Chapter 129 - 122: Yang Wanlou's Killing Intent! (Subscribe Please)

Chapter 129: Chapter 122: Yang Wanlou’s Killing Intent! (Subscribe Please)

Yang Qing’an’s face showed some shock and anger.

“What, is there something wrong?”

Chen Yuan hastily pressed on, judging by this young master Yang’s expression, he knew there was definitely something fishy!

“Young master, speak cautiously.”

The butler’s gaze flickered.

Clasping the hilt of his knife, Chen Yuan abruptly drew it, flashing a streak of blade light:

“Butler Yang, is it I, Chen, who is asking the questions, or is it you? Dare to interrupt again, and don’t blame me, Chen, for accusing you of obstructing the case!”

Butler Yang’s expression stiffened, then he flashed a reluctant smile:

“I am merely reminding the young master to tell everything to Inspector Chen.”

“If young master Yang has something to say, please speak freely…”

Yang Qing’an’s complexion changed several times, and he said in a low voice:

“Butler Yang is right, it was… it was that wretched woman who accidentally fell into the well, and I was somewhat distraught just now. Inspector Chen, please don’t blame me.”

“Currently, I, Chen, suspect that Mistress Yan’s death might be related to the adulterer she was involved with. Young Master Yang, feel free to speak out; perhaps I can avenge you.”

Yang Qing’an clenched his fists tightly, seemingly suppressing something and after a long time, slowly said:

“I don’t know who that damned adulterer is, but I hope when Inspector Chen finds out, he will inform me too.”

Chen Yuan’s gaze intensely scrutinized Yang Qing’an:

“Does Young Master Yang really not know?”

Yang Qing’an’s gaze flickered uncertainly as he shook his head.

“Well, since that is the case, I won’t press further, but…” Chen Yuan turned his head to look at Butler Yang:

“Mistress Yan’s death is not so simple; please convey to Yang Sima that the body should not be tampered with within seven days. I will report this and have the forensic doctor perform an examination.”

“If, during this period, Mistress Yan’s body goes missing…”

“The Heavenly Patrol Bureau will have to make arrests!”

Butler Yang’s brows furrowed deeply:

“Based on what evidence does Inspector Chen claim her death wasn’t an accident? Even the Heavenly Patrol Bureau cannot act so presumptuously without evidence.”

“Heh, the Heavenly Patrol Bureau is exactly that presumptuous, what can you do about it?”

Chen Yuan scoffed, turning away to leave.

But internally he mused:

“This should unsettle Yang Wanlou.”

Chen Yuan was bluffing to intimidate Butler Yang, forcing them to slip up first. If he investigated slowly, he might find traces, but that would be too cumbersome.

Moreover, it was highly uncertain.

The area around the well had been cleaned very thoroughly, leaving hardly anything behind. This Young Master Yang likely knew some truth, but he seemed too afraid to speak it.

Chen Yuan was almost certain that Mistress Yan’s death was definitely related to Yang Wanlou, but he lacked solid evidence.

Yang Wanlou could easily refute his claims, what could Chen Yuan do then?

After all, it boiled down to Chen Yuan’s current position being somewhat too low. If he were a Heavenly Patrol Angel now, he wouldn’t need to bother so much; he could just arrest those he suspected based on his convictions.

What annoyed Chen Yuan now was that he still hadn’t found the location of the Yang family ancestral hall.

Initially, he had planned to investigate Mistress Yan’s case on the surface, while his true intent was to scope out the place and then come back at night to take the Supreme Mysterious Scripture.

Planning to slowly destroy the Yang family and then take the Supreme Mysterious Scripture was not a normal thought process.

The Supreme Mysterious Scripture was Chen Yuan’s primary objective, other matters like homicides or silver were inconsequential.

Regrettably…

Things hadn’t progressed as he had hoped.

He not only failed to locate the Yang family’s ancestral hall, but even opening the Heavenly Eye did not reveal any glow; he even started to doubt if he had targeted the wrong Yang family.

“Young master, you rest and recuperate while I see Inspector Chen off.” The butler glanced at Yang Qing’an on the bed and then quickly followed Chen Yuan’s steps.

Yang Qing’an’s expression was ugly, somewhat ferocious, but after a long while, he heavily slapped the quilt and a tear trickled from the corner of his eye…

Following all the way, as soon as the butler watched Chen Yuan’s figure completely disappear, he hurriedly closed the gate.

…

…

“Has that Chen Yuan left?”

Seeing the butler enter, Yang Wanlou asked with a grim expression.

“He has left.”

“Has he discovered anything?”

Yang Wanlou’s expression was solemn.

The butler frowned, conveyed all of Chen Yuan’s movements and words to Yang Wanlou.

“Damn!”

Yang Wanlou slammed his palm heavily on the table, regretting not burning that wretched woman’s body sooner to avoid these complications.

He had never anticipated that her death would reach the ears of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, considering he had confined everyone in the mansion, strictly prohibiting any leaks.

“How is Qing’an doing?”

“The young master has awakened and seems to harbour some resentment towards you…” the butler hesitantly said.

“A woman’s kindness; I had to do this out of necessity,” Yang Wanlou sighed.

“Master, there is another matter to report to you.”

“What is it?”

“That Chen Yuan subtly inquired about the ancestral hall just now.”

The butler’s expression was grave.

“What?”

Yang Wanlou’s face was somewhat tense as he quickly asked,

“Could he possibly know something?”

