Within the confines of the Patrol Inspectorate, Ma Xiong held a position clearly subordinate to that of the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang. Thus, it was he who took the initiative, rising from his seat and stepping outside the room. This inner chamber, used for “questioning,” was naturally not a place where one could simply enter at will.

“Please have her come in.”

The words exchanged outside were unknown, save for Ma Xiong’s seemingly helpless utterance. He then re-entered the room. A fleeting exchange of glances with the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang conveyed a silent understanding, and the latter offered a slight nod in agreement.

Shortly thereafter, the Master of the Hua Ying Palace of Great Qi entered the chamber. Her stature, exceeding that of most men, commanded attention upon her arrival, drawing all eyes towards her.

“Your Highness, Palace Master,” the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang began, “Please forgive this official for being on duty and unable to perform the full rite.”

Jiang Wu You raised a hand, her expression composed. “No need for excessive courtesy. This is not an interrogation, is it? If so, this palace will take its leave for a while.”

“Of course not. Captain Jiang is not a criminal,” the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang replied, a polite smile gracing his lips. “This is merely a routine questioning.”

“Excellent,” Jiang Wu You responded, a hint of amusement in her voice. “This palace shall observe.”

With those words, she paid no mind to the reactions of the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang and Ma Xiong. Her gaze swept across the room, and with effortless grace, she pulled up a chair and settled on the side. From beginning to end, she had not exchanged a single word with Jiang Wang.

Yet, all present understood the reason for her arrival.

Jiang Wang, however, felt no surprise. The capital Patrol Inspectorate’s blue plaque captain had openly pursued individuals connected to Jiang Wu Qi. If Jiang Wu You remained unaware of this, then the struggle for the position of heir was indeed futile for the Hua Ying Palace. Her swift arrival at the Patrol Inspectorate upon hearing that Jiang Wang had been brought in by Ma Xiong was therefore not unexpected.

Ma Xiong cleared his throat, just as he was about to resume the questioning.

*Knock knock knock.*

Another series of knocks echoed from the door. Naturally, it was out of the question for the Vice Envoy Yang to attend to it, and even less so for the Hua Ying Palace Master.

Ma Xiong sighed inwardly, rising once more to step outside. When he returned, a stout, large figure followed behind him.

Chong Xuan Sheng’s face bore a wide smile. “I haven’t disturbed everyone, have I?”

“Of course not,” the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang replied with a slight smile. “Young Master Chong Xuan, please feel free to sit as you wish. We can continue our questioning of Captain Jiang afterwards.”

Chong Xuan Sheng, never one for excessive politeness, glanced around the room’s empty chairs before smiling. “No matter, my sedan ride was tiring, I’ll stand for a while!”

Jiang Wu You’s presence was understandable. Beyond protecting Jiang Wang, she likely sought to gather firsthand intelligence on the extent of Jiang Wu Qi’s involvement in the matter. Chong Xuan Sheng’s arrival, however, suggested he had caught a whiff of something dangerous.

In truth, the moment he received news of Jiang Wang being taken to the Patrol Inspectorate, he had immediately set off to investigate.

At this moment, Jiang Wang and the two questioners faced each other across a long black table. Jiang Wu You sat poised to the left of the table, her expression serene. Chong Xuan Sheng stood to the right, a smile still playing on his lips, his gaze fixed upon Ma Xiong.

Ma Xiong couldn’t help but return his gaze. Chong Xuan Sheng raised a hand, a smile remaining on his face. “Please, continue. We won’t interfere. You should question as you see fit.”

Ma Xiong’s face registered a hint of helplessness. With one a Palace Master and the other a direct descendant of a renowned clan, positioned to his left and right like two formidable guardians, how was he supposed to proceed with the questioning?

He swallowed dryly, making one final attempt. He spoke softly, “This matter is of great import, even His Majesty is paying attention…”

Jiang Wu You interrupted him, her voice calm, “If this palace’s presence is inconvenient, then I can leave.”

