My Master is the Real Boss – Chapter 118

Chapter 118: Cannon Fodder

When he woke up, he didn’t know what time it was. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw several blurry figures standing outside the jail cell. Only then did Xiang Jiannan realize that it was already dawn.

He had actually slept very soundly this night. The small window on the wall was now letting in light.

“Little Taoist Priest, it’s time for the court hearing.”

Seeing Xiang Jiannan sit up from the ground, the yamen runner, who had been waiting for a long time, opened the jail door as he spoke.

“The two Masters ordered that we must wait for the Little Taoist Priest to wake up before speaking. Now, you’re finally awake.”

They had been waiting here for more than half an hour, and had not left during that time.

This was the first time in so many years that they had encountered a prisoner with such treatment. If it were anyone else, they would have dragged him out of the jail by his throat long ago.

This young man has some Daoist cultivation.

“I’ll come out now.”

Without needing the yamen runner to say more, Xiang Jiannan knew what was happening. He quickly walked out of the jail cell and then signaled for them to lead the way. As he set off, he saw that the man in the opposite cell was still lying with his side to the wall. He glanced at him twice, but didn’t say anything.

He didn’t know if the man was awake or not. In the end, they had met once. If they were destined, they would meet again.

After leaving the jail, he quickly met with Governor Sun and the others again. Seeing that everyone in the hall was sitting neatly, Xiang Jiannan hesitated, not knowing if he should kneel.

To Governor Sun’s right sat a white-haired elder. Judging by his facial features, he was even older than his Master.

It didn’t seem appropriate to kneel immediately upon meeting. In any case, he should wait for Governor Sun to slam the gavel.

Mainly, he had never knelt to anyone in his life, and he couldn’t accept it in his heart. He felt awkward.

“Since the prisoner has been brought, Old Nie, this official will not waste everyone’s time any longer.”

He didn’t seem to mind Xiang Jiannan standing there dumbfounded under the hall. Turning his head to look at the elder sitting on the right, Governor Sun looked like he was handling official business.

Clearing his throat, he even skipped the gavel, and without any shouts of “Majesty,” he began to question Xiang Jiannan as if they were chatting about everyday matters:

“Taoist, do you know your crime?”

“Your Excellency, this little Daoist is wronged.”

“Wasn’t it you who set the dense forest on fire?”

“It was not this little Daoist who did it.”

“Old Nie, did you hear that?”

Hearing Xiang Jiannan deny that he had burned the dense forest, Governor Sun looked at the white-haired elder. The gavel in his hand made a sound:

“How dare you quibble! First, give him twenty strokes of the rod. But seeing that you are so thin, let’s forgo the rod and change it to a fine of two taels of silver. Little Taoist, are you willing?”

“I am willing.”

“Good. Since you say that the matter of the dense forest has nothing to do with you, this official will continue to investigate.”

“During this period, you must be at our disposal at any time and must not leave Ping’an Temple at will. After the truth comes to light, this official will clear your name.”

“Yes.”

“Court dismissed!”

This is way too casual!

Seeing that Governor Sun was about to get up after saying those words and throwing down a token, Xiang Jiannan felt that the trial of this case was too outrageous. Was he playing around! Letting himself go?

Your Excellency, are you in a hurry? Even if you’re just going through the motions, you can’t be so casual, right? I don’t have any objections, but I’m mainly afraid that Old Nie sitting to your right can’t take it.

Didn’t you see that his face has already turned livid? If you don’t say a few more words, he’s probably going to explode soon.

To be fair, the dignified governor was indeed efficient. Before I, the prisoner, could even react, the matter was suddenly over. At least tell me where to pay the silver, right?

“Master Sun, isn’t this a bit too hasty?”

Seeing Governor Sun smiling as he was about to walk past Xiang Jiannan, Old Nie, who was still sitting in his chair, finally couldn’t hold back anymore. He just said a light sentence, but it instantly caused the temperature in the hall to drop.

“What’s wrong?”

Turning to look at Old Nie, who was still as a statue, Governor Sun’s tone also changed. As he moved to go back, Xiang Jiannan felt the air around him grow colder.

This Old Nie should be someone from the military side, sent to observe. It’s a pity that Governor Sun didn’t give him any face.

