CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: BEHIND THE SCENES

The main gate of the county government office in Baojiao County was flanked on the left by the Court of Appeal, primarily used for resolving minor incidents such as disputes over civilian land properties, brawls, and other disagreements.

In the center stood the "Ceremonial Gate," a grand entrance opened only for significant events. Towering majestically atop two layers of three-tiered steps, it featured gray tiles, azure walls, a vermilion door, and large brass door studs.

All government building doors were red, which made the vermilion door synonymous with the Imperial Court.

Chen Ku quickly tore a wanted poster from the azure wall next to the vermilion door, accompanying his action with a shout of "Reporting!"

Instantly, the eyes of the eight men from the Zao Class stationed on both sides of the gate were drawn toward him.

"Who is it? What are you reporting?" a vice head dressed in Zao Class garb asked sternly, clutching his knife as he approached Chen Ku.

However, his expression drastically changed once he saw the wanted poster Chen Ku had removed. "A wanted poster for Ni Kun?!"

The other Zao Class members also hurried over, having heard the name ’Ni Kun.’ They were simultaneously shocked and pleased, then looked at Chen Ku with suspicion.

"Is your information reliable?" The vice head stepped forward, his presence bearing down on Chen Ku. "Where did you see him? Speak truthfully and quickly!"

Chen Ku quickly clasped his hands in respect and replied, "Honored officer, I dare not conceal a thing. My surname is Chen, and I have a relative who works in the arrest house, named Li Yuancheng. Today, as I visited my sister’s home, I happened to see the man from this wanted poster in a two-story building not far from her house. He bore a striking resemblance to the image—about seventy to eighty percent similar. Knowing that I couldn’t *not* report it, I hurried here to make a report."

"Li Yuancheng."

"Li Yuancheng is your brother-in-law?"

"Ni Kun has shown himself near Constable Li’s home..."

The Zao Class vice head’s face went through a series of changes. Observing Chen Ku’s expression, he was ninety percent certain of its truthfulness.

Then, his first action was to turn his head and urgently command, "Quick, gather everyone and head to Tongluo Lane! Ni Kun has appeared! Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

As for why Ni Kun would appear near Li Yuancheng’s home, the people in the Yamen understood clearly. Just two days earlier, Li Yuancheng had led seven constables out, and only six returned. Ni Kun clearly harbored resentment and even sought to exact revenge on the family!

Soon, a throng of thirty to forty people surged out from the doors of the county government office. Li Yuancheng, Chen Ku’s brother-in-law, was one of the quickest.

He was the first to reach Chen Ku. Despite not having seen his brother-in-law in several years, how could he not recognize him? However, Li Yuancheng’s face was marked with urgent concern as he sharply asked Chen Ku, "Where is your sister? Did you leave her home alone?"

Chen Ku was relieved to see his brother-in-law so concerned about his sister. He quickly replied, "No, after I spotted that man, I didn’t raise an alarm. I took my sister to Hongyan Tower. I just don’t know if he’s still there..."

Hongyan Tower. Li Yuancheng reflexively doubted where his brother-in-law could have gotten the money, but he had to admit, if his sister truly was at Hongyan Tower, it was indeed the safest place.

But that wasn’t the most pressing concern at the moment. Hearing Chen Ku’s detailed description of the two-story building, Li Yuancheng immediately identified which house in the lane it was.

Without saying much more to Chen Ku, he immediately joined the large group and spoke to an arrest officer. "Arrest Officer Xie, time is critical! I’ll lead the way; I know the situation there."

"Set off immediately!"

Chen Ku watched as the thirty or more constables moved with lightning speed towards Tongluo Lane.

Ni Kun... there should be no escape for him now, he mused.

Tongluo Lane was six or seven li from the county government office. Chen Ku’s sensitive nose told him his target hadn’t moved... Yet Ni Kun had no idea that over thirty constables were already converging on his position.

Judging by his brother-in-law Li Yuancheng’s presence in the group, none of the constables who had just poured out of the county government office were below the Force Transforming realm. Furthermore, there was an arrest officer who seemed to be at the same Inner Qi level as his brother-in-law.

With so many constables and experts moving to encircle him, especially within the Inner City of Baojiao County, a place teeming with masters, his exposure meant there was literally no escape.

