Chapter 110: If You’re Going to Make an Arrest, Go for the Big Fish

Yang Ling first recounted his visit to the Dragon-Subduing Gang and his encounter with Liu Wu.

He then spoke about the ambush designed to kill Wen Kongxuan.

Yun Ruo listened, feeling utterly bewildered.

"I heard about Wen Kongxuan's incident, but what does it have to do with this?"

"That evening, I was having dinner at Director Wen's house when Chief Constable Cui Tao rushed in. I smelled the scent of fire oil on him."

Yang Ling said.

Yun Ruo reacted extremely quickly, her expression changing slightly:

"You're saying the attack on Wen Kongxuan is related to Cui Tao? He wants to become the Director?"

"Liu Wu and Cui Tao are sworn brothers. They practiced martial arts together when they were young."

"Dai Huaijin happened to run into the two of them drinking tea in a teahouse when he came today."

Yang Ling continued, "When I fought Liu Wu that day, although he deliberately concealed his strength and didn't circulate his energy, I felt there was a familiar scent about him."

"What scent?"

"The Mixed Iron Technique of the Giant Spirit Sect."

"What kind of nose do you have?! You can smell the origin of someone's internal energy!?"

A trace of suspicion flashed in Yun Ruo's eyes:

"Unless one is extremely familiar with it, or has practiced it oneself, it's actually very difficult to discern the specific school of someone's internal energy just from their presence."

As she said this, her expression changed again:

"Assuming what you say is correct, and Liu Wu is a Rong tribe spy, then Cui Tao wanting to kill Wen Kongxuan means the Rong tribe wants to install a puppet Director to control the Third Division of the Bandit Apprehension Division!"

"But Liu Wu is only a Ninth-Rank, and Cui Tao is an Eighth-Rank. How could they possibly kill Dai Huaijin?"

"What does what they're planning to do have to do with Dai Huaijin? Just because Dai Huaijin saw them drinking tea together? As you said, Wen Kongxuan already knows about the relationship between Liu Wu and Cui Tao, and he wasn't surprised or found it noteworthy!"

"Under normal circumstances, that's true. But what if someone among that group of bandits revealed the truth? Any tiny clue could expose Cui Tao."

"If Cui Tao is exposed, Liu Wu, who is associated with him, would naturally become a subject of investigation as well."

"Then, isn't it possible that through Liu Wu, a large batch of Rong tribe spies could be captured?"

"I even suspect Director Wen will be attacked again in the coming days."

Yang Ling analyzed calmly.

This was another reason he believed Dai Huaijin was killed.

Because Dai Huaijin saw Cui Tao and Liu Wu drinking tea together.

"If my deduction is correct, they will soon make a move against Director Wen. This time, it might be that Seventh-Rank expert personally taking action."

"Once Director Wen and Dai Huaijin are dead, it would be very difficult to connect the events to Cui Tao and Liu Wu."

"The people behind them would naturally rest easy!"

Listening to Yang Ling's analysis, Yun Ruo's expression gradually grew solemn and sharp.

How dare these spies scheme against a Director of the mighty Ironclad Department!?

This is like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth!

"I understand. You want me to step in and arrest Cui Tao and Liu Wu. No wonder you didn't go to Shi Xin or tell Wen Kongxuan about this."

Yun Ruo said thoughtfully.

Yang Ling gently shook his head: "Not arrest them. If we're going to make an arrest, we should go for the big fish."

"The big fish? Who?"

Yun Ruo was momentarily stunned.

"That Seventh-Rank expert who killed Dai Huaijin. If we can capture him, we might even be able to compile a list of all the Rong tribe spies in the Changhe Prefectural Capital."

Yang Ling said gravely.

Yun Ruo's breathing suddenly became a bit heavier.

Spy lists from various regions are something every local Ironclad Department dreams of obtaining.

Unfortunately, Rong tribe spies are extremely cunning, and similar incidents have only succeeded a few times!

If she could obtain such a list, how great would her merit be!?

"Easier said than done. Do you know what the strength of a Seventh-Rank expert is? I think even if we question the commoners present at the scene, no one will have seen the other party's appearance clearly."

