A wanted criminal of the court

"Fushun Escort Agency?"

Zhu Guangxiao, who was standing not far away, asked a question as if seeking confirmation, which attracted the attention of everyone, including Governor Zhang.

Governor Zhang frowned and asked, "You know this escort agency?"

Zhu Guangxiao replied, "The Fushun Escort Agency was the merchant caravan we encountered on our way to Yunzhou, which was massacred by bandits. The Fushun Escort Agency also has another name: the Fushun Chamber of Commerce."

As he spoke, he glanced at those two scoundrels, Song Tingfeng and Xu Qi'an. It was those two who had passed the buck back and forth that day, ultimately dumping the job on him.

He was responsible for returning the belongings of Zhao Long, the owner of the Chamber of Commerce, to his family. Following the address, he found the Fushun Escort Agency.

"Perhaps they knew the governor had returned from his inspection and came specifically to express their gratitude," a silver-gong-wielding official guessed.

If they hadn't wiped out the bandits and recovered the goods, Fushun Escort Agency would probably have lost everything.

Therefore, it is understandable that the other bodyguards from the escort agency and Zhao Long's family came to see the governor to express their gratitude.

This was the first act of kindness that Governor Zhang had done upon arriving in Yunzhou. He stroked his beard and chuckled, "Then let them in."

Soon, three middle-aged men dressed in thick blue cotton coats, tightly cinched with matching belts, wearing black boots and rat-skin hats, entered, led by the Tiger Guards.

They wore the words "Fu Shun" embroidered in scarlet on their chests.

The three men arrived empty-handed; their weapons had been confiscated at the doorway.

Xu Qi'an squinted and scanned the three men. The bearded man in the lead was at the Qi Refining Realm, while the other two were at the Essence Refining Realm.

"This humble citizen, Zhao Rui, is the newly appointed head of the Fushun Escort Agency. I greet Governor Zhang." The bearded man bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

In Confucian School etiquette, one should only kneel before Heaven, Earth, the ruler, parents, and teachers. When commoners meet officials, they only need to bow, not kneel. Of course, this does not apply when they are in court.

No wonder he's only at the Qi Refining Realm; he's the new head of the escort agency. Only someone at the Qi Refining Realm could run such a large escort agency. Xu Qi'an withdrew his scrutinizing gaze.

Governor Zhang nodded and asked, "What is your relationship with Zhao Long?"

Zhao Rui said with a heavy heart, "Zhao Long was my elder brother. Upon hearing the tragic news, my family was filled with grief. I, a humble citizen, kowtow to thank Your Excellency the Governor and offer my gratitude for avenging my brother."

After saying this, he knelt down and kowtowed.

Governor Zhang accepted the kneeling obeisance without hesitation, intending to offer a few words of comfort and some polite platitudes before sending the person away.

Unexpectedly, after Zhao Rui stood up, he said, "This humble subject has come here not only to express gratitude to the governor, but also to fulfill a security escort duty."

Escort?!

Everyone was taken aback, and looked the three of them over again, only then realizing that they were wearing the armor of bodyguards, not casual clothes.

Governor Zhang asked thoughtfully, "Why do you say that?"

Zhao Rui clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yesterday, a mysterious guest came to the escort agency and said he wanted to send an 'item' to the governor. The guest also said that it was a wanted criminal by the imperial court and asked me to personally deliver it to the governor."

"I know this is against the rules; a wanted criminal should be handed over to the authorities. But he offered far too much."

The wanted criminal, Governor Zhang, turned his head and glanced at Jiang Luzhong and Xu Qi'an. Jiang Luzhong's eyes showed both surprise and expectation, as if he had realized something.

Xu Qi'an's eyes were cloudy, his pupils were unfocused, and he seemed somewhat inattentive.

Governor Zhang thought to himself that it was unwise for Ningyan to choose to advance to the Spirit Refining Realm at this time. But then he thought that for ordinary people, ten days was the limit. Normally, Xu Ningyan should have advanced smoothly when he arrived in Yunzhou.

Who would have thought he was so outstanding?

"Bring him up!" Governor Zhang said in a deep voice.

Zhao Rui accepted the order and, with two companions, left the post station and headed straight for the carriage parked at the entrance, where a dozen or so strong young bodyguards stood guard.

Upon seeing Zhao Rui emerge, the young and strong bodyguards understood immediately. They dragged a man with a burlap sack over his head out of the carriage and escorted him into the post station.

The man appeared to have injured his foot; he limped and had great difficulty walking.

Upon entering the post station, everyone's eyes were fixed on the man with the burlap sack over his head, especially those of Xu Qi'an and a few others who knew Liang Youping's background.

Governor Zhang stood up, pointed at the man with a burlap sack over his head, and said urgently, "Quickly, quickly, take the burlap sack off!"

Without the Tiger Guards stepping forward, Zhang Rui ripped off the sack, revealing the man's true face.

