Chapter 152: Finally a Lead on An An

Outside the public hall, the crowd stirred; the townsfolk glanced about, wanting to see whom the Dog Official was asking for help.

From the back of the crowd, Zhao, the Captor Head, saw the man's hesitant expression and whispered, "Sir, are you afraid of that Xi Tun Guan general?"

The man sneered, "Even if you were a minister in the Capital Royal City, I would not give you the slightest regard. How could I fear a petty border‑gate commander? Ridiculous!"

Zhao asked again, "Is it because you are accompanied by dozens of elite soldiers that you feel uneasy? Rest assured, nearly two hundred Constables from this county are about to return; should that minor border‑gate general act brazenly toward you, we can protect you."

The man laughed, "You useless Constables could never match border troops; even two hundred of you are insufficient to be worth looking at."

Having said that, he drew a token from his bosom, handed it to his close attendant, and whispered a few instructions.

The attendant left swiftly.

The man flicked his sleeve, clasped his hands behind his back, lifted his head and chest, and said, "Zhao, Captor Head, clear the way for me."

Zhao rejoiced, immediately bellowed, "You, Sir, has arrived!"

The other Constables immediately pushed the nearby townsfolk aside, shoving and shouting, "Step aside, step aside! You is here; those who are sensible, don't block the way!"

Some townsfolk, startled, hurried back, gave way, and then knelt on the ground in succession.

A small portion, clueless, saw others kneel and dared not remain standing.

In the crowd, someone cautiously asked the person beside them, "Who is this You, Sir? He looks quite young—could he be older than the county magistrate?"

Someone immediately replied, "Our Daxuan has five commanderies; our He Wan County belongs to Longyuan Commandery, and this You, Sir, is the Prefect of Longyuan! The Prefect can be said to be the most powerful local official aside from the high officials of the Capital Royal City."

"Sss… how does General Duan compare to him?"

"Far inferior. After all, even the whole Xi Tun Guan area nominally belongs to Longyuan Commandery. According to Daxuan's rules, that General Duan is only the commander of Xi Tun Guan, roughly equivalent to a county magistrate; when facing the local Prefect, he must obey orders."

"…"

Inside the public hall, Duan Wu's expression changed slightly.

Although he had never met You, Sir, he knew his status.

He hadn't expected that using the He Wan County Magistrate would hook such a big fish.

He glanced quietly at Xiao Qidi.

Xiao Qidi's face remained unchanged, his eyes as still as an ancient well, yet the hand resting on the rail had veins bulging.

Indeed, Daxuan is divided into only five commanderies, showing how high and powerful the Prefect's position is; yet this high‑ranking local official has become a crutch for the He Wan County Dog Official.

His Majesty's heart must be raging with fury at this moment.

"Sir… Sir!" the He Wan County Magistrate wailed, "You finally appear! I almost lost my life!"

You, Sir, walked hands behind his back to the public hall's main gate, glanced at the He Wan County Magistrate, then ordered the soldiers holding him, "Release the magistrate at once!?"

The two soldiers remained unmoved.

Zhao shouted harshly, "How daring! You won't even heed the Commandery Governor's words?!"

You, Sir lifted his gaze into the hall, stared directly at Duan Wu, and sneered, "Since when does even a border‑gate watchdog dare to sit in the County Office to try cases? You've broadened my horizons."

The townsfolk gathered outside the hall, seeing this, felt their hearts chill by half.

It's over.

So the Prefect turned out not to be a good sort.

With him personally stepping in to protect the magistrate, General Duan likely cannot rid the people of evil any longer.

Duan Wu, with a composed expression, rose from the trial table, stepped forward a few paces, clasped his fists and said, "Junior General Duan Wu, reporting to the Prefect, Sir."

"Heh," You, Sir said with a contemptuous expression, "General Duan, don't think that just because the court recently issued a notice praising your defense of Xi Tun Guan and promoted you to border‑gate general, you can take yourself seriously."

"Junior General does not dare to be arrogant," Duan Wu said with a faint smile, addressing the soldiers, "Release the magistrate first."

The two soldiers let go immediately.

With a thud, the He Wan County Magistrate fell face‑first onto the mud, his mouth hitting the threshold and snapping several teeth.

Zhao hurriedly helped him up; a few Constables nearby, seeing the magistrate still bare‑bottomed, clumsily tried to lift him, only to strike his fresh, raw wounds.

"Ah!" the He Wan County Magistrate trembled all over, "Gentle… be gentle!"

"Sir, you… you must endure," Zhao whispered, "Not putting your trousers on truly mars your bearing."

