Running his fingertip over the hidden pattern on the wooden token, Gu Qingyan slipped it back into his chest.

This situation was dangerous. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to drag Pei Xuan, a stranger he had just met, into it—it wouldn’t be right.

If they were to take down Bai Zhubu, they had to uproot the whole thing, or else the problem would just keep coming back like spring grass after the wind.

Gu Qingyan glanced back at the escort agency—such a massive tumor—he didn’t believe a strict and upright county magistrate would tolerate it.

But meeting Magistrate Hong was no easy task.

Gu Qingyan waited several days until news finally came from Gu Dashan: Magistrate Hong went to the Zui Xiang Restaurant to drink every month on the fifteenth day.

Zui Xiang was the best restaurant in Lingchuan County, famous for a wine called Chuanxiang, which was rare and in high demand.

Magistrate Hong loved wine but didn’t want to abuse his power, so he personally visited every fifteenth day.

On the fifteenth, Gu Qingyan left home at noon and told Mrs. Liu only that he was going into town to buy books and wouldn’t return by evening—he would stay in the county seat overnight.

Mrs. Liu had cared for Gu Qingyan since he was a child and knew his temperament well. When she saw him off, she couldn’t help but ask, “Brother Yan, have you been having a hard time recently?”

“Studying is a bit difficult, very tiring,” Gu Qingyan replied, covering up.

Hearing this, Mrs. Liu felt somewhat reassured and asked again, “If you’re tired, take a rest. Can you manage on your own? Why don’t I accompany you? I can even cook for you in the evening.”

“Mom, I’m a grown man. What’s there to be afraid of? You stay home with the second and third sisters, and don’t worry,” Gu Qingyan said firmly.

Of course, he wouldn’t accept her offer and quickly left by ox cart.

[You have successfully checked in at Zui Xiang Restaurant and received a jar of Chuanxiang wine.]

Gu Qingyan raised an eyebrow—he hadn’t even entered the door, yet the wine was already in hand.

Zui Xiang only sold Chuanxiang wine on the fifteenth of each month. The restaurant was packed; Gu Qingyan had to sit in a corner of the main hall.

Everyone else around him was there for the wine.

To avoid standing out, Gu Qingyan ordered a pot of wine.

While the waiter brought the dishes and wine, Gu Qingyan glanced around and couldn’t help but frown.

There were over a dozen tables in the restaurant, and three or four of them were occupied by men wearing escort uniforms.

On second thought, since Lingchuan’s escorts made good money and were known for living on the edge, it wasn’t strange for them to enjoy fine wine here.

Gu Qingyan couldn’t help but stay alert.

At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar entered the restaurant.

“Magistrate Hong, you’ve arrived! Please come in quickly; the private room upstairs has been prepared with food and wine.”

Gu Qingyan looked up, his heart sinking.

Magistrate Hong wasn’t alone—he brought two subordinates, and Bai Zhubu was among them.

The three didn’t linger in the hall but quickly headed upstairs, chatting and laughing as if on good terms.

Gu Qingyan frowned.

If Magistrate Hong and Bai Zhubu were in cahoots, he’d have to find another way.

Still unsure of the relationship between Magistrate Hong and Bai Zhubu, Gu Qingyan hesitated.

Suddenly, a voice came from the doorway.

“County Magistrate!”

The escorts drinking inside were about to react but were silenced by Bai Zhubu’s gaze.

A young woman rushed in and knelt with a loud thud.

“My lord, my father and brother died so tragically. Please, I beg you, do justice for me.”

Magistrate Hong frowned, clearly annoyed to have his drinking interrupted.

Bai Zhubu immediately scolded, “What is wrong with you, woman? Your father and brother died at the hands of bandits. The magistrate has already sent people to investigate and hunt down the bandits. What more do you want?”

Another official supported him, “Cao Baozhu, the case has been thoroughly investigated. Your continued harassment won’t help. You should go home and arrange their funerals.”

But Cao Baozhu refused to give up, crying out, “My lord, my father and brother were skilled fighters and even took machetes when they left. They chose a secret path only known to Lingchuan locals. How could they just happen to run into bandits? All four of them died; not one escaped.”

“I refuse to believe such a coincidence exists. Someone in the city must be colluding with the bandits, deliberately leaking their whereabouts, causing their bodies to be left exposed in the wilderness.”

“Magistrate Hong, you are our county’s guardian. You must uncover the truth and avenge my father and brother.”

Her words shook Gu Qingyan deeply.

He looked at Cao Baozhu—no more than seventeen or eighteen, exhausted in face but resolute.

In Lingchuan County, he wasn’t the only one who suspected collusion with bandits.

The four family members who died—could this be the brutal case the wonton vendor had mentioned?

Magistrate Hong’s expression darkened.

Bai Zhubu sharply rebuked her on the spot, “Cao Baozhu, stop talking nonsense.”

“Bandits have occupied the mountains for years and know the terrain well. Your father and brother were careless and unlucky to die. You have no right to make baseless accusations.”

Then he turned around and said, “My lord, I believe this woman is overcome with grief and losing her mind, which is why she’s babbling.”

