Abandoning literature for martial arts, starting by unleashing the beauty's bow.

Ye Zhengtang sighed, "So all that talk I gave you was just a waste of your time."

The tall, thin man chuckled. "Chief Constable, don't joke around. I'm listening to you. I'll be careful."

Ye Zhengtang shook his head. "Some things are useless no matter how much you say. You really have to suffer the consequences to truly learn your lesson."

…………

The distance from the woods to the official road is not short, and it was pitch black at night; an ordinary person certainly couldn't see that far.

However, Lu Fengnian had a clear understanding of the situation on the official road.

Ye Zhengtang and Lu Fengnian's conversation was very soft, but it reached Lu Fengnian's ears with perfect clarity.

His heart sank, realizing that today's ordeal was likely to be difficult.

He had long heard of Ye Zhengtang's reputation; he was the only acquired martial artist in Qinghe County, and a second-grade acquired martial artist at that, making him extremely powerful.

…………

A moment later, the clattering of hooves came from ahead, and the short constable returned.

"Chief Constable, I chased for two miles but didn't see Lu Fengnian, nor did I see any wheel tracks along those two miles." The short man quickly reported as soon as he stopped his horse.

Ye Zhengtang turned his gaze to the woods and said loudly, "Lu Fengnian, I know you're hiding in the woods. I am Ye Zhengtang, the chief constable of Qinghe County. The case in Erlang Village requires you to come back with me to cooperate with the investigation."

His voice wasn't loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the darkness.

Liu Yunjuan and Lu Xiaoyu turned pale instantly and looked at Lu Fengnian with tense expressions.

Lu Fengnian lowered his voice, "Mother, Xiaoyu, don't be afraid. I'm here, nothing will happen."

After saying that, he stood up and said, "You all stay here and don't move."

"Fengnian, where are you going?" Liu Yunjuan asked urgently.

Lu Fengnian laughed and said, "Ye Zhengtang is quite capable. I'll go and have a go at him."

Lu Xiaoyu also got up. "Big brother, I'll go with you."

Lu Fengnian patted Lu Xiaoyu's head. "Don't worry, your mission is to stay here and protect your mother."

Lu Xiaoyu was about to speak when Lu Fengnian patted her arm, "Listen to your older brother, it'll be alright."

Then, he smiled slightly at Liu Yunjuan and said, "Mother, don't worry, I'll be back soon."

After saying that, he quickly walked towards the edge of the woods.

"A bountiful harvest!"

Liu Yunjuan suddenly spoke up.

Lu Fengnian turned around and saw Liu Yunjuan's hesitant expression, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Lu Fengnian asked in a low voice.

Liu Yunjuan took a light breath, "Fengnian, you go by yourself, don't worry about me and Xiaoyu."

These officials are after you; they won't make things difficult for us.

"Once things have calmed down, you can come back to the village to find us."

If it were a minor offense, the Qinghe County government might not make things difficult for Liu Yunjuan and Lu Xiaoyu.

However, this is a murder case, and Lu Xiaoyu is also involved. Furthermore, Ma Hui, the magistrate of Qinghe County, is Wang Quezi's backer. The government will certainly not let Liu Yunjuan and her daughter go.

Lu Fengnian smiled slightly, quickly turned around, and strode into the night.

……

Soon, Ye Zhengtang's voice came from the official road again, "Lu Fengnian, hiding won't help. I know you're in there. Come out now."

In this case, you were originally victims as well, and I don't want to fight with you.

Lu Fengnian had reached the edge of the woods and hid behind a large tree, quietly observing Ye Zhengtang and the other two standing on the official road.

He was about seventy feet away from the three men.

Perhaps, in the eyes of Ye Zhengtang and the other two, this distance was safe enough, and Lu Fengnian's arrows couldn't reach them.

Unexpectedly, Lu Fengnian was already calculating whether he could kill Ye Zhengtang and the other two in one fell swoop if he used the rapid-fire arrows.

If he hadn't been wary of Ye Zhengtang being a second-grade acquired martial artist, he probably would have already made his move.

After a moment's thought, he hid behind a tree and shouted, "Chief Constable Ye, since you know our Lu family is the victim, why are you still pursuing me?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhengtang's face lit up with joy. "Lu Fengnian, you were first a victim, but later you became the perpetrator."

If you are wronged, the government will seek justice for you. But if you make a mistake, the government will also hold you accountable.

"Come with me now. When we get to the county government, I might put in a good word for you and reduce your sentence."

Lu Fengnian quickly responded, "Chief Constable Ye, is your word more effective, or is Ma Hui's word more effective?"

I know perfectly well that the reason Wang the Cripple acts so lawlessly and dares to run rampant in the village is because Ma Hui is backing him up.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhengtang looked embarrassed and replied, "Lu Fengnian, don't talk nonsense without evidence."

Otherwise, I'll have to add another charge against you: slandering an official of the imperial court!

Lu Fengnian laughed heartily, "I originally thought Chief Constable Ye was a real man, but now it seems he doesn't even dare to speak the truth. It's truly disappointing."

Ye Zhengtang's face turned noticeably redder.

At this moment, the tall, thin man next to him snorted coldly, "Hey, you surnamed Lu, don't push your luck!"

Our chief constable has already given you a huge favor by saying all this to you and giving you a chance to turn yourself in!

"I'm giving you one last chance. If you don't tie your hands and walk out of the woods within ten breaths, I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget..."

Before he could finish speaking, with a whoosh, a bamboo arrow pierced the night and shot out from the woods.

In the blink of an eye, the arrow was embedded halfway into the tall, thin man's body, firmly between his feet.

The tall, thin man's face turned ashen instantly. He hurriedly took six steps back before stopping, still shaken.

Ye Zhengtang and the short man were also startled, their expressions becoming serious.

How could they have imagined that Lu Fengnian could shoot so accurately from a distance of seventy zhang, in the dead of night?

Ye Zhengtang realized that he had underestimated Lu Fengnian's strength.

At this moment, Lu Fengnian's voice came from the woods again, "Chief Constable Ye has given me face, so I must return the favor. This arrow will not be aimed at anyone."

But if anyone dares to speak disrespectfully again, an arrow will surely draw blood!

The tall, thin man swallowed hard and quickly ran up behind Ye Zhengtang.

Having witnessed Lu Fengnian's archery skills, he knew very well that he couldn't dodge Lu Fengnian's arrows, and that the safest thing for him was to stay by Ye Zhengtang's side.

The short man also moved a few steps closer to Ye Zhengtang, secretly relieved that he hadn't caught up with Lu Fengnian earlier.

If he catches up, he might become greedy and reckless, trying to take down Lu Fengnian by himself.

If that were the case, he dared not even think about the consequences.

Ye Zhengtang glanced at his two subordinates and said, "Consider this a lesson for you today, and see if you dare to be so arrogant again."

The two subordinates bowed their heads, their faces flushed.

Ye Zhengtang raised his head and shouted towards the woods, "Lu Fengnian, your archery skills are quite good."

However, based on this alone, you can't leave today.

Not to mention, you're taking your mother and sister with you.