The next day, the assembled Green Badge constables gathered in the courtyard.

Since the establishment of the pursuit team, a morning and evening meeting was customary, to consolidate clues and discuss the case.

Jiang Wang could sometimes participate, sometimes not, often depending on the importance of the case.

Today, when he came out, he made a point of observing Ma Xiong, whose expression seemed somewhat unnatural.

Clearly, Yue Leng’s methods were rather frightening, even for a seasoned Fourth Grade Green Badge constable like Ma Xiong, who dealt with punishments year-round.

Lin Youxie, however, had a normal expression. It was unknown whether her will was exceptionally strong or whether she was simply accustomed to such things.

King Yama of Mount Tai was still in the main hall. The miserable screams had ceased at dawn, and it was now unclear whether he was dead or alive.

When everyone had arrived, Yue Leng meticulously wiped his hands with a handkerchief before slowly walking out.

This action inevitably led to speculation about the kind of torture Yue Leng had inflicted with those hands.

Ma Xiong looked around and frowned. “Where’s Liu Jie? Why isn’t he here yet? Doesn’t he have any discipline? Does he want to keep Lord Yue waiting?”

Liu Jie was one of the ten Internal Mansion Realm Green Badge constables.

Ma Xiong was a decent man and considered quite protective of his colleagues. By speaking out first, he was precisely trying to shield Liu Jie, lest Yue Leng lose his temper.

“I didn’t see him when I passed his room,” a Green Badge constable said hesitantly.

This mission to hunt down the Gate of Hell was receiving attention even from the Emperor of Qi. It was a good opportunity for promotion, but it was also very strict.

Everyone in the pursuit team, except for Jiang Wang, was subject to strict control. To say that anyone would dare to neglect their duties during the investigation was to treat their future prospects as nothing.

Everyone present was a veteran Green Badge constable and immediately realized that something was amiss.

“When was the last time you saw Liu Jie?” Yue Leng asked.

“It should have been yesterday,” the same Green Badge constable replied. “We all returned to our rooms after you interrogated King Yama of Mount Tai yesterday. He lives next door to me.”

Yue Leng then asked, “Are you sure he didn’t leave?”

“I can only confirm that he did return to his room yesterday. But whether he left afterward and where he went, I don’t know.”

This Green Badge constable phrased his words very carefully.

They were all Internal Mansion Realm cultivators and colleagues. Generally, no one would be constantly watching anyone else. If Liu Jie had slipped out secretly, it would indeed be difficult for him to notice.

Ma Xiong directly asserted, “Something must have happened to Liu Jie.”

Yue Leng frowned but said nothing.

Liu Jie was also an experienced Green Badge constable. How could he silently leave the garrison at a time like this? Had he found some clue? If something had happened to him, where would it have happened?

While everyone was discussing and analyzing various possibilities,

Suddenly, someone from the Bei Prefecture government came to report.

“The body of Fifth Grade Green Badge constable Liu Jie has been found by the Pearl Seeking River. The prefecture government has already sealed off the surrounding area. Do the esteemed adults wish to go and investigate?”

Liu Jie’s body by the Pearl Seeking River!

The pursuit team had been hunting down the Gate of Hell in Bei Prefecture recently and was familiar with the Pearl Seeking River.

It was a small river, a tributary of the Zi River. It was said that in the early years, this river was rich in pearls, and many people had made fortunes by collecting pearls. Many years had passed, and the pearls were long gone, but the name Pearl Seeking River had been retained.

In terms of distance, it was not too far from their current location. At a normal pace, they could make a round trip in half an incense stick’s time.

The Bei Prefecture government had wisely chosen to seal off the surrounding area to protect the scene and wait for the pursuit team to investigate. Because when it came to investigating clues, no one in Bei Prefecture could compare to them.

But in any case, Liu Jie’s death cast a shadow over the pursuit operation.

“Was Constable Liu killed by the Pearl Seeking River, or did his body appear by the Pearl Seeking River after his death?” Yue Leng’s question cut straight to the point.

