Chapter 392: Exposure

Qingxi County Government Office

Upon learning that his subordinate soldiers had let some of the Lin Family escape,

leaving behind only one person as a hostage,

County Magistrate Liu was so angry that he threw his beloved teacup onto the floor.

"Bastards, you ignorant fools who lack learning and have no eyes in your heads!

What did I tell you?

Not a single one was to be let go...

Yet you were actually tricked like this,

not even as good as a three-year-old child."

County Magistrate Liu paced back and forth in the hall, fuming with rage.

The broken porcelain shards on the floor glinted with a cold light under the dim candlelight,

just like his mood at this moment—icy and sharp.

Those derelict bailiffs kept their heads bowed, not daring to even breathe loudly,

fearing that one careless move would trigger the fury of this enraged County Magistrate.

"Do you know that the Lin Family members you let go this time are very likely wanted criminals of the Imperial Court!"

County Magistrate Liu's voice trembled with anger, and he slammed the table hard, causing the documents on it to jump.

"If they escape, do you have any idea how much trouble that will bring me?"

The bailiffs looked at each other, secretly lamenting in their hearts.

They truly had not expected that those seemingly Ordinary Lin Family members would have such important identities.

One must know that the Lin Family had taken root in Qingxi County for three generations.

Many officials in the government office had unclear dealings with the Lin Family.

The daily tributes were certainly not few.

Furthermore, the Lin Family was powerful and wealthy, so ordinary people dared not provoke them.

Everyone was just trying to earn a living; why invite trouble upon oneself?

But now that things had reached this point, they could only silently endure the County Magistrate's wrath.

"My Lord, please calm your anger; we were just negligent for a moment," one bailiff finally gathered the courage to say cautiously.

"However, we have already kept one person as a hostage; perhaps we can obtain some clues from him."

Hearing this, County Magistrate Liu's anger subsided slightly. He glared at the bailiff and said, "A hostage? Hmph, if useful information could be obtained from him,

you wouldn't be here waiting to be beaten with the rod.

Why haven't you gone to bring him to me yet!"

The bailiffs felt as if they had been granted amnesty and hurriedly responded before leaving.

Before long, they brought in the captured Lin Family member.

The man was in rags and his face was covered in wounds, but his eyes revealed a light of unyielding defiance.

Looking at this hostage, County Magistrate Liu felt an ominous premonition rise in his heart.

He waved his hand to dismiss the soldiers and then faced the hostage alone.

"Who are you in the Lin Family?" County Magistrate Liu asked coldly.

The hostage remained silent for a moment, then raised his head and looked straight into County Magistrate Liu's eyes, saying, "I am but a nameless nobody, not worth mentioning.

But if you think you can get any useful information from me, you are sorely mistaken."

Hearing this, County Magistrate Liu's expression darkened. He had not expected this hostage to be so stubborn,

and he could not help but feel annoyed. Yet he understood that if he forced an interrogation now, he likely wouldn't get anything useful out of him.

"Hmph, playing tough, are you?" County Magistrate Liu sneered. "Don't think you can escape just like this. I have plenty of ways to make you talk."

As he spoke, he stood up, walked to the front of the hostage, and lightly patted his face.

Lin Mo did not dodge, only looking at him coldly.

"Take him away and treat him well," County Magistrate Liu said to the bailiffs outside the door. The bailiffs responded and entered to drag the hostage away.

County Magistrate Liu sat back down in his chair, but his heart was in a state of chaos.

He understood that this matter had already blown up.

If he could not capture those escaped Lin Family members as soon as possible,

his official hat would likely not be safe.

With the rebel army approaching and the county city falling,

he would certainly not escape death if he encountered such a situation.

Even if the Liu Shi family could save him,

they would not be willing to pay such a high price for a small pawn like him.

Of this, County Magistrate Liu was firmly convinced.

He sighed and his gaze fell once again upon the broken porcelain shards.

He knew he had to come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible.

Otherwise, the news of the Lin Family's departure would drag him into an even deeper vortex...

Moreover, based on his past experience,

the relationship between the Liu Family and the Red Lotus Sect was likely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

"Someone, call County Lieutenant Li here; this official has important matters to discuss."

The only one he could rely on now was the Bone Refining Realm expert—County Lieutenant Li.

"Yes, my lord."

Within three quarters of an hour, County Lieutenant Li appeared at the county office.

County Lieutenant Li cupped his fists neither servilely nor overbearingly and said, "My lord, is there an urgent matter?

I still need to supervise the lockdown affairs."

County Magistrate Liu stroked his round belly and said, "County Lieutenant Li is truly busy.

But I have an urgent matter here that requires a Martial Dao expert to go.

In my view, only you, Magistrate Li, possess both virtue and talent,

and are capable of bringing those few wanted criminals to justice."

County Lieutenant Li felt suspicious: this henpecked fat man before him,

besides finding ways to torment women,

what major case or important matter could he possibly have that involves wanted criminals?

Yet, he said sincerely, "What urgent matter does my lord have?"

County Magistrate Liu's eyes appeared exceptionally deep; he slowly stood up, walked around the desk,

approached County Lieutenant Li, and said in a low, hurried voice, "County Lieutenant Li, the situation is critical.

I have received a secret report that the rebel army of the Red Lotus Sect has quietly approached.

Qingyang County has already fallen, and the rebel army will reach the location of Qingxi County within three days.

We cannot sit and wait for death.

You must depart immediately to track down those fleeing wanted criminals,

especially the members of the Lin Family; they may hold key clues about the rebel army."

Upon hearing this, County Lieutenant Li furrowed his brows, his heart heavy.

This sudden news was almost too much for County Lieutenant Li to handle.

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said with a dry throat, "Rebel army? Attacking the city??"

He was only a Martial Artist who had just entered the Bone Refining Realm!

Was this not thinking a bit too highly of him?

To leave the city and pursue wanted criminals under such circumstances?

Yet, he said righteously, "My lord, rest assured, I will certainly do my utmost and not fail your trust.

It is just that the rebel forces are vast, and with my strength alone, I fear it will be difficult..."

County Magistrate Liu interrupted him, took a secret letter from his sleeve, and handed it to County Lieutenant Li: "This is news just received.

The members of the Lin Family are gathering less than three miles outside the city.

They are likely waiting for someone.

Your Martial Dao realm is the highest, and your methods are strong.

Dealing with those family disciples should be a simple matter.

To go and return quickly, there is no one more suitable than you."

Seeing that the fat man he usually looked down upon had even prepared the intelligence,

he realized he truly could not refuse.

County Lieutenant Li took the secret letter, his gaze sweeping quickly across the lines as he calculated in his heart.

He had not expected the members of the Lin Family to be so bold as to gather not far outside the city; this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for him.

"My lord, I understand. As for the Lin Family disciples, apart from that Lin Ziyang who is somewhat troublesome, I have my own ways of dealing with the rest."

County Lieutenant Li cupped his fists, his voice revealing an unquestionable firmness.

County Magistrate Liu nodded with satisfaction, a smile squeezing out on his fat face: "Good, County Lieutenant Li is indeed a sensible man. If this mission succeeds, I will certainly reward you heavily. However, remember to act with caution and do not alert the enemy."

County Lieutenant Li felt bitter inside, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet.

He only hoped that they were all just playboys!