Meanwhile, in the south of the city, at the Heroic Platform.

A group of martial artists hurriedly arrived. They had heard the news that a Silver Gong had severely wounded a Bronze Skin Iron Bones realm warrior with a single strike.

Being martial artists, they were particularly interested in such news. Since they were nearby, they immediately rushed over to witness the scene.

However, the conflict had already ended, and the crowd had mostly dispersed, leaving only a few idle onlookers lingering about.

This group of martial artists arrived at the Heroic Platform and observed for a while, becoming more convinced of the rumors.

The reason was—the stage was too well-preserved.

Given the strength of a Bronze Skin Iron Bones realm expert, if it had been an evenly-matched fight, the damage would have been clear. At the very least, this stage wouldn’t have survived.

“Look here, and over there… What’s with these small holes?” a young martial artist said.

“It seems to be sword qi, sharp and small. I’ve never heard of such a sword technique.”

The speaker was a stunningly beautiful woman with bright almond eyes like autumn water. Her lips were painted a vibrant red, her makeup a bit heavy but not vulgar, instead adding to her alluring beauty.

The young martial artist who had asked nodded. If it were caused by qi, there would be large-scale cracks.

The alluring woman turned her head towards another young martial artist and said with a charming smile, “What does Young Master Liu think?”

Young Master Liu had a handsome face with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, carrying a Seven Stars Sword on his back.

In the current capital, those who could carry weapons were all influential figures.

This Young Master Liu came from Sword State, the holy land of martial arts in Great Feng, from a sect called “Ink Pavilion.” Among this group of martial artists, Young Master Liu had the highest cultivation and was the core of the team.

Most importantly, he was a swordsman.

“It might not be sword qi. These holes are unevenly distributed, like splattered ink. It seems they were formed when sword qi or blade qi scattered and shot in all directions,” Young Master Liu said.

After speaking, he beckoned to an idle onlooker, tossed him a piece of silver, and asked, “I heard that a Silver Gong made only one strike and wounded his opponent?”

The onlooker pinched the silver, his eyes showing flattery and joy. He bowed and nodded, “You young heroes didn’t see it, but that strike was truly remarkable…

“These holes on the ground appeared after that official drew his sword, like a sudden rainfall.”

He vividly recounted what he had witnessed.

“Produced by the scattering of blade qi… The opponent was indeed a Bronze Skin Iron Bones realm expert,” the alluring woman nodded.

Only a Bronze Skin Iron Bones realm cultivator would have such a physique. A flesh and blood body below the sixth grade would have been cut in half by the blade qi.

“As far as I know, the Silver Gongs of the Night Watchmen’s office are mainly at the Spirit Refinement realm, with a few at the Bronze Skin Iron Bones realm,” another female martial artist said.

This female martial artist was from one of the thirteen counties under the capital’s jurisdiction, barely qualifying as a half-local, and had some understanding of the famous Night Watchmen of the capital.

“Is this the first time an official expert has clashed with a martial artist? I want to see the style of that one strike,” the alluring woman said with a smile.

Just then, they heard the sound of hooves. A young man wearing a Night Watchman’s uniform came galloping on a fine horse.

The group of young martial artists glanced at him a few times before looking away, guessing that he was from the Night Watchmen’s office coming to investigate the scene.

But the young Night Watchman’s next action shocked and angered the group of young martial artists.

“Clang!”

The Night Watchman drew his sword and charged towards them on horseback.

Young Master Liu’s expression changed slightly. He stepped in front of his companions, patted his back, and his Seven Stars Sword flew out of its sheath with a clang, spinning to block the incoming blade of the Night Watchman.

The young Night Watchman made a light slash, and the Seven Stars Sword broke into two halves, falling powerlessly with a “clang.”

“You…”

Young Master Liu was shocked and angry. The magic weapon bestowed by his sect had been destroyed, making him breathless with distress.

Xu Qi An reined in his horse, pointed his sword at the alluring woman, and sneered, “You dare to come back, Miss Rong Rong? You stole this official’s treasure and instead of hiding well, you dare to strut back here? Looks like you haven’t experienced the harshness of society.

“This official gives you two choices. One, hand over the treasure and become my concubine. Two, hand over the treasure, and I’ll sell you to the Imperial Brothel.”

She stole his treasure?!

The young martial artists turned their heads in surprise, looking at the alluring woman.

‘Enchanting Hands’ Rong Rong’s constantly smiling face froze, then frowned, shaking her head almost imperceptibly at her companions.

