Breaking the Siege

Brothel.

Qingyun Tower.

Inside, it was filled with the sounds of women and the comings and goings of people dressed in luxurious clothing.

In a private room, Meng Cao lay in the arms of a woman, his lecherous hands roaming over her body, eliciting soft moans from her.

"Lord Meng, you're so wicked!"

The woman gasped.

Meng Cao chuckled lewdly, reached out to pinch her, and was about to speak when a knock came from outside the door.

"Lord Meng!"

Hearing the familiar voice, he immediately sat up, waved for the woman to leave, and then said, "Come in!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Zhang Yongda entered with a fawning smile.

"How did things go?"

Meng Cao asked.

"As you ordered, I've told that brat about it."

"He knows it's a trap, but he still agreed to the matter."

"Also, I've mentioned it to Brother Sun."

"He didn't give a definitive reply, but judging by his reaction, he's likely agreed to it."

"We'll wait until we apprehend the thief, and then we'll deal with that brat first."

"To be safe, I've also found someone to act at the crucial moment, ensuring that He family brat doesn't make it back alive."

"Finally, I'll be following them secretly."

"With these three layers of security, even if that brat has heaven-defying means, he'll never escape."

Zhang Yongda replied respectfully.

Meng Cao nodded.

"Well done, your plan is perfect. This time, even if the brat turns into an eagle, he won't be able to fly out of my palm."

"The only path waiting for him is death."

"Naturally." Zhang Yongda said with a sycophantic smile.

"With Lord Meng's involvement, how could it possibly fail?"

"Once that He family brat is dead, and that fool He Ping is kicked out of the Town Martial Division, they'll beg you to spare them."

"At that time, Lord Meng, you only need to lift a finger, and he'll naturally persuade his wife to respectfully send her to your chambers for your enjoyment."

Meng Cao chuckled at this.

"Indeed."

"By then, no matter how loyal and chaste she is, she will surely submit to my might."

Zhang Yongda quickly chimed in.

Then, just as he was about to excuse himself.

Meng Cao coughed lightly.

"Little Zhang, you've handled this matter well. What reward do you seek?"

"Serving Lord Meng is my honor; how can I speak of rewards!"

Zhang Yongda's mind raced.

"Good!"

Meng Cao laughed heartily. "I'm very pleased you have this attitude. When there's a good position available in the division next time, I'll be sure to keep it for you first."

"Thank you, Lord."

Zhang Yongda's smile stretched ear to ear.

"However..."

His tone shifted, and Zhang Yongda's heart tightened.

Meng Cao smiled. "I've been feeling a bit lonely lately. I wonder if your sister-in-law is free these days? Why don't you send her to my place, and we can share a few cups of fine wine?"

Zhang Yongda: "..."

Three days later.

In the woods outside the city.

A group of ten people, all of whom were from the Town Martial Division without exception.

Besides He An, there were two other unregistered Town Martial Division bailiffs.

He An had seen them during roll call, so he had some impression of them.

Since there was no one at home to manage things, they were assigned to the most grueling place.

That is, the front line of apprehending people.

Besides that.

There were another seven, including Sun Wangxian, clerks of the Town Martial Division.

"Brother Sun!"

He An greeted him with a smile.

The latter narrowed his eyes and gave He An a deep look.

"Sir!"

At this moment, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard from a distance.

Then, several people in uniform, officials, dismounted.

"Captain Sun!"

The person in the lead cupped his fists in salute.

Sun Wangxian nodded and said, "Captain Wang, how are the clues coming along? Are those people confirmed to still be in this mountain forest?"

"They are."

Captain Wang pointed to the mountain forest and explained, "Although this mountain forest is remote, there are a few families living here."

"When some of them were gathering herbs, they saw those bandits from afar."

"Because they thought their movements were suspicious, they came down the mountain to report it."

"After our comparison, we are certain it's that group of people."

"To avoid alerting the enemy, I didn't send my men to investigate."

"I only heard from the person who reported it that those bandits are very likely hiding in a dilapidated house halfway up the mountain."

"In the entire mountain forest, only that place can hide people."

"Good!" A smile appeared on Sun Wangxian's face.

"Captain Wang, we have you to thank for this. Otherwise, we wouldn't have found the hiding place of these bandits so quickly."

"They killed so many people, causing Fangcheng to be in a state of panic."

"Now, we can finally put an end to this."

"As long as we handle this matter cleanly, Captain and County Governor will definitely remember our contributions."

"After all, if nothing unexpected happens, these people are the remnants of the Salvation Cult who escaped!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Everyone was invigorated.

Especially those clerks from the Town Martial Division.

They knew what Sun Wangxian's words implied.

Sometimes, the attention from those in power was far more important than any bounty.

Captain Wang also understood the subtleties and agreed:

"Captain Sun is right. The County Governor is indeed paying extremely close attention to this matter, otherwise, he wouldn't have sent us here to assist you all."

Normally.

Martial Artists breaking the law with their martial arts was something the Town Martial Division handled, and the government rarely interfered.

Unless it was a particularly major incident.

Like the Salvation Cult.

Then the Town Martial Division and the government would jointly investigate.

One was a Captain of the Town Martial Division, and the other was the Governor of a county.

Such prestige made many people's hearts surge with emotion.

They wanted to make a name for themselves in this mission, so they could have a better future.

However, just as everyone was eager.

Sun Wangxian's expression turned solemn, and he glared at everyone with angry eyes.

"Brother Sun, what's wrong?" everyone asked, confused.

Just as Captain Wang was about to inquire.

Sun Wangxian suddenly spoke.

"Everyone, this matter concerns everyone's future and is extremely important to all of us."

"But I heard that someone wants to take this opportunity to attack our own people."

"This is absolutely unacceptable to me."

"I don't care who that person is, or what reward you're trying to get. You need to behave yourself during this time."

"Otherwise, don't blame me for showing no mercy and personally cleaning house for the Town Martial Division."

He swept his gaze indifferently over the crowd.

In an instant.

Many people's expressions changed.

He An watched this scene, his heart filled with curiosity.

Sun Wangxian saying this was clearly meant to help him.

But the key was, he didn't have much of a relationship with Sun Wangxian, nor did his elder brother.

Since that was the case.

Why was the other party helping him?

Could it be Brother Wu's arrangement?