Chapter 271: Meeting the Cocoon-Eater Again

Wu Qingzhao felt that the mistake of arresting the wrong person could not be blamed on himself.

And the brothers had indeed exerted themselves.

Yesterday, everyone mobilized collectively, scouring the city for clues.

One team learned from the Iron Boat Gang that a law cultivator had entered the city not long ago, lived in the eastern district, and had suddenly become very wealthy recently.

This team was also able to keep their cool.

They investigated on their own first; if it wasn't him, so be it, but if it was, they would secure a great merit.

They risked secretly watching him through the night.

Sure enough, this law cultivator used the "Five Ghosts Transport" technique to steal over ten taels of silver from a cabinet in an inn in the eastern district.

So early the next morning, while secretly keeping an eye on that law cultivator, they sent someone back to urgently report and request reinforcements.

They dared not make the arrest themselves; since this law cultivator could steal things from the Canal Authority's warehouse, his skill level must be very high.

Wu Qingzhao also hurriedly went to find Behind Miao Yu; the arrest had to be overseen personally by the Lord of Discipline to be secure.

Moreover, Wu Qingzhao knew that the Lord of Discipline had hosted Xu Yuan for a banquet and had not returned all night.

His heart was also very anxious, so he hurriedly went first to report to Behind Miao Yu.

After Behind Miao Yu returned, he immediately led the large force of the Shanhe Office to set out.

Behind Miao Yu had already prepared to intervene personally, but a group of Captains broke down the door and rushed in; as soon as the fight started, they captured that law cultivator!

By this time, Behind Miao Yu and Wu Qingzhao felt something was wrong.

But since the person had already been arrested, let's interrogate him.

That law cultivator indeed had a look of confusion on his face, and even after the severe torture was applied, the law cultivator still could not confess.

Behind Miao Yu then glared fiercely at Wu Qingzhao: "A bunch of useless things!"

Then he turned and left.

This law cultivator was merely of ninth-rate skill; even the wealthy merchants in the city could not succeed.

Let alone the Canal Authority's warehouse.

Wu Qingzhao was also furious, but the brothers had risked staying up all night, and they had indeed caught a criminal; how could one say they were wrong?

I, old Wu, did not verify it, but if you, the Lord of Discipline, did not go to recruit Xu Yuan, would I have been so anxious to find you and say "the case is solved"?

We actually didn't make any major mistakes.

Wu Qingzhao was also somewhat relieved; fortunately, he had not "invited" Xu Yuan to join the case investigation just now.

Coincidentally, Master Wen Bin Bin arrived at this moment.

Coincidentally, Master Wen Bin Bin brought Xu Yuan with him!

Originally, catching this law cultivator was a small merit, but now it has become a public embarrassment.

Seeing Xu Yuan, Behind Miao Yu's face showed some displeasure.

"Inspector Xu seems to have a good relationship with Lord Wen."

Xu Yuan said: "We met on the road; Lord Wen said there was a public matter requiring my accompaniment."

Today he was just here to watch the show; putting other things aside, Xu Yuan would first clear his own name.

Master Wen Bin Bin also said: "This matter has nothing to do with Inspector Xu; I temporarily dragged him along. Where is the person? Where have you hidden him?"

"What person?"

"Hmph! Still pretending to be ignorant to this official? It has spread all over the eastern district that the Shanhe Office made a massive deployment this morning and arrested the key suspect in the Canal Authority case!"

Behind Miao Yu then coldly glanced at Wu Qingzhao.

You made the mess; you solve it yourself.

Wu Qingzhao gritted his teeth: "A misunderstanding; it is not the suspect in the Canal Authority case, but... another criminal who used the Five Ghosts Transport technique to steal silver from several households."

"Hehehe!" Master Wen Bin Bin crossed his arms and sneered: "Got it wrong? Do none of the people in your Shanhe Office have brains? A mere Five Ghosts Transport technique, capable of stealing from the Canal Authority?"

Xu Yuan stood aside and simply did not speak.

Wu Qingzhao lowered his head and did not even dare to look at Xu Yuan.

Not only did he fail to show off his skills in front of Xu Yuan, but he also lost face!

