Chapter 136 - 97: Iron Hand Chief Constable

’My days should be spent patrolling the streets and focusing on my cultivation of the Iron Armor Skill and the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill. Improving my Martial Arts Power is what truly matters. Why would I go looking for trouble?’

"Yes," Ma Zehua replied, hurriedly gesturing for his colleagues to keep up.

However, as he watched their new Chief Constable stride forward, waving his massive iron claws around in fierce, beast-like gestures, Ma Zehua didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The display caused passersby to stare and give them a wide berth from afar.

’He doesn’t forget to cultivate his Powerful Eagle Claw Skill even when he’s on duty. Mr. Chen really is a character!’ Ma Zehua thought, marveling to himself.

The other constables also exchanged glances.

When they returned to the Lishui Sub-Department, Mu Song rushed out to meet them before they even stepped through the door. "Mr. Chen, Lord Ji wants you to report to the Chief Constable’s Government Office Hall."

"What’s going on?" Chen Cheng asked calmly, his hands suddenly shooting out to his sides in a move called Dragon Eagle Spreading Wings.

Mu Song glanced at Ma Zehua and the other constables behind Chen Cheng, looking as if he wanted to speak but then hesitated.

Once inside the Sub-Department’s gates, Chen Cheng turned and ordered, "The rest of you are dismissed. Zehua, you’re with me."

The constables acknowledged the order and dispersed.

Instead of rushing to the Chief Constable’s Government Office Hall, Chen Cheng first led Mu Song and Ma Zehua to his office on the second floor.

Only then did Mu Song explain what had happened. A major case, the annihilation of an entire family, had occurred in the jurisdiction of the Ruyi Square Sub-Department. Chief Constable Wang Li of the Lishui Sub-Department had been killed during the incident. Now, Wang Xiongying, the Chief of the Dongcheng District City Guard, and Shen Qingshuang, the Chief of the South City Guard, had arrived in the Lishui District with a large contingent of men. They had ordered all of Lishui’s Chief Constables to assemble at Chief Constable Ji Jingbei’s Government Office Hall to assist with the investigation.

Upon learning Wang Xiongying’s identity, Chen Cheng was slightly taken aback. ’So, Wang Li’s death really did alert the Inner City Wang Family,’ he thought.

"Zehua, take Mu Song and get him better acquainted with the jurisdiction," Chen Cheng instructed, his expression calm. "Pay close attention to all the important details. Don’t miss anything."

Ma Zehua knew Chen Cheng was entrusting him with an important task. Overjoyed, he quickly replied, "Yes."

Only then did Chen Cheng hurry toward the Chief Constable’s Government Office Hall. When he arrived at the main hall on the left and had just reached the third floor, he saw Yan Jian. In a rare display, Yan Jian’s head was bowed as he paced back and forth in the corridor, his face etched with anxiety.

"Mr. Chen, you’re finally here," Yan Jian said, rushing over to him. His eyes were eager, as if he’d just found a kindred spirit. "Did you hear about what happened in the Ruyi District?"

"I just heard from one of my constables," Chen Cheng replied, his expression unreadable. "A family annihilation case."

"Wang Li died in the Ruyi District, too, and the case involves Ding Mo from the Wind and Rain Tower! How can you be so calm?" Yan Jian asked, his voice laced with anxiety.

Chen Cheng understood what he meant. Wang Li, using the alias of the Wind and Rain Tower assassin Ding Mo, had previously attempted to assassinate both Chen Cheng and Yan Jian. Now that Wang Li was dead, he and Yan Jian were obvious suspects—and major ones at that.

Wang Xiongying had arrived with such aggression, he likely had evidence against them. Even if he didn’t, the two of them had now openly antagonized the Wang Family. Although they were part of the Shen Family and had Shen Qingshuang for a backer, there was no guarantee they’d be safe from future trouble.

Yan Jian had personally survived an assassination attempt where he’d nearly died. As the saying goes, "once bitten, twice shy." It would be a miracle if he weren’t panicking.

"The assassins from the Wind and Rain Tower are all secretive. How would either of us know Ding Mo’s true identity?" Chen Cheng replied, still composed.

"Sigh... I suppose you’re right. A few of the other Chief Constables are already here. We should go in," Yan Jian said with a soft sigh, heading toward Ji Jingbei’s Government Office Hall.

Chen Cheng paused in thought, waiting until Yan Jian had entered before casually following him. ’After all, Yan Jian is acting so flustered that he’s making himself look guilty. Sticking close to him will just get me dragged into it. If I’m not careful, his panic will make me look guilty by association!’

Inside Ji Jingbei’s Government Office Hall, quite a few people had already gathered: Ji Jingbei, Shen Qingshuang, Zhou Xu, several Chief Constables from the Lishui District, and a number of other constables.

Shen Qingshuang was seated in Ji Jingbei’s chair. Next to her sat a grim-faced young man wearing a purple, cloud-patterned uniform with a sword at his hip. This was undoubtedly Wang Xiongying.

"Chen Cheng greets Lord Shen and the other esteemed lords," Chen Cheng said, clasping his hands in a salute.

Shen Qingshuang gave a slight nod, gesturing for Chen Cheng to stand to the side.

