Chapter 362: Deputy Leader of the Special Task Force

Everyone's gaze landed squarely on Yang Ling.

Word of Yang Ling's impressive track record in Changhe Prefectural Capital had reached even the most ordinary constables.

They also wanted to see whether this man could spot something from the corpses of Kong Xinghu and Blood Hand Scholar that others had missed.

"In my view, the thug who killed Director Kong has a cultivation level of at least Middle Fifth-Rank."

Xu Wenjun's eyes flickered with a trace of contempt.

Anyone could tell that much.

"And this thug must be highly skilled in close combat, with unstoppable leg techniques."

Yang Ling pointed at the multiple wounds on Kong Xinghu's body:

"Look at these injuries, they weren't caused by blades or swords, nor by fists or palms, they were kicked into him with sheer force."

Kong Xinghu's corpse had already been burned beyond recognition, making many of the marks difficult to discern.

But with Yang Ling's reminder, after taking a closer look, everyone truly did notice that those slightly sunken wounds looked very much like they had been delivered by kicks.

Leg techniques? Middle Fifth-Rank?

As long as they found a Middle Fifth-Rank expert matching these characteristics and verified whether that person had been in Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital at the time, part of the truth could be uncovered!

The directors' eyes lit up slightly.

They had been completely without leads, but now they finally had a direction to pursue.

"However, the fatal wound is here."

Yang Ling pointed at the bloody hole in the center of Kong Xinghu's brow, gesturing with his fingers:

"Someone pierced straight through his skull with their bare fingers."

With that, he pointed to Blood Hand Scholar's fatal wound as well:

"Both fatal wounds are exactly the same, both heads pierced through with fingers."

"Good heavens, the skull is that hard, piercing through it with fingers... are Middle Fifth-Rank experts really that terrifying?"

Shi Xin and the others secretly gasped sharply.

The strongest martial artist in Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital's Ironclad Department was actually Zhao Qing, a Seventh-Rank expert.

The remaining directors, including the Bandit Apprehension Division director, the Inspection Department director, and even Shi Xin, director of the First Division of Public Security, were merely Eighth-Rank.

Such methods were already quite formidable for a prefectural capital.

Yet they still couldn't fathom how anyone could pierce through the skull of a Lower Fifth-Rank expert with their fingers.

"This shows that these two were indeed killed by the same person."

"Since Director Kong was an official of the Ministry of Personnel, he naturally couldn't have been associated with a wanted criminal like Blood Hand Scholar from the Black List."

"This subordinate shares the same view as the directors, Director Kong discovered Blood Hand Scholar's trail, and while pursuing him, was struck down by the killer's accomplice."

"In order to conceal the fact that he had murdered an official and rebelled against the state, the killer silenced Blood Hand Scholar as well."

"Finger techniques, leg techniques, and cultivation at Middle Fifth-Rank or above."

Yang Ling looked at Xu Wenjun: "If we investigate in this direction, we might find some leads."

Seeing that Yang Ling concurred with their initial assessment, the directors present breathed a sigh of relief, and the looks they cast at Yang Ling carried a few degrees more warmth.

"Finger techniques? Not necessarily. How can you be certain it was finger techniques and not a weapon?"

Xu Wenjun asked thoughtfully.

"This subordinate has never seen a weapon that leaves such marks."

Yang Ling's Centenary Refined Kylin Pickaxe was strapped to his waist at that very moment, yet he remained completely confident, his expression unruffled.

"Then let's start by investigating in that direction. Also, notify the Ironclad Departments in all regions to keep an eye out for Divine Soul Great Restoration Pills and Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pills appearing on the market."

"Director Kong carried both pills given to him by His Majesty, and now they've vanished. Chances are the killer took them."

"If the killer didn't consume them himself, he'll definitely try to sell them off."

Xu Wenjun mused.

After a pause, he suddenly turned solemn:

"The capital places great importance on this case. Not only will His Majesty be watching, but the head of Star Observation Academy will be watching as well."

"All the civil officials are also observing how the Ironclad Department performs."

"If this case doesn't progress satisfactorily, every single one of you will be stripped of your positions and prosecuted."

