Chapter 9: Making an Enemy
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
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Lin Xiu had heard from Supervisor Chen that the young man in the court was the son of a First Rank Baron.
In Great Xia, noble titles were limited to Duke, Marquis, and Baron, each divided into three ranks. Unless under special circumstances, titles would decrease one rank with each inheritance. A First Rank Duke’s heir would become a Second Rank Duke, a First Rank Baron’s heir a Second Rank Baron. Lin Xiu’s father held the title of Third Rank Baron, a title that could no longer be inherited.
By Lin Xiu’s generation, the Lin family would be completely removed from the capital’s nobility.
That First Rank Baron seemed to hold considerable power, capable of getting his son out of the Ministry of Records. Even if Lin Xiu spoke up, it wouldn’t change anything.
But some things, despite their futility, still needed to be done. Lin Xiu sought only a clear conscience.
After a while in the Archives, Lin Xiu prepared to head home.
Exiting the Ministry of Records, he was startled by the sight before him. A large crowd of commoners had gathered. The old man from the court, upon seeing Lin Xiu, dropped to his knees, his forehead banging against the ground. “Thank you, Your Honor, for seeking justice for my daughter! Thank you!”
The onlookers murmured amongst themselves.
“If it weren’t for this official, Old Wang’s daughter would have died with her name tarnished.”
“No one in court spoke up for Old Wang, only he did.”
“This official is truly a good man…”
Amidst the chatter, Lin Xiu helped the old man up. “There’s no need for thanks, old man. It was my duty.”
For him, it was simply speaking up. But for the old man and his family, it meant the world. Within his power, Lin Xiu was never stingy with such acts.
After finally squeezing through the crowd, Lin Xiu, without waiting for Sun Dali, walked towards the Lin residence alone.
The wealthy and influential of the capital resided in the south or east. The declining Lin family lived in a commoner district, only slightly better off than ordinary citizens with a few servants and a larger courtyard.
While Lin Xiu had usually dined alone, tonight, he had company.
Baron Ping’an’s wife kept piling food into his bowl. “Xiu’er, you must eat more. You’ve gotten thinner these past few days…”
Baron Ping’an set down his chopsticks. “Tomorrow, I’ll invite the Imperial Physician to examine you and see if there’s a way to treat your amnesia.”
Lin Xiu shook his head. “There’s no need. It’ll cost a fortune.”
He knew that as a declining Third Rank Baron, the Lin family wasn’t wealthy. They had recently spent a large sum to secure him the clerk position. Inviting the Imperial Physician would be another considerable expense.
Baron Ping’an waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about the money. Your health is more important.”
He then ladled a bowl of soup for Lin Xiu. “Your mother made this chicken soup herself. Drink more, it’s good for you.”
Lin Xiu picked up his spoon and drank silently. The warm soup flowing down his throat brought a touch of warmth to his heart.
He had mostly relied on takeout or instant noodles in his previous life. It had been a long time since he’d had a home-cooked meal, a long time since he’d dined with anyone.
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After dinner, Lin Xiu returned to his room.
He was still unaccustomed to being around Baron Ping’an and his wife, to their care and concern.
It was ironic that what he hadn’t experienced from his own parents in his previous life, he was now experiencing from two strangers. It left him, a man accustomed to solitude, feeling at a loss.
To avoid being alone with them, Lin Xiu left the house early the next morning after breakfast.
Soon after, at the Ministry of Records, Lin Xiu slowly perused a document.
The case of the woman from yesterday had been closed.
A thief had confessed to breaking into Wang Shi’s house the previous night, stealing her valuables, and then, overcome by lust, attempting to assault her. He claimed to have accidentally strangled her in the process and, to avoid being caught, staged her suicide.
With a confession, Qin Cong was quickly released without charge.
The document was riddled with holes. The biggest being that if the thief hadn’t confessed, the Ministry of Records would have had no leads. Yet, he turned himself in, his motive all too clear: to clear Qin Cong’s name.
The Baron’s influence was even greater than Lin Xiu had anticipated.
This rendered everything he had done yesterday meaningless.
Lin Xiu returned the document to its place. As he stepped out of the Archives into the courtyard, he saw someone approaching.
