Chapter 87: One Path

Old Master Wen was impervious to threats, but his wife and child were his soft spot. To ensure their survival, he had no choice but to accept the terms laid out by the forces behind the scenes—he had to change his identity!

Originally, the previous Jiangling Prefecture Magistrate had been removed by these same forces. The position had been reserved for a trusted confidant of the hidden powers… who would have thought that Old Master Wen would take it instead?

At the time, he had only been in office for a little over a year and was still under the emperor’s favor. Even the hidden forces, no matter how bold, wouldn’t dare to eliminate two successive magistrates in such a short time.

Thus, the ploy of “switching the prince for the beggar” was devised!

The confidant of the hidden forces donned a human skin mask, disguised as Old Master Wen, and took over his position as magistrate.

To punish Old Master Wen, the hidden forces sent him to Gucheng County to live as a beggar, ordering that he could only beg for the rest of his life and could never return to Jiangling Prefecture.

Old Master Wen agreed because the hidden forces promised that as long as he complied, his wife and child would remain as magistrate’s family and live out their days in comfort.

Hearing this, Wei Hai furrowed his brow. “But that doesn’t make sense. Why didn’t they just kill you outright?”

“Evidence… because Old Master Wen still had the evidence,” Gu Ning’an replied with a smile.

The old beggar remained silent for a moment before nodding slightly. “Right. I survived because I still had the evidence. The hidden forces feared that if they killed me, I might take them down with me.”

“That evidence is the only bargaining chip I have to ensure the safety of my wife and child.”

After hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but lament the injustice of the world.

A righteous official who had worked to punish the corrupt ended up as a beggar for over twenty years.

Li Xunshan asked, “Old Master Wen, someone must have been keeping an eye on you, right? They wouldn’t let you return, so now that you’ve come back, they’ll know.”

The old beggar waved his hand. “Actually, two years ago, the person who was watching me left.”

“My confidant contacted me shortly after the tail was removed, telling me that the hidden forces thought I was no longer a threat and pulled their people back.”

“To be safe, I waited for more than two years before I dared return…”

Gu Ning’an asked, “So, Old Master Wen, you came back to see your family?”

“At first, yes.” At this, the old beggar’s face darkened. “But after seeing what happened to Li kid, I decided to help him.”

“How will you help?” Gu Ning’an asked.

The old beggar’s expression became serious. “As long as I have the evidence, I have the leverage to negotiate with that impersonator.”

“I believe that this small matter will not be enough to alarm his superiors.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xunshan stood and bowed deeply to the old beggar. “Old Master Wen, your great kindness, I will never forget… But this is a dangerous game. If something happens to you, I won’t be able to live with myself…”

The old beggar sat firmly, and after receiving the bow, he smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m confident… When the time comes, I’ll have a few extra cups of wine at the wedding.”

Li Xunshan paused for a moment before saying, “Old Master Wen… please think carefully…”

“I’ve made up my mind,” the old beggar raised his hand, his face full of determination.

“Ahem!” Patriarch Ren, who had not yet spoken, cleared his throat. “Old Master Wen, the matter I’m about to discuss may be difficult for you to accept at first, but I must tell you.”

At these words, the courtyard fell into dead silence, even Wei Hai’s heavy breathing grew noticeably lighter.

For something to make Patriarch Ren show such a reaction, it had to be something of great significance.

The old beggar straightened his posture, his murky eyes showing a glimmer of sharpness. “Speak.”

“Your wife and child… should have passed away around two years ago…” As soon as Patriarch Ren’s words fell, the old beggar leapt to his feet, his bloodshot eyes glaring as he grabbed Patriarch Ren’s collar tightly. “What happened! Tell me!”

Perhaps because he, too, had a wife and daughter, Patriarch Ren was not surprised by the old beggar’s reaction. He sighed and said, “Two years ago, rumors spread from the Wen family. Young Master Wen contracted a fatal illness, and Madam Wen, worried for her son, stayed by his side day and night, only to catch the illness herself.”

“I don’t know what illness it was… I only know that due to the infectious nature of the disease, the impersonator… no, the replacement magistrate, hurriedly had both Madam Wen and Young Master Wen’s bodies cremated…”

“The funeral was completed in just a day… According to the impersonator, they were afraid that the illness would spread to the common people, so they didn’t even leave a single piece of clothing behind… not even a burial mound.”

“Beasts! They must have been killed by that impersonator dog thief!” Wei Hai slammed his fist on the stone table with a dull thud.

The old beggar staggered, releasing his grip on Patriarch Ren before collapsing to the ground. His eyes were hollow and lifeless, and tears, thick and murky, fell in streams, quickly soaking the floor tiles in front of him.

Li Xunshan moved to help the old beggar but was stopped by Gu Ning’an’s raised hand. “The world is full of uncertainty. Words of comfort will do him no good… let him cry.”

Li Xunshan nodded and stepped aside.

While everyone silently stood by the old beggar, Patriarch Ren revealed another piece of important information—the Sun family was actually the real family of the impersonator!

The head of the Sun family, and even Sun Xuan, were the real son and grandson of the replacement magistrate!

Once they understood the full scope of the situation, everyone realized why Patriarch Ren had said that the Sun family was so powerful in Jiangling Prefecture—it controlled everything here!

The Prefecture Magistrate of Jiangling, after all, was the very authority of the prefecture itself.

Over an hour later…

The old beggar roughly rubbed his face with his coarse hands, then stumbled to his feet. He looked at the others and cupped his hands, “Wen must seek vengeance for his wife and child… Everyone, take care.” Gu Ning’an rose to his feet. “Let’s go. I’ll accompany you.”

“I’ll go too,” Wei Hai followed closely behind.

Li Xunshan quietly drew two short blades from his belt, his expression cold. “I’m going as well.”

The old beggar shouted sharply, “No! This is a mission where death is almost certain! You’ll just be sending yourselves to die!”

Gu Ning’an smiled and waved his hand. “Knowing the nature of the impersonator, it seems that no matter whether we go or not, he’ll still find a way to claim our lives.”

“Thus, accompanying Old Master Wen is also seeking a chance at survival, isn’t it?”

Hearing this, the old beggar paused, his expression blank for a moment. After a brief silence, he gritted his teeth. “Fine, since none of you are afraid, let’s go… If we can win on the river, we might not lose here!”

“Well said!” Wei Hai threw his arm over the old beggar’s shoulder and grinned. “If we succeed, will the magistrate grant me a position?”

The old beggar shrugged in irritation. “Go away, go away, I can’t be bothered to argue with you.”

The scene before him, for some reason, made Patriarch Ren feel a twinge of envy.

He had never had friends willing to face death together with him…

However, Mr. Gu’s demeanor… was it a bit too calm?

Patriarch Ren stood and cupped his hands. “I won’t say anything unnecessary. I, Ren, wish all of you success in your endeavors…”

In response, Gu Ning’an and the others cupped their hands in return.

Before leaving, Gu Ning’an took a scroll from his wide sleeves and handed it to Patriarch Ren, then, with the other three, walked out the door.