Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One-Chapter 35 - 31 Crafty and Wicked Officials Deceive the

Cen Zhen and Changqing laughed without answering, then respectfully said to Night Traveler, Muqiang Baoshan:

“Mu Qiang, these bandits intend to rob me of my wealth, I hope that you, as another servant of the Imperial Court, can save this official!”

“What? We want to rob you of your wealth?”

Li Ping’an was astonished.

“An official? From where?”

The Second-in-command exclaimed in surprise.

“This official? From which place?”

The Third-in-command asked, confused.

“…”

Facing the request of Cen Zhen and Changqing, Night Traveler, Muqiang Baoshan seemed as if he had heard nothing, silently watching Li Ping’an, the Second-in-command, the Third-in-command, and the other bandits.

“Mu Qiang, could it be that you have forgotten me? This official has hosted you in Wuxing Mountain County!”

Cen Zhen and Changqing pleaded again.

“Are the people gathered?”

Night Traveler, Muqiang Baoshan continued to speak as if to himself, his tone as lifeless as a walking corpse, showing no sign of consciousness.

“Hm?”

Cen Zhen and Changqing then realized there was something very wrong with Night Traveler, Muqiang Baoshan.

In just a few short days, even a fool like Muqiang Baoshan wouldn’t forget him, and it seemed as if he was being controlled by something, always talking to himself, his whole demeanor drastically changed—it was truly bizarre!

“Could it be that there really is a demon atop Five Fingers Peak? Has he been bewitched? To the point that he doesn’t even recognize this official?”

“Who exactly are you?”

Li Ping’an and all the bandits demanded sternly.

“I? Hahaha! I am naturally…”

Facing the demands of the bandits, Cen Zhen and Changqing showed no fear, his earlier timidity gone, about to proudly declare his identity.

“Ping’an, be careful!”

Behind Li Ping’an and the others, Zixia’s warning came.

“Master, have you finally returned? I thought you had…”

Just as Li Ping’an turned his head towards Zixia with great joy, Cen Zhen and Changqing suddenly made his move, pulling out a Wrist-Piercing Dagger from his sleeve and kidnapping Li Ping’an before anyone could react.

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“You fool! How did I instruct you? Don’t trust anyone! Idiot!”

Zixia leaped down beside Li Ping’an.

“Wuxing Mountain County Magistrate, what exactly do you want?”

“Wuxing Mountain County Magistrate?”

Li Ping’an as well as all the bandits were startled.

“Unexpected, isn’t it? I am indeed the Wuxing Mountain County Magistrate, Cen Changqing. However, to smoothly pass through Wuxing Mountain, I had no choice but to disguise myself and use the name Cen Zhen Changqing!”

Cen Changqing threatened and kept moving toward the carriage while holding Li Ping’an.

“Save the Gang Leader!”

The third-in-command ordered, but was stopped by Zixia.

“Master, what exactly is going on here?”

The hostage Li Ping’an still hadn’t figured out the situation!

“Disciple, what your men said is true. Over the years, all the evil deeds attributed to the Wuxing Mountain Axe Gang were actually carried out by underlings dispatched by Cen Changqing in disguise, exploiting your gang’s reputation!”

Zixia explained calmly, but her heart was more anxious than anyone else’s, fearing that Li Ping’an would be hurt in the slightest, which was also why she didn’t allow the bandits to rescue him.

“You old bastard! I’ve been suspicious of you for a long time, but I never imagined you would actually be the Wuxing Mountain County Magistrate!”

Li Ping’an, as if awakening from a dream, instantly understood everything!

“Hahahaha!”

Cen Changqing laughed smugly and shamelessly said:

“Supreme Treasure, is it not too late for you to understand now?”

“It looks like the so-called wife and daughter you spoke of were hired from a brothel, specifically to confuse the bandits of Wuxing Mountain, weren’t they?”

Li Ping’an asked sternly.

“Indeed! Although you bandits are imbeciles to the extreme, you still have your uses. I was worried that Night Traveler would kill all of you, which would make it difficult for me to continue using your notoriety to commit evil deeds in the future! Hahahaha!”

Cen Changqing responded confidently.

“So, does that mean the tens of thousands of taels of gold and silver in your chest were acquired by impersonating the Wuxing Mountain Axe Gang and robbing the local wealthy households over the years?”

“Not only that. I have been embezzling, increasing taxes, and extorting, squeezing out every last drop from those lowly commoners!”

“You beast! Aren’t you afraid the Imperial Court will find out?”

“The Imperial Court find out? Haha! The Emperor is far away and high above. Even if they know, what can they do? Look around the world; which official isn’t corrupt? The reason I unabashedly gathered this money is to bribe high-ranking Imperial Court officials, to ensure they promote me and transfer me away from this impoverished place of Wuxing Mountain County, so I can continue my corruption in wealthier cities!”

“Cen Changqing, you malicious savage. Seems like you’re quite pleased with yourself!”

Li Ping’an was so angry he ground his teeth, wishing he could kill this beast with his staff, but he was in no position to provoke Cen Changqing, lest a single blow could end his own life, a loss not worth the risk.

“Originally, I didn’t want to fall out with you, preferring to continue my disguise. But who asked your master to insist on investigating me? This is the fate you brought on yourselves!”

During the conversation, Cen Changqing had already returned to the carriage with Li Ping’an as his hostage.

“Lord Cen, since you are the Wuxing Mountain County Magistrate, you naturally know my identity as the head chief of the Five-Fingers Mountain Axe Gang. So why did you invite me to join you in entering Wuxing Mountain when you saw me at the entrance?”

Li Ping’an expressed his confusion.

“Supreme Treasure, how could a foolish and shameless bandit like you understand my ingenious plan?”

Cen Changqing gestured with a tilt of his head to Protector Wang and his subordinates to prepare to leave, then explained boastfully:

“When I first saw you, I thought you had led the Axe Gang to set up an ambush at the entrance of Wuxing Mountain. If you were putting on a show for me, then I had to go with the flow. I pretended to invite you into the same carriage, ‘inviting the gentleman into the urn.’ If your men attacked, I would use you as a hostage to protect myself!”

“But what I never expected was that your master turned out to be a Taoist Cultivator, likely making her more than a match for my man, Iron Staff Wang Lang. That’s why I didn’t act hastily, preferring to wait and see how things unfolded.”

“Just when I thought I might be robbed by your Axe Gang, I never imagined that you, a bandit known for every conceivable evil and shameless behavior, would lose your memory and turn over a new leaf, even trying to be a good person. It’s absolutely ridiculous. But your amnesia played right into my hands. Truly, fortune favors me!”

“Hahahaha!”

Cen Changqing’s mocking laughter echoed in everyone’s ears, strikingly grating.