Chapter 114: You Really Are Not a Decent Thing

"Master Liang? Is he also a spy?"

Yang Ling was slightly taken aback.

Yun Ruo smiled and said, "There's no evidence suggesting he's a spy. However, like He Dongfeng, he is one of the Mining Guild's elders here in Changhe Prefectural Capital. The Mining Guild has stationed three elders here to oversee the production of various mine veins. Liang Yue is one of them."

Yang Ling pondered for a moment.

"Personally, I think Master Liang is a decent person."

"Alright, you'll just arrest He Qiubai on this trip."

Yun Ruo said, "Liang Yue's strength is inferior to He Dongfeng's. For this visit, take more men with you. If you encounter any unexpected situations, I believe with your abilities, you'll be able to handle it and retreat if necessary."

"Yes."

Yang Ling slowly nodded.

"Keep that hand crossbow with you for now. Return it to me after you go to the Water Qilin Cave."

After saying this, Yun Ruo hurriedly left with her subordinates, clearly intending to continue arresting certain individuals.

A faint smile appeared on Yang Ling's face; this Director Yun Ruo seemed like a decent person.

......

That same day, Yang Ling returned to Green Mountain City. Without alerting anyone, he went directly to the Mountain and River Sect.

Although he strongly believed it was unlikely for Liang Yue to be a Rong tribe spy, to avoid any unforeseen circumstances, it was more appropriate to go alone.

With his speed, he could come and go as he pleased alone; bringing others would only be a burden.

Arriving at the Mountain and River Sect, Yang Ling quickly met with Liang Yue.

This time, seeing Liang Yue again, his state of mind was completely different from before.

Now, if he fought with all his might, his Agility far surpassed Liang Yue's.

Yun Ruo's assessment of him was quite accurate; at most, he was a Mid-Seventh Rank. And that was largely due to Liang Yue's advanced age.

He had two Martial Arts Techniques at the Transcendent level and the Mountain and River Heart Method at the Skilled level.

If he were younger, he'd probably only be a Lower Seventh Rank.

"Chief Constable Yang, what brings you here today to visit this old man?"

Liang Yue was very enthusiastic. "I heard you registered as an Upper Eighth Rank! Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old; you are promising!"

"Master Liang, I came from the Prefectural Capital. I have an announcement to make."

Yang Ling cupped his fist respectfully. "I hope the Sect Master can summon all the second-generation disciples."

As he spoke, he secretly observed Liang Yue's expression.

Liang Yue was slightly taken aback. "What matter? Good news or bad news?"

"Bad news."

Yang Ling said.

Liang Yue took a deep breath and tentatively asked,

"The Ironclad Department sent you?"

"Yes."

Yang Ling nodded lightly.

Liang Yue: "I understand."

Without further ado, he immediately ordered someone to summon all the second-generation disciples.

He Qiubai, Hongying, and others arrived one after another.

They also brought their own disciples along.

They thought Liang Yue had some major announcement.

But upon arriving, they saw Yang Ling instead.

"It's him?"

He Qiubai frowned slightly.

Yang Zhiwen's expression also turned unpleasant.

The Mountain and River Sect's information network was fairly efficient.

The news of Yang Ling's promotion to Eighth Rank had already spread here.

Such a young Eighth Rank expert naturally made Yang Zhiwen, the top disciple among the Mountain and River Sect's third-generation disciples, feel uncomfortable and envious.

Xu Qing, however, was pleasantly surprised and happy. He was just about to step forward to greet Yang Ling when Hongying pulled him back.

"Have some awareness. The situation doesn't seem right."

"Huh?"

Xu Qing was shocked and doubtful.

Hongying's gaze was grave.

The other party was wearing an Eighth Rank Ironclad official uniform, and her Master's expression at the moment wasn't too good either.

Something was definitely going on here!

"Chief Constable Yang, everyone has been summoned. What is the matter you mentioned?"

Liang Yue slowly spoke up.

"Master Liang, do you know He Dongfeng?"

Yang Ling asked.

He Qiubai's face changed slightly.

Yang Ling's perception was sharp; He Qiubai's reaction couldn't escape his eyes.

"Elder He? Of course I know him. He, like me, is a Mining Guild elder."

Liang Yue was somewhat surprised.

