd do what he could to help.

In truth, Kuai Zheng wanted a protective token from Cao Ji's family. Whether Deng Ji or Cao Peng returned in the future, at least he could explain himself, avoiding becoming Huang She's scapegoat.

Cao Ji's family of three remained calm, which only increased Kuai Zheng's pressure...

As he left, he overheard Ma Yu's arrogant words and was instantly enraged.

Huang She might oppress him, but he could endure it. Ma Yu and Deng Cai—who did they think they were?

Deng Cai replied in a trembling voice, "Reporting to the magistrate, Ma Yu is now Captain of Nine Maidens City."

He meant to say Ma Yu was acting under orders, not trying to offend. But his words only angered Kuai Zheng further...

He stepped forward and slapped Deng Cai hard across the face.

"Scoundrel! When did I permit you to speak?"

"Magistrate Kuai, you—"

Ma Yu straightened up, about to say something conciliatory. But Kuai Zheng didn't even glance at him, swinging back with another slap across Ma Yu's face.

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"A mere Captain dares act arrogant before me? Do you believe I wouldn't take your life right now—let's see if Huang She would stand up for you."

Ma Yu felt a chill run through his heart.

He realized he'd gotten carried away.

Kuai Zheng felt much better after delivering two slaps.

He said coldly, "Deng Cai, why have you come here?"

Deng Cai's face was swollen, looking like a steamed bun. Hearing Kuai Zheng speak, he dared to step forward and stammered, "Reporting to the magistrate, Captain Ma Yu of Nine Maidens City has come to escort the prisoners, the Cao Ji family of three. I have signed the official document."

"Let me see!"

Kuai Zheng took the document with an indifferent expression, glanced at it briefly, then tore it to shreds and threw it in Deng Cai's face.

"Deng Bosun, have you lived as a dog all these years? This is Jiyang County—without my signature, what right do you have to sign an official document? Get back and rewrite it, submit it to the office. And you—leave the city at once, and don't let me see you again!"

Kuai Zheng pointed at Ma Yu and berated him harshly.

You think you're fierce?

This is Jiyang County, under my rule. Here, no matter your background, you follow my rules.

Ma Yu and Deng Cai left in disgrace.

Kuai Zheng finally felt some relief, spat after their retreating figures.

"They don't even know what they are, daring to act wild before me?"

With that, he turned and walked back to the county office, the old steward following behind, shaking his head: Deng Cai was hopeless, mud that couldn't stick to the wall. Compared to Deng Ji, he was too easily flattered and forgot his place. His future prospects would be limited.

---

In the crowd, Deng Fan had been watching silently.

When the bystanders dispersed, he looked at the backs of Deng Cai and Ma Yu, let out a cold laugh, and strode into the tavern.

Meanwhile, as Deng Cai left, a group of men lurking in the shadows at the street corner whispered amongst themselves.

"Did you see? Those two came to escort the prisoners the chief wants to rescue."

"Yes."

"Chief, what should we do?"

Judging by their attire, they seemed like traveling merchants.

But some had accents clearly not from Nanyang Commandery.

The leader was a tall, dark-faced man with broad shoulders and a bristling beard, strikingly robust—about six feet tall, standing out among the group. He wore a gray robe and a black headband, with a heavy bundle slung across his back.

"It seems unlikely we'll act inside the city. The officials are strict, with six hundred county militia ready to fight inside and outside the city. If we force a rescue, casualties will be heavy, and we might not succeed. I've been worrying about this, but now the officials are sending the prisoners out themselves... Zuo Qiu, stay behind and gather information on the officials' movements—find out exactly when they're leaving. The rest, follow me out of town and report to the chief. Zuo Qiu, once you learn the details, inform us immediately—we'll rescue them on the road."

The group agreed in unison, then dispersed, heading out of Jiyang City...

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