Has the conflict between the civil and military groups of the Great Zhou Dynasty become so deep that they don’t even bother to pretend? After one sentence, it seems like they just want to fight.

Governor Sun’s steps were extremely slow. Every step seemed to be aimed at Old Nie’s life.

“Everything is wrong.”

Facing Governor Sun without fear, the old man stood up from his chair, his eyes narrowed into a line:

“The trial of this case is completely inconsistent with the law. Your Excellency’s ability to smooth things over is truly admirable.”

“Is that so? It’s my duty!”

“Old Nie, you don’t have to praise me. I don’t deserve it.”

After a moment of confrontation with the white-haired elder, he suddenly turned around and walked towards Xiang Jiannan again. Governor Sun’s face was once again filled with a smile:

“This official has always loved the people. I won’t accompany you any longer, Old Nie. Send word to the Hundred Fragrances Restaurant that this official will personally host a welcoming feast for the Little Taoist Priest. No one is allowed to disturb us!”

After saying that, he signaled for Xiang Jiannan to quickly follow him. As he went out the door, he looked up to the sky and let out a burst of laughter. Meeting eyes with Lin Zhen, his laughter became even more unrestrained.

The Hundred Fragrances Restaurant was the best restaurant in the city.

Under the enthusiastic guidance of the restaurant manager, he entered a private room on the second floor. Even after he sat down, Xiang Jiannan was still confused.

He knew that Old Nie must be furious now, and he also felt that Governor Sun’s handling of the matter was indeed inappropriate.

Was he playing house with him? So many people were sitting in the hall, and he finished the questioning in a few words?

It was completely different from what he had imagined. Even if there was a huge conflict, shouldn’t they at least put on a show?

That Old Nie didn’t look like a good person at all. With what you’ve done, my trouble seems to have gotten even bigger. They can’t touch you, but they can always touch me, this little Taoist, right?

“Little Taoist Priest, please!”

After the dishes and wine were served, Governor Sun took the lead in raising his wine cup. He stood up and spoke to everyone.

Seeing that the Little Taoist Priest wasn’t in high spirits, he smiled after drinking the wine in his hand and said:

“Today was truly enjoyable. If it weren’t for those brutes forcing my hand, this official wouldn’t have done that.”

“Little Taoist Priest, do you think this official was too frivolous just now?”

“Yes.”

Pulling his hands back, he hesitated to pick up his chopsticks. Seeing that Governor Sun seemed about to explain the reason, Xiang Jiannan felt anxious.

Governor Sun’s previous behavior couldn’t actually be described as frivolous. It was more like contempt for the law.

How could a case be tried like that? As the person involved, even he felt it was excessive. It was blatant favoritism, and he even said in front of Old Nie that he was going to host a welcoming feast for him.

He had prepared for nothing in the jail cell yesterday.

“The word ‘official’ has two mouths. This official did nothing wrong.”

Holding his chopsticks with a smug tone, Governor Sun looked at the dishes and continued:

“There’s no point in talking to those brutes. Since this official is in charge, it’s not their turn to speak!”

“Anyway, no matter what we do, those brutes won’t let you go. Sun, however, is not afraid.”

“What does Your Excellency mean by that?”

Startled by Governor Sun’s words, he turned his head to look at Lin Zhen and Master Guo. Xiang Jiannan had actually had a thought in his mind for a while now. The situation might be very serious, but he just didn’t admit it. Now, he finally heard the confirmation, but unfortunately, it was the last thing he wanted to hear.

He really couldn’t escape after all.

“The brutes are ruthless. The dense forest was burned. How could they let it go? This official can’t watch over you all the time. Today, you were lucky to escape this calamity…”

“But please rest assured, Little Taoist Priest. If you really meet with misfortune one day, this official guarantees that he will give you a grand funeral! We’ll choose a geomantically auspicious place…”

What kind of talk is that!

Watching Governor Sun pick up his wine cup again as he spoke, Xiang Jiannan was completely speechless.

He felt like Governor Sun was helping him speed up his death process. How could he speak so lightly?

This banquet was really substantial. Someone had even thought about the arrangements for his funeral, volunteering to do it, and it was a famous governor…

A grand funeral… I, Xiang Jiannan, don’t need it.