The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 258 - 178 Chang’an Matters Concluded

Chapter 258: Chapter 178 Chang’an Matters Concluded

Government Square, located at the northeast corner of the former West Market.

To the southeast of the square flows the Clear Channel, and to the west, the Yong’an Channel runs from south to north. It was once a station area for the Right Jinwu Garrison during the Tang Dynasty and had also been home to the Chief Secretary and the Hejian Prince.

In theory, it should be a favorite place for the wealthy elites of the city.

However, very few people were willing to purchase mansions here, mainly due to the formidable reputation of the Captain Bureau’s garrison, which was situated within this square.

Suppressing and stabilizing the pugilistic world was only one of the Captain Bureau’s responsibilities. Their main focus was patrolling on behalf of heaven and monitoring the officials.

There was a time when officials would change color upon hearing its name.

Even after some struggles at court and the current emperor’s extraordinary methods, which kept the Captain Bureau from overstepping its duties, the bloody memories remained deeply buried in people’s hearts, never to be erased.

Night had fallen, and the lanterns of the Lantern Festival remained lit.

Chang’an City was too large; even if there was a killing on Vermilion Bird Street and even the famous leader of the Fire Bear Gang in the city had his head twisted off, it was just one of many scenes in the city, and the common people were still immersed in joy.

In a corner of the square, with high walls and a large courtyard, the lanterns were dim.

Shadowy figures in black garb walked back and forth, and eagles soared up and descended.

Inside the hall, candlelight flickered unpredictably, casting twisted shadows; the various torture instruments around shone with a dim glow against the faint light.

What a godforsaken place!

Li Yan snorted quietly to himself.

He could smell a faint stench in the air, the sickly scent of intertwined fear, tears, and blood.

The chilly wind swept through as if even the light and shadow sought to flee this ominous place.

Crack!

On the platform, a heavy wooden block resounded with a thud, followed by a stern voice, "Bold criminals of the pugilistic world, confess your crimes at once!"

The speaker was none other than the former Seal Thousand Households, Guo Yuhuai.

The saying goes, "The air of officialdom nourishes a person"; many officials were majestic in office, but once deposed, they would quickly become white-haired and aged.

Guo Yuhuai was no exception.

Because Feng Feiyan had escaped, although he had not lost everything, he was stripped of his Seal power, losing his once calm aura. Instead, his complexion turned grim, and his features appeared somewhat fierce.

Next to him sat a one-eyed man, who was none other than the other Thousand Households, Chang Xuan.

Upon hearing these words, Chang Xuan’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he said indifferently, "The matter isn’t clear yet, isn’t Guo Thousand Households being a bit too rash?"

On the night of the Lantern Festival, two people died on Vermilion Bird Street.

Xiong Baodong mattered not to him; he was just a hoodlum from Chang’an, flattering the powerful and wading between the martial and the mundane worlds. If necessary, the Captain Bureau could make him disappear overnight...

Qiao Sanhu was even less significant, a mere County Magistrate from a lower county, relying on his backers to oppress the locals, a scourge to the community. Seeing him chopped into mince before his eyes, Chang Xuan had no desire to look...

But Qiao Sanhu had been killed with a firearm!

This stirred up a storm within the Captain Bureau and was the focus of Chang Xuan’s investigation. Consequently, the entire Captain Bureau was like a disturbed wasp’s nest, thrown instantly into chaos.

The man before him was related to his subordinate, Guan Wanche. He did not care whether Li Yan lived or died, but Guo Yuhuai’s stance was clearly to solidify the case and then implicate him.

Hearing Chang Xuan’s words, Guo Yuhuai’s expression remained unchanged, and in an indifferent tone, he stated, "Chang Thousand Households, this person is related to you, and as per the rules, you should recuse yourself."

"Do you have a guilty conscience, being so nervous?"

Chang Xuan gave a cold glance, not mincing his words, "Guo Thousand Households, don’t be too self-conceited, and don’t forget how you lost the Seal!"

"Humph!"

Guo Yuhuai snorted but knew that with Chang Xuan watching, many things had to proceed according to the rules. Turning to look at Li Yan, who stood below with his hands clasped behind his back and a calm demeanor, anger flared in his heart:

"Daring commoner, before an official, won’t you kneel!"

Chang Xuan frowned slightly but said nothing.

According to the rites of the Great Xuan Dynasty, this was indeed a rule, but often it wasn’t so strict, and a bow while holding one’s hands together would suffice.

Guo Yuhuai knew well that Li Yan was a man of the pugilistic world and was pressing him with official authority, probably looking for an excuse to administer a punishment to assert dominance.

In doing so, he would be teaching Li Yan a lesson and, by extension, showing Chang Xuan disrespect.

After hearing this, Li Yan remained expressionless and unfazed, not even bothering to clasp his hands, and said indifferently, "Unfortunately, I, too, am an official, and you do not have the rank to order me to kneel!"

At this statement, everyone on the platform was taken aback.

Guan Wanche and Feng Han were also present; they were the personal attendants of the two Thousand Households. The pursuit of the user of firearms was a job for the other Hundred Households.

Hearing Li Yan’s words, Guan Wanche remained expressionless, but inwardly cursed, this young man had no idea what the Captain Bureau was and still dared to spout nonsense. It could cost him his life today.

Guo Yuhuai, however, laughed, "An official?"

"I’m eager to hear what kind of official you claim to be. You, a criminal from the pugilistic world, dare to impersonate a court-appointed official. Today, I could have you executed right here in this hall!"

Li Yan glanced around, unhooked the Hook Paper from his waist, and said with a blink, "Do you recognize this?"

Seeing how composed Li Yan was, Guo Yuhuai felt a sudden jolt in his heart; could this man truly be a secret investigator sent by the court?

He knew well that the court didn’t rely solely on their Captain Bureau; there were also secret government offices so clandestine that their names had never surfaced.

But he had never seen that badge before...

At this thought, Guo Yuhuai’s eyes narrowed a bit, and his tone became more amiable, "I do not recognize it. Please clarify, from which government office do you come?"

"Who said only the Great Xuan Dynasty has officials?"

Li Yan’s mouth curled into a hint of mockery, "This is called the Hook Paper; I serve as a living Yin messenger for the Yin Bureau. Ever heard of it?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Yuhuai’s blood rushed to his head, "How audacious, to mock an official like me! Guards..."

Before he could finish, Feng Han, who seemed to have thought of something, changed his expression and whispered something into Guo Yuhuai’s ear.

Upon hearing it, Guo Yuhuai’s brow furrowed, and he turned his gaze back to Li Yan.

"You are a living Yin messenger?"

"Exactly."