The magistrate's mouth ached and his backside hurt even more, yet he could only grit through it; after much effort, with the Constables' help, he finally managed to put on his trousers.

You, Sir looked at his pitifully disheveled state, frowned and shook his head, "Sigh, go down quickly for treatment."

"Yes, Sir, thank you… thank you, Sir," the He Wan County Magistrate said, eyes full of gratitude.

"The case isn't finished yet; how can you leave?" Duan Wu suddenly spoke.

As his words fell, several soldiers blocked the hall entrance directly.

You, Sir wore a stern face and scolded, "Duan Wu! Are you opposing me? Do you believe I will strip you of your general rank?"

Before Duan Wu could speak, Xiao Qidi murmured, "Sir, your authority is immense. General Duan may be a border‑gate commander of a small region, but at least he was appointed by His Majesty himself; you are not a soldier of Longyuan Commandery, so what right do you have to remove his position?"

You, Sir turned his head, squinting, and asked, "What kind of person are you, kid?"

Now that they were close, he felt the previously vague sense of familiarity grow even stronger.

But no matter how he tried to recall, he could not find any concrete information in his mind.

The He Wan County Magistrate, suppressing his pain, leaned close to his ear and whispered, "That kid is Su Mu, a migrant from elsewhere; the theft from my household's storeroom is very likely linked to him… moreover, those who serve you were given to him…"

"So this kid was behind it…" You, Sir's eyes instantly turned cold and vicious.

At that moment, Xiao Qidi inadvertently saw the tiny head‑rope hanging from You's jade pendant at his waist, and his pupils contracted instantly.

He recognized that object.

Around noon yesterday, Ning Jinli saw that the Xiu Mei household had not even a morsel of decent food, so she opened a Spacetime Portal back to the modern world, brought some supplies to the Xiu Mei family, and also bought a tiny hair‑accessory to give to An An.

That was an item only found in the modern world where Ning Jinli lived; she said it was made of rubber band, and the pink crystal‑like beautiful bead on it was also artificial.

Such a trinket simply does not exist in this era.

Thus Xiao Qidi not only recognized it in an instant, but could directly conclude that this You, Sir must have had contact with An An!

So, ten out of ten chances… An An was handed over to him by Human Traffickers!

No wonder the human traffickers kept their mouths shut like sealed bottles; even if they endured extreme torture to the point of sacrificing their lives, they didn't reveal a single clue.

That makes sense!

Xiao Qidi's mind raced, suppressing his killing intent, he rose and clasped his hands, saying: "You, I am a lowly aide beside General Duan; if I have offended, please forgive me. I think today's matter may be a misunderstanding; may I discuss it with General Duan?"

You had originally wanted to find an excuse to kill him outright, but seeing his attitude suddenly so good, you also wanted to see what he was up to.

He then showed an arrogant smile, waved his hand, and said: "Alright, go discuss. I give you half an incense stick's time; if you cannot give me a satisfactory explanation, you don't even think about leaving this gate alive."

Duan Wu was somewhat at a loss, but still cooperated with Xiao Qidi, and together they went to the rear gate of the hall.

Xiao Qidi quickly told Duan Wu his findings and deductions.

Duan Wu's eyes widened, and he said: "What are we waiting for? I'll directly reveal your identity; that damn Prefect won't be scared silly, he'll honestly confess everything and hand over An An as well."

"No," Xiao Qidi shook his head, "the human traffickers deliberately handed over a four- or five-year-old little girl to him; behind this must be some important shady reason. If he refuses to admit it even to death, or simply gives up, we will never find An An."

Duan Wu anxiously asked: "What should we do then?"

"I have a plan." Xiao Qidi then detailed the upcoming strategy to Duan Wu.

After listening, Duan Wu shook his head like a rattle drum, his dark, rough face turning purplish-red: "No, no, let me do this… it's too unbearable! I'd rather be killed."

Xiao Qidi's eyes turned cold and deep: "Think of the people of He Wan County, think of An An now in danger."

"I…" Duan Wu wore a grief-stricken face, "but I really can't do it; what if I fail to act convincingly?"

"Even if you can't, you must fake it," Xiao Qidi placed both hands on his shoulders, "just pretend for a moment; it's not really asking you to become that."

Duan Wu took a few deep breaths: "Yes, I… I will do my best."

After they had discussed and agreed, they returned to the hall.

"How is it? Have you figured out how to give me an explanation?" You asked indifferently.

Duan Wu's cheeks twitched a few times, suppressing his intense discomfort, he forced himself to squeeze out a fawning smile: "You, please take your seat."

Saying this, he lowered his head and bent his waist, personally supporting You to sit on the chair at the judgment table.

