Speculation

Calming himself, Fang Xing put those thoughts aside.

Although killing martial artists could earn him Enhancement Points, martial artists were not so easily killed.

At the very least, his current strength was insufficient.

However, with this unexpected windfall of fifty Enhancement Points, he could set about enhancing his martial arts.

A hint of anticipation stirred in his heart regarding what changes would occur after his martial arts were enhanced.

"The emissary..."

"Who could it be?"

Drawing his saber, he wiped the blood from the blade and sheathed it. Looking at Xu Hu's corpse, Fang Xing pondered.

Judging by that final sentence, the person behind Xu Hu was likely no simple figure.

From this point alone, he could completely rule out Yang Bo as the culprit.

The term "emissary" usually pointed to a pugilistic faction.

The person truly targeting him was likely this so-called emissary.

Yet, given his status as a mere Yamen Runner, what pugilistic faction would go to such great lengths to deal with him?

For someone to strike at him from the shadows, this grudge was certainly not light.

"Emissary... pugilistic faction... could it be!"

Suddenly, a name surfaced in Fang Xing's mind.

The Fire Worship Cult!

When he first transmigrated here, his predecessor had been hunting a fugitive.

And that fugitive was from the Fire Worship Cult.

For a cultist to refer to someone as an emissary did not seem out of place.

"Could it be that guy..." Fang Xing recalled a somewhat blurred face.

Was the Black Tiger Gang backed by the Fire Worship Cult?

Had the evil cult already infiltrated Qingshan...

The fugitive was a cultist, and then he instructed the Black Tiger Gang leader to make a move against him; everything seemed to connect.

However, Fang Xing could not be entirely certain; all of this was merely based on his speculation.

Now that he had finished off the Black Tiger Gang leader, this "emissary" in the shadows would likely go into hiding.

Like a venomous snake in the darkness, it would probably strike at him at any moment.

Furthermore, once it became clear that he was the one responsible, this "emissary" would likely become even more vigilant.

Drawing them out would be very difficult.

"My strength is still insufficient... but if it really is that fugitive, then perhaps it won't be a major issue."

Thoughts flashed through Fang Xing's mind.

The fugitive had Bright Force cultivation; even after being severely wounded, he had managed to escape. He estimated the man had reached the peak of Bright Force.

If that were the case, while he would be under pressure, it wouldn't be a massive problem.

He couldn't handle a peak Bright Force expert right now, but with enough Enhancement Points to upgrade his items and increase his strength, it wouldn't be a big deal.

After all, having lost the Black Tiger Gang leader, this guy would definitely have to be more careful.

He certainly wouldn't make a move so easily.

Regardless of whether the fugitive was this emissary, he had some time.

And this time was for him to improve his strength.

Most importantly, this shadowy emissary surely didn't know he had been promoted to Deputy Constable.

If he knew, he would certainly have to "reconsider his strategy"!

He would have to act while trying his best not to expose himself.

That meant this period of time might be even longer.

Perhaps several months, or even longer.

That was extremely advantageous for him!

In a few months, the Enhancement Points he could obtain would exceed one hundred.

With sufficient resources, even if his innate talent was mediocre, his comprehension was strong enough. Even if he couldn't break through his current realm, reaching the peak of Bright Force in a few months was not a major problem.

Having figured this out, Fang Xing relaxed.

No matter who this "emissary" was, at least he had some time to improve his strength.

Looking at Xu Hu's corpse, Fang Xing's expression calmed.

He then walked toward the entrance of the gambling den.

Seeing Fang Xing emerge, Xu Le and the others stepped forward, but upon seeing the bloodstains on Fang Xing's uniform, Xu Le's expression immediately tightened.

Xu Le glanced into the dim gambling den and, failing to see Xu Hu, couldn't help but look at Fang Xing: "How did it go?"

At Xu Le's question, the several Yamen Runners and the few Black Tiger Gang members nearby all looked at him.

Fang Xing said indifferently: "It's already been resolved."

"Resolved..."