Stripped of their positions and prosecuted? The directors present immediately gasped sharply, a flicker of shock and uncertainty crossing their eyes.

"This subordinate recalls there is still some important official business in Changhe Prefectural Capital. If there's nothing else, this subordinate must take his leave to attend to it."

Yang Ling performed a cupped fist salute and turned to leave.

"Director Yang, there's no need for you to leave, is there?"

Xu Wenjun said with a half-smile:

"In my capacity as Director of the Third Division of the Command Division, I hereby appoint Director Yang as the Deputy Leader of this special task force."

"You will work alongside the team leader, Lu Yunchen, to solve this case and find the murderer of Kong Xinghu."

"As for the other directors of Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital, they will temporarily serve as your team members, assisting you in the investigation."

"If this case isn't solved, they'll be stripped of their positions and prosecuted. As for you and Lu Yunchen, you'll be coming back to the capital with me to answer for your failures."

The courtyard fell so silent that a pin dropping could be heard.

Zhao Qing and the others wore strange expressions, feeling that this was a completely unprovoked disaster.

"We're not even the unluckiest ones. Yang Ling is a Public Security director from a neighboring prefectural capital, yet he's become the Deputy Leader of this special task force."

"If the case isn't handled properly, he'll be summoned to the capital for questioning. He'll probably never wear the ironclad uniform again."

"He might even face censure from all the civil officials and be thrown in prison for a few months..."

At that thought, they secretly broke out in cold sweat, grateful that this hadn't fallen on their heads.

Yang Ling furrowed his brows slightly, staring at Xu Wenjun.

This man was clearly abusing his authority for personal vendetta, all because Yang Ling hadn't sold him the Vital Qi Age Defying.

"Yang Ling, has the Command Division lost its authority over you?"

Xu Wenjun said with a faint smile.

"Director Xu, what are you saying? Director Yang is the perfect choice as my deputy. He wouldn't dare refuse."

Lu Yunchen strode over with large, hurried steps, looking travel-worn, clearly having rushed over the moment he received word.

He wasn't alone either. Behind him followed dozens of sharp, formidable-looking constables.

Among them was someone Yang Ling recognized, Yun Ruo, Director of the Second Division of the Public Security Department of Changhe Prefectural Capital.

"Lu Yunchen, you were too slow."

Xu Wenjun frowned.

A fawning smile spread across Lu Yunchen's face as he clasped his fists:

"Please forgive me, Director. I was a bit slow, but at least I made it in time."

"Then this matter is settled. I'll be stationed here for one month, and His Majesty has given us exactly one month."

"Give me results within a month. If you can't, you and Yang Ling will come to the capital with me."

After saying this, Xu Wenjun turned and walked away slowly with his subordinates.

The Command Division, of course, only needed to command.

They didn't need to actually involve themselves in the investigation itself.

After Xu Wenjun and his group departed, the atmosphere in the courtyard relaxed slightly.

After all, having a Fourth-Rank official standing there, and their direct superior at that, one word from him could mean life or death for them. That invisible pressure was utterly terrifying.

The directors froze for a moment, then hurriedly cupped their fists and saluted Lu Yunchen, calling out "Director."

This man was their true direct superior.

The directors of all thirteen prefectural capitals in Yunwen Province all fell under his command.

"Director Lu, what should we do next?"

Yang Ling asked thoughtfully.

Everyone else also stared at Lu Yunchen, wanting to know what the next move would be.

One month... to solve this case?

Was that even possible?

Lu Yunchen glanced at the corpses of Kong Xinghu and Blood Hand Scholar before finally letting out a single sentence after a long while:

"Why did they have to die within the borders of Yunwen Provincial Capital?"

"..."

Although everyone felt the remark was inappropriate for the occasion, they couldn't help but share the sentiment.

"Let's handle it as usual. We need results within a month. If we don't get them, both you and I will be going to the capital to answer for it."

Lu Yunchen patted Yang Ling on the shoulder:

"You're the Deputy Leader of this special task force. Pick some people and form a team. We'll investigate separately, that way we'll make faster progress."