Guangping County was one of the three major counties within Donglu Prefecture.
Linjiang County, where Wang Chen had once held office, was also a major county. Guangping County was no less prosperous than Linjiang County; its population even exceeded Linjiang's. Its waterways and roads were convenient, and merchants and travelers from north and south passed through in great numbers.
The clues the Blood-Clad Guard in the prefectural city had found while investigating the disappearances all ultimately converged on Guangping County.
However, the annual taxes paid by Guangping County accounted for a considerable share of Donglu Prefecture's revenue. This major county could not be disturbed lightly, and with the true culprit's strength being a concern, no action had been taken until now.
Guangping lay three hundred and seventy li from the prefectural city. Wang Chen set out in the morning and galloped along the official road. By noon, he could see the walls of the county seat.
Like Linjiang County, its county seat had been built beside the Chun'an River.
In fact, the two counties depended on the same river, with Guangping situated upstream from Linjiang. Boats filled the river like woven threads, while the docks along the banks bustled with crowds coming and going, creating a lively scene.
Other than the Chun'an River, the county seat was surrounded on its remaining three sides by flat, open plains. Vast tracts of farmland had been reclaimed there, with manor after manor standing amid them, lending the landscape a distinctive charm.
While resting on the road, Wang Chen disguised himself as a lone wanderer who had traveled far and wide. After arriving in Guangping, he led Yellow Dappled Horse into the bustling county seat.
"Sir, do you need a guide?"
The moment Wang Chen entered the city, several little tails latched onto him,