Сhарtеr 267: Guangchun Наll 12
Zhu Yаn rеmindеd, “Search him. Не must have thе antidotе оn him.”
If hе didn’t саrrу the antidоte with him, he definitely wouldn’t hаvе used thе drug.
Jing Lin gavе аn “Мm” in rеspоnsе, thеn сrоuchеd down to seаrсh Wang Вuzui’s sleeve рockеts. From inside, hе рullеd оut а fеw рapеr рaсkеts, sniffеd them lightlу, and nоddеd toward Zhu Yаn.
Вefоre joining the Unrightеous Agents, Sun Таn hаd beеn a seasоnеd vеterаn оf thе jiаnghu. Не cаsuаlly tоok thе paсkets, sniffеd аnd еxаminеd thеm, thеn relaxеd his expression. “It’s finе—just knockout drugs. Еven without аn antidоtе, the рerson will wake up after four or five hours.”
Only then did Jing Lin stop searching for the antidote. However, to prevent Wang Buzui from escaping once he woke up, he tied him up instead.
Shen Du said nothing more. Only after confirming that none of the Half-Faced Ghosts in the Dark Hall had any strength left to fight back did he turn to Sun Tan. “How are things outside? Have we gained control of the situation?”
“Half were killed, half were injured, and half escaped.”
Although Guangchun Hall was only a branch, it harbored quite a few Fire Moth Party members. Aside from those stationed here today, some had also been taken away by Chen Huo’e, also known as Lai Luofu.
They couldn’t possibly kill them all—there were bound to be survivors who slipped through the net.
Shen Du nodded, then instructed, “Jing Lin, take some men and take stock of this place. Imprison all surviving Half-Faced Ghosts, send the dead to the yamen’s Autopsy Room, and confiscate everything else. Search thoroughly—don’t miss anything.”
“Yes,” Jing Lin replied, then left the Dark Hall.
Only then did Shen Du thank Sun Tan. “Thank you for your assistance today, Deputy Commander Sun.”
If not for the Unrighteous Agents joining in, relying solely on the Inner Guard Bureau, they would likely have been crushed to the bone.
Though it was merely a verbal thanks, Sun Tan reacted as if he’d seen a ghost. The legendary White King of Hell was not known to be so easygoing. Commander Xu had already written to instruct him on how to deal with Shen Du, but Commander Xu hadn’t mentioned how to handle Shen Du’s current attitude.
Difficult!
Still, despite his astonishment, he cupped his hands and replied, “You flatter me, Great Pavilion Commander. It was only our duty. Regarding this case of the Half-Faced Ghosts eating people, Commander Xu has already ordered us to cooperate with Lord Zhu in the investigation. It’s only natural—no need for formalities.”
After the polite exchange, Shen Du fell silent, and Sun Tan, having cupped his hands, also said nothing more.
Zhu Yan glanced at Xiuxiu and Du Xiaowan on the table and asked, “Shen Du, what about these girls? Du Xiaowan and Xiuxiu both drank the medicinal soup and are now weak and unconscious.”
“Take them back to the county yamen and have their families come to claim them,” Shen Du replied, casting a glance at Zhu Yan, his tone indifferent.
This woman… truly a responsible eighth-rank Capital Official Archivist.
Clearly, he wasn’t in great condition either, yet she didn’t notice. Instead, she was first concerned about a few women she’d only just met.
Were they more important than him?
Sun Tan was not one without tact. Seeing Shen Du’s expression, he said, “Leave this to me. Great Pavilion Commander, you and Lord Zhu should go ahead. As for the others, I will assist Lord Jing in sending them to the Yingzhou Prefecture yamen.”
“But…” Zhu Yan wanted to say more, but when she looked up and saw Shen Du’s somewhat darkened face, she wisely changed her words. “Deputy Commander Sun, take the things in those porcelain jars and pots as well. Don’t miss any evidence.”
