Free Web NovelChapter 628: Chapter 345: Stealing Heaven and Changing Day, the Star-picking Bureau Revealed; The Lady’s Deception Brings Severe Punishment
Li Xian laughed and said: "No need, the archer has already run away." Lin Aoshan asked curiously, "Did you scare him off?" Both Han Qingxiao and He Wentian looked at him strangely.
Li Xian apologized and said: "To be honest, the arrow just now was actually shot by me." Han Qingxiao and He Wentian frowned. Lin Aoshan asked: "Shot by you? Does that mean it was you who attacked us? Xiaolizi, do you have a problem with us?"
Lin Aoshan thought for a moment, then said, "That’s not right, it doesn’t make sense. There were three directions the arrows came from, do you have accomplices?" Li Xian laughed: "Actually, there was only one direction, but it looked like three directions." freewёbnoνel.com
It turns out Li Xian had mixed in the principles of the "Four Directions Fist" from Martial Arts. His arrow clearly came from one direction, yet created a surrounding force from all sides. His archery and Four Directions Fist had both reached their peak, endlessly versatile.
Han Qingxiao asked: "Brother Li, why did you suddenly shoot at us?" Li Xian said: "To be honest, I was curious about something. Without clarifying it, my mind couldn’t be at ease. So I took this approach and came over to apologize."
"I was mingling in the crowd just now, when I discovered He Wentian, the City Lord. I was deeply curious, wondering how He Wentian could appear here unharmed. Doesn’t the Five Mountains Sword Alliance deal with him? Allowing him to act as he pleases? If He Wentian harbors evil intentions again, what then? So I wanted to investigate."
"I saw He Wentian arrive here and meet with you. By then, I knew there was something hidden, guessing Brother Han was definitely not someone colluding with He Wentian. But I was worried and didn’t dare to reveal myself directly. Thus, I used archery to probe. I discovered this He Wentian was actually someone else in disguise, but very cleverly, as I couldn’t discern any flaws."
"Once I figured it out, I came to apologize. Firstly, to express my apologies, and secondly, because I was genuinely curious. I deeply offended you before, please don’t blame me!"
He was very sincere. Han Qingxiao’s anger quickly dissipated, his mind reflecting: "This young man plans carefully and never puts himself in danger. His thinking is very thorough!"
Lin Aoshan said: "Well, there’s no choice but to forgive you for now!" She put her hands on her hips, dissatisfied, and said: "You really were bold, firing several arrows unreservedly. Nearly shot me to death!"
Li Xian bowed and complimented: "Three distinguished members of the Celestial Patrol Bureau, if I didn’t use all my skills, how could I figure anything out? Besides, Ao Shan, we’re old friends, I had to trouble you with a bit of a scare." Lin Aoshan nodded and said: "That’s true. But you’re wrong about one thing; the Celestial Patrol Bureau only includes me and Brother Han. This Brother Qu Baitong is actually from the ’Star-picking Bureau.’ Also, although I forgive you, you must treat me to a meal."
Li Xian laughed: "Of course, of course."
He Wentian bowed and said: "I am Qu Baitong from the Star-picking Bureau." Li Xian sincerely replied: "Sorry, sorry."
Qu Baitong said: "No problem, worrying for nothing is best. This hero’s archery is extraordinary, opening my eyes." Li Xian asked: "Please help me resolve this mystery inside."
Han Qingxiao said: "I thought Brother Li already knew this." Li Xian smiled wryly: "If I knew, why would I cause such a mess, disturbing you all? I’m extremely sorry."
Han Qingxiao said: "No problem, what’s done is done. Brother Li, please follow me." He led the way forward, arriving at the deepest part of the Government Office’s dungeon, where dim candlelight illuminated a cell with a person lying inside.
The person wore an iron mask, completely covering their face. Their shoulder bones were pierced, and their body was pinned with thirty-seven nails, the ends connecting to chains. Although they could walk and eat, their movements were severely restricted, making it difficult to use Martial Arts.
Han Qingxiao said: "This is our Celestial Patrol Bureau’s bone-piercing restraint method. It’s specifically used for capturing Jianghu criminals. No matter how powerful the criminal, once caught by this method, they have no way to escape. This person is the real ’He Wentian.’
"The day He Wentian was defeated and captured is indeed a big dilemma on how to deal with him. The Five Mountains Sword Alliance wants him dead, but if He Wentian dies, what happens to Flying Dragon City? It would be thrown into chaos, how would the soldiers fare? What would happen to the city’s major families? In the end, it’s the common people who suffer."
"Thinking it through, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance doesn’t dare to kill He Wentian, genuinely making it extremely tricky, hesitating. We then suggested to employ a ’Stealing Heaven and Changing Day’ tactic. Our ’Star-picking Bureau’ brother, Qu, accompanied us, though with a different mission; while I investigate Flying Dragon City, he observes the stars here."
"The situation was sudden, so we requested his assistance. Brother Qu was born with [Mud Bone Appearance], having bones like mud, affecting his strength, yet his ability to change appearances was extremely impressive. He had practiced the ’Bone Shifting Divine Skill,’ mastering control over his body’s bone structure. Any bone can be moved anywhere in his body."
"He examined the bone arrangement of He Wentian and manipulated his own to match. With a disguise, it’s hard to notice anything different apart from those who are closely acquainted."
"Having him stationed in Flying Dragon City, we returned He Wentian for custody, awaiting official instructions to appoint someone to manage Flying Dragon City. This way, chaos is avoided and the mission is completed smoothly—what’s there not to celebrate?"
Li Xian suddenly understood: "So that’s it, it’s rare for you all to consider the common people so much, truly admirable and worthy of respect!"
Han Qingxiao sighed: "Sadly, people like us who think more for the common folk—even thinking a bit or a lot—are ultimately useless. It requires the higher authorities, Heaven’s Grandmaster to decide. If they only consider a little, circumstances would be vastly different."
Li Xian said: "Do what you can, no regrets needed." Seeing He Wentian unconscious, he asked: "When will he be sent away? Speaking of... this person is deceitful and cunning, yet he certainly has achieved distinctive deeds. Without using sinister tactics, he developed steadily, solely relying on his management strategies, leveraging Flying Dragon City’s unique position, he could indeed have reached a prominent station. But he acted too hastily."
