In a room at the courier station.
“Yang Chuan’nan, you and the Qi Party, led by the former Minister of Works, colluded with the Witch God Cult, secretly supporting mountain bandits and supplying them with military resources. What exactly are you trying to achieve by nurturing these outlaws for your gain?” Inspector Zhang angrily threw the account book, hitting Yang Chuan’nan in the face.
The account book fell to the ground with a rustle, spreading open. Yang Chuan’nan glanced down at it, his expression changing slightly.
Jiang Lvzhong bent down to pick up the account book, looking at Inspector Zhang without expression, thinking to himself that if Yang had kicked it earlier, the hard-earned evidence would have been lost.
Fortunately, he had severely injured Yang earlier. For the time being, Yang Chuan’nan, with his injured heart meridians, was no different from an ordinary person. He was even weaker than a common man.
“If you want to condemn someone, you’ll always find a pretext,” Yang Chuan’nan said coldly. He sat on the edge of the bed, wearing shackles and fetters, looking dejected.
“Lord Yang, there’s no need for such high-sounding words anymore,” said Xu Qi An. He was the only one standing in the room as a lowly Bronze Gong, aside from the three white-robed mystics.
“Did you find this account book?” Yang Chuan’nan stared at him.
The day after the inspector’s team arrived in Yun Province, Li Miaozhen told him about a Bronze Gong named Xu Qi An, who was one of the key figures in the inspection team.
To some extent, Yang Chuan’nan’s fate was in the hands of this Bronze Gong.
Yang Chuan’nan had taken Li Miaozhen’s words to heart and didn’t underestimate the Bronze Gong called Xu Qi An. However, he never expected that before he could make any countermoves, the young Bronze Gong had already determined the outcome.
It was completely unexpected!
“Yes, I did,” Xu Qi An nodded.
“Impressive, impressive…” Yang Chuan’nan shook his head and chuckled, “Indeed, heroes emerge from the young. When Miaozhen told me about you, although I didn’t underestimate you, I was still careless.”
No, not just you, me too… Inspector Zhang silently agreed.
No one could have imagined that Xu Qi An’s capabilities were so formidable.
Yang Chuan’nan scrutinized Xu Qi An. “Approaching the Spirit Consolidation Realm?”
“Yep!”
Xu Qi An nodded, thinking to himself that as expected of the Chief Commander, he had much better judgment than Number Two, that woman who suspected him of being a womanizer due to excessive indulgence. It seemed that regardless of the time or space, the reputation of dark circles under the eyes was always misunderstood.
Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lvzhong stood by with their hands behind their backs, neither rushing nor interrupting, giving Xu Qi An the utmost respect.
“Lord Yang is a member of the Qi Party, there’s no question about that, right?” After a brief chat, Xu Qi An went straight to the point, taking over the interrogation on behalf of Inspector Zhang.
Yang Chuan’nan nodded, “My father was from Qi. When he worked in the Ministry of War, he was mentored by the then Vice Minister of War and joined the Qi Party.”
Xu Qi An looked at Inspector Zhang in confusion.
Inspector Zhang explained, “The Qi Party is a faction formed by people from Qi. During Yang Chuan’nan’s father’s time, the Qi Party controlled the Ministry of War. That was decades ago.”
Yang Chuan’nan continued, “My father was always a marginalized figure in the Qi Party, and so was I. Until I was transferred to Yun Province, where I climbed to my current position through repeated military achievements over more than a decade.
“The Qi Party’s lobbying at court certainly contributed to my advancement, but my relationship with them wasn’t close. Apart from occasional interactions during my visits to the capital for official reports, Yun Province is thousands of miles away from the capital, and our connection was maintained only by that tenuous bond.”
Inspector Zhang nodded slightly.
Yang Chuan’nan had risen through military achievements. This was precisely why the charge of nurturing bandits for his gain could be substantiated, which also aligned with the Night Watchmen Office’s assessment of him.
“But to say that I supplied military resources for the Qi Party and colluded with the Witch God Cult, I am truly wronged,” Yang Chuan’nan shook his head:
“I’m already the Chief Commander. Is there a higher official in Yun Province than me? Nurturing outlaws for my gain? Hah, if it weren’t for wanting to do something for the people of Yun Province, I would rather be transferred away from this godforsaken place.”
