At Zhang Weiyu's piercing glare, even Fan Qingqing, with Inner Palace cultivation, lowered her brows and cast down her eyes, showing not the slightest intent to resist.
Yet Dugu Xiao, weak in strength and low in status, lifted her head and met his gaze!
Inside the town hall, the atmosphere froze for a moment.
"Impudent."
At that moment, another voice drifted leisurely into the town hall.
Everyone looked over to see a fat figure squeezing through the doorway. Walking seemed too strenuous for him, so he moved very slowly.
Though he spoke of impudence, he wore a smile. "Dugu Xiao, do you know who this man before you is? You still want to inspect his seal and credentials—are you treating him as some local thug or bandit? A dignified fourth-rank Ministry of Personnel Director, and he is not worthy of your trust? His backer is Court Consultant Chen Fu of the Administration Hall! Even if he truly barged in without authorization or conducted a private investigation without an imperial decree, what could you do about it?"
Zhang Weiyu finally could not bear listening any longer. Looking at Dugu Xiao, he said, "You are the Tingzhang of Green Sheep Town? Inspecting seals and credentials is only proper. This official naturally has no reason to evade it."
He took a stamped official document from his Storage Box and handed it forward. "An official document issued by the Administration Hall. The seals and wording are all here. Examine it yourself!"
Zhang Weiyu's imposing presence pressed Dugu Xiao until she nearly staggered, but she still stood firm. Taking the document, she inspected it carefully.
A succession of footsteps fell like sudden rain pelting down.
Only then did the large contingent of soldiers, their auras cold and stern, catch up. They crowded into the town