Young Master Liu forced himself not to look at his beloved sword and cupped his hands, saying, “Sir, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“Get lost!”

Xu Qi An scrutinized Miss Rong Rong. Her hairstyle, clothes, and makeup were identical. It was her.

“This official’s patience is limited. I’ll give you three breaths to hand over the treasure…” He laughed coldly three times.

The young martial artists were furious.

Miss Rong Rong stepped forward, fearlessly meeting Xu Qi An’s blade, and said softly, “This humble woman has never met you before, sir, and knows nothing of any so-called treasure. Please explain clearly.”

Xu Qi An sat on horseback looking down at her and said slowly, “Just now, an hour ago, you and I met in a tavern and drank together. Then, while I went downstairs to fight, you stole my treasure without anyone noticing.”

As soon as he finished speaking before Miss Rong Rong could respond, Young Master Liu angrily spoke up, “That’s impossible. Miss Rong Rong has been with us the whole time. She’s never been here before.”

The other young martial artists all testified to this.

Xu Qi An frowned, thinking to himself, have I encountered a gang operation?

But looking at their tone and demeanor, they didn’t seem to be lying. Xu Qi An, proficient in micro-expression psychology, had this level of discernment.

Unless they were all Oscar-level actors… Unfortunately, the Confucian magic book was also in the Book of Earth fragment, otherwise he could have used the Qi Observing Technique to see if they were lying… Xu Qi An pondered for a moment, then said:

“All of you, come with me to the Night Watchmen’s office. Whether you’re lying or not, this official will determine then.”

How could they possibly agree?

The young martial artists’ expressions changed slightly. They began to doubt Xu Qi An’s true intentions. As martial artists with sect backgrounds, they had enough experience to know that when it came to underhanded tactics, experts with official backgrounds were even more treacherous and vicious.

Relying on their influence, they could easily commit acts of bullying and plundering.

‘Enchanting Hands’ Rong Rong was somewhat famous in the capital for her beauty. Who knew if this young Silver Gong was coveting her beauty, using the excuse of a lost treasure to take them to the office?

Once in their territory, life and death would be at their mercy, just a word away.

“Do you think we’re fish on a chopping board?” Young Master Liu narrowed his eyes and sneered.

The other young martial artists didn’t speak, but they all placed their hands on their sword hilts.

Although martial artists feared the government, they also had a stubborn nature. If pushed too far, they would dare to fight even government officials to the death, at worst becoming wanted criminals and wandering the martial world.

This is why it’s said that martial artists use force to break the law.

At this moment, the idle onlooker who had been hiding on the side, for the sake of the silver he had received, carefully reminded them, “He’s the Silver Gong who wounded his opponent with one strike on the stage.”

The young martial artists’ bodies stiffened, and they turned their heads with stunned expressions to look at the onlooker.

Then, with stiff necks, they slowly turned back to look at Xu Qi An.

The tense atmosphere suddenly disappeared. They no longer had any thoughts of a desperate fight.

Miss Rong Rong took a deep breath and said with a hoarse voice, “Sir, since I stole your treasure, I alone will go back to the office with you. This matter has nothing to do with the others.”

“No!”

Her companions were greatly alarmed.

Miss Rong Rong gave a bitter smile and transmitted her voice, “What you should do is quickly notify the elders of our sect and find a way to rescue me.”

Young Master Liu nodded forcefully with a grim face.

If you stole my treasure, even the Jade Emperor couldn’t save you… Xu Qi An, seeing she had finished her voice transmission, patted his horse and said, “Get on by yourself!”

Miss Rong Rong hesitated for a moment, biting her bright red lips, then leaped onto the horse.

Xu Qi An took the opportunity to press a point on her soft waist. The beauty let out a soft moan and collapsed limply in his arms.

“Hya!”

Xu Qi An pulled the reins, turned the horse around, and galloped away, leaving behind a group of young martial artists who were angry but dared not speak.

Miss Rong Rong lay against the broad, solid chest, the scenery on both sides rapidly receding. She gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, “How does the sir intend to deal with me?”

“According to Great Feng law, for theft, fifty lashes and full restitution to the victim. If unable to pay, the toes are cut off. I am a viscount, and what was stolen was a treasure, so the crime is increased by three degrees: one hundred and fifty lashes, toe amputation, and three years imprisonment.”

Miss Rong Rong’s face turned pale. “Is… is that the punishment for theft in the capital?”

