"What?"
The sky is smeared with red clouds, and every weeping willow on Old Willow Street is dyed with golden red clouds.
When the three of them heard this sentence, they were obviously startled, and a string of question marks floated above their heads.
Seeing this, Hong Gu quickly described what happened:
"In the afternoon, a group of officers and soldiers came here to look for Mr. Li, but because the shop was closed, they stayed here and waited... Later, when Mr. came back, he said there was a case involving him and took him away. "
The description ability of ordinary people in the market is average, and they can only stumble and describe the general situation.
Yu Yu and the others were at a loss at first, and then noticed a key word:
"You said they were officers and soldiers? Not officers?" Huang He's face changed slightly and he asked as if to confirm.
The owner of the calligraphy and painting shop next to him also came over, nodded sharply, and gestured with his hands:
"They are officers and soldiers, wearing that kind of armor and carrying swords at their waists..."
After hearing the definite answer, even Yu Yu's expression changed.
At first, when they heard that Ji Ping'an was taken away by the government for questioning about the case, they thought it was about several cases in the city.
After all, Ji Ping'an was investigating secretly, and it was not surprising that people would find any clues left during the investigation.
But hearing it as "officers and soldiers"... the meaning is completely different.
You must know that the military government and the government offices of the Great Zhou Dynasty are two completely different systems. Ordinary cases are handled by the government offices' agents, but those involving practitioners are within the jurisdiction of the Demon Slayer Department.
As for the officers and soldiers of the military government, it is extremely troublesome to mobilize them, let alone arresting people in the city?
This in itself means that the "case" Ji Ping'an was involved in is anything but unusual, and may not even be the real reason.
"Where did they go?"
Huang He hurriedly asked, but how could a group of common people say anything? They only pointed in a general direction. Finally, in the crowd, the landlady Fang Ling, wearing a sarong and an iron hairpin on her head, said:
"Maybe he went to the government prison."
Seeing the crowd looking at her, she added: "When the group of people passed by Mud Bottle Alley, someone seemed to have mentioned it. I can't tell for sure."
In fact, Fang Ling secretly followed a group of officers and soldiers to determine the location. But after all, she is just a woman in the world, and she doesn’t dare to get too close.
Prison...
When Mu Yaoyao heard this word, she panicked a little, and her fair face turned pale:
"Then what should we do...why don't we go find the Yamen..."
She wanted to say that the true identity of herself and others could be revealed, and that her identity as "Qintian Supervisor" Si Chen would be enough to solve some problems.
But Huang He hurriedly pulled the two of them aside, away from the neighbors, and said: "Keep your voice down."
"Well." Mu Yaoyao suddenly raised her two white hands, covered her mouth, and said aggrievedly:
"I'm worried."
Yu Yuxiao raised his brows, anger welling up, and raised his chin slightly, saying:
"I'm going to Sanqing Temple to find someone!"
As a saint of the state religion, she couldn't bear the grievance. A group of big-head soldiers dared to touch her people? Do you really think that the Saint is not a big shot?
However, as soon as she started to move, Huang He raised his hand and grabbed her, saying helplessly:
"Calm down first, I think there is another hidden meaning in this matter."
Seeing the two of them, Huang He explained:
"Young Master is a star official and a practitioner of Posi. If he wants to leave, can those officers and soldiers stop him? Even if he doesn't want to reveal his identity in public, so he leaves temporarily, but if he wants, he can always take it out Warrant, proof of identity.”
Yu Yu was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it, it seemed to be the truth, and he couldn't help but ask:
"What do you mean?"
Huang He pondered for a moment, organized his speech and said:
"I'm worried that Young Master has other plans for this matter. Didn't you hear that Young Master wasn't there when those officers and soldiers came? Where did he go? There might be some plans involved. If we rashly reveal our identity and mess up the plan, wouldn't it be bad? ?”
This... Yu Yu and Mu Yaoyao looked at each other, and the two girls, who were not very bright, suddenly felt that it made sense.
With Ji Ping'an's mind and Lao Yin's attributes, it seems that they really don't have to worry about it.
