Volume One, Chapter 16: The Arrest

At the Santai Inn.

Li Haofeng rushed in excitedly, saying, “Chen Fei, good news, good news.”

Song Chenfei, finishing his workout and wiping the sweat from his body, asked, “What good news?”

“That big-head gang has been wiped out. Mang Wu and Li Xiong were both killed, and I heard they died horribly.”

Li Haofeng was very pleased. “Serves them right. Those villains have been up to no good for ages. Finally, they met someone ruthless who wiped them out in one night.”

“That’s truly wonderful. It must be heavenly justice for all their wicked deeds,” Song Chenfei said, feigning surprise and satisfaction.

But Li Haofeng soon grew worried again. “However, with Li Xiong dead, his uncle—the Prime Minister—is furious and has ordered the Yingtian Prefecture to capture the killer. This killer is formidable. I heard there is only one person, who single-handedly killed over a hundred members of the big-head gang. That’s incredible.”

“Only a monster with three heads and six arms could do that,” Li Haofeng marveled, unaware that such a ‘monster’ was right before their eyes.

“Any other news about this case?” Song Chenfei asked casually, confident in his own abilities. They would never be found out.

Why?

Because of profession.

Because of expertise.

“Yes, I heard even the emperor has been stirred. After all, such a brutal massacre of an entire family rarely happens, with over a hundred dead. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been dispatched,” Li Haofeng added, prompting a flicker of thought in Song Chenfei.

From his predecessor’s memories, he knew that the Great Qian Empire also had the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Like its counterpart, it was an imperial agency directly under the emperor, primarily overseeing officials, and secondarily handling major criminal cases and capital security.

Though its ranks were not high, its power was immense, striking fear into civil and military officials alike. It was the most feared institution among officials.

Years ago, when Emperor Qian seized the throne, it was said he relied on the Embroidered Uniform Guard. They were, essentially, the emperor’s most trusted confidants—elite experts, utterly loyal.

At this moment, the Embroidered Uniform Guards were at the big-head gang’s mansion.

The bodies remained untouched, and key spots on the floor were marked in multiple places.

“All victims died from a single fatal strike. It seems some kind of hidden weapon was used,” Gao Yu said with undisguised surprise.

“Sir Wanhu, where in the world could there be such a powerful hidden weapon? Even the strongest crossbows wouldn’t have this lethality,” a young guard said.

An experienced guard nodded. “Right. The attacker even pierced through the walls before killing Li Xiong behind it.”

Gao Yu said gravely, “Just because we don’t know of such a weapon doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. This world is full of extraordinary talents and unimaginable weapons.”

After a pause, Gao Yu added, “Regardless of whether such a hidden weapon exists, it’s certain the killer wields a weapon with unprecedented penetrating power. If we can find the origin of this weapon, we can find the killer.”

The senior guard shook his head. “Unfortunately, the killer was experienced and took back all weapons used. We found no trace at the scene.”

Gao Yu frowned. “This is indeed difficult. But we can check if the big-head gang recently made any enemies. Starting from there might bring unexpected surprises.”

“Alright, that’s all we have for now,” the senior guard said, leaving with two guards.

Gao Yu continued searching the scene quietly. “So few clues... almost nothing left, or everything wiped clean. Who is capable of this? So powerful!”

Meanwhile, the notorious killer who had shocked the capital was eating chicken soup noodles at a nearby stall.

This stall was not far from the big-head gang’s mansion.

“Are those the Embroidered Uniform Guards?” Song Chenfei noticed the guards investigating on the street, questioning passersby, clearly searching for clues.

He casually asked, “Boss, with such a big case, have they caught the killer yet?”

“The one who wiped out the big-head gang isn’t an ordinary person. They won’t catch him so easily,” the boss said, enjoying the spectacle.

Another customer eating chicken soup noodles said, “Better if they don’t catch him. The one who destroyed the big-head gang is a true hero.”

An onlooker added, “That’s right. A great hero removes harm from the people—nothing more commendable.”

A woman said, “That big-head gang used to bully and exploit us terribly around here. They’d even charge protection fees from street vendors. If you refused, they’d beat you up, destroy your stalls, or burn them down. Now that the big-head gang is gone, it’s truly heartening.”

It was clear the big-head gang had brought much suffering to the common folk.

With the gang destroyed, the happiest were surely the locals.

Song Chenfei smiled, “Congratulations to all of you. Without the big-head gang, this place will be peaceful.”

“Indeed, indeed,” the boss replied cheerfully.

After finishing his noodles, Song Chenfei placed some coins on the counter. “Keep the change.”

Then he left, heading slowly northwest.

“Quick, follow him! Song Chenfei is leaving,” Song Qianshan whispered, trailing with a few men.

He was pushed to desperation by the Minister of War. If Song Chenfei couldn’t return to the Prince’s Mansion, Song Qianshan himself would suffer.

Thus, he had no choice but to find a way to bring Song Chenfei back by force.

Originally, they had hoped the big-head gang could scare Song Chenfei into compliance, but with the gang suddenly wiped out overnight, now it was up to him alone.

“When do we make our move?” someone asked.

“This is a public street; we can’t act here. If Song Chenfei were an ordinary man, fine, but now he’s an official of the court, ranked fifth grade. That changes everything,” Song Qianshan said.

He was no fool and knew that attacking a government official, especially one of fifth rank, would have serious consequences.

“We must wait for the right moment. Somewhere deserted or with very few people,” he patiently awaited.

“That damned Song Chenfei, always hanging around the street. How long is he going to linger there?” someone cursed.

Ahead, Song Chenfei told an Embroidered Uniform Guard, “Sir, I have a tip. I noticed some people tailing you stealthily. They might be the killers behind this massacre.”

The guard’s eyes lit up—finally, a lead.

Looking closely, indeed, several men lurked suspiciously behind, with shifty eyes and untrustworthy expressions.

“Seize them!” the guard drew his sword and commanded.

The crowd surged forward.

“Embroidered Uniform Guard conducting an investigation, make way!”

The crowd hurried aside.

Song Qianshan and his men also hurried to evade, but no matter where they dodged, the guards closed in.

“Prince’s heir, I think they mean us,” one subordinate said.

“That’s impossible. Why would they arrest us? We haven’t broken any laws!” Song Qianshan was bewildered.

“Hands up! Lie on the ground! Resistance will be met with deadly force!”

Song Qianshan’s men were no match for the guards. In moments, they were subdued and pinned to the ground.

Song Qianshan himself was handcuffed and pressed down like a defeated wolf.

“I’m the heir of the Prince of Pingyang. How dare you treat me like this?” he roared in anger.

“I couldn’t care less who you are. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is on duty. Resisters will be killed without mercy!”

A blade pressed cold against Song Qianshan’s pale neck. Feeling the biting chill, fear gripped him, and he fell silent.

“Take them away!” the guard ordered, escorting Song Qianshan and the others away.

Among the crowd, Song Chenfei watched the scene and chuckled silently.

“This fool is too easy to fool,” he murmured, stroking his chin. Yet, he didn’t expect this incident to bring down the honorable heir to the Pingyang Prince’s Mansion.

Sure enough, by that afternoon, Song Qianshan was released.