“This…” The expression of the person sent by the Bei Prefecture government hesitated. “Why don’t you send someone over to take a look?”

“What? Are the Green Badges here in Bei Prefecture unable to confirm even something like this? You might as well take off your badges!” Ma Xiong said in an unkind tone.

The Green Badge constables in Bei Prefecture could not compare with those from the Northern Garrison, but they should not be unable to make even this level of judgment. It was just that this person did not dare to confirm, fearing to bear responsibility.

Being pressed by Ma Xiong, he could no longer refuse and had to say, “He was killed by the Pearl Seeking River.”

“I know Liu Jie very well. He is not someone who neglects his duties. The reason why he went to the Pearl Seeking River must be that he discovered some clue.” Ma Xiong volunteered. “Lord Yue, I’ll take some men to take a look.”

Yue Leng shook his head. “No. All of you stay here. I’ll take a look myself.”

How Liu Jie died by the Pearl Seeking River was not yet clear. But it could not be ruled out that it was a tactic of the Gate of Hell to lure them away, after all, King Yama of Mount Tai, who ranked seventh among the Ten Kings of Hell, was now in the hands of the pursuit team.

At the same time, the possible clues at the Pearl Seeking River could not be ignored. Constable Yue Leng could not ignore the fact that a Green Badge constable had lost his life there.

And if Liu Jie’s death was really related to the Gate of Hell, it would be very dangerous for Ma Xiong to lead a team there.

It was undoubtedly the most secure option for Yue Leng to go to the Pearl Seeking River alone to investigate the clues, with four Outer Building Realm Green Badge constables guarding the garrison.

Even if it was a tactic of the Gate of Hell to lure them away, with four Outer Building Realm Green Badge constables, there was no need to worry that the garrison would be easily breached. Moreover, Yue Leng himself could return to support at any time. Even the Bei Prefecture government would not be stingy with support once they noticed any movement.

It was almost impossible for the Gate of Hell to rescue King Yama of Mount Tai.

Don’t forget, there was also a Yan family in Bei Prefecture. Former Prime Minister Yan Ping was recuperating in the clan land. If he were alarmed…

In short, the pursuit team had a complete advantage and there was nothing to worry too much about.

Yue Leng was decisive and acted immediately, without any hesitation.

Ma Xiong also demonstrated the qualities of a veteran Green Badge constable, arranging the tasks for everyone on the spot and then personally carrying a chair and sitting in front of the main hall.

The other constables also quickly dispersed, patrolling and guarding, well-trained.

However, from beginning to end, no one thought of going in to take a look at King Yama of Mount Tai.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and quickly made a decision. While the others were dispersing, he went directly to Ma Xiong and said to him, “Constable Ma, I plan to leave today.”

Ma Xiong knew about Zheng Shi’s transaction with Chong Xuansheng, so he was not surprised. He just looked at Jiang Wang and asked, “Now?”

“I’m short on time and can’t stay any longer,” Jiang Wang replied.

The real reason, of course, was not this.

With King Yama of Mount Tai captured and Liu Jie killed, the pursuit team’s operation against the Gate of Hell had instantly entered a fierce moment. It felt like a storm was gathering.

Jiang Wang did not want to be involved in this big trouble, so he decided to get away sooner.

Of course, it was also somewhat related to Lin Youxie’s gaze, which seemed to be able to see through people’s hearts. He did not want to expose any secrets.

Ma Xiong thought for a while and did not make things difficult. He just said, “You can leave when Lord Yue returns.”

“Okay.” Jiang Wang did not bargain either and turned around and went back to his room to pack his things. He could still wait for half an incense stick’s time, or even less.

But just as he stepped out of the courtyard, an unexpected change occurred!

Ma Xiong was originally sitting upright on the chair, bathed in the morning light, casting a shadow beneath him.

At this very moment, from within this shadow, a pale hand suddenly emerged!

It was cold, icy, and silent.