Wang Xiongying had already heard from Zhou Xu about the history between Ding Mo, Yan Jian, and Chen Cheng. Zhou Xu had embellished the story, claiming both men were suspects in the Wang Family case in the Ruyi District. In fact, according to Zhou Xu, Chen Cheng was the primary suspect, since he was a saber user.

From the moment Chen Cheng walked in, Wang Xiongying had been scrutinizing his every move. He noticed the Long Saber at Chen Cheng’s waist and his somewhat heavy footsteps, which didn’t seem like those of someone who had cultivated a Light Body Technique. He couldn’t help but frown.

’No matter how I look at him, Chen Cheng doesn’t seem like the perpetrator in the Wang Family case,’ Wang Xiongying thought. ’The tracks the killer left behind showed extremely light footwork. And while Chen Cheng’s aura is quite potent, it doesn’t feel like that of a Muscle Strengthening Realm Martial Artist.’

’Yan Jian, on the other hand...’ With his discerning eye, Wang Xiongying could tell at a glance that Yan Jian’s power was well beyond the Skin Grinding Realm Perfection; he had likely already entered the Muscle Strengthening Realm. Moreover, his steps were light and nimble. Even though he didn’t use a saber, he was actually the more suspicious of the two.

’After all, while Martial Artists who cultivate both Sword and Saber Skills are rare, they do exist. Yan Jian has long been one of the young prodigies fostered by Shen Qingshuang. It’s highly likely he’s hiding his true abilities.’

Before long, all eleven of the Lishui Sub-Department’s other Chief Constables—everyone except the deceased Wang Li—had arrived. Most of them were young men in their twenties or thirties, and each came from a family with some influence.

Before arriving, the Chief Constables had all heard, to varying degrees, about last night’s events in the Ruyi District. Seeing the intimidating presence Wang Xiongying commanded, their thoughts varied, but all their faces were uniformly grave.

Cases of family annihilation weren’t unheard of. But for Wang Li—a Chief Constable of the City Guard Department and a promising disciple the Wang Family was heavily invested in—to be assassinated made this an exceptionally serious matter.

Shen Qingshuang glanced at Wang Xiongying, her voice cool. "Lord Wang, since you’ve received your orders from the City Guard Governor to cross jurisdictions and handle one of our South City District’s cases, you may as well begin."

Wang Xiongying shot to his feet. His gaze swept over the faces of the assembled Chief Constables, lingering on Yan Jian for several moments before he spoke, his expression grave. "Last night, a major crime took place in the Ruyi District. The Wind and Rain Tower assassin, Ding Mo, murdered Wang Yaohui and his entire family. Chief Constable Wang Li was a guest in their home and was also slain by Ding Mo.

"Wang Li was my cousin. I am deeply grieved that he was murdered by this villain. I therefore petitioned the City Guard Governor and the Lord Chief Director, and was granted permission to thoroughly investigate this case and ensure the fiend is brought to justice.

"You were all Wang Li’s colleagues. Does anyone have any leads on the killer?"

The Chief Constables all remained silent, their faces grim.

Wang Xiongying’s gaze fell upon Yan Jian and Chen Cheng. He continued, "Chief Yan, Chief Chen. You two have crossed paths with Ding Mo before. Do you have any leads to report?"

’It was clearly Wang Li who was the Wind and Rain Tower assassin Ding Mo, yet Wang Xiongying was twisting the truth, claiming Wang Li was Ding Mo’s victim. The man was certainly clever,’ Chen Cheng thought.

"My lord, Ding Mo ambushed me on two separate occasions, and he was masked both times. I do not know his identity," Yan Jian replied, his expression grave as he clasped his hands.

He suspected that Wang Li was Ding Mo, but he didn’t dare voice his suspicion, so he played dumb.

Unlike Yan Jian, Chen Cheng was certain that Wang Li was Ding Mo. Naturally, he wouldn’t say so either. He also clasped his hands and said, "I only saw Ding Mo once from a distance, at night. He was masked. I know nothing more."

Of course, Wang Xiongying hadn’t expected to learn anything so easily. His questions were merely a warning shot, a tactic to frighten his true targets, and it had produced some results.

From his perspective, at least, Yan Jian was acting extremely nervous, making it highly likely he was connected to the murders.

"Since neither of you knows anything, we’ll leave it at that," Wang Xiongying said with a wave of his hand. Then, his expression suddenly turned cold, a murderous glint in his eyes. "However, if I discover that anyone is withholding information, they will be punished as an accomplice to the killer!"

With that, he turned to Ji Jingbei, who was standing nearby. "Lord Ji, this case is of the utmost importance. Since Wang Li was a Chief Constable here, it’s highly probable he made enemies in the Lishui District. Your Lishui Sub-Department is to give me your full cooperation in this investigation. I’ll leave the arrangements to you."

"Yes, sir." Ji Jingbei’s face was stern, his posture strictly professional. He then ordered someone to bring out sheets of yellow paper, a long saber, and a bowl of fresh, red duck blood.

Wang Xiongying’s method of investigation was to have each Chief Constable dip the long saber in duck blood and write four words on the yellow paper: "Slay the vermin Ding Mo."