Sun Tan nodded in agreement. “Rest assured, Lord Zhu.”
“Xiuxiu, once we’re back at the county yamen, I’ll come find you to talk.”
Regarding the matter of Wang Buzui’s sister, she felt it necessary to look into it more deeply. Perhaps it was another tragic story!Xiuxiu rasped out a strained "Okay."
Only then did Zhu Yan feel reassured enough to leave. "Shen Du, let's go!" After a day of torment, she truly couldn't endure much more.
She began walking toward Shen Du but accidentally tripped over the corpse of a Half-Faced Ghost, nearly tumbling to the ground.
Fortunately, Shen Du was quick. He strode forward, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace.
With that movement, Zhu Yan's entire face buried itself in Shen Du's chest, her forehead knocking against his chin.
"Ouch. Shen Du, is your chin made of iron?" Zhu Yan mumbled, raising a hand to rub her forehead. The pain made her hiss.
Shen Du was utterly exasperated. He scooped her up and headed outside. "Fool, can't even walk properly."
He, the one who'd suffered the impact, hadn't said a word, yet she was the first to complain.
If he hadn't been quick, she would have surely fallen flat on her face. If she'd reopened her scabbed wounds, she'd be in even more pain.
Zhu Yan pouted, wanting to retort, but considering his chivalrous gesture, she wisely kept quiet.
Holding her, Shen Du's expression softened slightly. He carried her straight out of the courtyard, attracting attention all the way. The Inner Guards, seeing this side of their Great Pavilion Commander, were astonished.
Was this still the rumored White King of Hell?
It seemed the saying 'even heroes falter before beauty' was not just a rumor.
Shen Du intended to return to the county office first. The Inner Guards had already prepared horses. At that moment, the horses were restlessly pawing the ground, emitting occasional whinnies.
Reaching the horse, Shen Du gave a slight heave, lifting Zhu Yan onto the saddle, then swung himself up behind her. The two rode together on one horse.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
Mounted on the horse with Shen Du right behind her, Zhu Yan felt much more at ease. "It's fine. Let's go back."
Now was not the time to stand on ceremony. Besides interrogating Wang Buzui, the Deputy Helm Master of Guangchun Hall, there was also the matter of Mo Qianzhi, the Prefect of Yingzhou—especially him. The intricacies involved were quite complex.
"Hmm." Shen Du acknowledged, then wrapped an arm around Zhu Yan, tightened his grip on the reins, and nudged the horse's flank with his foot. The horse began to move.
They galloped all the way back to the county office, arriving just around midnight.
Ordinary households were long asleep, but the county office remained brightly lit.
This night was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Upon returning to the county office, Shen Du caught a whiff of the greasy smoke and blood clinging to his clothes and immediately felt unsettled.
Without another word, he headed to his room to bathe and change.
Everyone had assumed Shen Du would interrogate Mo Qianzhi as soon as he returned and were momentarily left standing there, stunned.
As Shen Du left, Zhu Yan followed, walking side by side with him.
A temporary silence fell, broken only by the occasional sound of their footsteps.
After some thought, Zhu Yan mustered her courage and asked, "Shen Du, do you know Pan Chi's whereabouts? Did he escape danger? I'd like to see him."
After all, she had faced death several times today. If not for Pan Chi saving her, she likely wouldn't have survived.
It was only natural that after her own escape, she would inquire after and visit her benefactor.
Instantly, Shen Du halted his steps. He turned to look at Zhu Yan, his eyes icy cold. His hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly. His face visibly darkened as he said coldly, "I don't know."
The three words seemed forced through gritted teeth, sending a chill down one's spine.Shen Du was furious. This woman had no heart at all. Even though it was Pan Chi who had accompanied him through life and death on the city wall, he had fought desperately for her sake and forced himself to rush to Guangchun Hall to save her.
Yet the moment she opened her mouth, all she cared about was Pan Chi, without even asking about him.
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