Chapter Seventeen: The Moon in the Water

County Magistrate Hu Tu was, in truth, far from muddleheaded. He had merely listened to the report from the long-faced constable Li Si, who said two men outside claimed to have slain the wolves of Mount Falling Sunset and had come to collect the reward. Li Si further asserted these two were likely imposters, urging the magistrate to investigate thoroughly.

Zhao Laixi, hearing that Magistrate Hu also doubted them, was frightened and began to tremble. In his heart, he couldn't help but blame Xiao Ding, thinking, "If it weren't for you insisting on claiming the reward, none of this trouble would have happened. Had we taken the wolf to market, perhaps it would already be sold for silver, and we'd be on our way home. Now, without proof that this wolf is the one on the bounty, we might end up in jail!"

Xiao Ding frowned as he listened to Magistrate Hu. The only people who could testify for the wolf were Zhao Laixi and others from their village. If he named them as witnesses, the authorities would surely suspect collusion. What was he to do?

Suddenly, his eyes brightened with inspiration. If he could not provide evidence, neither could they prove the wolf was not from Mount Falling Sunset.

He clasped his hands respectfully and said, "Your Excellency, last night when I slew the wolf, besides my brother-in-law Zhao Laixi, more than ten villagers were with us—they can all bear witness. Yet if I were to name them, Your Excellency would suspect we had conspired beforehand. Therefore, I believe in your wisdom, your keen insight, your divine judgment; surely you will find a way to determine whether I am telling the truth."

He deftly shifted the burden onto Magistrate Hu!

If Magistrate Hu could not produce compelling evidence to prove Xiao Ding was lying, then he would fail to live up to his reputation for wisdom and discernment.

What a cunning move!

Magistrate Hu could not help but scrutinize Xiao Ding. He recalled that his companion claimed Xiao Ding had suffered a head injury and was somewhat simple-minded, but seeing him now—where was there any sign of foolishness? Clearly, this was a shrewd fellow.

After a moment's contemplation, Magistrate Hu said, "You two, recount in detail for this official the events of last night when you slew the wolf." He truly had no way to prove Xiao Ding was faking.

Xiao Ding and Zhao Laixi then described roughly what had transpired.

Magistrate Hu listened, pondered again, and said, "Brave Tian, remove your shirt and let this official examine your wounds."

Xiao Ding knew Magistrate Hu wanted to see if his injuries were indeed caused by the wolf. Without hesitation, he took off his jacket and even turned around a few times before the magistrate.

Upon seeing the wound on Xiao Ding’s back, Magistrate Hu was startled. Though the injury was beginning to heal, the exposed flesh and twisted skin were still shocking. Such a man of iron! To carry the wolf so far after suffering such wounds, behaving as if nothing had happened—how many in the world could accomplish such a feat?

"Very well, Brave Tian, you may dress," Magistrate Hu said. Having seen Xiao Ding's injuries, he was now largely convinced, but under Li Si's influence, he still wanted to see if there was direct proof that this wolf was the villain of Mount Falling Sunset.

"Where is the wolf you killed? Did you bring it with you?" Magistrate Hu asked.

"It's just outside, Your Excellency. Please come and see," Xiao Ding replied.

Magistrate Hu followed Xiao Ding and Zhao Laixi outside. When he beheld the enormous wolf lying on the ground, his belief in Xiao Ding grew stronger. His gaze, once cool and neutral, now held admiration and approval.

At this moment, Xiao Ding suddenly recalled something. Didn't Magistrate Hu send men to hunt those wolves? The three survivors must have seen this wolf!

He slapped his forehead, thinking himself truly foolish for only now realizing this.

"Brave Tian, do you have a headache?" Magistrate Hu asked, suspicious as he saw Xiao Ding smack his own head.

"Oh, no," Xiao Ding replied. "Your Excellency, I heard you dispatched men to hunt those wolves. Surely those who survived saw them—if you summon them to identify the wolf, you can verify my claim."

"Of course! Why didn't you mention this earlier? I should have thought of it myself," Magistrate Hu exclaimed, delighted, and ordered a servant, "Go, quickly invite Chief Constable Sun—oh, carry him here!"

A servant answered and went out.

"Brave men, please come inside with me for a further discussion," Magistrate Hu said to Xiao Ding and Zhao Laixi, now smiling warmly.

Back in the hall, Magistrate Hu was most courteous, ordering tea for the pair, inquiring about the livelihood of Falling Sunset Village, and asking about Xiao Ding’s family. In his mind, Xiao Ding was already the hero who slew the notorious wolf. To kill two such monstrous beasts single-handedly—surely this was a man of exceptional talent. If he could be put to use, he would make a splendid right-hand man.

As they spoke, a servant came to report that Chief Constable Sun had been invited—or rather, carried in.

Magistrate Hu led Xiao Ding and Zhao Laixi outside once more. At the entrance, a stretcher lay where Chief Constable Sun was prone, glaring furiously at the dead wolf. His right arm was but a stump, wrapped in bandages, and his right hip was flattened and swathed, clear evidence that the wolf had bitten off half of it.

Magistrate Hu approached and asked, "Chief Constable Sun, how are your injuries? Have they improved?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. I still need some time to recover," Sun replied.

"This time, I summoned you to identify whether this wolf is one of the two that attacked you in Mount Falling Sunset?"

"Not a doubt. This beast bit off my arm and my hip. I wish I could tear it apart and devour it alive," Sun said with a venomous glare.

"Look closely—are you certain?" Magistrate Hu pressed.

"Absolutely. Even if you burned it to ashes, I would not mistake it," Sun declared through clenched teeth.

"Very well, take Chief Constable Sun home to rest. Remember to bring him a piece of wolf meat when you butcher it," Magistrate Hu instructed. With the matter settled, he ordered his men to carry Sun away.

With the truth confirmed, Xiao Ding was overjoyed. He mentally calculated that two hundred taels of silver were now his, and began to plan how best to spend them.

Magistrate Hu's demeanor had now changed entirely. Smiling broadly, he looked at Xiao Ding and said, "Brave Tian is truly a youthful hero, able to wrestle wolves bare-handed—his prospects are boundless! Ha ha, ha ha!"

"Oh, not at all. I am but a humble villager with no great ambitions, Your Excellency flatters me," Xiao Ding replied, mimicking the magistrate’s tone, though he wondered why the matter of the reward had not yet been raised.

"You jest, Brave Tian. I see you are tall and strong, skilled in martial arts—a man of extraordinary ability. What are your plans for the future?" Magistrate Hu continued to smile, evading the topic.

"Your Excellency, I only wish to collect the reward and return to Falling Sunset Village. May I ask when I might receive the silver?" Xiao Ding prompted, seeing that Magistrate Hu had not mentioned it at all. He thought to himself, "When I first saw this magistrate, he seemed a gentle scholar, without much authority—I assumed he was upright and honest. Who would have thought he was such a sly old fox? Truly, appearances can be deceiving!"

"The reward? No hurry, no hurry..." Magistrate Hu replied.

What on earth was his scheme? Xiao Ding thought anxiously, "Is my reward destined to be nothing but a mirage?"