Behind Miao Yu finally spoke: "Lord Wen, our Shanhe Office has its own procedures for handling cases. This law cultivator indeed committed illegal acts; is there any problem?"

Master Wen Bin Bin, however, refused to let it go: "Take me to see the prisoner! Who knows if your Shanhe Office extracted a confession through torture?"

Behind Miao Yu waved his hand impatiently: "Wu Qingzhao, you take them."

Behind Miao Yu turned and entered the room, not intending to accompany them.

Wu Qingzhao had no choice but to lead Master Wen Bin Bin to the water prison.

Although torture was applied, it was not a forced confession.

Master Wen Bin Bin could not find a reason to continue his outburst, but his foul mouth mocked the entire Shanhe Office until they were utterly ashamed.

Xu Yuan did not say another word until he followed Master Wen Bin Bin out of the Shanhe Office gate.

Wu Qingzhao, having finally sent this plague god Master Wen Bin Bin away, returned to beg forgiveness from the Lord of Discipline.

Behind Miao Yu said coldly through the door: "This official is tired; you may go on your own."

Wu Qingzhao, with a dark face, gritted his teeth and left.

Now there was even less chance to organize the Lord of Discipline to recruit Xu Yuan.

After the person outside left, Behind Miao Yu, inside the room, fiercely crushed a teacup in his hand: "This bunch of useless things has completely lost my face!"

Then he could not help but let out a long sigh, becoming even more "eager for talent."

After leaving the Shanhe Office, Master Wen Bin Bin sent Xu Yuan away.

Lu Yuanxiang wanted to follow Master Wen Bin Bin back to the guest house, but could not find an excuse.

After returning alone to the Nancheng patrol station, he went straight to find Zhang Laoya.

"Senior, you are likely doomed this time."

Zhang Laoya was not frightened; he snorted and said, "Don't spread alarmist talk. At my age, I have weathered many storms."

Xu Yuan: "It seems you do not know those three well enough. They have thrown their lot in with a great figure. I may not be able to protect you here."

Zhang Laoya still did not believe him: "Don't think you can rush me out early; I will definitely stay here for a full three months."

Xu Yuan said, "I have no intention of rushing you out, it's just... I'll say it plainly: those three sisters came to Zhan City together with the Imperial Inspector, Lord Master Wen Bin Bin."

Having spoken, Xu Yuan rose and was about to leave.

Zhang Laoya shot up in an instant, grabbing him: "Wait, explain yourself clearly!"

"Senior, rest assured in your stay. There are still two months left; their identities cannot be exposed, so Lord Wen cannot easily use official means to pressure me."

"Hmm, the New Year is coming soon; at the very least, Senior will be able to safely see this New Year through."

"Nonsense!" Zhang Laoya, gripping Xu Yuan, would not let go: "They are evil spirits, and Master Wen Bin Bin is a pure scholar; how could they possibly be connected?"

"Anyway, they are staying at the government guesthouse with Lord Master Wen Bin Bin." Xu Yuan said, "This matter actually has little to do with me; when the time comes, I will politely escort Senior out."

Zhang Laoya's expression changed several times before he slowly loosened his grip.

After Xu Yuan left, Zhang Laoya waited for a little over half an hour, then quietly slipped out the door.

Xu Yuan watched from the shadows, with Fu Jingyu by his side.

A bird had been watching Zhang Laoya from high in the sky.

Not long after, Fu Jingyu said to Xu Yuan, "Indeed, he went to the government guesthouse in the city."

When Zhang Laoya returned, he came to see Xu Yuan of his own accord, his expression extremely solemn, and said, "They are indeed in the guesthouse."

Xu Yuan made no sound, leisurely pouring himself a cup of tea to drink.

"This matter is not right," Zhang Laoya said. "Don't think it has nothing to do with you! Do you know what was stolen from the warehouse of the Canal Office?"

Xu Yuan shrugged: "What does it have to do with me? In any case, it is a matter for the Shanhe Office."

Seeing that Xu Yuan would not take the bait, Zhang Laoya had to speak up himself: "Silkworm food! What was stolen from that warehouse of the Canal Office is silkworm food worth a full 1.2 million taels of silver!"

(End of this chapter)