These words sounded beautiful and high-minded. If this were a drama I watched in my previous life, it would be a clear attempt at self-justification… Xu Qi An chuckled inwardly.
He didn’t believe a single word, only trusting the evidence in hand.
However, as a qualified interrogator, he knew how to guide the conversation. He followed up, “According to Lord Yang’s meaning, there are hidden factors behind this matter?”
Yang Chuan’nan looked towards Inspector Zhang, “Does the Inspector General think that I’m the only member of the Qi Party in Yun Province? That I must be the mastermind behind the Qi Party’s collusion with the Witch God Cult and the supply of military resources?
“Am I the only member of the Qi Party in the Chief Commander’s Office?”
Inspector Zhang shook his head: “Chief Commander, this doesn’t look good for you.”
This all sounded like Yang Chuan’nan’s quibbling, and indeed it was. So-called quibbling is arguing without evidence, trying to shirk responsibility.
And as the Chief Commander, who bore the greatest responsibility for the office supplying military resources to mountain bandits? It was undoubtedly him, the highest-ranking official.
This point was beyond question.
“Lord Yang, there’s a traitor among you,” Xu Qi An also felt he was quibbling, but didn’t jump to conclusions.
Yang Chuan’nan seemed to sense their disbelief. He paused, then said, “The Qi Party indeed did these things, but it wasn’t until Zhou Min’s death that I belatedly grasped the whole picture.
“I was being used as a scapegoat by the Qi Party. Someone else was truly colluding with the Witch God Cult and supporting the mountain bandits. I had intended to secretly find and destroy the evidence to protect myself. Unfortunately, you were one step ahead.”
Is this just one step ahead? This is like you haven’t even left the fountain while I’ve already pushed to the high ground… Xu Qi An turned to look at the two white-robed mystics.
The three mystics, who had been standing by for nearly half a month, finally had a chance to be useful. They had been using their aura-reading technique to observe Yang Chuan’nan.
“He doesn’t seem to be lying,” one white-robed mystic answered.
“Doesn’t seem?” Xu Qi An stared at him disapprovingly.
Feeling questioned by Young Master Xu, the mystics became a bit anxious and hurriedly explained, “We are sixth-grade geomancers, and this Chief Commander is fifth-grade. In theory, our aura-reading technique shouldn’t be mistaken.
“However, it’s not certain. Firstly, if Lord Yang has cultivated his primordial spirit and has a strong will, we might not be able to see through his lies. For instance, Young Master Xu, once you enter the Spirit Consolidation Realm, ordinary eighth-grade mystics won’t be able to see through you. It would require mystics of the same grade or even one grade higher.
“Secondly, there are magical artifacts that can conceal one’s aura. Of course, Lord Yang has been searched, and no artifacts were found.
“Lastly, both the Witch God Cult and we mystics have memory-altering techniques. If Lord Yang made preparations in advance… then what he’s saying now could indeed all be true.”
“Altering memories?” Xu Qi An was surprised.
It was the first time he had heard of such an operation.
“That’s a technique that only high-grade experts can master,” the white-robed mystics explained.
Considering the vast gap between high-grade and low-grade experts in this world, Xu Qi An understood.
Low-grade experts were just low-level martial artists, while high-grade experts were comparable to gods and demons. The Monk Shen Shu inside his body was an example. Sealed in Sang Po for a full five hundred years, even with broken limbs, he still hadn’t perished.
Oh right, I still have Master Shen Shu inside me… I almost forgot about it myself… Xu Qi An internally complained.
This monk had been sealed for five hundred years, greatly weakened, and was using his body to recuperate, sleeping until now.
If it’s memory alteration, then the case becomes difficult to solve… Ordinary investigation methods won’t work… Only Xianxia can defeat Xianxia. If I had known earlier, I would have requested Song Qin or the Forced King to accompany us, instead of three mere geomancers… Xu Qi An frowned.
Yang Chuan’nan gazed at Xu Qi An: “Lord Xu… with your abilities, you’re qualified for me to address you as Lord Xu. Whether what I’ve said is true or false, you might as well investigate.
“Heh, this is also a contingency plan I had in the most desperate situation.”
Using the enemy to defeat the enemy, huh… Xu Qi An thought irritably.
“Why should I help you? I could just take you back to the capital, and the matter would be over,” Xu Qi An sneered.