But as a saint, Yu Yu has her own arrogance and is unwilling to be persuaded by Huang He's few words. Doesn't that make her look impulsive? Then he let out a "hum" and said:
"What if there is an accident? Although he is broken four, what if he is injured? Don't underestimate the court's background, but the head of the Demon Slayer Division can suppress him to death. Even the prefect of Yuhang can use his official seal , pull the mountains and rivers, and invite the 'Martial Temple' to dispatch, they can also suppress him, not to mention the military government's methods."
Huang He nodded and said:
"So, we can neither act impulsively nor react without reaction. My idea is to inquire about the information first and then make judgments."
Yu Yu thought it made sense, so he looked like he was thinking about it. After a moment, he reluctantly nodded and said reservedly:
"Although it's not perfect, let's try to do this."
Mu Yaoyao rushed around anxiously and urged:
"Then let's leave quickly."
At this moment, a carriage suddenly stopped slowly at the intersection of Laoliu Street.
The car curtain was lifted, and the headmaster of the "Xishan Academy" came out wearing a Confucian scholar's robe and holding a jar of wine in his arms. He looked at the street in surprise and asked the three of them:
"May I ask if Mr. Li of Yijingzhai is here?"
The three of them turned their heads to look at the scholar, making Qiu Shan's hair stand on end.
Is there another person looking for you?
Huang He's heart moved, he raised his hands and asked:
"May I ask the old gentleman why you are looking for Yi Jingzhai?"
Chief Qiu Shan hesitated for a moment, feeling that what the master had told him was not a secret, so he calmly explained the matter roughly.
Ji Ping'an went out and went to Xishan Academy with the head of the Demon Slaying Department to investigate the case? Also went to meet the legendary figure named "Qi" in Yuhang?
The three of them were stunned for a moment, their eyes looking strange. Huang Heqing coughed and told about Ji Ping'an being taken away and the fact that the three of them were members of the same family, and said:
"It seems that Xu is related to the case. We are about to go to the government prison to find out information. Mr., would you like to go with us?"
Akiyama was shocked and didn't know what was going on. But for someone who could thank his master for his gratitude, let alone the Nishiyama case, he shouldn't just sit back and watch. He immediately said seriously:
"As it should be, the three of you please get in the car and go together to inquire about the situation."
…
Pei Mansion.
A gust of wind blew by, and the white lanterns and silk ribbons hanging on the lintel fluttered.
There's something wrong with the atmosphere in Pei's house these days.
At first, it was due to the death of the eldest son, but not long after, Qi Hongmian, the contemporary master of the Beast Control Sect and one of the legendary top warriors in Kyushu, arrived.
He also claimed that the girl "Mochou" in his residence was an unparalleled genius, and requested to be admitted into the sect to follow the path of spiritual practice.
Pei was astonished and had dreamy thoughts:
You know, the largest clan in Yuhang is quite powerful in the mortal world, but how can it be compared with the Beast Control Sect?
Being spotted by Qi Hongmian and accepted personally, if you want to compare it, it is no different from the Pei family's woman being selected as a noble concubine, which is naturally worthy of celebration.
Although Mistress Pei felt strange in her heart, she dared not refuse and called "Mochou". The latter readily agreed, quickly packed up her things, said goodbye to everyone, and left with Qi Hongmian.
Come quickly, get faster.
Li Xiangjun is an aunt, her orphaned niece flies across the branches, and the pheasant turns into a phoenix.
She also used this to establish a relationship with the Beast Control Sect, and the power crisis in the other two and three houses suddenly disappeared.
For a moment, I felt mixed with sadness and joy, and I wanted to have a drink to celebrate, but just after my son died... I felt very stiff.
Pei Qiuwei's attention was more focused on Ji Ping'an, and he discussed this matter with his mother in private:
"Mr. Li Anping looked for Mochou, but he didn't return that night, and I sent someone to visit him, but Mr. Li didn't return to Laoliu Street that night. It just so happened that Master Qi arrived the next day. How could there be such a coincidence? "
The connotation of Pei Qiuwei's tone.
