Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Inside the room, the usually boisterous Huang Li was now consumed by fear and anxiety.

Noticing her apprehension towards Deputy General Chen, Qi Cheng instructed the deputy to conduct the interrogation.

Deputy General Chen wasted no time, getting straight to the point: "I need every single detail about the individuals who vandalized the stall that night."

"But if I speak, and they find out, they'll surely retaliate against me. Even this entertainment quarter won't shelter me. I'll lose everything and live in fear of their revenge."

Deputy General Chen rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested in her pleas. "We will not disclose today's questioning to outsiders. As for the entertainment quarter, I will personally ensure your protection there. How does that sound?"

Huang Li stiffly turned her head towards Qi Cheng, her eyes flickering as if silently questioning the identity of the man before her.

Qi Cheng clarified, "He is a trusted subordinate of the Deputy Magistrate. Although he serves under the Deputy Magistrate, he holds the eighth-rank military title of Vice Commandant."

Deputy General Chen now held a position of equal standing with the Deputy Magistrate, yet he remained in his service. Within the entire public office, only the Deputy Magistrate and the County Magistrate outranked him; everyone else fell under his authority.

Though Huang Li didn't fully grasp the title of Vice Commandant, the mention of an eighth-rank official resonated with her.

When she looked at Deputy General Chen again, her earlier fear had vanished, replaced by a look of poignant vulnerability. "You will keep your word, won't you, sir?"

Deputy General Chen's expression hardened. "Would a Vice Commandant of my standing deceive a defenseless woman like you?"

Reassured by his words, Huang Li visibly relaxed. "They are regulars at the entertainment quarter, coming every few days to meet various people."

"Before I overheard their conversation, I recall seeing a portly middle-aged man hand them a money pouch. I didn't catch what was said, but later I accidentally overheard them plotting to smash Su's Snacks’ stall. Knowing Madam Su, I paid closer attention and went to warn her. Little did I know they would arrive right after, so I fled immediately."

At this point, she glanced at Qi Cheng. "With someone of his caliber in your acquaintance, how could your family still be subjected to bullying by local ruffians?"

Deputy General Chen barked, "We are asking the questions here, not you. Stop beating around the bush and get to the point!"

Huang Li flinched, shrinking her neck and muttering softly, "I was just curious."

Deputy General Chen commanded, "Continue. Tell us their names, distinguishing features, and their usual haunts."

Not daring to stray further, Huang Li recounted everything she knew, meticulously detailing each person's characteristics and names.

"I'm not entirely sure of their whereabouts. I only know they frequent our entertainment quarter. But now that they know the authorities are investigating, they'll surely lie low and won't be back anytime soon."

Qi Cheng, standing behind Deputy General Chen, interjected, "Think carefully. Did they reveal any other information earlier?"

Huang Li pondered for a moment, then said, "I remember Xu Liu, the one with the mole on his nostril, is a gambler. He's often scolded by Brother Bao, who tells him to quit gambling or his life will be ruined."

"But once you're hooked, it's hard to quit. Though he promises earnestly, I bet he'll keep gambling. If he had money yesterday, there's a seventy to eighty percent chance he'd gamble it away today."

Qi Cheng asked, "Do you know which gambling dens he frequents?"

Huang Li looked up, furrowing her brows as she strained to recall.

"I think... I did hear something. Let me think."

Guangkang City, while not sprawling, was not small either. It boasted five legal gambling establishments of varying sizes.

However, the number of illegal underground gambling dens remained unknown, and a comprehensive search would only tip off the suspects.

"I think I heard of Qianjin Gambling Den and also Xiaoyao Gambling Den."

Gamblers rarely switch dens casually. With this lead, the two men prepared to leave without delay.

Before departing, Qi Cheng addressed Huang Li, "I heard from Li Niang that you specifically came to warn us yesterday. Thank you for that."

"We apologize for the intrusion today."

Huang Li was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "So you *can* speak politely after all?"

Qi Cheng gave a slight nod and then departed with Deputy General Chen.

It wasn't that he couldn't speak politely, but in certain extraordinary circumstances, a firm approach was necessary to preempt trouble.

Qi Cheng and Deputy General Chen acted with remarkable speed. Upon pinpointing the locations, they immediately split up, regrouping as soon as they apprehended someone.

Deputy General Chen showed no impatience at what might seem like a task beneath his rank; instead, he was invigorated by the thrill of the investigation.

Meanwhile, Qi Cheng headed to Qianjin Gambling Den. Shortly after entering, he located Xu Liu.

Qi Cheng observed from the second floor for a considerable time, watching Xu Liu lose all his money, cursing his parents before finally leaving the den.

As Xu Liu walked through an alley, something long and hard unexpectedly pressed against him. He snarled, "Which bastard—" Before he could finish the word "bastard," he saw a sheathed knife pressed against his neck. He recognized it as an official's blade.

Terrified, he looked up at the man. "Wh-who are you?"

Qi Cheng smiled. "You smashed the stall. How could you not recognize me?"

Xu Liu's heart pounded, but he feigned composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Qi Cheng stated, "The young woman at Su's Snacks stall is my wife. Unfortunately for you, you smashed her stall. Even more unfortunately, her husband holds a respectable position as a Stockade Official in the public office. So today, I'm here to seek justice for her."

Hearing that he worked in the public office and held a significant position, Xu Liu cursed inwardly.

