The code was cracked?!
At that moment, Inspector Zhang almost wanted to dig in his ear to make sure it wasn’t blocked with wax.
In the Inspector’s plan, Zhou Min’s case was supposed to be obscure and difficult, with no leads other than the coded message. He was prepared for a prolonged investigation, even if it meant not returning to the capital before spring. He was determined to see the case through to the end.
However, he never expected that before the long battle could even begin, the evidence would be in hand. This meant the end of Zhou Min’s case and that the Yun Prefecture mission was nearing its conclusion.
It meant Yang Chuannan was finished.
Inspector Zhang took a deep breath, his eyes repeatedly scanning Xu Qi An, as if seeing him for the first time.
He had to admit that he had underestimated this young Bronze Gong. Despite the high regard Wei Gong held for Xu Qi An and the abilities he had demonstrated, which had already earned the Inspector’s utmost confidence, he now realized that he still didn’t fully understand the young man’s capabilities.
This youth was destined for greatness.
Perhaps due to the foundation laid by fifteen days of intense work, Jiang Liuzhong felt only satisfaction at the case’s progress, believing it to be within Xu Qi An’s range of abilities. He didn’t have a strong emotional reaction. Only one thought crossed his mind:
Xu Qi An truly has the makings of a Golden Gong.
To be precise, his potential as a Golden Gong had become even more secure. If it was previously a 50-50 chance, now it was 70-30.
Inspector Zhang composed himself, suppressing his inner joy and excitement. With a steady expression, he nodded: “Come with me.”
He led the way, leaving the others behind, entering the main hall, and going upstairs to his room.
Only Xu Qi An and Jiang Liuzhong followed.
“Do you have the evidence?”
Once Xu Qi An closed the door, the Inspector dropped his calm demeanor, staring intently, his expression barely concealing his excitement and anticipation.
Xu Qi An pulled the account book from his robes and handed it over.
Inspector Zhang eagerly accepted it but didn’t rush to open it. After taking a deep breath and composing himself, he began to read the account book.
“Shocking, truly shocking… Such an enormous sum. Yang Chuannan deserves death a thousand times over,” Inspector Zhang finished reading, his fingers tightly gripping the account book.
…The Inspector truly lives up to his scholarly reputation. I spent half a day looking at the account book and barely grasped anything. Xu Qi An asked with a slightly admiring tone, “How enormous is this sum?”
Inspector Zhang glanced at him, as if he hadn’t heard, and repeated: “Shocking, truly shocking…”
…Xu Qi An understood. The amount was very large, but don’t ask; if asked, the answer would just be “shocking.”
Inspector Zhang carefully put away the account book, coughed, and asked, “How did you crack the code?”
“Now that’s impressive,” Xu Qi An immediately began to describe in detail the process of breaking the code, not forgetting to give credit to his two socially deceased colleagues: “Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao also played crucial roles. They not only actively participated in decoding but even went so far as to sacrifice themselves to ghosts, abandoning their dignity. Their sacrifice was truly touching.”
“Sacrificed themselves to ghosts?” The Inspector was startled.
“Yes, yesterday when we were out, a vengeful spirit blocked our path and caused trouble. Fortunately, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao fearlessly fought against it, risking their lives…” Xu Qi An spoke earnestly.
“The Wushen Sect specializes in raising and controlling ghosts. Hmph, it seems some of their members are hiding in White Emperor City,” Jiang Liuzhong raised an eyebrow.
Xu Qi An nodded, feeling that blaming the Wushen Sect was reasonable, and asked:
“Inspector, what do you plan to do next?”
Inspector Zhang stroked his beard and smiled: “In war, speed is of the essence!”
Then, changing his tone, he added: “But there’s no rush. Let’s discuss this after dinner.”
…
At the dinner table, Inspector Zhang, who usually ate in silence, finished his meal and beckoned Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. Looking at the two Bronze Gongs, the Inspector said kindly:
“I heard from Ningyan that you two made great contributions during the investigation.”
Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao immediately looked at Xu Qi An, feeling touched. It was evident that Liu Ningyan had spoken on their behalf to the Inspector.
