Chapter 123: Making an Arrest

The Luo Family residence.

In the darkness, Lu Bai slowly opened his eyes. Two streams of white vapor puffed from his mouth and nose.

They faintly took the form of a dragon and an elephant in mid-air, lingering for a moment before gradually dissipating.

The Top Grade Enlightenment Pill’s medicinal power was truly ferocious.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it had allowed Lu Bai to open one acupoint.

He hadn’t fully absorbed and refined all its medicinal power yet. With a bit more cultivation, he would be able to open all Nine Acupoints, reach the Innate Realm, and use an Innate Realm Cultivation Technique to absorb and refine various kinds of Innate Essence Qi!

Once in the Innate Realm, the essence refined from the Essence of the Five Grains would provide a negligible boost to his cultivation.

Martial Artists were unable to refine Spirit Stones.

There were two main ways to absorb Innate Essence Qi.

First, by using a Cultivation Technique to "dine on rosy clouds and drink morning dew," essentially breathing in the world’s natural energies.

Second, by changing one’s diet from grains, chicken, duck, and fish to the flesh and blood of certain cultivated Demon Beasts.

The flesh and blood of these Demon Beasts also contained a large amount of Life Essence Qi!

Lu Bai stood up and gazed inward at the Ancient Mirror.

His two Ultimate Skills from the Root Bone Stage and the Inner Strength Realm made his power far exceed that of others at the same level.

He had experienced this firsthand in his fights against Sun Bohan and Mo Shaohan.

Now, even an ordinary Innate Realm expert might not be his match.

As for a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, if he got close, killing them would be even easier!

The bodies of the Witch Race were even more fragile.

The Magic Techniques of the Witch Race were strange, sinister, and difficult to guard against, but they also had many drawbacks and were prone to backlash.

Their physical bodies were weaker than a Cultivator’s, no different from an ordinary person’s, and they didn’t seem to have life-saving measures like Protective Talismans.

Martial Dao, Cultivation, the Witch Race—from what Lu Bai had seen of them, each had its own strengths and weaknesses.

’Who is stronger? I’ll have to fight them to find out!’

Besides, he was still only in the Martial Arts First Realm.

Only upon reaching the Golden Core Realm and condensing a Blood Qi Golden Core would the true combat power of the Martial Dao be unleashed.

It was said that a True Master of the Martial Dao could levitate without the aid of any external objects.

At that point, the Martial Dao’s greatest weakness would also be overcome.

"The County Government Mansion..."

Lu Bai’s eyes flickered as he murmured softly.

’The security there is tight. Even with the Mountain Demon Hat, it would be easy to expose myself if I try to investigate without a map of the mansion.’

’An Innate Martial Artist like Second Master Jin could hear my breathing and tell someone was near.’

’And I’m still not sure where the Witch is hiding in the County Government Mansion, or what their identity is there.’

Just as Lu Bai was lost in thought, his ears twitched. He faintly heard the sound of soft, disorderly footsteps approaching the Luo Family residence.

A large number of people were approaching from all directions, moving quickly, and soon had the Luo Family residence surrounded!

"Looks like I won’t have to go looking for them."

Lu Bai narrowed his eyes.

’They’ve come knocking!’

BANG!

A moment later, the main gate of the Luo Family residence was suddenly smashed open with a tremendous crash.

"Who’s there!"

A group of guards shouted, but their voices were quickly silenced.

At this hour, no one in the Luo Family had gone to sleep yet.

Hearing the loud noise, everyone came out to see what was happening.

Lu Bai did a quick check, secured the Mountain Demon Hat close to his body, and then stepped out of his room.

Luo Tianxiong rushed out of his room with his people, only to see Li Tianxing barge into the Luo residence with a group of government constables, along with quite a few members of the City Defense Army clad in armor.

"Lord Li, Chief Clerk Wang, what is the meaning of this?" Luo Tianxiong’s heart sank as he quickly asked.

Li Tianxing’s brow was tightly furrowed, his expression grim.

Before he could speak, Chief Clerk Wang, who was beside him, barked, "Where is Lu Bai!"

"I’m here."

Lu Bai walked out from the other side, his expression calm.

"Arrest him!" Chief Clerk Wang bellowed.

"What are you doing!"

Luo Qing and her brother couldn’t stand by and watch, stepping forward immediately.

Chief Clerk Wang’s face darkened. "What’s this?" he said coldly. "Is the Luo Family harboring a suspect and now intends to defy orders and rebel?"

