The man nodded and smiled. "In that case, close up for fifty years first."
"...Steward Chai!!" Old Zhang's voice cracked.
"A murderer killed someone in your restaurant and vanished without a trace in less than a quarter of an hour, yet your people know nothing whatsoever." The man narrowed his eyes. "Who would believe this restaurant had nothing to do with the murderer?"
"We really don't know anything, Steward Chai! We didn't even know the heroes of your esteemed gang were drinking here!"
Just then, a low voice came from inside the building. "Let him in."
Steward Chai glanced at Old Zhang and stepped aside.
Old Zhang had long since lost that "now I'm in the clear" expression he had worn upon receiving the written order outside Bai Sibing's residence. Having come to the Prefectural City from peaceful, friendly Fenghuai, he truly had no idea how to deal with these vicious gangs.
He forced himself to walk over calmly, his legs trembling and his face white.
Pei Ye followed in silence. He had barely taken a step when a fierce gust whistled before him, and a sheathed sword slammed into the tree in front of him. Its iron-capped end shattered the bark and gouged out a dent, sending wood chips flying and making the boy instinctively turn his head aside.
"Proprietor Zhang, is the dog you're leading really so ill-trained?" Steward Chai did not look at Pei Ye, but turned back and spoke coldly.
Old Zhang turned in a panic. Seeing the boy blocked there, he hurriedly said, "Ah! Little Pei, you don't need to follow me! Just wait outside. It-it's all right."
Pei Ye stood still for the moment, looking at the man in black before him. "What official position do you hold?"
Steward Chai whipped his head around