Yun Ruo suddenly shook her head.

"Director Yun Ruo, I told you my nose is very sharp, and my perception is keen. Usually, I can sense when a powerful expert is in front of me."

Yang Ling suddenly smiled.

Yun Ruo remained expressionless: "Really? You can sense experts whose cultivation is higher than yours?"

"Director Yun Ruo, capturing a Seventh-Rank expert is something only you in the Public Security Division can accomplish right now."

"If we hand this over to Director Sun Biao and Director Shi Xin, I'm afraid we'll lose quite a few brothers."

"They might also let the target break through and escape, which would be a loss not worth the gain."

Yang Ling said.

Yun Ruo's expression turned serious: "What exactly have you discerned?"

"You are a Seventh-Rank expert."

Yang Ling stated.

"..."

The courtyard suddenly fell into dead silence.

After a long moment, Yun Ruo slowly nodded:

"Your nose is indeed sharp. How did you train it?"

"We can talk about that later."

Yang Ling said, "We need to capture that Seventh-Rank expert first."

"Which one? You must have seen him, right?"

Yun Ruo said, "Since you could state my cultivation level, I now believe your words somewhat."

"He Dongfeng."

Yang Ling said, "I saw him once today. He and Sir Shi seem to be old acquaintances. However, Sir Shi doesn't know he's a Seventh-Rank; he thinks he's only an Eighth-Rank."

"He Dongfeng!?"

Yun Ruo was slightly taken aback. She thought hard for a while but couldn't recall this person's appearance.

It seemed she had never met him here in the prefectural capital, merely knowing such a figure existed.

"Are you certain?"

Yun Ruo's expression became somewhat grave:

"He is an elder of the Mining Guild. His status is not ordinary. If we take action, we must have results. Otherwise, our superiors will definitely punish us. The Mining Guild and our Ironclad Department also conduct quite a few transactions every year!"

"I am certain."

Yang Ling nodded: "At the same time, I'm also certain his strength is not weak; he's definitely not someone who just entered the Seventh-Rank."

"If he's only Seventh-Rank, then it's not a big problem."

Yun Ruo murmured softly to herself.

Yang Ling knew where her confidence came from.

Don't be fooled by He Dongfeng's attributes being slightly higher than Yun Ruo's.

What do those few attribute points amount to in the face of technique amplification?

The Azure Dragon Technique Yun Ruo cultivates is a second-rate internal energy technique, and she has reached the Flawless Proficiency level.

The Mixed Iron Technique and the Lesser Yang Technique that He Dongfeng cultivates are only third-rate.

Although the Mixed Iron Technique is at the Skilled level, the attribute amplification it provides is most likely inferior to Yun Ruo's Flawless Proficiency Azure Dragon Technique.

Add to that Yun Ruo's Skilled Tiger-Capturing Saber Technique and Skilled Azure Dragon Movement Technique.

At her full strength, her combat power should be a notch above He Dongfeng's!

"Director Yun Ruo, He Dongfeng's strength should be inferior to yours. However, he is, after all, a Rong tribe spy and might have other hidden cards up his sleeve. For example, things like hand crossbows. The bandits who ambushed Director Wen earlier had such weapons. Besides that, we need to be careful of all sorts of other unexpected possibilities that might arise."

Yang Ling pondered and said, "We need a detailed plan before we can move against He Dongfeng, striving to succeed with a single strike!"

"Currently, the strongest Seventh-Rank in the prefectural capital should be me. What other arrangements can be made?"

Yun Ruo frowned: "Do you have any suggestions?"

"My suggestion is, you focus on dealing with He Dongfeng. I will handle any remaining possibilities."

Yang Ling said, clasping his fists.

"You?"

Yun Ruo couldn't help but let out a short laugh:

"You are Upper Eighth-Rank. If the other side has another Lower Seventh-Rank, we'd be in a real pickle."

"Director Yun Ruo, I should be... Lower Seventh-Rank."

Yang Ling said after a moment's thought.

Yun Ruo's expression changed. Without another word, she suddenly made a move.

In an instant, both of their strengths surged.

Two afterimages continuously exchanged blows in the courtyard, dodging, weaving, leaping, and shifting.