Drag Him Off and Beat Him First!

Amid the murderous tension, Song Xuan slowly spoke. "I don't know who that notorious Flower Thief is yet, but that doesn't matter. The commandery governor who tried the adultery case certainly knows!"

As he spoke, he called into the prison.

"Big Ox, bring Sun Bu'er and his wife out!"

"Right away!"

Big Ox's reply rumbled like thunder from inside the Heavenly Prison. Before long, the sounds of fists striking flesh and bodies being slammed to the ground came from within.

Soon, Big Ox's towering, iron-pagoda-like figure appeared at the prison entrance. Carrying Sun Bu'er and his wife, one in each hand, he strode briskly outside.

"Good lord..."

Jin Yichuan, who had been bristling with murderous intent a moment earlier, let out an involuntary exclamation at the sight of Big Ox's massive frame, which cast a broad shadow before he even drew near.

"Lord Song, is he one of yours?"

Shen Lian asked warily. Big Ox's presence was overwhelmingly imposing. One glance told him the man possessed innate prodigious strength. If he had trained in body-hardening arts, then donned heavy armor and wielded a pair of heavy swords, he would be a walking meat grinder on the battlefield!

"His name is Niu Mang. He's with the Inspection Office!"

Song Xuan offered only that brief explanation, without elaborating, because Clerk Ye had already come running up behind Big Ox in a fury.

"Lord Song, what is the meaning of this? Why are your men raiding the Heavenly Prison?"

Clerk Ye's expression was extremely ugly. He had brought them to the Heavenly Prison, only for condemned prisoners held inside to be forcibly taken away. If his superiors held anyone accountable, a considerable share of the blame would fall on him.

"It means nothing of the sort!"

Song Xuan smiled. "The Black Robe Guard is taking over this case now. Keeping them in Huai'an Commandery's Heavenly Prison is no longer appropriate."

Clerk Ye was helpless. "But he's a condemned prisoner! If you simply take him away, how am I supposed to..."

Before he could finish, Song Qian shot him a glare and said coldly, "Clerk Ye, let me be blunt. We don't trust your Huai'an Commandery prison to hold Sun Liu and her husband!

"The Black Robe Guard is taking them away. Do you actually dare stop us?"

Clerk Ye no longer dared speak. Especially after seeing the twenty-odd mounted Black Robe Guards outside on the street, all radiating murderous intent, he had the good sense to shut his mouth and step back.

Song Xuan stepped forward and saluted him with clasped hands.

"Clerk Ye, we haven't known each other long, but you strike me as a capable man. The skies over Huai'an Commandery may soon change. Sorry for the trouble, but please lead your men in maintaining order within the city!"

"Ah... oh, yes, yes..."

Clerk Ye nodded blankly, only to see Song Xuan swing onto his horse and beckon to Song Qian and the others. "Come on. I'll take you to kill some people!"

At this point in the investigation, they had confirmed that the case involved people from the martial world. That placed it squarely within the Black Robe Guard's jurisdiction, so Song Xuan cast aside his remaining scruples and went all out.

Thud, thud, thud...

The thunder of galloping hooves deafened the streets. Seeing the mounted Black Robe Guards racing past like a black cloud, many townsfolk hurriedly scattered, trembling in fear.

Once the dark mass of cavalry vanished around the far end of the street, the townsfolk hiding nearby emerged onto the road and began whispering among themselves.

"Those were Black Robe Guards, weren't they? Has something serious happened?"

"Looking at their direction, they seemed to be heading for the governor's residence. Could the governor be going down?"

"Shh, keep your voice down. If he doesn't go down, won't he come after you later?"

"What's there to fear? Those are the Black Robe Guards who specialize in killing. With a whole pack of death-dealing fiends charging straight at his residence, do you think that fat bastard can survive?"

"Oh, you seem quite well informed, brother. Are you really not afraid the governor will survive this calamity and come looking for trouble?"

"What's there to fear? Someone in my family holds office in the Imperial Capital. Why the hell would I be afraid of him?"

"So you're a gentleman with capital connections! Forgive my lack of respect!"

Outside the governor's residence, several yamen runners who had been dozing in the sun instantly lost all trace of sleepiness at the sight of the ferocious Black Robe Guards. Their legs shook with fear.

"Open the gates!"

Song Xuan barked coldly.

The runners all turned toward their squad leader. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he did not hesitate for an instant, promptly opening the gates to the government compound.

Judging by the Black Robe Guard's posture, the slightest hesitation would probably cost him his head in the next instant. They're here for the officials inside anyway. Why should a lowly squad leader like me risk my life?

As the gates opened, Song Xuan spurred his horse forward and charged in at the head of the group.

The courtyard erupted into noisy chaos. Without waiting for Song Xuan's command, Lu Xiaoliu and Skinny Monkey rushed into a hall and dragged out an official.

"Are you the commandery governor?"

Seated on horseback, Song Xuan looked down at the terrified official.

"No. This humble official... this humble official is Li, assistant prefect of Huai'an Commandery..."

Song Xuan waved a hand. "Drag him off and beat him first!"

Without another word, Lu Xiaoliu hauled the man away behind them. Soon, scream after scream poured from his mouth.

As Lu Xiaoliu beat him, he kicked him in the face, still unsatisfied. "Assistant Prefect Li, is it? You certainly put on airs! I came to your Huai'an Commandery to investigate a case. Since you were here in the government compound, why didn't you come out to welcome me?

"That's what you get for disrespecting me! I'll kick you to death today!"

A short while later, Assistant Prefect Li, beaten half to death, was hauled before Song Xuan again.

"Do you know why you were beaten?"

"Yes..."

Assistant Prefect Li hurriedly replied through slurred speech.

This time, he had learned his lesson. From now on, whenever anyone came from the Imperial Capital, regardless of rank, he would personally go out to welcome them.

Of course, that was assuming he had a future at all.

Judging by the Black Robe Guard's behavior, someone had most likely reported his years of corruption and embezzlement. They intended to offer his head as a sacrifice to their banner!

"Good. I don't want to waste words. Tell me straight: who exactly is that notorious Flower Thief?"

Assistant Prefect Li froze, his heart stopping for an instant.

They didn't come specifically to arrest me?

His heart pounding wildly, he hurriedly shook his head. "My lord, I truly don't know!"

"You don't know?" Song Xuan chuckled. "Your men arrested Sun Liu. Don't tell me you know nothing whatsoever about the dirty dealings behind this!"

"My lord, I'm innocent! I truly am innocent!"

Assistant Prefect Li wept, tears and snot streaming down his face. "My men arrested Sun Liu only to squeeze some money out of her, but I really wasn't the one who handled the case. The governor personally conducted the entire trial!

"If you want to arrest someone, arrest the governor. He must know everything!"

At that moment, he hated that fat bastard of a governor to death. Why couldn't we just keep raking in money and playing with women here in Huai'an Commandery? What possessed you to wipe that Flower Thief's backside for him?

Now look what you've done! You failed to wipe his backside clean and brought the Black Robe Guard down on us instead. Now even dying won't come easy!