All Heavens and Worlds Starting from the Night Watchman

Chapter 19: The Mighty River Sword Forces Back a Spirit-Refining Expert?

Upon arriving at the Chang Le County Office, Xu Qian had barely stepped inside when he saw Xu Lingyue standing there, graceful and poised, yet with tear stains still visible on her delicate, fair face.

“Big Brother! Brother Lin!” she called out.

“Don’t worry, Lingyue. Everything will be fine,” Xu Qian assured her with a confident gaze. Lin Qiye also comforted her, understanding that they were in the right regardless of the circumstances.

Inside the county office, Magistrate Zhu sat at the desk. His expression briefly faltered when he noticed Zhou Li.

Quickly getting up, he greeted, “Isn’t this Young Master Zhou? How has Lord Zhou, the Assistant Minister, been lately?”

Zhou Li, seeing the magistrate’s accommodating attitude, arrogantly pointed at Lin Qiye and Xu Qian. “Since you know who I am, you should know what to do. These two assaulted my men in the street and even tried to kill me. Why haven’t you arrested them yet?”

Magistrate Zhu frowned slightly. As a county magistrate, he was well aware of Zhou Li’s background, and he knew Xu Qian and Lin Qiye wouldn’t have caused a scene without reason. Although Xu Lingyue had already explained what happened, Zhu preferred to downplay the situation to avoid complications for everyone involved.

He turned to Xu Qian and Lin Qiye, his tone stern. “How audacious of you both! Do you not value your lives, daring to strike the son of Lord Zhou, an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?”

Then, he turned to Zhou Li with a placating tone. “Young Master Zhou, this must be a misunderstanding. We are all family here. Please don’t lower yourself to their level—it would not suit your status.”

Lin Qiye and Xu Qian understood the situation well. Achieving the rank of Assistant Minister meant Zhou Li’s family had significant power and connections. In the face of such power, being in the right meant little—authority often overshadowed justice.

Zhou Li’s expression hardened. He waved his hand and commanded his men, “Seize them both!”

The attendants hesitated but began to move forward. Magistrate Zhu’s face darkened—disrespecting him was one thing, but allowing a brawl inside the county office was intolerable.

“Guards! Anyone who dares to commit violence within this office shall be executed without mercy!” Magistrate Zhu shouted.

His words summoned the county guards, who swiftly drew their blades and held them against Zhou Li’s attendants’ necks. Zhou Li’s face twisted with fury, and he pointed at Magistrate Zhu, yelling, “How dare a mere county magistrate defy me! Aren’t you afraid of death?”

He spat at the magistrate in contempt, the spittle landing squarely on Zhu’s face. Yet, Magistrate Zhu calmly wiped it away and replied evenly, “Zhou Li, there is a formal complaint here accusing you of reckless horseback riding and harassing a respectable maiden.”

Originally, Magistrate Zhu intended to settle the matter quietly, but Zhou Li’s disrespect left him no choice but to stand firm.

Zhou Li sneered disdainfully. “Reckless riding? Harassment? Whom have I bullied?”

Lin Qiye stepped forward and declared, “You injured us with your reckless riding, forcing us to defend ourselves. If you refuse to admit your wrongdoing, you’ll surely regret it. Do not think that your overwhelming power grants you the right to act unrestrainedly. Excessive wrongdoing brings inevitable downfall. The more arrogant you are now, the more miserable your future will be.”

Zhou Li’s expression was mocking. “You’re both as good as dead today—mark my words.”

Just then, a richly dressed elder strode into the county office, his sharp gaze immediately falling on the injured Zhou Li.

“Young Master!” the elder called out. Upon seeing Zhou Li’s injuries, his face darkened. “Who dared harm our young master?”

Zhou Li, struggling to stand, weakly pointed at Lin Qiye and Xu Qian. “It’s them! Kill them both!”

The elder’s aura surged, oppressive and menacing. “Daring to harm our young master—prepare to die!”

Ignoring Magistrate Zhu’s protests, the elder’s figure blurred, rushing toward Lin Qiye and Xu Qian like a phantom. Magistrate Zhu’s face went pale as he shouted, “Reckless old man! How dare you attempt violence within the county office of Chang Le? This is no place for your insolence!”

However, the elder disregarded the warning entirely. Lin Qiye, quick to react, signalled Xu Qian to retreat. He took a deep breath, channeling his inner energy, and with a sharp cry, unleashed the “Mighty River Sword Intent.”

A torrent of sword energy, vast and relentless like a surging river, swept towards the elder. The overwhelming force left the elder momentarily stunned, forcing him to muster all his strength to withstand the assault.

Even so, he staggered back repeatedly, his face ashen and a trickle of blood seeping from his mouth. The sight left everyone present speechless—who could have imagined a seemingly young martial artist could force a Spirit-Refining expert into retreat, even causing injury?

Lin Qiye’s sword intent, grand and unyielding like a mighty river, left everyone present in stunned silence.