Chapter 197: Bargaining

Hearing this, Li Yan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

This Han Kun's courage was truly not small.

Although it was inevitable for the martial world and the imperial court to have dealings, in the eyes of the government, people from the martial world were always to be strictly guarded against.

This also had some historical origins.

When the Great Xuan Dynasty's founding emperor overthrew the Great Xing Dynasty, he had borrowed the power of people from the martial world and even called the leader of the Mile Sect his brother; naturally, he would be on guard after the world was stable.

Thus, the imperial court incorporated the Shenquan Society, suppressed the Mile Sect, and established the Commandant's Office to monitor the movements of the martial world.

If people from the imperial court joined martial world gangs, even if it were a prestigious sect, it would be seen as a taboo, especially for those with official positions.

Every year during the Ministry of Personnel's assessment, they would not be allowed to hold high positions.

The Shenquan Society and the Mystic Sect were the paths stipulated by the imperial court.

How many heads did this Han Kun have to dare to insert his disciple into the garrison, and even plot a position as a Company Commander?

Seeing the strange expressions of the crowd, Han Kun laughed dumbly, shook his head, and said: "You all thought wrong; the old man is not confused enough to do such a thing."

"My disciple is named Qin Xuhua, and I only taught him martial arts. He was devoted to serving the country in the army, never touched martial world affairs, and never joined the Cao Gang; he only offered a birthday gift every year."

"I went to Yunyang, but never expected my disciple to be murdered; he was just a Company Commander, and the orphans and widows left behind after his death need to be arranged for."

"This revenge, the old man must find a way to take!"

"Oh, so that's how it is."

Li Yan nodded slightly, but didn't quite believe it in his heart.

Simply learning martial arts without getting involved in martial world disputes... how could human relationships be so clearly divided.

Of course, what the other party intended had nothing to do with him.

Thinking of this, Li Yan said: "I really don't know what happened over there; I only know that some thieves used evil arts to harm people and plot for wealth."

Since it involved new-style gunpowder, he naturally didn't dare to reveal it casually.

Who knew what Han Kun was plotting.

Han Kun was clearly unsatisfied with this answer and continued to press: "What kind of evil art did the thief use?"

Li Yan was about to speak, but his heart stirred, and he looked outside the door.

Immediately after, rapid footsteps came from outside.

With a clatter,

The main door was suddenly pushed open, and a group of people walked in with broad strides.

They were all dressed in black, with a Yazi embroidered on their chests and a Bi'an on their backs, their aura cold and stern, their movements agile; they were the men of the Commandant's Office.

Leading them was a middle-aged man.

He had a thin figure, a pair of goat-like whiskers, and a pair of eyes that were gloomy and dark, looking like a wild wolf staring at its prey.

Seeing the cloud patterns on the other party's clothes, Li Yan's heart sank.

The Commandant's Office was indeed serious, actually sending a Company Commander to handle it.

The other party didn't rush to introduce himself, but after scanning the room with cold eyes, he looked at Han Kun, his eyes narrowing slightly:

"The newly appointed Elder Han of the Cao Gang... what are you doing here?"

A smile appeared on Han Kun's face, and he cupped his hands slightly: "I was just passing by and came to visit an old friend. Since the lord has business, I won't disturb you."

Saying this, he was about to stand up and leave.

"What's the rush, Elder Han."

The Company Commander said indifferently: "Don't go anywhere."

Han Kun frowned and cupped his hands: "What does the lord mean by this?"

"Bold!"

A Company Commander of the Commandant's Office on the side scolded immediately: "Han Kun, the Company Commander Qin who died is your disciple, right?"

"I was too lazy to argue with you in the past, but you actually dared to meddle in some matters; I think your Cao Gang doesn't want to mix in anymore!"

Hearing this, Han Kun's head went blank instantly, his eyes filled with suspicion.

Looking at this situation, the matter was far more troublesome than he had imagined.

The leading Company Commander ignored Han Kun and just looked at Li Yan, saying coldly: "I am Huang Wenzhong, Company Commander of the Yunyang Prefecture Garrison."

"You must be Li Yan; there are some things I want to ask clearly."

Saying this, he raised his hand, and a subordinate next to him immediately handed over a booklet.

He took it without looking, flipped through it casually, and said in a deep voice: "Li Yan, from Lantian County, Shaanxi Prefecture, made a name for himself in Xianyang City half a year ago, involved in the Ancient Water Village case, the Zhou Mansion gunpowder case, the mass grave Mile Sect case, and also killed someone on the street in Chang'an..."

"Tsk tsk, so young and so restless..."

Li Yan's expression didn't change, and he said indifferently: "Lord, if you have something to say, just say it directly; there's no need for these little tricks."

This kind of trick was called a tethering post in the martial world and a gavel in the government office; both were used to intimidate people and pave the way for subsequent questioning.

But using it to deal with him was an unnecessary move.