"Sir, you must have the wrong person. I may enjoy a few rounds of gambling, but I am a law-abiding citizen. How could I possibly do something like smashing a stall?"

Qi Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Shall we have a face-to-face confrontation?"

Realizing he couldn't talk his way out, Xu Liu admitted, "It was us. But it was because your wife’s stall was not—" Before he could utter "clean," the blade slid partially out of its sheath, emitting a sharp, chilling sound.

"It was because our boss ordered us to do it! We had no choice!" Under the intimidating sound, Xu Liu quickly changed his tune.

"Where is your boss?" Qi Cheng asked.

Xu Liu shook his head. "I don't know. Usually, the boss finds us and sets a time to meet at the entertainment quarter."

Qi Cheng didn't trust a single word from a gambler.

To avoid further nonsense, he marched Xu Liu through back alleys to the designated meeting point with Deputy General Chen.

Xu Liu contemplated escape. As they passed an alley stacked with bamboo, an idea struck him, but the man behind him suddenly called him to a halt.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the man produced a rope and swiftly tied Xu Liu’s hands behind his back.

Xu Liu: "…"

He couldn't shake the feeling that the man had seen right through him, knowing exactly what he intended to do.

Qi Cheng glanced at the bamboo, then wrapped the other end of the rope around his own wrist a few extra times, ensuring Xu Liu couldn't escape.

Before exiting the street, Qi Cheng tore a piece of cloth from Xu Liu’s own clothes and covered the lower half of his face to prevent anyone from recognizing him and tipping off others.

Deputy General Chen, having found no one at the other gambling den, went to the agreed-upon spot to wait.

After a long while, he saw Qi Cheng approaching, leading a man with his face covered.

Without wasting words, the two dragged the man into an alley.

Deputy General Chen, with his military background, was known for his ruthless methods and cold heart—making him the most suitable for interrogation.

While Deputy General Chen conducted the interrogation, Qi Cheng stood watch at the alley's corner.

Deputy General Chen was in no hurry to press for answers. He covered Xu Liu’s mouth and dragged him to the end of the alley.

Qi Cheng faintly heard muffled, pained grunts from behind.

In a short while, the sounds ceased, though voices could still be heard.

In no more than fifteen minutes, Deputy General Chen emerged from the alley, dragging Xu Liu.

Qi Cheng glanced at Xu Liu’s pale, bloodless face, his gaze lingering on the man’s deformed fingers.

He withdrew his gaze and turned to Deputy General Chen: "Did you get anything out of him?"

Deputy General Chen sneered coldly: "Thought he had more backbone and loyalty, but he cracked anyway. Though he truly doesn't know who his boss’s contact is—only that it's someone related to the public office."

"In that case, let's go apprehend the person."

Brother Bao was carrying water home when he was intercepted by the two, who had Xu Liu in custody.

Xu Liu's face was deathly pale and covered in sweat; upon closer inspection, his deformed fingers were clearly visible.

Brother Bao grew wary. He set down his buckets and cupped his hands in salute: "I wonder how my brother here offended you two, that you would resort to such harsh measures?"

Qi Cheng spoke up: "Night Market Street, Su's Snacks."

Xu Liu said weakly: "Brother Bao, it's that woman's husband... he works at the public office."

Brother Bao was taken aback.

The one who hired them for this was also from the public office—wasn't this supposed to be easy to take care of?!

The surprise in Brother Bao’s eyes did not escape the two.

Qi Cheng said: "Will you come with us willingly, or shall I completely break all ten of your brother’s fingers and then forcibly take you?"

Brother Bao took a deep breath and said: "Let my brother go, and I'll come with you."

He slowly walked over step by step.

Deputy General Chen flung Xu Liu to the ground. Even with his hands broken, Xu Liu’s survival instinct drove him to scramble away on all fours.

Deputy General Chen had already grabbed Brother Bao’s arm, but Brother Bao was surprisingly agile—twisting like an eel, he broke free from Deputy General Chen’s grip.

Seeing this, a glint of interest crossed Deputy General Chen’s face.

Despite his burly build, Deputy General Chen moved with remarkable speed. The moment Brother Bao broke free, he reacted instantly, swiftly grabbing the other’s collar.

Seeing no escape, Brother Bao decided to fight head-on.

Qi Cheng watched from the sidelines.

The thug certainly had some skill, but that was all.

After seven or eight moves, Brother Bao was already pinned with an elbow lock.

Brother Bao lay on the ground, immobilized by Deputy General Chen’s elbow.

Deputy General Chen tsked: "You've got some ability, just not used the right way. If you joined us in fighting bandits, you'd earn both a bounty and reputation—wouldn't that be better than working as a thug?"

"What a shame—choosing to be a coward over a hero."

As he spoke, he yanked Brother Bao to his feet.

Brother Bao sneered coldly: "You officials are no saints either—just another bunch preying on the people. Allying with you would make me the real coward."

Deputy General Chen’s face darkened: "Obstinate."

Brother Bao retorted: "I'm obstinate? It was someone from your public office who hired me to smash the stall—a public office that hires thugs to commit crimes! Some heroes you are! Pah."

At this, he speculated: "All I did was smash a stall—paying for the damages should've been enough. Why send two of you after me? You must be after the one who hired me."

Qi Cheng stepped forward, tying his hands, and said: "Since you've figured it out, you know what to say."

This wasn't the place to talk. The two split up—Qi Cheng rode back, hitched up a carriage, and returned within a quarter of an hour. Together with Deputy General Chen, they hauled the man off.