Chen Tang hesitated, saying nothing.

He preferred a life of freedom.

Joining a powerful clan might provide a backing and a salary, but it also came with restrictions, making it impossible to leave at will.

Moreover, staying by Li Junqing's side daily made it inconvenient to do some things that couldn't see the light of day.

Li Boxiong asked, "Brother Chen, is there any difficulty or request you might have? Feel free to mention it."

"There's none,"

Chen Tang pondered, saying, "It's just that I'm a country person, used to being idle and not familiar with etiquette..."

Li Yan, seeing his reluctance, said, "There's no need to force this. I heard you saved Junqing once, and we will remember that kindness. If you ever need anything in Wu'an County, feel free to come to the Li Family."

"Thank you, Commander."

Chen Tang expressed his gratitude and, feeling it inappropriate to stay longer, took his leave.

Li Junqing watched his departing figure, feeling a sense of loss.

Li Zhongmou thought for a moment and said, "This was indeed my impatience. It seems that the incident at the training grounds this morning made Brother Chen vigilant, worrying that coming to our family would entangle him in the conflict with the Huo Family."

At the mention of this, Li Boxiong snorted coldly, saying, "That Huo Ziyi is truly malicious. Seeing Chen Tang acquainted with the three of us, he had someone switch the Two-Stone Bow. If not for Chen Tang's quick reflexes, he might have been shot dead on the training grounds!"

Li Zhongmou sighed, saying, "With the Huo Family's influence, it's hard to guard against their tricks in such matters. It's just unexpected that he dared to swap the bow at the training grounds under everyone's eyes."

"In a way, it's better this way. At least we don't drag Chen Tang down because of us."

Li Boxiong nodded.

Li Yan suddenly shook his head, saying, "This young man carries an air of freedom, reminiscent of the Jianghu figures from the previous dynasty, not one to be overly timid or cautious."

"Such a person, even if he doesn't come to our Li Family, it wouldn't be wrong to befriend him."

...

When Chen Tang returned to the main banquet hall, most of the attendees had arrived.

Xu Tong from the Profound Celestial Temple was also present.

During the day at Mei Nianzhi's place, he had learned this person's name.

County Captain Han Lang had also arrived and was chatting with Third Young Master Huo.

Seeing Chen Tang, both of them looked over simultaneously. Third Young Master Huo smirked mockingly, his eyes filled with scorn.

Han Lang, however, remained calm, glancing at Chen Tang before withdrawing his gaze.

Chen Tang returned to his seat.

Before long, Commander Li Yan entered with the Li Family siblings and a group of governmental officials.

The officials each carried trays, upon which were the Bronze Tokens that had been confiscated earlier.

At this moment, the Ninth Grade Bronze Orders were ready to be distributed.

Following this was the evening banquet phase.

The officials called names in order, and individuals would step forward to receive the Ninth Grade Bronze Order directly from the Commander, thereby being officially recognized by the Court as a Ninth Grade Martial Artist!

Before long, it was Chen Tang's turn.

Like the others, Chen Tang approached the Commander, preparing to receive his Ninth Grade Bronze Order.

"Wait!"

At this moment, a voice came from the side.

It was County Captain Han Lang who slowly stood and said solemnly, "Lord Li, it would be more prudent to delay the issuance of the Ninth Grade Bronze Order to this person."

Everyone present looked puzzled.

Only Huo Ziyi and Xu Tong from the Profound Celestial Temple seemed unsurprised.

Huo Ziyi looked on with schadenfreude, even provocatively glancing at the Li Family siblings, lifting his chin.

Xu Tong remained composed, smiling silently.

"Oh?"

Li Yan's face was stern as he asked back, "What is the reason?"

Han Lang raised his voice, "A major case occurred in Changze County, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Everyone must be aware of this. This person is from Changze County, and the suspicion is grave; I must take him back for detention and interrogation."

Chen Tang remained calm, but his heart sank.

Had he been exposed?

Li Boxiong frowned, saying, "Lord Han, surely you jest. Chen Tang was just at the training grounds this morning, and you were there. Yet, the major case happened in Changze County last night. What does this have to do with Chen Tang?"

"Whether it does or not will be known after I interrogate him,"

Han Lang responded, "It's possible that after committing the crime, he rushed back overnight to Wu'an County to participate in the training grounds. Who can prove he was in Wu'an County last night? Can you prove it?"

Li Boxiong sneered, "This has nothing to do with me. Why should I prove it?"

Han Lang said indifferently, "Since it doesn't concern you, don't interfere. Moreover, with your father here, it's not your place to speak!"

Li Boxiong's face darkened.

Li Zhongmou stepped lightly, positioning himself in front of him, shaking his head slightly.

In this situation, it was indeed inappropriate for them to stand up.

Li Junqing looked at his father, seeking help.

Li Yan slowly said, "To arrest someone, one must have reasons and clues; you can't just arrest whoever you wish. The responsibilities of the County Captain are not trivial. If you are allowed to arrest people indiscriminately, wouldn't the laws of Daqian be like a child's play?"

"Lord Li, did you not hear clearly?"

Han Lang said, "I just stated that the major case in Changze County implicates this individual as highly suspicious, necessitating his return for investigation. Lord Li, you have no acquaintance with him, yet you're obstructing in every way. Why?"

These words were somewhat damning.

Huo Ziyi seized the opportunity to say, "The innocent are innocent. If Chen Tang is not at fault, let Lord Han take him back for questioning. If he's not the culprit, what's he afraid of?"