Li Xiangjun was stunned for a moment and his eyes lit up:
"My dear daughter, are you saying that Mr. Li is the Beast Control Sect's 'agent' in Yuhang City? He noticed Mochou's specialness and recommended him to the sect?"
Pei Qiuwei said uncertainly:
"I don't know, but based on the existing intelligence, this is indeed the most likely possibility."
For a moment, mother and daughter Hua Hua, who figured out the "truth", had mixed feelings in their hearts, and felt that many doubts in the past suddenly became clear.
Pei became more and more determined to have a good relationship with Ji Ping'an, so Pei also bribed people near Laoliu Street to help keep an eye on Yi Jingzhai.
Therefore, after Ji Ping'an was taken away, news about him quickly spread back to the Pei Mansion.
In the flower hall.
Wearing a black gauze skirt, no makeup, but extremely charming, the Pei family's mistress sat at the table, looking through the accounts of the house - as a mistress, in charge of a large family, she goes through major events and minor affairs every day.
Pei Qiuwei, who looks gentle and sweet, is waiting aside, obediently waiting for his mother to ask——
She takes care of some of the affairs in the mansion.
It sounds a bit like Wang Xifeng...
However, at this time, suddenly a servant outside ran into the hospital panting:
"Madam...Miss, something happened!"
Brush - the mother and daughter turned their heads and looked at the person coming, frowning slightly, Pei Qiuwei scolded: "Why are you so panicked?"
The servant rushed out of the hall, stopped suddenly, and said hurriedly:
"Yijingzhai...Mr. Li...was killed by officers and soldiers..."
He stumbled and narrated the incident. After hearing this, the expressions of Pei's mother and daughter changed at the same time. Li Xiangjun suddenly stood up and walked forward with a solemn expression:
"Is this true?!"
The servant hurriedly said: "Madam, the people below have seen it with their own eyes. Now they are being taken to the government prison."
Officers and soldiers... prison... Under Li Xiangjun's broad sleeves, his bare hands clenched tightly and he began to think.
Pei Qiuwei looked at her: "Mother, do you want to inform father? Or send someone to the government office to inquire about the situation?"
Li Xiangjun shook his head. At this moment, the beautiful woman showed the calmness and decisiveness of a mistress:
"Your father is still injured and should not be disturbed easily. But Mr. Li is in jail, and that prison is not a place for people to stay, let alone being detained by a group of insignificant Qiu Ba. If he delays for a long time, he may be tortured. bitter."
Having said this, the plump and beautiful woman decisively ordered:
"Prepare the car, I will go see the prefect in person!"
Not only does Ji Ping'an have some secret relationship with his old family leader, he is also suspected of being an agent of the Beast Control Sect. Mochou has just left again, so Li Xiangjun must take a stand to save him.
Pei Qiuwei bit her lip and said worriedly:
"Mom, I'll go with you!"
…
In the city, at the entrance of a certain mansion with a good location and pleasant scenery.
A carriage slowly stopped, and the curtains were lifted, revealing a face with bright features and a cool temperament.
"Elder Luan, we're here."
The servant wearing simple robes who was driving the car said respectfully.
Luan Yu said "yes" and stepped out of the carriage. The gold medals around her waist collided with each other and made a crisp "ding-dong" sound.
Raising her hand to open the door, a mature female monk wearing a robe with the symbol of the elder of the Beast Control Sect and her breasts rising high walked around the screen wall and passed through the front yard.
Then he saw a huge giant bear covered in pure white hair meditating in the courtyard, swallowing essence, and surrounded by a circle of illusory flames.
Next to the giant bear, a girl of no more than ten years old was also sitting cross-legged and meditating. She looked at her nose with her eyes, her nose at her heart, and her expression was focused.
Luan Yu raised the corners of her mouth inadvertently and stood aside quietly waiting.
But Zhao Yuanyang, who was immersed in practice, seemed to be aware of it. He opened his eyelids suddenly, and his little face with a little baby fat was startled for a moment, and then he smiled:
"Aunt Luan! Why are you here!"
Zhao Yuanyang, who was like a young adult and was polite to outsiders, only had a good look towards two people, one was Luan Yu and the other was Ji Ping'an.
