Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Li Fudao.

"That notorious thief has committed more than a dozen bloody crimes in a short period of time, killing and injuring fifty or sixty innocent people, including a massacre of an entire family. He doesn't even spare unarmed servants!"

How could such a ruthless and cold-blooded person, after being caught eavesdropping, resort to saving face by making excuses and rambling on and on?

Furthermore, when he fought me, he clearly carried such a potent sleeping potion, yet he didn't use it against us, but instead only used it to escape?

Chen Tao thought for a moment and said, "This... perhaps he fears your superior martial arts skills, Lord Li?"

"Okay, let's leave those aside for now."

Li Fu continued, "There's another point. Brother Cao kidnapped Magistrate Hong, who was the real enemy who killed his younger brother Cao Yu."

Although Cao Yu committed a heinous crime, he was not guilty of a capital offense under the law, but was secretly murdered by the jailers at the behest of Judge Hong.

The last blood relative in the world is dead; the hatred for killing one's brother is irreconcilable.

Any ordinary person in this situation would probably be enraged, wishing they could tear their enemy to pieces and kill them on the spot.

"But what about Brother Cao?"

He kidnapped Magistrate Hong for a night, but hesitated and struggled all night, ultimately failing to kill him.

Why?

Perhaps it's because he knows in his heart that he's not in the right in this matter.

Li Fu's gaze was sharp as lightning as he spoke.

"A woman's reputation is more important than her life. Cao Yu's attempt to defile the daughter of Magistrate Hong was practically the same as attempted murder."

Hong Tong's act of avenging his daughter, though against the law, might not be criticized in the martial arts world; in fact, he might even be praised.

Brother Cao probably understood this principle well, which is why he couldn't bring himself to kill us until we arrived. He knew that if he didn't act now, he would never have another chance, so he finally made his move.

Li Fu concluded in closing.

"Think about it, how could someone with such an indecisive and reasonable nature be the same ruthless and merciless treasure thief who committed over a dozen bloody crimes in such a short period of time?"

Chen Tao was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it carefully, he seemed to think that what Li Fu said made sense.

Cao Mufeng stared blankly at Li Fu, his eyes filled with even deeper gratitude.

Hearing this, Chen Tao's previous doubts about Cao Mufeng dissipated considerably, and he couldn't help but ask.

"This... sir, then so who exactly is the culprit who robbed the treasure?"

"If the master thief wasn't Cao Yu's elder brother, Cao Mufeng, then why would he take such a big risk and commit so many crimes to save him?"

"I can't believe that a womanizer could make such righteous friends in the martial arts world..."

Li Fu did not answer, but turned his gaze to Cao Mufeng.

Cao Mufeng said, "I don't know either. I don't know more than Constable Li."

As for who committed those crimes and who should bail out my brother, I'm just as confused as you are.

Li Fu stood up and said in a deep voice.

"Fortunately, there's still one clue."

Chen Tao's eyes lit up: "Is it Liu Qi hiding in the City God Temple?"

"good.

Since Brother Cao is not the murderer, most of the inside information Liu Qi knows points to the real culprit.

"Let's go to the City God Temple."

After saying this, Li Fu immediately gathered more than 20 constables, including Chen Tao, and, armed with waist knives and iron rulers, headed straight for the City God Temple outside the city.

This City God Temple was originally a place to worship the City God. After it was abandoned, it has now become a gathering place for beggars in Yanzhou City, and also the base of the Yanzhou branch of the Beggars' Sect.

The Beggars' Sect has disciples all over the world, involved in all walks of life, and its influence is deeply entrenched. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the largest sect in the martial arts world.

The constables have just arrived.

Under the old locust tree outside the temple, a little beggar in a tattered cotton-padded coat was seen squatting by the tree root picking lice. When he saw the officials coming in a menacing manner, he was so frightened that he jumped up with a scream and scrambled into the temple to report the news.

Li Fu, mounted on his horse, raised his eyebrows and said.