Besides, the things he had done were far more than this...

Company Commander Huang Wenzhong smiled faintly: "Courageous."

Saying this, he looked at Han Kun on the side and said indifferently: "Elder Han, this matter involves imperial secrets; it's better if you don't hear some things."

"Someone, invite Elder Han to another room."

Han Kun was also a worldly-wise person; seeing this situation, he knew the matter was of great importance, so he didn't talk nonsense, cupped his hands, and went to another room under the guard of a Commandant's Office squad leader.

After going out, he was even more shocked in his heart.

At this moment, the entire inn was already under the control of the Commandant's Office.

There were people with strong bows guarding every key passage below, and the innkeeper and shop assistant stood on the side, trembling.

As for the other guests in the inn, they all looked panicked, lining up honestly to verify their identities one by one.

Han Kun's eyes were gloomy, and he didn't dare to speak casually.

Inside the room, after Han Kun left, the door was closed immediately.

A squad leader of the Commandant's Office brought a chair, and Huang Wenzhong shook his robe and sat down at the door carelessly.

He looked at Li Yan and thought thoughtfully: "Looking at the document submitted by the local County Commandant, the sorcery used by the thief couldn't be seen by other sorcerers, but you could see through it at a glance and even find the secret room."

"This official is quite curious..."

Li Yan replied indifferently: "Since the Company Commander has already checked my background, don't you know that I am a Living Yin Runner?"

"Naturally, I know more about some things than others. As for that secret room, anyone with powerful supernatural powers could find it."

Huang Wenzhong didn't seem surprised by his answer; his expression softened, and he nodded slightly:

"Don't blame me, Little Brother Li; this case is of great importance, and this official is also somewhat anxious. If there is any offense, I hope you will forgive me."

"Also, thanks to Little Brother Li's action, this case has a lead. This official thanks you here."

"Lord, you are too polite."

Li Yan's expression was calm, but he sneered secretly in his heart.

He knew very well what kind of people the Commandant's Office were.

Being so polite, they were probably setting a trap.

Sure enough, Huang Wenzhong looked confused again and asked: "Little Brother Li, this thief used evil methods to harm people; robbing treasures is just to cover people's eyes. Their goal should be those coal stones."

"This official is truly somewhat confused; what do they want that thing for?"

Li Yan had long been prepared and shook his head: "I am also somewhat strange about this matter, but we are good at driving away evil and catching ghosts, not at investigating cases."

"Lord, you are asking the wrong person."

"Oh... it's this official who is confused." Huang Wenzhong felt relieved in his heart, then asked, "Little Brother Li, I heard you say that the person used the Fox Heart Art? Can you tell me about this art?"

Li Yan deliberately said impatiently: "I've already told the County Commandant everything I know; it requires the heart of an old fox for sacrifice, and the weakness is that it will be hated by fox ghosts."

"Lord, you don't go catch the murderer, but come to ask this and that. Could it be that you suspect it's us?"

"Hmph! If it weren't for that County Commandant coming to ask for help, how would we have gotten involved in this troublesome matter?"

Li Yan spoke without any politeness, and the expressions of the Commandant's Office people around him turned ugly instantly; someone next to him was about to scold, but was stopped by Huang Wenzhong, who said apologetically: "Don't blame me, Little Brother Li; it's all the rules of handling cases; some things naturally need to be asked clearly."

"That Monk Kuxin's secret passage leads to the river embankment outside the city; he should have escaped into the river. This official has already sent people to blockade the river, check passing ships, and another team is searching in the nearby mountains, but there has been no discovery."

"Does Little Brother Li have any way to find the person?"

Li Yan shook his head: "My supernatural powers rely on smelling scents to find people; since the other party escaped from the river, there is no way."

"However, my brother might be able to help, but the foxes that were caught must be released."

Huang Wenzhong didn't seem surprised when he heard this and turned to look at Lu San, "This is Lu San from Manchuan Pass, right?"

!.

"I heard you are proficient in the language of birds and beasts; I'll trouble you with this matter."

Old fox!

Li Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he felt relieved in his heart.

Although the Qiao family had declined, Lu San was still carrying a wanted warrant; these old guys had long checked their background but deliberately didn't mention it.

It was both a favor and a reminder to everyone that he had reason to take them down at any time.

Thinking of this, Li Yan rolled his eyes, "Wait!"

Huang Wenzhong was taken aback, "Little Brother Li has something?"

Li Yan nodded and smiled: "This lord, since you have checked so clearly, you should know that we charge a high commission for helping people."

"That was fine just now, but now you come to threaten us and still want us to help you find them; there's no such way of ordering people around..."

"Bold!"

A Company Commander of the Commandant's Office on the side couldn't hold it back anymore, his face gloomy: "This Lu San is a wanted criminal of the imperial court! And you, you have quite a few lives on your hands, yet you dare to bargain."

