Ye City Magistrate's Residence.
In the main hall, County Magistrate Yuan Shouheng, clad in official robes, sat in a lower seat, his expression tense and somewhat meek.
At the very center sat a man in brocade robes.
His face was fair and beardless, as handsome as jade beneath a crown, with a faintly yin and yielding aura about him.
Yuan Shouheng's heart was also filled with unease.
This man had suddenly barged into the magistrate's residence that morning, produced a token, and demanded to see him by name.
Fortunately, Yuan Shouheng had sharp eyes and a good memory.
He recalled what that token represented.
Otherwise, if he had come into conflict with them, a hundred heads would not have been enough for him to lose.
He lowered his brows and observed the other man's expression, asking cautiously:
"My lord, I wonder what business has brought you in person to this remote little city?"
The yin-looking man lifted his teacup.
Yuan Shouheng noticed that the man's little finger was slightly raised, and became even more certain of his identity.
After taking a sip of tea, the man frowned.
Then he spat it back into the cup.
He said with obvious disgust:
"Tsk, it reeks of dirt and fishiness. What a rustic backwater."
Yuan Shouheng could only smile apologetically:
"Ye City is remote, and we truly have no fine tea to offer. Please forgive the poor hospitality, my lord."
The yin-looking man cleared his throat and finally got to the point:
"I heard the Flying Fish Gang was wiped out yesterday."
"You settled a group of women?"
Yuan Shouheng's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly nodded.
"That did happen."
"My lord, you are...?"
The yin-looking man said:
"Take me to see them."
"I'm looking for someone—a woman."
Yuan Shouheng's gaze sharpened.