“That works too!” Yang Chuan’nan closed his eyes.
…
From today onwards, the courier station began three-shift patrols. Day or night, without the Inspector General’s approval, no one was allowed to leave or enter the station.
The Tiger Warriors were in high spirits because the main culprit had been apprehended, and they could foresee that their return to the capital wasn’t far off.
The South truly was a ghostly place, cold and damp. When guarding at night, the wind blowing into their necks would involuntarily make them shiver.
Although the cold in the North was several times that of the South, they, accustomed to Northern life, were completely unable to adapt to the damp cold of the South.
“Lord Xu is truly a genius. He’s only been in Yun Province for a few days, about half ten days, and he’s already solved such a major case.”
“Heh, it’s not surprising at all. We heard about his reputation back in the capital. The Sang Po case was causing such a stir, and he solved it too.”
“Indeed. When we return to the capital this time, he’s likely to become a prominent figure again. We should get closer to him on the way back, at least to have some connection for the future.”
The Tiger Warriors felt proud by association. While on duty, they gathered to discuss and praise Lord Xu’s godlike case-solving abilities.
The more astute ones were already thinking about how to attach themselves to Lord Xu, to establish a connection while he was still a Bronze Gong. In the future, this relationship would become more precious as Lord Xu’s status rose.
They didn’t expect much intimacy, just enough for him to remember their names would suffice.
“Give it up. Someone like you who likes to take small bribes, Lord Xu wouldn’t like. Let me tell you, Lord Xu is a person who hates evil. Back in the capital, he nearly killed a superior with one slash because he was dissatisfied with the superior bullying a woman.”
“Pah, as if Lord Xu would like someone like you who frequents brothels?”
As they were chatting, they suddenly saw a figure appear at the entrance of the courier station.
“Who goes there?”
The on-duty Tiger Warrior gripped his sword hilt and called out sternly.
At the entrance stood Li Miaozhen, with her silver spear, soft armor, and high ponytail. Her pretty oval face was solemn, and the cold wind fluttering her ponytail gave her a sense of defiance against the world.
“Cavalry General Li Miaozhen, requesting an audience with the Inspector General,” Li Miaozhen called out loudly.
“Let her in,” Jiang Lvzhong’s low voice came through.
The Tiger Warriors made their way, and Li Miaozhen nodded slightly, striding into the courtyard of the courier station. After a few steps, she turned back and said:
“What are you dawdling for? Follow me.”
A few seconds later, a stunningly beautiful woman walked over reluctantly, twisting and turning: “Master, this place is full of annoying warriors. Their blood energy is too strong, it’s burning me all over.”
When in the military camp, Su Su usually stayed in Li Miaozhen’s tent, rarely going out. The military camp was fine, but for her, the courier station was like a volcano.
The blood energy of fourth-grade warriors was too intense for ghosts to bear.
Li Miaozhen took out a talisman, flicked it with her fingers, and stuck it on Su Su’s chest.
She immediately entered the courtyard happily, skipping and jumping, no longer afraid of the burning blood energy.
“Master, let me tell you, there are two Night Watchmen here who are so infatuated with me,” she chattered.
Crossing the courtyard, they arrived at the main hall, where Li Miaozhen saw Inspector Zhang, as well as Jiang Lvzhong and Xu Qi An. The other Night Watchmen were not in the hall.
Li Miaozhen stood straight in the hall, cupped her hands, and said, “Inspector General, do you have evidence for arresting Chief Commander Yang Chuan’nan?”
“You mean this?” Jiang Lvzhong held the account book and waved it.
“The evidence is conclusive,” Inspector Zhang said with a mild attitude and a smile.
Li Miaozhen suddenly looked at Xu Qi An, her expression complex, seeking confirmation: “You did this?”
Including Jiang Lvzhong, the others had gone out to inspect the people’s conditions and had no time to investigate the case. Besides Xu Qi An, she couldn’t think of anyone else.
This was different from what Li Miaozhen had imagined. She had come to probe the situation. If Inspector Zhang had made a violent arrest without evidence, she planned to join forces with the army to pressure the inspector to release Yang Chuan’nan.
But if they had evidence, it would be extremely difficult to rescue Yang Chuan’nan.
“I didn’t do it,” Xu Qi An shook his head in denial, then added, “But I did find it.”