The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 302 - 196 Bargaining_2

Chapter 302: Chapter 196 Bargaining_2

Li Yan replied indifferently, "Since Households Commander has investigated everything about me so thoroughly, surely you are aware that I am a living Yin messenger, aren’t you?"

"Some things, naturally, are better known than others. As for that secret room, just about anyone with Divine Skills could find it."

Huang Wenzhong didn’t seem surprised by his reply, and his expression softened as he nodded slightly, saying, "Young Hero Li, don’t take offense, this case is of great importance, and I am a little anxious. If there was any offense, I hope you’ll forgive me."

"Furthermore, thanks to Young Hero Li’s intervention, we now have a lead. I am grateful for your assistance."

"You’re too kind, Commander."

Li Yan’s expression remained calm, but he couldn’t help sneering inwardly.

He knew all too well what kind of people were in the Captain Bureau.

Such politeness likely meant they were setting a trap.

Indeed, Huang Wenzhong, still looking puzzled, went on to say, "Young Hero Li, that thief used Evil Technique to harm people, and stealing treasures was merely a diversion. Their goal must be those Coal Stones."

"I am truly puzzled, what could they want with that?"

Li Yan was well prepared and shook his head, "I find it strange myself, but our job is to exorcise evil spirits and catch ghosts, not to investigate cases."

"You are asking the wrong person by coming to me."

"Oh... it’s my oversight."

Huang Wenzhong let out a sigh of relief and then asked, "Young Hero Li, according to you, that person used the Fox Heart Technique? Could you tell me about this technique?"

Li Yan, feigning impatience, said, "I already told the County Magistrate everything I know, about using an old fox heart to refine the spell, and a weakness is that one will be resented by the Fox Ghost."

"You’re not capturing the criminal, but instead, you come asking one question after another. Do you suspect us, by any chance?"

"Humph! If the County Magistrate hadn’t come to us for help, why would we have gotten involved in this trouble?"

Li Yan spoke without any courtesy, and the faces of the people from Captain Bureau turned unsightly. Someone was about to scold him when Huang Wenzhong raised his hand to stop them, his face apologetic as he said, "Young Hero Li, don’t take offense, it’s part of the investigation process to ask questions to clarify some things."

"That secret passage used by the weary monk leads to the dike outside the city, presumably for an underwater escape. I have already sent people to block the river and examine passing boats. Another team is searching the nearby forests, but so far, they have found nothing."

"Young Hero Li, do you have a way to find this man?"

Li Yan shook his head, "I can only track people by their scent, and since the person has escaped through the river, there’s nothing I can do."

"But my brother might be able to help, although we would have to release those foxes we caught."

Huang Wenzhong didn’t seem surprised by this and turned to look at Lv San, "This would be Lv San of Manchuan Pass, right?"

"I’ve heard that you are fluent in the language of birds and beasts; your help would be appreciated in this matter."

Clever old fox!

Li Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he also relaxed inwardly.

Although the Qiao family had already declined, Lv San was still wanted by the court, and these old fellows had obviously discovered their full details but deliberately said nothing.

This was as much initiative as it was a reminder that he had grounds to take them into custody at any time.

Thinking this, Li Yan’s gaze flickered, "Hold on!"

Huang Wenzhong, startled, "Young Hero Li, is there a problem?"

Li Yan nodded, a smile on his face, "Commander, since you’ve researched so thoroughly, you surely know that we charge a hefty fee for our services."

"Just now is one thing, but now you come to us with threats and ask for our help, that’s not how you ask for favors..."

"How dare you!"

Another Hundred Households from the Captain Bureau could no longer hold back, his face darkening as he said, "This Lv San is a fugitive wanted by the court! And you, you’ve claimed many lives as well, and now you dare to haggle over terms?"

"Do you really think just because you know a few spells, we have no way to deal with you?"

Li Yan gasped, deliberately widening his eyes, "Sir, may I know what you intend to do with us? I’d like to hear it..."

"To see if it’s enough to scare me!"

Saying this, he turned to Sha Lifei, "Uncle Sha, are you afraid of death?"

Sha Lifei cursed, "Damn it, of course I’m afraid."

"If I die, you better avenge me."

Li Yan nodded with a serious expression, "Alright."

Then he turned back to the Hundred Households, his gaze gradually growing colder, "Commander, what do you plan to do?"

