Chapter 542 - 267: Fortunately, It’s Not... (Part 2)

Chapter 542: Chapter 267: Fortunately, It’s Not... (Part 2)

’This probably sets a new record for the Ministry of Justice,’ Jiang Gaoyi marveled to himself. ’The fastest arrest in history.’ From issuing the arrest warrant to the culprit being brought to justice, the entire process hadn’t even taken two hours. Reporting this to the Holy Emperor was sure to earn him a massive amount of credit.

When Zheng Xiu overheard Jiang Gaoyi worrying about how to create the wanted poster, he immediately grabbed a brush and paper, dipped it in some of Lord Blade’s blood, and began to paint with a flourish. In moments, a new wanted poster was complete—a shockingly lifelike portrait, a perfect likeness of Lord Blade. Jiang Gaoyi was stunned. He’d never imagined the Red King possessed such an uncanny skill. His artistry was simply divine, and Jiang Gaoyi’s admiration for him rose to a whole new level.

Jiang Gaoyi went to manage the evacuation and placate the sons of the wealthy merchants. These young masters had come to Xiaoyao Square for a bit of casual gambling, and they were initially quite annoyed that their evening had been ruined. However, once they heard that the one leading the arrest was none other than the Red King—currently at the zenith of his power, second only to the emperor—they all began to praise his righteousness. They declared that the Red King’s name would ring throughout the city by morning, then departed, thanking him profusely.

There were also many women and girls in Xiaoyao Square who had been forced into prostitution by Lord Blade to pay off family debts. They were now huddled together in a corner of the courtyard, weeping softly, their hearts filled with helplessness and uncertainty about the future.

The Red King then gave another grand wave of his hand and announced his decree. Those who wished to return to their hometowns to farm, weave, and marry could go to the Disaster Prevention Bureau the next day to collect relief funds for their journey. As for those who wished to remain, they could report to the Zheng’s Painting Boat to play music, sing, and dance. They would be well compensated, allowing them to put their talents to good use.

In that instant, the women and girls stared at the handsome Red King as if they were starving wolves that had just found meat. Overwhelmed with gratitude, they bowed to him right where they stood, their weeping now mixed with sounds of relief.

「By the time everything was settled, it was the fifth watch of the night, and the bright moon was beginning to set.」

The Red King had handled the aftermath at Xiaoyao Square with bold, decisive strokes, settling every detail perfectly. Watching from the sidelines, Jiang Gaoyi and Guo Zifei found the display fascinating and educational.

In the end, everything was resolved perfectly. The only one who lost out was Lord Blade.

That night, the primary culprit of Xiaoyao Square, one Zhang San, alias Lord Blade, was executed on the spot for resisting arrest, saving everyone the trouble of an interrogation. His thirty-two accomplices were all killed as well. Every one of them had blood on their hands, a fact Lord Blade’s diary recorded with perfect clarity. Guo Zifei clutched the diary, wanting to kiss it. ’This is a mountain of merit!’ he thought. ’Isn’t this the fast track to a promotion, a raise, a beautiful, wealthy wife, and the peak of my career?’

Of course, Lord Blade’s real name wasn’t Zhang San; Zheng Xiu had no idea what it was. There could be tens of thousands of John Does in the world, and tonight, Lord Blade had simply become one of them.

Holding the bounty notice, Jiang Gaoyi began to worry. The poster promised a reward of one thousand taels of silver, which would certainly be paid out once the case was officially closed. But they all held high-ranking positions; they couldn’t possibly accept the reward money! The Red King certainly didn’t need it. ’Asking him to collect a thousand taels of silver would be an insult, wouldn’t it?’ Jiang Gaoyi had no intention of getting involved in such a thankless, offensive affair.

Just as he was fretting, a government official emerged from one of the upper rooms, dragging a man with him.

"Reporting, my lord! We found a shifty-looking man acting suspiciously. We think he might be an accomplice!"

A short, scrawny government official was struggling to hold onto a burly, towering man with a scar on his face, who emerged from the shadows with an awkward expression.

Upon seeing the man, both Zheng Xiu and Jiang Gaoyi froze and then exchanged a look.

It was a familiar face—Scarface Liu.

To think their old prison mate would reappear under circumstances like these.

"AHEM. Scarface Liu pays his respects to the Red King. Greetings, Lord Jiang."

After Scarface Liu had become a Prison Director, he hadn’t crossed paths with Jiang Gaoyi for some time. What Jiang Gaoyi certainly didn’t know was that Scarface Liu occasionally moonlighted as a "Purgatory Gatekeeper" in the Eternal Purgatory, where his duties involved floggings and torture.

Scarface Liu was incredibly frustrated. A few days prior, an acquaintance had told him that Xiaoyao Square was a good time. He enjoyed a bit of casual gambling, but at the casinos under Zheng Xiu’s control, everyone knew he was one of the Red King’s men. They always let him win, which took all the fun out of it. That was why he had snuck over to Xiaoyao Square to play.

He hadn’t even been coming here for long when, tonight of all nights, disaster struck. The whole den was raided, and Scarface Liu was swept up in the mess.

"He’s with me."

Zheng Xiu smiled and waved a dismissive hand at the government official holding Scarface Liu. The young official began to tremble, thinking, ’I’ve offended the Red King. This won’t end well for me.’ But the Red King seemed completely unconcerned, pulling Scarface Liu aside to ask him what had happened.

When Zheng Xiu learned that Scarface Liu had genuinely just been there for a bit of fun, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. For old prison mates to be reunited under these circumstances... it was a strange kind of fate, to be sure.

"Wait a minute." Zheng Xiu stroked his chin, then pointed at Scarface Liu and said to Jiang Gaoyi with a smile, "Let Old Liu collect the reward."

"Huh?" Jiang Gaoyi, Guo Zifei, and Scarface Liu all gaped at him in unison.

Zheng Xiu said with a perfectly straight face, "Here’s what you’ll write on the public notice: ’A kindhearted, anonymous citizen with a scarred face, upon seeing an injustice, bravely drew his sword to help. He charged into the den of thieves and assisted the Six Gates in apprehending a wanted fugitive.’"

And just like that, for reasons he couldn’t possibly comprehend, Scarface Liu became the "Star of Sin Destruction."

...

Raiding the den had just been a detour. After leaving Jiang Gaoyi to clean up the rest of the mess, Zheng Xiu took the unconscious parents of Second Lady into custody and started the journey back to the Red King Mansion.

On the road, inside the carriage, Zheng Xiu recalled the conversation he had overheard through the door. Anger surged through him, rising in his chest like one relentless wave after another.

Up front, driving the carriage, Qing Shisan felt a terrifying pressure emanating from the cabin behind him. It was as heavy as a towering mountain, slowly forcing his back to bend. The sheer force of it left him shaken, and he quietly began to wonder what, exactly, was on Zheng Xiu’s mind.