Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 49 Warrior
The wind blew gently, mixed with the sighs of everyone.

All the scattered officials stood in the courtyard, looking at the person lying on the ground.

At this moment, the person lying on the ground was the one who was sent by Zhang Li to patrol today.

He had just been sent back, still covered in blood and motionless.

His condition was even worse than the previous one. He was already dead when he was brought in.

Everyone gathered around him, their faces livid.

Some are worried, some are angry, and some are frightened.

There was something wrong in the way they looked at Zhang Li.

"Mr. Zhang! What the hell is going on?! This is the second person. Where did they go?!"

Someone couldn't help but speak.

The other people were also waiting for Zhang Li's explanation.

Zhang Li was terrified, and he murmured, "I don't know, I really don't know. Cao Gong asked me to send people to the patrol to take orders, I really didn't know it would be like this."

Everyone lowered their heads and said nothing.

This time, before Zhang Li could say anything, someone came to deal with the body.

No one looked at Zhang Li anymore, and no one asked any more questions.

Zhang Li stood there blankly, watching the crowd gradually disperse.

Unlike the closeness and respect of the past few days, at this moment, all he could feel was fear and resentment.

Zhang Li sat there in a daze, watching someone dragging the body away and looking at the blood on the ground.

Liu Taozi sat next to him again.

Zhang Li glanced at him with an extremely complicated look in his eyes.

"I really didn't hurt anyone. It's not me. I don't know."

Liu Taozi ignored him.

After everyone finished their meal, they went back to their rooms.

The original harmonious atmosphere disappeared at this moment, and the Personnel Office returned to its previous feeling.

A feeling of uneasiness hangs over everyone, unknown terror grows in their hearts, and the uncertain future of life and death brings a huge sense of oppression.

Zhang Li sat alone in the courtyard for a long time.

Unconsciously, the moon was already hanging in the sky. Zhang Li struggled to get up, and suddenly, he walked towards Taozi's house.

When he pushed open the door and walked into the room holding a candle, Tian Zili hurriedly sat up, but Taozi closed her eyes.

"I really didn't do anything to murder my colleagues."

"I don't know what happened. I just followed their instructions."

"I have worked diligently throughout my life and have never harmed anyone."

Liu Taozi suddenly opened her eyes. Zhang Li paused, so frightened that he almost dared not speak.

"I understand. Don't be afraid of me."

"If Cao asks you to send someone to the patrol area tomorrow, let me go."

After Liu Taozi finished speaking, she closed her eyes.

Zhang Li stood there in a daze for an unknown amount of time before turning around and leaving.

Standing in the courtyard, he subconsciously raised his head.

As night falls, the stars shine brightly, like countless pearls scattered on the black cloth, embroidering exquisite patterns on the fabric.

Zhang Li's pupils gradually dilated.

He seemed to be seeing the night for the first time.

"nice."

Cao Bogu sat among the pile of papers, flipping through the contents in his hands, his face full of fatigue.

He glanced at Zhang Li who was kneeling in front of him.

Originally, he looked down on this old official. Although this guy had experience, he was too timid. After so many years, he had not made any progress and was not capable of accomplishing anything great.

But now it seems that such a timid person is more suitable for promotion. He is very obedient and dare not resist. He is a perfect slave - a standard mud-legged peasant.

On the contrary, people like He Xingseng, who have seen the world and have someone to back them up, are not so obedient to me.

He opened his mouth and gave instructions for what needed to be done today.

"The city wall has been damaged. We need to send someone to check it out."

"We need a few people over there to help interrogate the thief."

When Cao Boju finished explaining his mission for the day, Zhang Li stood up and was about to bow to express his gratitude.

"Oh, by the way, send someone who can endure hardships to patrol around."

Zhang Li trembled all over and nodded.

When he returned to the Sanliyuan in a daze, everyone was already waiting for him. Unlike before, no one dared to look him in the eye. A few people looked at him with fear and uneasiness in their eyes.

They were all very scared.

Zhang Li spoke up, "Today we are mainly short of people for the city walls and prison cells."

He assigned tasks to everyone, and everyone just followed his orders without saying much.

The more they talked, the more nervous everyone became, especially those who had not been assigned any tasks.

"Don't worry, everyone. We don't need to send anyone to patrol the area. But Lord Cao needs someone to sort out the documents. Does anyone want to go?"

No one dared to laugh, but they all breathed a sigh of relief.

"I will go to Cao Gong's place by myself, and the rest of you can go to the county stable to serve as errand boy."

When Zhang Li finished speaking, everyone stood up and fled away.

Liu Taozi and Tian Zilie also stood up. Zhang Li looked at them, opened his mouth, but did not speak.

After everyone left, Zhang Li also left.

Walking in the county government office, he remained silent, with countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

He looked up and saw the patrol room in front of him. He could hear the voices of several people inside.

Zhang Li stood here for a long time. Finally, he pushed open the door and walked in.

"what's up?"

A tall young cavalry officer stopped him.

"Sanli, I have been ordered to find the patrol officers."

