Chapter 166: West Ridge Village

Chapter 166: West Ridge Village

Mo Jiuya was not oblivious to Peng Wang's intentions.

However, he truly had no intention of giving in to such a county magistrate.

"I request County Magistrate Cui to handle official business impartially," he said.

This was the first time County Magistrate Cui had encountered a convicted criminal who held him in such low regard.

Were it not for his subordinate's timely reminder that his actions might indeed be exposed by these people, he would have certainly punished them severely.

Since these individuals refused to let him have peace, then neither of them would have an easy time.

He used Peng Wang's words as a way to save face.

"Peng Wang has pleaded on your behalf, so how could this official neglect his honor? Come here..."

Two bailiffs promptly stepped forward and bowed, "At your service."

Cui County Magistrate continued his instructions, "The Mo family should be assigned to Xiling Village. I'm sure the villagers there will welcome them warmly."

All present could discern the schadenfreude in Cui Xiancheng's tone.

It was self-evident that West Ridge Village was no place to look forward to. County Councillor Cui was deliberately making things difficult for the Mo family.

For Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran, it mattered not where they went.

Especially for He Zhiran, with her spatial ability aiding in deception, she could ensure a prosperous life for her family wherever they went.

Mo Jiuya had no reason to worry, with both him and Eighth Elder Brother around, the safety of his family was assured.

Days are shaped by human efforts; as long as one is willing to strive, any adverse circumstances could be turned around through hard work.

The two officials in charge of escorting the Mo family to Xiling Village exchanged glances, both wearing a look of anticipation for an entertaining spectacle. With a half-smile, they invited the Mo family, "Come along with us!"

Seeing this, Peng Wang stepped forward and said, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen, I have some words to share with them."

The officials showed respect to Peng Wang and, after leading the Mo family out of the house, did not depart immediately.

Peng Wang approached Mo Jiuya with a tinge of frustration.

"Peng Brother, it's not that I'm blaming you, but at this crucial moment, why can't you just hold back for a while?

Do you have any idea what kind of place West Ridge Village is?"

Mo Jiuya didn't regret his actions, but he was still curious about the situation in West Ridge Village.

"Big Brother Peng, what's so special about West Ridge Village?"

Peng Wang had sent convicts there several times a year, so he was well acquainted with the village.

However, both the county magistrate and Cui, the assistant magistrate, would only send the most stubborn criminals to West Ridge Village unless absolutely necessary.

It had been three or four years since he last saw a convict being assigned there.

Sighing, he said, "They say West Ridge Village is right on the border. The barbarians only need to cross a mountain to reach it. Lately, there haven't been many reports of them causing trouble, but in previous years, when winter came and they were short of food, some would sneak over to plunder."

The first to suffer would be West Ridge Village. Not only that, it was rumored that the village had a clan-like structure, with its village head relying on his numerous relatives to look down upon outsiders.

Anyone assigned to live in West Ridge Village couldn't stay for more than a year. They either got intimidated by the barbarians or were squeezed out of survival by the village head and villagers."

Mo Jiuya knew Peng Wang was worried about them, but the situation had already reached this point. It was impossible for him to curry favor with such a despicable county magistrate just to solve their living arrangements.

"I appreciate your advance warning, Brother Peng. I'll deal with the situation when we get there."

Mo Chuhan also spoke up, "A mere bunch of barbarians can't cause much trouble. So what if they exclude outsiders? Are their fists harder than mine?"

Peng Wang looked at Mo Chuhan.

Although he had mostly interacted with Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran from the Mo family, he wasn't entirely unfamiliar with the Eighth Master.

Who in the capital didn't know that this man was the strongest warrior in the Mo family?

Since he had a strong fist, Peng Wang had nothing more to say. In any case, he had done what he could.

"Then, as your elder brother, I have nothing else to worry about."

If it were in the past, Peng Wang would have handed the prisoner over to the local officials, completed the paperwork, and left without any concern for where the individual would be assigned.

But today, if not for his worry that the Mo family might face difficulties from County Councillor Cui, he would have left long ago.

Now that the allocation of the Mo family members was settled, there was no need for him to stay any longer.

After bidding farewell to Mo Jiuya and the others once more, he called for his subordinates and they all left together.

As Zhou Laoba was leaving, he couldn't help but give He Zhiran a lingering glance...

In the room.

County Councillor Cui was unaware that the Fang and Xie families stood united with the Mo family.

Based on his experience, there weren't many people like the Mo family who didn't know how to read the situation; he might encounter such individuals only once every few years.

Especially since he had just ordered the Mo family to be sent to West Ridge Village for settlement, he assumed that the Fang and Xie families would take this as a lesson.

Unexpectedly, when he asked for benefits from both families, they reacted similarly to the Mo family.

Frustrated, County Councillor Cui assigned the Fang and Xie families to West Ridge Village as well.

Typically, after County Councillor Cui determined the convicts' destinations, he would have them wait in the yard until their new registrations were processed before they could leave.

But this time, the families had truly angered him. He didn't immediately help them with the registration process, instead using the absence of the county magistrate as an excuse to postpone it.

As a result, the Mo, Fang, and Xie families all became unregistered residents.

The issuance of their registrations would now depend on his mood.

All these families had once held official positions in the imperial court; they couldn't accept being without legal status. In theory, they shouldn't be able to leave City Yun without proper registration, but the lack of one wouldn't matter much while they were there.

However, in West Ridge Village, they wouldn't receive decent housing or free land. Under such circumstances, they would need to purchase property and land on their own. How could they transfer ownership without proper registration?

Mo Chuhan was the first to return to the house, followed closely by Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran. Fang Chuanzhou and Xie Tianhai also stepped forward to represent their respective families.

Cui County Magistrate was just about to depart to meet his newly acquired beauties when he saw the door being forcefully pushed open from outside.

The bailiffs promptly rushed to intercept at the entrance.

"How dare you! What crime have you committed for startling County Magistrate Cui?"

Mo Chuhan appeared somewhat slender on the surface, but that was merely an illusion; physically, he felt no different from before.

He raised a hand nonchalantly, effortlessly pushing the obstructing bailiff aside before striding into the room.

The bailiff was no fool. From the way he had been effortlessly brushed aside without any resistance, he could tell that this person was skilled in martial arts.

Moreover, the man seemed enraged. If he were to approach again, it might not end with just being pushed aside.

Therefore, the bailiff refrained from advancing and instead stood by the side, sternly warning:

"Stay where you are, all of you! Do not disturb County Magistrate Cui."