Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 233: Chapter 68: Stubbornly Unyielding

Poyang County.

Xing Huaifeng did not intend to disturb the Poyang County Magistrate and planned to pass through the city gate directly to Linhu Village.

However, just as the team was passing through the North Gate and about to reach the South City Gate, the soldiers guarding the gate suddenly closed the gate.

”Halt!”

Xing Huaifeng’s eyes narrowed, releasing an aura of a Grade-Entering Martial Artist, causing the faces of several soldiers at the city gate to turn pale instantly.

Lin Xiuyong’s entire body trembled as well. A Grade-Entering Powerhouse—he was clearly aware of the identities of these individuals before him. In the past, he wouldn’t even dare to obstruct them. Just being able to say a word to one of these lords was enough for him to boast for several days.

But recalling Chief You’s words and considering his relationship with Young Master Lin, Lin Xiuyong decided to take a gamble.

He himself had reached his limits in the Martial Path, but he could seek a future for his descendants!

Most importantly, he believed that Young Master Lin would not be defeated so easily.

”My lords, I am a Black Servant from the Poyang County Government Office, and I have discovered a wanted criminal from the Government Office.”

Lin Xiuyong spoke with determination. From the moment he ordered the closure of the city gate, there was no turning back.

”How dare you, do you know who stands before you? This is Lord Xing, the newly appointed Director of the Martial Affairs Department in the Raozhou Prefecture!”

Originally standing at the back of the team, Su Lingchuan suddenly shouted loudly, and his voice was so loud that many commoners in the distance heard it clearly and looked over curiously.

Xing Huaifeng was originally prepared to take action against the soldier who dared to obstruct him, but after Su Lingchuan’s words, he found himself unable to move.

A grand director of the Martial Affairs Department attacking a soldier at the city gate, especially with so many people around watching, would have an impact on his reputation if the news spread.

The soldiers behind Lin Xiuyong immediately knelt, but Lin Xiuyong did not. Liang did not practice the ritual of kneeling, and officials only needed to bow to greet their superiors.

”Greetings, Lord Xing.”

Lin Xiuyong bowed and continued, ”I closed the city gate because... because there is a person among your ranks who is a wanted criminal from our Poyang County Government Office...”

”Nonsense!”

Su Lingchuan accused again: ”Do you know what you are talking about? We are all Directors of the Martial Affairs Offices from various counties, and leading us is Lord Xing. Is Poyang County planning to pursue us as wanted? Where is He Ruyun?!”

Lin Xiuyong’s voice was in a normal tone, but after Su Lingchuan’s repetition, the onlooking people already understood what was going on.

”Little one dares not, but little one would not mistake this person for anyone else; indeed, he is the wanted criminal from our Poyang County.”

The onlookers’ eyes followed Lin Xiuyong’s finger pointing at Lin Ming, who was also on horseback. Xing Huaifeng frowned, and as for Lin Ming, his mouth slightly opened. When did he become wanted by the Poyang County Government Office?

”Nonsense, you’re spouting nonsense!”

Lin Ming became anxious and looked at Xing Huaifeng: ”My lord, do not listen to his nonsense. If I were wanted by Poyang County, why is there no wanted notice?”

Outside the Government Office, there is a wall especially for wanted notices, which posts the identities and portraits of wanted criminals. If someone captures a wanted criminal, they can come to the Government Office to claim a reward. This is also a way for some martial artists to earn silver coins.

Xing Huaifeng was about to speak, but Su Lingchuan spoke up first: ”You say Lin Ming is a wanted criminal. Do you have evidence?”

”Replying to Lord Su, I do!”

Lin Xiuyong spoke firmly, speeding up his words: ”A few months ago, a young girl from Linhu Village was trafficked. Later it was discovered that the trafficker was Lin Ming. However, since the girl was found, the Government Office did not issue a wanted notice, but the matter was long recorded in the case record at the Government Office. The lords only need to check to know the truth.”

The Government Office case record is a book specifically documenting cases in the station, with every page signed daily by the Chief Constable, and every seven days submitted to the County Magistrate for review and stamped with the Magistrate’s seal.

If no cases occur on a given day, a blank stamp is placed to prevent officials in the Government Office from covering for each other and adding cases to the record after the fact as a remedy.

After placing a blank stamp, there is no opportunity to add cases later, which is a form of supervision on Government Officials. To engage in favoritism and cover-ups, unless you can ensure no one ever exposes it, you would eventually be discovered.

Hearing Lin Xiuyong mention the trafficking of the young girl, Lin Ming felt a jolt in his heart and exhibited a trace of panic.

He hadn’t expected that his trafficking of Qianqian was recorded in the Poyang County Government Office.

Back when he sold Qianqian to Zhou San in exchange for some silver taels, the next day he learned that Zhou San was killed, which terrified him. But in the following days, he noticed that no one from the Government Office came for him, and he discreetly probed from his mother, finding that no villagers were discussing the matter, which eased his mind.

There was no need to think further; he knew it must have been Lin Chen who suppressed it. This cousin of his was quite influential in the dojo, having won first place for three consecutive months, naturally seeking a good reputation, and surely had given notice to the Government Office.

”Do you claim that Lin Ming committed the crime of human trafficking?” Su Lingchuan frowned, not looking at Xing Huaifeng, and spoke leisurely: ”The words of a criminal—how trustworthy can they be?”

Behind him, the Directors of the Martial Affairs Offices were silent. They naturally understood the implication of Su Lingchuan’s words.

Lin Ming was indeed a wanted criminal. To cause such a commotion based on the accusation of a wanted criminal was perhaps blowing things out of proportion.

No one spoke up to help Xing Huaifeng out of the situation, even though Xing Huaifeng was their superior.

The Directors of the Martial Affairs Offices in each county also had their grievances with Xing Huaifeng. Today, while we all came personally to Raozhou Prefecture to greet you, the new Director, you did not host a banquet to entertain us but instead led us directly to Poyang County, showing us no respect at all.