Magistrate Hong frowned but spoke calmly, “Cao Baozhu, this case is closed. I forgive your filial heart and won’t pursue it further today. But if you cause trouble again, I will not tolerate it.”

Bai Zhubu sneered, “Today is because of the magistrate’s kindness; otherwise, you would be charged with false accusation.”

Cao Baozhu wanted to speak again, but two waiters stepped forward and dragged her out.

“My lord, Magistrate Hong, my father and brothers died unjustly. They must have been betrayed. Please investigate carefully; I have evidence. Please listen to me…”

But she was already dragged away.

The shopkeeper hurriedly said, “Please, honorable guests, take your seats. It was our fault for letting someone disturb your drinking mood. Today, I’m hosting—please enjoy a few more cups on me.”

County Magistrate Hong led the Registrar Bai upstairs, not sparing another glance at Cao Baozhu.

Gu Qingyan’s heart sank to the bottom of a valley.

Could it be that the information the system provided was wrong? County Magistrate Hong was not a strict and upright man at all—he was already in cahoots with Registrar Bai.

Gu Qingyan glanced at the second floor, then got up and left the Zui Xiang Restaurant.

“Miss Cao, please wait,”

Cao Baozhu turned around cautiously at the sight of an unfamiliar face.

“Could I borrow you for a moment?” Gu Qingyan said, “It concerns the mountain bandits.”

The words “mountain bandits” stopped Cao Baozhu in her tracks. She sized up Gu Qingyan, seeing his smooth skin, hands without calluses, thin arms and legs—not someone who looked like he could fight. Gritting her teeth, she followed him.

They reached a quiet spot. Gu Qingyan made sure no one was following before asking, “Miss Cao, you suspect there’s someone colluding with the bandits. Do you have any proof?”

Cao Baozhu looked at him suspiciously, saying nothing.

Gu Qingyan decided to reveal what he knew: “There really are people in Lingchuan County colluding with the bandits, and officials are involved. Many have already died because of this.”

Cao Baozhu’s voice was hoarse: “Who exactly are you?”

“Who I am isn’t important,” Gu Qingyan said, “What matters is that, like you, I hate these bandits with a burning passion and want to bring them to justice.”

Cao Baozhu pressed her lips: “No one believes me—not even my mother and sister-in-law think I’m serious.”

“But I know someone is colluding with the bandits. Otherwise, my father and three brothers wouldn’t have run into them. Before they left, my father said they started out just before dark, took a hidden path that goes around a mountain to reach their destination. How could it be such a coincidence?”

“But I have no proof. County Magistrate Hong initially sent people to investigate, but they couldn’t even find the bodies.”

Gu Qingyan’s brow twitched. “No bodies?”

“None. Nothing was found.” Cao Baozhu couldn’t hold back tears. “I’m unfilial—I can’t even give them a proper burial.”

Gu Qingyan asked curiously, “If there were no bodies, why does everyone believe they were ambushed by bandits?”

“It was the escort guards from Lingchuan who passed by. They saw bloodstains and some of my father’s belongings. That’s how we found out they were attacked,” Cao Baozhu replied.

Gu Qingyan’s eyes flickered.

Suddenly he remembered something and quickly rifled through the ledger in his backpack.

Sure enough, he found a line near the end:

[Intercepted the four Cao family men, received 100 taels of silver, four were sturdy men, sold for 40 taels.]

His heart skipped a beat—The Cao family men were still alive!

Because they were strong, good for hard labor, the bandits didn’t kill them but sold them instead.

He had overlooked such a huge clue.

At first, the bandits were cautious and left no survivors.

But as time went on, they grew bolder and began human trafficking.

If they could find these men, they’d have witnesses and evidence.

Cao Baozhu was a smart girl—she read something on his face: “Could it be the escort guards are corrupt and stealing under watch?”

Gu Qingyan didn’t answer, only said, “Miss Cao, thanks for the clue. The truth will come to light.”

“Wait,” Cao Baozhu caught up to him, “Who are you really? Where do you come from? What are you doing? No matter what it is, as long as it helps me avenge my father and brothers, I’ll help you with anything.”

Her eyes burned with the fire of revenge.

Gu Qingyan asked, “If you know the officials don’t care, why make a scene today?”

Cao Baozhu’s expression flickered.

After a long pause, she said, “I have my own plan.”

Gu Qingyan guessed, “You want to make the collusion with bandits known publicly so they get scared, maybe even try to kill you to silence you.”

Cao Baozhu looked shocked.

Gu Qingyan admired her courage but pierced her hope: “People in Lingchuan are used to the bandits. They won’t believe the collusion rumors.”

“As long as it’s loud enough and known by everyone, they’ll be scared and come after me. When that happens, I’ll catch them and avenge my family,” Cao Baozhu said firmly.

Gu Qingyan saw her resolute gaze.

He feared that as soon as he left, this girl would continue her plan, spreading rumors to provoke those behind the scenes.

He couldn’t let it happen: “Come with me.”

Hope flared in Cao Baozhu’s eyes.

But just as they took a few steps, two men dressed in black suddenly appeared before them.