Chapter 100: Chapter 99: Going Back on One’s Word

Chen Tang and his two companions faced County Magistrate Zheng and his two companions with smiling faces, but there was no small talk, as if they came with ill intentions, exerting pressure on the three of them.

Wei Qun got straight to the point and said, “I heard that a Chief Constable from Changze County was imprisoned by you and is about to be executed?”

“So the three of you are here because of this matter.”

County Magistrate Zheng chuckled, turned slightly, and looked at Duan Zhao behind him, saying, “County Captain Duan, why don’t you explain?”

Duan Zhao stepped forward and said, “That is indeed the case. This person is named Meng Liangyu, he…”

“Take us to see him first.”

Wei Qun interrupted directly, his tone not allowing any disagreement.

Duan Zhao’s expression froze for a moment; he glanced at County Magistrate Zheng and quickly reacted, saying, “Please follow me, sirs.”

Under Duan Zhao’s guidance, Chen Tang and his two companions arrived at the underground prison of the County Government Office.

The basement was as dark as night, eerie and damp. A few months ago, Chen Da’an had endured endless pain in this environment, with no one to help him, finally dying in despair.

Entering the underground cells, they didn’t walk far before they saw a person, battered all over, tied to a wooden cross. There wasn’t a single part of him untouched; he was bloodied and his hair was disheveled, making it impossible to see his face clearly, as he had already passed out.

Duan Zhao coughed lightly and explained, “This is the criminal Meng Liangyu. He underwent interrogation earlier, but we haven’t had time to return him to his cell.”

Wei Qun frowned slightly at the sight of Meng Liangyu.

Meng Liangyu had marks from various punishments on his body; this was no ordinary interrogation method.

Wang Yanli, worried about Chen Tang acting impulsively, subconsciously glanced at him.

If her friend ended up in such a state, she might not have been able to control her emotions.

Surprisingly, Chen Tang appeared very calm, without any expression.

Wei Qun said lightly, “What’s going on? Tell us.”

Duan Zhao said, “Recently, the County Government Office has been chasing the remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang, gathering related clues. I discovered that this Meng Liangyu is very suspicious!”

“He accepted three thousand taels of silver from the Evil Wolf Gang to facilitate peace talks between two major factions. Unexpectedly, something happened that night. I suspect he’s the Evil Wolf Gang’s plant inside the office.”

“The disappearance of County Magistrate Sun and Chief Cui should also be related to him; he might even be the one who killed them!”

Wei Qun retorted, “Taking money from the Evil Wolf Gang and being one of them — what necessary connection is there?”

“As far as I know, everyone in Changze County, including County Magistrate Sun, Magistrate Shi, and the three Chief Constables, has received money from the Evil Wolf Gang. Are they also plants from the Evil Wolf Gang inside the office?”

“This…”

Duan Zhao was at a loss for words.

The nearby Magistrate Shi instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Wei Qun, not giving Duan Zhao time to react, continued, “Does County Captain Duan mean that the government office in Changze County doesn’t belong to the Court and has been entirely bought by the Evil Wolf Gang?”

“I didn’t say that!”

Magistrate Shi hurriedly denied.

Duan Zhao also explained, “My lord, you misunderstand. That’s not what I meant, I…”

“Also.”

Wei Qun continued asking, “The disappearance of County Magistrate Sun and Chief Cui has not been confirmed by the Cyan Dragon Bureau whether they are alive or dead, yet County Captain Duan seems to already know they’re dead and even caught the murderer.”

“I’m curious, where did County Captain Duan get these leads and evidence that surpass those of the Cyan Dragon Bureau?”

After several consecutive questions, Duan Zhao was already sweating heavily and felt overwhelmed.

These questions seemed ordinary, but they were fraught with danger. One careless mistake, and even he himself might get implicated!

Duan Zhao felt a headache coming on and said, “Currently there is no conclusive evidence, just suspicion, still under interrogation.”

“How come I heard that this person is to be executed?”

Wei Qun’s tone gradually changed, carrying a hint of chill.

“I wouldn’t dare, just a scare tactic, not intending to execute.”

Duan Zhao dared not admit to this, so he could only backtrack.

Wei Qun said, “Release him first.”

Duan Zhao felt secretly annoyed but could only reluctantly wave his hand, signaling the jailers to untie Meng Liangyu and release him.

Meng Liangyu, being handled this way, touched the wounds on his body, awakening from the pain with a low moan.

His injuries were so severe that he couldn’t even stand; once the ropes were untied, he collapsed powerlessly onto the cold ground.

Meng Liangyu’s eyes were bloodshot, his vision somewhat blurry, only vaguely seeing a few people appeared to have come in front of him.

“Duan, kill me if you want; if I, Meng Liangyu, flinch, I’ll take your surname!”

Chen Tang, with a somber expression, stepped forward slowly and squatted down.

Looking at the heavily scarred Meng Liangyu, Chen Tang said solemnly, “Chief Meng, I am Chen Tang of the Cyan Dragon Guard. I’m here to ask you a question; I hope you will answer truthfully.”

Hearing this voice, Meng Liangyu’s whole body quivered; he suddenly widened his eyes, seemingly wanting to see Chen Tang’s face clearly.

Chen Tang asked, “I heard that you and County Captain Duan were once colleagues in Wu’an County and had some grievances. Is that true?”

Duan Zhao’s expression changed at these words.

“That’s right!”

Meng Liangyu shook his head, brushed aside the blood-stained hair in front of his eyes, and after seeing Chen Tang and his Cyan Dragon Armor, his spirits lifted, gritting his teeth, saying, “In Wu’an County, we had a dispute and even came to blows.”

“The scar on his face, I left that!”

“Duan Zhao, if I hadn’t held back back then, your head would have been gone!”