"Do you really think that just because you know a little sorcery, we can't do anything to you?"

Li Yan gasped, deliberately widened his eyes and said: "This lord, I don't know what you want to do to us? Why don't you say it and let us hear..."

"See if you can scare me!"

Saying this, he turned to look at Sha Lifei, "Old Uncle Sha, are you afraid of death?"

Sha Lifei cursed: "Damn it, of course I'm afraid."

"If I die, you have to help me take revenge."

Li Yan nodded solemnly: "Okay."

Then he looked at the Company Commander again, his eyes slowly turning cold, "Lord, what do you want to do?"

The Company Commander's face was ugly, but seeing Huang Wenzhong's cold glance, he hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to say more.

Huang Wenzhong smiled: "Sure enough, you have courage; Little Brother Li wants to make a deal, right? What are your requirements?"

"Lord is wise."

Li Yan gave a thumbs up, "My brother has a case on him, but it was all caused by Qiao Sanhu, who gathered a group of thieves and impersonated government officials; that is a capital crime!"

"Lord, look at this..."

Huang Wenzhong also pretended to be resentful: "Daring to impersonate government officials with bandits and besieging innocent people is naturally a capital crime."

"Lu San is upholding justice; the imperial court will naturally not wrong a good person."

Hearing this, Li Yan immediately felt relieved.

Lu San's wanted warrant had always been a trouble; originally in Chang'an, he wanted to solve this matter, but at that time, Chang Xuan and Guan Wanche were both in trouble, so who had time to pay attention to him?

And the City God Temple also said that if Lu San's wanted warrant wasn't revoked, he couldn't even handle the Daoist certificate, and there were many inconveniences in traveling between places.

With this opportunity, it was just right to solve it on the way.

As for whether Huang Wenzhong was lying, he wasn't worried.

The Commandant's Office monitored the martial world and inevitably had to exchange conditions with people from the martial world; if they broke their word and ruined their reputation, it would be even harder to ask for help or find informants when handling cases in the future.

The matter was settled, and everyone didn't say more, soon arriving at the city gate.

The Commandant's Office had sent quite a few people, not only taking over the case but even inviting the military tiger tally to control the garrison here.

At the moment, the entire Shangjin City was under martial law.

At the city gate, bamboo baskets were moved out by soldiers one by one.

"Little Brother Li, the foxes caught are all here; it's up to you." Huang Wenzhong nodded slightly and stepped aside.

To tell the truth, he was also somewhat curious.

At his status, he had dealt with many people from the Mystic Sect on the ground, but this was the first time he had seen the ability to communicate with birds and beasts.

Li Yan nodded, and Lu San immediately stepped forward; as he approached, the foxes in the bamboo baskets squeaked in terror.

After Lu San crouched down, he also squeaked a few times, and the foxes in the bamboo baskets calmed down.

He opened the baskets one by one, and those foxes jumped out; some ran away directly, while others seemed to want to approach but were full of vigilance.

Lu San was very patient, squeaked a few times, and took several roasted chickens he had just bought and placed them on the ground.

Several foxes were clearly starving and immediately ran over to grab the food.

Lu San waited for a moment before slowly approaching and gently stroking the heads of these foxes.

He was born with a kind of aura that could get close to animals.

Before long, these foxes relaxed their vigilance and turned around him.

Lu San squeaked, seemingly communicating with those foxes.

The scene before them made everyone marvel.

Before long, the foxes all scattered and disappeared into the mountains and forests, and Lu San waved his hand, and the falcon on his shoulder soared into the sky, circling above the mountains and forests.

"Wait a moment."

Lu San said in a muffled voice, then sat on the ground and waited quietly.

The people from the Commandant's Office had no clue, so they naturally could only wait along.

However, this wait lasted for a long time.

Until sunset, there was still no sign of any fox darting out from the forest.

It was the same Company Commander from before, who was now full of impatience, bowed and cupped his hands: "Lord Company Commander, this martial world sorcerer is afraid he is spreading rumors to confuse us."

Hearing this, Li Yan looked at him with some surprise.

The rules of the Commandant's Office had always been strict; for this Company Commander to be so talkative and even dare to question Huang Wenzhong's order, there was probably something suspicious.

Sure enough, Huang Wenzhong glanced at him coldly and said: "Company Commander Liu, the lord has already handed this matter to me to handle entirely."

"You are so impatient, why don't you take over the errand?"

"Lord Company Commander, please forgive me."

The Company Commander's face was awkward, and he hurriedly bowed to apologize.

Just then, the cry of a falcon sounded in the sky.

Subsequently, a cold wind rose in the forest, causing leaves and grass to rustle, fog rose, and green ghost fires floated up and down in the forest.

Everyone could vaguely see an old fox standing on the hillside, looking down from a high position, watching them with cold eyes.

Around it, green ghost fires circled slowly...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 198 =====