Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 124 - 123: I Need to Evade for a Moment

Chapter 124: Chapter 123: I Need to Evade for a Moment

Xu, when asked if he was hiding anything, was just about to explain something, but before he could even speak, he heard Lu Qingquan’s rapid-fire words explode out.

"Xu, you better think carefully before you speak. Although we are colleagues, when it comes to the serious matter of twenty-three martial artists dying on Chuan-Yu Road, I cannot possibly bend the rules out of bias!"

"Especially with the presence of our two wise and valiant Principal Officers here, even if you can deceive me, do you think you can deceive them?"

"I advise you to honestly reveal everything. What exactly did you all do when you went out? Were you colluding? Or were you coerced or forced by someone?"

As Lu Qingquan spoke, his fierce gaze swept over Wei and Ling, clearly with an implication.

Zhang San, hearing this and seeing Lu Qingquan’s demeanor, immediately understood what was going on.

The Officer of Chuan-Yu Road had died, and under normal circumstances, if there weren’t any unexpected factors, Lu Qingquan, the Deputy Officer, would naturally move up.

But Lu Qingquan probably also recognized his own limitations. His promotion might not win everybody’s support, especially since he might not have any remarkable achievements, so if one of the Military Chiefs performed exceptionally well, it’s possible that the position of Officer could go to one of them instead.

Ling was powerful and certainly qualified to be Officer.

Xu was well-liked, and even more people would support him as Officer.

Although Wei didn’t interact much with everyone on a regular basis, this made everyone feel that he could be impartial as Officer.

So, these three individuals might appear to be suspects, but in reality, they were Lu Qingquan’s potential rivals for the position.

No wonder Lu Qingquan’s attitude towards Wei and Xu was so unpleasant.

The earlier suggestive glance was only at the Military Chiefs, and he didn’t even look at Zhang San.

It wasn’t out of contempt, but purely because he thought that an Apprentice Warrior like Zhang San couldn’t possibly be involved in the competition for the Officer’s position.

Seeing Lu Qingquan’s aggressive manner, Xu just sneered coldly.

"Officer Lu, I don’t understand what you’re implying about colluding or being threatened and coerced. I only went out for treatment because I was seriously injured and near death after the last battle," Xu said.

"Not to mention the capabilities of our Town Martial Office’s physicians, I, Xu, also know Wood Series Techniques, and my specialty is in healing. In terms of treatment, I consider myself to be one of the best in the Town Martial Office. But the reason I had to go out is that my injuries were too severe, so severe that even relying on my own Wood Series Techniques and the physicians of the Town Martial Office wasn’t enough, and I could only seek help from a master."

Lu Qingquan hadn’t considered this point, after all, when Xu went on missions he indeed often helped others heal.

Xu’s need to go out for treatment was indeed difficult to refute.

"Then, who did you seek out for treatment? Why couldn’t you invite the person to our Town Martial Office?"

At that moment, Xu was stumped.

After all, Xu hadn’t expected that someone as seriously injured and close to death as himself would be subjected to such questioning.

"That person is a reclusive master, but does not wish to become involved with our Town Martial Office. After all, everyone is clear about how other Martial Path Sects and Martial Aristocratic Families see our office. If the person came to the Town Martial Office to treat me and word got out, what would they do afterward? Thus, we had to go in secret for treatment."

After pondering for a moment, Lu Qingquan suddenly slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Nonsense! If the person came to our Town Martial Office, they would be discovered, but wouldn’t they also be discovered if you went to them?"

"Of course not. That person is already living in seclusion, and not many people know of their existence," explained Xu.

"If not many know, then telling me, the Deputy Officer, shouldn’t be an issue, right?"

Lu Qingquan was pressing hard because he saw that Xu was hiding something.

No one is better at deceiving others than I, Lu Qingquan.

Do you think I can’t tell you’re lying?

In the entire Town Martial Office, there’s no one better at trickery than me!

At this point, Zhang San stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Deputy Officer Lu, this person is my mentor. It’s just that my mentor doesn’t want to get involved with the conflicts between the Town Martial Office and other Martial forces. Going back this time already angered my mentor greatly, almost to the point of expelling me from the Sect. If more people learn about his involvement with the Town Martial Office, I fear it won’t only affect the life of my mentor’s family. More importantly, it would let the world know that our Town Martial Office responds to kindness with enmity, and when someone saves you, you put them in danger!"

Zhang San’s words were resounding and sharp, each laden with emotion and sincerity. Everyone present, including Lu Qingquan, could find no flaws.

"In that case, Xu is temporarily free of suspicion, but whether to pursue this matter further will depend on the wishes of the two Principal Officers later on."

Lu Qingquan knew he couldn’t find anything incriminating on Xu at the moment, but leaving a stain on Xu’s reputation was also good.

With two strong competitors dealt with, the next and most troublesome one was left.

Of course, while the most troublesome issue was strength, in terms of reputation, this person was... heh heh heh...

After Xu had signed his confession, Lu Qingquan called for the next one.

Just as Zhang San worried whether he would be next, he realized it was Sister Ling who Lu Qingquan was summoning.

Ling, with an indifferent face, walked to the center of the Council Hall, stood with her hands behind her back, full of disdain.

"Ling! You might as well confess now!"

"During your years at the Town Martial Office, your conduct was unscrupulous; your language, foul. You’re the disgrace of our Office!"

"You’ve even cut off a colleague’s lifeline before an operation! Your actions are despicable!"

"Although the matter of Bai Yucheng murdering a colleague has not yet been settled, once Bai Yucheng is convicted, you will certainly be his biggest accomplice!"

"With this case, it’s better for you to just confess!"

Lu Qingquan started with a torrent of accusations, his spittle flying nearly two zhang away.

But just as Ling was about to speak, she heard the Principal Officer with the square face seated on the east side gently cough.

At that cough, Lu Qingquan immediately raised his hand, stopping Ling from speaking, and then looked at the square-faced Principal Officer with a face of both respect and concern, asking, "Principal Officer Yue, do you have any instructions?"

Principal Officer Yue glanced at Lu Qingquan, smiled slightly and gestured with his hand.

"No instructions. It’s just that when interrogating her, I need to recuse myself."

Lu Qingquan couldn’t help but be curious.

Principal Officer Yue continued, "After all, she’s my biological daughter. It’s inappropriate for me to be here and listen in, truly inappropriate."

Lu Qingquan was dumbfounded!

Why didn’t you say so earlier?

I... I... I...

However, it was at that moment that Lu Qingquan heard an even more shocking statement.

Ling angrily said to Principal Officer Yue, "I don’t have a father like you!"

Zhang San had already felt that Sister Ling’s survival in the Town Martial Office on Chuan-Yu Road meant she was probably not simple.

But he never expected her to be the daughter of a Principal Officer.

This thigh is not just golden but dazzlingly shiny. Lucky I hugged it in time.

Seeing that Principal Officer Yue did not move and said nothing else, Lu Qingquan continued the interrogation... no, the questioning.

"Military Chief Ling, I ask you, did you enter the Ghost Domain with Bai Yucheng that day?"

"I did not."

Lu Qingquan nodded, feigning a sudden realization.

"You did not enter, so you have nothing to do with this case. Look at the confession, and if there’s no problem, just sign it."

Ling was stunned.

That’s it?

"Lu, you’re quick!"

Lu Qingquan smiled awkwardly. She’s the daughter of Principal Officer Yue, for heaven’s sake. What can I say? If you say it’s quick, then it’s quick. After all, I’m not spreading rumors.

At this moment, Zhang San was already dumbstruck.

Can it really work like this?

"Zhang San, get up here!"