Chapter 53: A Trap Set for Constable Zhang

Just now, the drum-beating clerk returned from outside, and seeing Constable Zhang’s door left open, with the wind relentlessly pounding against it, he hurried over to investigate. To his surprise, Magistrate Wang’s turtle was squatting beside the door, tilting its head to watch him.

“Bang, bang, bang!” The gavel thundered repeatedly as Magistrate Wang slammed his desk with manic force. Every constable and clerk in the hall was seized by terror; Zhang Jifeng sweated the most, beads streaming down his brow like rainwater hanging from a curtain.

“Who the devil has taken care of my turtle? Which bastard dares to keep it?!”

Constable Zhang bowed deeply. “Sir, with your wisdom, surely you wouldn’t speak of yourself in such a manner—”

Magistrate Wang’s eyes blazed like firecrackers. Zhang Jifeng had walked right into trouble, blatantly opposing him.

“Zhang Fool, are you saying you’ve found my turtle?”

Constable Zhang had long been disgusted by Wang Gemao’s sarcastic tone. Seeing the resentment in everyone’s faces, he seized the moment.

“Sir! All of us in the yamen work diligently, from dawn till dusk, never idle!”

Wang Gemao’s nostrils flared, his body leaned forward, one hand pressed against the desk, his face a mask of calm.

“No one cares for cats, dogs, or turtles. Everyone keeps the people’s concerns in their hearts; no one wastes time on useless trifles in the yamen!”

Useless? The Sea Guardian Turtle is useless? Wang Gemao was astonished by Zhang Jifeng’s boldness—his wings had grown strong!

Zhang Jifeng grew more animated, seeing the room fall silent, all awaiting his words, as if he were a leader guiding the ignorant masses toward truth.

“Yesterday, the constable you sent to guard the Sima residence fell ill again. That’s the third this month. What’s your purpose in keeping watch over an empty house? Everyone wonders—what secret lies there that cannot be revealed?”

At that moment, Zhang Jifeng abandoned the usual honorifics, addressing Wang Gemao directly, flouting protocol.

Magistrate Wang remained unfazed, suddenly wearing a benevolent expression. Every clerk and constable below quaked with fear; whenever Wang Gemao showed such a face, calamity was sure to follow.

“Zhang Fool, you must not know what happened years ago with the strange rains and the earthquake, and how disaster was averted.”

“Does it have something to do with that turtle?”

“Humph! The Divine Turtle turned over! Every time it spreads its limbs and flips, it’s a good omen, far more reliable than a bunch of useless layabouts!”

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what to make of Wang Gemao’s fevered state.

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“Given that, whoever dares take Magistrate Wang’s turtle must be courting death!” Zhang Jifeng laughed brazenly in the court, all expecting Wang Gemao to erupt in fury—but he did not.

“Report!” The drum-beating clerk hurried forward, cupping something in his hands, and knelt.

“Sir, the turtle has been found!”

Magistrate Wang motioned for the clerk to open his hands. The clerk revealed the turtle, flipped on its back, limbs splayed.

“Wonderful! Wonderful! The Divine Turtle is found, and it’s turned over with limbs outstretched!” Wang Gemao gleefully descended, took the turtle, and began to imitate a cat’s meow in jest.

The turtle ignored him, its eyes swiveling side to side, as Magistrate Wang cooed at it.

Zhang Jifeng looked around and saw that those who had shared his indignation now sighed in relief, as if disaster had passed—spineless, indeed.

Overjoyed, Magistrate Wang helped the kneeling clerk to his feet.

“You, you—are you Zhang Shorty?”

The clerk answered helplessly, “Sir, I’m Short Huang.”

“Excellent, excellent! Short Huang, tell me, where did you find it?”

Short Huang glanced nervously at Zhang Jifeng. At that moment, everyone’s gaze followed his to encircle Zhang Jifeng.

A sense of impending doom engulfed Zhang Jifeng, as if he stood in a sea of fire, countless eyes ready to devour him.

The biting wind howled as Zhang Jifeng stood, sword at his waist, bewildered before the Sima residence.

Yan Shan watched from the side, confirming Zhang Jifeng had indeed been posted to the Sima residence, then hurried to inform Luo Gan. Learning this, Liu Buwen swiftly set out for the Sima residence.

Alone in the wind, Zhang Jifeng’s face was etched with existential doubt. Liu Buwen draped a thick coat over him; Zhang Jifeng was unmoved. After more than ten seconds, he finally spoke slowly.

“Master Liu, what does it feel like when a man’s life is worth less than a beast’s?”

Liu Buwen naturally grasped his meaning and patted Zhang Jifeng’s shoulder.

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“A man less than a dog lives in vain. Constable Zhang, you serve the people tirelessly, guarding the Sima residence must be an important duty.”

“Important? What importance can an empty house have? The turtle, of all places, ended up in my room, nearly costing me my life!”

Liu Buwen feigned surprise, regarding the deathly pallor of Zhang Jifeng’s face—he looked as wilted as an old willow branch, devoid of his usual vigor.

“In that case, let me help you ease your burdens. A good constable serving the people shouldn’t be lost to despair.”

Humiliated beyond measure, Zhang Jifeng yearned for vindication, for justice repaid in kind.

“Are you serious, Master Liu? Do you have a plan?”

“Look, Magistrate Wang is so brazen only because he holds office. When Magistrate Sima was in charge, would such a scoundrel dare act thus? After Sima fell ill, he vanished without a trace—how strange. Yet Wang insists people take turns guarding the empty residence, so there must be some secret!”

Zhang Jifeng listened intently. As a constable, he was always on the move, and everyone avoided the Sima residence for its ill reputation. Even mentioning Magistrate Sima was considered unlucky. Wang Gemao seized the moment when Sima was ill to rise in office—it was indeed suspicious.

“That makes sense. Wang Gemao’s precautions aren’t against natural disasters, but to protect his career.”

Seeing Zhang Jifeng’s indignation, Liu Buwen grew more confident.

But Zhang Jifeng soon worried again. “I’ve heard the residence is strange, full of sinister energy. Even those who only guard outside fall ill. I fear—”

“To be honest, Constable Zhang, the man who taught here with me is actually a feng shui master, renowned in the martial world. Why not let him examine the Sima residence?”

“But entering the Sima residence is a punishable offense! My duty is—”

“Constable Zhang, in these upside-down times, when right and wrong are blurred, whose justice and duty are you upholding? That of the corrupt Magistrate Wang?”

The words struck Constable Zhang to the core—no one hated Wang Gemao more than he did now, and he wished to see him pay.

“Master Liu, I understand. Choose the time. Let’s investigate thoroughly tonight. I refuse to believe Wang Gemao has no weakness hidden inside that house!”