Chapter 189: Marquis Jingzhong

Seeing that Mo Tang hadn’t offered her opinion, Lu Bai sensed something was wrong and asked, "Is there a problem?"

He Liangzhi explained, "Abduction and sale is a serious crime, but the law is meant to protect the people of our Wu Dynasty. The Fujiao Gang is trafficking refugees from the Shi and Mo Countries, which is a tricky situation. It’s like they’re exploiting a loophole in our dynasty’s laws.

Whether a conviction is possible depends entirely on the leanings of the official in charge."

Mo Tang said, "There’s another thing. Abduction and sale doesn’t fall under the Evil Extermination Bureau’s jurisdiction. We have no authority to handle it. This matter can only be handed over to the Prefecture Government Office."

Lu Bai nodded.

In the Wu Dynasty, every department had its own responsibilities.

The Evil Extermination Bureau was only responsible for exterminating Ghost Souls and other evil entities, and for dealing with the Witch Race.

If they were to casually overstep into another department’s domain, everything would descend into chaos.

Lu Bai asked, "So we’re just going to let this go?"

Mo Tang said thoughtfully, "Tomorrow, bring Liu Liangxin and this confession. I’ll make a trip to the Prefecture Government Office and speak with the Governor of Jingzhou. We’ll see where he stands."

Even though the Fujiao Gang was trafficking refugees from the Shi and Mo Countries, she was still utterly disgusted.

She herself was originally from the Mo Country, so she couldn’t help but feel some pity for these people.

When she had fled to the Wu Country as a refugee, if she had encountered the Fujiao Gang instead of her master, the Morning Bell Ringer of today would likely not exist.

Lu Bai asked again, "Who is this Marquis Jingzhong he mentioned?"

"A First-Grade Marquis in Jing State, and a Nascent Soul True Monarch."

Mo Tang explained, "The title of Marquis in the Wu Dynasty has three grades. Normally, someone in the Golden Core Realm is eligible to be named a Third-Grade Marquis. Someone in the Nascent Soul Realm can only be a Second-Grade Marquis. Only those in the Returning Void Realm, which is above the Nascent Soul Realm, can be granted the title of First-Grade Marquis."

"However, this Marquis Jingzhong followed the Late King for many years and once rendered great service here in the territory of Jing State. Thus, an exception was made, and he was promoted to First-Grade Marquis."

’What a powerful background!’

Lu Bai frowned slightly.

In fact, when they heard that Martial Artists and Desperados from the Shi and Mo Countries might be at the Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion, all three of them immediately made the connection to the ambush that night.

Lu Bai asked, "This Marquis Jingzhong... he’s untouchable, right?"

"Yes."

Mo Tang said, "Many have been granted the title of Marquis in the Wu Dynasty, but most are just of the various grades. To be bestowed the name ’Jingzhong’ shows how highly the Late King regarded him."

"He is a very senior figure in the Wu Dynasty. By my calculations, he should be eight or nine hundred years old. He’s remained in Jing State all these years, which makes him impossible to investigate."

In terms of official rank and status, Mo Tang was far outmatched.

In terms of Cultivation, she was also no match for him.

Whether in the Martial Dao or in Cultivation, once one stepped into the Golden Core Realm, it signified the first time they had broken free from the shackles of Heaven and earth. Their lifespan would take a great leap, soaring to four or five hundred years.

Upon reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, one’s lifespan extended to around a thousand years!

’With eight or nine hundred years to build his influence, on top of his status as a First-Grade Marquis and the Cultivation of a Nascent Soul True Monarch... a being like that could practically blot out the sky with one hand in Jing State.’

Mo Tang added another instruction, "For now, keep the part of the confession that involves Marquis Jingzhong here. Don’t submit it tomorrow."

「The next day.」

Liu Liangxin had woken up, but Mo Tang had sealed his Blood Qi and struck several of his major acupoints, leaving him immobilized.

But after a night had passed, he had realized that what he’d encountered last night weren’t ghosts at all, but people!

The moment he thought about what he had said last night, Liu Liangxin’s face turned ashen.

Lu Bai hauled him along, and together with He Liangzhi, followed Mo Tang out of the Evil Extermination Bureau and headed straight for the Prefecture Government Office.

Upon meeting the Governor of Jingzhou, Liang Yifan, Mo Tang handed over the previous night’s confession.

After reading the confession, Liang Yifan’s expression darkened. His gaze sharpened as he stared at Liu Liangxin and snorted. "Your Fujiao Gang has some nerve, daring to commit such a heinous act right here in Jingzhou City!"

