Chapter 24: Letter

After listening, Han Yuan knew that something had really happened to Old Wang.

Wang Changbai enjoyed his drink, but he knew his limits and wouldn’t be so foolish.

"Wang Dahua... you head back to the County Yamen first. Don’t let word of this get out."

"Cover for Old Wang tonight. I’m going out to find him now."

Han Yuan said quickly.

"Okay, Han Head."

"I’m counting on you."

Wang Dahua nodded and turned to head for the County Yamen.

After retrieving his long saber from his house, Han Yuan set off for the docks.

He knew that if something had truly happened to Wang Changbai, it had to be related to the Cyan Sand Gang.

This was because Wang Changbai had recently been investigating the smuggling at the docks on his behalf.

It was highly likely that Wang Changbai had uncovered some secret and been discovered by the Cyan Sand Gang.

Han Yuan ran quickly through the pitch-black streets.

’Old Wang... you have to hold on...’

Anxiety gnawed at Han Yuan. He continuously channeled Power into his legs, his speed like the wind.

He was terrified that he would be too late to save Wang Changbai.

"WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!"

When Han Yuan arrived at the docks, a dozen or so vicious barks erupted.

Over a dozen figures appeared, each holding a large dog on a leash.

The large dogs had crimson eyes. They snarled and bared their teeth at Han Yuan, barking incessantly.

"Keep barking and I’ll cut every last one of you down!"

Han Yuan roared in frustration.

SHING!

He drew his long saber.

The Cyan Sand Gang members holding the dogs were visibly startled, afraid that Han Yuan would actually fly into a rage and start a massacre.

After all, Han Yuan’s fearsome reputation had spread throughout Qingshui County.

They quickly reined in their dogs, stopping them from barking wildly.

"Quite an impressive display."

"Worthy of your title, Constable Han."

An appreciative voice rang out.

A handsome man in scholar’s robes, holding a paper fan, stepped out from the crowd.

"Zhao He?"

Han Yuan narrowed his eyes.

"I didn’t expect Constable Han to recognize me."

Zhao He laughed heartily.

"Who in Qingshui County doesn’t know of the Qingshui Dragon King?"

Han Yuan sneered.

The people of Qingshui County all called Zhao He the Qingshui Dragon King.

This was because on the Qingshui River, any boat he wanted to pass could pass.

Conversely, any boat he wanted to sink would surely sink.

"Haha, a Dragon King is a Divine Spirit. I’m just a mere mortal. How could I dare compare myself to a Divine Spirit?"

Zhao He said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Gang Leader Zhao... you have Old Wang, don’t you."

Han Yuan got straight to the point.

’Judging by the Cyan Sand Gang’s reaction, they were obviously here at the docks waiting specifically for me.’

"The man... is here, of course."

Zhao He clapped his hands.

Soon, Wang Changbai was brought out.

From the looks of it, he hadn’t been tortured.

He was just a bit listless.

"Constable Han, I’m doing this out of respect for your brother."

"And, of course, out of respect for you as well."

"After all, now that your brother is missing, his name doesn’t carry as much weight."

Zhao He smiled faintly and ordered his men to release Wang Changbai.

That old fox Wang Changbai instantly moved with the fastest speed of his life, scurrying behind Han Yuan.

"Are you alright?"

Han Yuan asked softly.

"I’m fine... They didn’t do anything to me."

Wang Changbai said in a low voice.

"Han Yuan, I truly have no desire to be your enemy."

"I’ll act as if this incident never happened."

"I hope you’ll know what’s best for you."

After speaking, Zhao He turned and left with his men.

Han Yuan watched Zhao He’s departing figure and pondered for a moment.

"Let’s head back first. This is no place to talk."

He took Wang Changbai back to his own house and boiled him some sugar water to calm his nerves.

"I really slipped up this time."

"That kid took my bribe, then turned around and sold me out in the blink of an eye."

Wang Changbai sighed after drinking the sugar water.

