Chapter 157: Li Tan: Liu Prefect, Do You Really Understand?

Stop!

Halt!

Running wildly through the streets at night, where are you heading?

A few officials, acting on Liu Bingzhong's orders, sped forward, intercepted the suddenly appearing runner, and began the routine interrogation.

Is this the attire of the Jing Zhao Fu?

Tang Yong abruptly halted, panting heavily, and in the moonlight glanced at the clothing of the officials blocking the way; on a closer look he instantly recognized them and exclaimed in surprise, "You are Jing Zhao Fu officials?!"

Right... right?

By the end, the voice seeking confirmation began to tremble.

Having lived in Chang'an for many years, how could Tang Yong not recognize the dress of Jing Zhao Fu officials?

Exactly.

The leading official gave a confirming reply, his face stern and extremely serious, and asked sharply, "Who exactly are you?"

Answer my previous question!

Saying that, he lifted the lantern he was holding a bit higher.

The faint reddish light illuminated the other's face.

I... I am a servant of the Right General's Residence!

I am here to report to the authorities!

Tang Yong bowed and clasped his fists, stating his identity and purpose, and looking into the questioning official's bright eyes, said, "It's truly fortunate to meet you gentlemen here!"

He appeared both nervous and excited.

He never expected that, just after stepping out of the gate, he would happen to encounter Jing Zhao Fu officials patrolling the streets.

Thus, he could save a great deal of travel time...

Right-hand General? General Shangguan?... Liu Bingzhong, who had just stepped forward, muttered to himself while asking, "Report? What are you reporting?"

If Liu Bingzhong remembered correctly, turning onto the street ahead would lead to the Right-hand General's Residence.

But as a distinguished military officer, it couldn't possibly be an assassination at this late hour, could it?

"Sir, you are....?" Tang Yong called out, scanning the casually dressed Liu Bingzhong with puzzlement.

From the clothing alone, Tang Yong could not discern his identity.

Yet his bearing and the surrounding deference made him feel that he was extraordinary...

Something that doesn't open its eyes!

The leading official cursed at Tang Yong, then turned to Liu Bingzhong, clasped his fists, and formally introduced, "The person standing before you is Prefect Liu!"

Prefect?!

Tang Yong's body trembled, his eyes widened, and he suddenly realized; after regaining composure, he bowed to Liu Bingzhong, saying, "I have seen you, Prefect!"

He paused, then continued, "My master has passed away!"

Hold...

Liu Bingzhong instinctively raised his hand, about to wave it away, but after hearing the latter part of Tang Yong's words, his hand froze mid‑air, and he asked in surprise, "Who did you say passed away?"

Shangguan Jun is dead?!

How did he die?!

This unexpected news instantly roiled Liu Bingzhong's mind like a stormy sea.

The fleeting thought just moments ago had now become reality...

It couldn't possibly be a real assassination, could it?!!!

"The Physician in the residence said it was death by poison..." Tang Yong said truthfully.

Immediately, as if recalling something else, he added, "There were others who also perished, not just my master..."

"Who else?" Liu Bingzhong furrowed his brows and asked.

"Physician of the Qiu Official Office, Lord Liang Qi Liang!" Tang Yong said cautiously, "At the moment of poisoning, the two of them were drinking together..."

Recalling the scene that had just unfolded in the residence, Tang Yong shivered.

Those two died in an especially gruesome way...

Just thinking of it feels chilling.

General Shangguan is dead, Liang Qi Liang is dead, and this person happened to be right beside them... Liu Bingzhong gave no response to Tang Yong's words, but turned his gaze toward the Master of the Black Tortoise Mirror, Bright Mirror Division standing beside him, Li Tan.

Ask how such a coincidence could exist in the world?

That I would be patrolling the streets at this time and place was all because this lord pulled me here...

Moreover, there was not even a hint of shock on his face, as if he had already known.

The more one thinks, the more terrifying it becomes.

"Hey, Old Liu, what are you daydreaming about!"

Li Tan reached out, gently shook the bewildered Liu Bingzhong's view, and called out.

Hm?

Ha, I was just spacing out...

Sensing the movement, Liu Bingzhong snapped back to attention, striving to maintain a normal demeanor with an awkward yet polite smile.

"Old Liu, these two Court officials were poisoned to death in the residence; the matter is grave, the impact extremely detrimental, and must be dealt with promptly..."

Li Tan's eyes flashed with an odd hue, he placed his hand on Liu Bingzhong's shoulder, and said in a deep voice.

He paused, then emphasized again, "It must be handled properly!"

The Celestial Palace began its duel of techniques... Liu Bingzhong swallowed hard, muttered a bitter thought, and nodded, replying, "I understand."

"It will certainly be dealt with properly..."

What kind of case is this?

Clearly it's about seizing the Da Zhou Court, the top powers of several big bosses launching a deadly struggle, vowing to decide a life‑or‑death outcome.....

Liu Bingzhong, at that moment, deeply realized that in this situation he must firmly choose a side.

Whether to soar straight to the clouds or plunge into the abyss depends entirely on this hesitation!

Li Tan sneered, dissatisfied with Liu Bingzhong's answer, and asked meaningfully, "Lord Liu, the Prefect, have you truly understood?"

He emphasized the word "truly," enunciating it heavily and subtly altering the address.

The implication was obvious.

A full‑blown confirmation (a threat).

Liu Bingzhong inhaled sharply, beads of fine sweat forming on his forehead, his fingertips pressed into his palm, and he quickly rephrased, "The incident happened suddenly; my Capital Metropolitan Office is unable to cope. May I request Mirror Keeper Li to accompany us and help investigate this major case?"

Only then did Liu Bingzhong realize why Li Tan was pulling him here together.....

It was a reprimand, leaving him no room for choice.....

Given his position, there was no possibility of staying out of it while fence‑sitting.

There was only one option: Da Zhong Zai.

It can only be a gamble!

"Since you, Old Liu, have spoken up, I'll accompany you on this journey!" Li Tan finally smiled, withdrew his hand from Liu Bingzhong's shoulder, and said loudly.

He presented an utterly harmless demeanor.

"Stop standing there!"

"Lead the way!"

Liu Bingzhong felt a sigh of relief, wore a strained face, turned his head toward Tang Yong, and shouted.

"Yes."

"This way, please!"

Unaware of what had happened, Tang Yong quickly made a beckoning gesture.

Inside the Right General's residence.

"Madam, the Jing Zhao Fu officials have arrived!"

"And the Prefect himself has come!"

Tang Yong was the first to enter and report.

How did they arrive so quickly?........ While Wu Xiqing, who was guarding Shangguan Jun's corpse, felt a hint of doubt, she thought the messenger had just left, but out of courtesy she rose and saluted, "I have seen Lord Liu!"

"My husband died a violent death; please, Lord Liu, find the murderer and give my husband justice!"

His words were earnest, full of grief.

Shangguan Jun's corpse was truly tragic, and Da Zhong Zai's pen was ruthless........ Liu Bingzhong glanced sideways at the two on the bed, twitched his mouth, felt deeply moved, yet maintained a solemn façade and said earnestly, "Madam Shangguan, rest assured!"

"I, the official, will uphold justice for the Right General and bring the thief to law!"

Don't be fooled by Liu Bingzhong's lofty, confident words; he is truly in a dilemma....

Solving the case and catching the culprit is easy; the difficulty lies in knowing who the murderer is and how to balance matters to submit a "report" that satisfies Da Zhong Zai!