“Treason! Treason! Though this isn’t Xiang Yang proper, it still falls under the jurisdiction of Xiang Yang Prefecture. How dare anyone commit such heinous acts here? Where is the murderer?”
As Officer Feng stepped toward the inn’s main hall, his sharp eyes caught sight of a young man in a yellow short jacket and robe. The youth, holding a bamboo umbrella, walked out of the hall and helped the frail boy—who had nearly been trampled under his horse—rise from the mud.
Feng’s bulging, fish-like eyes narrowed, and he brazenly said, “Old Cai, this rabbit-like boy isn’t one of your inn’s staff, is he?”
The youth in the yellow robe raised his eyebrows slightly, and a fleeting murderous glint crossed his face before disappearing. He turned back, supporting the boy as they reentered the hall. Officer Feng, catching a glance from the youth, felt a chill and hesitated.
The innkeeper, Cai, hurriedly explained, “This gentleman is indeed a guest at my humble establishment. Lord Feng, perhaps you should check the main hall first.”
Feng was about to ask more but stopped himself. The youth’s refined demeanor, luxurious attire, and the gleaming pearl on his lapel hinted at a significant background. Swallowing his rebuke, he instead redirected his irritation to the hapless Cai.
“Old Cai, are you trying to hasten your own death?”
He vented his frustration at Cai as he led his men into the hall.
The metallic stench of blood hit them immediately.
What greeted Officer Feng’s eyes were the corpses of Xing Yun Manor’s men scattered across the hall!
He froze in place.
Though a high-ranking officer in the prestigious Xiang Yang Prince’s Mansion, seasoned by many battles and bloodshed, the gruesome scene in the hall still made his heart pound and his legs tremble.
“Treason! Treason! Where—where is the murderer?” He forced himself to speak boldly, though his knees had begun to shake.
Cai, trembling, carefully replied, “If you’re asking about the ones who killed these men—they’ve already left.”
Relief swept over Feng, and he slammed the table hard for effect. “Outrageous! How dare you let the criminals go?”
Frightened out of his wits, Cai dropped to his knees with a loud thud. “Lord Feng, I swear I’m innocent! Those three were masters of martial arts, killing without hesitation. How could a humble man like me stop them? All the other guests here can testify on my behalf—please investigate thoroughly!”
“Old Cai, why are you shaking like that? Lord Feng isn’t here to solely blame you.”
One of the constables stepped forward and gave Cai a kick. “Get up already! Go fetch your best wine and finest dishes. Say a few good words, and Lord Feng won’t hold it against you.”
Cai quickly nodded and scurried off to prepare.
The constable sidled up to Feng Shao with a fawning smile and said, “Lord Feng, Commander Shao is nearby. Since there’s been a murder here, it’s possible it’s connected to the Prince’s wanted criminal. Why not invite him to investigate? It’ll save you the trouble, don’t you think?”
The suggestion immediately struck a chord with Feng. He exclaimed, “Good idea! Excellent idea! Someone, light the signal flare!”
A soldier promptly acknowledged the order, lit a fuse, and walked into the courtyard. A sharp whistle pierced the rain, followed by a burst of red light that cut through the downpour. The light transformed into the shape of a massive white sword that lingered in the stormy sky.
The young man in the yellow robe, disinclined to get entangled with the authorities, had intended to take the boy and return to his room. However, the sight of the signal flare made him pause. He hesitated for a moment, then quietly sat back down in his corner seat.
Meanwhile, Feng had already directed his men to move the bodies aside. He brazenly selected a table and sat down as if the grisly events had been of little consequence.
From the kitchen, a waiter stoked the fire until it blazed warmly, delivering ginger tea and hot drinks to the guests. The innkeeper, Cai, attended to Feng personally, instructing the kitchen to prepare food and wine.
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