Merits were valuable, primarily affecting promotions. Additionally, after completing the Yun Prefecture mission, the yamen would provide rewards based on individual contributions.
And the rewards were quite substantial.
…What a good brother!
Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were deeply moved.
“It’s our duty, sir. We’re here to ease your burden and serve the court. We’d gladly die a thousand deaths for it,” Song Tingfeng said with a broad smile.
The usually taciturn Zhu Guangxiao nodded vigorously.
Inspector Zhang nodded approvingly and asked with concern: “I heard from Ningyan that during the investigation, you sacrificed yourselves to ghosts, fighting against vengeful spirits that obstructed the case. You made great sacrifices. Is this true?”
…The gratitude on Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao’s faces instantly vanished, their expressions gradually stiffening.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Sir… it was a small matter, not worthy of your attention,” Song Tingfeng forced a smile.
Inspector Zhang shook his head and said gently: “When this is over, I’ll be writing a memorial. Everyone’s contributions will be recorded and submitted to the court. There will be rewards based on merit.”
Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao’s faces turned pale. “Inspector, it’s not that we don’t want to, it’s just… our spirits were injured by that vengeful ghost, and our minds are a bit hazy. We can’t recall the details.”
Moving in perfect sync, they covered their faces with one hand and waved the other: “We can’t remember, we can’t remember…”
…
After dinner, Jiang Liuzhong and Inspector Zhang led a team of 130 men, including the Tiger Warriors and the Night Watchmen, marching impressively toward the Commander-in-Chief’s mansion.
They were fully equipped with swords, spears, bows, crossbows, and even firearms, prepared for the possibility that Commander-in-Chief Yang Chuannan might put up a desperate resistance.
Inspector Zhang had planned the arrest for nighttime to catch the other side off guard, to catch the entire Yun Prefecture officialdom off guard. To give them no time to react.
They encountered two patrols of city guards along the way, but the Inspector’s forceful attitude quickly settled the matter. Amidst the clanging of armor, the arresting party arrived at Yang Chuannan’s mansion.
Jiang Liuzhong, sitting on horseback, waved his hand.
A Silver Gong dismounted, rushed to the mansion gate, lowered his stance, gathered his strength, and threw a punch.
Boom!
The heavy gate instantly split and shattered, sending wooden shards flying.
The Night Watchmen led the Tiger Warriors into the mansion, shouting: “The Inspector is conducting an investigation! Anyone who obstructs will be executed without mercy!”
Yang Chuannan’s guards were all skilled fighters from the military, arrogant and difficult to tame. They weren’t afraid of the so-called Inspector and fought fiercely with swords against the Imperial Guards.
“Damn, these soldier boys are used to throwing their weight around in Yun Prefecture?” A Silver Gong grinned viciously as he drew his sword.
There were also experts in the Commander-in-Chief’s mansion who quickly came out to engage the Silver Gongs.
“Stop!”
As the shout rang out, Yang Chuannan emerged wearing a robe, striking back two Silver Gongs with a punch, saving the lives of several guards.
“Hmph!”
Jiang Liuzhong, who had been observing the battle, stepped forward, extending his fingers towards Yang Chuannan. His knuckles were thick, his skin gleaming with divine light, looking less like flesh and blood and more like something forged from azure gold.
An overwhelming aura enveloped Yang Chuannan, and as Jiang Liuzhong clenched his fist, it forcibly pulled Yang Chuannan flying towards him.
The power of his fist exploded!
The Golden Gong’s fist struck Yang Chuannan’s chest as he flew horizontally. Dong… It was as if a great bell had rung throughout heaven and earth. Everyone saw the divine light around Yang Chuannan flicker violently before dispersing into fragments of light.
His bronze skin and iron bones were broken.
Yang Chuannan flew back, spitting blood.
“My Lord!”
The mansion guards’ eyes bulged with rage. They gripped their sword hilts tightly, ready to fight to the death with these uninvited guests.
“St-stop… all of you…” Yang Chuannan staggered to his feet, his hair disheveled, his form swaying unsteadily.
