Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 191 - 185: True Neutrality Means Getting Paid by All Three Sides!

Chapter 191: Chapter 185: True Neutrality Means Getting Paid by All Three Sides!

The following day, within the Council Hall of Xiongfeng Manor.

Third Miss Gan listened to the reports regarding last night’s operation from various sources.

Even though Zhang San had already reported last night’s operation to Third Miss Gan, when she sat down to listen to the reports that morning, she was still taken aback.

"So many people in the cell, yet someone still managed to infiltrate it, and you only discovered it when the person was about to escape. Who was in charge of guarding the cell?"

A martial artist responsible for the cell stood up, trembling, and said, "It was originally Deputy Officer Lu’s responsibility, but he said he was feeling unwell yesterday, so..."

"Lu Qingquan, fined one month’s salary. The rest of you, stand watch for me tonight."

Then, Third Miss Gan glanced at the others.

"Zhang San planned everything so well, with reinforcements from behind and blockades in front, but what happened? Not only were two prisoners rescued by the enemy, but knowing they couldn’t escape, they killed the two prisoners and even scattered their souls on the spot. I’m truly proud to have such talents in the Town Martial Office!"

With a forceful slap on the table by Third Miss Gan, everyone was frightened into lowering their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Last night’s battle was indeed bizarre.

There were clearly only a dozen or so opponents, yet there was a feeling that no matter how you fought, they just couldn’t be killed.

"In last night’s operation, Wang Ziteng and Wang Junwu both killed nine enemies, reward them generously."

"Wen Ruchu, according to the original plan, you were supposed to support Zhang San once the pressure of the battle here eased, but you did not do so. You and your men, fined one month’s salary each."

Wen Ruchu nodded, after all, it was only a month’s salary, and he wouldn’t care about such a small amount of money anyway.

"Ximen Jinxing, although you intended to save someone, the method of saving them... I really can’t commend it. Fined one month’s salary."

Ximen Jinxing bowed his head, his face feeling hot.

Embarrassing, utterly embarrassing.

He had wanted to make a good impression here and show up his grandfather, but this time, he really hit his grandfather in the face.

After all, who normally charges forward to catch someone falling from the sky with two huge hammers in their hands?

But at that moment, Ximen Jinxing somehow thought of the times he caught the polo ball with force while playing polo in the Capital.

That instant, he felt like he could catch Zhang San with his hands, then pull back with force before pushing upwards, perfectly catching Zhang San.

But who would have thought, he directly broke Zhang San’s spine.

"Then the fines from your salaries will be compensation for Zhang San. Does anyone have any objections to this?"

Wen Ruchu and Ximen Jinxing both shook their heads, clearly not daring to object.

"Are there any other clues?"

Ling added, "We’ve investigated the people who clashed with Zhang San last night based on the Town Martial Office’s records and confirmed that the person is Xia Chenglong of the Heavenly Punishment Sect, who goes by the name ’One Zhu of Green Bamboo’. Plus, we found two insignia belonging to the Heavenly Punishment Sect on the bodies of the dozen or so Death Warriors, confirming their affiliation."

Third Miss Gan nodded slightly.

"It seems that the Heavenly Punishment Sect is also making arrangements on the Chuan-Yu Road recently. Notify all our outposts immediately: while guarding against disturbances from various martial factions, they should also be wary of people from the Heavenly Punishment Sect. It would be best to send out the profiles of all individuals from the Heavenly Punishment Sect who have appeared on the Chuan-Yu Road, so that our people can recognize the Demon Cult Followers at first sight."

"Understood."

With a wave of her hand, Third Miss Gan dismissed everyone.

As soon as they left the Council Hall, Ximen Jinxing returned to his room, searched for some pills for healing injuries and strengthening bones, placed them in a small box, and hurried to Zhang San’s courtyard.

At that moment, Zhang San was lying on the bed.

He didn’t quite understand what had happened last night.

Who on earth would think to catch a person falling from the sky with two large hammers?

What was the reason behind that?

Zhang San had thought Ximen Jinxing, who was so good-looking and well-built, didn’t at all resemble the daughter of Principal Officer Ximen and even harbored some doubts about whether she was his biological child.

But judging by the brains, she probably was.

After all, Principal Officer Ximen himself gives the impression of not being particularly bright.

"Brother San, Ximen Jinxing has come and wants to visit."

Zhang San, lying on the bed, repeatedly waved his hands to decline.

So, Big Head Wang went out and bowed to Ximen Jinxing.

"Miss Ximen, thank you so much. My Brother San said it’s fine, you shouldn’t take it to heart, he knows it was an accident. But right now, he’s not properly dressed due to his injuries and it’s really not convenient to receive guests. I’ll accept your kind gesture on his behalf."

Ximen Jinxing, knowing he had caused trouble, handed over the box to Big Head Wang and said softly, "Since sister has always been sickly from a young age, if Zhang San needs care, just call for me immediately."

