Bringing some shocking pranks to the Cultivation World
Chapter 56 - 56 49 Return Home

56: Chapter 49 Return Home 56: Chapter 49 Return Home After braving countless dangers and overcoming myriad obstacles, Zhou Li and his companions finally arrived at the outskirts of Beiliang City…

“City closure?”

Looking at the guards in front of him, Zhou Li asked in confusion, “What happened to Beiliang City?

Why is it suddenly being closed off?”

“Alas, those are orders from the higher-ups; I really don’t know the specifics.”

The soldier guarding the city let out a helpless sigh, scratched his head, and said:

“I don’t really understand what’s going on either.

Last night, out of the blue, it was announced that the city would be closed—nobody allowed in or out.

The Prefect’s office hasn’t given us a clear answer either, just ordered us to close the three city gates.”

“There’s no hand-delivered order?”

Guo Lingyun stepped forward, furrowing his brows in inquiry, “What about the official documents?

Closing the city requires a notice to be publicly displayed at the city gates.

Why haven’t you announced it?”

“This…”

The soldier, just about to scold the man for his many questions, then saw the bright red Flying Fish Attire on the other’s body.

He thought it over and decided, although Guo Lingyun wasn’t speaking very kindly, to reconcile with the Embroidered Spring Knife and the Flying Fish Attire in light of the other’s youthful ignorance of protocol.

“It’s not that we don’t want to make it public, but the superiors haven’t provided any hand-delivered orders or notices.

We lowly ones also dare not demand such from the Prefect.”

After hearing the soldier’s words full of helplessness, Guo Lingyun’s expression slightly eased.

Although he was upright and could not tolerate any injustice, it did not mean that he was ignorant of human relations and worldliness.

The problem was clearly with the higher-ups like the Prefect; if he gave these small soldiers a hard time, it would essentially be futile.

“This is wrong!”

Just then, the Qianhu, unable to suppress his dedication to his duty, strode ahead under Zhou Li’s seemingly amused watchful eyes and stepped directly in front of the soldiers.

With a sincere tone, he pressed down on a frightened soldier’s shoulder and said:

“According to Article 13 of the Da Ming Code on city defense, the closure of a city, searches, and curfews outside of specified times must be publicly announced.

Additionally, groups of three should inform and dissuade the populace at the city gates.”

Guo Lingyun slapped his forehead and looked up at the sky with a speechless expression.

The futile effort had arrived.

“Child, the regulations of the Da Ming laws have their reasons.

Think about it—if you don’t explain the reasons for closing the city, wouldn’t it be serious if individuals with ill-intent stirred up the gathered people to charge at the city gates?”

Grasping the other’s shoulder, the Qianhu spoke earnestly and with a warm demeanor, neither arrogant nor preachy.

The Qianhu was like a father to the guard, patiently instructing him:

“You are an ordinary soldier.

I understand that you feel powerless to resist your superiors, and I too have been your age.

But you cannot give up on yourself.

If you accept this uncertain life, everything will evolve in a way you do not wish for.”

“Like now, if the people get incited and charge the city gates, you are the one who will suffer, and you will be the one tormented.

In the end, it will be you who bears the blame when an investigation occurs.

Child, the world is as such, but you cannot let it control you.

You must learn to resist and claim your rights.”

“Do you understand?”

Constable Liu turned around in astonishment and pointed at the beatific Qianhu, while Zhou Li and Tang Wan, the subjects of his gaze, turned their faces away in unison, pretending to look at the scenery.

“Let me explain,” said Zhou Li.

Guo Lingyun walked over to Constable Liu with a resigned smile.

After a brief silence, Guo Lingyun calmly said under Constable Liu’s gaze, “I can’t explain it clearly either, just think of him as someone with a problem in his head.”

At this moment, Constable Liu felt as though he was Granny Liu who had entered Chechi Country, seeing the Pillar of Heaven for the first time.

He incredulously looked at the Thousand Household before him, who was gently persuading the soldiers, somewhat unable to distinguish whether he was still caught in an illusion created by the Mountain God Statue.

What kind of creature is this?

Instructed by the nurturing guidance of the Thousand Household, the soldier had already begun to wail and was preparing to storm into the City Lord’s Mansion to reclaim the dignity and rights due to a soldier.

Zhou Li, who couldn’t stand watching any longer, came forward and spoke:

“He is a Jinyiwei Thousand Household, even the Prefect has to kneel and knock his head on the ground twice when he sees him.”

After Zhou Li finished speaking, he saw the soldier immediately kneel and knock his head on the ground four times loudly.

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

While marveling at the soldier’s quick-wittedness, Zhou Li helped him to stand and said kindly, “Here, take this gentleman’s token and inform your Prefect.”

Upon hearing Zhou Li’s words, the Thousand Household handed over his waist token without hesitation and even asked, “Do you need my Embroidered Spring Knife too?

It has more persuasive power.”

Are you sure that’s for persuading?

The soldier’s legs were already shaking so much they created afterimages.

For those lower-level personnel who had a bit of contact with the government office, they were acutely aware of the fearsome reputation of the Jinyiwei, which included but was not limited to “executing you, executing your whole family, executing your entire clan”—basically, whenever the Jinyiwei made an appearance, it usually meant nothing good would happen.

Encouraged by Zhou Li’s gesture, the soldier finally mustered his courage, picked up the waist token, and ran tremblingly towards the city.

Roughly fifteen minutes later, he ran back gasping for breath and said:

“The Prefect said…

you can enter the city…”

“No.”

At this point, the Thousand Household’s expression suddenly changed, and the soldier looked as if he was utterly bereft, fearing he had angered the other party.

The Thousand Household let out a heavy sigh and lamented, “This Prefect changes his orders from morning to evening, and doesn’t announce them publicly, which damages the prestige of The Imperial Court.

When I see him later, I must sternly reprimand him for these errors and have him correct them.”

Hearing this, the soldier, who had originally been silent and head-bowed, repeatedly nodded and bowed to lead the group to the city gate, opened it respectfully, and escorted Zhou Li and his companions into the city.

Upon returning to Beiliang City, Zhou Li felt a tremendous sense of relief and visibly relaxed.

He looked at the familiar butcher’s shop, the familiar tailor’s shop, his own familiar store, and the familiar woman holding a rattan stick and smiling at him; a cold sweat suddenly streamed down his face.

Fuck.

“You’re back?”

The woman in white sat quietly on the rattan chair, her figure slender and graceful, her dress untainted by even a speck of dust.

A layer of pale blue gauze faintly revealed a demure and cool countenance, and her soft, ink-like hair was combed into an elegant bun secured behind her head with a cobalt blue Blue-and-White Ice Moon Hairpin.

A strand of her long hair had fallen and rested quietly behind her, with a red and white intertwined silk cord tied into a clever butterfly knot.

Seeing the cold sweat on Zhou Li’s forehead, the woman smiled softly, her jade-like hand moving slightly, and an invisible breeze swept by, brushing away Zhou Li’s cold sweat.

“Why are you so flustered to see me?”

Her lips parted slightly, her voice as fine as spring rain permeating the soul, her serene eyes carrying a hint of mirth.

The woman, looking at the pale-faced Zhou Li, slowly removed her veil, her words calm as water.

“Little Li.”

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