"The matter you want to announce is related to He Dongfeng?"

"It is."

Yang Ling swept his gaze over the people present.

"Mining Guild Elder He Dongfeng has been confirmed to be the leader of the Rong tribe's Giant Spirit Sect. He is a Rong tribe spy and has now been captured alive. He confessed to a roster containing the names of Rong tribe spies deployed here, or Zhao State traitors they have recruited."

"Hiss—"

Everyone collectively drew a sharp breath, their eyes showing a trace of disbelief.

He Qiubai forced himself to remain calm. "Elder He is the Giant Spirit Sect Leader? That can't be possible, can it?"

Liang Yue subconsciously stood up, then sat back down, muttering softly to himself,

"Old He is the Giant Spirit Sect Leader? Wouldn't that make him a Seventh Rank expert? I couldn't tell..."

"The matter has already been concluded. Currently, the entire Ironclad Department in Changhe Prefectural Capital is busy with this affair."

Yang Ling said, "I came to the Mountain and River Sect today under orders to take away a Rong tribe spy."

"The Mountain and River Sect has a Rong tribe spy!?"

The expressions of those present changed dramatically.

Xu Qing was shocked and doubtful.

Hongying frowned tightly.

Liang Yue remained silent for a moment, then slowly asked,

"Who is it?"

"He Qiubai."

Yang Ling looked at He Qiubai.

"He Dongfeng named you. Come with me."

"Me!?"

He Qiubai's face shifted through a series of expressions.

Everyone present instinctively looked at him, their expressions somewhat strange.

"Master, this is a false accusation! Your disciple has some past grievances with Yang Ling. This is him taking advantage of the situation to suppress me!"

He Qiubai suddenly looked at Liang Yue, his face full of grief and indignation.

Liang Yue ignored him, just looking at Yang Ling.

"Chief Constable Yang, you know He Qiubai is my personal disciple..."

Yang Ling slowly nodded. "Master Liang, please rest assured. All the Directors believe this matter is unrelated to you, which is why I'm only here to arrest He Qiubai."

"......"

Liang Yue sighed. "That's not what I meant, but it doesn't matter... Take He Qiubai away. If he truly is a Rong tribe spy, whether he's killed or boiled alive, he deserves it. I believe the Ironclad Department won't wrong an innocent person."

He Qiubai: "Master, I..."

"Don't say more. Go quietly with Chief Constable Yang."

Liang Yue waved his hand. "If you are not a Rong tribe spy, you'll return soon."

"You old fool! If I go to the Ironclad Department, will I have any chance of survival!?"

He Qiubai suddenly wore a ferocious expression and began to curse loudly.

Everyone looked at each other. Was this an admission?

Liang Yue's expression turned ashen, his breathing becoming somewhat heavier.

"Yang Ling, I know the Ironclad Department's rules. Even if I don't talk, you have many methods to make me talk. So, I plan to confess honestly. I'll give you the roster I know right now. I only have one request: the Ironclad Department must not torture me further."

He Qiubai's expression was calm.

Yang Ling was somewhat surprised, then nodded.

"I can agree to that condition."

He Qiubai visibly relaxed, then pointed at Yang Zhiwen and said,

"My disciple, Yang Zhiwen, is also a Rong tribe spy. Back then, he was responsible for contacting Wu Que and smuggling Fire Crystal Rock ore out."

"......"

Silence fell over the scene, the atmosphere becoming somewhat delicate.

Xu Qing looked at Yang Zhiwen, whose face was ashen, and laughed.

"Eldest Senior Brother, you really are a piece of work."

Yang Zhiwen opened his mouth, but in the end, didn't attempt to defend himself, his face filled with despair.

"Bring writing materials. I know quite a few names; it'll take a while to list them all."

He Qiubai waved his hand dismissively.

Not long after, writing materials were brought to him.

He Qiubai wrote down over thirty names in one go.

He blew on the ink and sighed.

"These were all my brothers once."

Among them were supervisors of the Mountain and River Sect's subordinate mine veins and some businessmen from Green Mountain City.

Yang Ling couldn't help but nod slightly.

Resolving this matter quickly would save a lot of time.

Once he sent this guy to the Prefectural Capital, he could return to the Mine Shaft to go into seclusion and attempt to break through to the third layer of the Vajra Bright King Technique!