Ni Kun? Even Cheng Kun would die in this situation!

However, Chen Ku was still not entirely reassured. Eventually, he found a secluded spot, released the Skinny Dog, and stealthily followed, wanting to witness Ni Kun’s capture or death with his own eyes.

「Tongluo Lane.」

Atop a certain two-story building.

Ni Kun leaned against the window, gnawing on a dry steamed bun and sipping cold water, his face a mask of resentment, teeth gritted.

As a smuggling kingpin, he had roamed the borders between the Ji and Yuan nations, engaging in massive trade deals. He was used to tables laden with delicacies and a life of hedonistic pleasure, surrounded by lantern lights and flowing wine.

Now, he was reduced to hiding in this hovel, gnawing on dry steamed buns and waiting for midnight before he could safely venture out to find food.

His gaze, peering through a crack in the window, was fixed intently on Li Yuancheng’s courtyard.

"Li Yuancheng... Once I’ve killed your entire family and get my hands on you, I’ll make you pray for death but find no release!"

He bit furiously into the cold steamed bun, then choked and rose to pour himself some water...

BOOM!

The windows on all sides shattered without warning. Instantly, four figures in official uniforms leaped in, accompanied by four Sword Lights targeting Ni Kun’s arms, thighs, throat, and back...

"What?!"

The unannounced breach and the four blades appearing instantly before him would have scared even a prepared man to death, let alone the utterly unprepared Ni Kun.

Goosebumps erupted all over his skin, and his hair stood on end instantly!

Pure instinct took over! Without hesitation, he kicked out a wooden table to block one of the Sword Lights. Simultaneously, his face contorted in fear as he spun and executed an ungainly roll on the ground, dodging the blades aimed at his back and heart.

But that was all he could manage.

SCHLICK!

One blade tore through his trousers, slicing off a large piece of his flesh, deep enough to reveal bone.

"Aaargh!" Ni Kun screamed in terror. He instinctively tried to jump out the window to escape, finally recognizing his assailants. Constables!

Just as Ni Kun reached the window, preparing to leap out, he saw the scene below. His vision swam, and he nearly blacked out from despair.

Below, the area around the two-story building was surrounded by twenty to thirty constables, all looking up at him with cold, mocking gazes.

Why?! This was the only question screaming in Ni Kun’s mind, but he had no chance to voice it as the four constables who had burst into the room charged at him again.

The room was too cramped for him to maneuver effectively. Coupled with his unhealed arrow wound and the new, deep gash on his leg, he was at a severe disadvantage. In the ensuing melee, he was slashed several more times.

If I’m going to die, I’m taking one of you with me! Ni Kun roared inwardly.

Just as he gathered all his Inner Qi, preparing to make a desperate last stand against one of the constables...

BAM!

A leg swept horizontally out of nowhere, striking Ni Kun squarely in the waist. He shot sideways like a kicked ball, slamming into one of the room’s support beams.

"Urgh..." Ni Kun felt his waist might have been broken by the kick. Darkness clouded his vision. Just as he gritted his teeth to force himself up, he saw... a foot stepping down, pinning him to the floor. Then he saw the face he loathed with every fiber of his being.

The one who had delivered the kick was Li Yuancheng. Now, with one foot pressing down on Ni Kun’s chest and a knife at his throat, Li Yuancheng said with a smile, "Ni Kun, you are under arrest."

Hearing this, Ni Kun, his eyes practically bulging with rage, roared, "How did you know I was here? When did you find me?"

Li Yuancheng scoffed, "Do I need to explain anything to you? You don’t deserve to know."

Li Yuancheng couldn’t be bothered to say more. More than a dozen men had already come up the stairs. They clapped fine steel shackles and fetters on Ni Kun and began escorting him downstairs.

Not far away, the Skinny Dog, seeing Ni Kun captured, turned and returned to Chen Ku.

Chen Ku, already back at Hongyan Tower, remained calm.

If a matter can be handled by reporting it to the authorities, why get personally involved? Standing behind the scenes is enough to resolve a crisis.

He then mused, The wanted poster mentioned a reward for information on Ni Kun... They will honor their word, right?