Chapter 486: Overbearing Force

Chapter 484: Forcible Entry

The guard was startled and immediately drew his sword, slashing out.

The fierce tiger skillfully dodged and, in two moves, tackled one of them.

Another guard rushed to the rescue, but his wrist was seized, twisted forcefully, and dislocated.

Since he had dislocated Dong Rui's bones previously, He Lingchuan found this move very effective.

As the guard cried out in pain, He Lingchuan delivered another punch to his jaw, knocking him out instantly.

Of course, this guard was somewhat stronger than Dong Rui, requiring He Lingchuan to use a bit more force to subdue him.

The difference in strength between the two sides was quite significant.

The other Lingxu City guards, enraged by such an affront, roared and charged forward, ready to strike.

The Chi Yan army, summoned by Jiao Yu, was also not to be trifled with; with a wave of their general's hand, over a hundred soldiers advanced.

The small courtyard instantly erupted into chaos.

Enraged, Zhongsun Mou aimed two water arrows at He Lingchuan, who dodged them with a twist of his body:

"He, how dare you attack an envoy!"

With over a hundred people between them, He Lingchuan couldn't be bothered to respond; he simply picked his ear and started to walk away.

Zhongsun Mou was furious. He squatted down, placed his hand on the ground, and muttered a few incantations.

The ground suddenly solidified into ice.

The ice quickly spread towards the side room. Everything it touched, from trees and rocks to the Chi Yan soldiers, began to freeze from their lower halves.

Even if not completely frozen, the Chi Yan soldiers instantly felt as if they had been plunged into an ice cellar. Their movements became sluggish, their strength diminished, and even turning around took two beats longer than usual.

Breathing, too, became difficult.

This was the Merman Clan's Ice Condensation Technique, known for its wide range and excellent enemy-stalling effect.

Slowing down so many people simultaneously was no easy feat for anyone. However, this inn was built by a large lake, providing abundant moisture, and the thick fog lingering today significantly boosted the merman's spellcasting abilities.

Even with their vital energy protection, the Chi Yan army couldn't completely negate its adverse effects.

Of course, the spell's duration was limited.

Zhongsun Mou's guards seized the opportunity, breaking through the ranks and rushing towards the side room.

The Chi Yan soldiers dared to intercept the guards but hesitated to directly attack Zhongsun Mou, who was causing trouble from the rear.

What demon kingdom general would truly dare to lightly offend a Lingxu City Inspector?

Just as the ice was about to reach the side room door, He Lingchuan suddenly turned, flicking several pebbles at Zhongsun Mou.

They moved with extreme speed.

"Watch out!" cried a nearby guard, deflecting them with his saber.

After blocking three pebbles, though they were all knocked away, his hand was numb from the impact, and he nearly dropped his saber.

As the fourth pebble approached, the guard, with no other choice, gritted his teeth and swung his saber again.

Unexpectedly, this pebble shattered upon impact, releasing a burst of yellow smoke that, carried by the strong wind, surged over everyone's faces!

"Ugh..." Zhongsun Mou and a dozen of his guards were all overcome by uncontrollable vomiting.

While vital energy could mitigate physical or spiritual damage from enemies and reduce the potency of poisons and curses, it offered no defense against a vile stench...

Odor caused no substantial harm and wasn't among the types of attacks that could be resisted; it merely triggered intense physiological reactions.

He Lingchuan's "stink bomb" had undergone several improvements to reach its current version, which had a more potent odor and allowed for precise, economical use, unlike the previous method of simply throwing a whole bag, which often alerted opponents.

With the spellcasting interrupted, the Ice Condensation Technique ceased. The Chi Yan soldiers' restraints vanished instantly, allowing them to press the attack and gain the upper hand.

Although He Lingchuan had considered the wind direction before acting, ensuring the lake breeze carried the stench toward Zhongsun Mou, the Chi Yan soldiers, witnessing their opponents' distress, still hesitated to press forward.

