Meng Liangyu asked, "What are your plans in Wu'an County after today?"

"Not decided yet."

Chen Tang said, "Let's see how much of a storm tonight's events can stir up in Wu'an County and even Pingzhou. We'll watch and see for now. The Black Water Gang has deep ties with various counties and state mansions; they might not be destroyed just because of this."

Meng Liangyu mused, "If this event cannot severely damage the Black Water Gang, you'd better find a strong backer in Wu'an County."

"Wu'an County is not like Changze County; the place is a mixed bag of influential and intricate forces. Just being an Entry Level Martial Artist won't protect you. If you want to continue investigating the Black Water Gang, the best way is to secure an official position in the Court and act with official authority."

Chen Tang was dismissive and said, "You were originally the Chief Constable of the County Government Office, and as soon as you started investigating the Black Water Gang, you were reassigned by the County Captain."

Meng Liangyu pondered and said, "The Wu'an County Captain might have issues; best not to go to the government office. But the Commander of Wu'an has a reputation for virtue, is diligent and kind, and is highly esteemed among the people. At least in his years of governing Wu'an County, the citizens live relatively well, much better than in Changze County."

"If there's a chance to meet the Commander of Wu'an, you could try to secure a position by his side."

Chen Tang frowned slightly and said, "If there's a problem with the County Captain, wouldn't the Commander know?"

The greatest possibility is that the two are colluding, just two of a kind.

One does the dirty work, while the other plays the good guy.

Such things have been common throughout history.

"He would definitely know."

Meng Liangyu shook his head and said, "It seems although the Commander outranks the Captain, in Wu'an County, the Commander has no authority over the County Captain."

Chen Tang asked, "Is the Commander being undermined?"

"Kind of."

Meng Liangyu continued, "Generally speaking, in a county of Qian Country, if the Commander is a Martial Artist above the Sixth Grade, they can control both military and political affairs. And the responsibilities of the County Captain become much smaller, only in charge of public order and arresting thieves."

"If the Commander is below the Sixth Grade, they only manage civil affairs, while all military matters are handed over to the County Captain. The Captain's status can equal the Commander's and operate independently."

"The County Captain is a Military General, must at least be Fifth Grade, and cultivate Inner Qi to be eligible. In some counties, if the Commander's position is temporarily vacant, the Captain can even act as the Commander, controlling a county's military and political affairs."

Chen Tang asked, "So, the Commander of Wu'an is below the Sixth Grade?"

"Yes."

Meng Liangyu said, "It's said that he was previously Fifth Grade, but then he got heavily injured, his Primordial Qi was greatly damaged, and never recovered, dropping his combat power below Sixth Grade, gradually handing over military power."

"The power struggle within, what really is happening, I don't know. The Commander of Wu'an seems to be the highest local official, but there are at least several forces in Wu'an County that he dares not and cannot confront."

"Given the constraints by those forces, that this Commander can administer Wu'an County to this extent is already remarkable."

Chen Tang came from Wu'an County, where indeed one could see a thriving scene, the people living peacefully, the streets bustling with lively activity, worlds apart from Changze County.

The two chatted briefly again, Chen Tang glanced at the sky, didn't linger, carried a sack, and left through the door.

The bloodstains on his body had long frozen, leaving no traces on the snow.

Chen Tang prowled under the night, zig-zagging, ensuring no one followed before arriving at Meng Liangyu's secluded residence.

Taking away a set of clothes he had changed out of, then as agreed, set the place ablaze.

Afterwards, Chen Tang climbed the snowy mountain, heading directly to the forest cabin where the father and son had lived for many years.

Moments later, Chen Tang, carrying the sack, arrived at the wooden house door and threw the sack onto the ground.

"Ouch!"

A cry of pain came from the sack, mixed with a muffled groan.

Chen Tang had already sensed that the two people in the sack were awake.

However, they dared not make a sound, still pretending to be unconscious.

Now being dropped by Chen Tang, they couldn't pretend any longer.

Chen Tang untied the sack, dumped them out, removed the cloth from their mouths, and simultaneously took off the black mask on his face soaked in blood.

"Ah!"

County Magistrate Sun cried out in surprise, quickly closed his eyes, and trembled, saying, "I-I haven't seen anything, you don't need to silence me."

Cui Zhao, bleeding heavily from a broken hand, looked pale. With a broken leg from earlier, he appeared extremely weak.

Chen Tang wasn't worried they would escape, waved a knife, and cut the ropes on their bodies.

Cui Zhao, at this moment, didn't close his eyes; he just gritted his teeth, enduring the intense pain, stared at Chen Tang, and slowly said, "You are not from the Evil Wolf Gang, who are you?"

"Don't recognize me?"

Chen Tang said calmly.

County Magistrate Sun shook his head with his eyes closed, saying, "I don't recognize, and we don't want to recognize!"

Cui Zhao sneered and said, "Lord Sun, at this point, just give up, this person is clearly targeting us."

Then Cui Zhao looked at Chen Tang and said, "With your skills, you must not be an unknown figure in Jianghu. I, Cui Zhao, don't know how I offended you, could there be some misunderstanding?"

"Misunderstanding?"

Chen Tang raised an eyebrow slightly.

Cui Zhao began to recall carefully.

Over the years, he indeed harmed many people.

But he was always cautious in his actions, investigating their entire family history thoroughly to ensure they had no power or influence, just small, weak people before he acted.

Even if someone had a bit of Jianghu background, he would be cautious.

Cui Zhao couldn't figure out where he had offended such a ruthless person!

"Today, I brought you here to let you know exactly why you are going to die."

Chen Tang said, biting down on a blood-stained long knife, grabbing Cui Zhao by the hair with his left hand, and County Magistrate Sun's hair with his right, kicking open the wooden house, and dragging them in.

County Magistrate Sun kicked frantically, wailing in pain, feeling as if his scalp was about to tear off.

Immediately afterwards, he was thrown into the wooden house and instinctively looked up.

On the wooden bed in the house lay a frozen corpse.

The corpse was covered with wounds, eyes wide open, not resting in peace, seemingly staring at him!

"Ah!"

County Magistrate Sun screamed in fright, struggling to get up, intending to run backward.

Bam!

Chen Tang kicked him to his knees, then stepped on his shoulder, removed the knife from his mouth, slightly bent over, and coldly asked, "Do you recognize who this is?"

"No, no, I don't recognize! I have never seen it!"

County Magistrate Sun trembled all over, his face bloodless.

He truly did not recognize this person, feeling they looked very unfamiliar.

Cui Zhao saw the corpse on the wooden board, furrowed his brow.

The corpse's face looked somewhat familiar.

His gaze moved, landed on the corpse's severed, drooping leg, realization dawned, his expression changed dramatically, and a chill rose from his heart, causing him to shake all over.

"You recognized it."

Chen Tang's voice sounded in Cui Zhao's ear, sending shivers down his spine!

"This, this is Chen Da'an, who-who are you?"

Cui Zhao could no longer remain calm, his voice trembling slightly.

Chen Da'an!

Hearing this name, County Magistrate Sun also reacted.

The person who two months ago in the courtroom cursed him as a corrupt official was named Chen Da'an!

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