He had a thin face, rough skin, and light brown eyes that were extremely sharp when he looked around.

Liang Youping, a staff member of the Military Commandery, was a senior staff member of the Military Affairs Department.

The Qi faction member who was on the run, the one who handed the ledger to Xu Qi'an.

"I searched high and low without finding it, only to have it come to me effortlessly," Governor Zhang murmured. He took a deep breath and gave the order:

"Verify your identity!"

A gong player stepped forward, pinched Liang Youping's face, examined him carefully, and reported, "It is indeed him."

The most common disguise technique used by people on the streets is nothing more than a human skin mask, which is easily seen through by those with keen eyesight.

Because of stiffness and lack of expression.

As for more advanced disguise techniques, they often involve highly skilled individuals, which ordinary people cannot achieve.

"Hoo," Governor Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Zhang Rui and the others, and said with a smile, "This man is indeed a wanted criminal by the imperial court."

He glanced sideways at Xu Qi'an. The latter understood immediately, and strode upstairs to drag out the three reclusive Warlock.

"Keep an eye on the three bodyguards downstairs and make sure they're not lying."

"Yes, Young Master Xu."

Downstairs, Governor Zhang asked, "What is the identity of that mysterious guest?"

"This humble one does not know," Zhao Rui shook his head. "That person was wearing a cloak and a hood, so I cannot see his identity."

"You're not lying!" The white-robed Warlock ' eyes gleamed.

This answer makes sense. Regardless of the other party's purpose, they must have disguised themselves when entering the escort agency. These days, there's no regulation requiring ID registration for sending express mail.

As modern-day deliverymen, bodyguards don't have the five social insurances and one housing fund, nor commercial insurance. If they don't know the rules, they might just ask, "Please show your identity and register."

They might be met with a guillotine.

"Tou Zhao!"

Xu Qi'an suddenly shouted from upstairs.

Downstairs in the lobby, everyone looked up.

Xu Qi'an asked cautiously, "Did that mysterious customer who sent the package say anything?"

Zhao Rui clasped his hands and said, "They want us to send this man to the post station, hand him over to the governor, and tell him he is a wanted criminal by the imperial court."

"Anything else?" Xu Qi'an reminded him, "For example: 'Holding the bright moon in my hand and plucking the stars from the sky, is there anyone in this world like me?'"

Zhao Rui looked bewildered. "No."

"Was he facing away from you?"

"No." Zhao Rui was a little annoyed. What kind of strange questions were these?

Xu Qi'an nodded, indicating that he understood.

Xu Qi'an suspected that Wang was behind all of this, but he had no evidence.

Although both questions were rejected, it doesn't mean that Yang Qianhuan, the master of deception, isn't the one to question things. Because after Liang Youping delivers the package to the post station, we will definitely try to find out the identity of the "sender" indirectly.

Although the "Pretentious King" seems to have some mental issues, he's not stupid and wouldn't leave such an obvious flaw.

What puzzled Xu Qi'an was why the "Pretentious King" didn't just show up. Logically speaking, this was the opportunity the "Pretentious King" most desired to turn the tide.

Imagine, just when the case had reached a dead end and the governor and others were scratching their heads in frustration, he suddenly jumped out and said in a long, melodious voice:

Holding the bright moon in my hand and plucking stars from the sky, there is no one like me in this world.

With his back to everyone, and Liang Youping standing on his feet!

It skyrocketed instantly, okay?

Player of the Match, MVP!

Is there some unavoidable reason preventing them from showing themselves?

Governor Zhang made a few more indirect remarks, and then ordered the Tiger Guards to see the guests out.

"Bring him to my room. I will interrogate him personally." Governor Zhang put his hands behind his back and went up the stairs to the second floor.

As Governor Zhang went upstairs, he passed Xu Qi'an and asked, "Have you discovered something?"

"No." Xu Qi'an shook his head, then added, "They weren't lying."

Governor Zhang grunted in agreement and said, "Come inside with me."

Xu Qi'an, accompanied by three white-robed Warlock, followed Governor Zhang into the room. Jiang Luzhong then entered, carrying Liang Youping, and tossed the cripple onto the floor like trash before turning around and closing the door.

Liang Youping's hands were tied, but he didn't get up, resignedly sitting on the ground.

"So you are Liang Youping?" Governor Zhang sat behind his desk, staring sternly at the lame man.

"The governor seems to know me quite well," Liang Youping chuckled.

"You murdered the owner of the dog meat shop at No. 15, Huangbo Street, and disguised yourself as a contact to hand over the account books to us in order to frame Yang Chuannan. Who else is behind you? Tell us everything." Governor Zhang said in a deep voice.

"If I confess, will the governor spare my life?" Liang Youping sneered.

"You're guilty of a capital offense, but I can make your death quicker." Jiang Luzhong sat to one side, holding a cup of tea, his smile chilling.

"You can try the methods the Nightwatchers to torture prisoners."