Fang Xiao's Plan

"Young Master only went out for half a day and already found out Yuan Chengji was an inside mole, with the tea stall owner and a so-called young master girl behind him..."

After a brief conversation with Chu Ming, he had completely confirmed that the mysterious person was indeed their young master.

Fang Xiao's tense face finally relaxed.

"Young Master has hidden his strength. Just his movement techniques and stealth skills are no weaker than mine."

"Heh heh, I never expected it. My plan seems to be unnecessary now."

"With Young Master's strength, the Chu Family... can hardly threaten him anymore."

"However, since Shao Pengshu has been summoned, let's continue."

A small house near Wheat Valley Alley.

"Have the evidence been collected?" Fang Xiao asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, Instructor Fang, rest assured." Shao Pengshu picked up a gray cloth bundle, and a foul odor immediately spread out.

"What about the bodies?"

"Lin Zhenwu and Tan Hong have gone to collect them."

"Mm."

"Instructor Fang, should we notify Chief Constable Hou?"

"The Wheat Valley Alley case has basically been figured out, so there's no need to keep it from Chief Constable Hou anymore."

"Instructor Fang, you don't know, but I had to drink a lot that day before I dared to accuse you and Chief Constable Hou."

"If this isn't clarified, I, Shao Pengshu, fear I'll truly be seen as an arrogant and ruthless villain."

Shao Pengshu said with an innocent expression.

Fang Xiao's expression was calm: "Mm, we do need to inform Chief Constable Hou."

"However, let's wait until we catch the tea stall owner and the girl."

"Besides, Chief Constable Hou can't come tonight."

"Heh heh, his wife wouldn't allow it, would she?" Shao Pengshu's eyes flickered.

Fang Xiao said solemnly: "Chief Constable Hou is different from you and me; he has a family."

"You're not young anymore, haven't you considered getting married?"

Shao Pengshu's expression instantly turned serious, and he changed the subject: "How does Instructor Fang plan to compensate Chief Constable Hou?"

He didn't want to be tied down; there were plenty of women in the entertainment districts and brothels, and he could do as he pleased.

Fang Xiao fell silent.

The Wheat Valley Alley murder case would not have alarmed the Baiyuan County Criminal Defense Division.

The arrival of Shao Pengshu and the other two was actually his covert arrangement.

The purpose was to have Shao Pengshu solve the Wheat Valley Alley murder case and achieve great merit.

Shao Pengshu was someone he had personally trained, a trusted subordinate.

The insults at Wheat Valley Alley a few days ago were just an act.

"Captain Shao, this merit should be enough for you to be promoted to Principal Eighth Rank Criminal Captain. Remember to handle the task I've given you well."

"As for Chief Constable Hou's compensation, I'll consider it further."

Giving this case's merit to Shao Pengshu would solidify the charges of incompetence against him and Hou Ping.

The punishment of salary reduction wasn't important; what truly made him feel sorry for Hou Ping was colluding with Shao Pengshu, hiding it from Hou Ping, and designing the investigation to concentrate the merit on Shao Pengshu.

But there was no other way. Hou Ping was a good person, but he couldn't control his wife at home, and that wife... was not discreet.

For the young master, he had to do this.

"Mm, Instructor Fang has given me a second life. I will definitely protect that young master."

"But, Instructor Fang, I heard from Instructor Lin that the young master is frail and sickly, and has been uneducated since childhood. How could he have ranked first in the academy examination?" Shao Pengshu asked in a low voice.

"Did Lin Zhenwu say that, or are you asking yourself?" Fang Xiao's tone was calm.

"Heh heh, Instructor Fang, I'm just curious. I specifically inquired before coming. The young master had a serious illness a few days ago, almost..."

"If you say another word, I'll have Lin Zhenwu increase your usual training."

"I'll shut up myself." Shao Pengshu obediently retreated to the side, and the small house fell silent.

Fang Xiao's eyes were bloodshot, and he said in a low voice, "When will Lin Zhenwu arrive?"

