Chapter 108: Do You Have Any Leads?

On the way to the Ironclad Department office, Yang Ling remained vigilant in secret, ready at any moment to deal with a potential ambush.

Not long after, he arrived at the Ironclad Department office without incident.

He made his way to the Public Security Department and met Shi Xin.

"Brother Dongfeng, now that you've returned from this trip, you'll likely be staying in Changhe Prefectural Capital for a while, right?"

Shi Xin was currently chatting with a middle-aged man, a slight smile on his face.

"Dongfeng? He Dongfeng?"

Yang Ling's expression shifted slightly as he opened the middle-aged man's Status Panel.

Character: He Dongfeng

Profession: Martial Artist

Strength: 81

Agility: 53

Spirit: 18

Martial Arts: Lesser Yang Technique (Third-Rate, Flawless Proficiency)

Mixed Iron Technique (Skilled)

Boulder Crushing Fist (Skilled)

Giant Spirit Flying Dagger Technique (Flawless Proficiency)

Affiliation: Mining Guild, Giant Spirit Sect

Yang Ling took a deep breath.

This man's attributes were even higher than Yun Ruo's; he was very likely an Upper Seventh-Rank!

The key point was that not only was he a Mining Guild elder, he was also from the Giant Spirit Sect!

Had the Giant Spirit Sect really planted such a high-level expert in Changhe Prefectural Capital!?

"The Giant Spirit Sect is a Third-Rate sect. The classification of power levels between the Rong tribe and Zhao State should be consistent."

"Third-Rate sect, Upper Seventh-Rank... Could this guy be the sect master of the Giant Spirit Sect?"

Yang Ling was startled by his own speculation.

The only Seventh-Rank in the Mountain and River Sect was Liang Yue.

But Liang Yue's three core attributes were still inferior to this man's.

"Yang Ling? You've come at the right time. This is Mining Guild Elder He Dongfeng, highly favored by the Mining Guild leader.

Currently, he oversees all the major mine veins of the Mining Guild in Changhe Prefectural Capital, including the Mountain and River Sect's Vermilion Gold Mine and the Fire Crystal Rock mine."

Shi Xin beckoned to Yang Ling, then smiled at He Dongfeng and said,

"This is the Xiao Yang I just mentioned. Don't let his young age fool you, he is a genuine Upper Eighth-Rank expert.

Not long ago, when the Mountain and River Sect had that Rong tribe spy incident, and later when a group of Rong tribe spies came for revenge, they were all dealt with by Xiao Yang.

He is a true young talent, the future of our Zhao State."

Every word of praise from Shi Xin came from the heart.

Yet it also made Yang Ling's hair stand on end with an uneasy feeling.

This He Dongfeng practiced two internal techniques, and his Mixed Iron Technique had already reached the Skilled level.

If he activated his energy circulation, combined with the amplification from his martial arts techniques, his three core attributes would undoubtedly be terrifying.

His Strength would definitely break one hundred, and his Agility would likely approach 100 points as well.

If he were to launch a sudden attack now, Yang Ling was confident he could survive, but Shi Xin would undoubtedly die!

"Could he be the one who killed Dai Huaijin?"

Thinking this, Yang Ling casually cast an Insight Technique.

[He Dongfeng killed Valley of the Dead disciple Dai Huaijin on the street today.]

Yang Ling remained expressionless, as if he had seen nothing.

He Dongfeng smiled and spoke up,

"So this is Constable Xiao Yang. I just returned to the prefectural capital and heard my son mention you, saying you are currently causing quite a stir here."

"Elder He, I have urgent business to report to Director Shi today."

Yang Ling said, clasping his fists, appearing to have no time for casual conversation.

Shi Xin was slightly taken aback, "What is it? Speak directly."

Speak directly?

Yang Ling thought for a moment and immediately said,

"I was a guest at Director Wen's place earlier and met a Pharmacy Guild expert named Dai Huaijin.

Not long after he left Director Wen's residence, he was killed on the street.

Director Wen said this matter can no longer be handled by the Bandit Apprehension Division and needs to be taken over by the Public Security Department."