"What matters is that you’re okay."

Han Yuan reassured him.

"Lucky for me, your reputation is so fearsome now that even that Zhao He doesn’t dare to cross you."

"Otherwise, even if this old man didn’t die, I’m afraid I’d be half-dead by now."

Wang Changbai was still shaken by the ordeal.

He knew all too well how ruthless these gangs could be.

He had only managed to escape this time because Han Yuan’s reputation made Zhao He wary.

"If anything had happened to you, I would have made the Cyan Sand Gang join you in death."

Han Yuan said calmly.

Wang Changbai looked at the Han Yuan before him.

Hearing those words from Han Yuan’s lips, he actually felt that it wasn’t an empty boast.

Even if they were one of Qingshui County’s two major gangs.

"Good thing this old man is fine, then."

"Otherwise, Qingshui County would be facing another bloodbath."

Wang Changbai said with a laugh.

"Mm."

"You should rest at home for the next few days."

"I’ll have Wang Dahua and the others cover for you at the County Yamen."

Han Yuan said.

"It’s fine. This sort of thing isn’t enough to scare me off."

"However, after all this, I don’t think the Cyan Sand Gang was responsible for what happened to your brother," Wang Changbai said suddenly.

"Why?"

Han Yuan asked.

"If the Cyan Sand Gang really had harmed your brother,"

"Zhao He would never have let you go tonight. He would have made sure you didn’t leave alive."

"You have to understand, ever since you killed Song Heng, everyone in Qingshui County thinks you’re on the verge of becoming a Body Tempering Martial Artist."

"If they had really hurt your brother, the Cyan Sand Gang would never have let you live."

Wang Changbai analyzed.

After listening, Han Yuan had to admit that Wang Changbai had a point.

He had dared to face them alone only because he had reached Gathering Power Great Perfection. With his Flying Falcon Force, even if he couldn’t defeat Zhao He, he was confident he could escape with his life.

But this was a secret only he knew; the Cyan Sand Gang was unaware.

In Zhao He’s eyes, he was still an ordinary Gathering Power Martial Artist who hadn’t even condensed his own Power yet.

’If the Cyan Sand Gang really was responsible for what happened to Han Jiudao, then to eliminate any future threat, Zhao He would have definitely made a move on me tonight. But he chose to let Wang Changbai go. This proved that in Zhao He’s mind, there was no deep-seated grudge between him and me, no need to fight to the death.’

"It was only a suspicion to begin with."

"Perhaps we were looking in the wrong direction."

Han Yuan said softly.

The lead itself had just come from a casual chat he’d had with an old man named Old Zhang.

If the lead was wrong, so be it. What mattered was that everyone was safe.

"Alright... I’ll head back now, then."

Wang Changbai stood up.

"Let me see you home," Han Yuan offered.

"No need... I’m not that feeble yet."

Wang Changbai shook his head.

Hearing this, Han Yuan saw him to the door and then returned to his room.

After all the commotion, it was now deep into the night.

Han Yuan was about to go to sleep and get some rest.

’What’s this...?’

Han Yuan spotted the corner of an envelope under his pillow.

He moved the pillow and found a letter lying underneath.

Han Yuan opened the letter.

On the clean white paper were only two words.

"Beware Gao Yuan."

The handwriting was not only sloppy but also crooked, looking as if it had been written by a young child just learning to write.

But Han Yuan felt the writer had done this deliberately to prevent him from recognizing the handwriting.

’Telling me to beware Gao Yuan...’

’Who wrote this to me?’

Han Yuan frowned slightly.

’Someone must have snuck into my house and left this while I was at the docks rescuing Wang Changbai.’

But the letter’s contents left Han Yuan perplexed.

’Telling me to beware Gao Yuan... is this a genuine warning... or an attempt to mislead me...?’

There were too few clues for Han Yuan to make a judgment.

But with this letter, he would naturally be more vigilant around Gao Yuan in the future.