Chapter 37: Borrowing Your Identity for a Purpose

Liang Xiao was quite curious the moment he first laid eyes on Zhongli Wanxue.

Before bringing his men to White Cloud Town, he had naturally sent scouts ahead to survey the area. The scouts had reported that Gou Ming was once again bullying the weak and harassing women, but he had not expected to find this young lady here as well.

Zhongli Wanxue’s heart was in a state of chaotic turmoil. Thinking quickly, she stammered, "I... I came to the market to pick out some goods. Who would have thought I’d run into a neighborhood bully and nearly be harassed..."

Her guards broke into a cold sweat, their eyes seemingly screaming: *My lady, couldn't you have chosen a better excuse? There is a market right outside your own front door; there was no need to run all the way here!*

Their mistress had always been one to despise evil, and she had long been disgusted by the actions of the Raging Dragon Gang. After reading Liang Xiao’s new decrees recently, she had felt reassured enough to lead them here today, hoping to help gather evidence of the gang's crimes to facilitate Liang Xiao’s law enforcement, knowing his military camp was nearby.

Who could have guessed that the moment they arrived, they would run into Gou Ming acting so brazenly? Naturally, she could not turn a blind eye. Yet, upon reflection, their mistress really didn't have any other excuses to use...

"Oh? Is that so?"

Liang Xiao stared at Gou Ming, his gaze sharpening. He immediately commanded his men to protect the artisan couple and Zhongli Wanxue’s party before turning his attention to Gou Ming.

Zhongli Wanxue quickly ducked behind a female guard, stealing a glance at Liang Xiao, her heart pounding like a startled deer. *Phew, that was close! In my moment of indignation, I almost revealed my true colors!*

"So, you are the leader of the Raging Dragon Gang, Gou Ming?"

Gou Ming had been prepared. He bowed and scraped, cupping his hands in a respectful salute. "Greetings, Magistrate! I am a law-abiding citizen, a truly upright citizen! Heaven and earth can bear witness!"

Liang Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "I have received reports that you have been molesting women and beating innocent people. And now, I have caught you red-handed."

"A misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! If you don't believe me, ask them!" Gou Ming said with a fawning smile, pointing at the artisan couple.

"My Lord, we..." The couple looked at Liang Xiao with pleading eyes, their faces filled with terror.

Liang Xiao watched them, enunciating every word, "Since I am in charge of Pei County, I will certainly not tolerate the mischief of petty villains. You two may speak the truth. I shall uphold justice for you and guarantee your absolute safety, ensuring no criminals can retaliate against you."

"This..." Even though it was winter, the couple broke into a cold sweat. The artisan’s wife was already weeping. Could they really report this to the authorities? For as long as they could remember, the common people of Pei County had nowhere to turn for justice. Bullies like Gou Ming were never bothered by the authorities as long as they didn't cause too much trouble. But now, the new Magistrate wanted to intervene? What if he left?

Gou Ming shot a fierce, murderous glare at the couple. The two were so terrified they didn't dare to make a sound. Seeing this, Zhongli Wanxue was both angry and anxious, but with Liang Xiao present, she found it difficult to intervene.

Liang Xiao looked around the crowd and asked, "Everyone here has seen what happened. Is there anyone willing to step forward and testify?"

Apart from Gou Ming’s gang members, there were many onlookers, all of whom turned pale and shook their heads in silence. "We didn't see anything!"

Gou Ming couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Magistrate, please don't frame an innocent man!"

"Once I have thoroughly investigated this matter, anyone found giving false testimony, shielding criminals, or withholding information will be punished with the same severity as the perpetrator!" Liang Xiao looked back at Gou Ming, his expression stern and cold.

The artisan couple remained paralyzed with fear. *What can we do? Why, despite living honest and humble lives, must we suffer such undeserved disaster...*

"Brother," Zhongli Wanxue finally couldn't help but speak up, looking at the artisan. "Do you think that even if you stay silent, that cunning villain will let you off in the future? Speak plainly. This Magistrate is a man of his word; he will surely protect your family from being bullied by such villains ever again!"

The artisan looked back at Zhongli Wanxue. It was this young lady from the Zhongli family who had been the first to step forward and stop Gou Ming, effectively saving them.

Gou Ming was frantic and furious. "Zhongli Wanxue, I’ve been giving the Zhongli family face—don't you dare push your luck!"

The artisan met Liang Xiao’s calm yet commanding gaze. After hesitating for a long time, he said with a trembling voice, "Wife, just tell the Magistrate the truth..."

