Lu Chang, Xie Xing, and Qin Xiaoi exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Cai Yin suddenly said, "I’ve looked into this person. On the evening of the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, he arrived in Wu’an County along with the caravan from Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall in Changze County and has been in Wu’an County since then, with no ti to make a move."
Tan Wujiu asked, "How do you know he stayed in Wu’an County all the ti?"
"If he arrived in Wu’an County on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, he had plenty of ti to return to Changze County to commit the major cri."
Tan Wujiu thought for a mont and said, "Go and bring the guards who watched over the city gate on the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth. I want to ask them personally."
Cai Yin said, "I’ve already sent soone to notify them; they should be here soon."
Tan Wujiu looked at Cai Yin, nodded appreciatively.
After a while, a few Cyan Dragon Guards brought so city guards in.
These guards entered the Cyan Dragon Bureau with trepidation, feeling a chill in the air and shivering involuntarily.
Being summoned by the Cyan Dragon Bureau usually ant nothing good.
"No need to be nervous, we called you here just to ask a few questions."
Tan Wujiu picked up the portrait of Chen Tang that soone had just drawn and handed it to the guards below, saying, "Who among you has seen this person? When was the last ti you saw him?"
The guards took the portrait and passed it around to look at.
A few guards exchanged glances, as if recalling sothing.
One person tentatively said, "We’ve seen this person, the last ti was around the evening of the fourteenth day of the first lunar month. He entered the city before the gates closed."
"Yes, yes, we have so impression too."
The others echoed.
Tan Wujiu stared at the guards below, expressionless.
"Nonsense!"
Xie Xing suddenly shouted, startling the guards into trembling all over.
He approached the guards and questioned them, "With so many people entering and leaving the city gates of Wu’an County every day, how could you rember this person so clearly, even the ti?"
One guard hurriedly explained, "Sir, we dare not lie. We rember this person because he was tricked by the horse market owner of Wu’an County into buying a poor horse."
"The horse was extrely ugly and bad-tempered, not allowing a saddle to be put on. It was notorious in Wu’an County, and no one would take it even for free."
"This young man was new to Wu’an County, unaware of the situation, got tricked by the horse market owner, and even wanted to go out of the city to test the horse. We laughed at him then, so we rember it clearly."
Another guard also said, "As we expected, that young man was indeed thrown off by the horse and returned to the city covered in dust."
Tan Wujiu’s expression softened slightly.
This explanation made sense, and he observed that the guards didn’t seem to be faking their expressions, suggesting the event really happened.
"You may leave now."
Tan Wujiu said.
The guards felt reprieved and quickly exited the hall.
Lu Chang said solemnly, "So, this person was indeed in Wu’an County on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month. He had no ti to commit the cri."
Qin Xiaoi chuckled and said, "Not necessarily. He might have slipped out of Wu’an County on the night of the fourteenth, went back to Changze County to wreak havoc, and returned overnight."
Lu Chang shook his head, "That’s an unreasonable assumption. Wu’an County’s city wall is over three ters high. How could a Ninth Grade martial artist climb over it under the watchful eyes of the city’s guards?"
Qin Xiaoi quickly said, "Perhaps he could use tools like a hooked claw and rope."
Lu Chang shook his head, "Even if he climbed over it, the distance from here to Changze County is over two hundred li. For us, it would be a strenuous journey, switching horses every dozen li, and only making it back by evening."
"If he had gone to Changze County and returned to Wu’an County, there wouldn’t have been enough ti in the night for the journey."
Cai Yin suddenly said, "There’s another detail, the descriptions don’t match. According to my interrogation, their blades hit the masked man and faced considerable resistance, as if hitting tal or stone."
"Exactly."
Xie Xing nodded, "That masked man must have cultivated Copper Skin."
Cai Yin said, "This morning at the arena, I was at the scene. When Chen Tang drew his bow, his skin showed no bronze color."
Hearing this, Tan Wujiu nodded slightly and said, "In that case, we can rule this person out."
"Then who could it be?"
Xie Xing frowned, "With just this information, we can’t find anything."
Tan Wujiu said, "You can slowly investigate the masked man’s identity, but this case needs to be concluded swiftly, without causing too much panic or impact."
"How should it be concluded?"
Cai Yin asked.
Tan Wujiu said, "Leave the Black Water Gang alone, as they have business dealings involving cold iron with Qian Country. Focus on the Evil Wolf Gang instead, uproot them entirely, leave no one alive!"
"For tonight’s banquet, who will go to notify them?"
Cai Yin said, "I’ll go."
...
By evening.
The incident in Changze County wasn’t insignificant, but as it was more than two hundred li away and involved a gang war, it didn’t affect the festive atmosphere of Wu’an County’s Yuanxiao Festival too much.
Both sides of the street were adorned with lanterns, and more people were taking to the streets.
After returning in the morning, Chen Tang had slept until this ti in the inn, finally shaking off his previous fatigue, and his dark circles had faded.
He still needed to attend a banquet at the County Governor’s Mansion later.
Chen Tang sat up, carefully recalling the actions of the past few days. Seeing no flaws, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though the incident last night was covered by the gang war, the disappearance of Cui Zhao and County Magistrate Sun would still seem suspicious.
Considering the earlier death of Cui Yong, soone might suspect him.