The riding official was stunned and looked up and down at the old official in front of him, "Oh, follow me." Zhang Li followed the man and left this place. Zhang Li was a little surprised to find that the destination was actually the backyard.

Generally speaking, only the county magistrate, the chancellor, the lieutenant, and the chief clerk are qualified to work here.

The mounted officer brought him here, without saying a word, motioned for him to stand here, then turned and left.

Zhang Li stood there, not daring to move.

He was trembling all over and sweat was pouring off his forehead.

I don't know how long he suffered, but finally, someone opened the inner door and dragged him in roughly.

The man was the county lieutenant's servant and looked ferocious.

"Let me tell you this. If you dare to hurt the head of the family in the slightest, your family, your friends, and everyone you know will all die!"

"No one can be left behind!"

"Be smart and have fun with the master! If you can make him happy, you will be rewarded!"

As the man spoke, he pushed Zhang Li into the lobby.

In the lobby, Gao Xun was wearing a black suit, a warrior crown, and holding a long sword. He was tall, and with such equipment, he looked really mighty and heroic.

When he saw Zhang Li, his eyes lit up and he waved the sword in his hand, making several beautiful sword flowers.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time! Come on!"

Zhang Li was so frightened that he became like a sieve.

"I, I, I."

"I don't know martial arts."

Seeing Zhang Li so nervous, Gao Xun laughed and said, "Don't be afraid. If you are not my opponent, we can fight to the limit. I won't hurt your life."

Before Zhang Li could say anything, the servant handed him a dagger.

Zhang Li couldn't hold the dagger firmly and it fell to the ground.

Gao Xun was furious, "Pick it up!"

Zhang Li hurriedly picked up the dagger and spoke again, "Mr. Gao, I am already over 60 years old and have never used a sword in my life."

Gao Xun shook his head. "Lian Po was still able to go on a campaign at the age of eighty, and Huang Zhong was still able to kill generals at the age of sixty. What does your age mean?"

"Then I. Then I"

"Come on, I will show mercy!"

Zhang Li knew that he had no room to refuse, so he nodded and said, "Okay."

"start!!"

cried the servant.

Zhang Li wisely dropped his dagger. Gao Xun shouted loudly and slashed at Zhang Li with the long sword in his hand.

"Pfft~"

The long sword chopped into Zhang Li's shoulder. Gao Xun pulled out the sword, and Zhang Li fell to the ground with a scream.

Gao Xun raised his sword again and chopped towards Zhang Li's head.

Zhang Li dodged hurriedly, quickly got up, and looked at the other party in horror, "Mr. Gao, I give up! I give up!"

Gao Xun screamed and rushed over with a sword in hand.

He swung his sword sideways again, cutting Zhang Li's clothes open and causing a sharp pain in his chest.

Zhang Li turned around and ran, and Gao Xun chased after him, slashing him with sword after sword. Zhang Li felt pain in his back.

"The Patriarch is invincible!!"

"The master is so brave!!"

"The master of the family is invincible in the world!!"

The servants cheered loudly until they were hoarse.

Gao Xun became even more excited when he heard the shout. At this moment, Zhang Li, who was fleeing, suddenly stopped. Gao Xun bumped into him, and they both fell to the ground.

Gao Xun was furious, but Zhang Li held him tightly, so Gao Xun had to continue attacking with his fists.

Zhang Li was hit with punch after punch.

His consciousness was beginning to blur due to the bleeding.

What have I done in my life?
I can no longer remember my parents' faces.

I was captured and made an official here when I was young, and have lived here ever since.

Every day, I just live, try to live, but I am alive, what is the purpose of living?
Zhang Li suddenly hugged Gao Xun's neck, pushed him down, opened his mouth and bit his ear. As he shook his head violently, Gao Xun's ear was torn off.

"what!!!!!"

Gao Xun howled in pain, he pushed Zhang Li away and covered his ears in agony.

Zhang Li got up and picked up the dagger on the ground.

The servant roared angrily, "I will kill you."

Zhang Li swung his dagger, cutting the servant's face open. Half of his face drooped down, and he screamed and turned and ran away.

Zhang Li staggered and looked at Gao Xun.

“It hurts!! It hurts!!”

Gao Xun covered his ears and burst into tears. Zhang Li staggered to him and swung his long sword suddenly, while the dagger hit Gao Xun's shoulder.

Gao Xun jumped up with a scream, turned around and ran.

Zhang Li chased after him, swinging his sword repeatedly, but always missing. Gao Xun stumbled and fell on the steps. Zhang Li caught up with him and swung his sword again at his face. Gao Xun tried to block with his hand, but his wrist was chopped off.

"Mom~~~~"

"help me!!!"

The servant covered his face and led a group of fully armed servants into the yard with weapons in hand.

At the door, Zhang Li was swinging the sword in his hand vigorously again and again, his movements were stiff and sluggish.

He just chopped the pile of meat in front of him.

He raised his head and looked at the many servants.

"Roar~~~~"

He let out a dull roar, blood spurting out of his mouth.

There he stood.

Already an evil ghost.

(End of this chapter)