At this moment, the little girl stood up, opened her arms, dived into Luan Yu's arms, buried her face, and sucked hard.
Luan Yu smiled and said:
"Yuhang City has not been peaceful recently. The master is worried that the 'agent' is not strong enough, and is even more worried about your safety, so he sent me to Yuhang to guard it personally."
This is true.
Luan Yu set out before Qi Hongmian and arrived on a pet beast, but he arrived late after Qi Hongmian left.
It can only be said that at the speed of Huofeng, the dimensionality reduction is indeed a blow...
Zhao Yuanyang was quite excited and asked her to share the information about Ji Ping'an's recommendation of Pei's "Mochou".
Luan Yu was greatly surprised when she heard this. She happened to miss this incident. When she heard that the previous Master was suspected to have returned, she suddenly realized that this was a big deal. She was very upset and frowned:
"Where is Ji Ping'an?"
She wanted to ask in person to get more details.
Zhao Yuanyang blinked and was thinking about whether to use this news in exchange for some "benefits". Suddenly, a disciple of the Beast Control Sect rushed to the door and said:
"Senior Sister Yuanyang, something bad happened. The agent sent back the news that Yi Jingzhai was raided by the imperial officers and soldiers... Huh? Elder Luan!"
Luan Yu ignored the latter's shocked expression and asked urgently:
"What Yi Jing Zhai?"
When Zhao Yuanyang pulled her over and explained the whole story in a low voice, a strange color flashed across Luan Yu's beautiful eyes. She thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled gracefully, but there was something inexplicable in her eyes:
"What happened to the imperial court...is interesting."
After thinking for a moment, she touched the little girl's head and said:
"You continue to practice while Aunt Luan goes to the government office to have a look."
As the new "agent", how could she miss this kind of excitement?
…
…
The government prison is located in the northwest corner of the city. It is an independent building.
The exterior is made of gray bricks and stones, surrounded by a high wall to block the sun.
No one is allowed to approach the surrounding area.
Many prisoners captured by the Demon Slayer Division will be detained here.
The prison is further divided into a "mortal" area and a "monk" area.
The latter's cell is engraved with formations, and all serious criminals will be guarded by piercing the Pipa bone.
Today, a group of armored soldiers came to the prison holding custody orders signed by the prefect and warrants from the military government, and forcefully took over the original duties of the government officials.
Bang!
In the dark and oppressive dungeon, an iron door slammed open, and a group of people walked out holding torches.
The leader, about fifty years old, was wearing a military officer's robe, chainmail, and a bright helmet on his head. He had a magic weapon long sword across his waist. Under the light, the armor shone brightly, and one of his jaws The face with protruding bones, sunken eye sockets and cold temperament looked intimidating in the flickering dungeon corridor.
"Da da da."
The dungeon where cultivators are kept is different from that of mortals. There are fewer people and it is quieter.
There were no howls, whippings, curses or pleas. In addition to the rotten stench that had not been exposed to light for many years, the air was unsettlingly depressing.
"General Sun, the prisoner is at the front."
A small flag officer leading the way pointed to a separate interrogation room at the corner ahead and said.
When the Zhou Dynasty was founded, "Zhonglang Jiang" also specifically referred to the military commander in charge of the emperor's imperial guards. It was the highest official position of military generals under "general".
However, four to five hundred years later, "Zhonglang General" is no longer the number one lieutenant under the top leader in the "military mansion" of each state capital.
Half literary and half military, as for the word "general", it does not specifically refer to the official name, but an honorific title for the general.
The "Zhonglang General" named Sun squinted his eyes, looked in front of him, and said, "Is it the young divination master in the intelligence?"
The flag officer said "Yes" and explained: "When we arrested him, he was not in the store. He waited for a while before returning."
"Did you resist?"
"I never resisted, and I even cooperated."
"Cooperate?"
"Yes, this person seemed to have no fear. There was nothing unusual along the way. He even tried to chat with us and did not show any characteristics of martial arts or cultivation."
"Oh, there is no abnormality, that is the biggest abnormality. If we are really ordinary people in the world, how can we have no fear when facing the officers and soldiers?"
"That's what the general said."
