Volume Three: Rising Fame Chapter Seventeen: Come Down and Speak

The world had only started to improve for a few years before chaos returned. At the end of the Qin Empire, demons invaded and shattered the empire into fragments. Not only were they fighting external threats, but the internal clans seized the opportunity to scheme and vie against each other. This hastened the empire’s decline. Soon after, the royal family of Qin lost all control over the realm. Every day, the clans fought over resources and territory. During this period, even some once-mighty clans were defeated and disappeared altogether.

It wasn’t until the era of three kingdoms and two families emerged that matters eased slightly. Yet now the world was no longer as before—each family expanded their armies and stockpiled troops, while on the surface, they strained to maintain a façade of peace.

Qing Yangde patted the head of the white tiger beast beneath him. The loyal creature, understanding his intent, strode forward a few paces, then shifted its body so its master could better see the scene ahead.

“Where did you get those uniforms?” Qing Yangde’s gaze sharpened as he looked at the ragtag bandits, his voice cold.

Li Yu lingered slightly behind. “What’s going on here? Came out to catch thieves, only to find myself mistaken for one?” He was at a loss for words.

The bandits before him wore mismatched inner garments, but their outer armor, in both style and the barely concealed insignia, bore the emblem of the Qing clan. There were minor differences here and there—much like the Qingyang Army, who had added their own flourishes to the Qing clan’s crest to distinguish themselves.

Several bandits, their nerves frayed, shot uneasy glances at the middle-aged man deep within their ranks. Two elderly men flanked him, deliberately shielding his gaze from the outside world.

“Come out and let me see—which family are you from?” Qing Yangde’s snort was icy. Even strangers could hear the killing intent beneath his words.

Li Yu nodded slightly at the side. From their first meeting, he’d known that as the son of the County Lord, Qing Yangde was destined to be one of Qingshan County’s future stewards, and that this young commander held the people of the county in high regard.

Whatever their background, these bandits had crossed Qing Yangde’s line! Judging by the situation, they had likely crossed more than one.

“Sir, it’s a misunderstanding!” One of the old men hastened forward, pushing through the crowd to kneel on the ground.

Qing Yangde sneered. “What exactly have I misunderstood?”

The old man cursed inwardly. He and his companion were both honored retainers of the City Lord’s estate, distant relatives of the ruling family, and thus enjoyed the City Lord’s trust. They had been simple house guards until one day, the City Lord’s wife had come to them in secret, earnestly requesting their help with a certain matter. Out of familial loyalty, they had agreed without hesitation.

Only then had they learned the secret: the beloved only son of the City Lord harbored a vicious passion for bloodshed—not against condemned criminals, but against defenseless innocents. The two old men, having witnessed it once, realized they’d boarded a pirate ship they couldn’t disembark. Yet their pay had since doubled, and greed soon outweighed doubt. After all, the young master was cunning, preying only on impoverished villages under the City Lord’s protection, so naturally, nothing ever came to light.

Unfortunately, today the young master’s whimsy had landed them all in disaster.

“General, I have something to say!” the old man suddenly called out. He tried to step forward and whisper, but the Qingyang soldiers immediately drew their weapons, fixing him with predatory stares, ready to strike at any sudden move.

“Speak plainly,” Qing Yangde replied indifferently, raising his chin. “Of course, if your excuse isn’t ready, I’ll give you time to make one up. Otherwise, I’ll have all your heads roll.”

No sooner had he finished than a voice rang out from the crowd. “My father is the City Lord—you cannot touch me!”

It was the middle-aged man who spoke. At this, several bandits began to murmur, astonished by the true identity of their formidable leader. Only now did they understand why, despite so many crimes, the authorities had never pursued them, and why the leader always had ample supplies and never claimed a share of the spoils. While others risked their lives for survival, he’d been treating it all as a game.

“So we’ll be fine after all?”
“The boss is really someone important! Amazing!”

The words were like a stone cast into a still lake, setting the bandits’ faces alight with hope and excitement, each one feeling as if they had escaped death.

“Silence!” The old man, seeing the darkness cloud Qing Yangde’s face, quickly barked in anger, throwing a resentful glance at the young master. ‘Is this something to announce so blatantly?’

He had never dared to state their identity openly; his intent had been to quietly reveal their background in hopes that the Qingyang commander would spare the three of them out of respect for the City Lord. As for the uninformed bandits, it would be best to leave no loose ends—an offering of victory to curry favor.

Qing Yangde chuckled softly. “The City Lord? I’m so frightened.” He looked back at Li Yu. “Li Yu, are you afraid?”

The old man, ever watchful, pricked up his ears at the name. ‘Li? Everyone knows Qingshan County is ruled by the Qing clan. How could an outsider be leading the county’s troops?’

He was perplexed, but one thing seemed certain—the man before him was playing for greater profit. When they first arrived and Qing Yangde had been addressed as ‘General,’ they’d thought themselves doomed, but now he suspected it was just a title, not a real rank. How could a non-Qing clan member hold such a position? And one so young—unless he was the County Lord’s son?

Thinking this, Qing Gaoyang mustered his courage and stepped forward.

Qing Yangde waved a hand, halting his soldiers. To the old man, this only confirmed his suspicions: it had all been a bluff.

Qing Gaoyang strode to the side of Qing Yangde’s beast, cleared his throat, and announced, “I am Qing Gaoyang, a retainer of the City Lord’s household. I hope you will show mercy in this matter. Of course, the City Lord’s estate will not forget your kindness. Consider it a favor—if you forge a bond with the City Lord’s house, your fortunes will rise as well!”

Qing Yangde nodded. “You make a convincing case. But the City Lord’s mandate is over civil affairs. Can he command the military as well?”

“Of course he can. Look around—whose armor isn’t styled after the Qing clan’s?” Qing Gaoyang declared proudly. “Without some ability, how could we acquire these uniforms?”

But as he looked up, he realized the young man atop the mighty white tiger was taller than he’d thought. He coughed awkwardly.

“Perhaps you’d come down and speak face to face?”