Ma Xiong, of course, could not claim that the Hua Ying Palace Master’s presence was inconvenient. Not unless Jiang Wang was suspected of being an accomplice or was being interrogated as a suspect in the case. As it stood, Jiang Wang was merely a bystander to the event, brought here under the pretense of aiding in reconstructing the scene. He possessed rank and title and was soon to represent the State of Qi in the Yellow River Assembly. Without evidence, Ma Xiong dared not even utter the word “suspicion” concerning him.

Recalling the time in Bei County when Jiang Wang still had to report to him before leaving, and now… Ma Xiong couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The world moved forward, and heroes aged.

He quickly adjusted his demeanor, suppressing any lingering desire for merit and handling grand cases. He spoke properly, “Captain Jiang, please continue.”

Jiang Wang’s attitude remained consistent throughout. He was neither intimidated by facing them alone earlier, nor arrogant now with the support of the Hua Ying Palace Master and Chong Xuan Sheng. He continued his narration, his tone warm and calm: “After I paid my respects to Marquis Jiu Fan, that Zhang Yong suddenly said to me, ‘Why do you pay respects so seriously? You don’t know him, and the Feng Xian Zhang clan can’t bring you any benefits now…’ He then said he simply couldn’t do it, he couldn’t respect any person of the State of Qi. I realized he was not the original Zhang Yong. As a blue plaque, I prepared to apprehend him. After exchanging a few moves, he entered that state of collapsing flesh, soul, life, and everything. I retreated to the spirit shrine doorway, and then Captain Ma, you arrived.”

Ma Xiong pondered for a moment, then asked, “The same state as that Cui Zhu that day?”

“Exactly the same,” Jiang Wang affirmed. “Zhang Yong, he called that state… ‘Extermination Transformation’.”

“Then how did you escape?” Ma Xiong couldn’t help but inquire. “I heard that state is terrifying, with immense killing power.”

Jiang Wang replied nonchalantly, “Because I am very strong.”

Ma Xiong was left speechless.

The Hua Ying Palace Master seemed to find the questioning somewhat dull. “The entire Linzi knows of this matter, Captain Ma, do you still have doubts?”

“Uh, indeed not,” Ma Xiong paused. “However, I still have some questions…”

At that moment, the door to the room was pushed open. The Commandant of the Capital Patrol Inspectorate and also the Envoy of the Capital Patrol Inspectorate, Zheng Shi, entered. He simply stood in the doorway, his voice flat as he said, “This official will question him personally next. You all may leave first.”

Ma Xiong and the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang, without a word, immediately rose and exited the room. There was no objection, nor any question as to why the Hua Ying Palace Master and Chong Xuan Sheng remained. In the North Yamen, Zheng Shi’s word was absolute.

Zheng Shi casually closed the door and took a few steps, settling into the chair previously occupied by the Vice Envoy surnamed Yang. Jiang Wu You remained seated, but her expression was noticeably more serious. Chong Xuan Sheng’s smile also vanished.

Zheng Shi, the Commandant of the North Yamen, was a true power broker in Linzi. Moreover, he was currently in charge of the Cui Zhu assassination case, temporarily granted immense authority, even capable of mobilizing the night watchmen—the organization that suppressed all evil within the borders of the State of Qi.

After sitting down, Zheng Shi regarded Jiang Wang for a while. He observed him until Jiang Wang himself felt a sense of apprehension, wondering if some hidden issue had been exposed. Could “Zhang Yong” truly be connected to him? Had he known Cui Zhu all along?

But Zheng Shi merely asked, “Have you eaten?”

Jiang Wang was momentarily taken aback, then replied, “Uh, I had some snacks early this morning before going to the Grand Temple.”

Zheng Shi nodded and then asked, “How have you slept these past two days?”

“I haven’t slept, I’ve been cultivating,” Jiang Wang answered honestly.

“Diligence is good, but don’t tighten the string too much. Sometimes you need to loosen it a bit,” Zheng Shi said kindly.

Jiang Wang obediently nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

“Alright. I have finished my questions,” Zheng Shi stood up. “Go back and prepare well for the Yellow River Assembly.”

Jiang Wang was momentarily stunned again. But Zheng Shi simply smiled and walked out of the room, without saying anything further. Indeed, there was no need to say more.

Genius in one second: m.173kxs