"Open the door."
After the conversation between the two ended, Officer Xiaoqi stepped forward, unlocked the door with the key, and then pulled open the heavy iron door.
Amidst the rattling sound...the door of the interrogation room opened, and Sun Xianzu walked in with an expressionless face.
Just the moment he stepped into the cell, he gently tapped a jasper ring on his thumb with the hand behind his back.
The interrogation room can be called a "house with four walls". It is a small square space with no windows. There is only a table and two chairs, both of which are fixed on the ground and integrated with the formation.
There was a lamp on the table, but no fire. Therefore, it was dark inside when the door was closed. Sun Xianzu was no stranger to this kind of "dark room" and knew that it was a method used to intensify the fear in the prisoners' hearts.
Any prisoner who is locked up in a dark room for a long time will suffer a lot.
When they see the light when they open the door, they will stretch out their hands to cover their faces in embarrassment. The whole person's spirit will also be affected, and human dignity will be completely lost.
Even ordinary practitioners are not much better than ordinary people - this has nothing to do with cultivation, but with whether the mind is firm or not.
However, when Sun Xianzu stepped into the dark cell holding a torch, the flames dispersed the darkness in front of him, and he was stunned.
The expected picture of the prisoner being embarrassed and frightened, or trying to keep himself calm, did not appear.
On an iron-clad, cold interrogation chair, a young man wearing a green robe sat quietly.
His sitting posture is not tense, and can even be called "calm", as if he is not in a dangerous prison, but taking a nap in the study at home.
He seemed to be resting with his eyes closed, but when he heard the noise, he slowly opened his eyes. He did not dodge as expected, but suddenly saw the discomfort of the light.
He didn't even make the slightest move to cover up, nor was he at all panicked or pretending to be calm... His eyes were very bright, perhaps because of the reflection of the flames. Sun Xianzu even felt a little dazzling, which made him inexplicably flustered.
It seems that those calm eyes, even with a hint of "sure enough" interest, have some kind of power that can see through people's hearts.
Even though he was wearing thick armor and a magic weapon to protect his body, it seemed as if he had been stripped naked. This young man could see clearly, and there was no room for cover.
This feeling was extremely strange and made Sun Xianzu feel intense discomfort.
It was as if...in this interrogation room, he was the prisoner, and the other party was the interrogator who controlled his life and death.
Weird!
Sun Xianzu shook his head hard, and when he looked again, that feeling disappeared again.
The young fortune teller sitting in front of him was indeed unusually calm, but he seemed to have tempered some of his sharpness and became much more "ordinary", as if the momentary feeling in his heart just now was just an illusion.
"There is something wrong with this hexagram master!" Sun Xianzu was frightened, but with the general's tough mind, he suppressed some signs of fear.
Take the initiative.
He took a step forward, and Da Ma Jin Dao sat opposite Ji Pingan. The small flag officer next to him lit the oil lamp on the table.
Then they exited the interrogation room without saying a word and tacitly agreed, closing the cell door with a bang, as if the conversation that followed was not something they were qualified to hear.
Seeing the door closed, Ji Ping'an's eyes became even weirder.
"Are you the boss of Yijingzhai, Li Anping?" Sun Xianzu was silent for a moment and asked in a deep voice.
Ji Ping'an smiled and said, "It's me."
His smile was very relaxed, not forced out, but from the bottom of his heart. He seemed to find this nonsense interrogation technique very interesting.
Sun Xianzu was unmoved and continued according to the process:
"Very good. Do you know where this place is?"
Ji Pingan nodded:
"The government dungeon, well, if I read it correctly, it should be the part where practitioners are imprisoned."
Sun Xianzu said: "Oh, you don't hide it, so you admit that you are a monk?"
Ji Ping'an said: "If a person who asks for divination has no spiritual practice at all, wouldn't he become a charlatan?"
"What a sharp-tongued fortune teller," Sun Xianzu sneered. "Since he is a fortune teller, why didn't he calculate today's disaster?"
Ji Ping'an said seriously: "Because there will be no disaster for me today."
