Chapter 75 Laying in Wait

With the leaders apprehended, the warriors from the City Guard Battalion and the Ghost Blade Sect gradually regained their composure.

Bai Xian finally had the chance to clarify the situation.

“So, you’re saying that last night, someone who looked exactly like him, claiming to be Liu Yongqing, a constable from the Suppression Division, visited your sect, and vanished without a trace this morning, taking the treasured blade with him?”

A brief exchange cleared up why they had been attacked upon entering the county. It turned out someone had impersonated Liu Yongqing.

A squad of Japanese cavalrymen, able to swindle food, drink, and trust deep within the vast rear lines of the Nationalist Government, was enough to demonstrate the simple honesty of the people of Guanzhong; yet it also revealed a troubling issue—the dangerous complacency of the populace in the rear.

“The future deity, let me hold you a while longer, just a bit longer.” Ye Chen clung on desperately, unwilling to let go.

But Zhao Tiezhu was the boss's boss. If he forbade following, Brother Kun dared not insist, caught between duty and hesitation.

“In that case, do not blame me for being ruthless,” the purple-haired elder said coldly, his palm pressing down with the might of a quasi-saint king. Even before it landed, the ground beneath began to crack from the pressure.

When Hu Liegui admitted that he had supplied Qin Momo with opium, Ding Yong let out a cold chuckle and pressed further, “Where did it come from? Did you get it from Millstone Gully? Is that your opium smuggling den?” Ding Yong voiced the suspicion for him.

Guan Jinlin, though highly skilled in martial arts, found himself at a disadvantage before firearms; bullets rained down inescapably, and he was struck yet again, collapsing to the ground.

For now, there was one thing certain: Yaya was already married to Luo An. Everything she did from now on required Luo An’s consent, lest it lead to dire consequences.

Tang Yan and Liu Yifei were close friends, and through that connection, she also got along well with Zhang Liangying and Yao Beina, inviting each to serve as mentors for a season.

Zhao Tiezhu, of course, noticed Zhao Meng’s expression, but with others present, he could not offer comfort just yet.

It had been a long time since the Su family was this lively; perhaps, for once, both the master and mistress would be truly pleased.

In these austere times, for Lin Xuan to craft such a fan with his bare hands was no small feat.

Now, even if her bindings were removed, her feet were too deformed to ever return to their natural shape. Yet her heart yearned to break free from these feudal shackles—a longing hidden for more than a decade, waiting only for the right moment to burst forth.

Su Wanqiu approached, carrying a steaming bowl of sorghum porridge and three sorghum cakes.

Si Nanzhi had seen that dish before—it was one of the old madam’s favorites. She disliked sweet things, so every time the kitchen prepared it, they left out the sugar, using only light soy for flavor.

After a few words of praise and flattery, Lin Xuan seemed to float with pride—perhaps he would spend a memorable evening with Hongliu here.

He looked up in frustration, but the moment he saw the person before him, he froze, astonishment and joy flickering in his eyes.

There was braised pheasant, a soup boiled from wild boar bones, and a stack of sorghum flatbreads—perhaps a dozen or more.

“No need. Since that person is so confident, he mustn’t fear you’ll uncover anything. Even if someone comes to collect the money, it’ll just be a stranger pulled off the street. You’re still too inexperienced.” The detective stretched lazily, gazing absentmindedly out the window.

“Old Dai, so you come from a family of detectives? If the stone grotto was dug from your relative’s cellar, how could he not know what his forebears did for a living?” The fat man snatched the ring from the table, slipped it back into his pocket, and questioned further.

But Jiang Yun seemed intent on marrying her off to Wei Bao. The Wei brothers, Wei Hu and Wei Bao, were young generals with real power. If they became brothers-in-law, their allegiance would naturally turn to Jiang Yun, further strengthening his position and securing his power.

He grew anxious, afraid—unaware that Jiang Muyun already knew about their marriage, he instinctively tried to cover it up.