Zhu Yan reminded, “Search him. He must have the antidote on him.”
He wouldn’t have used the drug if he didn’t carry the antidote with him.
Jing Lin nodded and crouched down to search Wang Buzui’s sleeves. He found some paper packets and sniffed them, then nodded to Zhu Yan.
Sun Tan, who was an old hand before joining the Local Constable, took the packets and examined them. His expression relaxed: “It’s not serious. It’s just a sleeping drug. Even without the antidote, they’ll wake up in four to five hours.”
Jing Lin stopped searching for the antidote but tied up Wang Buzui to prevent him from escaping when he woke up.
Shen Du didn’t say much. After ensuring the Banmian Gui in the secret chamber were no longer a threat, he turned to Sun Tan: “How’s the situation outside? Is it under control?”
“We killed about a third, injured another third, and a third escaped.”
Although Guangchun Hall was just a branch, there were quite a few Fire Moth Party members. Besides those guarding here today, Chen Huoe, also known as Lai Luofu, had taken some away.
It was impossible to kill them all; some would inevitably slip through the net.
Shen Du nodded and then ordered: “Jing Lin, take some men to inventory this place. Arrest all living Banmian Gui and send them to prison. Send the dead ones to the coroner’s office at the yamen. Everything else is to be confiscated. Search thoroughly, don’t miss anything.”
“Yes, sir,” Jing Lin responded and left the secret chamber.
Shen Du then thanked Sun Tan: “I’m grateful for your assistance today, Deputy Commander Sun.”
Without the Local Constable’s help, the Internal Affairs Office alone might have been utterly defeated.
Although it was just a verbal thank you, Sun Tan was stunned, as if he’d seen a ghost. The legendary White King of Hell wasn’t known for being so agreeable. Commander Xu had sent instructions on how to deal with Shen Du, but he hadn’t mentioned how to respond to this kind of attitude.
Difficult!
Nevertheless, despite his surprise, he bowed and said: “You’re too kind, Grand Secretary. It’s our duty. Commander Xu has already instructed us to cooperate with Magistrate Zhu in investigating this case of Banmian Gui cannibalism. It’s only natural, no need for thanks.”
After the pleasantries, Shen Du had nothing more to say, and Sun Tan bowed again, also at a loss for words.
Zhu Yan looked at Xiuxiu and Du Xiaowan at the table and asked, “Shen Du, what about these girls? Du Xiaowan and Xiuxiu drank the drugged soup and are unconscious.”
“Take them back to the county yamen. Let their families come to pick them up,” Shen Du glanced at Zhu Yan, his tone neither warm nor cold.
This woman… she was a responsible eighth-rank official historian.
Even though he wasn’t in great shape himself, she couldn’t see it. Instead, she was more concerned about a few women she had just met.
Were they more important than him?
Sun Tan wasn’t blind to the situation. Seeing Shen Du’s expression, he said, “I’ll take care of things here. Grand Secretary, you can take Magistrate Zhu and go. I’ll assist Captain Jing in sending the rest to the Yingzhou prefectural yamen.”
“But…” Zhu Yan was about to say something, but seeing Shen Du’s darkening face, she changed her mind and said, “Deputy Commander Sun, please take those porcelain jars and pots with you. Don’t miss any evidence.”
Sun Tan nodded in agreement: “Don’t worry, Magistrate Zhu.”
“Xiuxiu, I’ll come to talk to you again when we’re back at the county yamen.”
Regarding Wang Buzui’s sister’s matter, she felt it necessary to delve deeper. It might be another tragic story.
Xiuxiu managed to croak out a “Okay” with her hoarse voice.
Only then did Zhu Yan feel at ease to leave. “Shen Du, let’s go!” After a day of torment, she was indeed feeling worse for wear.
As she walked towards Shen Du, she accidentally tripped over a Banmian Gui corpse and nearly fell.
Fortunately, Shen Du was quick. He took a few swift steps and caught her by the waist, pulling her into his arms.
With this movement, Zhu Yan’s entire face was buried in Shen Du’s chest, her forehead bumping into his chin.
“Ow. Shen Du, is your chin made of iron?” Zhu Yan grumbled, rubbing her forehead and hissing in pain.
Shen Du was exasperated. He picked her up and headed towards the exit: “Silly girl, you can’t even walk properly anymore.”
He, the victim here, hadn’t said anything, yet she was the one complaining.
If it weren’t for his quick reflexes, she would have fallen flat on her face, reopening her healing wounds and causing herself more pain.
Zhu Yan pouted, intending to argue back, but considering his chivalrous act, she wisely kept quiet.
Shen Du’s expression softened a bit as he carried her. He walked straight out of the courtyard, attracting attention along the way. The Internal Affairs Office staff were shocked to see this side of their Grand Secretary.
Was this the infamous White King of Hell?
It seemed the saying ‘even heroes fall for beautiful women’ wasn’t just a rumor.
Shen Du needed to return to the county yamen first. The Internal Affairs Office had already prepared horses, which were now pawing the ground and neighing impatiently.
Reaching the horse, Shen Du hoisted Zhu Yan onto it with a quick motion, then swung himself up behind her. They would ride together.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked.
Sitting on the horse with Shen Du behind her, Zhu Yan felt much more at ease. “I’m fine. Let’s head back!”
Now wasn’t the time to worry about such things. Besides interrogating Wang Buzui, the Guangchun Hall deputy chief, there was also the matter of Ying Zhou Prefect Mo Qianzhi. Especially him… the situation was quite complex.
“Mm,” Shen Du responded, then wrapped an arm around Zhu Yan, gripped the reins, and kicked the horse’s flanks. The horse set off.
They galloped back, reaching the county yamen around midnight.
Ordinary households had long since retired for the night, but the yamen was still brightly lit.
It was destined to be a restless night.
Back at the yamen, Shen Du caught a whiff of the smoky, blood-tinged scent on himself and immediately felt uncomfortable.
Without a word, he headed to his room to bathe and change clothes.
Everyone had expected Shen Du to start interrogating Mo Qianzhi as soon as he returned, so they were left standing there, bewildered.
As Shen Du left, Zhu Yan followed. They walked side by side.
For a moment, all was quiet except for the occasional sound of footsteps.
Zhu Yan thought for a bit, then steeled herself to ask: “Shen Du, do you know Pan Chi’s whereabouts? Did he escape safely? I’d like to check on him.”
After all, she had been through several near-death experiences today. If it weren’t for Pan Chi saving her, she might not have survived.
It was only natural to inquire about and visit her savior after escaping danger.
Suddenly, Shen Du stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at Zhu Yan, his eyes filled with a cold light. The hand hidden in his sleeve tightened, and his face visibly darkened as he said coldly: “I don’t know.”
The three words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, sending chills down one’s spine.
Shen Du was angry. This woman was truly heartless. Even though it was Pan Chi who had accompanied him through life-and-death situations on the city wall, he had also risked his life and pushed himself to the limit to rush to Guangchun Hall to save her.
Yet the first words out of her mouth were only concern for Pan Chi, without even asking how he was doing.