Chapter 237: Chapter 96: Second Grade (3)
Take his own case, for example. Disregarding his system panel and Tribulation Points, with his Second Grade strength alone, even if an Upper Grade Spirit Master—someone comparable to an Upper Three Grade Martial Artist—were to personally perform a Divination and sacrifice half their life for it, they would likely find nothing.
’Besides, the Spirit Masters in the Court seem different from Spirit Masters like Daoist Ge; they have some kind of restriction. In Daoist Ge’s words, they’re "on a dog’s leash."’
Fang Rui shook his head, pushing these thoughts aside as he headed straight for the Duan Mansion.
Indeed, just as he had predicted, Duan Yu knew such a theft was a disgrace. Convinced nothing would happen to him, he had left no clues.
After a thorough check confirmed there were no oversights,
Fang Rui slipped away from the Duan Mansion without a sound.
...
Over the next half-month, the disappearance of Duan Yu, a Silver Seal Chief Constable, caused quite a stir in the city.
Because of the Jade Lotus incident, someone even came to question Fang Rui as a matter of routine, but it was just that—a routine inquiry.
After that, when nothing was found for a while, the matter was simply dropped.
Instead, the frequent disappearances of young boys and girls in his jurisdiction left Fang Rui completely overwhelmed.
...
Huaiyin Women’s Academy.
One day.
Two unremarkable-looking men arrived. In reality, both were Seventh Grade Martial Artists.
"Three Qualified individuals. One is the family member of a Court Silver Seal Chief Constable. Abandon this target." One of the men took out three portraits, pulling one out and destroying it.
If Fang Rui had been there, he would have undoubtedly recognized the person in that portrait as Fang Ling.
"Understood."
"This girl’s lucky. We need a large number of the Qualified this time. The higher-ups have given the order: besides our Zheng Family and the families of anyone Sixth Grade or higher in the Court, we can grab anyone we want. No need to hold back."
"Enough talk. They’re here. Let’s move!"
The two men strode into the crowd and, amidst terrified screams, snatched their targets with savage grins. They were about to make their getaway.
But at that very moment, numerous figures rushed out from the surroundings.
"Freeze! Divine Capture Bureau!"
In the open and from the shadows, several cordons of sentries appeared all at once, surrounding them completely. It was as if they had been lying in wait, an ambush long prepared.
That’s right. This was a failsafe Fang Rui had prepared for the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan.
As for the Phoenix-tailed Swallow, Jade Snake, Black King Bee, and other Exotic Beasts?
Under Fang Rui’s orders, as long as no one showed hostility or directly attacked Fang Ling and Nannan, they would not reveal themselves.
...
"Chief, under your brilliant leadership, our Southeast Branch has groundbreakingly captured two ’tongues’—oh, I mean, informants for the child kidnappers."
Niu Bajin was laying it on thick. "You have no idea, Chief! They were two Seventh Grade Martial Artists! No wonder we never caught any before. Our men had a hell of a time. It was only because your plan was so comprehensive that we managed to get them at Huaiyin Women’s Academy—"
"Wait, Huaiyin Women’s Academy?!"
Fang Rui slammed his teacup down with a CRACK and stared at Niu Bajin, his gaze icy. "My two little girls..."
"Chief, calm down!"
Niu Bajin felt as if Fang Rui’s gaze was tangible, capable of freezing a man solid. He couldn’t help but shrink his neck and quickly explained, "Those guys don’t just grab anyone! They said something about needing the Qualified, and the two young ladies from your mansion weren’t their targets. The two young ladies from your mansion have already been safely escorted home."
"Oh, is that so?"
Fang Rui’s intimidating aura vanished in an instant. He sat back down, picked up his teacup, and his eyes flickered as if he was contemplating something.
Just then, Niu Bajin added, "However, the head maid of your mansion, Bai Shao, said her younger brother has gone missing. She wants to ask for your help..."
PFFT!
Fang Rui spat out a mouthful of tea. His brow furrowed deeply as he glared at Niu Bajin. "Goddammit, can’t you just say everything at once?"
"Chief, calm down! Calm down!" Niu Bajin chuckled, giving an apologetic smile.
Fang Rui was just about to ask for more details about the head maid Bai Shao’s brother.
At that moment, Li Dadan entered with a grim expression, his eyes red-rimmed. "Chief, my Heiwa is missing!"
"Didn’t you have people watching him?"
Fang Rui had used public resources for private ends, so naturally, his subordinates followed his example. Li Dadan, Xun Buhe, and Niu Bajin had all assigned men from the Government Office to watch over their own families.
He had turned a blind eye to this.
"I did have people watching, but the culprits injured the two officers protecting him and just abducted him in broad daylight!" Li Dadan said, clenching his fists.
"Hm?!"
Fang Rui’s expression turned somber.
He already had his suspicions. A few days ago, the Divine Capture Bureau had partnered with the Zheng Family to give out some benefits, and soon after, incidents started popping up all over the city...
This might be tied to the sordid secrets hidden behind Great Yu.
’But if my guess is right, has the Great Yu Court gone so mad that it’s turning on its own people? Or is Li Dadan’s rank simply too low? Or... is something different this time?’
Fang Rui looked at Niu Bajin. "Bajin, have the two informants we caught been interrogated?"
"They have been. But..."
Niu Bajin looked embarrassed. "They’re acting like they have powerful backing. They’re completely unruffled and are even demanding we give them good treatment, saying someone will come to get them soon. It’s like they’re on vacation in our jail..."
"Chief, let me interrogate them!" Li Dadan said through clenched teeth.
"Alright, go ahead," Fang Rui said with a wave of his hand.
After Li Dadan left, Niu Bajin said, "Chief, in his current state, Li Dadan might actually kill them. If that happens, it’ll be hard for you to answer to the higher-ups..."
He knew his limits. Although he and Li Dadan were frenemies who bickered over trivial matters, he was serious when it came to important things.
For instance, he hadn’t tried to stop him just now, otherwise he would have truly made an enemy of Li Dadan.
As for why he was speaking up now?
On one hand, it was a well-intentioned reminder; he worried that if those men really had backers who came looking for them, it would be difficult for Fang Rui to explain. On the other hand, he was also afraid that Li Dadan’s impulsiveness would ruin the man’s own future.
"Let’s go. We should pay a visit to the cells."
Fang Rui shot to his feet.
However, he wasn’t worried about Li Dadan killing those two. They were just low-level grunts. If they died, they died. He could handle the fallout.
The person pulling the strings wouldn’t dare bring the matter out into the open anyway.
What Fang Rui was thinking of was Kang Huaifeng. ’Perhaps I can get the truth from him!’
...
Just as they entered the jail,
they heard the CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! of a whip slicing through the air, followed by Li Dadan’s furious voice: "Where did you send the children you kidnapped? Where?!"
"Not talking, are you? I’ll show you stubborn! Bring out the heavy instruments..."
"No, don’t! You wouldn’t dare! I’m—AGH!"
"You’ll regret this... AAAAAH!"
Bloodcurdling screams echoed through the cells.
...
"Chief, this..." Niu Bajin gave a wry smile.
Fang Rui was silent for a moment before saying, "Let him vent. I’ll take responsibility if anything happens. Also, you stand guard outside. Don’t let anyone in."
This wasn’t because he was wary of Niu Bajin. Rather, some things were better kept from subordinates—for their own good.
CREAK!
The heavy door swung shut.
Fang Rui took a deep breath, his gaze turning cold. Turning, he ordered, "Guards! Bring Kang Huaifeng for interrogation!"
No matter what, today, he swore to get an answer.
...
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