28 Let Us Reason This Ou (1/2)

Tilting his body to the side was his first attempt to avoid the attack; if he failed to evade the strike, he could still prevent it from inflicting damage on his vital parts; finally, he could use his arms, thighs, buttocks, or any less critical and less lethal body parts to block incoming blades or hidden weapons.

The single step backward was to ensure his safety while glancing towards the side and rear was to position himself correctly - if the attack that had seemed to originate from the front was but a ruse to divert his attention, the real assault would come from either the back or side.

While his torso automatically shifted into a defensive stance, his hand had already gripped the saber hilt, ready to distribute his body weight to prepare for a merciless attack.

These were all Yun Yang’s spontaneous reflexes from waging war in innumerable battles!

It was only until he straightened up did he realize that the person thrown out was a one-armed man; blood spewed on the street as the man twitched in a fit, trying his best to pick himself up with his single left hand.

Yun Yang frowned and peered upwards above the door. The crimson painted plaque that rested there was emblazoned with four large words – “Residence of Halcyon Marquis”.

“Residence of Halcyon Marquis…” Yun Yang immediately began to recite quietly in his heart, “Halcyon Marquis, Xie Wuyuan; Deputy Minister of the Board of War and a civil official; his father-in-law is Grand Tutor Liu Wei of the present dynasty; he used to serve as an ordinary officer but had leaped straight to being the Board of War’s Deputy Minister due to stellar performance and exemplary achievements in the military field.”

There was no doubt regarding the authority that was present here. However, despite rapidly climbing the ranks with the salutations of warriors and generals, in addition to receiving a military marquis title from the Imperial Court and serving as an official of the Board of War, Yun Yang had no love lost for those that served in the military.

Since time immemorial, the civil sector and the military had always been at odds! It was the same as in the imperial courts, but there was only a handful who dared to declare their allegiances as openly as Sir Xie.

“Sir Xie!” The man had obviously fallen down hard; blood oozed from both his nose and mouth. He seemed to only have raised his guard as he shouted, “This lowly one1 stands wrongly accused! We’re both militants of this nation, why do you seek to drive me away?”

Both militants of the nation? Yun Yang frowned. As if in response to the man’s proclamation, three figures slowly stepped out from the building, a man, and his two guards. Descending the staircase, the man had his arms behind him as he pursed his lips and spoke while watching the man on the ground, “Chen San, I was kind and benevolent enough to grant you this chance, yet you squander it by stealing from your workplace. I have already shown mercy by awarding you a pardon, seeing as to how you have served in the army before. Now, leave quickly unless you wish to die!”

Chen San got to his feet with great difficulty, “Young master have mercy, please allow this lowly one’s wife to return with me. Please be wise, Sir Xie be wise, this lowly one has always lived an upright life and has never done anything deceitful. This lowly one is being wrongly accused!”

“Scram!” Young Master Xie glared, “You say you have been wrongly accused? Do you deny that the jade pendant was found on your person?”

Chen San replied with despair, “Somebody must have framed me! Young master, young master please judge wisely!”

Young Master Xie smirked, “Of all people, somebody chose to frame you? Is it because of your striking looks?”

Chen San’s hopes began to shatter as hissed, “Even if it was this lowly one’s doing, it does not concern this lowly one’s wife! This lowly one is willing to accept the punishment, young master, please let my wife go!”

“Chase him out!” Young Master Xie commanded, disregarding what the wretch had said, “If he utters any more nonsense, send him straight to the courts!”

“Young Master Xie!” Chen San shouted in grief, “This lowly one has long known that you are charmed by my wife’s beauty! However, one should have some shred of conscience! Where is yours, that you accuse me of theft?”

Young Master Xie’s expression darkened; he issued his orders without a further glance at the man and turned to head back inside.

Chen San attempted to push past the guards. “Let my wife go!”

The two sentries adamantly blocked his way. “Chen San, cease your rantings and attempts to despoil a man’s good name. Any more words from you, and we can’t save you from the courts!”

Chen San’s lips trembled. ”But… my wife… my wife…”

One of the guards threw a solid punch straight into his face, sending blood splattering everywhere. “What about your wife? Begone!”

Chen San fell writhing to the ground and let out a hopeless cry. “God! Is there anywhere else in this world that is reasonable? Is this not Tiantang City, under the watch of the Emperor?”

Passersby stayed far away; they skirted the scene by walking along the walls, even as they threw sympathetic gazes over at the unfortunate man.

“This Chen San… The Residence of Halcyon Marquis is beyond his abilities to offend.”

“He hasn’t done too badly… He came out alive, didn’t he?”

“Sigh, if he continues to keep up with his rantings, he’ll be lucky to keep his life!”

“A woman will be the death of him yet.”

These people were indeed omniscient; they knew the whole story by just listening in on a simple conversation. Yet who would dare speak a word against the influential Residence of Halcyon Marquis?

Yun Yang pulled a long face and walked over. The guards, who saw his approach, cocked back a fist, ready to let loose at this unwanted irritation.

Thud!

He blocked the other guard’s punch precisely with his extended arm as his other hand was already pulling Chen San up. “Veteran? What has happened here?”

Chen San’s face dribbled with both blood and tears. “Yes, yes... Handicapped from the war at Yangwu Fortress four years ago… Young master, who are you?”

Yun Yang repeated his question gently, “What’s going on?”

Before Chen San could reply, both guards had surrounded him, menace clear in their eyes. “Fool, don’t poke your nose into another man’s affairs!”

Yun Yang did not even bother to turn his head, but his legs were already moving in response.

With two heavy thuds, both guards lay sprawled on the ground, breathless from his kicks. He moved his left leg back and propped both of his feet perfectly against each of the guard’s chests.

The two guards felt like the weight of a mountain had landed upon them as they struggled to breathe. Their eyes felt as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. They struggled violently but to no avail.

Chen San wiped the blood on his face as he explained his grievances, “A month ago, Young Master Xie sent his men to me, inviting me to be one of the residence’s guards and for my wife to perform some sewing. We were unable to say no to the salary; it was enough to cover our expenses and have some spare change. I was of the impression that Young Master Xie sympathized with our lives and specifically given us jobs out of generosity. We were unprepared for what would happen next…”

“Just as I finished my duty today, the young master found his missing jade pendant under my bed… This is an absolutely false accusation…”