Chapter 596: Chapter 596: Murder to Silence Witnesses

Receiving approval from County Magistrate Wang, Ji Yun turned to look at several people, “How much of such things have you done? It’s best to confess honestly. Otherwise, with the four officials from Ding’an City present, I will personally take you to them. How about that!”

Today, County Magistrate Wang is here, and there are government officials from the county office, and these guards are in possession of stolen goods. No matter what, they will be punished by law.

He deliberately mentioned the officials from Ding’an City to frighten them so they would fully confess.

“My lord, we’ll confess everything!” one of the guards said in fear.

Just as Ji Yun breathed a sigh of relief, finally capturing these people, suddenly, his head was struck heavily.

Enduring the severe pain, he looked back and saw County Magistrate Wang with a grim look, holding a brick stained with his blood.

“You!”

Ji Yun’s vision went dark, and he fainted to the ground.

The look in County Magistrate Wang’s eyes was fierce as he turned to the government officials behind him, “None of you saw anything today. Anyone who dares to speak out will no longer have a place in the county office!”

The officials, who knew that County Magistrate Wang and County Magistrate Ji were not on good terms, were not expecting things to escalate to the point of murder and silencing witnesses.

County Magistrate Wang looked at the bloodied head of Ji Yun and instructed, “Secretly take him to Heiyue Pavilion in the suburbs and bury him.”

Poor families without silver to buy a coffin would wrap their deceased relatives in straw mats and bury them there.

Over time, Heiyue Pavilion became a graveyard for the poor.

The officials dared not move, because disposing of County Magistrate Ji’s body meant they were completely tied to County Magistrate Wang.

County Magistrate Wang murders, and they dispose of the body!

“You better think about your family. If you follow me and keep your mouths shut, you will be rewarded,” County Magistrate Wang said sinisterly, looking at them.

“Yes, my lord!” Two of them lifted the unconscious Ji Yun onto a carriage.

One drove the carriage, four rode horses as escorts, avoiding the guards as they prepared to throw Ji Yun into the suburbs.

“Leave a few people here to guard, and those injured come with me,” County Magistrate Wang said to the officials who had not gone.

“Yes, my lord.”

The officials dared not voice their anger, having witnessed County Magistrate Wang committing murder. They feared also being silenced by the ruthless Wang.

County Magistrate Wang departed with Zhao Jiu and the others, to a secluded place.

County Magistrate Wang spoke to them individually, leaving Zhao Jiu alone, who nodded and humbly left.

When no one was around, Zhao Jiu returned to the carriage to give County Magistrate Wang silver notes exchanged from the recently plundered fat of the people.

County Magistrate Wang accepted the silver notes nonchalantly.

Zhao Jiu grinned cheekily, “Brother-in-law, that harbinger of doom Ji Yun is finally dealt with.”

County Magistrate Wang sneered, “If he hadn’t mentioned the four officials from Ding’an City today, I wouldn’t have killed him! Only dead men keep secrets and cause me no trouble.”

“Yes, yes, brother-in-law is absolutely right,” Zhao Jiu fawned with a smile.

“Recently, let your brothers rest at home, don’t take duty, to avoid trouble for me!”

Zhao Jiu knew Wang referred to the guards who extorted alongside him.

He respectfully responded, “Yes, brother-in-law, rest assured. I won’t show up either, since I still need to recuperate at home.”

“I’m still not too confident about those officials. Go and see if they have buried him.”

“Understood,” Zhao Jiu nodded.

“Tomorrow, the four officials from Ding’an City will leave. If Ji Yun’s death draws attention, I’ll tell you how to handle it.”

“Yes, brother-in-law.” Zhao Jiu leaned closer, listening to County Magistrate Wang, malicious grin spreading.

…

A few officials made their way to Heiyue Pavilion, each feeling heavy-hearted.

As they passed through a small grove, a square-faced official, Zhou Shiyue, stopped the carriage, and they quickly gathered.

They didn’t dare go against County Magistrate Wang in front of him, but that didn’t mean justice didn’t reside in their hearts.

Zhou Shiyue looked around to see if anyone was following before speaking quietly, “Lord Ji was upright and did many good things for the people. It’s tragic he ended up like this.”

Another nodded, “Yes, Lord Ji treated us well. Even if we secretly bury him, our conscience wouldn’t be at ease working for County Magistrate Wang.”

The other three agreed, nodding repeatedly.

Zhou Shiyue clenched his fist, “Not just uneasy, what we’re doing is inhumane!”

As the arrest officer, the rest of the officials followed his lead.

Zhou Shiyue continued, “I checked Lord Ji’s condition earlier. He’s not dead, just unconscious.”

“But according to County Magistrate Wang, we have to bury him alive. Even if not buried, these freezing conditions with his injuries, he’d freeze to death overnight!”

“Yes, indeed!”

Zhou Shiyue’s expression darkened as if he made a decision, his cold hand patting his brothers on the shoulder.

They looked at Zhou Shiyue somberly, and someone asked, “Leader, are you planning something?”

Zhou Shiyue smirked, “Brothers, tomorrow the four officials from Ding’an City are leaving. I’m planning to take Lord Ji to the hostel and expose County Magistrate Wang!”

“Leader!” Their faces grew increasingly tense.

“If you mess up, you’ll face capital punishment!”

“Yes, you saw it, County Magistrate Wang is ruthless, he won’t hesitate to silence anyone!”

“And he won’t spare your father either!”

Zhou Shiyue thought of his father, who worked hard all his life. The cold wind on his face brought hot tears to his eyes.

Before they fell, Zhou Shiyue bit his lip, holding back the tears.

“We’ve been through thick and thin, this is my choice alone. If it fails, secretly take care of my father!”

Someone grabbed Zhou Shiyue’s hand, disagreeing, “Leader, for a not-so-close Lord Ji, is it worth it?”

Zhou Shiyue took in the cold air, “If I don’t seize this chance to fully expose Wang Kun, our city’s people will continue to suffer. You might not know, Zhao Jiu is Wang Kun’s brother-in-law, Wang Kun’s orders likely led to Zhao Jiu’s actions today!”

They listened solemnly as Zhou Shiyue continued, “Lord Ji is still alive. If we don’t save him, he will die for nothing!”

Zhou Shiyue grinned, showing his white teeth, “Brothers, forgive me!”

He then knocked them down with a few punches, took the carriage, and headed back to Shuiyu City through a side path.

Their faces bruised, they watched his back with fiery determination.

Their leader beat them to spare them!

But could their leader succeed in bringing him to the hostel?