The artisan’s wife wiped her tears, her resolve hardening. "My Lord, I came to the street to buy vegetables, but Gou Ming harassed me and tried to force himself upon me. When my husband arrived to reason with him, Gou Ming beat him until he was unconscious, and then used that to threaten me, demanding that I sleep with him..."

Liang Xiao remained calm, nodding as he looked at the crowd. "From this day forward, there will be no place for thugs and hoodlums in Pei County. I will focus on cracking down on bullies; minor offenses will face harsh penalties. I ask once more: apart from Miss Zhongli’s party and the guards I sent to scout the area, who else is an eyewitness?"

*The guards he sent to scout?* Gou Ming felt his insides burning with dread. He met Liang Xiao’s cold, sharp gaze and felt a chill crawl up his spine.

After a long while, the hesitant crowd finally spoke up. "Everything this lady said is true, every word of it!"

"Gou Ming, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Seeing that Liang Xiao was truly about to take action, Gou Ming was shaken. He quickly said, "My Lord! I have something to say!"

Under Liang Xiao’s calm gaze, Gou Ming took out a hundred-tael silver note and offered it with both hands, his face full of sycophancy. "This hundred taels is just a token of my apology. Let’s just let this matter rest, shall we?"

"If this blows up, it won't be good for anyone, and it will hinder your governance of Pei County! I am acquainted with the leader of the Black Cloud Stronghold; I could act as a go-between for you to facilitate communication..."

As soon as Gou Ming finished speaking, the entire crowd was filled with horror!

"Black Cloud Stronghold??" Zhongli Wanxue’s brows furrowed. This was a naked threat and attempt at bribery directed at Liang Xiao!

A clear, resonant laugh from Liang Xiao echoed through the scene. "Leader Gou, you are being too polite."

Hearing this, the artisan couple and the surrounding townspeople turned deathly pale. *So much for protection! He’s already preparing to collude with the bandits...*

Only Zhongli Wanxue and the Liang household guards remained firm.

Gou Ming was overjoyed, quickly saying, "I’m glad you understand, My Lord! I shall pay a visit to your residence another day!"

"Ah, I have no use for this silver note," Liang Xiao said, waving his hand. He stared at Gou Ming and continued, "However, there is something I would like to borrow from you—something only you can provide."

"What is it?" Gou Ming asked with a fawning smile.

"I’d like to borrow your head."

The words were spoken calmly, but they sounded like the cold command of a reaper from the depths of hell.

"Wait!" Gou Ming’s expression changed drastically. He was about to resist, but Liang Xiao had already drawn the Cangsheng Sword from his waist. A flash of cold light flickered.

The head fell, and blood splattered everywhere!

In an instant, the scene erupted into chaos. The leader of the Raging Dragon Gang, who had run rampant for years, had been executed with a single strike by the new Magistrate!

"I have already issued clear decrees, yet this Gou Ming dared to gather mobs, oppress the innocent, and attempt to force himself upon a woman. Not only did he brazenly offer bribes, but he also dared to use the Black Cloud Stronghold as a threat against me. Therefore, I sentence him to immediate execution and the confiscation of his assets as a warning to others!"

"Soldiers, seize Gou Ming’s accomplices immediately! Interrogate them strictly! Anyone who resists will be executed without mercy! From now on, anyone who follows in Gou Ming’s footsteps will be put to death!"

Liang Xiao held his sword in his right hand and lifted Gou Ming’s head with his left, his voice stern and imposing. The prepared bailiffs and soldiers moved out at once, controlling dozens of Raging Dragon Gang members and swiftly securing White Cloud Town.

Liang Xiao summoned two guards, ordering them to escort the artisan couple home and prepare to bring them to the government office for temporary shelter until the storm passed.

"Thank you, honest Magistrate, for protecting our family!" The couple kowtowed in tears.

"It is my duty," Liang Xiao replied softly. He told them to stand up before going to supervise the men, clearing out the remnants of the Raging Dragon Gang and confiscating Gou Ming’s property.

Zhongli Wanxue watched Liang Xiao’s retreating figure, captivated and filled with joy, yet she didn't dare to make a sound. *Say too much and you'll slip up! If he asks, and the artisan couple or the crowd mentions my involvement, how am I supposed to talk my way out of it?*

Soon, Zhongli Wanxue didn't even dare to breathe loudly, for Liang Xiao was walking toward her.

"Miss Zhongli, this place is not safe. Shall I escort you home?"