Chapter 418: I Confess, I Confess Everything!

At the First Division of the Bandit Apprehension Division, Capital Ironclad Department.

Xu Wenjun sat savoring his tea, perfectly at ease.

Before him, a young man with features somewhat resembling his own was pouring the tea.

"Qingnian, now that you're heading to Fire Flood Dragon Island, make sure you get along well with that Yang Ling."

Xu Wenjun said calmly:

"He's skilled, and his background likely has its own story."

Xu Qingnian set down the teapot, frowning: "Father, he took my Vital Qi Age Defying medicine, and even grandfather's death was indirectly his fault. You want me to..."

"Your grandfather? That old scoundrel was too greedy. He privately hitched himself to the Third Prince's wagon, and this outcome is no one's fault but his own."

Xu Wenjun's eyes narrowed slightly:

"My guess is he thought I was a mere military officer and wanted to curry favor with those civil officials instead.

Betting on both sides, he reaped what he sowed!"

Xu Qingnian's mouth fell slightly open. He hadn't expected his father to hold such an attitude about his grandfather's death.

"But your Director position in the Third Division of Command Division was also ruined because of him..."

"Silly child, that position of mine was taken by the civil officials."

Xu Wenjun smiled. "You need to understand the cause and effect here.

If your father and grandfather are ever gone in the future, you'll still be able to stand on your own in this world."

Just then, Hong Ruohai came rushing over:

"Sir, something terrible has happened!"

Xu Wenjun frowned. "What is it?"

Hong Ruohai clasped his fists in a salute, his expression peculiar:

"Yang Ling has arrested Zhao Yingying, the daughter of Prince Pinglan! The Eldest Princess has brought a whole group of civil officials to demand her release!"

The teacup in Xu Wenjun's hand clattered to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Xu Qingnian gasped sharply and blurted out:

"Really? Yang Ling dared to arrest Prince Pinglan's daughter? That little firecracker has a fierce temper! And she's the Eldest Princess's most beloved daughter! Yang Ling is done for!"

Xu Wenjun's composure quickly recovered. He said in a deep voice:

"Did you find out the specific reason?"

"I did."

Hong Ruohai quietly recounted the whole incident.

Xu Wenjun's expression visibly improved. He said thoughtfully:

"Though it will cause some trouble, at least he has just cause on his side. The Department Head should be able to resolve this matter."

"Father, this Yang Ling just arrived in the Capital and already beat up Xie Zhihu. Now he's arrested Zhao Yingying. You really want me to get close to him?"

Xu Qingnian said with malicious glee: "I think he's in dire straits right now. Do you not know the Eldest Princess's temper? Heh heh."

"Qingnian, even if you're unwilling to get close to him, don't go offending him either."

"At the very least, on Fire Flood Dragon Island, he'll lend you a hand out of respect for me."

With that, Xu Wenjun rose and headed toward the Public Security Division.

Hong Ruohai quickly followed.

Xu Qingnian muttered inwardly that this fellow probably wouldn't even get the chance to go to Fire Flood Dragon Island.

He didn't say it aloud to anger his father, but he too quickly followed along, intending to watch the show.

Deep within the Ironclad Department, in a special meditation room.

This room was completely isolated from the outside world, airtight.

Not even a fly could get in, let alone light.

The middle-aged layman sat in the seat of honor.

Before him sat nearly a dozen figures, arranged in a circle.

"This time, our results were considerable. At least three Fourth-Rank Grandmasters from the Rong tribe have been implicated."

"For a long time to come, that Heavenly Wolf Guard Commander won't have the mind to meddle in our affairs."

The middle-aged layman said with a faint smile:

"Our Ironclad Department's scouts brought back a total of six types of martial sacred medicines from the Rong tribe, thirty-two portions in all."

"When that Grand Secretary saw such achievements, all he had left in his mouth were words of praise."

"His Majesty is also very pleased, feeling that face has been saved."

Everyone present broke into smiles.