"I sent the news back to Baiyuan County yesterday as soon as I received it. We'll probably have to wait a bit longer..."

"Instructor Fang..." Shao Pengshu paused, his eyes flickering slightly, "Will Instructor Lin compete with me for merit?"

"Does your Instructor Lin lack this little bit of merit?" Fang Xiao said calmly. "His merit from killing a few barbarians far surpasses this murder case."

He unfolded the paper again, his gaze sinking into it for a long time.

"Let's discuss the plan for what comes next."

"First, the strength of the tea stall owner and the young girl practicing the Blood Refining Technique is unknown. We must wait for Lin Zhenwu to hold the line; we cannot let them escape."

"Instructor Lin is an expert who has condensed eleven strands of blood energy. With him lending a hand, they certainly won't be able to get away," Shao Pengshu replied.

Fang Xiao nodded and continued, "Second, Yuan Chengji is dead. This matter cannot be exposed, or we will alert the enemy. Therefore, we must find someone to take his place."

Shao Pengshu pondered for a moment. "That's simple. Both Zhang Yi and Tan Hong have studied disguise."

"Good." Fang Xiao folded the paper and looked out the window.

"The time is nearly upon us. We shall split up; you go and keep an eye on the tea stall owner and the girl, while I head to Chief Constable Hou's house to prevent any accidents."

The paper had mentioned that the young girl intended to make a move against Hou Ping.

"Remember to be careful."

"Rest assured, Instructor Fang."

Under the cover of night, two figures departed in opposite directions.

Early morning.

Hou Ping walked out of his home with a relaxed expression and arrived at a roadside stall.

"Master Hou, the usual?" the stall owner asked with a flattering smile.

"Yes. Five fried dough sticks, five bowls of tofu pudding, and twenty steamed buns. How much?"

"No need, no need. If it weren't for you giving me that tael of silver to set up this stall, my whole family would likely have starved to death on the streets. I absolutely cannot take your money, Master Hou."

"Nonsense. Business is business; whoever comes to buy must pay," Hou Ping said with a stern face, pulling twenty or thirty copper coins from his robe. "I am no exception."

He tossed the coins onto the stall, and seeing the stall owner's anxious expression, he added with a smile, "Save up your money early, and pay me back sooner."

Upon hearing this, the breakfast stall owner's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Master Hou! I will certainly work hard."

"Master Hou, everything is packed."

"Mm."

Hou Ping carried the breakfast and arrived at the Catching Yamen.

"Morning, Chief Constable Hou." Two bailiffs were chatting at the entrance of the Yamen.

"Here, breakfast."

"Thank you, Chief Constable Hou."

Hou Ping looked around and asked, "Where is Yuan Chengji?"

The two bailiffs' expressions stiffened at the mention of the name, and they lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

"Where is he?"

Although they were tasked with staking out Wheat Valley Alley, they were supposed to meet at the Catching Yamen every morning—partly to give their bodies a brief rest, and partly to discuss the day's surveillance points.

"He... he..." the two bailiffs stammered.

Yuan Chengji had not returned since he left at dusk yesterday.

But they dared not say it.

"Here, I'm here!"

Just then, a voice came from inside the Yamen. A man was seen running over in a panic, clutching his waistband with one hand and holding a piece of rough toilet paper in the other.

There was no need to ask what he had been doing.

Hou Ping merely frowned slightly and tossed a portion of breakfast toward him. "Lazy people have too much trouble."

"Heh heh," Yuan Chengji took the breakfast and laughed sheepishly. "Thank you, Chief Constable Hou!"

"Enough, spare me the empty flattery and just do your job well!"

"Eat quickly. We need to hurry to Wheat Valley Alley."

After saying this, Hou Ping picked up two portions of breakfast and turned to leave.

They could meet at the Catching Yamen in the morning, but they couldn't all leave Wheat Valley Alley at once. Fang Xiao was still on watch, so he needed to get there quickly.

"Chief Constable Hou, Head Constable Fang has returned. He is in the inner hall," Yuan Chengji said, his mouth stuffed with a fried dough stick.