Abandoning literature for martial arts, starting by unleashing the beauty's bow.

"Is Chief Constable Ye off to arrest a criminal?" the sergeant asked in a low voice.

Ye Zhengtang nodded. "It's so late, brothers, you've all worked hard."

After saying that, he prepared to leave with Lu Fengnian.

The sergeant leader pulled him back, saying, "It's been a long time since such a major case has occurred in Qinghe County."

I've heard that the murderer, Lu Fengnian, is an excellent archer and also quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat. I wonder if Chief Constable Ye has apprehended the culprit?

Ye Zhengtang smiled slightly, "We're currently setting up a surveillance operation, and we should have results soon."

The sergeant nodded. "I don't know where the county got the news from, but they said Lu Fengnian appeared in the county town today, which made us stay here on duty in the middle of the night."

"I hope Chief Constable Ye can apprehend this kid soon, so we can suffer less."

Ye Zhengtang nodded, "We will do our best to expedite the process."

After saying that, he nodded to the sergeant leader and led Lu Fengnian quickly through the city gate and into Qinghe County.

By this time, it was already late, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the street.

Walking into a quiet alley, Lu Fengnian spoke softly, "When I came to the county today, I was very careful. I covered my face the whole way. The news shouldn't have spread so quickly."

Ye Zhengtang quickly responded, "I had the message spread. The purpose was simple: to let more people know about this, to make a big fuss, and to put Ma Hui in a difficult position."

Lu Fengnian paused for a moment, then asked, "Could I go see my mother and sister first?"

Ye Zhengtang shook his head. "We're faster than them. They're in a carriage, so they're probably still on their way."

It's best not to cause any unnecessary trouble now. I need to get you into the county jail as soon as possible so I can focus on the rest of the plan.

Lu Fengnian nodded and said no more.

……

Moments later, Lu Fengnian was sent to the Qinghe County prison.

Ye Zhengtang placed Lu Fengnian in the deepest part of the prison, without having him guarded by jailers, but instead assigned two constables to watch over him day and night.

Ye Zhengtang dismissed the two constables and said in a low voice, "Lu Fengnian, I'm sorry to trouble you for a few days. I will release you as soon as possible."

Lu Fengnian nodded slightly and replied softly, "You can take my bow for now, but it would be best if you left my short sword behind, or a dagger would also be fine."

Ye Zhengtang frowned slightly.

Lu Fengnian added, "Judging from your actions along the way, you couldn't have been any more careful."

This demonstrates that Ma Hui wielded immense power in Qinghe County.

Although you sent me to the county government office and had two subordinates look after me.

However, this doesn't guarantee my complete safety. You have to leave me some means of self-defense.

Ye Zhengtang looked hesitant.

Lu Fengnian added, "I can guarantee that I did this only to defend myself and save my life."

I believe in you, and you should believe in me too.

Ye Zhengtang then made up his mind, and with a flick of his wrist, quickly stuffed a dagger about nine inches long into Lu Fengnian's hand.

Lu Fengnian took the dagger, quickly pulled it up and down, and hid it in his sleeve.

"Lu Fengnian, think of your mother and sister. You must keep your promise and never have any thoughts of escaping from prison."

Otherwise, there will be no turning back.” Ye Zhengtang solemnly warned.

Lu Fengnian nodded. "I also hope we won't have to use this dagger."

…………

The next day, very early in the morning.

Shocking news spread from the Qinghe County government office: Lu Fengnian, the suspect in the Erlang Village massacre, had been arrested and imprisoned in the county jail, awaiting his fate.

As soon as the news spread, the entire Qinghe County, every restaurant, teahouse, street, and alley was talking about Erlang Village and Lu Fengnian.

Inevitably, Wang the Cripple was also mentioned, and his various evil deeds were brought up one by one.

At the same time, his friendship with Ma Hui was also mentioned.

At first, when people heard that Lu Fengnian had killed Wang the Cripple in Erlang Village and broken the hands and feet of more than a dozen people, they all thought that Lu Fengnian was a vicious and wicked person and only hoped that the government would capture him and bring him to justice as soon as possible.

As Wang the Cripple's misdeeds were exposed, public opinion began to shift.

Some people felt that Wang the Cripple had gotten his just deserts, and that Lu Fengnian's act of saving his sister and avenging his mother was understandable.

What completely reversed public opinion was that villagers from Mao'er Village and Shangjie Village spontaneously gathered in Qinghe County. More than two hundred people, men, women, and children, surrounded the county government office and jointly petitioned for leniency for Lu Fengnian.

The villagers of Mao'er Village and Shangjie Village stood in front of the county government office for an entire day, telling the county officials and passersby about Wang Quezi's arrogance and bullying, and about Lu Fengnian's selfless efforts to solve the water problem for Shangjie Village and Mao'er Village...

Thus, what was originally a case about Lu Fengnian murdering Wang Quezi gradually evolved into a deeper investigation into Wang Quezi's criminal past.

The fact that Ma Hui acted as Wang the Cripple's protector was also brought to the forefront by certain individuals.

Therefore, the people voiced a unified opinion: they demanded leniency for Lu Fengnian and a thorough investigation into Wang Quezi's past misdeeds.

Perhaps due to concerns about the continued public outcry, Wu Sansheng, the magistrate of Qinghe County, kept delaying the trial of Lu Fengnian's case.

But one person couldn't sit still any longer: Ma Hui.

He abused his power to forcibly drive the villagers of Mao'er Village and Shangjie Village away from the county government office, and sent people to Erlang Village to coerce and bribe the villagers into keeping quiet and not revealing Wang the Cripple's past misdeeds.

What Ma Hui didn't know was that his every move was being watched, recorded, and documented.

…………

Although Lu Fengnian was in the county jail, he was naturally unaware of what was happening outside.

Although Ye Zhengtang would occasionally visit the prison, he would only bring some wine and food before leaving in a hurry, only saying a few words about Liu Yunjuan, Lu Xiaoyu, and Lu Manyue.

Regarding the case, they only mentioned it briefly and didn't reveal much.

On the fifth night after Lu Fengnian was imprisoned in the county jail, it was already late at night, and all the jailers on duty had gone to sleep.

The two constables responsible for guarding Lu Fengnian were also yawning and drowsy.

Lu Fengnian, who was already asleep, was suddenly awakened.

His sensory abilities far surpass those of ordinary people; even in his sleep, he could smell the unusual in the air.

He sniffed lightly and smelled a sweet, cloying fragrance. At the same time, after inhaling the fragrance, his head felt slightly dizzy.

"There's something wrong with the air!"

Lu Fengnian's heart tightened. He immediately opened the wine that Ye Zhengtang had sent over the previous night, wet his sleeves, covered his mouth and nose, and held his breath.

After doing all this, he continued to lie on the straw, observing the two constables guarding outside the cell.

The two constables were seen leaning against the cell wall, dozing off, completely unaware of the unusual atmosphere.