Zhongsun Mou vomited incessantly, so disgusted that his eyes rolled back in his head.

He never imagined that a dignified special envoy of the Prince would resort to such a crude tactic.

Truly worthy of being Fu Shanyue's subordinate—a pair of scoundrels!

He Lingchuan flicked his wrist, and two sleeve arrows struck the tree trunks behind Zhongsun Mou's cheeks. "One more step forward," he warned, "and I'll pin you to that tree!"

The arrows' wind rustled Zhongsun Mou's sideburns, but didn't harm him in the slightest.

With that, He Lingchuan entered the room.

The battle was confined to the outdoors, leaving one person seated inside the side room. He had heavy stubble covering his cheeks, and his hands and feet were bound by iron chains.

Runes, flickering between dim and bright, were engraved on the chains, whose ends pierced the prisoner's collarbones.

He heard and saw the commotion outside, yet his expression remained indifferent, as if it concerned him not at all.

He Lingchuan walked up to him, casually pulled a chair, and sat down. "You are Fu Songhua? Another who lives as a 'great hermit in the city,' yet your business is thriving, far better than Hong Chenglue's."

At the mention of Hong Chenglue's name, Fu Songhua's jaw twitched.

"I am a special envoy sent by Prince Fu Shanyue to investigate this case. If you have any injustice, speak freely."

Fu Songhua remained silent.

He Lingchuan had to ask again, "Did you truly kill the Lingxu City messenger?"

This time, the answer came quickly: "Yes, it was me."

Outside, Zhongsun Mou's sarcastic laughter echoed.

"Was Mr. Mai your subordinate?"

"Yes."

"Where did he commit the crime last spring?"

"..." Fu Songhua didn't think too much before answering, "I can't recall."

He Lingchuan observed that Fu Songhua was clear-headed and articulate, showing no signs of being under a spell.

This suggested he had confessed voluntarily.

This made sense. After all, Zhongsun Mou intended to escort him to Lingxu City, and Fu Songhua couldn't appear distraught when facing the chief interrogator.

Zhongsun Mou needed him to confess clearly and lucidly.

"At the entrance, there are two trees: an elm on the left and a crabapple on the right. The shop across the street has two doors of different colors. They sell pastries, and their mung bean cakes, fresh out of the oven every day in the late afternoon, are hot and crispy, loved by adults and children alike..."

He Lingchuan spoke slowly.

What he said seemed disjointed, but Fu Songhua's expression changed dramatically, and he even struggled forward, causing his iron chains to clatter:

"You... what have you done!"

He Lingchuan pointed towards the door. "Did that merman use this to threaten you?"

Fu Songhua gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with anger.

With the noise outside, He Lingchuan leaned closer and whispered, "That leverage is no longer in his hands. You can speak freely now."

Fu Songhua couldn't help but ask, "Then where... where is it?"

"In my hands, of course!"

He Lingchuan said seriously, "Tell the truth, and the people you care about will be safe."

Fu Songhua hesitated.

"Time is limited; that merman will be in here soon."

The confrontation outside grew more intense.

Although the Chi Yan army had a numerical advantage, their opponents were Lingxu City guards, so the soldiers held back from truly lethal attacks.

In contrast, the Lingxu City guards showed no such restraint.

Thus, the conflict escalated.

Zhongsun Mou simply pushed his way through the crowd and strode toward the side room.

Who would dare lay a hand on him?

Fu Songhua gritted his teeth and suddenly bellowed, "I'm innocent! I didn't kill the messenger! I'm innocent!"

Although his vital energy was suppressed by the rune chains, his voice was naturally loud. Even amidst the outdoor clamor, his furious roar completely drowned it out.

Even other guests who had gathered nearby to witness the commotion heard his voice.

"I didn't kill anyone, I was framed!"

"I implore the special envoy to reopen the case and clear my name!"

After the initial roar, Fu Songhua's subsequent shouts came out much more smoothly, with varying inflections.

Zhongsun Mou's steps faltered; he hadn't expected Fu Songhua to suddenly recant his confession.

He Lingchuan, standing at the doorway, declared, "I knew this case was peculiar! According to Chi Yan law, all injustices must be investigated, and this case must be retried! Magistrate Tian—"

He didn't know the exact specifics of Chi Yan law, but he presumed it wouldn't stipulate that grievances couldn't be redressed.

Magistrate Tian, having been tormented by He Lingchuan for days, flinched at his drawn-out tone and instantly blurted out, "The county yamen is at your disposal!"

Zhongsun Mou glanced back at him, his gaze sinister.

Magistrate Tian lowered his head and quickly retreated, failing to acknowledge the look.

"Fu Songhua is a wanted fugitive from Lingxu City. My handling of him and my intent to take him back are perfectly legal and reasonable," Zhongsun Mou angrily retorted to He Lingchuan. "What grounds do you have to interfere?"

"Your wanted criminal is a key witness in my case. He committed perjury and then recanted, violating Chi Yan criminal law. Legally and logically, he must remain here for trial."

"He Xiao, are you so arrogant? Are you not afraid the Chi Yan King will eventually have you dismembered to appease Lingxu City's wrath?"

"You truly care about my well-being," He Lingchuan said with a loud laugh. He pulled a letter from his breast pocket and waved it. "I just received a handwritten message from the Prince, instructing me to investigate boldly and without reservation, assuring me that the Chi Yan King will support me."

In truth, Fu Shanyue's original words were that as long as He Lingchuan didn't kill or cripple that fellow Zhongsun Mou, nothing else mattered, and he could act as he pleased.

That was the only bottom line; as long as he didn't cross it, he was fine.

Arrogance and domineering behavior — wasn't that He Lingchuan's specialty?

"How preposterous..."

Zhongsun Mou was incredulous.

Had Fu Shanyue gone mad? Even in his most reckless moments before, there had always been a limit.

Before Zhongsun Mou could finish speaking, He Lingchuan suddenly spun around and unleashed several flying knives, which swiftly pinned down a few water snakes.

Though called snakes, they were barely larger than earthworms, formed from condensed water, with blurred heads and bodies, but notably sharp fangs.

It was clear that a bite from these creatures would likely result in sudden death by poisoning.

Zhongsun Mou had argued with He Lingchuan to distract him, secretly releasing the water snakes to silence Fu Songhua.

The room was dimly lit, and He Lingchuan was facing the outside, making it difficult to notice the enchanted water droplets on the floor.

However, the Eyeball Spider hidden inside the room was not to be trifled with.

He Lingchuan said nothing more. He lifted Fu Songhua, rushed to the window, kicked open the lattice, and leaped onto the roof behind.

In two swift bounds, he was far away, with only a single sentence drifting back:

"Commander Lu, I'll see you at the county yamen!"

Commander Lu, the general He Lingchuan had borrowed, heard this and immediately roared, "Withdraw the troops! To the county yamen!"

He Lingchuan's speed was exceptional; he carried Fu Songhua, a man weighing nearly two hundred pounds, with effortless ease.

After numerous twists and turns, the sounds from behind grew fainter.

He Lingchuan changed direction, suddenly leaping onto another roof and slipping through a window.

This was another guest room, one He Lingchuan had booked only that morning.

Fu Songhua stared at him with a strange gaze. "Weren't we going to the county yamen?"

The Chi Yan Prince's special envoy dared to directly confront the Lingxu City Inspector? Was this man truly so audacious?

"No one will disturb us here."

He Lingchuan peered out the window, then closed the doors and windows. "Quick questions, quick answers. What exactly is your connection to the Lingxu City messenger case?"

"No connection," Fu Songhua said without blinking. "I didn't kill him, nor have I even seen him, but I was arrested without cause six days ago."

"And no connection with Mr. Mai either?"

(End of Chapter)