Chapter Thirty-One: We Must Survive

Upon hearing this, Zhang You’s eyes widened instantly.

"What?!"

The catastrophe he had been dreading had finally come to pass. Hearing the sound of battle cries drawing closer, Qiu Zhuo was immediately thrown into a panic. He shouted urgently, "Get up on the roof and take a look!"

The bailiffs hurriedly moved a ladder into place. Qiu Zhuo and Zhang You scrambled up to the rooftop. Looking out, they saw that the area outside the county magistrate’s office was packed with a dense, surging mass of people. Countless individuals were converging upon the office from every direction.

The main streets, which should have been under curfew with city defense troops patrolling, were now a different scene. The patrolling soldiers were already surrounded by the commoners, like a lone leaf in a vast ocean, on the verge of being swallowed whole.

Qiu Zhuo took one look and turned deathly pale. "How are there so many of them?"

Zhang You replied helplessly, "It’s the people from the towns and villages of the county; they’ve all flooded into the city. Even many people from neighboring counties have arrived."

Qiu Zhuo was livid. "Why weren't the city gates sealed earlier? What have you all been doing, letting so many people inside?"

Zhang You found it difficult to explain. Taiyang City had been locked down for so long that they had risked chaos if they didn't open the gates. Initially, opening them had been a way to appease the public, and it had gone smoothly at first. Who could have foreseen that after the "Great Worthy Teacher"—that sorcerer—was thrown into the prison, the number of people drawn by the news would reach such a staggering scale? Zhang You had intended to suggest taking action tonight, but he realized they were already a step too late.

Just then, a chorus of roars erupted into the night sky. The shouting of the commoners was deafening:

"We want to live!!!"
"We want to live!!!"
"We want to live!!!"

The sound was so overwhelming that it felt as if the very roof tiles were trembling. Outside the office, the crowd had begun to charge the defensive lines of the city troops. The usually imposing soldiers were now in a state of terror. Their lines were not firm; instead, they swayed, appearing ready to collapse at any moment. The entire office was packed so tightly by the crowd that even if they wanted to flee, there was no path left to escape.

In his panic, Qiu Zhuo lost his footing and tumbled off the roof.

"My Lord!" Zhang You lunged to catch him but grabbed only air.

Fortunately, the bailiffs guarding below reacted quickly and managed to break his fall. When Zhang You descended to reach his side, he saw Qiu Zhuo’s lips trembling.

"It’s over..." Qiu Zhuo whispered. "A popular uprising has been ignited. I’m finished..."

With so many people involved, it was clear that this situation could not be easily suppressed. Tonight would likely end in a bloodbath. Qiu Zhuo knew that if this were handled poorly, losing his position would be the least of his worries; his life was on the line. If the commoners didn't take it, the imperial court certainly would.

Zhang You urged him, "Magistrate, we still have one last option!" He pointed toward the direction of the prison.

Qiu Zhuo seemed to snap out of his stupor. "Yes, yes! We can't wait until tomorrow! We must go to the prison and see that sorcerer right now!"

The group immediately marched toward the jail.

The prison was dimly lit, relying solely on braziers after nightfall, casting long, murky shadows everywhere. When Qiu Zhuo and his men arrived, they were met with a sight that left them stunned: the jailers were all kneeling before a cell, listening to the man inside preach. Even the inmates in the neighboring cells were kneeling in devout silence.

As the magistrate's party approached, the jailers scrambled to their feet in terror, fearing punishment. Qiu Zhuo, however, strode directly to the cell where they had been kneeling.

He saw that the cell had been meticulously cleaned and furnished. The jailers had added several pieces of furniture, including a table, chairs, and even a comfortable bed. As for daily necessities, nothing was missing—there was plenty of fine food, meat, and good wine. It made one wonder if the prisoner was here to serve time or to enjoy a life of luxury.

The jailers hung their heads, not daring to breathe, but Qiu Zhuo was too preoccupied to care. He stared at the prisoner.

A young man sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, eyes slightly closed as if he were resting. Behind him stood a formidable-looking man, standing tall like a temple guardian. Qiu Zhuo didn't need to guess; these were the Great Worthy Teacher and the martial artist Miao Yuanzheng.

Just as Qiu Zhuo prepared to speak, the man in the cell, Liang Jin, opened his eyes. "Magistrate, you have come."

Qiu Zhuo froze. He sensed an intense confidence radiating from this so-called "sorcerer." It was as if the man had known all along that Qiu Zhuo would come to him, and perhaps, even knew exactly what the situation in Taiyang County had become.

Qiu Zhuo steadied himself and took a deep breath. "Everyone leave. I need to speak with the Great Worthy Teacher alone."

The order stunned everyone. For a magistrate to speak alone with a prisoner was a grave security risk. "My Lord—" Zhang You began, but Qiu Zhuo raised a hand to silence him. Zhang You had no choice but to wave the jailers and bailiffs away.

Liang Jin signaled to Miao Yuanzheng, "You go as well."

Miao Yuanzheng nodded and walked to the cell door. He gripped the iron chain that secured the bars and pulled with a sudden, sharp force. With a harsh, screeching sound, the sturdy chain was twisted out of shape and finally snapped apart.

The sight made everyone in Qiu Zhuo’s party gasp. They suddenly realized that Miao Yuanzheng was not merely the eighth-grade martial artist they had anticipated, but likely someone far more powerful. They also understood that the "sorcerer" was not being held by force—he was here by choice. If he wanted to leave, he could do so at any time. He had remained here simply for this very moment.

Miao Yuanzheng’s display of strength had completely cowed the officials. Zhang You worried that this would put the magistrate at a disadvantage in the coming negotiations, but he had no choice but to follow the others out. Even the inmates in the other cells were cleared away, ensuring the conversation would remain a secret.

The prison fell silent, leaving only Liang Jin and Qiu Zhuo.

Liang Jin gestured to the prayer mat before him. "Magistrate, please."

Qiu Zhuo stepped forward and sat down. As he looked up, he realized he had stepped into the cell himself. The hierarchy had shifted; they were no longer divided by the bars, but trapped together as equals.

A strained smile appeared on Qiu Zhuo’s face. "Great Worthy Teacher, let us have a proper talk..."