"My Lord, please see the truth."

Liu Liangxin had been wracking his brain for an escape plan the entire way there. Hearing Liang Yifan’s rebuke, he hurriedly said, "I was forced to say all those things last night! None of it is true."

Liang Yifan sneered, "You don’t have a single injury on you. How did they force you?"

"I..."

Liu Liangxin was at a loss for words.

’I can’t very well say I was scared by Ghost Souls.’

"Still being dishonest, even in the Prefecture Government Office!"

Liang Yifan gave a direct order, "Men! Throw this man in the dungeons and interrogate him harshly! Let’s see what else he’s hiding!"

"My Lord, I’ve been wronged!"

Liu Liangxin cried out that he was being framed, but two government constables grabbed his arms and dragged him away.

He Liangzhi looked at Lu Bai and nodded.

’It seems the Governor of Jingzhou doesn’t plan on letting the Fujiao Gang off easily.’

Mo Tang asked, "Lord Governor, how do you plan to handle this matter?"

Liang Yifan pondered for a moment before saying, "Abduction and sale is a serious crime under Wu Dynasty law, but since the Fujiao Gang was trafficking refugees from the Shi and Mo Countries, the matter of their conviction requires careful consideration. Lord Mo, if you have any thoughts, please feel free to share them."

Mo Tang said, "His Majesty recently issued a proclamation to all under Heaven, announcing the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion to be held at the year’s end. His intent is to recruit the great talents and heroes of the Divine Land."

"For something like this to happen now in Jing State... if we do not deal with the Fujiao Gang and execute the ringleaders as a warning to others, it will implicitly diminish the significance of the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion and betray His Majesty’s earnest intentions."

Lu Bai thought to himself, ’Impressive.’

’With those words, she had backed Liang Yifan into a corner.’

’What was originally a simple case of abduction and sale on the Wu Dynasty’s border was now tied to King Wu’s Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion. Liang Yifan had no choice but to take it seriously.’

Liang Yifan nodded, his expression turning serious. "Lord Mo is absolutely correct."

"When do you plan to handle this case, my Lord?"

Mo Tang asked.

Liang Yifan replied, "Within the next few days."

Mo Tang said, "Very well. I shall await your news at the Evil Extermination Bureau."

As the three of them left the Prefecture Government Office, He Liangzhi let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "That was brilliant, my Lord. After you said that, Lord Liang has no choice but to take this seriously."

Mo Tang slightly shook her head but did not explain.

’The waters of officialdom run as deep as the sea, and the various factions are intricately entangled. Things are never that simple.’

’These people, steeped in officialdom for years, are all sly old foxes. They talk a good game, but whether they’ll actually follow through is another matter entirely.’

Setting that concern aside for the moment, Lu Bai went back to retrieve his table and chair and once again set up his stall across from Wangjiang Tower.

By the end of the day, he had earned another three Five Emperors Coins.

On the top floor of Wangjiang Tower.

A middle-aged man dressed in fine brocade and jade, exuding an overwhelming aura of nobility, stood leaning against the railing. Gazing down at the young man with the stall below, he didn’t turn around, simply asking lightly, "Brother Liang, how do you plan to handle this?"

"It’s simple enough. I’ll have Brother Luo give me a few men to kill. That will be enough to close the case."

The person who replied was none other than the Governor of Jingzhou, Liang Yifan.

The middle-aged man asked, "The person down there is Lu Bai, isn’t he? All the recent incidents have been related to him."

"Indeed."

Liang Yifan walked to the window but positioned himself half a step behind the middle-aged man. He glanced down and nodded.

"Does the Crown Prince intend to make a move on him?"

Another voice spoke up—it was the Gang Leader of the Fujiao Gang, Luo Hengjiang.

"That won’t be necessary."

The middle-aged man said lightly, "An insignificant person, no more than an ant. With his meager abilities, he can’t possibly stir up any trouble in the territory of Jing State."

After a moment, the middle-aged man suddenly asked, "Does Liu Liangxin know about that matter?"

"He doesn’t know."

Luo Hengjiang said, "He only delivered the people; he doesn’t know the truth about Renyi Manor. The Crown Prince needn’t worry. Everyone who knew about that incident, aside from our own people, is already dead."

"Not necessarily."

The middle-aged man said, "There may have been survivors among those who fell into the water from the shipwreck that night. That Xue Chen from Danding Temple is likely following that very trail of clues. Have those people from Danding Temple discovered anything?"

Liang Yifan smiled slightly and said, "They haven’t found anything. The Crown Prince can rest assured."