Big Head Wang expressed his thanks again.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Ximen. I’ll go back to taking care of my Brother San now. Should he ask for Miss Ximen, I will surely come to find you at the first opportunity."

And with that, Big Head Wang saw Ximen Jinxing out.

For some reason, Ximen Jinxing felt that Big Head Wang, dark and bulky as he was, seemed even smarter than himself. What was going on?

Am I really that dumb?

After Big Head Wang returned to his room, he had just wanted to tell Zhang San that Principal Officer Ximen was feeling somewhat embarrassed.

But he discovered that Zhang San was getting dressed, and on the bed, a straw man was still lying there.

"Brother San, your wound?"

"It’s fortunate I had practiced the Body Refinement Technique focused on the spine before, so I’ve recovered quite well overnight. I still have something urgent to do and need to leave immediately, so if someone comes asking for me, just stall them for a bit."

As he spoke, Zhang San blew on the straw man on the bed, and it transformed into Zhang San’s likeness, lying there.

After Zhang San was fully dressed, his shadow on the ground suddenly expanded, and then he sank into the shadow. In the end, a shadow moved along the floor and left the room through the window.

...

In Xingzhou, Shunzheng City, Governor Mansion.

Governor Chen was in the secret compartment of his study, admiring a chest of gold, silver, and jewels he had earned this month.

Within books indeed lie houses of gold.

The ancients did not deceive me!

Just then, Governor Chen suddenly heard footsteps coming from his study and was startled.

Hadn’t he told them not to let anyone into his study?

Angry, Governor Chen walked out of the secret compartment and stood behind the screen blocking the hidden door, his voice coldly demanding, "Who’s there?"

In the study, Zhang San’s voice could be heard.

"I just took care of the matter of the Crown Prince’s three Death Warriors sneaking into the Town Martial Office to steal the archives for you. Is this how you speak to your benefactor from behind the screen?"

Governor Chen’s eyebrows furrowed as he carefully stepped out from behind the screen.

Noticing a black-clad person whose face was obscured by shadows waiting for him.

"Who are you? What do you want to do?"

Zhang San, disguised using White Shadow’s Shadow Trick, glanced at Governor Chen and scoffed, "Governor Chen, let’s not be so insincere. Feng Rang, Hao Zhi, Li Ke."

At the mention of these three Death Warriors’ names, Governor Chen was taken aback.

"They were captured by the Town Martial Office, but fortunately, I took care of them first. I risked a great deal to do this, you surely don’t think such efforts come free of charge, do you?"

Governor Chen knew that the man had come to collect money.

What he didn’t know was whether the man simply wanted money, or had come to extort him.

So, Governor Chen pulled out a gold bar and tossed it to Zhang San.

Zhang San let the gold bar fall to the ground without so much as a glance.

"I’m not here to extort you. But those three were Crown Prince’s Horse Washers trained to be Death Warriors, you think this matter can be settled with just one gold bar? No matter how much you end up taking from them, you must give me my fair share. Understand?"

Hearing this, Governor Chen realized that this mysterious person indeed knew a lot about them, even the identities and backgrounds of the three Death Warriors.

"Alright, just wait a moment."

Governor Chen said, turning around and going back behind the screen to the secret compartment, retrieving a chest brimming with gold and silver he had recently hoarded and placed it next to Zhang San.

Zhang San opened the chest, peeked inside, and chuckled, "Governor Chen is generous. Rest assured, I’ll keep my mouth shut about this matter."

Just as Zhang San stood up to leave, Governor Chen suddenly spoke, "By the way, the Town Martial Office’s Bai Yucheng once had a ledger of mine. If you can help find it, there’ll be a hefty reward."

Zhang San was surprised to find an unexpected opportunity.

"Governor Chen, has anyone ever told you your probing tactics are rather clumsy? If I were from the Town Martial Office, could I have killed those three Death Warriors in front of so many witnesses? However, that ledger sounds valuable. I accept the job. Any leads?"

"It might be with the Dragon Serpent Gang, but I’m not certain."

Zhang San nodded, turned, and left the study.

Governor Chen escorted Zhang San to the doorway of the study, watching his departing figure before he finally felt relieved.

Although he did not know who the man was, or why he had come to him,

At least he had scored a point for himself in this affair, and there was bound to be a handsome reward from the Crown Prince.

If he could get that ledger before anyone else, it would be yet another great achievement in front of the Crown Prince.

Thinking this, a smug smile spread across Governor Chen’s face.

But Governor Chen, who was still standing at the door, failed to notice a shadow slip back through the window into the study.

It also crept behind the screen and through the secret door into the hidden compartment.

Zhang San emerged from White Shadow’s shadow, looking at the room filled with gold bars stacked up against one wall, as well as a multitude of famous calligraphies, paintings, and assorted treasures.

"Shadow, take the calligraphy, paintings, and antiques for yourself; I’ll take the gold," he said.

Then the two of them quickly cleaned out Governor Chen’s secret compartment.

After the frenzy, not a single trace was left behind!