"Afraid of what?"

Li Junqing responded coldly, "Afraid of severe torture to extract confessions, afraid of the distortion of truth and false accusations!"

Han Lang's eyes turned cold, staring, "Miss Li Si, mind your words; even just now, I could charge you with a crime!"

The atmosphere in the hall plummeted to freezing point.

The many Entry Level Martial Artists attending the banquet were left wide-eyed and speechless.

They had vaguely heard of the intense rivalry between the Huo and Li families, and the power struggle between the Commander and the County Captain. They hadn't expected it to be so irreconcilable!

"Lord Han, you are being too harsh. It's understandable that Miss Li Si acted impulsively out of anger."

Xu Tong from the Profound Celestial Temple suddenly spoke, his tone indifferent.

Chen Tang watched coldly from the sidelines.

This Xu Tong would definitely not help him.

Sure enough, Xu Tong shifted his tone and said, "However, since Lord Han suspects this person, it's reasonable to take him for questioning."

An alchemist from the Profound Celestial Temple also spoke up!

This meant the Huo Family and the Profound Celestial Temple were siding with County Captain Han Lang, supporting him in taking someone in public.

No matter how high Li Yan's official rank was or how high his prestige among the people, he could not withstand such momentum.

Moreover, Han Lang acted under the guise of apprehending a criminal, and if the Li Family continued to obstruct, it would certainly lead to baseless speculations from others.

Some who eyed the Li Family covetously might even take this opportunity to attack!

Chen Tang could see the situation clearly. The Li Family's insistence on helping him until now was already rare.

He feared he could only follow Han Lang and his men.

If he drew his sword in defiance, there would be no chance whatsoever.

There were too many experts here.

The only hope, perhaps, lay in the chubby old man at home!

The chubby old man, known as One Step to the Clouds, also excelled in sneaking people away. Maybe he could break him out of prison.

Chen Tang quietly said to Li Junqing by his side, "Go notify my family."

Then, he looked at Han Lang and said, "I'll go with you."

Han Lang said indifferently, "There we go."

Huo Ziyi watched the commotion from the side, applauding and laughing.

Xu Tong also showed a faint smile.

"Oh, so lively!"

At this moment, a rough voice suddenly came from the entrance. A person draped in Cyan Dragon Armor with a Cyan Dragon Sword at his waist swaggered in. It was none other than Cai Yin, Guard Captain of the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

"Been busy all day without time to eat, starving me to death."

Cai Yin went to a table, didn't care about the person sitting there, grabbed a few pieces of cooked meat and stuffed them into his mouth. While eating, he glared with bull-like eyes and asked, "What are you all doing, making it so tense?"

Cai Yin's sudden entry eased the atmosphere considerably.

"Lord Cai."

Everyone greeted him.

Han Lang said, "A major case happened in Changze County. I'm about to take the suspect back for questioning. For some reason, the Commander seems unwilling for me to handle this case."

The Li Family siblings' faces changed when they heard this.

Han Lang's words were extremely insidious!

Li Yan had only stopped Han Lang from casually arresting people and never stopped him from solving the case.

But Han Lang's words twisted the meaning completely!

As if Li Yan was somehow connected to this case.

Moreover, this was said in front of the Guard Captain of the Cyan Dragon Bureau!

The duty of the Cyan Dragon Bureau was to monitor all officials. If they indeed investigated the Commander because of this, no one could say anything.

Li Junqing hurriedly said, "You're spouting nonsense! When did my father stop you from solving the case?"

"Who is the suspect?"

Cai Yin asked again, without stopping his chewing, stuffing his cheeks full with cooked meat.

"It's him."

Han Lang pointed to Chen Tang beside him.

"Oh?"

Cai Yin picked up a wine jug, drinking while swallowing the meat, he walked over and asked, "Why is he the suspect? What clues do you have, tell me?"

"I..."

Han Lang hesitated, then said, "I think he's highly suspicious and want to take him back for questioning."

"Why do you suspect him?"

Cai Yin had already reached Han Lang, still chewing his bits of meat, staring at Han Lang and asking.

By now, those present had begun to sense something unusual.

But everyone remained silent, observing the situation unfold.

Han Lang considered the information he had received and said, "The case happened in Changze County, and this person happens to be from Changze County..."

"Get to the point, there are many people from Changze County."

Before Han Lang could finish, Cai Yin interrupted him unceremoniously.

Han Lang was angry but dared not show it. After pondering for a moment, he said, "This person has the capability and motive to commit the crime. From what I know, the missing Chief Constable and County Magistrate once caused his father's death."

Cai Yin nodded and said, "That's something. Continue."

"Continue what?" Han Lang was taken aback.

Cai Yin said, "He was already at Wu'an County on the thirteenth of the first month, determined his Entry Level this morning, how could he have been in Changze County killing last night?"

Han Lang quickly said, "Perhaps after arriving at Wu'an County, he returned to Changze County and came back this morning."

Cai Yin took another sip of wine, grinning, "But as far as I know, he entered Wu'an County before the city gates closed on the fourteenth of the first month."

"This..."

Han Lang was momentarily speechless.

He simply hadn't gathered much information.

With the Cyan Dragon Bureau's involvement, nearly all survivors from that night were captured by them.

He merely wanted to seize this chance to imprison Chen Tang, as a favor to the Third Young Master Huo and Xu Tong from the Profound Celestial Temple, without understanding these details.

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