```
That cup was a fine piece of blue and white porcelain, worth at least ten taels of silver!
Noticing the brief flash of pain in Wu Qingfeng's eyes, Zhang Xuan smiled:
"The Huang Family's wealth is beyond measure, and this time, the County Magistrate Wu has definitely had his fill..."
Wu Qingfeng showed no change in expression:
"I will have to rely greatly on Director Zhang. I'll persuade County Magistrate Li myself..."
Wu Qingfeng didn't think there was anything wrong with discussing such matters. If one doesn't make money while holding office, then what's the point of becoming an official!
"Let's set it for tomorrow night, my Heavenly Patrol Guard will arrive in Ping'an County," Zhang Xuan said expressionlessly as he tapped on the table.
"Good!"
...
...
That night, the stars were bright.
Chen Yuan slipped into Wang Meng's home alone. Gentlemen might talk about revenge after ten years, but for someone like Chen Yuan, he would settle scores the very night—of course, one needed certain capabilities to do this.
Wang Meng's home had little in the way of defenses. Clearly, he himself couldn't have imagined that Chen Yuan would be so bold: just after a conflict in the afternoon, he would come for your life at night.
Without hesitation, Chen Yuan moved from room to room, claiming several lives.
Finally, he reached the last room. As soon as Chen Yuan pushed the door, a long saber thrust straight at him, aiming to impale his chest.
But Chen Yuan was prepared. The moment the saber was thrust, he quickly sidestepped, avoiding the lethal blow, and then with one slash, he smashed the door to pieces and sent a figure flying outwards.
Chen Yuan, holding his blood-dripping saber, took steps forward, like a reaper from Hell.
"I do not know in what way Wang has offended brother to make brother strike such a ruthless blow..." Wang Meng said intermittently as he lay on the ground.
"Today's newly kindled grudge!"
"You... who are you..." Wang Meng's eyes widened.
"Who ordered you to act against me?"
"It was... Gang Leader Zhu Sihai, Chen... Brother Chen, please spare my life!"
The next instant, the blade flashed, and Chen Yuan emotionlessly beheaded him. To prevent anyone from having evidence to link back to him,
he even altered the knife wounds on Wang Meng's body, turning it into a mess of flesh.
After handling Wang Meng, Chen Yuan's gaze caught a pair of trembling legs on the bed.
He approached slowly, holding the knife…
After leaving Wang Meng's home, Chen Yuan was as composed as still water. This time he had indeed acted impulsively, but... it was worth it!
Since Huang Xing had already sent people to act against him, even if he behaved himself, they wouldn't let him off. He might as well fight with all he had. Tomorrow, he would see how things stood with Tie Xuan.
If the County Magistrate Wu didn't plan to take action, then he truly needed to consider an exit strategy soon.
...
The next day.
Chen Yuan entered the county government with a calm expression, as usual.
As soon as he entered, he felt that the atmosphere was somewhat amiss; everyone was silent, like the calm before the storm.
"Brother Wang? What's going on today? Why is everyone acting this way..." Chen Yuan casually approached a government official and asked in a low voice.
The government official looked around and whispered:
"Today, the arrest officer is quite gloomy for some reason, probably because someone has annoyed him again. You better keep it low-key these days and don't get caught in the crossfire."
"Thank you for the warning, brother." Chen Yuan nodded his thanks, but inside, he was speculating whether it was due to his wiping out Wang Meng's entire household last night that had upset Huang Xing.
What surprised him most was that the news of the annihilation of Wang Meng's family seemed to be suppressed; no one was aware of it. It seemed that someone had hushed it up.
Logically, someone should have informed him of this matter as soon as he entered the county government.
```
With his mind preoccupied, Chen Yuan took a few White Servants for a stroll around Ping'an County, even routinely inspecting the entrance of the Song residence several times, but he never saw the red silk that was supposed to be there.
"Could it be that Wu Qingfeng is unwilling to make a move?"
"But even so, Tie Xuan should have at least informed me..." Chen Yuan squinted his eyes, his hand always gripping the hilt of his blade.
Carrying his thoughts with him, Chen Yuan returned to the County Government. He had just sat down, not even having time to take a sip of water, when he was called over by the arrest officer Huang Xing, much to the schadenfreude of several Government Officials.
"My lord!"
Chen Yuan saluted with clasped hands and bowed.
Huang Xing stared intently at Chen Yuan and suddenly said,
"Wang Meng is dead!"
Chen Yuan timely raised his head in shock,
"Dead?"
"Last night, he died in his home, and not a single one of the fourteen family members survived. What do you think?" Huang Xing asked with a somewhat bland tone.
As he asked, Huang Xing also observed Chen Yuan's reaction.
When he first learned of the incident, he thought it might have been Chen Yuan, but upon reflection, it seemed unlikely. A mere tavern brawl wouldn't justify Chen Yuan risking everything to commit murder, right?
"To act in the dead of night, sparing no one, there's something strange about this. Could it be the work of the No-Life Sect's rascals again?" Chen Yuan frowned, but a cold sweat broke out on his back.
"I've already investigated; it doesn't look like the work of the No-Life Sect's rascals!"
"May I go to the scene to search for clues? Perhaps I can find some leads. Although I've had conflicts with Wang Meng, he was still a decent person," said Chen Yuan with a light chuckle.
After looking at Chen Yuan carefully, Huang Xing suddenly laughed and said,
"Forget it. The more gangland killings, the better. Your current priority is to pursue the whereabouts of the No-Life Sect's rascals. How can you afford to waste time on this?"
"You're right, my lord!"
"Alright, you may leave now..." Huang Xing waved his hand.
"This official takes his leave..."
Chen Yuan bowed and departed.
As Chen Yuan was leaving, an unfamiliar-looking Government Official bustled into the room where Huang Xing was, and with a 'bang', closed the door.
Chen Yuan observed that Huang Xing stayed in the room for a moment, his expression blank and even slightly grim as he summoned all the officials from the Arrest Room.
"Everyone, follow me..."
By this time, the sky had become rather dark, signaling the time to return home. Despite this, no Government Official dared to object to Huang Xing's command; they all accepted the order, and Chen Yuan, standing in the last row, frowned as he watched the scene unfold.
Could it be another murder case?
After saying this, Huang Xing led a phalanx of Government Officials, their presence looming, toward a certain direction, their steps even a bit hasty. Chen Yuan took a deep breath.
Could this be related to Tie Xuan...
As expected by Chen Yuan, Huang Xing indeed was leading his men toward the Huang Family's direction. They had not yet arrived when Chen Yuan heard the noisy commotion.
The Huang Family was in trouble!
Faced with such an unexpected and sudden event, Chen Yuan felt both thrilled and solemn.
He was thrilled that the Huang Family was finally being eradicated; yet solemn because the current situation had completely exceeded his expectations. What exactly had happened on Tie Xuan's side?
Was this directed by Wu Qingfeng?
If the Huang Family was really colluding with the No-Life Sect's rascals, could these men from the County Government possibly withstand those powerful figures?
"How dare you cause trouble at the gates of the Huang Family!" Huang Xing's voice rang out coldly, and suddenly everything around fell into eerie silence.