CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 29: GOLDEN-FACED IMPERIAL CENSOR

Even though the hood already concealed Lu Qing’s sharp edge and rendered the originally menacing talismans to exude only a layer of mystery, it still attracted many gazes along the way.

Four people rode horses, walking unhurriedly on the bustling streets of Qingshui County, wandering for quite a while before arriving outside the government office of Qingshui County. Behind them, curious onlookers tried from afar to discern the identities of these mysterious figures heading directly to the county government.

Arriving in front of the government office, Lu Qing was the first to remove his hood, followed by the runes and Fu Lu doing the same.

Only then did Zhu Yu notice that, after removing the hood, Lu Qing’s face was adorned with a golden mask, completely hiding his original appearance.

Although the mask appeared to be made of pure gold, it did not emit a sense of overwhelming opulence; at first glance, it looked like a fierce Yaksha, fierce and imposing with its natural grimness.

With the golden mask on, Lu Qing seemed to exude an aura of sternness. His dark eyes peered through the mask, resembling a bottomless abyss that sent chills down one’s spine, making him a different person from his usual self.

As for the masks worn by Fu Lu and the others, they were different from the leather mask on Zhu Yu’s own face; Fu Lu and the others wore bronze masks, similar in style to Zhu Yu’s, without any special patterns.

Without the hood’s cover, the four individuals sitting tall on horseback, dressed in black and masked, became even more eye-catching.

Especially Lu Qing’s golden mask, which made it difficult for people to take their eyes off it.

The governmental officials at the gate of the county government had also fixed their eyes on them, seeing them getting closer, they tightly gripped their Water and Fire Sticks, alertly watching them until the four stopped in front of the county office. One of them then shouted: "Who are you? Dressed so strangely in broad daylight—is it a beating you’re after?!"

It was clear that Fu Lu was not surprised by such an attitude and adeptly raised his voice at the two governmental officials: "Don’t make a fuss here, and quickly go fetch your County Magistrate to come out and welcome us!"

"What on earth are you all! Such haughty words! The County Magistrate is not someone you can just meet on a whim!" a governmental official chided. He then realized something was amiss; it was not only that these people wanted to see the County Magistrate, but they also seemed to want the County Magistrate to come and greet them.

Understanding the implication in Fu Lu’s words, the governmental official felt annoyed, but before he could get angry, Fu Lu spoke again: "Take a good look at our lord’s mask, go in and tell County Magistrate Li; whether he comes out to meet us is up to him!"

Upon hearing this, the two governmental officials were a bit unsure.

Even though these individuals’ attire looked particularly peculiar, unless they had lost their minds, speaking such audacious words outside the county office would be nothing but an invitation for trouble.

Unless that bizarre golden mask was some kind of symbol of authority, and indeed that burly man did mention "our lord."

The two officials exchanged a glance, one signaling the other to stay and guard the entrance, while he himself kept scrutinizing Lu Qing’s mask, who hadn’t uttered a word from start to end, then turned and quickly went to report the matter.

Shortly afterward, a commotion of hurried footsteps came from inside the county government. Not only Lu Qing and his three companions could hear it clearly, but the official standing closer to the door also heard it distinctly.

As he hesitated whether to turn around to see what was going on inside, the two large doors were suddenly flung open with such force that they nearly smashed the nose of the official standing outside.

A rotund figure with a broad face and mustache, dressed in the attire of a County Magistrate, strode urgently at the forefront. It was evident he was eager inside, nearly tripping over the threshold, only kept upright by a Chief Clerk-like figure behind him who prevented a rather ungracious fall.

Judging by appearances, this was Qingshui County’s parent official, Li Wencai, Mr. Li.

County Magistrate Li was still in the rear hall of the county government amusing himself with a newly acquired thrush when suddenly he heard the report from an official that a man wearing a golden mask was at the door demanding he come out to meet him.

He was on the verge of reprimanding the official for his impudence—what a matter to report! Why not just drive away such an unknown madman.

Fortunately, a knowledgeable Chief Clerk stood by, perceiving signs, hurriedly intervened, carefully asked about the appearance of the visitor’s mask, and upon hearing the description, his complexion changed, hastily explaining to County Magistrate Li.

There’s a rumor in Jin Country of a mysterious Deputy Imperial Censor appointed personally by the Emperor, who reports only to the Emperor. At critical moments, he can make decisions on matters of life and death of officials without prior consultation with the court, executing first and reporting later.

This individual regularly travels outside and appears each time wearing a golden Judge mask, which is reportedly an imperial gift designed to ensure no one knows the true appearance of this Censor.

Such a vinegar-making role, within the court, who dares provoke him—from royals probably only Duke Yan and a few of those old ministers and meritorious nobles with accumulated war achievements.

Clearly, County Magistrate Li lacked such prestige. Upon hearing such a prominent figure was outside his office, he felt heat gush through his body in two streams, one rushing upward and one rushing downward, hastily dropping everything on hand to go out to greet with his staff.

Arriving at the entrance, a layer of hot sweat appeared on his forehead.

Seeing that figure wearing a golden mask, high on horseback, resembling a Judge’s manifestation, inexplicably, a chill rose within him, instantly cooling down the sweat on his forehead.

Regardless of decorum, County Magistrate Li cupped his hands in salutation, almost raising his butt to the sky, calling out with a wavering voice: "This humble servant Li Wencai, welcomes Lord Imperial Censor!

I did not know of your arrival and failed to greet you from afar; I humbly ask Lord Imperial Censor not to hold it against me!"

After calling out, County Magistrate Li waited for a while without any reply. He didn’t know whether to rise or remain as he was, feeling his belly pressing against his chest, leaving a breath stuck in between, causing discomfort beyond description.

After waiting again for a while, a cold voice finally said: "Mr. Li, you’re too kind."

County Magistrate Li finally breathed a sigh of relief; although the other’s attitude was unpredictable, at least a response was a good sign.

Upon straightening himself up, he was momentarily taken aback.

A crowd of Qingshui County’s citizens had unknowingly gathered in front of the county government, all now staring with shock at the black-clad figure wearing the golden mask.

County Magistrate Li had an ominous feeling, regretting not scrutinizing properly before speaking rashly. Unable to show it now, he forced a smile: "Sir, please come inside the government office to talk!"

Words once spoken cannot be taken back, and no matter how much County Magistrate Li regretted shouting "Lord Imperial Censor" without verification, he had no recourse. He could only hope those civilians didn’t know anything about what an Imperial Censor did.

Besides, this mysterious Lord Imperial Censor is now on his turf in Qingshui County. Ultimately, it was within his competence to decide who could approach and who couldn’t.

Thinking this slightly reassured Li Wencai, who promptly, respectfully stepped aside to welcome the three dismounting figures in.