Chapter 59: That Is A Mirror

Zhao Baili had killed someone, which immediately made the women scream. People from the front yard rushed into the back yard and, seeing Zhao Baili covered in blood and with a stiff face, were all stunned. Some opportunists promptly reported it to the authorities.

Yanggu County’s administration was quite efficient. When they saw Zhao Baili had killed someone, the head constable hurriedly took him away. His Excellency the Magistrate took his seat. The case was clear. No lengthy interrogation was needed. It was a killing born of passion arising from a quarrel between Zhao Baili and the head monk.

According to the laws of Great Qian, one who kills must forfeit his life. Zhao Baili was sentenced to be beheaded, to be carried out the next day. At that moment the Deputy Judge of Xuzhou, Lord Wang, sent people to make a request: could the matter be forgiven and Zhao Baili be spared?

Deputy Judge Wang belonged to the governor-general’s faction. The governor-general was a military official overseeing the military affairs of an entire province, ranking above the provincial governor. The provincial governor, however, was the chief civil official managing provincial administration and supervising prefects and county magistrates. Historically, the Xuzhou provincial governor and the governor-general did not get along, and county magistrates belonged to the provincial governor’s faction.

Therefore, the deputy judge from the governor-general’s faction was ignored by the county magistrate of Yanggu County, who directly rejected the request and upheld the original verdict. That was how Li Chaosheng came to chop Zhao Baili with a knife.

After reading through Zhao Baili’s life story, Li Chaosheng felt as if he had watched a 3D immersive movie, indescribably exhilarating. It was a pity there were no chips or cola, otherwise Li Chaosheng could have stayed home and binge-watched for a week.

Killing earned a reward, and he could also watch movies in his leisure time. What a delightful life this was, so comfortable.

When the movie was almost over, Li Chaosheng got up, returned to his room and took a half-hour nap. Then, under the afternoon sun, he began practicing martial arts to train his body. The Witch Body-Refinement Techniques ran wildly. He practiced the entire afternoon. By sunset, Li Chaosheng was drenched in sweat. He reached into the well for cool water and, not minding the chill, poured it over his head. It was chilling through to the bones, with a splash, and it felt truly refreshing.

After Li Chaosheng wiped himself with the well water, changed into a clean set of clothes, and stepped out of the yard, he went to a nearby tavern to eat. Li Chaosheng was not short of money now, so he ordered a fine table of food and drank by himself.

He thought that after training tomorrow morning he could buy some things and go to Wang Er’s house to visit Old Master Fan. That vicious wolf had bitten Old Master Fan’s backside badly. That big bite of flesh must have been hard for the old man to endure.

Li Chaosheng had originally planned to go this afternoon, but after watching the movie and practicing martial arts it was already evening. This era was not like the modern era with so many conveniences where visiting a sick person could be done at any time.

People of this era were particular and adhered to strict customs. According to custom, one should not visit patients in the afternoon or evening, especially elderly patients. That time was usually reserved for memorials of the recently deceased. Visiting a patient at that hour was almost like cursing them to die.

Born in this era, Li Chaosheng could not go against the times. He had to follow the old rituals of this age.

After Li Chaosheng finished his meal and was full, with time to spare he strolled alone to a nearby teahouse. To his surprise the teahouse was packed. Many who could not afford to enter squatted by the wall or pressed against the door to peek inside.

Curious, Li Chaosheng stepped closer and peered inside, only to find a storyteller telling a tale.

“Hey, buddy, this crack in the door is our spot. Please give us some room,” said the two little beggars to Li Chaosheng, their eyes predatory as if Li Chaosheng had taken their prized seat.

Li Chaosheng was peering through the crack when he saw the two small beggars speak to Li Chaosheng, their gazes full of greed, evidently believing Li Chaosheng had occupied their best spot.

Li Chaosheng looked at the two dirty little beggars and smiled, “This is your spot, my apologies. I’ll leave right away. By the way, could you tell me what story they’re telling inside?”

“Oh, you do not know yet? Inside is Mr. Guo’s ‘The Ugly Empress.’ It says a fairy descended to save humanity but was reborn into the wrong womb, becoming a yaksha born into the Zhongli family, named Zhong Lichun. Later she married King Xuan of Qi of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period, becoming the queen mother…”

The little beggar became more and more excited, spitting as he spoke. Li Chaosheng chuckled, he had not expected that segment. He glanced through the crack and saw the storyteller inside. The man was short, his skin dark, but his eyes were bright and his speech witty and humorous, carrying an air of mastery.

“Hey, hey, why are you even freeloading on our storytelling? Will you give up that spot for us or not?” the two little beggars demanded angrily.

Li Chaosheng smiled and said, “Don’t be anxious, don’t be anxious. It’s yours, it’s yours.”

With that, Li Chaosheng pushed the door and entered the teahouse.

The teahouse was crowded and noisy with no empty seats. As Li Chaosheng entered, the staff were nearly entranced by the storytelling. When they saw someone arrive they finally came to, saying, “Sorry, sorry, there are no seats, no seats… um, you are…”

The waiter was about to ask him to leave, but saw Li Chaosheng take out two pieces of broken silver and toss it to him. Seeing the money, the waiter’s eyes lit up and his attitude immediately became respectful.

“Find me a seat and bring some tea,” Li Chaosheng ordered.

“All right, sir. Please wait a moment,” the waiter replied.

The waiter hurried to tell the owner and pointed to the two pieces of silver in his hand. The owner nodded and rose to address Li Chaosheng, “Sir, I really do not have enough seats here, but there is an empty seat at the counter. Would you be willing to sit there?”

“Yes.”

Along with the owner, Li Chaosheng went to the counter. This really was quite a decent spot, the area was large and set with teas and snacks. Li Chaosheng sat there, and the owner sat in the waiter’s place. The waiter had to stand.

Li Chaosheng beckoned, and the waiter hurried over, “Your orders, sir?”

Li Chaosheng took out more money and said, “Add two cups of tea and some snacks and bring them to the two little beggars at the door. Tell them that I’m the guy who just occupied their spot and wants to treat them to some tea.”

“Ah, sir, you will treat two beggars to tea?” the waiter asked in bewilderment.

Li Chaosheng said, “Bring them the tea. This money is extra, consider it payment for the cups.”

Teacups used by beggars could not be reused in the teahouse. This was not about discrimination, it was practical: if cups used by beggars were brought back out to customers, the customers would feel disgusted and business would suffer.

Li Chaosheng sipped his tea and began listening to the tale. The storyteller said: It was said that a foreign state presented tribute to King Xuan of Qi, covered by a large red cloth. King Xuan, accompanied by Queen Mother Zhong Lichun, came to the main hall. The Queen Mother asked the foreign envoy, “What gifts have you brought?”

The foreign envoy replied, “Your Majesty, please take a look. They are covered under this red cloth.”

“Really? Let me take a look,” the Queen Mother said.

The Queen Mother descended the steps and stood before the red cloth. When the envoy lifted the cloth, the Queen Mother froze and for a long while cried out, “Monster, there is a monster!”

At that moment someone beside her shouted, “Your Majesty, a mirror, a mirror, that is a mirror.”