Chapter 371 - 218: Hidden Dragon List, 72 (Part 2)

Chapter 371: Chapter 218: Hidden Dragon List, 72 (Part 2)

Su Xing had indeed eaten a large bowl of Wu River’s spicy mixed noodles before coming.

For some reason, over the past few months, whenever he arrived in a new place to investigate a case, he would first go to a famous local noodle shop for a bowl of noodles.

He would take the opportunity to quietly observe the other patrons and the passersby outside. Only after he had a preliminary impression of the area—and especially after confirming there were no wanted criminals in the shop—would he then go to the local government office to check in.

At first, it was just a strange compulsion he found rather pointless himself. But after a few times, he discovered that the noodle dishes in the northwest were genuinely excellent, with a flavor completely different from those in the Capital City, so he gradually turned it into a habit.

Back at the post station, Su Xing sat cross-legged on his bed, meditating to regulate his breathing.

Before long, a soft knock sounded at the door.

Su Xing opened his eyes, got off the bed, and opened the door. Seeing a plainly dressed middle-aged man outside, he stepped aside slightly, gesturing for him to enter.

The man entered the room and cupped his fist in salute to Su Xing.

"Greetings, Detective Su!"

Su Xing nodded, turned to pour him a cup of tea, and only spoke after seeing the man accept it with nervous reverence.

"You didn’t change your boots; they’re still official-issue."

The man froze for a moment and instinctively glanced down before speaking.

"Lord Su, I was in a hurry. I didn’t have time to change my entire outfit..."

"An observant person would notice. Furthermore, the ground at the post station is mixed with red soil brought in by out-of-town carriages. That type of soil isn’t found anywhere else locally. With that mud on the soles of your boots, anyone paying attention at the county office will know where you’ve been."

Su Xing shook his head.

"If you want to be a secret agent, you have to be meticulous about every detail. Your skills still need sharpening. For now, just be the ears inside the government office. As for infiltrating Sects or heretical cults, don’t even think about it. You’d just be throwing your life away."

Sweat beaded on the middle-aged man’s brow as he said in a panic:

"You are right, Lord Su. I will reflect on this as soon as I return!"

Su Xing didn’t dwell on the matter, instead asking:

"You’ve been here for a while now. What have you found?"

The middle-aged man lowered his head and spoke in a hushed voice.

"Lord Su, the disappearances in Wu River are indeed connected to County Magistrate Yao Zhizhang. He’s in close contact with the local boat gang. I’ve investigated secretly many times and have seen the gang set sail late at night with large ships riding extremely low in the water. I believe those are the vessels they use to transport people. On many occasions, a ship would set sail on the very night Yao Zhizhang had just met with the gang leader."

"Do you have any proof?"

Su Xing asked simply.

The middle-aged man looked ashamed.

"Their security is tight, and they’re extremely cautious. And... there seems to be a greater power behind them. I couldn’t get any proof."

"A greater power behind them? Do you know who?"

Su Xing’s brow furrowed slightly.

The man shook his head.

"It’s just a guess on my part. I’ve observed Yao Zhizhang closely for a long time. From the subtle clues, I get the feeling he isn’t the one in charge here; he seems to be taking orders from someone else. In the past, some wandering heroes have come, even members of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, but they all left empty-handed. It was always Yao Zhizhang who secretly obstructed them.

"But I don’t think Yao Zhizhang’s men have that kind of strength, especially since he’s just a marginal figure in the Yao family. That farmstead outside the city must have been their former main base, and it never aroused any suspicion before. I don’t think he was the one managing it."

Su Xing nodded slowly, his expression noncommittal.

"Then it’s safe to say Yao Zhizhang was involved."

"I believe so, yes."

Su Xing paused for a moment before continuing slowly.

"I imagine Xie Yuan wouldn’t have killed Yao Zhizhang without a reason."

"On the surface, Yao Zhizhang was skilled at winning people over, but in reality, he was petty, cold, and cruel. It wouldn’t be surprising if some self-proclaimed hero came looking for him to deliver justice. Still, he was a court official. That scoundrel Xie Yuan..."

The agent’s tone was hostile.

Su Xing shook his head.

"That’s true. Although both of Xie Yuan’s crimes involved eliminating corrupt officials, the Great Li has its own laws. We have no need for such vigilantes. They think they’re fighting for the people, but in reality, they themselves are a source of chaos! Moreover..."

Recalling the words written in blood, recalling the noodle shop, Su Xing said in a heavy voice:

"This Xie Yuan has a vile personality. He loves to provoke others and is an extreme danger. I will personally capture him and bring him to justice!"

After a moment, Su Xing asked another question.

"You also mentioned that a Celestial Tier Assassin from the Autumn Wind Building appeared this time?"

At the mention of the Autumn Wind Building, both men’s expressions turned serious. The agent nodded.

"Traces of a major battle were found by the river outside the city. It seems Xie Yuan and his accomplice... joined forces to kill the Celestial Tier Assassin from the Autumn Wind Building. The fatal wound was being cleaved in two at the waist by an axe."

"Take me there."

The two of them first went to the public mortuary. As Su Xing meticulously examined the body of the Celestial Tier Assassin, his brow furrowed bit by bit.

Afterward, he and the agent went to the battle site by the river. Staring at the undisturbed traces of the fight, he was silent for a long time.

’A Celestial Tier Assassin... dead at his hands.’

Su Xing’s usually calm expression wavered, and a hint of irrepressible shock flickered deep in his eyes.

The agent was puzzled and couldn’t help but remind him,

"Lord Su, don’t forget his accomplice... From the traces I see here, it looks like most of this was her doing. Xie Yuan probably just provided support."

Su Xing took a quiet breath.

"Her sound-based Divine Skill is formidable, but looking at these traces, it’s clear it wasn’t enough to kill a Celestial Tier Assassin on its own. Even if she managed to restrain the Assassin, delivering a fatal blow wouldn’t be easy. The body of a Third Transformation Realm Assassin from the Autumn Wind Building is incredibly resilient. They must have worked in concert, with Xie Yuan striking the killing blow at the critical moment."

He fell silent for a moment, then murmured in a low voice:

’He could injure a Grandmaster back when he was still in the External Training phase. I suppose it’s not so strange that he can now cleave a Third Transformation Realm expert in two with a single strike.’

But even as he said it, there was an unreadable quality in Su Xing’s tone.