Looking up, he stopped and bowed slightly. “Magistrate.”
It was the Ministry of Records Magistrate, the head of the department. Yesterday, he had intended to close the case quickly, but Lin Xiu had interfered. Forced by pressure, he’d had to detain Qin Cong. He was surely displeased.
The Twenty-Four Ministries reported directly to the central government, and their Magistrates were powerful officials.
He might very well lose his hard-won position.
The Magistrate, a thin-faced man with sharp eyes, stared at Lin Xiu. Lin Xiu met his gaze, neither subservient nor defiant, without flinching.
After a moment, the Magistrate looked away, nodded slightly, and walked past Lin Xiu, as if nothing had happened.
Lin Xiu looked back, puzzled. It seemed the Magistrate didn’t intend to punish him.
It made sense. If he directly retaliated against Lin Xiu, it would confirm his biased judgment. However, whether he would create trouble for him behind the scenes remained uncertain. Lin Xiu needed to be cautious.
Inside the main hall, an official trailing the Magistrate couldn’t help but speak. “Your Honor, this son of Baron Ping’an is reckless and ignorant of the rules. We should find a reason to dismiss him, lest he cause more trouble…”
The Magistrate turned, his gaze sharp. “Are you instructing me on how to do my job?”
The official immediately bowed. “I wouldn’t dare.”
The Magistrate said indifferently, “Mind your own business. It’s best not to speak out of turn.”
“Understood…”
“You may leave.”
“As you wish.”
The official hurried away. The Magistrate stood in silence for a moment, then looked up at the plaque hanging overhead, inscribed with the words “Justice Prevails,” his gaze lingering for a long time…
…
Leaving the Ministry of Records, Lin Xiu went directly to the Mystical Arts Academy.
At the entrance, he was stopped.
The young man from the court stood before him, a smile on his face. “The son of Baron Ping’an, Lin Ting, knows quite a bit…”
As expected, he had been remembered.
If it weren’t for Lin Xiu, Qin Cong wouldn’t have spent those two hours in the Ministry of Records’ jail. It was a loss of face for the son of a First Rank Baron, and he wouldn’t forget the meddlesome clerk.
Lin Xiu, son of Baron Ping’an. After leaving the jail, Qin Cong had easily discovered his identity.
Though the man was smiling, there was a chill behind it.
Lin Xiu didn’t waste words. “What do you want?”
Qin Cong extended his hand, his arm gradually covered in a layer of yellowish armor. He smirked at Lin Xiu. “You made me spend two hours in that filthy jail. Breaking two of your ribs isn’t too much to ask, is it?”
Seeing the transformation of Qin Cong’s arm, Lin Xiu’s pupils constricted. This man was also a mystical arts practitioner, and his ability had awakened at least twice.
Lin Xiu, newly awakened, was no match for him.
A wise man knows when to retreat. Lin Xiu stepped back. “Don’t forget, fighting is forbidden within the Mystical Arts Academy!”
Qin Cong scoffed. “The rules do state that. But we are outside the Academy…”
Before he could finish, his fist shot towards Lin Xiu’s chest.
Facing Qin Cong’s charged attack, Lin Xiu tensed, ready to react. Then, his body suddenly relaxed.
Qin Cong, thinking he had given up resistance, put more force into his punch. But just then, he felt a sudden chill. A thick layer of ice rapidly formed beneath his feet, freezing him in place.
A faint fragrance drifted closer. Zhao Lingyin walked up to Lin Xiu, her eyes icy as she stared at Qin Cong. “You want to break his ribs?”
Qin Cong’s feet were numb, his whole body shivering as if submerged in ice water. He stammered, “Using mystical arts to fight within the Academy is forbidden! Release me!”
Zhao Lingyin glanced at him indifferently. “The rules do state that. But we are outside…”
With that, she kicked Qin Cong, sending him flying. He crashed heavily to the ground, a sharp pain in his chest confirming that several ribs were indeed broken.
Lin Xiu watched Zhao Lingyin, speechless. As she’d kicked, he’d noticed she was wearing trousers under her skirt.
What kind of fashion was this? Trust between people had truly vanished…
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