Free Web NovelChapter 22: Chapter 22: Investigation
As the two remained silent.
A gaunt figure walked in.
He was a middle-aged man with long hair and a milky-white left eye, giving him a sinister and cunning appearance.
Like a one-eyed lone wolf.
Upon seeing the man, Liao Hui Peng and Wang Xiushui scrambled to their feet, cupping their fists. "Greetings, Gang Leader."
"I know what happened to Song Heng."
"Killed by Han Yuan’s saber in a fair fight... utterly useless!"
Qian Yuanlang snorted.
"Gang Leader... I saw Han Yuan’s Blade Technique with my own eyes."
"I’d say it’s on par with Han Jiudao’s."
Liao Hui Peng said quietly.
At the mention of Han Jiudao, Qian Yuanlang recalled some old memories and said helplessly, "Those two Han Family brothers... neither one of them is easy to deal with."
"Gang Leader, what should we do now?"
"Han Yuan killed one of our Hall Masters out in the open."
"If we don’t retaliate, everyone will think the Fire Wolf Gang is afraid of the County Yamen."
Qian Yuanlang shook his head. "I actually hired Zhu Yeqing to assassinate Han Yuan last night. I didn’t expect even he would fail."
"You don’t expect me to deal with him myself, do you?"
For a Body Tempering Martial Artist to move against a Gathering Power Martial Artist would be breaking the rules.
If he made a move, Gao Yuan could do the same.
And Gao Yuan was even at the Body Tempering Great Success realm.
Unless it was a last resort, Qian Yuanlang didn’t want to be the one to break this rule.
Hearing that even Zhu Yeqing couldn’t kill Han Yuan, Liao Hui Peng and Wang Xiushui were shocked all over again.
Qian Yuanlang pondered for a moment. "Don’t worry. Just be patient for now."
"We’ll see who has the last laugh."
....
Meanwhile.
Han Yuan returned to the County Yamen and reported the situation to Gao Yuan.
"You’ve done well..."
"This should curb the Fire Wolf Gang’s arrogance for a while."
Gao Yuan gave Han Yuan an appreciative look.
Lately, the Fire Wolf Gang and the Cyan Sand Gang had been showing signs of joining forces, putting him, the Chief Constable, under a great deal of pressure.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have repeatedly sent his men to cause trouble for the Fire Wolf Gang.
He was just trying to send them a warning.
"That was only possible with your backing, Chief Constable Gao."
Han Yuan said quietly.
"You’ve killed Song Heng, so the Fire Wolf Gang will likely try to retaliate in secret. Be careful for a while."
Gao Yuan warned.
"I understand."
"So for the time being, I’d like to request a transfer to the storerooms."
"To lay low for a bit."
Han Yuan said quietly.
’A gentleman does not stand beneath a collapsing wall.’
It would be a disaster if Qian Yuanlang really broke the rules and came after him, consequences be damned.
That was why Han Yuan, naturally, wanted to go back and hide out in the storerooms for a while.
Once he cultivated the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique to Perfection, he would at least have a chance of survival, even if he wasn’t a match for his opponent.
"A good idea."
"Old Chen has been wanting to retire and return to his hometown."
"Handle the handover with him in the next couple of days and take his post."
Gao Yuan said quietly after a moment’s thought. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Thank you, Chief Constable."
Han Yuan cupped his fists.
After leaving the County Yamen, Han Yuan returned home.
’My strength is still not enough.’
’Before, Guo Oldhei forced me to hide in the storerooms.’
’And now it’s happening again.’
’Body Tempering!’
’After I reach Gathering Power Great Perfection, I must break through to the Body Tempering realm as soon as possible. Only then can I truly have a place for myself in Qingshui County!’
Han Yuan’s gaze grew increasingly determined.
After packing his clothes, he quickly left and returned to the County Yamen.
He had no intention of giving Qian Yuanlang any opportunity.
「The next day.」
Wang Changbai came to the County Yamen to find Han Yuan.
"To think that after all this, we’d end up back in the storerooms."
Wang Changbai sighed.
When Han Yuan had been promoted to constable, he had left the storerooms.
He had thought he’d never have a reason to return.
He never expected to be back so soon.
Life is truly unpredictable.
