The man in the brocade robe listened and glared at Chai Jie: "The portrait."
Chai Jie suddenly realized and called for someone to bring a portrait, handing it to Xu Qi:
"Is this the person?"
Xu Qi took the portrait, looked at it, and nodded:
"Lord, it is him!"
A smile appeared on the man's face in the brocade robe: "What a fortunate happenstance."
Chai Jie: "Congratulations, my lord!"
The man in the brocade robe looked at Chai Jie with a smile: "You are just lucky."
Chai Jie was overjoyed hearing this: "My lord?"
The man in the brocade robe stood up: "Let's go, to that tavern."
...
Inside the tavern, Yu Hong had already learned from Boss He about the various violations by the Earth Spirit Gang.
He said to Boss He:
"Don't worry, I will handle this matter well."
"Inspector Yu—"
A loud voice suddenly came from outside the tavern.
Everyone raised their heads to look, only to see the tavern surrounded by a group.
The frightened Xu Qi had returned, following behind an imposing man.
The martial world people inside the tavern recognized the newcomer as the Earth Spirit Gang Leader Chai Jie.
Boss He's body began to tremble, Yu Hong calmly stood up, actively approaching the other.
Chai Jie stepped into the tavern, and the surrounding people all retreated.
"Inspector Yu, Earth Spirit Gang Leader Chai Jie, pleasure to meet you."
Chai Jie cupped his fists toward Yu Hong.
Yu Hong saluted formally:
"Blue Patrol Pavilion Third-level Patrol Inspector, Yu Hong."
Chai Jie said with a smile: "Inspector Yu coming to Chong City, how come you didn't inform me, so I could offer my hospitality?"
Yu Hong: "If I came with fanfare, I'm afraid I wouldn't have seen your gang's arrogant acts."
Chai Jie, hearing this, remained expressionless, his smile unwavering:
"Hahaha, Inspector Yu must be mistaken, just a misunderstanding."
"Oh?"
Yu Hong glanced at Xu Qi behind Chai Jie, slightly frowning.
Chai Jie's reaction was not what he expected, he wondered where the other's confidence came from?
Even though the Earth Spirit Gang's power dominated Chong City's martial world, once Chai Jie lost his identity as Blue Patrol Pavilion Deacon and was targeted by Blue Patrol Pavilion, the gang's decline was certain!
"It's not just today's affair. I've personally investigated many matters these days; the Earth Spirit Gang commits murder, bullies the people, embezzles property... all the violations against Blue Patrol Pavilion's ten laws, and the evidence is unequivocal!"
Yu Hong raised his volume and spoke aloud.
No matter what confidence Chai Jie had, he would not retreat today!
Chai Jie frowned, about to speak, when suddenly a sound transmitted to his ear:
"No need to waste words with him, just kill him!"
It was the voice of the brocade-robed man.
Chai Jie's face changed; he hadn't expected the other to issue such a command.
This brocade-robed man held a noble position, being one of the 'Ten Great Gate Valves', a Guest Elder of the Ye Family!
Though the Xiao Family always considered themselves the head of the Ten Gate Valves, ever since Ye Ze'an became Great Blue Chief Minister, his power shook the court.
Over the years, the Ye family's influence was no less than the Xiao family's.
The brocade-robed man was not only a Guest Elder of the Ye Family but also a Martial Arts Master; such a figure coming to Chong City was like a dragon entering a pond, stirring up waves with a mere movement!
So when the other suggested visiting the tavern personally, Chai Jie entertained the idea of borrowing the Ye Family's and the Martial Arts Master's reputation to intimidate Yu Hong and resolve this crisis.
Yet, before he could speak, the brocade-robed man had him directly kill someone?
Chai Jie immediately realized he might have gotten entangled in high-level intrigue.
The other came to Chong City this time to find an old man.
It was said this old man was a traitor to the Ye Family, and the other came to clear house.
Though Chai Jie didn't understand those high-level matters, he'd heard some rumors—
Grand Secretary Ye Ze'an had been bedridden with illness a month ago and had proactively resigned to the Emperor.
The Ye Family's towering tree finally seemed to be collapsing!
From pursuing the Mingxin Reformation to implementing the First Martial World Bill and establishing the Blue Patrol Pavilion, over the years Lord Chief Minister accomplished many great things.
Every change meant harming the interests of the old classes, cutting the rot off others.
So Ye Ze'an also offended many, many people!
From martial world people like Xu Qi and Chai Jie, to court heavyweights, aristocratic families, top sects in the martial world!
As long as Ye Ze'an remained Grand Secretary, no one dared act.
But now the other finally fell, and those suppressed for decades couldn't hold back anymore!
Moreover, problems occurred within the Ye Family itself.
Though Chai Jie only knew bits and pieces, those matters were far removed from him.
He only knew that a camel, even dead, was bigger than a horse, and the Ye Family, no matter how downcast, was a giant on the clouds to the Earth Spirit Gang.
Thus, he dared not defy the brocade-robed man's commands.
But he didn't dare bear the crime of killing a Blue Patrol Pavilion Inspector either.
Over the years, Blue Patrol Pavilion Deacons, even cabinet ministers, were dismissed because of Inspector reports, but no one ever dared kill an Inspector.
Had the other gone mad? Did he not realize those Inspectors had the backing of a world-leading power?
Chai Jie found it incredulous.
"Could it be... someone wants to test that Lord Duke?"
A thought suddenly popped into his mind, sending chills down his spine.
The probing and political maneuvering between these great figures put him in the middle; one wrong move and he would be pulverized!
"If you don't kill him, I'll kill you."
The brocade-robed man's voice again sounded in Chai Jie's ears.
Chai Jie's hands trembled slightly, looking at Yu Hong ahead, killing intent slowly rising.
If he killed Yu Hong, his future might lead to death.
If he didn't kill Yu Hong, he would surely die now!
For a man like Chai Jie, who had spent so many years in the martial world, there wasn't really an option.
Moreover, Yu Hong so mercilessly scolded him publicly, clearly intending to crack down on him and the Earth Spirit Gang without leaving any leeway.
What else was there to be said?
"Young man, you asked for this!"
Chai Jie gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and reached toward Yu Hong.
...
PS: As mentioned before, in the last volume, many important characters need to have their stories concluded; let's start with Ye Ze'an.
Chai Jie's hands trembled slightly, looking at Yu Hong ahead, killing intent slowly rising.
If he killed Yu Hong, his future might lead to death.
If he didn't kill Yu Hong, he would surely die now!
For a man like Chai Jie, who had spent so many years in the martial world, there wasn't really an option.
Moreover, Yu Hong so mercilessly scolded him publicly, clearly intending to crack down on him and the Earth Spirit Gang without leaving any leeway.
What else was there to be said?
"Young man, you asked for this!"
Chai Jie gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and reached toward Yu Hong.