Deep in the dense forest on Peach Blossom Island.
Four skeletal men stood in a row.
Jia Huan's brow relaxed.
Learning that the White Lotus Cult was not behind this greatly reduced the difficulty of the case.
"How many bandits were there?" he continued.
The four men hesitated.
Jia Huan snapped his fingers.
"Twin Whips!"
Moments later, Twin Whips hurried over.
Jia Huan offered them an incentive.
"Provide an important lead, and you'll receive two First-Rate Martial Art manuals."
This approach never failed with people of the Jianghu.
Twin Whips took two secret manuals from inside his robe.
The four men's eyes lit up. The oldest among them declared firmly:
"My lord Jia, the bandits had four boats and well over a hundred men. Without a word, they surrounded and attacked the Weaving Bureau's great ship. Their positions were clearly defined, and they followed orders. Every one of them was skilled in the water. They were probably imperial naval troops."
Jia Huan scrutinized him and asked sternly:
"Were there flags on their boats?"
The man shook his head.
"Could you make out their faces?"
The man smiled bitterly. "They were far away, and I was down at the riverbed. All I could make out was black iron armor."
Jia Huan sank into thought.
Too many factions could deploy over a hundred elite fighters; they did not necessarily belong to the imperial court. Jiangnan's major salt smugglers and powerful aristocratic clans, for instance, all maintained private armed forces.
The oldest man glanced at the martial arts manuals, then gritted his teeth.
"My lord, may I speak with you aside?"
"Please." Jia Huan stepped away.
When they reached a secluded stream, the man looked around and said quietly:
"They were far away, and the waves were high. I couldn't make out their