Chapter Fifty-Two: The Search

"This is an urgent order issued personally by the Prefect. We will soon conduct a citywide search. Anyone found without a travel permit or identification will be arrested. In particular, we are to pay special attention to the group of Daoists. The target we are after this time is an old Daoist priest, the abbot of the Tai Xuan Daoist Temple, Zhang Daoxuan! Here is his likeness!" As he spoke, He Xiongjian took out a freshly inked portrait.

In the painting, the subject appeared to be a Daoist in his fifties or sixties, dressed in a blue-grey robe, and standing six feet tall.

"If any of you spot this man, just keep him from escaping and send the signal. Someone will come to deal with him. The Prefect has promised a generous reward to whoever finds him!"

"Remember, this time the Prefect stated clearly: during the search, if anyone dares to refuse inspection, ignore their protests. The Prefect will back us up afterward. Do you all understand?" He Xiongjian said in a low voice.

"Understood, Chief!" everyone responded in unison.

Qin Yi was inwardly surprised. This operation was even more thorough than previous crackdowns on the remnants of the Red Sect.

The Tai Xuan Daoist Temple? Was it not one of the nine great branches of Daoism, same as the Qingwei Temple where he had once trained? They all traced their origins to the same root.

"Now, the Eleventh Squad will follow me and begin searching from this side. The Twelfth Squad, search from the other side. Move out at once!" He Xiongjian commanded with military efficiency.

Soon, the two squads set off.

It wasn’t long before the entire city of Jiangning Prefecture found itself under sweeping investigation.

...

Bang!

The doors of a gambling house burst open as Cheng Dong kicked them in.

More than forty members of the Twelfth Squad filed inside.

"Search the place!" Cheng Dong’s sharp gaze swept over the dozen or so gambling tables in the main hall.

"Wait!" The man who appeared to be the head tough stepped forward.

"Officers, may I ask what you are searching for?"

"We’re searching for people of unclear identity. Bring everyone here so we can check them, one by one," Cheng Dong replied, though his eyes were already on the piles of money on the tables.

"Everyone here has valid papers, Officer. Are you sure you want to proceed? This establishment is the property of the Chen family, and they have powerful friends," the head tough said, squinting.

The Chen family was one of the great clans in Jiangning. One of their daughters was even the wife of Di Long, the military commander of the Prefect’s garrison.

Did this minor constable captain really dare to cause trouble here? Did he not fear for his own position?

"Heh, save those words for your Chen family to tell the Prefect. Tonight, anyone who stands in the way will be executed without mercy!" Cheng Dong drew his long saber, his expression fierce.

"You—!" The tough’s face went pale, then flushed with anger. In truth, never before had a constable dared show such disregard for the Chen family’s influence.

"Search the place!"

At the command, the constables surged forward. The casino’s enforcers looked at one another, uncertain, and dared not resist.

"Bring everyone out of the private rooms and assemble them outside. I’ll question them, one by one!"

As the constables ransacked the place, some of them discreetly pocketed money from the tables.

"Officers, do your search if you must, but isn’t it going too far to grow a third hand?" the lead tough said, his face livid as he saw some of the officers helping themselves to the gamblers’ funds.

"Which eye of yours saw that? I suspect you of obstructing official business. I’ll haul you in for interrogation myself!" Cheng Dong strode over and kicked the man hard in the belly, sending him to the ground in agony.

"Hmph, hurry up. We've got other stops to make!" Cheng Dong moved to the table with the largest pile of banknotes and swept them into his pocket.

Still, neither Cheng Dong nor the others touched the funds behind the casino’s front desk or in the cashier’s office. They only took what was on the gaming tables, money brought by the gamblers themselves. Taking the house’s money could bring revenge later. Both sides knew the limits.

Seeing everyone else take their share, Qin Yi didn’t play the hero either. He discreetly pocketed fifty taels’ worth of banknotes.

A quarter of an hour later.

"Next place!"

The squad began searching street by street.

Apart from a few inns where they caught some people lacking travel permits or identification, there were no major discoveries.

But everyone’s pockets were bulging, and spirits were high.

They wished they could carry out this kind of search every month!

"Captain, there’s a trading company over there. The fugitive Zhang Daoxuan might be hiding inside!" a constable said to Cheng Dong.

"Haha, you’re right. Let’s check it out!" Cheng Dong took the lead, rushing over with his men.

Bang, bang, bang!

They hammered at the door.

"Who’s there?" An old man opened up.

"We’re searching for a fugitive. Step aside!" Cheng Dong shoved the old man aside, and the group swarmed in.

The old man tried to block them but was helpless.

Just as they entered the courtyard, more than a dozen strong men poured out from inside.

"Officers, what brings you to break into our Four Seas Trading Company at this hour?" Zhong Yanbin asked, bowing politely.

"You’re the manager here?" Cheng Dong asked, eyeing the fair-skinned middle-aged man.

"I’m the owner," Zhong Yanbin replied.

"Good, that makes things easier. We’re searching for a fugitive, so you’d best step aside and let us search, unless you want to be hauled away for questioning too!" Cheng Dong said domineeringly.

Zhu Pengtao, standing beside Zhong Yanbin, frowned. "Gentlemen, our Four Seas Trading Company has always done honest business. How could we possibly be sheltering a wanted criminal?"

"Heh, it’s not your word that counts, it’s mine! Step aside!" Cheng Dong prepared to enter by force.

"Officer, the warden himself has a stake in our business. Are you sure you want to force your way in? You might not be able to bear the consequences," Zhong Yanbin warned.

"The warden? I’m trembling! Let me make it clear: this search is by direct order of the Prefect. Anyone who refuses will be executed without mercy. If you want to wager your head, be my guest!" Cheng Dong declared, exuding authority.

In the past, faced with people with powerful connections, he would have been much more cautious, sometimes even deferential. But with the Prefect’s backing, as long as he didn’t go too far, these people wouldn’t dare retaliate.

And if they did, he’d report directly to the Prefect.

Seeing Cheng Dong’s hardline stance, Zhong Yanbin and Zhu Pengtao exchanged glances. Zhong Yanbin then broke into a smile. "Very well, officers, please proceed with your search."

"Let’s go, search the place!" the group cried as they filed inside.

Qin Yi followed behind. Looking around, he saw the rooms filled with an array of merchandise, dazzling in their variety.

(Votes and recommendations appreciated!)