Duan Zhao’s face turned ashen.

This indeed was his unresolved issue.

Back then, because of this incident, he lost face in the County Government Office.

It wasn’t until Meng Liangyu made a mistake and was transferred to Changze County that he gradually made a name for himself, earning County Captain Han Lang’s favor and reaching his current position.

In fact, staying beside Han Lang might have had a brighter future.

But when he heard about an opportunity to go to Changze County as County Captain, he didn’t hesitate and took the post immediately.

Because he knew, Meng Liangyu was there!

He’d been waiting for this day for a long time!

It’s just that he didn’t expect, just as he was about to execute Meng Liangyu, the Cyan Dragon Guard would suddenly intervene.

Chen Tang turned to look at Duan Zhao and said slowly, “County Captain Duan, you’re using public power for personal revenge.”

“No!”

Duan Zhao immediately denied it.

Wei Qun said blandly, “County Captain Duan, we, the Cyan Dragon Bureau, will take this person. Is there a problem?”

Duan Zhao was unwilling.

But the situation was pressing. Although he was a County Captain, he had to bow before the Cyan Dragon Guard.

Duan Zhao forced a smile and said, “No problem.”

Chen Tang supported Meng Liangyu and walked slowly toward the exit.

Every step Meng Liangyu took left a bloody footprint on the cold ground, shocking to the eyes!

Chen Tang’s expression was calm, but a fierce light surged deep in his eyes, ready to burst forth!

Duan Zhao followed behind them, frowning as he watched Chen Tang supporting Meng Liangyu.

It made no sense. Why would the Cyan Dragon Bureau be interested in such a trifling matter?

Moreover, why such a big show, with three Cyan Dragon Guards coming all at once?

He hadn’t heard that Meng Liangyu had any connections within the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

Could it be because of this person?

Duan Zhao’s gaze flicked over to Chen Tang.

Could it be him?

Duan Zhao recalled a piece of news from half a month ago and suddenly thought of a possibility.

As they walked out of the underground prison, seeing the daylight again,

Meng Liangyu could hardly open his eyes, greedily inhaling the cold air outside, a feeling of narrowly escaping death surging in his heart.

When Duan Zhao threw him into the prison, he thought he was surely going to die.

Unexpectedly, he was able to walk out alive today.

With this thought, Meng Liangyu turned to look at Chen Tang.

The two exchanged a glance but said nothing.

Everything was understood without words.

At this moment, Duan Zhao stepped forward and casually asked, “This gentleman looks quite unfamiliar. You must have just joined the Cyan Dragon Guard, right?”

“None of your damn business.”

Chen Tang, having learned from Cai Yin, blurted it out.

“Heh heh.”

Duan Zhao was not angry, and he smiled, “From what I know, there seems to be only one recent addition to the Cyan Dragon Bureau, and that is Chen Tang from Changze County.”

Chen Tang still ignored him.

Seeing this, Duan Zhao coldly chuckled inside.

So it’s really him!

“Heh heh.”

Duan Zhao chuckled lightly, suddenly stepping forward to block the path of Chen Tang and Meng Liangyu, raising his voice, “Gentlemen, I’m afraid you can’t take this prisoner away.”

“Hmm?”

Wei Qun turned with a frown, staring intently at Duan Zhao, and asked, “County Captain Duan, reversing your word, what are you intending?”

Duan Zhao smiled and said, “Master, I suddenly remember something. For such an important prisoner like Meng Liangyu, I must inform the County Captain.”

“Of course, sending a message will only take a day or two. I believe the County Captain will make some concessions on behalf of Captain Cai of the Cyan Dragon Bureau.”

“By then, I’ll let you take the prisoner away without delay. Or, if you have a handwritten instruction from Captain Cai, I can also release him.”

At first glance, these words seemed reasonable.

But Wei Qun sensed something amiss.

Just now, Duan Zhao was submissive, but how did he suddenly become assertive?

Moreover, he suddenly mentioned Han Lang and brought up Cai.

Wei Qun’s mind turned, and he quickly understood the reason.

On the night of the fifteenth of the first month, under everyone’s eyes, Han Lang tried to make things difficult for Chen Tang. It was originally a sure situation.

Unexpectedly, due to Cai’s intervention, it fell apart, and Han Lang also lost face.

After recognizing Chen Tang, Duan Zhao must have wanted to help Han Lang save face!

If this news reached Han Lang, Duan Zhao would likely receive some praise from him.

Even if it’s just to send a message, delaying for a day or two.

In this time, a lot could be done.

Perhaps two days later, Meng Liangyu could die in prison!

Moreover, with Duan Zhao mentioning Han Lang, it was indeed difficult for the three to handle.

If Cai came forward, they could naturally take the person away directly.

But the ranks and grades of the three were all below County Captain Han Lang.

Wang Yanli clearly knew the intricacies, scolding, “Duan Zhao, don’t push it. I want to take this person away today, and what can you do about it!”

“Ha.”

Duan Zhao laughed and said, “I’ve long heard the Cyan Dragon Bureau takes orders from the Emperor and acts domineeringly, but being so unreasonable and fighting for a prisoner in the County Government Office, even if it reaches the Emperor, I have nothing to fear!”

“If you want to forcefully take him, after making a scene, I’d like to see how you explain it to the Cyan Dragon Bureau!”

“Men, surround the County Government Office for me!”

Duan Zhao suddenly shouted, “I don’t believe that, in broad daylight, to get a prisoner, the Cyan Dragon Bureau will dare to draw weapons and forcibly take him!”

Of course, Duan Zhao didn’t intend to confront the Cyan Dragon Guard directly, but he could use this opportunity to annoy Chen Tang and company, setting a stumbling block, and at worst, release the person after two or three days.

In doing so, he could also seek commendation and reward from Han Lang, so why not?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep