Chapter 59: Things Have Gotten Complicated

At the entrance of Anle Tower, the road was completely blocked by the curious onlookers, and more people were gathering. Everyone arriving tried to get closer to the body, wanting to see who had been killed. These were clearly individuals unafraid of dead bodies, indicating it wasn't their first time encountering such a sight.

It was unclear if anyone recognized the deceased. In any case, no one revealed the victim's identity; those who knew probably wouldn't speak up.

The rain hadn't completely stopped; a fine drizzle persisted. Under the eaves and streetlights, the blood on the ground was still slowly draining into the gutter, and the smell of blood was still fresh.

The innkeeper, who had been absent, returned. When questioned by neighbors, he merely said he didn't know what had happened and that they had to wait for the city's constabulary to handle it.

Feng Chi also returned with the innkeeper, but she did not stand beside him at the moment. She wouldn't dare, as she had already spotted the disheveled old man in the crowd.

She also stood on the rooftop, next to the gaunt man in green clothes, wearing a cloak and with her face veiled.

There were also other people on the rooftops along both sides of the street.

Suddenly, the people on the rooftops all turned to look down one end of the street. They saw a group of people dressed in chestnut-colored attire rushing over, having heard the news. Those familiar with them knew that this was the uniform of Wukang Mountain disciples, specifically a portion of those stationed in the city to maintain order.

Two carriages followed behind the group of people and horses.

"Clear the way!"

Shouts of dispersal rang out, and the crowd blocking that end of the street quickly made way.

A team of Wukang Mountain disciples rushed directly to the entrance of Anle Tower, quickly clearing the area and dispersing the gathered people. The disheveled old man was forced to stand against the wall.

After some Wukang Mountain disciples knelt beside the body and clearly saw the deceased's face, some exchanged glances, some were secretly alarmed, and some quickly called for others to control the scene.

A man appeared beside the stopped carriage and quickly slipped inside.

Inside the carriage sat Bian Weiying, along with her capable right-hand man, the same man who had gone to report after failing to use the immobilization talisman earlier. His name was Wei Bian.

Upon seeing the man, Wei Bian immediately whispered, "Well, is the person still there?"

The man who had entered the carriage whispered back, "We've been keeping a close watch around the area. So far, we haven't seen anyone slip out."

Wei Bian immediately turned to look at Bian Weiying.

Bian Weiying, with her hair loose over her shoulders, raised her chin. Wei Bian immediately tapped the carriage window, and the carriage continued forward.

After a short distance, the carriage pulled up and stopped next to the murder scene. Two men successively emerged and jumped out. Wei Bian, who had exited, held up the carriage curtain, politely welcoming Bian Weiying out.

Bian Weiying stood on the carriage step, surveying her surroundings from her elevated position. She even cast a cold glance at the people on the rooftops on both sides. Her slightly fluttering hair was slowly getting damp in the drizzle.

What difference did it make that she was a woman? With just one look from her, Wukang Mountain disciples immediately leaped onto the rooftops and drove the people down.

The taste of power was fully displayed at this moment.

Feng Chi and the gaunt man in green clothes did not come down from the rooftop. They were not in the immediate vicinity, and the Wukang Mountain people did not drive away everyone, leaving those a bit further away undisturbed.

The merchants on both sides of the street naturally recognized Bian Weiying, and many among the onlookers also knew her.

Lying under the roof tiles, Shi Chun, who was secretly peeking outside through a gap in the eaves, also saw her.

Wu Jinliang also saw her, but he didn't recognize her. He murmured softly, "Who's that woman? She looks so arrogant, but she's quite beautiful."

Shi Chun whispered back, "Bian Weiying."

Wu Jinliang said "Oh," and understood. Shi Chun had mentioned her before, saying this woman was quite good. Compared to her current high-and-mighty appearance, he felt that Shi Chun might have benefited from Bian Weikang's influence previously.

Both of them saw Bian Weiying arrive with the Wukang Mountain contingent and breathed a sigh of relief, figuring the assassins wouldn't dare to act rashly anymore.

Moreover, Bian Weiying had previously accompanied Shi Chun on a stroll through the street, which meant they had some acquaintance. Coupled with Bian Weikang's involvement, the street murder should not be unfairly attributed to them.

However, neither of them acted rashly. Years of life-and-death experiences in the place of exile had made them habitually observe from the shadows, so they did not rush out at this moment.

Under everyone's gaze, Bian Weiying jumped down from the carriage step.

Bian Weiying walked toward the entrance of Anle Tower. The innkeeper quickly came over to bow and greet her, saying, "Lord City Governor, look what a mess this has become. How did it end up disturbing you as well?"

Bian Weiying's gaze swept over the bench, wine jar, scattered food scraps, two pairs of shoes, a scabbard, and two discarded talismans on one side of the entrance. Then she slowly asked, "Are the culprits still inside the inn?"

The innkeeper quickly explained, "Our establishment can attest that those two people are not the culprits; they acted in self-defense when attacked."

Shi Chun's judgment was correct; this was indeed a stronghold established by the demonic path against Wukang Mountain, making it convenient for their operations.

In such a context, the innkeeper would naturally speak up for Shi Chun and his companion; the "culprit" label certainly couldn't be unfairly slapped on them.

Wei Bian said in a deep voice, "The City Governor asked if the culprits are still in the inn. Why are you rambling so much?"

The innkeeper quickly said, "They are still here. But our establishment can vouch for them; those two guests truly acted in self-defense when attacked. They were also startled, and other merchants can also testify."

Wei Bian frowned, about to reprimand him, but Bian Weiying raised a hand to stop him. She smiled faintly, "I understand, but after all, someone was killed in the city. The city's constabulary cannot simply ignore it; taking them away for questioning is unavoidable. Innkeeper, don't worry. If it was in self-defense, and with so many witnesses, they will be released once everything is clear. It won't affect your inn's guests. I appreciate your cooperation; the sooner it's done, the sooner everyone can be at ease."

Her gentle, polite, and courteous demeanor made people feel comfortable.

A subtle hint of coldness flickered at the corner of Wei Bian's mouth.

Earlier, when the City Governor spoke of openly arresting and killing people, he had been somewhat worried. He had cautiously reminded her that the most important reason Wukang City exists was because of its rules that kept people's hearts steady. "Isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to be so heavy-handed?" he had asked, adding, "It wouldn't look good to the mountain either."

But the City Governor had replied, "Who said we're being heavy-handed? Everyone saw the murder in the street, and they admitted it themselves after being arrested. A life for a life is reasonable; what's difficult to explain?"

Then he understood what she meant: as long as someone was dead, they would decide whether the culprit admitted it or not.

Just two scumbags from the place of exile; who would care about their lives or deaths?

The innkeeper hesitated. His standing position had actually consistently kept him facing Feng Chi's direction for observation, and there were some matters he couldn't decide on his own.

The gaunt man in green clothes beside Feng Chi whispered, "Do you need me to intervene to save them?"

Feng Chi whispered back, "No need. You are stationed here to guard against that old man; try not to expose yourself if possible. Easily intervening for this matter might backfire, arouse suspicion, and make it difficult to conclude smoothly. It's fine for them to take the people away for questioning first. We've already sent someone to Wukang Mountain to report, and our people will come to intervene in time. It won't be long before Bian Weiying's side releases them."

Since that was the case, the gaunt man in green clothes said no more.

And Feng Chi had already made a hand gesture.

The innkeeper noticed.

Seeing his hesitation, Wei Bian grew angry and said in a deep voice, "What, has the City Governor been too polite to you? Do we need your permission to take suspects for questioning?"

The innkeeper quickly waved his hands, "No, no."

"Enough," Bian Weiying said, raising her hand again to stop him and telling him to quiet down. "Innkeeper, we won't go in and disturb your guests. You go call those two people out yourself and have them come with us, just to clarify the matter."

The innkeeper quickly nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, I'll go invite them out now." Then he turned and barked at an employee, "How long do you intend to make the City Governor wait? Go quickly!"

"Ah, alright," the employee quickly agreed and ran inside the building.

Bian Weiying stood with her hands clasped behind her in the fine rain. Her figure, proud and tall under the lamplight, she slightly tilted her head to meet the cool drizzle, showing no intention of seeking shelter. There was a hint of mockery in her eyes.

A master? She believed that no matter how powerful a master was, they would have no reason to come out and stop this now, right?

Seeing that the matter was settled, Wei Bian, standing nearby, also shifted his attention to directing the scene. He raised his hand and pointed toward the deceased, tapping several times, then waved his hand to signal backward. The Wukang Mountain disciples beside the body immediately carried the deceased's corpse away, lifting it onto the carriage behind them.

Under the roof tiles, Wu Jinliang, who had witnessed the entire scene, let out a deep breath and started crawling backward. "Alright," he mumbled, "no need to crouch here like a grandson anymore. Come on, let's go down. Let's go with them."

Shi Chun, still peering from his position, was driven by the caution of recent events. He kept feeling that something was off but couldn't pinpoint what it was. His observant gaze swept over every visible area below. Suddenly, his gaze fixed, and his pupils contracted sharply.

Wei Bian's gesturing hand caught his attention. Then he saw and focused on the scar on the web between Wei Bian's thumb and forefinger. He recalled the hand that had emerged from the carriage during the previous attack to cast the immobilization talisman; that hand also had a similar scar on its web.

Was it a coincidence?

He finally understood what was wrong: it was Bian Weiying!

Looking again at the proudly standing Bian Weiying, he reconsidered her personal presence as City Governor to handle this matter. He hadn't thought anything of it before, believing it was simply because she handled everything herself, but now, this condescending display sent shivers down his spine.

He couldn't figure it out: Why was this happening?

Perhaps this was just one reason he felt something was wrong. Yes, and the Wukang Mountain personnel's reaction to that corpse seemed unusual!

This further confirmed his suspicions.

Hearing Wu Jinliang's voice, he suddenly reached back and grabbed the shoulder of Wu Jinliang's clothes as he crawled backward.

"What's wrong?" Wu Jinliang asked, looking up and crawling back to peer down as he spoke.

Shi Chun whispered, "Going down now would be walking into a trap; it's seeking death. We need to find a way to escape!"

Wu Jinliang asked, "What do you mean?"

Shi Chun replied, "We only focused on who would do this, but we forgot this is Wukang Mountain, and there are plenty of people who can use immobilization talismans. Jinliang, we're in trouble. The assassin wasn't sent by the Qi family; it might be Bian Weiying."