Chapter 43: An Energy Refiner? A Rare Creature Indeed

The next day.

Early morning.

Lu Ge and Shen Dao stepped out and headed straight for the Public Justice Hall.

In front of the hall, the morning sun was just rising, yet a long queue had already formed at the entrance.

Lu Ge glanced over the crowd and counted at least several dozen people.

“Is business at the Public Justice Hall really this good?” Lu Ge asked, surprised.

Shen Dao stroked his beard thoughtfully. “The world is in chaos, people’s hearts have grown cold, and morality has vanished.”

“Naturally, all kinds of evils arise.”

“Where there is evil, there are victims seeking justice.”

“Those victims have no official recourse, and the law finds it hard to punish the wicked.”

“So, they have no choice but to come to the Public Justice Hall for help.”

“Of course, business is booming.”

Lu Ge nodded in understanding.

“Come on, let’s go inside and take a look.”

The two made their way toward the entrance, but before they could step in, they were stopped.

Those who blocked their way were not disciples of the Mohist sect guarding the hall, but the people waiting in line.

“Hey, everyone queues up in front of the Public Justice Hall. What do you think you’re doing?” A richly dressed man held out his hand to block Lu Ge and Shen Dao.

Others nearby quickly echoed his words.

Some wore tattered clothes, others simple coarse linen. At this moment, whether rich or poor, all stood united in the same line.

“Gentlemen,” Lu Ge cupped his hands and spoke.

“I am not here to seek justice at the Public Justice Hall, but on other business.”

A voice rose from the crowd, “No matter who you are, whether noble or humble, if you want to enter, you must queue up. That is the rule.”

“Exactly, queue up.”

“This young master, I advise you, don’t try to cut in line. Even if you get inside, the Public Justice Hall won’t listen to you.”

One voice after another chimed in.

Lu Ge realized then how much the Public Justice Hall was trusted by the people.

“I’m from out of town and didn’t know the rules. Thank you all for letting me know. I’ll queue up right away.”

He smiled warmly and took Shen Dao’s arm as they moved to the back of the line.

Shen Dao muttered under his breath, “Master, weren’t we here to cause trouble? Now we have to queue even for that?”

Lu Ge shot him a sharp look.

“Although Chu Mo and I have different stances, what they do is good.”

“Queuing is a good rule.”

“Since it’s a good rule, it must not be broken.”

The two took their place at the end of the line.

---

Lu Ge gazed at the signboard of the Public Justice Hall, a smile playing on his lips.

“Since we’re all queued up, I might as well tell them about the ambush I suffered.”

“Let’s see if they dare take my case.”

The sun climbed higher, and more people arrived to join the queue.

Shen Dao glanced back and chuckled, “Luckily, we left early. Otherwise, by the time it’s our turn, it might be dark already.”

Suddenly, a commotion broke out ahead.

Lu Ge and Shen Dao looked forward to see Mohist knights throwing out some would-be line-cutters.

Lu Ge patted his chest and said, “See? It’s good we heeded the advice.”

“Otherwise, we’d be the ones thrown out now.”

“Scary stuff.”

Shen Dao rolled his eyes and kept silent.

Some people, after failing to cut in line, began to harass those in front—mostly the ragged ones.

First, they tempted them with gold and silver; when refused, they resorted to threats.

But once threatened, a shout went up, and Mohist knights appeared to maintain order.

The line inched forward.

At last, it was Lu Ge’s turn.

At the end of the queue stood a counter.

Behind it, an elder scribbled swiftly with a brush on bamboo slips, recording the visitor’s information and requests.

(In the Shang Dynasty, brushes already existed, later refined by Meng Tian into the forms we recognize today.)

“Your name and purpose?” the elder asked without looking up.

“I am Lu Ge. A few days ago at the Ancient Zither Terrace, I was ambushed by dozens of people.”

“I do not care about the rest; I only ask the Public Justice Hall to eliminate one of them.”

“His name is Yu Peng.”

As Lu Ge finished speaking, the elder suddenly raised his head and fixed his gaze on him.

“What are you looking at?”

“Recording,” the elder replied.

“So?”

“Could it be you think the Public Justice Hall cannot handle this matter?”

Lu Ge raised an eyebrow. “Am I here to make trouble?”

“Don’t you know Yu Zi is a senior elder of the Mohist sect?”

Lu Ge smiled. “I do.”

“Otherwise, why would I come here today?”

“Your Mohist people ambushed me, trying to kill me. That is a fact.”

“I bear no grudge against the Mohists, but your actions have greatly wronged me.”

“So today, I come to the Public Justice Hall seeking justice.”

“Enough talk. Will you take this case or not?”

The elder’s face darkened as he put down his brush.

“I am but a record keeper here.”

“What you ask for is beyond my authority.”

“Please discuss it with the others.”

---

At that moment, swords flashed, flying straight toward Lu Ge’s face.

Within the blink of an eye, seven sharp blades hurtled at him.

Shen Dao quickly retreated to the side.

From the second floor, a Mohist knight’s fingers flickered continuously.

The seven swords were remotely controlled by him.

Yet, as the blades passed through Lu Ge’s body, the knight’s expression changed slightly.

Something was wrong.

There was no resistance from the body.

This man was clearly standing right there, yet seemed almost intangible.

Lu Ge glanced down at the swords swirling inside him, surprise flashing in his eyes.

Each sword had a silk thread tied to its hilt, extending upward, ending in the knight’s hand.

Such a skill, Lu Ge had only seen in novels or on screen.

What fascinated him most was that the silk threads seemed imbued with a strange power.

Ethereal and elusive, like smoke or mist.

Lu Ge had never seen such a force before.

But his intuition told him this was Qi.

He looked up at the knight and asked, “Are you a Qi Refiner?”

The knight was startled, his face grave, but did not answer.

From his reaction, Lu Ge was certain of his guess.

A Qi Refiner, indeed.

A rare breed.

He would have to study this carefully—maybe he could glean some supernatural skill from it.

Lu Ge casually reached out, and sword energy suddenly surged, severing the silk threads controlling the blades.

The seven swords fell powerless, unable to reach the ground.

The knight’s face showed horror. Without hesitation, he turned and fled.

His speed far surpassed that of ordinary men.

Leaping through a window, he ran along eaves and scaled walls like a wisp of smoke, covering a hundred yards in an instant.

“Where are you going?” came Lu Ge’s voice beside his ear.

Turning, the knight saw Lu Ge strolling calmly, as if on a leisurely walk.

No matter how fast he ran, Lu Ge followed like a shadow.

The knight’s heart sank.

This time, he was doomed.

Since escape was impossible, he chose not to run.

“Your divine skill surpasses mine,” he said, closing his eyes.

“I am no match. Do as you will—kill or maim.”

He accepted his fate.

Those who dare to roam the martial world do not expect a peaceful end.