Chapter 364: Once the Bow Is Drawn, There’s No Turning Back

The Wangzhi Medicinal Shop was bustling with activity.

It was the largest medicinal shop in Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital.

The major medicinal shops from all seventeen cities under its jurisdiction usually came here to stock up and take goods back for sale.

It handled both wholesale and retail.

"Director Yang, once we step through that door, there's no turning back."

Zhao Qing stared at the shop's entrance not far away, speaking in a low voice.

"An arrow nocked cannot be recalled. You insisted on coming yourself, and now you're scared?"

Yang Ling chuckled. "How about you wait here? The three of us will take the men in."

"The confession came from my subordinate. What difference does it make whether I come or not?

If I don't show up, people outside will think I, Zhao Qing, am truly a coward who can be pushed around."

Zhao Qing gritted his teeth, a glint of resolve appearing in his eyes.

He knew what he had to do to keep others from daring to trample on him.

Whether he came this time or not was absolutely critical!

Yang Ling said nothing. He hadn't expected Zhao Qing to actually dare to follow him here.

Since he'd come, there were advantages to it.

The identity of a royal member alone would make Xu Wenjun think twice.

Yang Ling walked toward the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop.

Yun Ruo quickly followed, her face betraying little emotional change.

In her eyes, this was simply the work a Director of the Ironclad Department was supposed to do.

If you feared offending this one or that one, the work could never get done.

Just as the four of them led their team toward the entrance of the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop, a figure suddenly walked out from inside.

The person came straight at them, blocking Yang Ling and the other three.

This man wore a set of iron armor, slightly different in style from Yang Ling's, but anyone who had served at the Capital Ironclad Department would recognize it as Sixth-Rank Ironclad.

An existence whose official rank and cultivation were no weaker than Lu Yunchen's.

"Four of you, I am Hong Ruohai, from the Command Division of the Capital Ironclad Department."

Hong Ruohai's gaze was arrogant.

"His Excellency came to the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop today to catch up with his father-in-law. He is not discussing official business.

If you have anything to report, just tell me directly."

Yang Ling smiled and clasped his fists.

"So Director Xu is at the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop. What a coincidence."

"What coincidence?"

Hong Ruohai looked Yang Ling up and down, his brow slightly furrowed.

A newly promoted Sixth-Rank at such a young age, he found it utterly displeasing no matter how he looked at it.

He remembered that when he himself had become a newly promoted Sixth-Rank, he had just turned thirty-two.

This man was at least ten years faster than him!

"We've obtained a concrete confession proving that Fire Oil leaked from the Public Security Division of the Prefectural Capital Ironclad Department once appeared at the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop."

"So I came here today to handle the case."

Yang Ling smiled. "Why doesn't Director Hong step aside? Don't obstruct us in carrying out our duties."

Hong Ruohai looked somewhat taken aback. He could understand each word individually, but put together, they made no sense.

"What do you people mean? Are you investigating Director Kong's murder case or not?"

Hong Ruohai frowned.

"Director Hong doesn't seem to be a member of our Special Task Force. The details of this case can't be divulged too freely."

"You only need to know that we came to the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop today to investigate a case."

With that, Yang Ling led his men around him and headed inside.

Hong Ruohai moved, blocking the four again, his face ashen.

"Yang Ling, are you insane? Investigating a case at the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop? Do you know this is Director Xu's father-in-law's territory!?"

"Hong Ruohai, are you trying to obstruct an Ironclad Department investigation? You're also an agent of the Ironclad Department. You should know the penalty for hindering law enforcement."

Yang Ling's expression was calm.

Zhao Qing wore a somewhat lazy demeanor. Hong Ruohai was not someone he deemed worthy of his attention.

Shi Xin couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Yang Ling had thoroughly offended the man now.

Yun Ruo furrowed her brows, feeling that the Ironclad Department agents from the Capital were anything but professional.

Hong Ruohai's tone suddenly softened somewhat.

