One day, Young Master Ni, a gentry from the countryside, beat his fellow townsman Li Shancai to death, merely to steal a family heirloom Treasure Sword from him.
Lu Zizhan stood up for his friend, gathering evidence and filing a complaint against Young Master Ni at the Government Office.
The County Magistrate was a slippery official who, having accepted bribes and heard Landlord Ni claim an old acquaintance with Lord Prefect Gong of the Jin Sect, repeatedly advised Lu Zizhan to drop the appeal.
"Mr. Lu, you are a promising young scholar. Why offend the powerful Ni family for a mere dead man? Why not withdraw your complaint, and I will ensure the Ni family compensates you generously with silver coins?"
Seeing Lu Zizhan unmoved, the County Magistrate slammed the table and threatened: "The Ni family is mighty, and Lord Prefect is an old friend of theirs! If you do not grasp the situation, beware of ruining your future, inviting calamity upon yourself!"