The middle-aged layman continued: "However, only half of our people made it back. The remaining three hundred or so were either killed or captured alive."

"You all need to prepare for the cleanup. Don't let the Heavenly Wolf Guard follow their trail and capture our other people."

Li Zhong and the others wore grave expressions as they nodded slightly.

"There's one more matter. Some time ago, that Yang Ling from below discovered the Immortal God Sect in the Water Qilin Cave, along with their special weapon: explosives."

"This time, the people who returned from the Rong tribe also spoke about this matter."

"They unanimously believe the Immortal God Sect poses an enormous threat to us. If allowed to develop unchecked, they'd be no less dangerous than the Heavenly Wolf Guard."

When the middle-aged layman reached this point, Li Zhong and the others' expressions instantly became extremely solemn.

"So I intend to plan carefully. A nationwide operation to strike against the Immortal God Sect should also be initiated."

At this moment, an old man with a long scar at the corner of his eye spoke up slowly:

"Department Head, why don't I personally make a trip to the Rong tribe and find the Immortal God Sect's leader for a direct beheading?"

"They're just waiting for you to go. We can't follow their line of thinking."

The middle-aged layman smiled. "We won't make any moves for now. Let's first digest the benefits from this haul."

He paused, then added: "And regarding the upcoming Fire Flood Dragon Island, the Rong tribe might try to find ways to take revenge there."

"This requires the Strategy Division to plan properly and provide several contingency plans."

The three Directors of the Strategy Division exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

At that moment, Li Zhong suddenly stood up and walked out. When he returned, his expression was somewhat complicated.

"What's the matter?"

The middle-aged layman and the rest of the Directors from the upper three divisions all looked at Li Zhong.

"Department Head, that fledgling eagle you mentioned has arrested Zhao Yingying, daughter of Prince Pinglan, along with several children of civil officials in the Capital."

"The reason is that Zhao Yingying ambushed Yang Ling on the way, presumably to vent her anger for Xie Zhihu."

At these words, the Directors present all wore curious expressions.

The middle-aged layman mused: "Just have him release them, then."

"I'm sure Prince Pinglan won't blame our Ironclad Department once he learns of this, since there was cause."

"It can't be undone anymore."

Li Zhong was silent for a few breaths:

"The Eldest Princess has already barged into the Ironclad Department with a group of civil officials, demanding to personally take Zhao Yingying and the others away."

"At the same time, she's declared she'll take Yang Ling with her as well."

"Unless our Ironclad Department can give her an explanation today."

"Otherwise, Yang Ling will go to her estate and serve as her foot-washing servant."

Someone let out a chuckle.

The middle-aged layman immediately shot them a glare, then let out a sigh:

"Li Zhong, you're in charge of handling this matter. If the Eldest Princess asks about me, tell her I've gone out on a mission."

Li Zhong also sighed:

"Understood, subordinate obeys."

An official one rank higher can crush a man to death.

...

Wu Xiaoshuai's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

He didn't know why they were interrogating him alone, nor why they remained silent, just staring at him.

It was honestly making his hair stand on end.

"Yang Ling, what exactly do you want to do!"

Wu Xiaoshuai's tone carried a hint of guilt.

"Quite inexperienced. A real rookie."

Yang Ling smiled. "Wu Xiaoshuai, your secret plot with the Immortal God Sect to rebel has already been discovered by our Ironclad Department."

"If you confess everything truthfully, you might just avoid the penalty of having all nine generations of your family executed."

Wu Xiaoshuai's eyes bulged wide, staring dead at Yang Ling. Sweat dripped down in drops. Fear twisted his voice out of shape:

"You, you're framing me..."

"Framing you? The Eldest Princess has already brought a group of civil officials here personally to arrest you and hold you accountable."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Yang Ling's mouth:

"If you confess honestly, maybe you'll still have a chance at survival?"

Wu Xiaoshuai instantly collapsed to the ground, his trousers soaked through.

"I confess, I confess everything!"