Chapter 29: The Thief Resists Arrest—He Must Be Killed!

After Shanglu finished killing the men, he casually tossed the butcher's knife aside.

There was a muffled thud—the blade plunged straight into the muddy ground. Crimson blood trickled down its length, soaking into the earth and attracting several green-headed flies that began to circle.

The men from the Black Wind Gang had sharpened their blades especially for today, making them swift and gleaming. Yet, not a drop of Shanglu's blood stained them; instead, those blades claimed their own lives.

Having dispatched the Black Wind Gang members, Shanglu was in no hurry to return home. He turned toward the left side of his house and shouted loudly,

"Uncle Gong! Uncle Gong!"

A few moments later, a household on the left opened its door in response. An elderly man with graying hair stepped out, his deeply creased face filled with shock and terror.

He was the headman of Shuanggui Village, known as Uncle Gong to Shanglu.

"Shanglu, you acted too rashly—so many dead, what are we going to do... Perhaps it's best you run, quickly!"

Uncle Gong had watched Shanglu grow up from childhood and couldn't bear to see him arrested and imprisoned, so he urged him to flee.

"Why should I run?"

Shanglu showed no anxiety; he even nudged the corpses on the ground with his foot.

"These thieves broke in to rob, a grave crime; they resisted arrest and attacked an official, which only worsens their offense. By killing them, I've not only committed no crime, but performed a meritorious deed!"

Uncle Gong replied with a troubled face, "If you were still an official, then killing them would indeed be no crime—but you’re no longer an officer..."

Shanglu chuckled, "Uncle Gong, who told you I was no longer an officer?"

Uncle Gong had become headman not only for his prestige but also for his cleverness. He'd been too shocked earlier to think clearly. Now, upon hearing Shanglu’s retort, he was stunned for a moment, then caught on.

"You passed the merit assessment? You weren't dismissed?"

Shanglu nodded and smiled, "Top marks in the assessment—not only was I kept on, I received a commendation from the court."

"Wonderful, that's truly wonderful! No wonder you could kill those thieves in one go—you've regained your cultivation."

Uncle Gong slapped his thigh in delight, genuinely happy for Shanglu. If not for the corpses lying on the ground, which still made him uneasy, he might have laughed aloud.

Now that Shanglu was still a full officer, his killing of the Black Wind Gang men was not a major issue. At least the magistrate would not punish him; otherwise, if thieves caused trouble again, what officer would dare enforce the law?

But if Shanglu had lost his official status, just an ordinary villager, even lawful self-defense against the Black Wind Gang could be twisted by their influence to brand him a murderer.

Still, the ones Shanglu killed were from the Black Wind Gang. Given their usual arrogance, they would certainly seek revenge, so Uncle Gong's happiness quickly gave way to worry.

Shanglu, however, seemed unconcerned and interrupted Uncle Gong’s anxious rambling:

"Uncle Gong, could you help me find a cart? I want to load up these thieves’ bodies and take them to the magistrate tomorrow for judgment and closure."

Seeing Shanglu’s calm, Uncle Gong knew his advice would go unheeded. He sighed and went to find a cart, all the while pondering how he might help Shanglu—after all, Shanglu was a child of the village, and Uncle Gong wished him well.

While Uncle Gong was fetching the cart, Shanglu searched the bodies of the Black Wind Gang members, gathering some copper coins and pieces of silver. He placed them by his door, then turned and called out loudly to the seemingly empty village:

"Anyone whose property was taken by these thieves can come and claim some money to make up for your losses."

The Black Wind Gang had been settled in Shuanggui Village for some time. Though, by order from above, they hadn't dared touch Shanglu’s family, many villagers had suffered from their mischief—someone’s chickens stolen, another’s dog eaten. It was said even the village widow had been harassed.

So now, hearing Shanglu’s words and seeing the copper and silver laid out, though villagers were afraid of the corpses, some still opened their doors and came forward to claim compensation.

With the first person braving it, others soon followed, coming out one by one to take their share.

Those who took the money naturally sided with Shanglu. When the magistrate sent officers to investigate, they would help confirm that the Black Wind Gang had indeed broken in to rob and attacked an officer.

Otherwise, not only would they have to return the silver and coins they’d received today, but the magistrate would likely punish them harshly.

But what they testified to was true, so they took the money without guilt. Some even spat on the corpses, cursing the Black Wind Gang members as deserving their fate.

Uncle Gong soon returned with the cart, and Shanglu, with practiced strength, heaved the bodies onto it one by one.

He then pushed the cart to the village’s empty square, so as not to leave it at his own door, which would not only be unlucky but also attract flies.

Once finished, Shanglu clapped the dust from his hands.

He first thanked Uncle Gong for his help, then raised his voice to address the villagers, who now dared come out to see what had happened:

"The day is growing late, my parents have been frightened, and with these corpses still in the village, it’s not a good time to celebrate. Tomorrow, after I deliver the bodies to the magistrate, I’ll return to set a feast and invite everyone to join me, celebrating my success in the merit assessment and my commendation from the court."

Everyone agreed heartily, promising to attend.

Some urged Shanglu to hurry home, saying his parents must be terrified and needed comforting.

Shanglu clasped his hands in thanks and added, "My parents are indeed badly shaken and need peace and rest. I appreciate everyone’s concern, but today, please don’t disturb them."

The villagers nodded again, and even those who wanted to curry favor with Shanglu after learning he’d kept his official post, decided to wait until tomorrow.

Bidding farewell, Shanglu strode back home.

Entering the main hall, he saw his parents unharmed, and the last weight in his heart was lifted.

Beside them, he also saw that familiar blood-red figure.

That presence, as always, brought him comfort.

"I'm home," Shanglu said, gazing at the blood-red figure with a gentle smile.

"San Niang, you've worked hard. Thank you."