Chapter 528: Caught Back

It turned its head and emitted a sharp sound, like a whistle. Behind it, a finless porpoise immediately sank into the water, likely to deliver a message to the aquatic creatures of the Glimmering River.

The rest remained, as He Lingchuan had commandeered six more fishing boats from Downstream Bay. For light load and fast travel, only two passengers were allowed per boat.

The fishermen untied the ropes and threw them into the water. The lively finless porpoises bit onto them and dragged the fishing boats towards the center of the river.

Two finless porpoises pulled one boat with ease. Once they started, their speed rapidly increased.

Although the river surface was only lightly breezy, the boats were dragged in such a way that it felt like they were riding the wind and waves.

The fishermen standing at the bow felt a bit awkward; whether they dipped their oars into the water or not made no difference.

All six boats went downstream at a speed of at least fifty miles per hour.

The Glimmering River's current varied, sometimes swift, sometimes slow, and its center was full of reefs and small islands. If rowed by humans, careful evasion would be necessary, making it far less agile than the finless porpoises.

Moreover, He Lingchuan knew that beneath the seemingly calm water, the aquatic creatures in this stretch of the Glimmering River had all been mobilized, loyally executing the demon prince's order to find someone.

Finding a boat on the vast Glimmering River was like finding a needle in a haystack, but only for humans.

No matter how meticulous Wu Kai's escape plan was, he was, after all, only a human, with limited means and capabilities.

He Lingchuan felt a surge of emotion. This method of tracking was simply an overwhelming advantage.

Three days later, far away in Lingxu City.

People gathered below the Star-Plucking Tower. They waited from sunset to moonrise but never got a chance to enter.

More and more people gathered, exchanging greetings. They even discussed the sudden fire at the prosperous Qingfu Temple in Lingxu City.

Upon asking, they all came for the same matter.

After another half an hour, people gradually started to leave.

If they couldn't get in, they couldn't get in. The authorities clearly intended to keep them waiting indefinitely, and there was no point in waiting any longer.

Finally, only three people remained. They stood their ground, reluctant to leave.

This time, it wasn't until the moon was high in the sky that the Lamp Guardian from inside the Star-Plucking Tower emerged, walking through the swaying tree shadows, and bowed to them.

"Elders, are you here regarding the Imperial Inspector's case?"

"Indeed. This matter is of great importance; we must see His Majesty!"

"His Majesty is currently communicating with the celestial gods for divine will and will not return to the palace tonight."

Meaning he wouldn't be leaving the Star-Plucking Tower, so they would wait in vain.

"But this case, this case... must be deliberated and discussed, and a special envoy must be dispatched as soon as possible."

The Lamp Guardian respectfully said, "His Majesty said that the special envoy previously dispatched to Chi'yan will also investigate this matter. He should have already arrived in Baishajue, so please do not worry, Elders."

"A special envoy sent to Chi'yan?" The three were surprised. They hadn't heard of this before. "Who is it?"

"Do not worry" meant they were not allowed to interfere. They all understood.

"It is Lord Bai from our Star-Plucking Tower."

The three exchanged glances and indeed fell silent, but their expressions were complex.

The next day.

At dawn, the residents of Baishajue were once again awakened by the thunderous sound of hooves.

Some early risers witnessed the triumphant return of the Prince's special envoy to the city, who also brought back a carriage and a prisoner tied up securely.

This news, of course, with the encouragement of those with ulterior motives, would quickly spread outwards.

Wu Kai, the key witness in the series of cases in Baishajue, had failed in his escape and was captured by the Prince's special envoy!

Within three to five hours at most, the entire city would know.

He Lingchuan returned to the inn. Fu Shan enthusiastically came forward and slapped his palm.

"You really did it!"

He had been on tenterhooks these past few days. With He Lingchuan bringing Wu Kai back to the city, he truly breathed a sigh of relief.

It's a done deal!

He Lingchuan patted his arm in return and then chuckled. "Has Cen Poqing been well-behaved these past few days?"

Fu Shan spat on the ground. "Well-behaved? Not a chance!"

It turned out that during He Lingchuan's absence from the city, Cen Poqing had not been idle. He had tried to escape multiple times, even attempting to disguise himself to sneak out of the mansion, but all his attempts were thwarted by Fu Shan.

When the two fought, no one dared to approach. In the end, Cen Poqing was no match; he had half his shoulder injured and grudgingly retreated back into the mansion.

Fu Shan's temper flared as well. Seeing that this person wouldn't comply willingly, he simply ordered Commander Lu to lead men to wall up and seal the front and back gates of Cen's mansion. If they lacked food or drink inside, soldiers would buy it and throw it over the wall, but no one inside was allowed to take a single step out.

If anyone dared to jump out, they'd be beaten.

In any case, the common people of Baishajue had thoroughly enjoyed watching the spectacle these past few days.

Fu Shan even rented the large residence next to Cen's mansion and personally kept watch from the attic.

He was a Ba, so he could stay energetic for days and nights without sleep. In this deadly game, Cen Poqing's attempts all ended in failure. Fu Shan had seen him furiously smashing things inside the mansion multiple times. Baishajue was a hurdle in his destiny; if he could just get past it, he could escape back to Lingxu City, where his chances of success would greatly increase.

Alas, he just couldn't get out!

Fu Shan was somewhat pleased as he spoke. After all, Cen Poqing had been beaten black and blue when he tried to sneak out of the mansion, which was a form of revenge for what happened in Lingxu City previously.

He clapped his hands and said, "Come on, let's go interrogate Wu Kai."

Wu Kai was not kept in the county jail. Instead, he was held separately in the inn's wine cellar.

Now he enjoyed the same treatment as Fu Songhua, also wearing a set of shackles with runes drawn on them. This device could restrain spiritual energy, preventing prisoners from using their abilities.

As soon as the Prince arrived, everyone's work efficiency immediately increased. The wine cellar had been emptied, with only two chairs placed inside, and Wu Kai sat on the ground, shackled.

In the four corners of the cellar, there was also an array operating that prohibited teleportation, to prevent anyone from teleporting in and abducting the prisoner.

Needless to say, guards were stationed both inside and outside the cellar.

Fu Shan and He Lingchuan entered the cellar and saw Wu Kai sitting on the ground with his eyes closed.

Even with people arriving, he didn't open his eyes.

The guards in charge of watching him said that Wu Kai had been like this ever since he arrived, not speaking, not moving, and not opening his eyes.

"Wu Kai," Fu Shan said, pulling He Lingchuan to sit down. "What would you like to eat or drink?"

Wu Kai remained as still as an old monk in meditation.

The pursuit and escape on the Glimmering River unexpectedly had twists, which exceeded He Lingchuan's expectations: Wu Kai had changed boats midway.

Everyone expended great effort and almost lost track of him.

Fortunately, the Water Spirit demonstrated strong control over the aquatic creatures of this region, and within half a day, they managed to track down the whereabouts of Wu Kai's new boat through various inquiries.

After changing boats, these four still continued downstream for nearly a hundred miles. They disembarked at a small dock. The coachman, Wu Kai's daughter-in-law, and his grandson disguised themselves as a family of three, while Wu Kai himself traveled alone, heading north.

The reason it took three or four days in total was that He Lingchuan hoped to use Wu Kai as bait to catch other big fish. Moreover, Wu Kai disembarked here, and He Lingchuan realized he intended to take his family to escape from Chi'yan.

Once they entered Lingxu territory, it would not be so easy for the pursuers to apprehend them.

Their monitoring of Wu Kai was also very strict. In case Cen Poqing remotely made a move against this witness beforehand, they would rush out to rescue him.

Fortunately, Wu Kai did not suddenly collapse.

And during the two days of monitoring, Wu Kai had not contacted anyone from beginning to end.

Either he couldn't find anyone to help, or he didn't dare to ask for help.

He Lingchuan then caught them all in one fell swoop at the border checkpoint.

However, Wu Kai's caution also left a deep impression on He Lingchuan.

As a reward, starting from the second half of the year, the finless porpoise, as the Water Spirit of the Glimmering River, would receive a significantly increased amount of elemental energy.

But the old man had passively resisted since the day he was captured. His grandson cried out, his daughter-in-law wept, yet he remained unmoved.

It seemed he had thought things through clearly.

"Aren't you just waiting for the best offer? Alright, alright, don't put on an act for me," Fu Shan sneered at Wu Kai's demeanor. "Otherwise, I'll bring your grandson down here and drain him dry right in front of you."

Harsh methods combined with a noble status made such an opponent the most troublesome.

Only then did Wu Kai open his eyes and sternly say, "If you dare to harm him, I will never speak, even if it means my death."

"Confess honestly, and your grandson might still have a chance to live."

Wu Kai closed his mouth again and remained silent.

No matter what Fu Shan said afterward, he simply wouldn't respond. Walking back to the ground level, Fu Shan was utterly frustrated. He waved his hand at the guards: "Torture him and make him talk!"

This method was still the simplest and most brutal.

But He Lingchuan said, "I'm afraid it won't be very effective."

Indeed, half a day later, a guard reported that Wu Kai had fainted twice under torture but still clenched his teeth and refused to confess.

"He knows he's the key witness. If he doesn't confess, he and Cen Poqing might not be convicted," He Lingchuan said calmly. "If he does confess, he won't escape death himself. If it were you, would you confess?"

"You can't make that comparison!" Fu Shan said, his face stern with righteousness. "Do I look like someone who knowingly breaks the law?"

He Lingchuan pretended not to hear that remark. "In a few more days, Lingxu City might send a special envoy, and things could take a turn. So, what both he and Cen Poqing want most right now is to drag things out."

Fu Shan pondered. "They are already suspicious of each other; we just need to push them a bit harder."

It would only be disadvantageous to them if those two worked together wholeheartedly.

"Hasn't it already begun?" He Lingchuan had entered the city dramatically this morning with this very intention.

By now, the news of Wu Kai's arrest had probably reached Cen Poqing, hadn't it?

He Lingchuan thought for a moment, then re-entered the cellar.

Wu Kai was still sitting there, eyes half-closed, but his face was bruised and swollen, and there were bloodstains on his clothes.

He didn't know how Fu Shan's guards had "treated" him. He Lingchuan dragged a chair over and sat down beside him. The screeching sound of the chair legs scraping the floor was quite grating.

When the first sound occurred, he noticed Wu Kai's eyelids twitch.

"Why pretend to be calm when you're clearly listening to everything?" He sneered inwardly, before saying to Wu Kai, "You still think you and Cen Poqing are in the same boat, but actually, it would be safest for him to kill you to silence you. After all, the secrets of the pulp pearls and the elixir of immortality are in your hands, and so many of his dirty deeds were carried out by you. As long as you, the key witness, are dead, he can go free and escape conviction."

Wu Kai remained motionless, his breathing steady.

"Of course, you've probably already thought about all this. I see several of your amulets are broken; did that happen during your escape these past two days?"

Wu Kai stared fixedly at him.

He Lingchuan observed his expression and then let out a long "Oh."

"So that's it; Cen Poqing has secretly been cursing you these past few days!"