Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Feng Shaoting's voice turned cold, and his face seemed to carry a hint of sorrow and anger.

"The caravan transporting the silver was robbed en route."

Moreover, they robbed him without anyone noticing, their methods were extraordinary!

When local officials opened the chests to inspect the contents, they found that the full chests of official silver had been replaced with broken stones, and the three million taels of disaster relief funds had vanished without a trace!

"Three million taels of disaster relief funds have vanished without a trace?"

Who made it?

Li Fu was startled.

Three million taels of silver were switched with stones during transport.

This is simply unbelievable!

What meticulous planning, what immense power, what extraordinary means would be required?

"I don't know."

This incident has enraged both the government and the public.

Thousands of officials and soldiers who handled or guarded the route were implicated and punished; some were beheaded, and others were exiled.

The company responsible for transporting this imperial cargo was the Changsheng Escort Agency, which was famous throughout the north and south at the time.

Enraged, the imperial court, citing negligence in protecting the goods, ordered the execution of the entire Changsheng Escort Agency, including over nine hundred members of their three clans—men, women, children, and the elderly—without a single survivor, their blood staining the execution ground.

Feng Shaoting continued.

"Only the chief镖局 (bodyguard agency) leader, Liu Jingxing, the Heavenly Gang Deadly Blade, and several of his most capable镖师 (bodyguards) seemed to have been prepared in advance, having quietly disappeared before the case broke out, and have been missing ever since."

The imperial court once drew his portrait and launched a nationwide manhunt, offering a huge reward, but they were never able to capture him.

Rumors gradually began to circulate in the martial arts world.

Li Fu thought for a moment and then said, "The rumor is that Liu Jingxing colluded with his head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) to embezzle the three million taels of disaster relief funds?"

Feng Shaoting nodded.

"good.

If it weren't for someone inside meticulously planning and working together, who could have replaced three million taels of silver with stones during such a tightly guarded transport without revealing the slightest flaw?

The fact that Liu Jingxing and others fled beforehand further solidified their suspicions.

However, due to the lack of conclusive evidence and the disappearance of the large sum of money, it remains an unsolved case.

Li Fu frowned.

"But is it worth risking the lives of over nine hundred people in the escort agency, along with your own wife, children, and elderly parents...?"

Three million taels of silver may be a huge sum, but with the entire family wiped out and hundreds of thousands of wronged souls across several provinces weighing on their shoulders, how can they possibly find peace day and night?

Feng Shaoting smiled meaningfully.

Whether something is worth it or not is a matter of opinion.

In some people's eyes, kinship and blood ties are heavier than mountains;

In the eyes of others, a wife can be remarried, and children can be born; only real money is truly valuable.

Three million taels of silver is enough to make someone richer than a country, enough to squander for ten lifetimes.

Li Fu remained silent, then understood.

"So, the recent surge in martial arts figures in Yanzhou is related to this old case?"

"Exactly." Feng Shaoting said solemnly, "Since a month ago, rumors have been circulating in the martial arts world that someone witnessed Liu Jingxing, the Heavenly Gang Deadly Blade who disappeared for twenty-three years, appearing in the Yanzhou area!"

This news caused an uproar in the martial arts world!

That represents not only Liu Jingxing himself, but also the three million taels of disaster relief funds that have gone missing!

Wealth can move people's hearts, let alone such an astonishing fortune.

People from all walks of life, from the righteous to the wicked, with all sorts of ulterior motives, have flocked to our Yanzhou upon hearing the news.

He counted on his fingers.

There are bandits and petty thieves who covet wealth and want a share of it; there are righteous heroes who are committed to justice and want to seek justice for the hundreds of thousands of victims who died unjustly and capture the culprits.

There were also young talents who wanted to make a name for themselves and achieve instant fame... It was a mixed bag, with both good and bad.

Nowadays, inns inside and outside Yanzhou City are full, taverns are noisy, and conflicts and fights occur almost daily.

The security situation is more serious than ever before.

In the days to come, we'll probably have to rely heavily on Constable Li's authority to suppress local unrest and uphold the law.

I heard that the devastating drought in Northwest China 23 years ago caused hundreds of thousands of people to starve to death because relief funds were switched and stolen.

The perpetrator was ruthless and killed countless lives, yet he remains at large, perhaps still basking in the glory of his past deeds somewhere.

We urge you, sir, to investigate the truth, find the real culprit, and avenge the hundreds of thousands of innocent souls.

Completion reward: Mastery of the White Rainbow Palm Technique.

At that moment, the celestial script ink-wash characters appeared before my eyes.

Upon seeing the words "White Rainbow Palm Force," Li Fu's heart stirred.

"The White Rainbow Palm is one of the unique skills of the Free and Unfettered Sect. Once mastered, the palm force can be bent or straightened at will."

In other words, the force of a palm strike can be curved, and can be controlled at will.

It can be said that the wonder of this martial art is absolutely no less than that of the Dragon-Capturing Skill, which allows one to seize objects from a distance. In terms of power, it is probably no less than the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, and perhaps even... surpasses it.

"The difficulty of mastering it is evident from this."

