The First Sage of Military Strategists

Chapter 15 Luo Sheng's Interrogation
"What's going on with the Yin-Yang Scholar? Everything's been calm for the past month; does he no longer want the jade pendant?"

Han Qing pondered this in his heart.

He hoped the Yin-Yang Scholar would cause some trouble, preferably getting a few of his underlings arrested and sentenced to death, so he could kill people to improve his martial arts skills and also gather intelligence.

However, the Yin-Yang Scholar seemed to have vanished into thin air; more than a month had passed without any news from him.

Of course, it's also possible that he's been working in the government office, where information is restricted, and perhaps they're secretly plotting something.

"Keep practicing martial arts!"

Another benefit of improving one's spiritual level is that it reduces the amount of sleep required.

Moreover, following Master Fang, he received medicinal soup and meat at every meal, which provided him with ample nutrition, so he didn't have to worry about ruining his training.

...

"Aha!"

With a creak, the door to a side room on the east side was pushed open, and a fat figure swayed out—it was Luo Ying.

Yesterday, he took leave to spar with two Hu women at Chunxiang Tower. He returned today exhausted. He hadn't expected that the two Hu women were also skilled in martial arts and had more stamina than him. As a result, he had to hold onto the wall when he came out of the room, otherwise his legs would have gone weak and he would have fallen.

A cool breeze blew, dispelling some of his drowsiness. He opened his eyes wide, glanced at Han Qing practicing martial arts not far away, and smiled disdainfully.

"What's the use? No matter how much you practice, I've already mastered it. You think you can beat me?"

Luo Ying cursed and swore as she hurried to the outhouse. For some reason, she had developed a problem with urinating urgency lately, and the more she tried to urinate, the more she wanted to.

As he urinated, he replayed Han Qing's movements in his mind, feeling that they were smooth and seamless, and a sense of unease rose in his heart.

“Is he a genius?”

"I don't believe it. Even with Master Fang's help, it's impossible for him to master it in three months. But judging from his movements, I'm afraid he's already mastered it," Luo Ying thought to himself.

With the Nine Yang True Skill, once you reach the level of mastery, the movements will be very smooth. Therefore, you cannot distinguish between mastery, minor success, and major success by just looking at the martial arts movements.

He shook himself, put on his pants, and walked out of the outhouse. For the first time, he stopped to watch Han Qing practice martial arts, and the more he watched, the more uneasy he felt.

Finally, he couldn't help but shout, "Dumb guy, stop practicing! Let me tell you the truth, it's useless. The five spots for this assessment have already been decided, and I'm one of them. In this world, it's not about hard work or ability, it's about connections and backing. You'd be better off sleeping more than making things difficult for yourself!"

Han Qing continued practicing diligently, pretending not to hear anything.

"Keep practicing, you won't turn back until you hit a wall!" Luo Ying cursed, turned around and went back into the house. In the middle of the night, he had an unusual bout of insomnia, tossing and turning and unable to fall asleep.

On the afternoon of the second day, Luo Ying dared not rest any longer and began practicing martial arts as soon as he arrived at the Minglu Hall courtyard.

He didn't know how far Han Qing had progressed, but he could tell that he was above mastery, which made him very uneasy.

“If he and I are both proficient, with my second uncle around, this position will still be mine. The problem is that if this kid reaches a certain level of proficiency, the gap between us will be too big, and my second uncle's words will no longer be effective.”

"Semi-mastery in three months? What kind of monster is this? Why am I so unlucky!" Luo Ying cursed inwardly.

Just as they were practicing, the gate of the Minglu Hall courtyard was suddenly pushed open, and Luo Sheng strode in with two strong attendants.

Just then, Yang Wu was also in the courtyard and went to greet him first.

"Head of the Luo Guard, I heard that the Yin-Yang Sect has been very active in the county lately. You constables are so busy every day, how come you have time to come here?" Yang Wu joked.

Han Qing, who was standing nearby, thought to himself that the Yin-Yang Scholar had indeed not given up. He didn't know whether to be happy or not.