Inspector Zhang appeared at the right moment, looking at the disheveled Commander-in-Chief, and said sternly: “Commander Yang, please control your subordinates.”
Yang Chuannan stumbled forward, staring at Inspector Zhang, and said with a sneer: “I am, after all, a second-rank official. Inspector Zhang, you barge into my mansion in the middle of the night, wielding weapons… I’d like to hear your reason for this.”
“I’ll make it clear to you.” Inspector Zhang, of course, wouldn’t reveal his trump card in front of everyone. He said solemnly:
“I have Zhou Min’s account book in my possession.”
Yang Chuannan’s eyes widened instantly: “Impossible!”
Inspector Zhang sneered: “Commander Yang if you come back to the courier station with me, you’ll understand.”
Then, he shouted: “Take him away! Anyone who obstructs, execute on the spot!”
The guards all stepped forward together, gritting their teeth and looking fierce, but Yang Chuannan reprimanded them back. Obstructing the Inspector’s investigation and attempting to “rescue a criminal” were capital offenses.
Yang Chuannan did not doubt the Night Watchmen’s ruthlessness in killing, nor did he doubt the Golden Gong’s combat prowess. He didn’t want his men to die in vain.
Immediately, Tiger Warriors came forward, took out shackles, and put them on Yang Chuannan, escorting him out of the mansion.
The imposing group of over 130 people left the Commander-in-Chief’s mansion.
…
Outside White Emperor City, in a military tent.
“What? The Night Watchmen broke into Yang’s mansion at night and took away the Commander-in-Chief?”
Li Miaozhenthen stood up in shock, staring at a black-robed ghost who had come back to report. This was her spy left in Yang Chuannan’s mansion, replaced every three days.
After all, if left for too long without nourishing Yin energy, ghosts would dissipate.
Su Su, sitting on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs, said in a coquettish voice: “Is the Inspector so arrogant that he dares to arrest someone without evidence? Although he’s currently the highest-ranking official in White Emperor City, how dare he move against Commander Yang without proof or warrant?
“Master, I suggest we gather three thousand troops, sweep through the courier station, and hang that Bronze Gong Liu on the city wall of White Emperor City.”
Li Miaozhenthen, who had gradually calmed down, glanced at her: “Hmm, that makes sense. Then let’s appoint Su Su as the vanguard of the assault force.”
Su Su quickly retracted her head: “Let’s follow the laws of Great Feng instead.”
“Get lost.”
“Oh.” Su Su pouted, feeling wronged as she stood up and left the tent.
“Come back!” Li Miaozhenthen called.
“Yes, master.” Su Su’s stunningly beautiful face instantly cleared up like clouds parting to reveal snow, blossoming into a sweet smile.
“Are you sure that Xu Qi An didn’t secretly investigate? And that he doesn’t have this so-called evidence?” Li Miaozhenthen stared at Su Su suspiciously.
“No, no,” Su Su shook her head quickly, her body swaying and her skirt fluttering.
“What about the others?”
“I was only responsible for watching Xu Qi An, and then his two colleagues. I didn’t pay attention to the other Night Watchmen.”
Li Miaozhenthen nodded. As long as Xu Qi An hadn’t been investigating secretly, the others could be ignored. As for whether that guy had discovered Su Su’s tailing, it didn’t matter.
Li Miaozhenthen only cared about what he had done in these three days. Even if he had discovered Su Su’s tailing, as long as he hadn’t investigated the case or made any breakthroughs, what difference did it make whether he discovered it or not?
Since it wasn’t Xu Qi An who obtained the “evidence,” what was the Inspector’s reason and purpose for arresting Yang Chuannan?
Attempting to resolve it by force, extracting a confession through torture?
No, a dignified Inspector wouldn’t do something so unwise.
“Come here!” Li Miaozhenthen called out.
The guard on night duty outside the tent responded and entered.
“Gather the troops, we’ll enter the city at dawn.”
“Yes!”
Then, she looked at Su Su, “You’ll come with me. We’re entering the city tonight. I want to pay a visit to the Inspector.”