"The beggars in this place seem to have been prepared all along."

"Sir, look, it's broad daylight yet the door is still closed. It's obvious they're doing something wrong."

Chen Tao pointed.

Not long after the little beggar went in to report the news, the two peeling vermilion gates of the City God Temple creaked open.

A group of ragged beggars escorted a lame old man out.

The old man was about fifty or sixty years old. His left leg was a full length shorter than his right leg, as if he was born with a leg length discrepancy. He was leaning on an iron crutch as thick as a bowl, the crutch worn shiny, indicating that he had used it for many years.

"I have failed to greet you properly. I have failed to greet you properly."

His face was habitually covered with a smile, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were creased. He was even more polite to the officials, but his eyes clearly showed a hint of wariness.

"My lord, this is Guo Nanshan, the leader of the Yanzhou branch of the Beggars' Sect. He is known in the martial arts world as 'Guo the Iron-Crutch.' The Beggars' Sect's Mad Demon Staff Technique is said to be extremely powerful."

Seeing this, Chen Tao quickly leaned close to Li Fu and whispered in his ear.

Guo Nanshan took two steps forward, tapped his iron crutch twice on the bluestone slab, and cupped his hands in a smile.

"Your Excellencies are truly honored to have such a rare guest as to grace us with your presence."

"I wonder what business you have with me today, bringing so many brothers along?"

Li Fu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"After the massacre of the Jinwei Escort Agency, someone saw Liu Qi fleeing into your City God Temple in a panic, and he has not come out since."

He is suspected of this case. We request that Chief Guo hand him over so we can take him back to the government office for questioning.

Guo Nanshan's smile froze for a moment, then he laughed heartily again.

"Officer Li is joking. Liu Qi did come that day. As soon as he entered, he shouted that he had caused a fatal disaster and asked me to let him escape."

Even though I am the branch leader, I can't stop people from trying to survive, can I?

I let him leave through the back door, and I have no idea where he went.

Li Fu remained expressionless.

"Master Guo's words might fool a three-year-old child, but as the leader, you let your disciple get into trouble and run away without asking the reason, investigating right and wrong, or even checking whether he committed rape, kidnapping, or violated the gang rules."

Are you just going to let him go so easily?

Do you think I'm stupid?

Swipe!

Chen Tao and the other constables drew their swords in unison, the blades gleaming coldly in the sunlight, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.

"Officer Li, please calm down."

Liu Qi spoke hastily, only saying that he had accidentally learned a secret that would bring disaster upon anyone who knew it, involving a powerful figure whom they, a group of beggars, could not afford to offend.

Guo Nanshan's expression changed slightly. He had heard of the reputation of this newly appointed Constable Li, but he still tried to remain calm and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I thought to myself, since they are people I can't afford to offend, asking too many questions will only bring trouble upon myself, so I might as well turn a blind eye."

I'm doing this for the sake of the hundreds of brothers in the branch!

"Enough with the nonsense." Li Fu ignored him and said, "Hand over the person. I don't want to repeat myself."

If the person has already left, what's the point of having someone keep watch and report back?

Guo Nanshan took half a step back, gritted his teeth, and slammed his iron crutch on the ground. A group of beggars stepped forward.

"He's really gone!"

Even if he hadn't left, I couldn't hand him over—Liu Qi is a disciple of my Beggars' Sect, I can't just watch him die!

"Leave him to me. I'll put him in the government office and have people watch over him. Who would dare to kill someone in the government office?"

Li Fu countered with a question.

Guo Nanshan's eyes flickered, and a deep sense of apprehension flashed across his face: "That's hard to say."

Guo Tieguai seemed to know some inside information.

Li Fu said no more and suddenly waved his hand.

"Get to work! Anyone who dares to obstruct the investigation will be arrested and imprisoned!"

The constables received their orders and rushed forward.

Guo Nanshan shouted.

"If you insist on taking action, sir, don't blame us Beggars' Sect for being impolite. Form the battle formation!"