Chapter 65 - 64 Major Cases, Part 2

Zhang Rongfang scanned the entire place.

"Search inside and out, don’t overlook any corner. Those who resist will be dealt with harshly."

"Yes!" Two members of Squad Nine quickly dispersed with the officials to search.

The gambling house manager tried to come up to stop them, but was slapped away by a team member.

A stern-looking middle-aged man among the gambling house enforcers was about to make a move.

Clang.

Zhang Rongfang’s gaze fixed on him.

"Acting under orders, anyone who dares to lay hands, kill them on the spot!"

The middle-aged man’s fingers trembled slightly. As a third-rank expert, his face changed several times before glancing at Zhang Rongfang’s half-drawn waist saber, and he dared not make a move.

Over ten officials soon completed a round of searches, but found nothing.

Only then did Zhang Rongfang nod slightly, turning to leave the gambling house with his men.

As for how much money these officials pocketed during the search, that’s their business, and has nothing to do with him.

He’s only responsible for acting under orders.

"Brother Zhang." Outside the gambling house, Gelu Xilai quietly approached, quickly stuffing a bundle into his hand.

Zhang Rongfang glanced down, observing it was a bundle of banknotes, noting the fifty liang denomination at a glance.

He smiled with satisfaction, quickly tucking the silver notes into his own pocket.

This gambling is truly harmful, so to prevent it from spreading further, he took action to eliminate this tumor, considering it as dispelling harm for the people.

Having left the gambling house, Zhang Rongfang continued leading the team to sweep nearby public places.

Meanwhile, he chatted casually with Gelu Xilai.

"Zhang Captain, what do you think Sea Dragon is aiming for? How could they dare even abduct the Zhao family’s rich daughter? Isn’t that like stirring up a hornet’s nest?"

Who doesn’t know that the Zhao family has a close relationship with the governor? So much silver is furnished there each year, involving many officials’ pockets?"

Gelu Xilai, having been dragged out early in the morning to work, had been running around for two hours and was already full of resentment.

"What is Sea Dragon? How do you know this case was done by Sea Dragon?" Zhang Rongfang questioned, puzzled.

"Isn’t the case still unsolved?"

"Lord, haven’t you heard of the name Sea Dragon of Tan Yang?" Gelu Xilai expressed surprise.

"Sea Dragon is something everyone whispers about, an organization lurking in the shadows of Tan Yang, specialized in collecting beautiful women and taking them away for unknown purposes."

He sighed.

"In the past, there were only a dozen or so cases of missing persons each year, mostly from poor families. With few losses, the impact wasn’t substantial. But lately it began appearing among wealthy families."

"So, do we know where these women are taken after being captured?" Zhang Rongfang frowned and asked.

"Nobody knows. Rumors say they’re sent to Sea Dragon Palace. Others say they are taken to a temple and sacrificed to the Sea Dragon King, praying for favorable weather. Anyway, there are a lot of speculations." Gelu Xilai shook his head.

Zhang Rongfang suddenly thought of his sister-in-law Yang Hong Yan. This Sea Dragon organization seems rather dangerous.

When convenient, he must make frequent visits to his sister-in-law’s side to prevent any trouble.

The two kept walking and chatting while sweeping through. When they reached the fifth casino, suddenly, a young attendant rushed over from a distance.

The attendant, seeing Zhang Rongfang from afar, ran quickly straight toward them.

"Lord Zhang, Lord Zhang!"

Zhang Rongfang stopped in his tracks, recognizing the person as an attendant from White Spirit Fist Hall.

"You are... Xiaolin? What’s the matter?"

The attendant Xiaolin, panting heavily, drew close and said breathlessly, "Lord Zhang! A top fighter challenging the hall has arrived at the fist hall, and is fighting halfway through. Someone saw Captain Lin of Squad Nine also going over there to check. The master fears something might happen, and sent me quickly to report to you."

Having heard this, Zhang Rongfang felt his heart sink.

It’s common for challengers to appear, not such a big deal. But Captain Lin checking things, that’s the real trouble.

He knows how Lin Qixiao used to handle brawls and fighting incidents.

Immediately sensing the urgency of the situation, Zhang Rongfang didn’t say much, raised his hand quickly.

"Lead the way, let’s go over there immediately!"

Xiaolin promptly led the way, with the group quickening their pace, heading swiftly toward White Spirit Fist Hall.

*

*

*

Within the courtyard of White Spirit Fist Hall surrounded by gray walls.

At this time, Hall Master Wu Yufei looked grim, standing in the middle of the arena, staring intently at a strong woman opposite.

The woman, with a high ponytail and short hair, had her muscles twitching slightly under a short-sleeved shirt. Her arms and skin were exposed, showing a darkish tone, evidence of training in steel arm skills.

Her knuckles were large, and her stubby fingers indicated practice in Iron Sand Palm or similar techniques.

On the ground nearby lay several members of the fist hall moaning repeatedly, including the head disciple among them.

They had evidently been defeated in a hard battle just now.

"So what? Following your hall’s rules, having beaten everyone, will you give me my reward?" The woman smiled broadly.

"Ruyi Hand... Are you the apprentice of that old bastard Chen Huwei?" Wu Yufei looked grim and said.

"Heh, back then my master was defeated by you, unable to hold even heavy objects with his right hand ever since. Now.....

Bang!!

Suddenly the hall gate was kicked open.

A tall woman dressed in a black full-body armor walked briskly into the courtyard, holding a purple curved saber.

The woman’s face was beautiful, with a complexion white as jade; she was none other than Lin Qixiao, who was also leading a team to search the surrounding crowds and locales.

She entered, seeing the few people lying on the ground.