“We don’t know yet, maybe it was an unintentional remark, or perhaps… he came for that batch of silver. Otherwise, why would he investigate Yan’s death so rigorously?”

“Moreover, he has even asked the forensic doctor to examine the body, clearly he has discovered something on Yan’s corpse…”

Yang Wanlou furrowed his brows. He hadn’t anticipated that someone from the government would come back and investigate Yan’s corpse. He had only cleaned around the well.

He didn’t expect it would still be detected.

“Whether or not he came for that batch of silver, since this has started, we absolutely can’t let him live…” Yang Wanlou said softly.

“But killing him now might draw even more attention. What if…”

“Then what do you suggest we do? Wait for this Chen Yuan to uncover the truth about Yan and then have me imprisoned? The silver is at home; once the people from the Heavenly Patrol Bureau search and find it, it would be a capital offence of looting.

“Ah, I should never have thought about embezzling this batch of silver after the Prefecture Chief died, otherwise how could such disaster befall us today?” Yang Wanlou was full of regret.

It would have been much better to skim some off the top from the grain transport. Why trust the housekeeper’s words and swallow this batch of silver, thinking that with the Prefecture Chief’s death, no one would know?

He thought he had kept this secret for several months… but ultimately, it was still exposed.

“This…”

Yang Wanlou took a deep breath:

“Since this Chen Yuan is a newly assigned Heavenly Patrol Guard, he likely has no backing in the Heavenly Patrol Bureau. We must kill him, we must kill him!”

“If he does not die, we will be the ones to die later. Moreover, we must act swiftly. Afterwards, burn that wretch’s corpse cleanly, leave no trace. That way, even if someone is suspicious, there will be no evidence.”

“As for that batch of silver… we need to find a way to move it, it can no longer stay at home.”

“Master, who do you plan to have do it?”

The steward asked with a solemn expression.

The power of the Heavenly Patrol Guard is extraordinary, after all.

“Have the people from the Azure Flood Dragon Association do it. I’ve helped them quite a bit over the years; it’s time for them to repay some favors to this official…” Yang Wanlou’s face showed a hint of murderous intent.

He managed the grain transportation, and the Azure Flood Dragon Association dominated Yunjiang, naturally intertwining their interests.

On the surface, he seemed incorruptible, but in reality, he had long been colluding with the forces of Jianghu.

“Alright, I’ll tell them immediately.”

“Hmm… best have them completely erase Chen Yuan. If needed, use some silver to persuade the people from the Heavenly Patrol Bureau to suppress this matter as much as possible…”

“Yes.”

…

…

North City of Nanling.

Shortly after leaving the Yang Family residence, Chen Yuan was pulled by Yue Shan to a certain restaurant, a few men dressed in dark robes of Heavenly Patrol Guard continued casting glances at Chen Yuan, seemingly trying to discern how he had gained Zhang Xuan’s favor.

They were colleagues invited by Yue Shan specifically to welcome Chen Yuan.

“What are you waiting for, drink up, why aren’t you drinking!”

Yue Shan heartily downed a large bowl of wine.

These men were colleagues under Zhang Xuan’s command who were on good terms with Yue Shan, naturally, they would also be introduced to Chen Yuan. The other group, however, wasn’t as enthusiastic.

In the restaurant apart from Chen Yuan and Yue Shan, there were four others, one with a scarred face was a stern-looking young man named Yang Feng, another adept with throwing knives named Yan Qing.

As Yue Shan had introduced earlier, this man’s throwing knives were highly skilled, having once been taught by a high-ranking expert from the Tang Sect.

The other two were somewhat unremarkable, one named Han Jun and another named Chen Ping, sharing the same surname as Chen Yuan.

A dining table was a place that could truly bring people closer. With Yue Shan mediating, everyone’s impression of Chen Yuan was quite good, and Chen Yuan felt the same about them.

After the third round of drinks and the fifth course of dishes, Yue Shan’s face was somewhat red, having drunk seven or eight pots of wine, astounding others, as Chen Yuan wondered how he managed to hold it all.

In any case, he hadn’t gone to the restroom even once.

“Chen Yuan, from now on, we are friends who will carry out missions together. Lord Zhang values you, Yue Shan trusts you, and so does Yang.”

Yang Feng offered a faint smile.

“Heh heh…”

Chen Yuan chuckled, saying little.

It was just an initial contact, and further observation was needed, but forming a friendship with the very rough and hearty Yue Shan likely meant they were also reliable.

Yue Shan seemed careless, but in fact, was attentive to detail—a view Chen Yuan developed from their very first encounter.

Yue Shan swayed as he stood up, opened the window, and exhaled deeply. He looked around outside and pointed at the people working on the road,

“Damn it, when I first joined the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, they were working on this road. Why are they still working on it now?”

He felt somewhat indignant.

Chen Yuan casually responded,

“To be rich, build roads first.”

“I disagree with that: despite roads being constructed for many years, I’ve seen no wealth among Nanling Prefecture’s citizens. On the contrary, with the recurring droughts, common people are struggling more and more to survive.”

Yan Qing sighed.

Han Jun’s gaze shifted,

“What Chen Yuan said makes sense, too. To be rich, build roads first, for how can there be merchants if the roads are uneven?”

Chen Yuan continued,

“The common people walk the roads, not build them. Naturally, they cannot be rich; the silver, it’s all taken by those who build the roads.”

“Haha, makes sense, makes sense.”

“Those corrupt officials deserve to die!”

————

Don’t keep books, big shots!

It’s unbearable to follow any further…