CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: THE ARREST (PART 2)

"Kill this man named Lou Yi!" Ning Xiong grumbled in a voice like gravel.

"Easier said than done, why don’t you bring him to me?" Inspector Cao retorted.

"Sir, the most troublesome part is that Qin Yun died here with us.

Not only is he an inner disciple of the Heavy Sword Sect, but I’ve heard he’s also a close relative of an elder in the sect, just a step away from breaking through," Iron-handed Shen Fang’s hoarse voice echoed in the room.

Upon hearing the words ’Heavy Sword Sect,’ the inspector couldn’t help but frown, looking even more troubled.

This is one of the few Martial Arts Halls in Tai City Main City, with many martial artists and a strong influence, even the City Lord’s Mansion tries hard to win them over.

Seeing the inspector heed his words, Shen Fang continued, "For now, the plan is to capture Lou Yi alive and hand him over to the Heavy Sword Sect, only this can appease their fury.

Seek support from the main city, and quickly seal off all major roads and ports for strict investigation, draw his likeness for a wanted notice, reward those who provide information heavily.

Moreover, since this person was able to kill Qin Yun, who was on the verge of a breakthrough, either he has trained in martial arts or he is extraordinarily gifted."

"Then open the inner arsenal and issue a set of iron armor to everyone!" the inspector said coldly.

Hearing the inspector’s murderous words, Shen Fang and Ning Xiong exchanged glances, both seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

This iron armor is a precious item kept at the bottom of the inspector’s chest, and even during the raid on the bandits of Sunset Mountain, he was reluctant to take it out.

It shows how much the inspector hates Lou Yi.

Subsequently, a fat pigeon took off with a flutter from the courtyard in front of the inspector’s house, flying towards the direction of Tai City Main City.

...

The largest vegetable market in Xinxiang, teeming with people.

Gu Yong just emerged from it, carrying an old hen that was clucking in his hand.

His mother had been feeling unwell these past few days, and being a filial son, Gu Yong came to buy a chicken to make soup and nourish his mother.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

Not far ahead, a group of people was gathered, crowding around to watch something.

Curiosity is human nature, and Gu Yong couldn’t help but move closer.

On the gray wall was a piece of light yellow hemp paper, three feet long and two feet wide.

The top half was an ink drawing of a young man, looking under twenty, with thick eyebrows, sharp eyes, and defined features, giving off an air of heroism.

But why did this portrait look so familiar?

Gu Yong glanced at the text below and felt a chill rush to his head.

[Lou Yi, male, not yet of age, resident of Xinxiang Erhe Village, tall and immensely strong.

Wanted for the crime of harming an official. A reward of two hundred taels of silver for capturing him alive; fifty taels for providing information. If anyone knows of this and does not report it, they will be treated with the same offense.

Issued by the Xinxiang Inspection Bureau.]

’Ah Yi actually killed an official?’ Gu Yong found it difficult to associate the murderer with the usually well-behaved Lou Yi.

’An official, could it be Qi Hu, the second of the Qi Family...’ He immediately thought of Qi Hu.

Erhe Village.

Three archers in black uniforms rode into the village without a care, trampling over countless vegetable gardens at various households’ doorsteps.

Upon reaching Lou Yi’s home, they ransacked the place violently, practically scouring every inch, with the sound of breaking objects heard continuously.

Finally, they sealed the door with a white strip of paper.

"The murderer Lou Yi, heinous in his crimes, has been issued a wanted order by the Inspection Bureau! Those who provide information are heavily rewarded, while those hiding the criminal will face the same punishment!"

The leading archer, with a fierce glare, warned the families in the village loudly.

All the villagers hid inside their homes, observing the scene through their windows with silent apprehension.

’Ah Yi committed murder?’

’How could Scholar Lou, being so refined, have such a ruthless offspring?’

’It’s over now, the Lou Family is doomed!’

Daihe Village.

Archers entered the village, their voices booming like horns: "Lou Yi from the neighboring Erhe Village, killed an official, defied the government, a notorious evildoer!"

Upon hearing the archers’ words, the people of Daihe Village were in uproar.

After all, Lou Yi’s reputation in the surrounding villages was quite notable.

"Impossible, how could Uncle Lou be such a person, you must be lying!"

With his little pigtail, Gou Wa cried out indignantly, his face flushed red, bolting from his house and charging straight at the archers, shouting aloud.

"Gou Wa, Gou Wa!" Cheng Sunshi came running over, stumbling, wrapping Gou Wa in her arms, covering his mouth.

She repeatedly apologized to the archer, "My apologies, officer, he’s just a child and doesn’t know any better, please disregard it."

"It’s alright." The archer looked at the still struggling and indignant Gou Wa, a flash of interest in his eyes.

"Come, child, tell me why you call Lou Yi ’Uncle.’"

"Has he ever come back to see you?"

Hearing this, Cheng Sunshi’s face drastically changed, holding Gou Wa tightly, pleading: "Officer, he’s just a child, speaking without understanding..."

Jia Family Manor.

A dozen officers carrying swords, dressed in black iron armor, with stony expressions, stepped onto the large open space in front of the manor, their movements echoed with a ’clang clang’ sound, like heavy hammers striking the ground.

The Man Slaughter, bare-chested and wielding a wolf fang club, looked with disdain at the gathered manor guards before him.

These guards, each holding a long stick, stood in orderly lines.

But in front of the armored officers, they seemed as laughable as mantises trying to stop a chariot.

An archer in iron armor could handle five ordinary people of the same level, the increase in strength provided by the armor to ordinary people was terrifying.

"Ning Xiong! Bringing a bunch of armored soldiers to my manor, what is your purpose?" Housekeeper Wu, usually with a deadpan face like a fish, now showed a hint of anger and shock.

"To catch someone." Man Slaughter Ning Xiong nonchalantly picked his nose, continuing, "We suspect that the Jia Family Manor is hiding a wanted criminal of the government."

"We have no government criminals here."

"Oh, isn’t Lou Yi a guard of your Jia Family Manor?

He killed an official, and even killed the disciples sent from the main city, could it be that Landlord Jia instructed him?"

"You, you’re spouting nonsense!"

"If that’s not the case, then step aside. I know Landlord Jia has connections in the main city, but this time, it won’t work." Ning Xiong’s mouth curved into a cruel smile, "Everyone, advance, those who obstruct will be treated as rebels, kill without mercy!"

’Boom-boom-boom!’

The black iron armored torrent surged towards the Jia Family Manor with an unstoppable force.

The guards led by Housekeeper Wu had no choice but to step aside reluctantly and helplessly.

He knew that after this affair, Landlord Jia’s reputation would be utterly ruined.

At the same time,

The homing pigeon released by Inspector Cao had already flown into a grand city.

The city towered majestically, forty to fifty zhang high, built with enormous gray-white stones, indestructible.

On the city wall stood a group of stern-faced officers, clad in silver fish-scale armor, holding impressive iron-clad bows, eyes sharply watching below.

There, various carts, barrows, porters, scholars, women, and children were passing in and out through the city gates.

Inside the city walls, were wide bluestone roads, neatly arranged homes, bustling marketplaces...

From the center of the entire city, within a quaint yet luxurious mansion, a commanding voice rang out:

"Killing an official, such an act has not been seen for years, this is a heinous challenge to the government’s authority. All villages must cooperate with Xinxiang Inspection Bureau to capture the criminal."

Then, over a dozen pure white pigeons swiftly flew out from the mansion, heading in different directions.

...