USWHC -Chapter 423 Rushing to the Capital for the Exam (Part 3)

“Tell me, where did Zhu Jie go?” Ji Yi roared, yanking Magistrate Xu straight off the bed.

Magistrate Xu let out a painful howl. His backside was still covered in swollen welts from before—how could it withstand such force? He wailed, “I… I don’t know!”

Ji Yi glared, his voice cold as ice. “Still dare to lie? Let’s see if I don’t cut you!” He raised his knife, pressing it directly against Xu’s neck.

Magistrate Xu couldn’t sit, couldn’t stand, only trembling as he stammered, “P-please, let’s talk properly… the knife… don’t swing the knife!”

“Swinging? It’s you who’s shaking!” Ji Yi sneered. “Keep moving, and it’ll just scratch your neck!”

Realizing he was the one trembling, Xu felt embarrassed but forced a facade of authority. “I am an official appointed by the court. You should think carefully—murdering a government official is a capital crime!”

Ji Yi’s voice turned colder. “If I can’t find Zhu Jie, living isn’t worth it. You better tell the truth—where is she?”

Xu looked troubled. “Hero, just spare me! Tell the truth? If I do, I’ll die even worse! And… even if I tell you, you still won’t see her!”

Ji Yi froze. “What do you mean?”

Xu whimpered, “You and her aren’t the same kind of people. She’s like a cloud in the sky, and you’re an earthworm on the ground. You can glance up at the sky, envy the cottony clouds—but if you actually try to eat them, you’re not worthy!”

“What does that mean?” Ji Yi demanded coldly. Though his face still radiated icy anger, he was clearly calmer than before.

Xu, emboldened, continued, “Really, a toad shouldn’t dream of swan meat. You’re just a little scholar! Shouting threats at me—what’s the use? If you can become the top scorer of the exam and return, maybe then you’d have a chance to share tea with a swan. Otherwise, even if you moved heaven, it wouldn’t help!”

The words hit Ji Yi like a thunderclap. His knife loosened, tilting downward, dangling to the ground as he stared at Xu in shock.

Seeing Ji Yi falter, Xu grew arrogant again. “All you do is fight and kill—what good is that? Can you even get her family to agree? Do you think just kidnapping someone’s daughter is enough? Do you really think you’re some mountain king?”

With a clang, Ji Yi’s knife fell to the ground. He looked at Xu, bewildered. “She’s in the capital?”

“Yes. I’m not afraid to tell you—she is in the capital. But even if you go, it’s useless. You’re just a failed scholar. Maybe in your village you’re still considered someone, but in the capital, you’re just something people step over. If you’re not kicked out, consider yourself lucky!” Xu sneered mercilessly.

Ji Yi said nothing. He turned and bolted out, moving like the wind—fast as he had come, fast as he went.

Watching his retreating figure, the beautiful Fourth Mistress stepped closer, whispering, “Sir, should we capture him?”

Xu shot her a glare. “Try it if you dare!”

Heh—he wouldn’t even get in! Fourth Mistress swallowed nervously, glancing at the surrounding guards, all faces pale with fear. No one dared approach.

Luckily, Xu muttered awkwardly, “Forget it. Didn’t you hear what the higher-ups said? No one is to make things difficult for him. Even if you capture him, you’ll have to release him!” He rubbed his sore backside, thinking maybe he’d end up paying for this mess. Best to avoid trouble.

“But just let him go?” Fourth Mistress muttered, still displeased. “Sir, my room—a peasant can just barge in? What kind of order is this?”

Xu sighed. “Your room? My office is the real joke. The Imperial Guards barged in, and a country boy too—what’s left for me to be proud of?”

“Then capture him! Make an example of him, show them all how formidable you are!” she urged.

Xu’s expression turned dark. “Old Hao is still lying in bed. Who knows if he’ll ever recover? Even if he does, he might be useless. What? You envy him? Want me to lie in bed like that too?”