C17 The First Lesson of the Captor If You Have Never Bullied a Person You Are Not an Eagle or a Dog

Jia Jiucheng inquired, "What about the two girls from the Du Family Courtyard?"

Xiao Pozi stammered, "I... saw... the... two... young... ladies... from... the... Xie... family... so... beautiful... like... flowers, and... I... was... overcome... with... lust. On the fourth day of the third month in the year of Yuanhe, under the cover of night, I snuck into the Xie family's home... tied up the two women with rope, and... I... first... assaulted... them... then... killed... them. I... deserve... death... for... my... crimes. I... admit... my... guilt!"

Jia Jiucheng was at a loss for words, thinking to himself, "I was asking about the two girls from the Du Family Courtyard."

He discreetly pulled a few people out of the interrogation room and asked those outside, "Worker Zhang, fellow senior brothers and sisters, have you noticed anything amiss?"

Zhu Yeqing responded, "Not at all. Everything seems normal. Every word checks out!"

Jia Jiucheng observed, "He recounted it three times, without a single error, as if he had memorized it. When a normal person recalls their own actions, there's usually some inconsistency or additional detail, but his story is exactly the same each time. If he didn't commit the act himself, then this isn't something he came up with on the spot. It's either deeply ingrained in his memory or something he was coached to say during interrogation."

"What are you implying? That we coached him?" Zhu Yeqing, infuriated, lunged at Jia Jiucheng, but Worker Zhang and the others quickly intervened.

Jia Jiucheng pressed on, "You still don't believe it? Do you want to keep questioning him? He knows nothing about the incident at the Du Family Courtyard in the southern part of the city."

Worker Zhang queried, "What happened at the Du Family Courtyard?"

Jia Jiucheng explained, "We were just getting to that. Second senior sister is ready to fill you in."

Second senior sister, Xiao Shaomei, revealed, "My investigations show that about ten days ago, two women were killed at the Du Family Courtyard, using the same method—assaulted first, then murdered. Afterwards, pebbles were found stuffed in the victims, which likely indicates that the same killer is responsible. This points to a serial case involving a perverse murderer, Bian Taisemo. The pebbles stuffed in the victims were probably the killer's way of keeping track of his crimes."

Worker Zhang inquired, "When did this incident occur?"

Xiao Shaomei replied, "The bodies were discarded on the evening of February 23rd in an unnamed cave to the north of the village."

Worker Zhang remarked, "Yet we've heard nothing of this. No reports have reached the yamen!"

Xiao Shaomei explained, "They didn't want to make a big deal out of it. They feared that if the issue were to escalate, the government would pursue it relentlessly, potentially disrupting their future lives."

Jia Jiucheng observed, "That's just how some people are, passively accepting their reality. Aren't we, as Captors, supposed to assist them?"

"I must question Xiao Pozi again. He confessed, and I trust my own eyes," declared Worker Zhang.

"Exactly, let's question him again," Zhu Yeqing urged, leading the group back into the interrogation room to further question Xiao Pozi.

Jia Jiucheng realized his words were unlikely to sway them. Changing someone's selfishness, a tradition, or the deep-seated arrogance and prejudice is one of life's greatest challenges. These are ingrained traits, etched into the core of a person's being.

Thus, Jia Jiucheng proactively asked, "Isn't it clear to you yet? Xiao Pozi, I'm asking you, were you responsible for the crime involving the second daughter of the Du family?"

Xiao Pozi confessed, "Yes, I am guilty!"

Jia Jiucheng pressed on, "Then tell me their names. Where did they reside in the Du Family Courtyard? When did you act? Where did you dispose of the bodies?"

Xiao Pozi stammered, "Uh…"

"You don't know, do you? Senior Sister, please enlighten us," Jia Jiucheng said.

Xiao Shaomei nodded and recounted, "The first victim was named Du Hongye, and the second, Du Lanxia. One lived at No. 039 in the northern part of the Du Family Courtyard, and the other at No. 147 in the southern part. They were killed on the night of February 23rd during the Heavy Years. Their bodies were left in an unnamed cave within the village, correct?"

Jia Jiucheng asked incredulously, "You have no idea?"

Xiao Pozi replied, "I do know. The first victim was named Du Hongye, the second Du Lanxia… Uh… The rest escapes me."

Jia Jiucheng remarked, "Can't quite recall the rest, huh?" It's quite common for people to remember only the beginning of a list.

Xiao Pozi, looking pleadingly at Xiao Shaomei, confessed, "I'm guilty. Please, no more beating. If you repeat it a few more times, I'll get it."

"Do you see? Do you understand? Actions like yours only bring suffering to the innocent, while the true criminals roam free, continuing their evil deeds and plaguing the people," Jia Jiucheng continued earnestly. "The evidence is clear. Surely you believe it now!"

Bamboo Leaf Qing scoffed, "You're just a kid. What could you possibly know?"

Geh Yuanliang added, "Exactly, it's not even a serial case. Just watch what we do and learn from that."

Worker Zhang announced, "We'll file our report and then go celebrate with a drink. Tomorrow, we'll take Xiao Pozi to the crime scene for identification. Once the procedure is complete, we'll collect our reward."

Jia Jiucheng realized then that their true motives were the reward, the clearance rate, the accolades, and the promotions. As long as they could secure their own comfort, they were content. Indeed, when do people ever look beyond their own self-interest?

"When one prospers, they should aid the world; when one is poor, they must first ensure their own well-being. I understand this is the common mindset. But how can officials, who may be poor, only look after themselves?" Jia Jiucheng challenged.

The others stared at Jia Jiucheng, taken aback. Bamboo Leaf Qing retorted, "Crazy talk, utterly nonsensical!"