The man’s face turned ugly, but upon seeing a cold glance from Huang Wenzhong, he quickly bowed his head and dared not speak further.

Huang Wenzhong’s face, however, broke into a smile, "Indeed brave and insightful. Young Hero Li, you wish to make a deal, then? May I ask what your terms are?"

"Your Excellency is wise."

Li Yan gave a thumbs up, "This brother of mine has been implicated in a case, but it was all Qiao Sanhu’s doing, gathering a group of bandits and posing as government officials. That’s a serious crime!"

"Your Excellency, what do you think about this..."

Huang Wenzhong also feigned indignation, "How dare they use bandits to impersonate government officials and massacre innocent civilians; they certainly deserve to die."

"Since Lv San upholds justice, the court will surely not wrong a good person."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Lv San’s wanted order had always been a problem. Originally, when he was in Chang’an, he intended to resolve this matter. However, at that time, both Chang Xuan and Guan Wanche were entangled in troubles of their own; who would have the time to care for his concerns?

Moreover, the City God Temple had also said that without the revocation of Lv San’s wanted order, the Daoist certificate could not be processed, making it very inconvenient to travel to various places.

Now was the chance to solve this issue conveniently.

As for whether Huang Wenzhong would lie, Li Yan was not worried.

The Captain Bureau had to negotiate with the pugilistic world to monitor it, and breaking promises would tarnish its reputation. Finding help or informants for future cases would become much more difficult.

With the matter settled, no one spoke any further, and they soon arrived at the city gate.

The Captain Bureau brought quite a number of people. They not only took over the case but even called for the Military Command Token, taking control of the garrison here.

Subsequently, the whole of Shangjin City was placed under martial law.

At the city gate, soldiers began moving bamboo baskets out one by one.

"Young Hero Li, the captured foxes are all here; it’s up to you now," Huang Wenzhong nodded slightly, then stepped aside.

To tell the truth, he was also a bit curious.

At his level, he hadn’t dealt little with the people from the Mystical Sect on the ground, but communicating with birds and beasts was something he had never seen before.

Li Yan nodded, and Lv San immediately stepped forward. As he approached, the foxes in the bamboo baskets began squeaking noisily, clearly frightened.

After Lv San squatted down, he squeaked a few times as well, and then the foxes inside the baskets quieted down.

He opened each basket one by one, and the foxes immediately leaped out—some running away directly, others seeming to approach but still on guard.

Lv San was patient, squeaking a few more times and even brought out some roast chickens he had just bought and placed them on the ground.

A few foxes, obviously starving, immediately rushed over to snatch the food.

Lv San waited a moment before slowly approaching, gently stroking the heads of these foxes.

He had a natural aura that allowed him to get close to animals.

In no time, these foxes relaxed their guard and began to circle around him.

Lv San kept squeaking, seemingly communicating with the foxes.

The scene in front of them amazed everyone.

After a while, all the foxes scattered, disappearing into the forests, and Lv San waved his hand to signal the hawk on his shoulder, which immediately soared into the sky, circling above the forests.

"We’ll have to wait a while."

Lv San murmured, then sat down on the ground to wait quietly.

The Captain Bureau’s men were clueless and naturally could only wait with him.

However, the wait turned out to be quite lengthy.

Until sunset, not a single fox reappeared from the woods.

It was still that same Hundred Households from before, his face now showing impatience as he bowed and made a fist with one hand in front of his chest, "Households Commander, I’m afraid this pugilistic world Magician is misleading and deluding us all."

Hearing this, Li Yan looked at him with some surprise.

The hierarchy and rules of the Captain Bureau were always strict; for this Hundred Households to be so talkative and even question Huang Wenzhong’s orders, there might be something fishy going on.

Sure enough, Huang Wenzhong glanced at him coldly and said in a chilling voice, "Hundred Households Liu, I have been given full authority to handle this matter by the commander."

"Why don’t you take over the task if you’re so anxious?"

"Households Commander, please forgive me."

Hundred Households Liu’s face turned awkward as he quickly apologized with a fist in palm.

Just then, a cry of a hawk resonated in the sky.

Immediately after, a sudden gust of chilling wind swept through, rustling the leaves and grass, and mist began to rise; one by one, green ghostly fires danced up and down in the forest.

Vaguely, they could see an old fox standing on a hilltop, looking down at them with a cold gaze.

Around it, the green ghostly fires slowly circled...