"I told you, if it's a case, you can tell me, and I'll report it to Director Xu.

Some minor matters don't need to disturb Director Xu."

"If our Special Task Force fails to solve this case, we'll lose our official positions."

Yang Ling said seriously. "Why don't you join our Special Task Force too, Brother Hong? I'll mention it to Director Xu and have you temporarily seconded to work with us.

That way, I can share some of my leads with you, Brother Hong."

Hong Ruohai fell silent for a few breaths, then turned and went into the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop.

Yang Ling smiled and led his team inside as well.

This time, besides the four Directors present, they had brought over thirty Ironclad Constables with them.

The moment this imposing force entered the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop, the main hall fell instantly silent.

Whether it was the shop's staff or the customers, everyone instinctively turned to look at Yang Ling and the others, their eyes carrying a trace of confusion.

"Ding Wei, find the whereabouts of that batch of Fire Oil."

Zhao Qing suddenly ordered.

Ding Wei acknowledged, and simultaneously, over a dozen Ironclad Constables leading large dogs stepped out from the ranks.

Ding Wei took out an object and let the dogs sniff it one by one.

They immediately grew excited, tugging at their handlers as they began sniffing around everywhere.

"Honored sirs, there's too much herbal fragrance here, so it'll take some time to pinpoint where that batch of Fire Oil is."

Ding Wei said cautiously.

"No matter. We have plenty of time, a whole month."

Yang Ling said with a faint smile.

"What are you doing!? What are you doing!?"

A young man suddenly strode over with a group of servants, staring at the scene before him with shock and fury.

When he saw Zhao Qing, he was clearly startled for a moment.

"Director Zhao?"

"Director Yang, this is Wang Xingsu, the eldest grandson of Wangzhi's Big Shopkeeper."

Zhao Qing made a brief introduction, then looked at Wang Xingsu and smiled.

"It's nothing. We're just looking for something. Once we find it, we'll leave."

Wang Xingsu wasn't an idiot. If the other party had come with such fanfare, how could it be nothing?

But why were they so bold!?

Knowing full well his uncle was also here today, they still dared to come and cause trouble?

"Zhao Qing, get your men and these beasts out of here!"

"Are we supposed to just abandon business at the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop?"

Wang Xingsu barked.

The shop's staff all wore traces of smugness in their eyes.

The customers, meanwhile, clicked their tongues in amazement. They truly believed some of the rumors about the Wangzhi Medicinal Shop now.

To dare shout at a Director of the Ironclad Department, and a royal member at that, how could there not be serious backing?

"Wang Xingsu, we're conducting an investigation. Don't make a scene!"

Zhao Qing's face darkened.

He hadn't expected that the man who normally buttered him up with "Brother Zhao this, Brother Zhao that" would be so disrespectful today.

"Zhao Qing, do you really think you're so impressive?"

"Investigating all the way to our Wangzhi Medicinal Shop? Do you know how much tax we pay to Zhao State every year!?"

Wang Xingsu laughed in fury.

"My uncle is here today too. He's a Director in your Ironclad Department's Command Division.

If you're really not afraid, then go ahead and search!"

Zhao Qing flew into a rage and was about to speak when Yang Ling waved a hand to stop him.

"Who are you? Is this place yours to decide today?"

Wang Xingsu's expression shifted.

"This Wang Xingsu is obstructing our Ironclad Department's investigation. I suspect he's a follower of the Immortal God Sect.

Take him down and lock him up. I'll interrogate him personally later."

Yang Ling said casually.

Zhao Qing was stunned. Ding Wei and the other constables were stunned too.

None of them had ever imagined Yang Ling would order Wang Xingsu taken down the moment he opened his mouth!

Yun Ruo reacted quickly. She flashed to Wang Xingsu, lifted him up, and tossed him back to the constables behind her.

"Tie him up."

Wang Xingsu's servants stood there dumbfounded, unable to snap out of it for a long while.