Chapter 326: Spring Has Come, But I Shall Not Speak First (Part II)

If someone wearing a Green-Faced Ghost mask appears in Datong Prefecture City, should the Inspectorate arrest them or not?

This question caused Shangguan Xiao's expression to shift, and she looked sharply at Du Changhe.

"This..."

Du Changhe's gaze flickered as he observed Yan Shijin's expression and asked:

"What does Lord Yan think?"

Yan Shijin pointed at the two exotic beast heads on the carriage and said in a resonant voice:

"Look here, Lord Du, this Green-Faced Ghost that Fan Yan speaks of is so formidable; if he happens not to be the same person as the one being hunted, and the General Inspectorate sends people to arrest him, wouldn't that stir up a massive disturbance?"

Du Changhe opened his mouth to speak, but Yan Shijin waved his hand, stopping him:

"Of course, the General Inspectorate bears the responsibility of maintaining order in the prefecture city. If there truly is a villain who has committed crimes and violated the laws of our Great Lan Dynasty, no matter how powerful they are, they must be severely punished! But, if it really is a misunderstanding and the wrong target is chosen, wouldn't that cause the General Inspectorate to lose men in vain and even force a powerful martial artist into rebellion? That would be a loss for our Great Lan Dynasty!"

Du Changhe had no choice but to nod: "Lord Yan speaks with reason."

Yan Shijin continued:

"Furthermore, as long as the identity of this Green-Faced Ghost remains unconfirmed, it could be impersonated by anyone; one would only need to wear an identical mask to strike. With such a person on a wanted list, I fear it is easy for those with ulterior motives to exploit the situation. I feel it is somewhat inappropriate."

He had previously referred to himself as "I," but suddenly using "this official" to refer to himself—though his tone had not changed—made all the officials present immediately tense up.

After all, this was a Deputy Inspector General, who theoretically had the power to investigate every official in Datong Prefecture from top to bottom!

"Lord Yan's instruction is correct; this point was indeed my oversight."

Du Changhe bowed his head and admitted his mistake quite readily.

"Eh, I am merely offering a suggestion, Lord Du, do not be so tense."

Yan Shijin suddenly laughed.

Du Changhe did not relax because of this and said decisively:

"I will immediately issue an order to revoke the wanted warrant for the Green-Faced Ghost, and only issue a new one after the person's true identity has been verified."

The investigation team had been in Datong Prefecture City for a month without making a move, but that did not mean they would remain inactive forever. Du Changhe did not want to be the nail that sticks out, so he chose to revoke the warrant without hesitation.

Once things reached this point, everyone could see that Yan Shijin intended to win over the Green-Faced Ghost.

And the implications behind this move of his were enough to make one ponder deeply.

"Since the Green-Faced Ghost being hunted committed the murders in Xingcheng, let Xingcheng investigate it clearly first before reporting it to Datong Prefecture City."

Yan Shijin proposed another suggestion.

"Lord Yan is right, let it be done that way."

Du Changhe followed the suggestion readily.

Nearby, Shangguan Xiao and the Zhang family members felt wild joy in their hearts.

As an ally, the Green-Faced Ghost's biggest problem was that his identity could not see the light of day.

People like the "Beast King," "Cannon King," and "Poison King," although many of their private businesses could not see the light of day and they had a basketful of illegal activities, were all socialites on the surface—either chamber of commerce presidents or chairmen of famous large corporations.

The "Beast King" Yu Longqing even held the title of Datong Prefecture's "Charity Ambassador."

When the Green-Faced Ghost clashed with these forces, he was at a disadvantage regarding his status from the start.

The fact that Yu Longqing had previously used his influence in the government to get the Green-Faced Ghost on Datong Prefecture's wanted list was a vivid example.

But now, after what Yan Shijin said, the Green-Faced Ghost could appear in Datong Prefecture City openly and honestly in the future!

Yan Shijin let Xingcheng investigate the Green-Faced Ghost's true identity before reporting it up, but who among those present did not know that Xingcheng was already the Green-Faced Ghost's base of operations?

Letting Xingcheng investigate would likely yield no results even in a hundred years.

