This minor incident was quickly resolved under the auspices of Han Lang.

The constable of the second challenge, unsure of what to do, ran over to Han Lang and asked, "Sir, does this count as passing?"

"Of course, it does."

Han Lang looked at Chen Tang, nodded, and said, "Young brother, you have excellent skills. That arrow just now, even an Eighth Grade martial artist might not have caught it. Are you interested in working under me?"

Those around listened with envy.

This was an invitation from the County Captain who holds major power in Wu'an County.

To be appreciated by the County Captain surely promised a bright future!

If they were in his position, they would have accepted immediately.

But Chen Tang remained silent, not replying at once.

Li Zhongmou chuckled lightly and said, "No hurry with this matter. Brother Chen can think it over, and decide at the county mansion's banquet this evening when they issue the Ninth Grade token."

With Meng Liangyu's prior warning, Chen Tang was already inclined not to join Han Lang.

Moreover, Han Lang's behavior just now seemed odd, showing some bias towards that archer.

Li Zhongmou's suggestion saved him from rejecting upfront.

Han Lang said, "Very well, you can always find me at the banquet. No matter if it's at the government office or in the army, I'll have a place for you."

"Let's continue with the ranking!"

Han Lang waved his hand, about to return to his seat on the platform when suddenly a Cyan Dragon Guard rushed in, directly approached the platform, and whispered something in Cai Yin's ear.

At the same time, a constable, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, ran in.

"Sir..."

The constable mumbled quietly.

Han Lang listened for a while, gradually furrowing his brows and his face turning somber.

More and more people entered, each heading towards the Huo Family or the Li Family siblings, indicating something significant had happened.

Chen Tang remained calm.

He knew that the news from Changze County had arrived!

Cai Yin descended from the platform and left the drill ground with three Cyan Dragon Guards.

Following them, County Captain Han Lang also left with some constables and guards, leaving only a few people to continue overseeing the ranking tests and to maintain order on site.

Xu Tong from the Profound Celestial Temple didn't continue watching and left following Han Lang.

The Li Family siblings also received the news.

Li Boxiong said gravely, "Brother Chen, something happened in Changze County!"

"Ah?"

Feigning ignorance, Chen Tang asked, "What happened?"

"The news I received says that two major factions in Changze County clashed violently, resulting in hundreds of casualties. People from the County Government Office got involved too, with significant casualties. The County Magistrate and a Chief Constable are missing, whereabouts unknown."

Li Boxiong said, "If there's nothing urgent, it's best to stay a few more days in Wu'an County. Things are in chaos over there and could be dangerous."

Chen Tang nodded quickly.

The Li Family siblings didn't linger at the drill ground and left promptly.

In no time, only the Third Young Master Huo's family remained on the grand platform.

He watched for a while, found it quite uninteresting, and also left the scene.

"Well, Chen Tang, you've hidden yourself well."

Mei Yingxue came up to congratulate, smiled, and said, "I initially wanted you to work at our martial arts school, but it seems I was wishful thinking."

"I still owe you thanks."

Chen Tang smiled and said, "When I just returned home, it was your thirty taels that helped me out."

Thirty taels aren't much to Chen Tang now.

But he remembered the favor from that time.

Mei Yingxue often thought of him and acted out of good intentions.

The people from Changze County had all undergone testing, and apart from Chen Tang, no one succeeded in ranking. There was no point in staying, so they left the drill ground.

Upon reaching the outside, they saw many people heading towards the East Gate in a hurry.

"What's going on?"

"Not sure, but I just saw the Cyan Dragon Bureau's four Guard Captains appear together, taking people out through the East Gate."

"Several Chief Constables also seemed to head that way."

"If the Cyan Dragon Bureau is involved, it must be a major event!"

At this moment, over two hundred tall, long-haired men were darting towards the East Gate, faces sullen, all seemingly from the Black Water Gang by their attire.

"Isn't that Hall Master Du Yinfeng of the Black Water Gang?"

"Even the Black Water Gang's Hall Master is alarmed?"

People on the street watched the Black Water Gang members race by, murmuring among themselves.

People from Changze County jostled through the crowd towards the inn.

A woman in her thirties walked with her head down and accidentally bumped into Qingmu.

Qingmu instinctively glanced over.

At that moment, the woman flipped her palm, revealing a crimson feather, then quickly hid it again.

Qingmu furrowed his brows slightly, glanced around, and handed Zhiwei to Chen Tang, saying, "You all go back to the inn first; I'll return soon."

Chen Tang nodded and led Zhiwei towards the inn.

Qingmu followed the woman, weaving through the streets, arriving soon at a quiet alley with no one around.

The woman stopped, turned around.

Qingmu asked, "Are you from the Vermilion Bird Bureau?"

The woman knelt on one knee, lowered her head, and saluted, saying sternly, "Vermilion Bird Department Captain Yan Qi greets the Eldest Princess!"

"Stand up."

Qingmu said lightly, "With so many eyes around, there's no need for formalities."

Yan Qi rose as instructed.

Qingmu asked, "Is my elder brother well? Are the affairs in the Capital City settled?"

Yan Qi approached and whispered, "The Emperor is in good health, and the rebellion in the Capital City has been quelled. However, the Emperor is still concerned for you, and the Vermilion Bird Bureau has been searching for you everywhere. Shall I escort you back to the Capital City?"

Qingmu hesitated, then shook his head, "No hurry, let's wait a bit longer."

If she were to leave with her master, Chen Tang would be left to fend for himself.

Wu'an County isn't like Changze County; it harbors various powers. They had just entered the city, and Chen Tang already encountered an ambush at the drill ground, likely difficult to handle alone.

After some thought, Qingmu asked, "Is Sister Ling Guang well?"

Yan Qi said, "Lord Si Jun is fine, she's also come to Pingzhou, just not in Wu'an County."

"She left the Capital City and came to Pingzhou?"

Qingmu frowned slightly.

The Daqian Country has four bureaus reporting directly to the Emperor: Cyan Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

The Cyan Dragon Bureau oversees the officials.

The Vermilion Bird Bureau gathers various intelligence.

The White Tiger Bureau mingles in Jianghu, handling matters of the martial world.

The Black Tortoise Bureau is the Imperial Palace Guard, protecting the palace and the Emperor.

Typically, the Vermilion Bird Lord should stay in the Capital City unless there's a major issue to personally attend to.

Yan Qi said, "If you don't wish to leave now, I'll protect you in the shadows, let me know if there's anything you need."

"Okay."

Qingmu didn't refuse, turned, and walked out of the alley.

Yan Qi's figure flickered and disappeared.

In the inn.

Someone from Changze County, curious, went out again to gather information, returning pale-faced, seemingly terrified.

"Something's happened in Changze County!"

"Ah, what happened?"

That person retold the news he heard, and everyone felt secretly alarmed.

In just a few days, has Changze County changed entirely?

Mei Nianzhi noticed some details, a thought crossed his mind, recalling the figure of Chen Tang.

But soon enough, he shook his head.

Impossible.

Chen Tang came with them, staying in Wu'an County the entire time, it couldn't be him.

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