For example, one of the three elders of the Xiaoyao Sect, whose martial arts were unparalleled, only mastered the technique when he was nearly ninety years old. And when he unleashed his skill, he astonished the other elder, who truly hadn't expected him to have achieved such mastery.

Of course, the fact that the hundreds of thousands of innocent souls who starved to death, and the more than nine hundred innocent people from the Changsheng Escort Agency who were implicated, remains unsolved after 23 years of this tragic case stained with blood and tears, is also a point of contention.

Having experienced the Pingliang County incident, I witnessed and learned about the hardships and suffering of the people.

Li Fu knew clearly that the hundreds of thousands of people who died were not just a number; each one was a living, breathing life.

If the real culprit continues to go unpunished, where is justice?

"I see."

Li Fu stood up with a solemn expression.

"This matter is of great importance, and I will do my utmost to find out the truth and maintain local peace."

Feng Shaoting nodded with satisfaction: "That's very good."

"Officer Li, please rest well today, and we'll discuss this further tomorrow."

Li took his leave and departed.

As Li Fu's figure disappeared into the corridor outside the door, Feng Shaoting's refined smile gradually faded, turning into a complex sigh.

He walked back to his desk and sat down, seemingly talking to himself, or perhaps to the dead sword standing in the shadows.

Life's encounters are truly wondrous.

Just a few months ago, when Li Fu asked me for leave to leave Yan, he was just an ordinary constable under my command. Although he showed his talent, he had no real power base.

Now that he has returned, he has become acquainted with the daughter of the deposed Prince of Yan, gained the favor of Prince Xiang, and was immediately promoted to the sixth rank, even holding the imperial edict gold tablet...

"Tsk tsk, from now on, let alone me, even many high-ranking officials in the court would have to be extra polite if they wanted him to do something."

Feng Shaoting thought of something and smiled again.

"However, young people are ultimately prone to acting impulsively."

The person who offered the bounty on him must be Wang Chongyu.

His killing of Wang Chongyu out of personal grudge was not entirely unreasonable.

But he shouldn't have... shouldn't have held a public trial in the street, completely trampling on the dignity and honor of a flower and stone maker, and even allowing the people to execute him by slow slicing!

This was no longer a simple act of revenge; it was a resounding slap in the face to the Yingfeng Bureau, the Wang family of Suzhou, and even to everyone who relied on the Huashi Gang for their livelihood.

Which official in the world who transports precious stones and flowers is not greedy?

This matter has already shaken the court and the public, and it has probably even reached the ears of the one in the inner palace.

At this moment, a middle-aged scholar with a refined appearance, dressed in a blue robe, wearing a square cap, emerged from behind the screen on the inside of the study.

It was Mr. Liao Xing, the strategist whom Feng Shaoting relied on as his trusted advisor.

He stroked a few strands of his short beard and continued.

"What you say is absolutely right, sir."

Our Great Zhao Dynasty has always shared the world with the scholar-officials and emphasized courtesy.

Even officials who were convicted of crimes, unless they committed heinous crimes such as treason, were mostly demoted or exiled, and rarely executed by public torture, let alone allowed to be executed by the common people.

Although the Flower and Stone Envoy was not a scholar-official, his duties were directly connected to the emperor's ears, and he was responsible for procuring the emperor's favorite items. His position was special, even more so than that of a scholar-official!

Since the establishment of the Flower and Stone Envoy, no one has ever dared to treat them like this, to execute them, let alone to be subjected to slow slicing in the street!

Moreover, Wang Chongyu was born into the Wang family of Suzhou. Although he was from a collateral branch, the Suzhou Wang family was known throughout the world for protecting their own.

After this incident, Li Fuzhi's name is probably now etched on the must-eliminate lists of the world's flower and stone envoys, the Bureau of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Wang family of Suzhou.

Even with the imperial gold medal at his disposal, this enormous disaster will be enough for him to suffer in the future.

How long they can remain carefree is still unknown.

Feng Shaoting waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to discuss Li Fu any further, and instead asked...

Let's not talk about him anymore.

Liao Xing, how's the matter I asked you to investigate?

Is there any reliable information about the whereabouts of Liu Jingxing and the others?

Are the rumors circulating in the martial arts world true or false?

Mr. Liao Xing said seriously.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the martial arts practitioners recruited by the manor have been dispatched to inquire in various places."

We have indeed received some clues. It seems that someone spotted an old man who looks very much like Zhou Lie, the third head of the Changsheng Escort Agency, in the vicinity of Laojun Temple in the west of the city.

It was just a fleeting glimpse; it hasn't been confirmed yet.

But this rumor... is probably not entirely unfounded, and may not be without basis.

"Oh?"

Feng Shaoting's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward slightly, whether excited about the possibility of solving this shocking case or had other plans, it was unclear.

"Keep investigating, we must find concrete evidence!"

"Yes."

Mr. Liaoxing responded and then gave a reminder.

"Sir, if we find the person... Changsheng Escort Agency was once the leader in the escort business, second to none, and it was by no means a fluke."

Chief镖头 Liu Jingxing wields the Thirty-Six Forms of the Heavenly Gang Deadly Saber, which is fierce, domineering, and incredibly versatile. He has been virtually unmatched for over twenty years.

