Chapter 157: Netting Them All

The Flying Bear Iron Cavalry swiftly seized the three large ships, and anyone who resisted was killed immediately.

In truth, the efficiency was still slow; if infantry had been sent instead of cavalry, the process would have been far more suitable.

But Chu Danqing did not care about the process—only the outcome mattered.

The overseers of the three ships were dragged over, trembling with fear; anyone who saw cavalry storm onto their vessel would be terrified, let alone heavily armored cavalry.

"Your Excellencies, what is this… what is this all about?" Xue Yong forced a strained smile, his voice dripping with flattery.

The good news was that his ship carried only funds being returned; all military equipment, grain, alcohol, and other goods had already been sold off, so there was no risk of being caught.

Yet he did not recognize these two men at all, and his heart pounded with dread.

Only someone of great power could mobilize such elite cavalry.

Just this hundred-man unit of heavily armored cavalry—with such superior equipment—could shatter a thousand infantrymen in a charge; the casualties he could not even imagine.

Yet such a powerful cavalry unit had come for him—he doubted even the senior officials of Lin Yuan City could protect him.

"I have no patience for roundabout talk. Confess honestly, and your family may yet live." As Xiong Zhigang spoke, the pressure he exerted made sweat pour down Xue Yong's forehead.

Since assuming command of the military, Xiong Zhigang, already a high-ranking official, began to radiate his aura openly.

If he himself were weak, how could he command the arrogant soldiers and fierce generals? Previously restrained, he now no longer concealed his power.

Xue Yong shuddered in fear, offering a smile worse than crying: "Your Excellency, I don't understand what you mean."

"I'm just a humble, law-abiding merchant. This… this…" Xue Yong could not speak.

This operation involved not only the senior officials of Lin Yuan City, but also those in the capital.

He had considered bribing them, but he could tell the one in charge was not Xiong Zhigang in his official robes, but Chu Danqing, standing silently to the side.

The man clearly targeted his smuggling—not merely seeking a bribe. Money would not solve this.

"It seems you won't break until you see the coffin." Xiong Zhigang's expression turned icy at the reply.

"Take him out and administer ten blows."

No sooner had he spoken than Xue Yong was dragged away.

Immediately, screams erupted.

After only two blows, Xue Yong could no longer endure it, crying out: "Your Excellency, I'll talk, I'll talk!"

These ten blows were not on the buttocks—they were on the spine.

With the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry's innate talent, attributes, and skills, if they didn't hold back, ten blows would kill him outright.

Even if they held back, by the second blow Xue Yong knew he would survive the ten—but become a paralyzed cripple confined to bed.

This was the most terrifying outcome: once he lost his value, both Lin Yuan City and the capital would abandon him.

The result would be the dog slaughtered after the rabbit is dead.

Upon Xiong Zhigang's order, Xue Yong was dragged back.

"I was ordered by the Provincial Governor of Lin Yuan. This route also includes…" Xue Yong spilled everything like beans from a sack.

"Where are the ledgers and lists?" Chu Danqing asked.

"N-no. They're all in the hands of the Provincial Governor," Xue Yong gasped through the pain.

These were the lifeline—how could they possibly be entrusted to a mere frontman like him?

Just as Xiong Zhigang was about to speak, a Flying Bear Iron Cavalryman reported.

"Grand Coordinator, a group is approaching—likely carrying smuggled goods," the cavalryman said.

Xiong Zhigang's face broke into a smile: "Master Chu, fortune favors us. We thought we'd scared them off, yet they're so careless."

"Seize them all," Xiong Zhigang ordered the cavalryman.

In the next instant, dozens of Flying Bear Iron Cavalrymen moved. Within less than a quarter-hour, the arrests were complete.

There was some resistance, but it amounted to nothing against the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry.

"Commander Qiao truly works tirelessly—even in the dead of night, serving the nation and people," Chu Danqing remarked, spotting Qiao Huaiyuan among the captives.

When Qiao Huaiyuan saw Chu Danqing, his expression turned grim.

In an instant, countless suspicions flashed through his mind.

"Master Chu, you've come from the capital—surely you're targeting Lin Yuan City," Qiao Huaiyuan no longer showed the flattery he had displayed during the day.

He had investigated during the day; now, at night, they were arresting people. He could not believe this was unplanned.

"Then I'll be blunt," Qiao Huaiyuan glanced at Xue Yong—he guessed the man had already confessed: "This route carries Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's personal funds."

"We're merely running errands for Her Majesty. Master Chu, even if you report us to the capital, they'll only replace us."

"This route must continue—you cannot stop it," Qiao Huaiyuan bluntly revealed his patron.

Chu Danqing heard this and narrowed his eyes—it made perfect sense.

"I understand. But what of Yang Wenju and Bai Xiaohe?" Chu Danqing cared little for the Empress Dowager's personal funds.

His current evaluation task was far more important.

"Huh?" Qiao Huaiyuan was thrown off by the question.

In his view, those two were insignificant.

"Speak!" Xiong Zhigang snapped.

Qiao Huaiyuan hurried to answer: "Bai Xiaohe's husband, Ge Da, was a night watchman. Last month, he stumbled upon our smuggling operation."

"We had no choice but to kill him to silence him."

"Yang Wenju is the scapegoat."

Chu Danqing heard this and did not believe it for a moment. He said two words: "Sea Map."

Qiao Huaiyuan's face turned pale—he could not fathom how Chu Danqing, having arrived in Lin Yuan City only two days ago, had uncovered so much.

"It's the Sea-Defending Map drawn by the founding Emperor, later lost."

"If obtained, it could open several new river and sea trade routes."

"Rumors claim the map is in Yang Wenju's possession, though this has not been confirmed," Qiao Huaiyuan said.

Chu Danqing, upon hearing this, began to consider his next move.

This affair had grown too large—hard to contain now.

He couldn't kill them all, could he? Though… it didn't seem impossible.

Chu Danqing looked at the group: corrupt officials who plundered the people, gang members who oppressed the countryside.

Every single one of them was no good.

As for possible innocents? The phrase "innocent participants in smuggling" was inherently contradictory.

Did they really think they could pull off some "My Neighbor Totoro" act?

"Master Chu, what's your decision?" Xiong Zhigang sensed Chu Danqing's shift in mood.

"Take the goods. Dispose of the people."

"Then interrogate how many high-ranking members of the Azure Dragon Society are among them."

"We'll… never mind. I'll handle the Azure Dragon Society myself." Chu Danqing had originally planned to have Xiong Zhigang accompany him.

But bringing the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry into the city would change everything.

It would shift from exterminating a clan to assaulting the city—potentially triggering a rebellion subplot.

If Xiong Zhigang could bring all his troops, Chu Danqing wouldn't care—but with only 176 Flying Bear Iron Cavalrymen, rebellion was still too risky.

"Agreed, as Master Chu wishes," Xiong Zhigang said, then raised his flag. The Flying Bear Iron Cavalry moved instantly.

"Wait! I'm a high-ranking official of the court! Even if you must kill me, you need a tripartite trial and imperial sentencing!" Qiao Huaiyuan had not expected Chu Danqing to act so directly.

His confidence came from his official rank and connections—he believed the worst he could face was dismissal.

Qiao Huaiyuan's plan was sound—but he had forgotten Chu Danqing was not an official of the Da Shuo Empire.

So he acted without hesitation.

The Flying Bear Iron Cavalry raised their blades—and Qiao Huaiyuan's head fell.

Some captives tried to flee at the sight, but none made it two steps before an arrow pierced their hearts.

The personnel were cleared; the grain and alcohol, originally smuggled goods, were secured.

Cleanup began: corpses were loaded onto the smuggling ships and piled together.

"I feel like we gained nothing tonight," Chu Danqing sighed.

He had indeed uncovered the truth.

But the side quest required him to overturn the verdict in court and clear Yang Wenju and Bai Xiaohe's names.

It was like skipping the plot segment and trying to claim the reward—unfinished, unresolved, stuck in limbo.

"Actually, it's simple. Take these two heads and place them on the Provincial Governor's bedside. He'll understand the rest," Xiong Zhigang said, bringing forward Qiao Huaiyuan's and Xue Yong's severed heads.

"Evidence doesn't matter—interest does," Xiong Zhigang explained to Chu Danqing: "Your goal is to overturn the verdict and restore their honor."

"Nowhere does it require proof. You could have Guo Xiao brandish his sword and kill a hundred or so high-ranking officials, then tell them plainly: you only seek justice."

"They won't risk their lives over this."

Chu Danqing thought again: "What if I added the head of the Azure Dragon Society's leader? Would that be more effective?"

Xiong Zhigang was right—but this would trigger even greater chaos.

He thought like an enemy: anything that worked was fair game.

You don't preach propriety, righteousness, benevolence, wisdom, and faithfulness to your enemies.

But Chu Danqing was different—his logic leaned toward the common people.

"Of course," Xiong Zhigang agreed. "But Master Chu, you'll have to make one extra trip."

"No problem. Dawn is still far off, and I must wait for the Son of Heaven's return before acting. Since we've finished here, let me see you back."

Chu Danqing looked at the packed smuggled goods and activated the covenant to return them to Xiong Zhigang.

"Next time Master Chu summons me, it would be best to give me a quarter-hour's notice—I need time to mobilize my troops," Xiong Zhigang reminded him.

"I have it under control," Chu Danqing said, then sent them back.

【Detected that the covenant partner carries an unaffiliated, unranked item. You may choose to pay a processing fee to complete the transfer, or abandon the transfer.】

【1. Processing fee: Paradise Points ×10】

【2. Abandoning the transfer will leave the item where it is.】

—

【You returned the covenant partner. Cognitive rationalization adjustment completed. Current duration: 3 hours. Cost: Paradise Points ×3】

Xiong Zhigang took only food and alcohol, not military supplies—the processing fee was not expensive.

(End of Chapter)