This was different from what she understood.

“No, I just made all that up.”

“…”

Xu Qi An felt the beauty in his arms and seemed to relax with relief. He sneered, “But once we’re in the Night Watchmen’s office, how to punish you will be up to me.”

The beauty’s body suddenly tensed up again. She said with a sob in her voice, “I, I didn’t steal your treasure.”

I’ll collect some interest from you… Xu Qi An’s mouth curled into a smile. He asked, “What’s so special about these ‘Enchanting Hands’?”

Miss Rong Rong didn’t answer.

Xu Qi An gave an authoritative “Hmm.”

Miss Rong Rong gritted her teeth, “You are coveting my beauty.”

“?”

Xu Qi An just wanted to understand how she had managed to steal the Book of Earth fragment without him noticing.

“Although Miss Rong Rong is naturally beautiful, you shouldn’t underestimate men. In terms of beauty, there are two in my household who far surpass you.”

As Xu Qi An spoke, his hands roamed over her body, searching thoroughly.

Miss Rong Rong’s face turned red, her eyes filled with tears. She seemed to know what fate awaited her, only hoping that her companions could quickly summon the elders to rescue her from this misery.

Hmm, my Book of Earth fragment isn’t on her…

The little mare, truly worthy of being a war horse, carried both of them without slowing down, galloping to reach the office.

Xu Qi An handed the reins to the guard at the gate and dragged Miss Rong Rong into the office. He came to Silver Gong Min Shan’s hall and ordered the clerks to tie her up tightly.

“Go to the Astronomical Bureau and request a White-Robed Sorcerer. Say it’s by my order.”

“Yes, sir.”

After the Bronze Gong left, Silver Gong Min stood up and walked around Rong Rong, saying in surprise, “Where did you capture such a beauty? Look at that figure, that face, tsk tsk…”

“Sell her to the Imperial Brothel, train her for a year or so, she could become a high-class courtesan,” Xu Qi An commented.

“A high-class courtesan isn’t just about looks,” Min Shan shook his head. “Talent comes first, beauty second.”

“Then forget it, let’s keep her in the office for our brothers to enjoy.”

Miss Rong Rong tried to maintain her composure, but her pretty face had already turned pale.

After some playful banter, Xu Qi An explained the situation: “This woman stole my treasure. True to her name ‘Enchanting Hands’, she did it without me noticing at all.”

“So she’s the Enchanting Hands!” Min Shan suddenly realized, then puzzled, asked, “What does Enchanting Hands have to do with stealing things?”

“Huh?” Xu Qi An was stunned.

“All martial artists entering the capital are registered. Enchanting Hands Rong Rong is from the Thousand Flowers Pavilion in Qinghai County, Yuzhou. It’s a women’s sect, famous for seducing and harming men with their alluring techniques. But it’s related to their cultivation method.”

“Energy absorption?” Xu Qi An asked.

“No, it’s said they can stimulate people’s carnal desires, making enemies lose their will to fight. Their ultimate skill is called…” Min Shan couldn’t quite remember.

“The Six Desires Great Technique,” Miss Rong Rong raised her chin.

“Then how did you steal the treasure?”

“I didn’t steal your treasure.”

Soon, the Bronze Gong who had left returned with a White-Robed Sorcerer.

Xu Qi An pointed at Enchanting Hands Rong Rong and said, “Ask her if she stole anything from me.”

The White-Robed Sorcerer’s pupils lit up with a clear light. After questioning as instructed, he shook his head and said, “Young Master Xu, she’s not lying.”

… Xu Qi An was stunned for a moment.

“Search her body, see if there’s any spell concealing her qi.”

“Young Master Xu, there isn’t.”

“Ask her if she drank with me at the tavern.”

“Young Master Xu, she didn’t.”

Xu Qi’an thought to himself, what the hell is going on?! Am I seeing ghosts?

After his initial anger, he calmed down to analyze. The one who stole from me must be Rong Rong, it couldn’t be that middle-aged woman… The biggest problem with this case is that there are two Rong Rongs.

The Rong Rong in front of me hadn’t met me, but I met a Rong Rong.

The hairstyle, clothes, and appearance are completely identical, even the eye expression and manner of speaking are the same… Twins? Impossible, even twins can’t be completely alike.

Disguise? If it were a disguise, it couldn’t fool my eyes.

In his confusion, Miss Rong Rong suddenly said, “I know now. I know who it is.”