Chapter 64: 63 Major Case (Part 1)

In the night.

A shadowy figure gently pushed open the window of the ninth squad small building of the Prison Department, slid down lightly from the second floor, and landed on the edge of the first-floor eaves.

The eaves, only a palm’s width, didn’t make a sound under his feet.

The night was hazy, the moonlight blocked by mist, the entire Tan Yang was shrouded in a layer of fog.

The figure quickly moved to the edge of the eaves, crouched down, grabbed the edge, and swung down like a swing, landing easily.

Just as he landed, a small sound came from another small building opposite the ninth squad small building.

“Who’s there!?”

The window opened, and a burly figure leaped out, wielding a broad-bladed long knife, scanning the surroundings.

In the darkness, the figure immediately stopped and raised his hands.

“It’s me, Zhang Ying from the ninth squad. Lord Xu!”

Zhang Rongfang felt helpless inside, not expecting that he had been as careful as possible, yet he was still discovered.

“Zhang Ying?” The figure holding the knife approached, only to see by the faint lantern light that it was indeed Zhang Ying.

“Why are you sneaking out so late? Don’t you know there are shift changes at night?” he said with resignation.

“Uh… There’s something going on. It’s not convenient in the daytime, is it?” Zhang Rongfang intentionally lowered his voice.

“… You rascal…” Lord Xu, whose full name is Xu Kai, stayed in the Prison Department daily. The squad he led was the top-ranked squad.

His squad did not participate in external patrols, only defending the Prison Department headquarters, and had the largest number of members, over a hundred.

Zhang Rongfang had only heard that there were numerous experts inside, but now he was truly experiencing it.

His Body Technique was not weaker than fifth-grade Body Technique specialists, and it also enhanced stealth and silence.

Unexpectedly, at such a distance, he was still discovered by Xu Kai.

“If you need to handle something, go quickly. Just don’t delay official duties tomorrow,” Xu Kai looked at Zhang Rongfang’s expression and immediately showed a look that every man understands, impatiently waving his hand.

He knew the ninth squad’s captain was Lin Qixiao, that troublesome woman, and also sympathized.

He didn’t doubt that Zhang Rongfang would do anything harmful to the prison.

After all, Zhang Rongfang entered after saving the prison chief’s only son.

“Don’t do this again in the future. Let us know if you’re going out, or you might step into an ambush at night, get shot by arrows, and don’t blame me for not warning you.” Xu Kai advised kindly.

“This is the Prison Department, after all. Many people come to jailbreak at night. If you get killed by mistake, it’s just bad luck.”

“Thank you for the advice, Lord Xu.” Zhang Rongfang stepped forward, handing over a small piece of silver.

Xu Kai took it, silently weighing it.

“I didn’t expect you to have some goods. Go on. Take the right gate, the one with the tiger pattern on the second door; nothing’s arranged over there tonight.

This security door changes every day, be careful in the future.”

“Understood!” Zhang Rongfang cupped his fists again and quickly ran towards the right gate.

Soon, he left the high walls of the Prison Department, heading swiftly towards the brothels of Tan Yang at night.

He quickly pulled out a black money pouch, twirling it on his finger, humming a tune as he left briskly.

Behind him, a tall figure clad in black leather armor, with a fully enclosed helmet covering even the face, quietly watched him leave through the holes for the eyes.

It wasn’t until Zhang Rongfang completely disappeared towards the bustling brothels in the tileshed that he turned around, silently returning to the Prison Department.

At the brothel.

In front of the brothel’s brightly decorated entrance, with ribbons of silk hanging everywhere.

Zhang Rongfang walked in with large strides. As he entered, the madam came up to him.

“Oh, is this the first time for this gentleman? Looking at your robust physique, you’re really quite solid! What kind of girl do you fancy? We’ll make sure to arrange everything properly for you!”

“Just arrange anyone. Someone who can dance and play music.” Zhang Rongfang ordered casually, maintaining his composure.

All the way, he kept an eye on whether anyone was following him.

Since he told Xu Kai he was out on business, he might as well make it look real.

“No problem!” The madam twisted her waist and arranged for a little girl to lead Zhang Rongfang to a spacious suite.

Inside the room, a faint incense scent lingered. Calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, with thin red gauze draped over the window, and a stack of illustrated books placed beside the bed.

Zhang Rongfang reached out and flipped through it, only to find it was a price list…

Various service packages clearly labeled with their prices.

From bottom to top, the cheapest was one tael of silver, the highest was three taels.

He silently put it down, sighing that this place was indeed professional.

During the waiting time, he reviewed his actions today, confirming he had no issues.

But he was still discovered.

’Fortunately, I was just testing the Prison Department’s vigilance tonight and didn’t plan to do anything.’

’Seeing this now, the Prison Department is indeed the most guarded place in Tan Yang. With my current skills and techniques, it’s impossible to make any moves.’

’The Prison Chief Li Ran returns to his residence to rest at night, while Xu Kai’s squad only had him appear in the end. His voice was so loud, there’s no way others didn’t hear.’

’Now it seems, it’s likely that more than just him noticed my movements.’

’Thus, if I have any ideas in the future, I absolutely cannot take action at the prison headquarters.’

In a team of over a hundred people, he didn’t know how many were alert experts like Xu Kai.

Among so many people, if even one issued a warning, all his actions would fail.

Soon.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in,” Zhang Rongfang responded.

The door was softly pushed open, and a slender girl in a low-cut green dress gracefully entered.

