Chapter 59: Things Got Troublesome |
At the entrance of the Anle Inn, the onlookers had completely blocked the road, and more and more people gathered, all intentionally approaching the corpse to see who the murdered person was. These were clearly individuals unafraid of dead bodies, indicating it wasn't their first time.
Whether anyone recognized the deceased was unknown; at any rate, no one spoke the deceased's Identity, and those who probably knew wouldn't say.
The rain had not completely stopped, a fine drizzle falling.
Under the eaves of the streetlights, Blood was still slowly flowing into the gutters, and the Bloody Smell was still fresh.
The Shopkeeper, who had been absent, returned.
Facing the Inquiries of his neighbors, he merely said he didn't know what had happened and that he had to wait for the city's supervisory personnel to handle it.
Feng Chi also returned, coming back with the Shopkeeper.
At this moment, she did not appear by the Shopkeeper's side, nor did she dare to, for she had already seen the Disheveled Old Man in the crowd.
She also stood on the Roof, beside the Gaunt Man in Green Robes, wearing a Cloak and with her face veiled.
Suddenly, the people on the Roofs turned their heads to look down the street.
They saw a group of people dressed in Chestnut Brown Attire rushing over, having heard the news. Those familiar with them knew these were the Wukang Mountain Disciples' uniforms, specifically some Wukang Mountain Disciples Stationed in the city to maintain order.
Behind the group of Personnel, two Carriages also followed.
"Make way!"
Waves of shouts to clear the way rang out, and the Crowd of onlookers blocking the end of the street quickly made way.
A team of Wukang Mountain Disciples, rushing directly to the entrance of the Anle Inn, swiftly cleared the area, dispersing the gathered people. The Disheveled Old Man was forced to stand against the wall.
After some Wukang Mountain Disciples squatted beside the Corpse and See Clearly the deceased's face, some began to Look at Each Other in Dismay, some were Secretly alarmed, and others quickly called for people to control the Scene.
A Stalwart Man appeared beside the halted Carriage and quickly slipped inside.
Bian Weiying was in the Carriage, along with her capable right-hand man, the same man named Wei Bian who had gone to report after his attempt to Perform an Immobilization Talisman Failed.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Wei Bian immediately Asked in a Low Voice, "How is it, is he still here?"
The Stalwart Man who had boarded the carriage replied in a Low Voice, "We've been Watch Closely the surroundings all this time, and currently, we haven't found anyone slipping out."
Wei Bian immediately turned his head to look at Bian Weiying.
Bian Weiying, with her hair loose over her shoulders, raised her chin. Wei Bian immediately tapped the Carriage window, and the Carriage continued forward.
After a short distance, the Carriage pulled up beside the murder Scene. Two Stalwart Men successively climbed out and jumped from the Carriage.
Wei Bian, upon alighting, held up the carriage curtain, respectfully welcoming Bian Weiying out.
Bian Weiying stood on the carriage shaft, surveying her surroundings from above, even casting a Cold gaze at the people on the Roofs on both sides.
Her slightly swaying hair gradually became damp in the drizzle.
What about a woman? With just a glance from her, Wukang Mountain Disciples immediately leaped onto the Roof, driving the people above down.
The taste of Authority that power brought was fully displayed at this moment.
Feng Chi and the Gaunt Man in Green Robes did not descend from the Roof.
They were not in close proximity, and the Wukang Mountain people did not pursue them endlessly; those a bit further away were ignored.
The merchants on both sides of the street naturally recognized Bian Weiying, and many in the Crowd of onlookers also knew her.
Shi Chun, who was peeking at the Outside World from under the roof Tiles through the eaves' gaps, also saw her.
Wu Jinliang also saw her, but he didn't recognize her.
He Whispered, "Who's that woman? She looks arrogant, but she's strangely good-looking."
Shi Chun replied in a low voice, "Bian Weiying."
Wu Jinliang hummed in understanding.
Shi Chun had mentioned her before, saying she was quite nice. Compared to her current high-and-mighty demeanor, he felt that Shi Chun might have benefited from Bian Weikang's influence back then.
Seeing Bian Weiying arrive with Wukang Mountain's Personnel, both Breathed A Sigh Of Relief, Guessing the Assassin wouldn't dare to act rashly again.
Furthermore, Bian Weiying had previously accompanied Shi Chun shopping, establishing a certain Acquaintance.
With Bian Weikang's involvement as well, the matter of the street murder should not be indiscriminately pinned on them.
However, neither of them acted rashly.
Years of life-and-death experiences in the Land of Exile made them habitually Observe In Secret, and they did not rush out at this moment.
Under everyone's gaze, Bian Weiying leaped down from the carriage shaft, Bian Weiying walked towards the entrance of the Anle Inn.
The Shopkeeper quickly came forward to Pay respects, "City Lord, look at this mess, how did it Startle even you?"
Bian Weiying's gaze swept over the Bench, Wine Jar, scattered leftover food, two pairs of shoes, a Saber Sheath, and two discarded Talisman Papers on one side of the entrance. Then she slowly Asked, "Is the Murderer still in the inn?"
The Shopkeeper hurriedly explained, "Our humble establishment can prove that those two are not the Murderers; they acted in Self-Defense when attacked."
Shi Chun's judgment was correct; this was indeed a base set up by the Demonic Path against Wukang Mountain for ease of operations.
Given this Background, the Shopkeeper naturally had to speak up for Shi Chun and his companion. The label of "Murderer" certainly couldn't be arbitrarily placed on them.
Wei Bian said in a deep voice, "The City Lord Asked if the Murderer was still in the inn, why are you being so Long-winded?"
The Shopkeeper hastily said, "They are still here. But my humble establishment can guarantee that those two guests truly acted in Self-Defense when attacked.
They were also frightened, and other merchants can testify to that."
Wei Bian's brow furrowed.
Just as he was about to reprimand him, Bian Weiying raised her hand to stop him. She smiled, "I Understand, but after all, someone was killed in the city.
The city's supervisors cannot possibly ignore it; taking them away for Interrogation is inevitable. Shopkeeper, Rest Assured, if it was in Self-Defense and there are so many witnesses, they will be released once things are clear.
It won't affect the guests in your inn. May I Trouble You to cooperate, and we can all be at ease sooner."
Gentle, polite, and courteous, her refined demeanor made people feel comfortable.
A hint of an almost imperceptible chill flickered at the corner of Wei Bian's mouth.
Earlier, when the City Lord spoke of openly apprehending and killing people, he was somewhat worried and gently reminded her, 'The most important reason Linkang City can exist is its rules that stabilize people's hearts.
Isn't our Forceful Approach a bit inappropriate? It would also be difficult to explain to the mountain.'
The City Lord, however, said, 'What Forceful Approach? Everyone saw the Murder in the street.
They admitted it themselves after being caught. Life for a life is reasonable, what's so hard to explain?'
Then he Understood what she meant: as long as the person was dead, whether the Murderer had admitted it or not, they would Have the Final Say.
Outsiders wouldn't know the inside story. Outsiders would only know that someone had Committed Violence in the street and was then Executed by the city's supervisors, nothing more.
Just two Scum from the Land of Exile, who would care about their lives or deaths?
The Shopkeeper was a little Hesitant. His position and perspective had actually been consistently facing Feng Chi's side, for the purpose of Observation.
There were some matters he couldn't decide on his own.
The Gaunt Man in Green Robes beside Feng Chi said in a Low Voice, "Do I need to step in to Bail Out the people?"
Feng Chi replied in a Low Voice, "No need.
You are here to Oversee and guard against that old man. Try not to expose yourself if possible.
Easily stepping in for this matter would be counterproductive, causing suspicion and leading to a messy conclusion. It's fine to let them take the people for Interrogation first; we've already sent someone to Wukang Mountain to send a message.
Our people will come to Intervene in time, and it won't be long before Bian Weiying's side releases them."
Since that was the case, the Gaunt Man in Green Robes said nothing more.
And Feng Chi had already made a Gesture with a wave of her hand.
The Shopkeeper noticed.
Seeing him Hesitant, Wei Bian became angry and said in a deep voice, "What, is the City Lord too polite to you? Do we need your permission to take suspects for questioning?"
The Shopkeeper hastily waved his hand, "No, no."
"Enough," Bian Weiying raised her hand again to stop him, telling him not to argue.
"Shopkeeper, we won't go in and disturb your guests. You go call those two out yourself, have them come with us, and just clarify the matter."
The Shopkeeper hastily Bowed and scraped, "Alright, alright, I'll go invite them out now."
Turning back, he reprimanded the Shop Assistant, "How long do you want the City Lord to wait? Hurry up and go!"
"Hey, okay." The Shop Assistant hastily Agreed to, and ran into the building.
Bian Weiying stood with her hands clasped behind her in the drizzle, her figure proud and upright under the lamplight. She tilted her head slightly, welcoming the cool rain, showing no intention of avoiding it.
A hint of playful amusement flickered in her eyes.
Master? She believed even the greatest Master would have no reason to come out and stop them now, right?
Seeing the matter settled, Wei Bian, who was nearby, also shifted his attention to directing the Scene.
He raised his hand and pointed several times towards the deceased, then waved his hand backward, indicating something. The Wukang Mountain Disciples beside the Corpse immediately carried the deceased's Corpse away, placing it onto the Carriage behind.
Under the Roof Tiles, Wu Jinliang, who had witnessed the entire Scene, let out a gasp of air and crawled backward.
"Alright, no need to crouch here like a humbled child anymore. Let's go, let's go down, and go with them."
Shi Chun, who was still crouching and peeking, felt a sense of unease out of Vigilance due to the incident, though he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
His Observing gaze swept everywhere he could see below. Suddenly, his eyes fixed, and his pupils contracted sharply.
Wei Bian's Pointing Fingers caught his attention. Then he saw and fixated on the scar on Wei Bian's Web Between Thumb and Forefinger.
He remembered the hand that had emerged from the Carriage to activate the Immobilization Talisman during the previous attack; it had a similar scar on its Web Between Thumb and Forefinger.
Was it a coincidence?
He finally Understood what was wrong; it was Bian Weiying!
Looking again at the proudly standing Bian Weiying, the City Lord herself had come to handle this matter.
Before, he hadn't thought much of it, assuming it was due to her hands-on approach. But now, this condescending situation sent shivers Inwardly down his spine.
He couldn't Understand, why was this happening?
Perhaps this was just one of the reasons he felt something was off. Yes, and the Wukang Mountain personnel's reaction to that Corpse also seemed like an Anomaly!
This made him even more certain.
Hearing Wu Jinliang's voice, he suddenly reached back and grabbed the clothes on the shoulder of the backward-crawling Wu Jinliang.
"What's wrong?" Wu Jinliang Asked, Looking Up, and as he spoke, he crawled back and peered down.
Shi Chun said in a Low Voice, "Going down means walking into a trap, it's seeking death. We need to find a way to Escape!"
Wu Jinliang: "What do you mean?"
Shi Chun: "We were only worrying about who would do this, but we forgot that this is Wukang Mountain, and there are many people who can use Immobilization Talismans.
Jinliang, things are troublesome. The Assassin wasn't sent by the Qi family; it might be Bian Weiying."
(End of Chapter)