Just as Lu Chuan was about to step forward and explain, Su Tang beat him to it.
"Commander Huang," she said calmly and clearly, "while you were away, your men barged into a private residence and forcibly assaulted a civilian woman. My junior brother Lu Chuan stepped in to stop them..."
After hearing the full account, Huang Rong's expression turned even uglier.
He turned and glanced at Meng Wei, who was cowering by the doorway.
The kid opened his mouth as if to say something, but Huang Rong's glare frightened him so badly that he did not dare utter a single word.
Clearly, Meng Wei's heavily embellished version of events had nearly caused Huang Rong to make a grave mistake.
Huang Rong ignored him and walked over to crouch beside Tang Xingcheng, carefully examining his injuries.
Once he had finished, he let out a breath of relief and waved to the two men behind him.
"He's only unconscious. Carry him back."
The two stepped forward, hoisted Tang Xingcheng up, and carried him outside.
Huang Rong turned to Su Tang and cupped his hands, his tone carrying a hint of apology. "My subordinates were ignorant and made a spectacle of themselves before you. I understand what happened. I will deal with it when we return."
Then he glanced at Lu Chuan. "And thank you all for showing mercy. If someone had truly died, it would have been hard for me, as commander, to answer for it."
After all, no matter how worthless Tang Xingcheng was, he was still a member of the Demon Suppression Division. If he had truly been beaten to death in this courtyard, Huang Rong would not only lose face, but also have to deal with questions from his superiors upon returning.
Now that he had merely been