The girl had long hair over her shoulders, with a slightly yellow complexion, her features soft with a hint of allure.

In her hand, she held a dragon flute, with a half-moon jade pendant tied to one end.

“I want to hear a gentle tune. Just sit down and play slowly,” Zhang Rongfang casually pointed to the chair opposite and instructed.

“Yes.” The woman glanced at the judicial department’s sword on Zhang Rongfang’s body. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

After closing the door, she gracefully walked to the chair, did not sit down, but stood while gently wiping the dragon flute with a silk handkerchief.

“Gentle tunes, like Twin Lotus, Red Snow, or Pavilion of All Joys…”

“Stop, just play what you’re best at,” Zhang Rongfang couldn’t be bothered to listen further.

His reason for being here was simply to pass the time. Just to avoid any suspicion from a potential follower behind him.

So it didn’t really matter what he listened to.

“Alright, then let’s start with a piece of the three-part Celestial Demon Song, which is currently popular in the Great Capital.”

Zhang Rongfang’s expression shifted slightly.

“Celestial Demon Song?”

“Yes, young master, the Celestial Demon Song originally comes from the Sixteen Celestial Demon Dances of the Buddhist tradition.

It has only appeared in the last couple of years and has swept across various regions. I only specialize in a small part of it. It’s said that playing the entire piece requires at least half an hour.”

“Sixteen Celestial Demon Dances…” Zhang Rongfang found it intriguing.

“Young master may not know, but the Sixteen Celestial Demon Dances originally narrate the whole process of the sixteen celestial demons from being rampant to being subdued by the Buddha. It is said that the complete dance requires sixteen beautiful maidens to harmonize, and the dance is extremely magnificent and filled with Sanskrit and Buddhist chants, creating a profound artistic conception. I haven’t had the chance to see it either…” the woman replied softly.

Zhang Rongfang waved his hand, indicating no more questions, allowing her to begin.

The gentle flute music slowly began, and he squinted, pondering his next plans, momentarily speechless.

The next morning.

Zhang Rongfang leisurely walked out of the Inch Return Brothel, looked up at the sky.

He definitely didn’t feel like going back now.

He had a good rest last night, choosing the cheapest package, letting the woman play two tunes for him, while not ordering any food or drink.

Then he let the woman leave the room.

There was no help for it; the cheapest package had only these services.

Zhang Rongfang didn’t have much money to begin with, and wouldn’t dare waste it on such matters. There weren’t any good protections in this era, and it would be disastrous if he contracted a disease…

Moreover, spending a whole tael of silver just to listen to music, such an expensive price, was already making him feel the pinch…

In the morning, he went to Wang Bude to learn the Talismanic Skills.

At noon, he casually ate a few egg wraps with some vegetable leaves on the street to supplement his vitamins.

The roll, as thick as a fist, was enough for most people to be full with just one, but Zhang Rongfang could now eat three.

In the afternoon, he went to the White Spirit Fist Gym to learn Spirit Snake Fist and Body Technique with the gym owner.

Such days flew by and soon a week had passed.

During that week, there were plenty of minor incidents encountered by the patrol team, mostly trivial fights easily handled by a few team members.

In no time, Zhang Rongfang accumulated some attribute points, and he was close to mastering the relatively simple Spiritual Snake Body Skill.

Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

*

*

*

Tan Yang East City, 3 a.m.

In the luxury residential neighborhood where wealthy people lived, Bamboo Courtyard.

A shadow carried a human-shaped sack, gripping the wall effortlessly with one hand, leaping over the wall, and tossing the sack into a bull cart hidden in the grass outside.

The bull cart slowly moved away into the distance.

And the shadow jumped down the wall and quickly ran in another direction, disappearing.

Until dawn broke, a sharp scream suddenly pierced the tranquility of Bamboo Courtyard.

“Third Miss! Third Miss is missing!! Someone, come quickly!!”

A maid’s sharp voice instantly awakened the previously still courtyard.

The household servants rushed around, one lantern after another lighting up.

Before dawn fully broke, the Tan Yang prefecture’s case drum was already being pounded with urgency.

The prefect, along with the magistrate, two assistants, the chief inspector, the head of the judicial department, and all the high officials were alerted.

What was initially a missing person case supposed to be handled by the chief inspector was causing an uproar throughout Tan Yang’s officialdom due to the special identity of the missing person.

Because the missing person was Zhao Ying, the third daughter of Zhao Kairen, the wealthiest man in Tan Yang.

Numerous constables, officials, and soldiers were mobilized, dispersing to search all shady spots within the city.

Previously unchecked sites protected by connections were now fully exposed under this rigorous search.

Even Zhang Rongfang’s judicial patrol team was called in to fill the numbers.

*

*

*

Bang!

Hundred Victories Gambling House.

Zhang Rongfang, supporting his waist sword, kicked the door open and led his team briskly into the gambling house.

“Clear the way! City-wide strict investigation! Informal personnel, make way for us!!”

Two government officials stepped forward, separating the crowd with considerable force, causing a flurry of complaints and grumbles.

Two team members of the ninth team escorted Zhang Rongfang quickly inside.

The obstructing crowd of commoners and gamblers were swiftly cleared, as the gambling house manager, flanked by a group of enforcers, sternly stepped forward to meet them.

“What’s this about, do you know whose territory this is? A group of low-ranking soldiers dare to barge in like this? If you damage anything, I fear you won’t be able to afford compensation!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep