Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

"Officer Qian, investigate all the household registrations and relatives of the chief镖头 (chief镖头,镖师, and even important servants) of the Jinwei镖局 (Jinwei Escort Agency)!"

Anyone closely associated with him, especially those skilled in medicine, poisons, or martial arts, regardless of their location, should be listed and thoroughly investigated!

"Yes, ma'am."

"Chen Tao".

Hearing that he was called upon, Chen Tao perked up: "Your subordinate obeys."

"You're familiar with all sorts of people in the city. Take a few clever ones and send them out to teahouses, taverns, brothels, gambling dens, carriage shops... all places where information is readily available!"

Posting wanted posters and offering a reward for information—see if anyone has seen the man in white!

Li Fu solemnly replied.

"This person is about thirty years old, about the same height as me, with a clear voice. He is skilled in poison palm techniques and drug-induced intoxication. His lightness skill and movement are as graceful as a crane. He probably likes to wear white clothes!"

Remember, this person is extremely dangerous. If you spot any trace of him, observe from a distance only. Do not alert him. Report back immediately!

"Yes, sir."

Chen Tao bowed and accepted the order.

"The others will search the city and report any findings immediately."

"We obey your command."

Everyone's expressions turned serious, and they dared not be careless, so they quickly responded in unison.

After making the arrangements, Li Fu's cold gaze swept over Zhou Wuheng and his group, who were mixed in with the crowd and gave a perfunctory fist salute.

"We have found clues in this case. The murderer is rampant, cruel, and possesses a rare poison. I hope everyone will work together to catch the culprit as soon as possible."

Those who are lazy and shirk responsibility, don't blame me for being ruthless.

Zhou Wuheng and the others felt a heavy chill run down their spines.

"Go."

"yes!"

The constables responded enthusiastically and quickly dispersed to perform their duties.

Li Fu gave out the tasks one by one, in a clear and organized manner.

Zhou Wuheng and several other blue-clad constables who originally served under Han Wenyuan bowed and accepted the order before leaving the courtyard.

In a secluded spot outside the courtyard gate, several people gathered together, their faces grim.

"Brother Zhou, are you really letting this kid boss you around?"

One person complained in a low voice.

Zhou Wuheng's face showed a hint of fear, and he snorted.

"Let's do as he says this time and not give him any excuse."

This person is ruthless and has extremely high martial arts skills.

We were originally Han's old subordinates, and he probably already disliked us. He's a new official and is just looking for a way to establish his authority.

If one is negligent in performing their duties and makes a mistake, wouldn't that give him the opportunity to retaliate?

After thinking for a moment, the group all shrank back.

Inside the hall, after everyone had left, Li Fu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and prepared to rest as the sun set.

Even with his profound skills, he needs to recuperate after a long day of investigation. When the culprit is finally caught, he will still be needed to deal with him.

In solving cases and apprehending criminals, strategic planning is crucial.

If you do everything yourself, what's the point of having these constables and head constables under your command?

"We'll just wait for news tomorrow to see if there's any progress."

Once Li Fu gave the order, hundreds of constables and yamen runners from the prefectural government, along with dispatched constables, immediately scattered into the vast city of Yanzhou like a net being cast.

That night, the city was brightly lit and bustling with noise.

The constables, carrying torches and lanterns, went door to door, questioning and investigating people in inns, taverns, gambling dens, warehouses, and even ordinary alleys. Anyone who might have a past with the Jinwei Escort Agency or whose behavior was suspicious was thoroughly investigated.

The sounds of horses' hooves, shouts, and knocking disturbed half the city, keeping them in turmoil until late into the night.

The next day, before dawn, the search continued. Despite their exhaustion, the constables reviewed the areas they had missed the previous night, as well as the areas outside the city and in the countryside.

Over the course of the night and the entire morning, the constables turned Yanzhou City upside down, combing through it like a fine-toothed comb, and finally managed to sift out a useful clue.

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Chen Tao rushed in, his exhaustion barely concealed, yet his face held a hint of excitement.

"Sir, we have a lead!"

We conducted an overnight investigation, as you instructed, focusing on individuals who had close ties with the Jinwei Escort Agency and who had recently exhibited unusual behavior.

"We actually found one!"

"Oh? Who is it?"

Li Fu looked up as he was reviewing the case files again to see if anything had been missed.

"He is a Beggar Clan disciple from Yanzhou City, named Liu Qi."

This man had a close relationship with a member of the Jinwei Escort Agency, and they often drank together.

But ever since the night the escort agency had its accident, Liu Qi hasn't shown his face again!

Chen Tao said.

"Some neighbors saw that early the morning after the incident, Liu Qi, carrying a small bundle, with a pale face, hurriedly left the city and plunged into the long-abandoned City God Temple in the west of the city."

That dilapidated temple was the hideout of a branch of the local Beggars' Gang.

The person went in and hasn't come out yet; they're probably hiding inside!

He paused, then added, "This person's kung fu is mediocre; he's just a nobody in the Beggars' Sect."

"good!"

Upon hearing that a clue had been found, Li Fu pondered for a moment, then abruptly stood up, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

The image of a beggar with ordinary martial arts skills, and the white-clad man who is dressed in white, whose face is covered with a white cloth, and who has a hint of arrogance between his eyebrows and eyes, and is suspected to be a treasure robber, seems to be a mismatch.

"This person may not be the real person."

But most of them know some important inside information.

Otherwise, why would they have fled in such a panic?

"Quickly gather some capable men and accompany me to the City God Temple in the west of the city to find this person and get to the bottom of this."

"Yes, ma'am."

Chen Tao's spirits lifted, he clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, and turned to gather his men.

Just as he reached the door, a constable rushed in in a panic, nearly bumping into him!

"No...this is terrible!"

Lord Li, something terrible has happened.

The constable was deathly pale and breathless.

"What's the matter?"

Li Fu asked in a deep voice.

Chen Tao also stopped in his tracks, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"Yes...it's an urgent order from the Prefect!"

The constable was panting heavily.

"Order... order us to put aside all cases at hand and immediately search the city!"

Magistrate Hong... he... he's gone missing!

It's like...it's like they've been kidnapped!

I'll come back and inform the adults.

"What?!"

Chen Tao gasped in shock, as if struck by lightning.

A prefectural magistrate, a high-ranking official of the imperial court, was kidnapped within the city limits.

This is a catastrophe that could shake the heavens!

Li Fu raised an eyebrow: "Hong Tongpan's martial arts are not weak. Who could have kidnapped him so quietly? Did they leave any traces?"

"According to... according to the servants of the Hong family," the constable said, "the lord went to his room to rest last night, and has not been seen since this morning."

On the table in the room was a note with strong, resentful handwriting.

The note read: "Settling personal scores, murder, blood debts must be repaid in blood, the crime deserves beheading!"

"Blood for blood... the crime deserves beheading..."

Li Fu read it in a low voice.

"It's over. It seems that the notorious thief who robbed the treasure already knew that his younger brother Cao Yu had been killed at the behest of Hong Tongpan. This kidnapping is to avenge his brother."

Chen Tao was extremely anxious.

Li Fu's mind raced. Hong Tongpan was no weakling in martial arts; the fact that he could abduct him silently meant he was most likely under the influence of some kind of potent drug.

Was that man in white really the murderer?