Chapter 273 - 125: With a Cheat, Who Still Solves Cases with Deduction?

Chapter 273: Chapter 125: With a Cheat, Who Still Solves Cases with Deduction?

"It’s quite shameful, really."

"We used the full extent of our knowledge to deduce a few possible hiding spots for the Water Demons, but every one of them turned up empty."

"We’ve even troubled you government gentlemen to make several trips for nothing!"

The more he spoke, the more ashamed he seemed.

By the end, he had even started beating his chest and stomping his feet.

Zhao Ci couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. ’I thought my own acting skills were unparalleled, but I never expected someone to be even more audacious. Whose subordinate is this guy?’

He glanced at Feng Kucha and saw that his expression was rather sour.

Oh!

’So he’s from the Feng Family!’

’Never mind, then.’

Xue Zhili, however, gave a light cough and said coolly, "Yes, our friends from the Cao Bang have been a great help!"

He put heavy emphasis on the word "great."

Anyone paying the slightest attention could tell his dissatisfaction with the Cao Bang was nearing a breaking point.

’Then again, a whole boat of Child Scholars vanished in his jurisdiction. Who wouldn’t be at their wit’s end?’

"Shameful, truly shameful!"

Liu Yang seemed completely oblivious to the subtext. An old fox like him was long accustomed to such things.

The Cao Bang had been on the rise for so long, it was impossible for them not to have aroused some suspicion. They had perfected the art of secrecy. At the various Cao Bang branches, large and small, the vast majority of members were engaged in legitimate business.

Only a small handful were actually shaking people down for protection money and running gray-market operations.

As for the masters of those Water Demons, they would never appear on any Cao Bang roster.

Of course, they also wouldn’t appear on the Feng Family’s roster either. They were either members of related families by marriage or had been struck from the Feng family tree for various reasons.

Capturing a Water Demon alive was extremely difficult, and finding its master was even harder.

Even if they were found, as long as pretenses were maintained, the blame couldn’t be pinned on the Feng Family.

’So why should I feel guilty?’

’I’m just a maritime traffic controller actively cooperating with the Court.’

’What could I have possibly done wrong?’

Xue Zhili’s gaze turned cold. He immediately looked at Zhao Ci. "Tenth Prince, this boat is too cramped. Please, come aboard the larger vessel!"

"Mm!"

Zhao Ci nodded and, along with Feng Kucha, climbed the flying ladder, scrambling up onto the large ship in just a few steps.

Everyone present, whether they were officials from Hanling County or members of the Cao Bang, bowed respectfully.

’If there was any advantage to this clan rivalry, this was probably it.’

’No matter if people gave a damn about you in their hearts, they would always put on a good show on the surface.’

’A common Chief Constable would never receive such treatment.’

Of course, if you infringed upon someone’s interests, they’d still refuse to cooperate when it suited them.

Xue Zhili made a welcoming gesture. "Your Highness, shall we speak in the cabin?"

"Alright!"

Zhao Ci nodded.

Feng Kucha, however, slung an arm around Liu Yang’s neck. "Foreman Liu, where’s the latrine on your boat? Take me there."

Hearing this, Xue Zhili instantly understood Feng Kucha’s intention and said immediately, "Foreman Liu, I will accompany His Highness for a brief chat first. There’s no need for you to rush!"

With that, he and Zhao Ci entered the cabin one after the other.

Liu Yang glanced at Feng Kucha, his expression stiffening slightly, but he still managed to squeeze out a smile. "Young Master Feng, this way please!"

He then led Feng Kucha in the direction of the latrine.

However, before they even reached it,

Feng Kucha spoke first. "Lao Liu, hand over that Carp Spirit to me!"

Liu Yang fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Young Master Feng, this lowly one doesn’t understand what you mean!"

"Cut the crap!"

Feng Kucha curled his lip. "I’m from the Feng Family. You think I don’t know what’s going on with that Carp Spirit in the water?"

Liu Yang feigned shock and confusion. "Oh? Is Young Master Feng implying that the Feng Family deliberately raises vicious demons and cultivates by attacking passing travelers?"

"You’re still going to feed me that line?"

"This lowly one truly does not understand Young Master Feng’s meaning. If the Young Master wishes to use the Feng Family’s prestige to order us to work hard and search for the demon, then we lowly ones would certainly not dare to disobey."

"After all, the Feng Clan is a Merit Clan that protects the Great Yu. We lowly ones do not usually have the fortune to witness the Feng Clan’s splendor. If we can be of service this time, it would naturally be our honor."

"It is just that our abilities are ultimately limited. We are already doing our utmost to assist the Hanling Government Office. Although we wish to serve the Feng Clan, it would be difficult to achieve any better results."

"So please, do not blame us, Young Master Feng!"

In other words:

The Cao Bang has nothing to do with the Feng Family.

Don’t you go sabotaging your own side.

We’re making it clear we won’t do the work.

And you can forget about getting a piece of the action.

Feng Kucha: "You motherf—"

He was having trouble handling this old fox.

Liu Yang smiled and gestured again. "Young Master Feng, the latrine is at the end of the gangway. You can relieve yourself directly into the river. This lowly one must report to the Tenth Prince, so I’ll take my leave now."

"Wait!"

Feng Kucha called out to him.

Liu Yang turned back. "Does Young Master Feng have any other orders?"

Feng Kucha felt a surge of indignation. "Doing things like this... doesn’t your conscience bother you?"

Hearing the word "conscience," Liu Yang’s face froze for a long moment. He almost laughed out of sheer exasperation.

’He couldn’t understand how the Feng Family had managed to raise such a moron.’

After a moment of thought, he shook his head and chuckled. "This lowly one doesn’t understand what the Young Master means."

With that,

he turned and walked away.

Feng Kucha stood rooted to the spot, feeling a sense of powerlessness.

’There were so many things he wanted to do, but his ’class’ was just a healer.’

’He was supposedly the most doted-on young master in the entire Feng Family.’

’But in reality, aside from satisfying his needs for food, clothing, and expenses, no one in the Feng Family truly took him seriously.’

’No wonder Zhao Ci had stopped me with a look earlier.’

’Getting stonewalled like this really did make me look like a clown.’

He shook his head and turned back toward the cabin.

There, he found Zhao Ci deep in a lively conversation with Xue Zhili, words pouring out of Zhao Ci’s mouth in a constant stream.