"I've questioned two people. Another shocking case occurred last night, and both of them are connected to it," Luo Sheng said sternly. "A major case?" Yang Wu was startled, wondering what kind of major case Baiyun County could have. Whose family was wiped out?
“Alright, ask whoever you want to question,” Yang Wu said.

Since it's a major case, we must cooperate.

"Zhao Qun, Han Qing, you two come with me!" Luo Sheng shouted.

Zhao Qun was another boy. He was of average build, as thin as a bamboo pole, but his family was well-off, and his family members would often send him chicken, duck, fish and meat.

Hearing Luo Sheng call his name, he was startled and hurriedly ran over. Han Qing was also puzzled.

The two followed Luo Sheng toward the courtyard gate. Yang Wu hesitated for a moment, then took the initiative to follow.

He wouldn't care much about anyone else, but not Han Qing. He already knew that Han Qing had achieved minor success in the Nine Yang True Skill. What was that? That was genius!

He was afraid that Luo Sheng would use the guise of handling affairs to do some dirty things, such as coercing Han Qing to give up the assessment, something he had done many times before.

So Yang Wu followed them out, and the four of them didn't go far, but asked questions right there at the door.

Luo Sheng's face was gloomy. His gaze was first fixed on Zhao Qun. With his white eyebrows and hawk-like eyes, he was extremely fierce and stared at Zhao Qun, who was trembling with fear.

“In the past few weeks, several people in the county have died at the hands of the Yin-Yang cultists. Last night, Hengtai Pawnshop was ransacked, and the shopkeeper and three employees were all killed. The shopkeeper was even drained of his life force and turned into a dried-up corpse. The government has been suppressing this matter. I am telling you this to illustrate how serious the matter is. You two must not tell anyone, otherwise, you will be treated as accomplices of the Yin-Yang cultists, understand?”

"Yes, yes, yes." Zhao Qun nodded repeatedly, his heart pounding with fear. To be sucked dry like a corpse? What kind of method was this? Was it a monster?
Han Qing remained silent, pondering the matter in his mind. The Yin-Yang Dao had the means to extract people's blood and energy, so he deduced that the Yin-Yang Scholar must be a cultivator of spirit.

Yang Wu, standing to the side, also frowned, thinking to himself that this case was unusual.

"Hengtai Pawnshop's jade has been completely looted. The people who were attacked and killed earlier had also bought jade pendants from Hengtai Pawnshop. Now do you know why I'm looking for you?" Luo Sheng stared at the two of them.

Zhao Teng immediately took out a green jade pendant from his pocket: "Lord Luo, I did indeed buy a jade pendant from Hengtai Pawnshop."

Luo Sheng took the jade pendant, stroked it for a while, frowned, and thought to himself, "This is not the one."

However, while he thought this to himself, he said aloud, "I'll take this jade."

"Okay, please take it away." Zhao Qun nodded repeatedly, he was really afraid that the monster would come knocking on his door.

"What about you?"

Han Qing also took out a piece of jade from his pocket and handed it to him.

Luo Sheng took the jade, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and stared at Han Qing: "Are you sure it's this piece of jade?"

"Confirmed." Han Qing nodded.

"Han Qing, I advise you not to lie. If I find any flaws in your story, I will make you wish you were dead." Luo Sheng stared intently at Han Qing.

"My lord, this is the jade!" Han Qing said calmly.

"Hmph, this is not jade at all. It's fake jade made by soaking white turquoise in the juice of Bloodlight Grass. Do you think I can't tell the difference?" Luo Ying's eyes flashed with malice.

"Sir, this is indeed the jade I bought from Hengtai Pawnshop!" Han Qing repeated.

Yang Wu suddenly said, "Squad Leader Luo, Han Qing is not a criminal. It's not appropriate for you to coerce him like this."

Luo Sheng didn't seem to be here to investigate a case; rather, he seemed to be extorting money. The desire for jade in his eyes didn't seem fake, and he really couldn't stand it anymore.

(End of this chapter)