Hearing this, the Black Tiger Gang members let out a collective sigh of relief.

A horse-faced youth smiled and stepped forward: "My lords, since everything is fine, we can go back to business as usual, right? Sorry to trouble you."

Fang Xing cast a glance at the horse-faced youth, his expression detached: "Fine? Who said that?"

"???"

As soon as these words were spoken, the horse-faced youth froze.

Wasn't it resolved?

The Yamen Runners also looked at Fang Xing, completely bewildered.

"Xu Hu was suspected of hiring assassins to commit murder, but failed. Afterwards, he intentionally silenced the witnesses and killed two people. Just now, the matter was exposed, and this man has been executed."

BOOM!!!

Fang Xing's voice rang out again, every word clearly falling into everyone's ears.

This statement sounded like a thunderclap exploding in the minds of the Black Tiger Gang members.

The Gang Leader... was dead?!

This... how was this possible!

The Gang Leader was a Bright Force martial artist!

He died in just this short time?!

Fake, it must be fake!

The Black Tiger Gang members were momentarily stunned.

Even Xu Le and the others were taken aback by Fang Xing's words.

Fang Xing had killed the Black Tiger Gang leader.

The Black Tiger Gang leader was a genuine Bright Force martial artist.

Xu Le couldn't believe it.

Although he knew Fang Xing had won their sparring match, he never imagined Fang Xing's strength would be this formidable.

To be able to kill a formal martial artist only a day or two after entering the Bright Force realm.

This... it was simply unbelievable.

"Fang... Boss, is... is this true?"

A Yamen Runner came to his senses, staring blankly at Fang Xing, and couldn't help but ask.

"Of course. This man has been brought to justice; this case is now closed," Fang Xing stated.

Hearing this, the Yamen Runners were fully convinced that it wasn't a lie.

However, Fang Xing's sudden display of force made a hint of gravity rise in their hearts.

His strength was so immense, and his actions so swift and decisive!

It was as if he were a completely different person than the Fang Xing they knew before.

This first act since taking office had completely blinded them.

On his first day, he had eliminated a Bright Force martial artist and dealt with a gang leader.

Regardless of the process, the result was absolutely shocking.

"Boss, what should we do with them?" Xu Le changed his form of address, his tone containing a hint of respect.

Hearing this, the dazed Black Tiger Gang members suddenly reacted.

Subconsciously wanting to run, they felt a formless pressure emanating from Fang Xing. Their legs went weak, and they stood still in their tracks.

"Confiscate their valuables as a penalty," Fang Xing said.

As a Deputy Constable, second only to Xu Zhengxiong, the man in charge of North City, he had the authority to pass judgment.

Great Jing Dynasty Yamen Runners didn't just maintain public order.

They also held the power of arrest and judgment.

Unless it was a particularly major case requiring the County Magistrate's ruling, for minor cases, as a Deputy Constable, he could almost decide a person's fate with a single word.

Even after killing Xu Hu, there wouldn't be any major repercussions.

He just needed to report it to Xu Zhengxiong upon returning.

This was the power of a Deputy Constable!

The yamen runner integrated the functions of interrogation and arrest into one.

A few deaths would hardly stir up any waves.

Between the refugees starving outside the city walls and the infighting of the Black Tiger Gang, people died every single day.

In an era when the chaos of the world was slowly rising, human life was worth less than a dog's.

Hearing Fang Xing's words, the few members of the Black Tiger Gang heaved a sigh of relief. Without waiting for the yamen runner to step forward, they immediately took the initiative to hand over the money pouches on their persons.

All five men respectfully surrendered their wealth.

Every single money pouch fell into Fang Xing's hands.

After weighing them, Fang Xing nodded and immediately distributed four of the pouches to Xu Le and the others.

One for each.

Although they were only scattered coins without even a sliver of broken silver, this money could still be considered an unexpected windfall.

Everyone was beaming with joy.

Of course, in name, Fang Xing was merely having them collect fines.

The justification was nothing more than a single sentence from his mouth.