"Don't you have any ideals, any thoughts, any spiritual aspirations? Don't you want to leave something meaningful behind?" Jia Jiucheng pressed on.

"In this life, I refuse to be carried along by the current. I aim to become the ideal version of myself," Jia Jiucheng declared. "I cannot partake in condemning the innocent."

Dawn broke over the southern outskirts of Dingyuan, the sunlight casting a clear glow. In the distance, the Southern Mountain Range's silhouette was crisply defined. With the arrival of spring, life was reawakening, and fresh buds were burgeoning on the branches.

Jia Jiucheng's team of five made their way along the road, surrounded by the vibrant reds and greens of nature, breathing in the fresh air.

Despite having gone to bed late the night before, everyone rose early the next morning. In ancient times, there was no system for clocking in, but they all understood the urgency of the case at hand. They quickly grabbed buns from a roadside vendor and headed to the yamen.

Worker Zhang, without uttering a second word, gestured for the group to follow him. He led them southward along the main road, not disclosing their destination, and no one inquired. Today, he intended to impart a crucial lesson to the newcomers: the true meaning of being a Captor and what it meant to be the imperial court's eagle dog. Without having demolished a house, overturned a stall, or oppressed the common folk, one could not claim the title of Captor.

Upon reaching a village, Worker Zhang halted and addressed his companions, "This is Sunny Wind Village. Today's task involves someone who has produced counterfeit medicine and refused to pay the fine. The deadline has passed, and we are commanded to enforce the law. Seize whatever you can. If there's nothing to take, then the house must be dismantled, and the wood sold to cover the debt!"

He then turned and fixed his gaze on Jia Jiucheng. "Yesterday, I sensed your reluctance to accept my authority. Now, I will teach you your first lesson. What does it mean to be a Captor, an 'eagle dog of the imperial court,' if you haven't demolished a commoner's house or upset their livelihood? You can't consider yourself a Captor, nor can you fancy yourself a good person. Today, everyone must take action. Those who don't will leave the yamen and return to farming!"

Jia Jiucheng realized that his words from the previous night had struck a chord with Worker Zhang, who was now seeking retribution.

Sunny Wind Village, nestled against the Southern Ridge with its overlapping mountains, was abundant in medicinal herbs. The villagers lived by the old adage: "Live off the land and the waters." From a young age, everyone was skilled in identifying herbs, and for generations, they had depended on harvesting and selling these herbs for their livelihood.

The surrounding villages looked on with envy at the prosperity of those involved in the medicinal trade here. The villagers were not destitute; in fact, many were quite wealthy. With simple desires for enough food, shelter, steady work, and a little extra money, the people of Sunny Wind Village led contented lives.

The people here have always lived in great happiness.

Jia Jiucheng surveyed the village, where the locals were already bustling about. Many elders had set up small stalls outside their homes, displaying a variety of medicinal herbs gathered from the surrounding mountains.

As the group entered the village, the sight of the Captors turned the villagers' faces ashen. They scattered in a frenzy, crying out, "The officials have come, they're back again!"

Jia Jiucheng hesitated at the thought of demolishing the homes and stalls of these commoners without just cause. Having traveled from the modern era, he believed in respecting human rights. He approached Worker Zhang with a respectful gesture and inquired, "May I ask, Worker Zhang, what crimes they have committed?"

"Selling counterfeit medicine!" declared Worker Zhang.

Relief washed over Jia Jiucheng. He found it difficult to justify destroying the property of innocent people, but dealing with those who peddled dangerous drugs was another matter. "So they're counterfeit drug dealers. If they're causing harm, they deserve to be punished. I'll handle it."

"No, their medicine is genuine, and it works remarkably well. Everyone who has used it speaks highly of its effectiveness, and they've never hurt anyone!" Worker Zhang replied with a knowing smile.

Jia Jiucheng pondered the situation. These farmers, living in the shadow of the green mountains and harvesting medicinal herbs for generations, were unlikely to jeopardize their livelihoods by selling harmful substances. How could anyone accuse them of fraud without cause?

What surprised Jia Jiucheng even more was Worker Zhang's intent to burden him with guilt, to leave a lasting mark on his conscience, and to teach him that being a Captor was not an honorable role.

It reminded him of his early days in society, filled with harsh realities that contrasted sharply with his education. The lessons from school seemed worlds apart from the actual practices he encountered.

Suddenly, a chime sounded... "The system has issued a new task. Side Line Mission 1 for Sunny Wind Village: Smash the house."

Mission Brief: House Demolition: The villagers have failed to pay their fines on time, leading to mandatory enforcement. Demolish five houses (currently 0 out of 5 completed), then sell the debris at a discounted rate to cover the fines. Execution of this task is required.

If you've never demolished a villager's home, never overturned a market stall, or never oppressed the common folk, can you truly consider yourself a Captor? Do you deserve to be called the Imperial Court's eagle or the ruler's enforcer? Understand that you are merely a Captor, an enforcer of the law. Frankly, you're an executioner, and as the Court's eagle, you have no leeway to haggle!

Demolish 20 houses to earn an extra reward.

Mission Success: Reward of 0 Justice Coins and 1000 gold coins.

Additional Reward: 1 Rage Bar (when full, it can be unleashed to increase attack speed and attack power by 100% each, lasting for 5 minutes).

Mission Failure: Revocation of Captor status and disqualification from the Super Captor System.

Description of the Rage Bar: To kill an enemy is to channel rage. Engaging in combat, risking life and death, without anger, one's strength wanes, and attacks falter. With a 100% increase in attack speed, coupled with the Combat Skill Power Accumulating Critical Hit that delivers 6 strikes in 3 seconds, unleashing the Rage Bar doubles the impact to 12 strikes. Can Ge Teng withstand such a blow? Vengeance is within reach.