"Full city search! Search far and wide for me!"

Hall Master Wu Yufei’s expression altered slightly. He knew the consequences of these officials’ searches.

In name, it was a search. But in reality, anything remotely valuable might be pilfered.

Afterward, there would be nowhere or nobody you could complain to.

He immediately stepped forward, intending to plea.

"Official, seeing the uniform of the Penal Department on you, I have ties with some officials there, such as Lord Chen Ye and Lord Zhang Ying, they are acquaintances.

Could you possibly grant me some face over this matter of search...."

"Chen Ye and Zhang Ying?" Lin Qixiao’s face was cold, "What are they? Search for me! Anyone who dares to obstruct will be treated as harboring a serious criminal, arrest them all!"

Wu Yufei’s expression slightly changed, knowing it was futile, he didn’t dare to obstruct, and could only shut his mouth tightly, not daring to move an inch.

A group of officials, under the unwilling and fearful gaze of those in the boxing gym, swiftly charged into the inner courtyard to conduct a thorough search.

Just a few minutes later, a girl’s scream suddenly came from the backyard.

"This is what my mother left me, don’t take my things!!"

Wu Yufei’s expression changed. It was his daughter, Lingling!

He turned to rush towards the backyard.

Swish!

A gleaming curved saber was suddenly across him.

Lin Qixiao, ice-faced, holding the curved saber, had somehow moved in front of him.

"If you dare make a move, you’ll be executed as a serious criminal on the spot!"

Wu Yufei’s face reddened, veins slowly bulging on his forehead.

"Sir Officer... searching is one thing, taking someone’s important belongings like this is not called a search, is it?

Moreover, my daughter just yelled, I’m worried and just want to take a look, is there a problem?"

He suppressed the anger in his heart, his fists clenched tightly, making a slight cracking sound.

Lin Qixiao’s face was cold.

"I said, don’t move! Don’t make me say it a third time."

She grew increasingly impatient.

It’s procedure for officers to take a few things during searches; all the other families went through this, but yours has so many complaints?

"Sir Officer..." Wu Yufei gritted his teeth, wanting to say something more.

In an instant, Lin Qixiao’s curved saber drew a purple shadow, fiercely slashing towards his right arm.

Swish!

The blade didn’t cut in, merely tearing Wu Yufei’s sleeve, leaving a large tear.

But the saber light didn’t stop, Lin Qixiao’s expression cold, continuously slashing, not leaving Wu Yufei’s right arm.

In just a few seconds, ten slashes were made.

Wu Yufei’s face was solemn, precariously dodging non-stop; though proficient in the fourth-grade Spirit Snake Fist, he couldn’t even retaliate against Lin Qixiao, who was third-grade.

"Captain Lin! Spare him!"

At this moment, several people hurried through the door.

The leading figure was Zhang Rongfang, who had just arrived. Seeing the fight, he immediately shouted to stop it.

With his call to halt, Wu Yufei’s heart eased, thinking they could finally settle down, his movements slowed a beat.

But his slight delay was met with Lin Qixiao’s complete disregard.

With a step forward, she cracked the floor tiles and unleashed her Limit-Breaking Skill, her speed instantly rising.

Hiss!

The Purple Containment Saber slashed a shadow, fiercely scratching across Wu Yufei’s chest.

With a grim wound gashed open, Wu Yufei flashed backward dangerously, barely widening the gap to avoid a gruesome scenario of being gutted.

"I said, stop!"

Zhang Rongfang suddenly intervened from behind, squeezing between the two, violently slicing the side of the Purple Containment Saber’s blade.

Clang!

Lin Qixiao’s wrist trembled, almost losing grip of the knife handle.

Her face flushed, eyes filled with killing intent.

"What do you think you are!?"

She, a high and mighty third-grade, was nearly disarmed by a second-grade?

Shamed and furious, with a buzz, she gripped the saber with both hands, swiftly reversing the blade toward Zhang Rongfang’s arm.

Zhang Rongfang dodged left and right, but being only second-grade himself, he couldn’t explosively wield too much speed or strength.

For a moment, he was completely at a disadvantage.

Not long after, hiss!

The official uniform on Zhang Rongfang’s right shoulder was scratched with a large tear. This saber had precisely aimed for his right arm.

If he hadn’t boosted his Body Technique slightly, his right arm would have been lost this time.

"Sister Lin!" Suddenly, a call rang out.

Swish!

The Purple Containment Saber’s blade halted half a meter in front of Zhang Rongfang, coming to a stop.

Zhang Rongfang held one hand behind his back, arm muscles slightly bulging, in an eagle claw posture.

Ready to strike at full force at any moment of crisis.

A new group of people rapidly entered.

Leading this time was Li Huoyun.

"Sister Lin, Brother Zhang saved my life. For my sake, can this matter end here?" Li Huoyun respectfully clasped his fists.

Lin Qixiao’s face was frosty as she retracted her saber, sheathing it.

"For Brother Yun’s sake! Withdraw!"

Without another word, she gestured for her people to leave quickly.

Zhang Rongfang watched her departing figure, a hint of chill flashing in his eyes.

He helped Wu Yufei up from the ground, nodding to Li Huoyun.

"Thank you."

Li Huoyun was about to speak but hesitated, finally sighing and turning to leave.

His father had originally placed Brother Zhang Ying in the ninth squad because with Lin Qixiao there wouldn’t be any dangerous tasks.

Even if something happened, across Tan Yang’s area, there were few experts who wouldn’t show respect to the Lin family.

The Lin family does not have only Hall Master Lin....

But now, who knew things would almost go wrong so quickly?

If he hadn’t received the report and rushed over, today’s situation....