The more Shi Xin listened, the more his expression changed, finally flashing with disbelief in his eyes,

"Dai Huaijin is dead? That fellow was quite a figure among the younger disciples of the Valley of the Dead.

So young and already a Seventh-Rank expert, yet he died here in our Changhe Prefectural Capital!?"

He Dongfeng also timely showed a trace of shock,

"Who killed him?"

Yang Ling, "I don't know. We're investigating now. A murderer capable of killing a Seventh-Rank expert likely won't easily leave traces."

"Brother Dongfeng, it seems I cannot keep you for tea today. Let's meet another day."

Shi Xin said solemnly.

"Alright. If you need any help, just ask."

He Dongfeng smiled, clasped his fists, and then left quickly.

Yang Ling inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Shi Xin immediately sent Lü Zhan to notify Yun Ruo and Sun Biao, then he took Yang Ling to the scene.

On the way, Yang Ling inquired about He Dongfeng's information.

Shi Xin, unsuspecting, said casually,

"He Dongfeng was from Changhe Prefectural Capital when he was young. He traveled abroad for many years and returned as a Ninth-Rank Martial Artist.

Now his strength is quite good, not much different from mine. He is a registered Eighth-Rank expert.

Because the He family has been in the ore business for generations, he joined the Mining Guild and has now achieved some success there.

The Mining Guild has stationed three elders in Changhe Prefectural Capital; he is one of them, and he is particularly favored by the Mining Guild leader."

A registered Eighth-Rank?

Yang Ling sighed inwardly. If not for him, Shi Xin might have remained in the dark forever.

"This He Dongfeng... perhaps he went to the Rong tribe during his travels when he was young..."

By now, Yang Ling actually had a clear analysis in his mind.

Cui Tao was Wen Kongxuan's confidant. He might not know that Liu Wu was a Rong tribe spy.

But regardless of whether he knew or not, Cui Tao wanted to get rid of Wen Kongxuan and become the Director of the Third Division of the Bandit Apprehension Division.

In this way, Rong tribe spies like Liu Wu and He Dongfeng would indirectly control the Third Division of the Bandit Apprehension Division of the Ironclad Department in Changhe Prefectural Capital.

This would undoubtedly provide immense assistance to their spy network!

They might even use similar methods to replace all the high-ranking officials of the Ironclad Department here with their own people.

"If this method succeeds, the consequences for Zhao State and the Ironclad Department would be extremely severe."

"I wonder if similar methods have been used in other prefectural capitals..."

Thinking this, they had already arrived at the scene.

Cui Tao was now standing beside Wen Kongxuan, pointing at Dai Huaijin's corpse.

Soon after, Yun Ruo and Sun Biao arrived with their men.

The entire street was sealed off tightly.

"Dai Huaijin was a Seventh-Rank expert, a disciple of the Valley of the Dead... How did he die here in our city..."

Sun Biao still looked like a lean old man, but now his face was full of worry.

If this matter wasn't handled properly, his position as Director of the First Division of the Public Security Department might be in jeopardy.

"Three Directors, I am very familiar with Dai Huaijin. Given his skills, the one who could ambush and kill him on the street must also be a Seventh-Rank, likely an Upper Seventh-Rank!"

Wen Kongxuan said with a grim expression, clasping his fists,

"My abilities are limited, and I have no clues. I can only ask the three Directors to step in and seek justice for Brother Dai!"

"Why did he come to meet you? What did he say during your meeting!? Why did he die here just after leaving your residence?"

Yun Ruo suddenly asked.

The Ironclad Department constables present instinctively looked at Wen Kongxuan.

Wen Kongxuan seemed to have anticipated this. Without changing his expression, he explained the matter,

"This is nothing shameful."

When everyone heard that Wen Kongxuan was helping Yang Ling get an advance on Foundation Consolidation Pills from the Pharmacy Guild, they were all somewhat shocked.

"So you also want to go to the Water Qilin Cave..."

Yun Ruo gave Yang Ling a thoughtful look and suddenly asked,

"You have a sharp nose and know how to solve cases, right? Do you have any clues?"