Chen Tang was so cautious that he even staged an act at the East Gate so that the guards would spot him, thus creating the illusion of being in Wu’an County to exonerate himself from suspicion.
Chen Tang pushed the door open, finding only Qingmu leaning on the railing, watching people pass by the hall below.
Chen Tang asked, "Where are they?"
Qingmu said, "Master doesn’t want to join the crowd, and Zhiwei and Xiao Huang are lazy and prefer the inn. I won’t accompany you later; I didn’t sleep last night, so I need to rest early today."
"But you must rember to co back, no staying out all night!"
"Got it."
Recalling the two of them riding together last night, Chen Tang couldn’t help but blush a little and sneaked a few glances at Qingmu.
To be honest, Sister Mu has an amazing figure...
"What are those people chatting about?"
Chen Tang noticed a lot of people gathered on the first floor, chatting enthusiastically.
"Mostly talking about what happened in Changze County last night."
Then, Qingmu smiled and said, "They’re also talking about a Panda Blade Master, who is the most famous person in Wu’an County today."
"Who’s the Panda Blade Master?"
Chen Tang asked in surprise.
Qingmu didn’t answer, just looked at him with a smile.
The two stared at each other for a long ti before Chen Tang reacted, pointed at himself, and asked, "Is it ?"
"Exactly."
The smile in Qingmu’s eyes grew wider.
Chen Tang glared and asked, "Why am I called the Panda Blade Master?"
Qingmu said, "Haven’t you seen a panda? It’s chubby and round, and most importantly, pandas also have a pair of black eye circles..."
Chen Tang ground his teeth and said, "That’s clearly called a panda!"
"It’s called a panda."
"It’s a panda, the national treasure giant panda!"
"Then let ask you, does it look like a bear or a cat?"
"Like a bear..."
"There you have it."
Chen Tang thought about it, and it seed logical.
He was convinced.
Just arrived in Wu’an County, and already got a nickna.
But Panda Blade Master sounds even less impressive than Young Hero Tiger Subduing.
Seeing the ti was about right, Chen Tang headed toward the County Governor’s Mansion.
Along the way, a few people recognized him.
"Look, look, it’s the Panda Blade Master!"
"Wow, it really is him; he’s as tall and strong as a panda!"
Chen Tang lowered his head, covered his face, and strode quickly, rushing away.
Monts later, he finally reached the County Governor’s Mansion, taking a deep breath and secretly resolving to make a na for himself in the future, surpassing both Young Hero Tiger Subduing and the Panda Blade Master.
After stating his na, a White Servant led Chen Tang into the banquet hall.
Many people were already seated inside, all young martial artists who had successfully ranked today, full of energy, greeting each other.
After all, being successfully ranked ans their starting point is already above most people; whether they join a prestigious family or enter the Court, they have great potential.
Chen Tang wasn’t interested in socializing with them and randomly found a corner to sit, planning to leave once he got the Ninth Grade token.
As ti passed, more and more people joined, and the surroundings beca increasingly crowded.
So people ca over to greet him, and Chen Tang just casually responded, feeling uncomfortable in such a place.
At that mont, Chen Tang felt a presence and turned his gaze to see Li Junqing watching him from beside the main screen.
Seeing Chen Tang looking over, Li Junqing waved at him.
Chen Tang got up and headed in that direction.
"Co with ."
Li Junqing smiled slightly as he saw him and led the way to the back.
Before long, they reached the area behind the hall, where it was less crowded and much quieter.
Li Junqing smiled and said, "You seem uncomfortable there; let’s stay here for a while."
Chen Tang relaxed and said, "I didn’t have ti to ask before; have you recovered from your injuries?"
"I’m fine now."
Li Junqing glanced at Chen Tang and nodded slightly, "Thank you for the top-grade Earth Ginseng, I originally thought..."
"No worries, that thing is like a cucumber to ."
Chen Tang waved it off.
He was more concerned about the big swig of Monkey Wine Li Junqing had taken...
Li Junqing tentatively asked, "Did I say so nonsense that day?"
"What nonsense? I don’t rember."
Chen Tang feigned ignorance.
"Oh."
Li Junqing felt a bit relieved but also disappointed.
At that mont, a light cough was heard from not far away.
Next mont, three people approached; the leader appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, hair graying, but his eyes conveyed authority, exuding a strong presence.
Li Boxiong and Li Zhongmou followed obediently behind him.
"Dad."
Li Junqing blushed when he saw the newcor, as if caught red-handed.
Li Yan continued walking, looked at Chen Tang, and asked, "Is he the young man with decent skills you ntioned?"
"I am Chen Tang, greetings to the County Governor, sir."
Chen Tang stepped up and saluted with cupped hands.
"Good."
Li Yan nodded and said, "I heard you just arrived in Wu’an County and made a na for yourself by ranking at the training grounds, being called the Panda Blade Master. At your age, I hadn’t achieved such fa."
Do you want this title? I can give it to you...
Chen Tang muttered in his heart.
Li Zhongmou said, "Brother Chen, now that you’ve successfully ranked, do you have any plans? Why not co help at the Li Mansion? There’s just a need for a personal escort for my little sister."
Li Junqing lowered her head slightly, remaining silent but hopeful inside.
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