"You audacious thief, stop your arrogance and surrender immediately!"
Just as Chen Ping withdrew his hand, he heard a loud shout from outside the wall. Someone leaped onto the courtyard wall, landed with a thud, drew a sword, and pointed it into the courtyard.
This person was dressed in black clothes with a red jacket, similar to the Yizuo Mao Wu Shen Chen Ping had seen earlier.
However, on his lapel, there were golden willow threads embroidered, making it look even more luxurious.
Now, Chen Ping was no longer the novice who knew nothing about this world when he first arrived.
He knew that this kind of arresting officer uniform with gold embroidery was actually the attire of a chief constable, marking their status and position.
"Chief Constable, the thief has already been killed. Miss Zhang has been rescued by me, fortunately without any harm."
Chen Ping was certain that this chief constable had been lying in ambush nearby earlier...
After Refining Marrow and Forging Body, he had undergone some changes.
Not only had his skin and pores become extremely sensitive, capable of sensing even the slightest fluctuations, but his mind had also become as clear as water, as if some murky, burdensome weight had been lifted, greatly enhancing his five senses.
This is how the improvement of the body's essence is, with a strong foundation, everything else rises accordingly.
Not long after entering, he sensed a formidable Qi and blood approaching from not far away... The breathing was kept very low, not clearly audible.
However, as the other party advanced using their power, the sound of the heart beating strongly could still be vaguely detected as Qi and blood circulation accelerated.
Especially when he launched his attack, it suddenly became very evident, without control.
At this point, the deed was done, people had been killed. This chief constable jumping out now, what exactly is the meaning?
Might as well watch and see.
"Chief Constable Wang, it's me!"
Miss Zhang, on seeing the figure, immediately burst into tears.
She recognized the constable, as he had visited her home before, personally received by her father.
The position of chief constable was not very high, but mostly held by local powers, representing the government and accustomed to dealing with various kinds of people.
Sometimes asking for favors, it wasn't easy to offend them.
Although the Zhang family was wealthy, they wouldn't refuse additional connections, so they had interactions.
Zhang Ruoxue felt weak in her legs and couldn't run fast, looking at Chen Ping with slight fear, she edged towards the wall, wishing to be far away from him.
This was understandable.
A young lady raised in seclusion, who usually engaged in discussing poetry and music, playing the zither, and blowing the flute.
What happened today was indeed a challenge to her nerves.
Not only was she abducted, but her chastity was at risk; following this, she witnessed a brutal fight to the death.
That she hadn't fainted yet was already quite commendable.
"Miss Zhang, you..."
Wang Dashu glanced at the two corpses in the courtyard; one had twisted hands, with interspersed bones, a collapsed chest, and a bulging back, dying a terrible death.
The other had his body riddled with dozens of bloody holes, from which blood was still gushing.
'This was essentially crumbled with one touch, thoroughly smashed with no chance to retaliate.'
'Or perhaps, they did retaliate, but it was to no avail.'
Seeing this scene, his pupils shrank slightly, a simple smile squeezed onto his face.
"Well, no harm done, earlier due to a certain case, I was passing nearby and heard cries for help.
Soon after, fighting sounds arose, and I couldn't help but come to take a look.
Luckily, I was cautious. Otherwise, my niece wouldn't have been saved."
"Dear brother, there's been a serious murder here, and it involves the reputation of Zhang family's sole daughter, so I'm afraid you'll have to come along.
Some things need to be clarified.
Don't worry, if you are not at fault, the matter of killing will have no repercussions.
Killing the culprits and rescuing Miss Zhang will indeed be meritorious."
The man's words were sincere, his face honest, resembling an old farmer, which gave a sense of stability and reassurance.
Not very offensive.
Chen Ping felt a stir in his heart, but he frowned slightly.
This matter was not easy to handle.
His identity could not withstand scrutiny.
Mainly because Tang Sanliang and Lv Xi, before their deaths, falsely invoked his name.
Moreover, official language can be deceitful.
Really going back with this chief constable, you can imagine, won't bode well.
'Is this a delaying tactic? Seeing my strength exceeded expectations, plotting another scheme?'
Before Chen Ping could speak, with a loud bang, someone else burst through the door.
A person flashed in, took two leaps, and was up close.
The newcomer wore a moon-white Sword Shirt, had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, with a long sword at the waist, appearing around twenty years old, full of heroic spirit.
"Ruoxue, are you alright? Knowing you were abducted by villains, I almost died of anxiety. I hurried as fast as I could, luckily not too late."
"Jiang Ziming, wuwu, I almost didn't get to see you again, they, they..."
If, upon seeing Chief Constable Wang, Zhang Ruoxue could still control her emotions somewhat, keeping vigilant and cautious.
Now, she completely let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if she had someone to rely on.
She threw herself into the young lord's arms, crying uncontrollably.
After sobbing a few sentences, Zhang Ruoxue turned her head, her eyes full of resentment, pointing to Chen Ping, "It's him. This thief and the two dead ones were in cahoots, I heard it clearly before.
They wanted to do something improper to me. If not, if not for Chief Constable Wang's prompt arrival, I fear..."
"Uh..."
Chen Ping couldn't believe his ears.
Didn't I just save your life, big sister?
Are you really unaware, or pretending to be oblivious?
With Zhang Ruoxue's words, not only did Chen Ping's expression change, but Chief Constable Wang's face changed drastically as well...
Jiang Ziming's reaction was even more intense, sharply turning his head, glaring at Chen Ping with eyes like knives.
He supported Zhang Ruoxue, his face turning fierce, drawing his sword.
Fierceness overflowing.
"I, Jiang Ziming, trained under Changkong Martial Arts Hall, do not cut down unnamed men with my sword, report your name, and I'll leave you whole."
Chen Ping opened his mouth, yet found nothing to say.
Even the rescued victim was accusing him, even if he had two mouths, he couldn't explain it away.
Could it be, this was a scheme set up by the old fox Chang Sansi?
He could really scheme to such an extent?
But why would he want to harm me for no reason?
Looking at the scene in front of him, Chen Ping suddenly understood.
This was no modern society, there was no need for evidence, and no talk of human rights...
Dislike someone, just kill them.
The truth of the matter? Whether they should be killed wasn't that important.
Just like Chang Sansi.
Also like Miss Zhang Ruoxue.
And this Jiang Ziming, brimming with hot blood, gripping his sword in anger.
"Suppose, in the matter of abduction, I didn't know beforehand. Furthermore, I killed two thieves, and rescued Miss Zhang..."
Chen Ping still wanted to make an effort.
Fighting to the death without clarity really wasn't appealing.
"Prepare to die."
Unfortunately, Jiang Ziming didn't think so.
No matter what Chen Ping said, he didn't want to listen.
His beloved's near-defilement turned his eyes red.
Then, his right foot stomped on the ground heavily.
Boom...
The ground's bricks shattered and cracked.
The body seemed to be pulled by a rope, suddenly shooting towards Chen Ping like an arrow.
Stirring up a cloud of dust.
"Zheng!"
A sword cry sounded, with starlight scattering across the sky.