ATPnovel Chapter 1373: 64: Like a Clamour of Drums
Chapter 1373: 64: Like a Clamour of Drums
Chapter 1373: Chapter 64: Like a Clamour of Drums“I’m curious to see,” Zhang Weiyu said in a cold voice, “how much preparation Jiang Wang has made for this day, and what evidence you can present!”
In front of so many people, he naturally couldn’t utter words refusing Dugu Xiao from presenting evidence.
He didn’t really believe that this loyal dog, devoted to Jiang Wang to the extent of blind obedience, could actually produce any evidence to extricate Jiang Wang from his predicament.
Nonetheless, he cautiously added the phrase “Jiang Wang’s preparation,” leaving himself an opening to discredit such evidence.
Just as Dugu Xiao was about to speak, Zhongxuan Sheng raised his hand and stopped her.
Looking at Zhang Weiyu with an unusually serious expression, this young master from a prestigious lineage said, “According to Lord Zhang’s implication today, are you suggesting that Jiang Wang, the genius of our Daqi, has been secretly colluding with Diao Hai Building?”
“Allow me to correct you on two errors,” Zhang Weiyu responded. “First, Jiang Wang is indeed a national genius, but he is not the only one of his kind. Second, whether he has colluded with Diao Hai Building is not up to my interpretation, but rather dependent on evidence. I neither control Jiang Wang nor interfere with Diao Hai Building; I merely enforce the law impartially.”
Even when holding the upper hand, Zhang Weiyu remained exceedingly cautious.
During this search operation in Green Sheep Town, perhaps his only moment of “carelessness” was taking the amulet into his possession, thus incurring a hefty debt.
“You truly grow bolder with each setback,” Zhongxuan Sheng said with a faint smile, shaking his head, before he continued, “The Court has voiced concerns this time about investigating Green Sheep Town, particularly whether Jiang Wang has any ties to remnants of the Yang Family, Equality Country, or Hell Has No Door. These three groups are the focus. Now you bring up Diao Hai Building. Does that align with proper standards?”
Surprised, Zhang Weiyu turned to Ma Xiong: “Officer Ma, if you’re investigating someone for theft and, in the course of the investigation, discover this person has committed murder, does that not align with standards? Would your Beiyaduwei release the person because of this?”
Ma Xiong hesitated and made a sound, as though finding the question deeply thought-provoking.
Zhongxuan Sheng didn’t let him linger in discomfort for long and promptly took over the conversation: “So Lord Zhang, you’re saying that Jiang Wang has no connection to remnants of the Yang Family, Equality Country, or Hell Has No Door? His true identity, in fact, is that of a spy for Diao Hai Building. Am I correct?”
“I’ll say it again,” Zhang Weiyu replied calmly. “It’s not what I believe but what the evidence indicates.”
“Then what do those rumors in Linzi amount to?” Zhongxuan Sheng questioned.
Zhang Weiyu answered, “Who knows? Perhaps they’re meant as a distraction?”
Slap!
Zhongxuan Sheng clapped his hand once. “So, the evidence gathered by Zhang Weiyu, Lord of the Ministry of Personnel, shows that the rumors in Linzi were indeed a ruse—the purported ties to remnants of the Yang Family, Equality Country, and Hell Has No Door are all fabrications. Jiang Wang, in reality, has been colluding with Diao Hai Building!”
Zhang Weiyu merely responded, “Let us speak through evidence.”
“Excellent!” Zhongxuan Sheng exclaimed in a tone both admiring and sarcastic as he turned to Dugu Xiao. “Officer Dugu, as Lord Zhang said, let’s speak through evidence!”
Looking up at the sky, Dugu Xiao remarked, “Esteemed sirs, please wait a moment. My evidence is presently on its way and will arrive in about an hour.”
“Ha, then I will wait and see,” Zhang Weiyu retorted.
Paying no mind to their attempts at posturing, Zhang Weiyu seized Fan Qingqing by her hair and dragged her into Zheng Sheng Hall while speaking, “Lord Ma, since we have an hour to spare, why don’t we begin with a few questions?”
Zhongxuan Sheng’s face remained expressionless as he entered the hall, followed closely by Shisi.
Ma Xiong, Dugu Xiao, Zhang Hai, and two subordinates of Zhang Weiyu also followed them into the hall.
Zhang Weiyu casually tossed Fan Qingqing onto the ground before taking a seat on the left side of the hall.
Meanwhile, Dugu Xiao began walking toward the rear hall.
One of Zhang Weiyu’s subordinates naturally followed her, keeping a wary eye on her movements at all times.
Dugu Xiao, however, performed no secretive actions. Before long, she returned to the main hall, carrying a specially-crafted large chair that she placed at the head position. She softly explained to Zhongxuan Sheng, “The master mentioned, after this hall was built, that he would host friends here. Among them was a dear friend of substantial wealth who couldn’t sit on ordinary chairs… so we prepared this one specifically, though it isn’t usually brought out.”
Zhongxuan Sheng gave her a glance and snorted, “Your own initiative, isn’t it? That brat wouldn’t have been this considerate!”
Nonetheless, he had already moved forward and comfortably seated himself in the chair.
He turned his head to Shisi and remarked, “Jiang Wang found himself a capable housekeeper, don’t you agree?”
Shisi, clad in black armor, nodded in agreement.
Zhang Weiyu, uninterested in their chatter, fixed his gaze on Fan Qingqing curled up on the ground and softened his tone: “Let us resume the earlier questioning, shall we?”
At this moment, Fan Qingqing’s breath was weak, her hair disheveled, and her face dim. She cried out miserably, “I don’t know what Lord Zhang wants to know!”
Of course, she ought to know, but Zhang Weiyu naturally wouldn’t state it plainly.
Smart people should share a tacit understanding.
Zhang Weiyu simply said, “Speak of what you’ve done. Do not cover up or conceal, do not distort or embellish.”
Fan Qingqing remained silent for a moment before replying, “I was once an elder of Five Immortal Sect on Xia Island overseas. Later, the sect was destroyed by wicked people, and I could only flee and hide. Thanks to Lord Jiang Wang’s shelter, I followed him to Qi Country in hopes of protection.”
Zhang Weiyu interrupted, “What is your relationship with Jiang Wang, and why did he shelter you?”
Fan Qingqing slowly explained, “During an out-of-control Sea Beast incident, we met. At the time, Lord Jiang took action to slay the Sea Beast of the Angry Whale Gang to save a ship full of commoners. I, representing Five Immortal Sect, was investigating the sea area and was impressed by his integrity and kindness, so I initiated contact with him.