Luo Tianxiong took a deep breath and said gravely, "Chief Clerk Wang, Lord Li, you must have a reason for arresting someone."

Li Tianxing glanced at Lu Bai and said, "Someone just reported to the authorities that Lu Bai of Liuxi Town murdered his uncle, Lu Ziyuan, and his family of three.

"Furthermore, Boss Jin of the Drunken Flower House is dead, and the courtesan of the Drunken Flower Tower, Liu Yiyi, is also dead. A witness claims to have seen Lu Bai do it."

Lu Bai’s expression didn’t change, but he sneered inwardly.

’I was wearing the Mountain Demon Hat. If someone saw me, they must have seen a ghost.’

’It’s most likely that the Witch guessed I was responsible and decided to pin it all on me.’

’It seems this Witch holds a high position in the County Government Mansion. It only took a few words for them to stir up such a commotion.’

"That’s nonsense."

Luo Qing said, "Xiaolu’s family was harmed by Madam Zhou. Now it’s just him and his mother. What does the death of Lu Ziyuan’s family have to do with Lu Bai?"

Li Tianxing said, "Chen Tieshan and his son were there that night. Now, Chen Tieshan has died of unknown causes, and Chen Xiaofeng suspects Lu Bai murdered him to silence him. So he went to the County Government Mansion to report it and told them what happened that night."

Lu Bai said flatly, "Lu Ziyuan’s family used Zhou Yu to conspire with Madam Zhou. They were accomplices."

Li Tianxing knew Madam Zhou’s identity.

If it was confirmed they were accomplices to a Witch, not only would Lu Bai be innocent of any crime for killing them, he would even be commended for it.

Chief Clerk Wang sneered, "How can we take your word for it!"

Luo Qing retorted, "Then why, Lord Wang, do you take Chen Xiaofeng’s word for it?"

Chief Clerk Wang was prepared for this. "That’s why we must arrest Lu Bai and take him back to the County Government Mansion for interrogation and to face his accuser!

"Besides, it’s not just this one case! The deaths of Chen Tieshan, Boss Jin, and Liu Yiyi—we need to question him about all of them!"

"You’re right, things should be made clear. I’ll go with you," Lu Bai said suddenly.

’I was just wondering how to sneak into the County Government Mansion. Since they’ve come to my doorstep, I’ll just play along and go meet that Witch face-to-face!’

’Given the Wu Dynasty’s stance on the Witch Race, as long as I can confirm their identity, I won’t have to hold back!’

’Even if I go on a killing spree in the County Government Mansion, I’ll have more than enough justification!’

Lu Bai had just scanned the area with his Eye of Illusion and hadn’t seen anyone tainted with Ghost Qi.

’Resisting arrest and starting a fight right now would be pointless. It would be a waste of energy, and my hands would be tied.’

’I’ll decide what to do after I get to the County Government Mansion and see the Witch.’

Besides, the Luo Family residence was already surrounded by the Bluestone City Garrison.

’If I start a fight, will the Luo Family help me or not?’

’If they get involved, the Luo Family will be implicated, and the Wang Family and Uncle Fu will likely not escape unscathed either.’

Just a moment ago, Li Tianxing had been worried that Lu Bai would feel wronged and, in a fit of bravado, resist arrest.

Now, seeing Lu Bai cooperate willingly, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Elder Luo, rest assured, we are just taking Lu Bai back for questioning. Nothing has been decided yet. Lu Bai will be fine."

Li Tianxing added, "Besides, this matter also involves some other things. We might have to wait for the Evil Exterminator Guards to return."

These words were meant to reassure Luo Tianxiong and the others, but they were also for Lu Bai’s ears.

"Cuff him!"

Chief Clerk Wang waved his hand.

CLANG! CLANG!

Immediately, two government constables came forward with handcuffs and leg shackles.

"Lord Wang, is that really necessary?"

Li Tianxing frowned. "Lu Bai is still just a suspect, not a convicted criminal. Why use these kinds of restraints?"

"Heh heh!"

Chief Clerk Wang gave a cold laugh. "Everyone knows what this Young Hero Lu is capable of. If we don’t restrain him, what if he suddenly attacks someone and escapes? Can you, Lord Li, take responsibility for that?"

Li Tianxing fell silent.

If it were anyone else, they certainly wouldn’t have the guts.

But with Lu Bai, it was hard to say.