"Perhaps you and the storerooms are bound by fate,"
Han Yuan laughed.
"Perhaps so."
"So, what about Changfeng Street?"
Wang Changbai asked in a low voice.
"Don’t worry. No one will dare to lay a hand on it."
"I’m taking full charge of the storerooms now."
"Aside from guarding the storerooms, you, Dahua, and the others should go and patrol Changfeng Street whenever you’re free."
Han Yuan said with a smile.
His fearsome reputation was gradually spreading throughout Qingshui County.
No one in the County Yamen would risk his anger to try and snatch the fruits of his labor on Changfeng Street.
"That’s good, then." Wang Changbai grinned.
Changfeng Street was tied to his life savings, so he was naturally on edge about it.
"By the way... Old Wang."
"There’s one more thing I need to trouble you with."
Han Yuan pulled Wang Changbai into a corner.
"What is it?" Seeing how secretive Han Yuan was being, Wang Changbai’s expression turned serious.
"I know you’re well-connected. Help me investigate the Cyan Sand Gang’s wharf."
"See if you can find anything unusual."
Han Yuan said in a low voice.
"The Cyan Sand Gang? Have you run afoul of them now, too?" Wang Changbai looked startled.
’First he picks a fight with the Fire Wolf Gang, and now he’s going after the Cyan Sand Gang?!’
"It’s not like that... I heard a rumor recently."
"Before my brother disappeared, he used to frequent the Cyan Sand Gang’s wharf."
"So I’d like you to look into it," Han Yuan said seriously.
"I see... I’ll do what I can."
"After all, that’s the Cyan Sand Gang’s turf. I can’t make any promises."
Wang Changbai nodded.
He was indebted to Han Jiudao; he didn’t want the man’s death to remain an unsolved mystery.
"I’m counting on you."
"Besides, it might not have anything to do with the Cyan Sand Gang."
"Just ask around first and see what you find."
Han Yuan said in a low voice.
......
Over the next two days, Han Yuan completed the handover with Old Chen and officially took charge of the storerooms.
He and another veteran constable were assigned to guard the Armory.
Old Wang, Wang Dahua, and the others guarded the supply storeroom.
After the great disturbance Han Yuan had caused at the Golden Moon Tower, the Fire Wolf Gang kept a much lower profile and stopped making trouble.
Qingshui County had finally regained a measure of peace.
Han Yuan hid himself away in the storerooms, grinding away at the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique day and night like a madman.
Old Wang took Wang Dahua and the others to watch over Changfeng Street.
....
「Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.」
A bright moon hung high in the sky, its light spilling into the courtyard of the County Yamen’s storerooms.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH~~
The flashes of a saber, dense as the wind, seemed to form a swirling ball of silver light under the moon, howling madly throughout the courtyard.
The blade flashes were like a great bird flapping its wings, even beginning to stir the air currents. freewēbnoveℓ.com
A dozen seconds later.
The light from the blade suddenly vanished.
Host: Han Yuan
Thousand Falcons Blade Technique: Great Success (1050/1500)
Mountain-Breaking Fist: Mastery (661/800)
’Only five hundred proficiency points to go.’
’In another ten days or so, I’ll be able to break through to the Perfection realm.’
Han Yuan muttered to himself.
Every time he saw the numbers on the Skill Proficiency Panel tick upward, he could feel himself growing stronger.
After all, this world was too chaotic and dark; only by constantly growing stronger could he feel at ease.
He had been practicing for several hours and his body was sore, so he decided to find a late-night snack.
Just then, Wang Changbai slipped in, looking furtive.
"Old Wang, you sneaking around like a thief?"
Han Yuan said, exasperated.
"What kind of thief would come to the County Yamen to steal something?"
Wang Changbai said helplessly.
"Then what’s going on?" Han Yuan asked, resigned.
"It’s about that thing you asked me to look into."
"I’ve got a lead."
Wang Changbai leaned close to Han Yuan’s ear.
"The Cyan Sand Gang affair?"
Han Yuan’s eyes lit up.
"Right..."
"I spent a fair bit of money to befriend a Cyan Sand Gang disciple and managed to wheedle a lot of information out of him."
"I suspect the Cyan Sand Gang might be running a smuggling operation at the wharf."
Wang Changbai said gravely.