Seeing Du Changhe's stance, Yan Shijin turned to look at Shangguan Xiao again:

"I came here specifically for your father's matter. I had intended to pay a personal visit to mourn Steering Commissioner Zhang once the culprit was brought to justice, but since we have met by chance today, may I ask if you could lead me to pay my respects?"

Upon hearing this, the Zhang family members almost couldn't help but laugh out loud!

Yan Shijin had first resolved the identity issue for the Green-Faced Ghost today, and now he was proposing to personally pay his respects to Zhang Zongyang; this attitude could not be more obvious.

The goodwill proactively offered by this Deputy Inspector General was truly a timely gift for the current Zhang family!

"Of course, I thank Lord Yan on behalf of my father."

Shangguan Xiao bowed to Yan Shijin.

Yan Shijin reached out to support her: "No need for such formalities, we—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Shangguan Xiao suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him violently away from where he stood!

At the same time Shangguan Xiao moved, Fan Yan nearby erupted with a crimson force, turned, and punched into the air.

Bang!

Boom—

The crimson fist aura was like a red rainbow, colliding with a bullet that had been fired, smashing it into powder!

"My lord, be careful!"

"There's an assassin—"

The scene immediately descended into chaos.

Some cried out in alarm, some looked for places to dodge, and some rushed toward Yan Shijin.

Shangguan Xiao channeled her Storm Aura Force into a gale, wrapping herself and Yan Shijin together to prevent any more bullets from striking.

Fan Yan arrived at their side in one step, also watching the surroundings with a vigilant expression.

Just now, he and Shangguan Xiao had sensed a bullet firing toward Yan Shijin almost simultaneously, so one moved to pull Yan Shijin away, while the other struck to shatter the bullet with fist aura.

It was not only martial artists with extraordinary abilities like "Danger Perception" who could sense danger in advance; a martial artist's senses were very keen, and the higher the realm, the more so. It was just that martial artists with similar extraordinary abilities were stronger in this regard.

Yan Shijin's expression remained calm as he watched the reactions of the people at the scene.

By this time, the surrounding Registered Martial Masters had already approached, one after another channeling their force to block in front of the officials.

The inspectors on the perimeter also closed in, forming a human wall with their guns aimed at the surroundings.

"Bi Zheng, take men to catch the assassin immediately!"

Du Changhe's face looked terrible as he roared at the First Battalion Commander, Bi Zheng.

Although Yan Shijin's visit today was a spur-of-the-moment decision, the General Inspectorate and the General Martial Peace Academy had not dared to be the least bit careless regarding the security work for the group.

With the incident of Zhang Zongyang's murder already having occurred, if any further accidents happened to the investigation team, even the Garrison Commander Bian Jingru might have to resign in disgrace!

Yet, despite all precautions, an assassin had actually jumped out and fired a shot at Yan Shijin.

How could this not make Du Changhe furious?

"My lord, let us go indoors to take cover."

Fan Yan said to Yan Shijin.

Yan Shijin waved his hand; his already dark complexion looked even darker.

He said coldly:

"Take cover? In broad daylight, as a dignified official of the imperial court, should I fear a mere assassin?!"

He did not intend to go indoors to hide and simply stood where he was.

Hearing this, Fan Yan did not try to persuade him further.

With him there, he did not believe anyone could injure Yan Shijin with firearms from a distance.

If the assassin truly wanted to assassinate him, they would have to kill their way to Yan Shijin's front!

After a brief panic, the scene quickly returned to order.

No more gunshots rang out, and no assassin actually charged toward them.

"Lord Yan!"

Du Changhe arrived before Yan Shijin under the protection of two Registered Martial Masters, "Today's matter..."

"Have you caught the assassin?"

Yan Shijin interrupted Du Changhe without ceremony.

Du Changhe's expression changed slightly, and he gritted his teeth: "I have already sent men to catch them; I will definitely give you an explanation, my lord!"

"Good, this official will wait for your explanation."

After saying this, Yan Shijin turned and walked away.

This scene caused many officials present to change color.

Du Changhe's face was gloomy; he turned and gave an order, and several teams of inspectors and Registered Martial Masters followed.

"Shangguan Xiao."

Yan Shijin suddenly spoke.

Shangguan Xiao had been following at his side, and her Storm Aura Force had not yet been withdrawn.

"This subordinate is here."

"Thank you for saving me just now."

Yan Shijin said.

Shangguan Xiao was startled and said: "It is this subordinate's duty; I do not deserve your thanks, my lord."

"Hahaha."

Yan Shijin laughed, his black-pot-like complexion softening slightly.

He stopped and turned to look at Shangguan Xiao:

"This official is still going to the Zhang residence now; can you guarantee my safety?"

Hearing this, the breathing of the Zhang family members present involuntarily grew heavier.

Shangguan Xiao's eyes were cold and clear as she said firmly:

"I can!"

"Very well, lead the way."

"Yes."

Yan Shijin then took his attendants and several officials from the investigation team and boarded the Zhang family's vehicles.

The motorcade continued forward.

This time, people from the General Inspectorate and the General Stop-Gong Bureau cleared the path along the way, setting up tight defenses on the perimeter.

Ten-odd minutes later, the motorcade arrived smoothly at the street where the Zhang residence was located, encountering no incidents along the way.

While the Zhang family arranged for people to transport the corpses of the two exotic beasts into the Zhang residence, they accompanied Yan Shijin to pay respects to Zhang Zongyang.

Not long after Yan Shijin finished paying his respects and left with his people, the Zhang family received news.

"The assassin who opened fire to assassinate Lord Yan today was caught by the General Inspectorate, but what they caught was merely a corpse."

The person who came to report the news said to the group of key figures of the Zhang family.

"Dead?"

Shangguan Xiao furrowed her brows.

"Yes, it is said that when the assassin saw there was no chance to withdraw, he decisively chose to commit suicide!"

"What about the specifics? Did he have no accomplices?"

"Currently, no accomplices have been discovered. This assassin fired one shot at Lord Yan from over five hundred meters away with a modified rifle, and then immediately withdrew."

"A death soldier."

Zhang Zedong made his judgment.

To be able to accurately hit a target from a distance of over five hundred meters, his marksmanship was indeed remarkable, but for such an assassination to kill an imperial official was simply impossible.

This assassin ran after firing one shot; it looked like he was deliberately trying to disrupt the situation.

"What about the assassin's identity?"

Zhang Zedong asked.

"Still investigating."

"Good, thank you for your hard work, continue to gather information."

"Yes."

The person who came to gather information left.

Inside the main hall, only Shangguan Xiao, the key figures of each branch, and the clan elders of the Zhang family remained.

"Everyone."

Zhang Zongming, the key figure of the second branch, suddenly spoke up, "Today, Yan Shijin clearly intended to win over our Zhang family; what are we to do next?"

"If we choose to stand with the provincial capital, I fear our Zhang family will find it difficult to move an inch in Datong Prefecture from now on."

"Hmph, when those families were carving up our Zhang family, didn't Datong Prefecture also watch with cold eyes? Since they are heartless, don't blame us for switching to another side!"

"This time the provincial capital sent an investigation team, and such an incident happened today; I think the situation in Datong Prefecture will change from now on. Choosing to stand with the provincial capital might be a good move."

"Who knows if the provincial capital is just using our Zhang family as a gun?"

"Being used as a gun is still better than being treated as meat to be eaten, right?"

"..."

Seeing that they were about to start arguing, Shangguan Xiao stood up abruptly.

Following her action, everyone present fell silent and looked at her.

Shangguan Xiao swept a cold gaze over everyone present:

"I said from the beginning that I only wanted to protect the Zhang family. It seems that has been achieved now, and I am not interested in your subsequent affairs."

"Little sister..."

Zhang Zedong wanted to say something but stopped.

"However."

Before Shangguan Xiao finished speaking, "You should be very clear about who the Zhang family relied on to be protected this time. Today, Yan Shijin represented the provincial capital to win over the Zhang family; do you think he is only trying to win over the Zhang family?"

"If you have something to say, feel free to speak plainly."

Zhang Zongming said.

Shangguan Xiao looked at him:

"I just want to remind you that from now on, how the Zhang family proceeds is not something you people gathered together can decide. You must respect one person's opinion."

After speaking, she turned and walked out of the main hall.

She truly did not want to participate in the disputes over family interests, but she would also strive with all her might for the interests that should be secured for her martial nephew, Li Fei.

Inside the main hall, the Zhang family members looked at each other in dismay.

Zhang Zongming's expression was somewhat unsightly.

He had originally firmly opposed letting Shangguan Xiao hold power in the Zhang family. Now that Shangguan Xiao had indicated she did not want to hold power, many things still could not do without her, or rather, could not do without the ally behind her.

The current Zhang family indeed must respect the opinion of the Green-Faced Ghost.

Not long after Shangguan Xiao walked out of the Zhang residence gate, a person ran up to her:

"Lord Shangguan, our Master would like to request a meeting with you."

"Who is your Master?"

Shangguan Xiao asked.

"Duanmu Hongjie."

"Very well, lead the way."

Shangguan Xiao agreed decisively.

On April 1st, Li Fei and Li Tianyu arrived at Datong Prefecture city by train.

Chen Lixin did not return with the two of them; he had to stay in Xingcheng for a few months.

The courses at the Martial University were very casual; one could graduate as long as they had enough credits, so there were no requirements for students' class attendance time.

It did not matter even if Chen Lixin did not go to school for a few months.

The Chen family had now completely collapsed, but Chen Family Village had been managed by the Chen family for many years, and the local villagers only recognized the Chen family. If other forces were to manage it, it would be difficult to handle.

Therefore, Li Fei planned to let Chen Lixin take over the Chen family's industries, using Chen family members to manage the Chen family, thereby slowly turning Chen Family Village into his own property.

The "Beast King" Yu Longqing was dead, and the exotic beast ration business was a huge cake. If Li Fei wanted to seize this cake, Chen Family Village was the key.

After returning to Datong Prefecture city, Li Fei went to see Shangguan Xiao at the first opportunity.

"Martial Aunt, I have returned."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Shangguan Xiao looked at Li Fei with a gratified expression and sighed with emotion:

"Now everyone outside is saying that the Green-Faced Ghost is a 7th-tier Dao Foundation realm expert; only I know that you are not even at the Dao Foundation realm. Even if I said this out loud, no one would believe it."

A smile appeared on Li Fei's face: "It is all thanks to Master and Martial Aunt's good teaching."

"You."

Shangguan Xiao shook her head with a smile, "Duanmu Hongjie talked with me yesterday."

She began to discuss serious matters.

"What did he talk to you about?"

"This old fox is a weather vane, and he finally opened his mouth to express his willingness to cooperate with us. Besides that, the three million he previously offered to redeem Lou Yujun has now been changed to five million."

"Truly a grand gesture."

Li Fei laughed.

To be able to produce five million in cash just like that—only Duanmu Hongjie, the richest man in Feng Province, could accomplish such a thing.

"What is the cooperation proposal he put forward?"

Li Fei asked.

Compared to the huge sum of five million, he was more concerned about the cooperation with the Duanmu family.

"Exotic beast rations."

Shangguan Xiao said with a smile, "In the future, he wants to buy the Duanmu family's exotic beast rations from us."

"Oh?"

Li Fei was startled, "Yu Longqing is dead; has the Duanmu family made no moves?"

He had originally thought that after the news of Yu Longqing's death spread back, every family would definitely be the first to start carving up the "Beast King's" industries and competing for the cake of exotic beast rations.

Now hearing Duanmu Hongjie say this, it seemed this "Gambling King" had voluntarily given up on the cake of exotic beast rations?

"It is not just the Duanmu family; the Poison King, the Cannon King, and the Shadow King have also made no moves."

Shangguan Xiao smiled.

Then she informed Li Fei of the announcement released by the "Shadow King" and told him about Yan Shijin's words from yesterday.

"So that's how it is."

Li Fei nodded.

He understood why none of the families were in a hurry to carve up the cake left behind by the "Beast King."

The Green-Faced Ghost had returned alive and could appear openly in Datong Prefecture city from now on.

At this time, the first thing every family had to worry about was the Green-Faced Ghost's retaliation; if they were the first to touch the other party's "spoils of war," they would likely be the first to invite retaliation.

Therefore, even though Yu Longqing had been dead for several days, Datong Prefecture appeared very calm, and not a single faction had made a move.

When spring comes, I do not speak first; which insect dares to make a sound?!

Requesting monthly tickets.

(End of chapter)