Sun Xianzu seemed to sneer, feeling that he was indeed a magician. He realized that the "illusion" he had just had might have been deliberately created by the other party in order to save himself in this way...
Thinking of this, I felt confident: "Do you know why I arrested you here today?"
Ji Ping'an said: "The soldiers outside said that there is a case involving me and I need to cooperate with the investigation."
Sun Xianzu said: "Then do you know what the specific case is?"
Ji Ping'an thought for a while, then suddenly sighed slightly distressedly and said:
"I have been involved in too many cases recently, and I am really confused. I don't know which one you are talking about."
Sun Xianzu was startled and asked suspiciously: "What cases are you involved in?"
This was something that had not been mentioned in the information he collected, and he suddenly felt like an unexpected surprise.
Ji Ping'an made a state of recollection and said:
"I was responsible for the curse murder case in the city last month. And I was also the one who spread the Immortal Log in the city... Three months ago, I was also responsible for the corpse floating in the Qinhuai River... Half a year ago, the East City Fire was also related to I am concerned that a year ago, I was still the mastermind behind the headless corpse case in Nancheng. I also contributed to the case of the sudden death of Mr. Xu in Beicheng two years ago. As for the case three years ago, The serial murder case that shocked Jiangnan..."
Sun Xianzu was still listening carefully at first, but his heart sank again and again, and his pupils shrank. He felt that this man was really dangerous and unusual. He was actually the most evil and evil person he had ever seen since he joined the army...
But gradually, he began to notice something was wrong and absurd. He raised his hand to interrupt the divination master who was talking endlessly about his crimes, with an ugly expression on his face:
"Are you kidding me, General?!"
Ji Ping'an looked surprised, blinked, and said:
"You actually discovered it, hahaha..."
Amidst the laughter, Sun Xianzu's face suddenly turned the color of pig liver, and an unknown anger surged crazily.
He wanted to punch the handsome face in front of him, but he still endured it, opened his five fingers, and slammed the cast iron table.
"boom!"
Amidst the roar, Sun Xianzu's armor was shaking. He suddenly stood up, placed his hands on the cast iron table, and leaned forward suddenly.
In the dim candlelight, his face hidden in the helmet was livid and terrifying. His two dead fish eyes were staring at Ji Pingan, who was very close at hand, and his voice was cold:
"I wasn't sure before, but now, I'm sure. You are the person we are looking for."
Ji Ping'an showed a gentle and polite smile: "Who am I?"
Sun Xianzu stared at him, his voice low, but just enough for him to hear:
"I know you are the one who came back from the dead!"
…
…
Government office, inner hall!
The rays of rays of light sprinkle little by little on the dark roof ridges from the western horizon, and "mythical beasts" carved by skilled craftsmen crouch here, bathing in the rays of rays of light, as if they are about to come to life.
Ye Hongling was sitting on the big chair. Under her sword-shaped eyebrows, her sharp eyes were staring at the middle-aged man sitting on the big huanghuali chair opposite, wearing a crimson official robe and a black veil on his head. He said:
"Master Prefect, what are you hiding from me? Or rather, what is the court hiding from me?"
The prefect of Yuhang was a scholar and his ancestral home was not in the south of the Yangtze River. He was appointed here by Emperor Yuan Qing to check and balance the gentry.
It's just that the family is very powerful, so even though he has been the prefect for several years, he really can't achieve any political achievements.
The impression given to outsiders by the magistrate of Yuhang is that of a "mediocre official" who lives his life. He is not bad, at least he does not engage in treachery and evil, but he is not very good either. He is very honest and does what is necessary.
But Ye Hongling knew very well that the "mediocre official" in front of her was not as incompetent as outsiders thought, but a master of hidden clumsiness.
After several years of hard work, although nothing was accomplished, the power of the major noble clans in Jiangnan was contained and did not grow any further.
There are no major conflicts among the political parties, the strength of the military government, and even the private chambers of commerce, which shows their ability.
However, at this time, facing Ye Hongling's questioning, the prefect just sighed softly and said helplessly:
"Sir Ye, don't be impatient. It's hot. Drink tea first to relieve the heat."
…
Correct typos first and then correct them
(End of chapter)
