I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 191: Shen Ping’s Past

Shen Yanliu’s face was dark as he sat on the Grandmaster’s Chair, gently tapping the armrest with his hand, "Next year is the political examination year. If the big case of Xu Ruhu cannot be concluded, it might be disadvantageous to me."

"Although this case involves a lot, after months of pursuit without any clues, continuing the investigation might also be futile," Tang Wanhong said cautiously, choosing his words carefully, "Mansion Master, I agree with your idea of having the matter concluded in the Prefecture City through connections."

Shen Yanliu mused, "Inspector General Chu of Yuanyang Prefecture, who is in charge of criminal justice, has a penchant for antiques, especially paintings and calligraphy. Wanhong, you must be extremely careful and help me complete this task."

"Rest assured, Mansion Master," Tang Wanhong replied, "I’ll have Mr. Duan take a look to ensure the painting is flawless. As long as there are no issues with it, the matter is as good as settled."

Shen Yanliu nodded, casting a rather appreciative glance at Tang Wanhong.

Tang Wanhong had always been Shen Yanliu’s trusted aide. Since Shen Yanliu took office, all accounts went through the Ancient Moon Studio. When he couldn’t appear personally, Tang Wanhong navigated many official pathways for him. This person was deep in thought and well-versed in the intricate politics, always executing tasks with prudence.

Duan Rong squatted in front of a stall at the entrance of the Ancient Moon Studio, suddenly retracting his Divine Sense.

He stood up and began to leisurely stroll along Antique Street.

From the information he gathered from Shen Yanliu and Tang Wanhong, it seemed true that the case involving Xu Ruhu and Jie Lei had no progress.

This aligned with the conclusions he had drawn from Yang Zhen.

Because of this, Shen Yanliu asked Tang Wanhong to seek out the Inspector General of Yuanyang Prefecture, catering to their preferences by presenting the "Breeze through Thousand Valleys" painting.

As Duan Rong walked, he contemplated. For him, this was good news. Once the case was closed, even if Jie Daohan wanted to pursue it further due to personal feelings for Jie Lei, the resources he could muster would be significantly reduced.

Feeling pleased, Duan Rong walked briskly to a miscellaneous bookstall, intending to pick some books to enrich his knowledge.

Having traveled to Ruyang Prefecture twice for escorts, Duan Rong gained substantial insight, hearing the Escort Masters of the Second Escort Team recount many tales of the Jianghu, most frequently mentioning the Filthy Blood Sect.

Thus, Duan Rong specifically picked several books about the Filthy Blood Sect to read thoroughly back home.

Returning to Liu’s House, Duan Rong entered a frenzied cultivation mode, reading some leisure books by the light of an oil lamp before bed, which became the only pleasure in his otherwise monotonous cultivation life.

Meanwhile, Tang Wanhong went to Yuanyang Prefecture and returned within a few days, reporting the mission was a smooth success.

On the following day, Shen Yanliu discussed the closure of the case with Jie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai. Jie Daohan was understandably unwilling, but as they say, the higher official outweighs one’s objections. With Shen Yanliu’s determined stance, Jie Daohan was helpless.

Fan Yuanhai had already languished in Xianggu County for several months, and had long since become disheartened by the case. When Shen Yanliu brought up closing it, he couldn’t have been happier.

Therefore, Shen Yanliu and Fan Yuanhai submitted a joint petition.

Shen Yanliu had already drafted the petition well in advance. Finding it satisfactory, Fan Yuanhai signed his name on it without hesitation.

The petition was copied into two versions, one submitted to the Inspectorate of Yuanyang Prefecture, the other to the sect.

In the petition, the case description was: Jie Lei, as a constable, was bribed by Xu Ruhu, watched the store while stealing, and abducted Xu Ruhu. The two later turned against each other over uneven spoils, resulting in mutual destruction in Jie Lei’s basement.

The reply from the Inspectorate arrived at Xianggu County a few days later, approving the investigation’s findings.

The sect’s reply, although delayed by two days, also reached Fan Yuanhai, assigning him new duties.

At dawn the next day, Fan Yuanhai left Xianggu County with heavy feelings, having wasted several months without achievements. Though not reprimanded in the sect’s reply, the miscellaneous tasks assigned to him indicated the sect leaders’ attitude.

If he couldn’t find a way to turn the situation around and advance to become an Inner Sect Disciple, his prospects seemed bleak.

The case of Xu Ruhu and Jie Lei, one the sect’s top had been concerned about, finally came to a lackluster end after months of stagnation, as Fan Yuanhai departed dejectedly and the case’s files were sealed in Xianggu County.

On the morning of Fan Yuanhai’s melancholic departure, several government constables suddenly dumped a stinking corpse at the wall by the alley in front of the Death Prison.

Corpses from the Death Prison were usually left there for two days for family members to claim; if unclaimed, they were burned and buried.

However, the stinking body dumped on the ground groaned softly amidst the rising dust, its shoulder jerking noticeably - it was evidently still alive.

At that moment, a limping figure approached from the alleyway, squatted down, turned over the stinking corpse, and called, "Brother Shen, Brother Shen..."

Xiao Zongting’s glance flashed with gravity; Shen Ping’s condition was worse than he had anticipated.

His face was smeared with blood and dirt, eyes shut tight, lips pale, breaths shallow, with flesh decaying over much of his body. In the prison’s humid environ and under the sweltering weather, many parts began to rot.

Xiao Zongting sighed, shook his head, and carried Shen Ping on his shoulder, staggering out of the alley.

Xiao Zongting and Shen Ping were old friends.

More than a decade ago, in that battle where Xiao Zongting and the old Shopkeeper of the Yuan Shun Escort Agency were besieged, Xiao Zongting lost his Martial Arts, but his survival was credited to Shen Ping.

Thus, Xiao Zongting always felt he owed Shen Ping his life.

This time, Shen Ping was implicated in the case of Xu Ruhu and Jie Lei and thrown into the Death Prison. The one who informed Xiao Zongting about this was Hu Huanhuan from the Huaying Building.

In her youth, Hu Huanhuan had an affair with Shen Ping.

At a time when her health was poor, Shen Ping helped nurse her back, and in due course, a romance blossomed. But for unknown reasons, they never stayed together, eventually parting ways.

After receiving the news, Xiao Zongting sought out his contacts in the government office for more information.

Unfortunately, as the case was managed by Jie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai, none dared interfere.

Left with no choice, Xiao Zongting bribed a Prison Guard from the Death Prison to keep informed about Shen Ping’s situation inside.

Xiao Zongting initially believed Shen Ping would die in prison; unexpectedly, one day he received word from the old Prison Guard that Shen Ping would be released.

Therefore, Xiao Zongting had been waiting there since morning.

Duan Rong was in the courtyard of Liu’s House, practicing the Complete Round Pile Skill.

Duan Rong had remained motionless for several hours, drenching with sweat, heat vapor rising...

On the instep of Duan Rong’s right foot, a little hedgehog lay dozing.

After months of cohabitation, the little hedgehog had grown quite familiar with Duan Rong’s scent, his aura even providing it with a sense of security...

But just then, urgent knocking sounded from the gate of Liu’s House.