Now, twenty-three years have passed. Although he is nearing sixty and his physique may not be as strong as before, his internal strength and swordsmanship have probably reached a state of perfection and are even more unfathomable.

Ordinary retainers in the mansion are no match for him.

If we are to take action, I'm afraid we'll need to...

His gaze swept toward the silent Dead Man's Sword beside him.

Feng Shaoting understood and looked at the Dead Man's Sword: "What you say is very true."

A person like Liu Jingxing cannot be subdued by anyone but a top-notch master.

"At that time, we will still need you..."

Before he could finish speaking, he finally noticed that Dead Man's Sword, who had been standing like a shadow with his usual empty and indifferent gaze, was now staring in the direction Li Fu had left. His face was still pale and stiff, but now there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

His right hand gripped the hilt of the jet-black longsword at his waist.

"What's wrong?"

Feng Shaoting said in surprise.

This was the first time he had ever seen the Dead Sword Shadow have such an obvious expression.

Dead Man's Sword slowly withdrew his gaze.

"His internal strength...has greatly improved."

I'm starting to lose track of his abilities.

Just now, he stood in the hall, his eyes shining with inner light, his breathing subtle and long, almost like fetal breathing, and his movements were smooth and unobstructed, even faintly conveying a sense of... perfect cultivation and returning to simplicity.

He was completely different from how I had seen him before.

However, the more skilled the opponent he encountered, the more excited he became. As he spoke, a burning desire for the blood of a master flashed in his eyes, and he gripped his sword even tighter.

He was completely different from how I had seen him before.

However, the more skilled the opponent he encountered, the more excited he became. As he spoke, a burning desire for the blood of a master flashed in his eyes, and he gripped his sword even tighter.

"I really want to... test his martial arts skills right now."

Upon hearing this, Feng Shaoting and Mr. Liao Xing exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

They all know martial arts, but in terms of skill, how can they compare to the Dead Man's Sword?

Moreover, the two men were well aware of the Dead Man's Sword's martial arts skills, keen eyesight, and pride. For him to say that he was "unfathomable" and "returned to simplicity," Li Fu's martial arts skills must have reached a level that was unimaginable to ordinary people.

"This matter is not urgent."

Feng Shaoting suppressed the turmoil in his heart. As a powerful prefect, he did not have such awe and desire for martial arts masters.

What martial arts master could possibly be a match for a massive army's slaughter?

He wielded the sword against the dead.

"Let's put Li Fu's matter aside for now."

The most important thing right now is Liu Jingxing.

His Heavenly Gang Deadly Blade will surely not disappoint you.

"Concentrate your efforts on finding Liu Jingxing's exact whereabouts!"

"Yes."

Mr. Liao Xing accepted the order.

Dead Man's Sword lowered his eyelids, concealing the excitement in his eyes, and returned to his lifeless appearance, like a lifeless statue. However, the hand tightly gripping the hilt revealed a trace of inner turmoil.

……

The following morning, Li went to the hospital. He returned to the government office to report for duty.

Upon entering the constables' office, one could see that Chen Tao and the other constables all had dark circles under their eyes and looked exhausted. The table was piled high with case files, and the room was filled with an overwhelming sense of anxiety.

"Li Tou, you're finally back!"

Upon seeing Li Fu, Chen Tao felt as if he had seen a savior. He stood up abruptly, let out a long sigh of relief, and the fatigue on his face seemed to dissipate by three points.

Li Fu scanned the crowd.

"What's wrong?"

They all looked like wilted eggplants.

"Hey! Don't even mention it!"

Chen Tao, with a bitter face, began to pour out his grievances.

"Li Tou, you don't know, these days Yanzhou City has almost become an inn for martial arts enthusiasts!"

All sorts of people, from the most cult-like to the most sinister, have come out.

There are gang leaders from Jiangnan, wealthy horse traders from outside the region, leaders of outlaw gangs, and self-proclaimed heroes from prestigious sects... Which of these people isn't arrogant and conceited?

"Acting without any scruples, who would take us insignificant constables seriously?"

He took a breath and continued.

"We were already short-handed, and now we're even more stretched. Our brothers are on the go all day long, putting out fires everywhere."

There are at least a dozen fights on the streets every day, caused by arguments, disputes over seats, and old grudges!

We can't beat these people in a fight, and we don't dare to arrest them. At most, we can only persuade them to disperse. It's incredibly frustrating.

Another constable standing nearby couldn't help but chime in.

"Li Tou, you don't know, these people are all crammed into the city, and they all think they have some reputation in the martial arts world. No one is willing to admit defeat to anyone else."

They can fight over a good window seat with a street view, they can fight over the same best room, and they can even fight if the registration leaders disagree with each other!

And those who have a long-standing feud, if they bump into each other on the street, it's like a thunderbolt striking the earth, and they'll act recklessly.

With so few of us, even if each person did the work of ten, we still couldn't manage everything. We're constantly on edge, treading carefully, afraid of causing a major disaster!

"In short, the entire city of Yanzhou is now in complete chaos."

Chen Tao said.

"Thank goodness, Boss Li, you're back!"