This sight made the crowd of commoners gathered outside the hall feel utterly chilled.

"Ah…"

"We had thought Heaven had opened its eyes, sending an upright general to rescue us, but…"

"There's nothing we can do; who let that be the Prefect? Officials protect each other, we commoners are powerless."

"…"

Sighs and murmurs drifted in waves into the hall.

You showed a look of disdain, paying no heed.

He never took the thoughts and words of ants seriously.

Duan Wu felt uneasy inside, clenched his fists and pinched his palms hard with his fingertips to stay calm, then he steeled himself and shouted loudly: "You commoners, hurry out of the County Gate! Anyone who dares to spout nonsense again, I, the general, will arrest you!"

The crowd's faces were ashen; although they all kept silent, the silent despair and anger covered their faces.

Even Xiao Qidi turned away, unable to bear seeing their expressions.

"Still not leaving?" Duan Wu roared, "All soldiers, hear the order! Drive them out!"

The soldiers present looked stunned, incredulously glancing at Duan Wu and Xiao Qidi.

But they quickly realized, according to His Majesty's and our general's character, they would never treat commoners this way, so there must be some hidden motive.

Thus, without a word, they tacitly cooperated in carrying out the order, each putting on a fierce and menacing look, beginning to drive the commoners away.

The commoners fled in terror like a receding tide.

"General Duan, what do you mean by this?" You asked leisurely.

Duan Wu dropped to his knees, smiling apologetically toward the He Wan County Magistrate leaning on the nearby bench: "Magistrate, I'm truly sorry; I've caused you suffering."

The He Wan County Magistrate was somewhat at a loss.

This guy was just so tough, insisting on executing him, and now he suddenly changed like a different person?

He said nothing, silently looking at You.

Duan Wu continued to say to You: "Now that things have come to this point, I as a subordinate can no longer conceal it; actually… I never expected the flood to wash away the Longwang Temple."

You showed an interested expression: "You seem to have hidden meaning in your words; speak the truth."

"This…" Duan Wu glanced at the constables still inside the hall.

You waved a hand: "All of you, retreat."

After the constables had disappeared, You pressed on: "Can you speak now?"

Duan Wu deliberately showed an embarrassed, awkward expression: "If I speak, I ask the County Magistrate and the Commandery Governor not to be angry."

You had already had your appetite whetted in vain, urging: "Speak quickly, speak quickly; you have no qualifications to bargain with me."

"Yes, yes, yes," Duan Wu nodded repeatedly, "actually… I as a subordinate wanted to make some silver; hearing that the He Wan County Magistrate was filthy rich, I came up with a nasty scheme, sending my aide to He Wan County to see if there was an opportunity to ruthlessly extort the County Magistrate for a sum…"

The He Wan County Magistrate shouted in anger: "Are you even human?!"

Duan Wu glared at him and said righteously: "Don't you know how poor Xi Tun Guan is? I, the general, am really short on funds; is it wrong to want to earn some silver to spend?"

"You…" the He Wan County Magistrate was momentarily speechless, his old face trembling with anger, even his wound throbbing sharply.

"Hahaha!" You laughed out loud, "General Duan, I've discovered you're also a passionate person, even interesting. Tell me, since you're only after silver, how did you get to this point? You even planned to execute the He Wan County Magistrate and wipe out his family."

Duan Wu gave an embarrassed laugh: "Su Mu, while looking for opportunities, not only discovered that the He Wan County Magistrate had set up illegal tax items, oppressing the people and filling his own pockets, but also inadvertently discovered the Human Traffickers gang, and then found that the Human Traffickers gang had an unclear relationship with the County Magistrate. So I, together with him, decided to use these matters as a pretext to give the County Magistrate a clean sweep—this would be justified, not raise suspicion among the people, and also allow us to confiscate his property."

"You damn… beast!" the He Wan County Magistrate couldn't help but burst out cursing.

"Hahahaha! Interesting, truly interesting!" You laughed doubling over, "General Duan, you are really a talent; I appreciate you more and more."

Seeing You's attitude, the He Wan County Magistrate, even though he was about to go mad with anger, could only endure, saying: "Wait a moment! General Duan, I ask you, my storehouse has been emptied—was it really your people who did it?"

Duan Wu furtively glanced at Xiao Qidi.

Xiao Qidi stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "It was me who did it."

The He Wan County Magistrate's whole face trembled, his eyes seeming to spit fire, he gritted his back teeth and questioned:

「That's not right! Since you've already emptied out my family's wealth, why would you still need to take the lives of my whole family and then ransack the house? Do you have some other ulterior motive? ！」