Chapter 85: What Kind of Big Shot is This!?

Seeing that Yang Ling was willing to listen to him explain in detail, Chu Huatian's heart immediately gained a sliver of hope. He promptly recounted the entire incident from start to finish in detail.

In short, according to his words, the Chu family was wrongly accused; a large batch of medicinal materials was secretly stolen by Rong tribe spies.

These medicinal materials were smuggled back to the Rong tribe and sent to the front lines.

"Your Chu family's crime of negligence in supervision is probably unavoidable."

Yang Ling thought it over: "Even if you were unaware, it's hard to avoid blame.

Those medicinal materials were used on Rong tribe soldiers, allowing soldiers who should have died from severe injuries to survive, who then went on to kill soldiers of our Zhao State.

The karma involved is immense."

Chu Huatian wiped away a cold sweat and said in a low voice:

"If it's the crime of negligence in supervision, our Chu family admits it."

"Chu Young Master, can you truly guarantee that no one in your Chu family colluded with the Rong tribe spies?"

Yang Ling smiled faintly: "You're just the young master of the Chu Family Medicinal Shop; there are many matters you haven't been exposed to, right?"

Chu Huatian stiffened slightly and said seriously:

"Lord Yang, our Chu Family Medicinal Shop is one of the Pharmacy Guilds of Zhao State, native-born people of Changhe Prefectural Capital, earning countless gold and silver every year.

We also supply some medicinal materials to the major sects.

Under circumstances where we lack for nothing in food and drink, we have absolutely no reason to become spies for the Rong tribe."

"Roughly how much is the shortfall discovered in your accounts?"

Yang Ling remained noncommittal.

"Around twenty thousand taels."

Chu Huatian said.

"Twenty thousand taels? If the Chu family truly had private dealings with the Rong tribe, given their scale, even two hundred thousand taels wouldn't be enough to cover it..."

A thought stirred in Yang Ling's mind.

Looking at it this way, it really could be that Rong tribe spies infiltrated the Chu family, becoming mice stealing the oil.

"Your Chu family has been operating in Changhe Prefectural Capital for many years; you must have connections and networks. Why did you come to entrust this matter to me?"

Yang Ling said casually.

Chu Huatian thought for a moment, a bitter smile appearing on his face:

"Actually, my father forbade me from handling this matter. He said he would handle it himself.

When I was feeling worried, I happened to hear from Bai Zhixing about Lord Yang's methods, so..."

"I roughly understand. I can't give you an answer on this matter either. I'm not even sure if this case will fall under my purview to participate in."

Yang Ling stood up. Seeing Chu Huatian about to get anxious again, he waved his hand:

"No need to say more."

Chu Huatian, intimidated by Yang Ling's imposing manner, couldn't speak for a moment.

After Yang Ling left, he exchanged a glance with the plump shopkeeper beside him, then sighed:

"It seems the Chu Family Medicinal Shop will find it difficult to pass through this calamity this time."

If they had offended a sect, or some other yamen, it might still be manageable.

But this matter involves the Rong tribe and is being adjudicated by the Ironclad Department.

The Chu Family Medicinal Shop doesn't have that much influence to make the Ironclad Department turn a blind eye.

He could only hope that within the Ironclad Department, no one would take advantage of their misfortune to attack them further; perhaps then the Chu family could be preserved.

……

Yang Ling politely declined Wen You's invitation for a drink and returned to the residence belonging to Lin Yan.

"Ten Foundation Consolidation Pills are truly tempting, but this matter... I really shouldn't actively involve myself."

Yang Ling pondered the request Chu Huatian had just made, unable to help but shake his head slightly.

If he were Fourth-Rank, or even Fifth-Rank right now, perhaps he could actively say a few words about this matter.

With his current level of strength, he doesn't yet have the ability to establish a firm footing in Changhe Prefectural Capital.

Actively involving himself in such a matter would only bring him harm, not benefit.

Yang Ling took out the six Spirit Nurturing Pills awarded by the Ironclad Department. After consuming all of them, the proficiency of the Tiger-Capturing Saber Technique had increased to 9,900 points.

At this point, he took out one Spirit Nurturing Pill given by Bai Zhixing, and the proficiency instantly broke through ten thousand, advancing to Flawless Proficiency.

"There are still nineteen defective Spirit Nurturing Pills..."

Yang Ling thought for a moment, then put them away again.

Now both the Tiger-Capturing Saber Technique and the Ethereal Steps are at the Flawless Proficiency level. The next realm is Skilled, requiring one hundred thousand proficiency points.

These nineteen defective Spirit Nurturing Pills would at most increase proficiency by five or six thousand.

Rather than consuming them now, it's better to keep them in reserve for the time being.

If he learns another decent martial arts technique during this period, he can use them to rapidly push it to the Comprehensive Mastery realm.

The next day, after finishing his cultivation of the Vajra Bright King Technique and having breakfast with Lin Yan, Yang Ling went with him to the yamen.

However, as soon as they entered the yamen, they felt the atmosphere inside was off.

"What's going on here?"

Lin Yan frowned slightly.

At that moment, a middle-aged constable strode over. He was wearing Ninth-Rank Ironclad Armor, the same rank Lin Yan previously held.

He politely cupped his hands towards Lin Yan:

"Director Lin."

Then he immediately looked at Yang Ling:

"Lord Yang, I am Lü Zhan from the Third Division of the Public Security Department of the Ironclad Department. The Public Security Department is holding a meeting. Lord Shi said to bring you over immediately once you arrived."

Yang Ling glanced at Lü Zhan's Status Panel.

This man's Strength was 33 points, Agility 20 points. The Thief-Capturing Saber Technique he practiced had reached Skilled, and the Ironclad Heart Technique was at Comprehensive Mastery.

In terms of strength, he was considerably stronger than someone like Wu Man, a Ninth-Rank.

"This kind should be considered an Upper Ninth-Rank, very close to Eighth-Rank. But truly advancing to Eighth-Rank isn't an easy matter. The gap seems small, but is actually large."

Thinking this, Yang Ling felt some emotion in his heart. The strength of the Public Security Department was indeed not to be underestimated.

"Lü Zhan, did something happen?"

Lin Yan asked subconsciously.

Lü Zhan glanced at him and said flatly:

"Director Lin, matters of the Public Security Department are unrelated to the Inspection Department. It's best not to inquire."

Lin Yan's expression changed, then he smiled and nodded:

"You're right, this matter has nothing to do with my Inspection Department. I won't disturb you all then."

He gave Yang Ling a meaningful look, then turned and left.

Seeing this, Yang Ling followed Lü Zhan to a meeting hall.

There was a long table here, currently occupied by three figures.

There was Shi Xin, whom Yang Ling was familiar with, and Sun Biao, whom he had crossed hands with before.

The third, however, was a woman, appearing to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

In the meeting hall, there were over a dozen Ninth-Rank Ironclad constables similar to Lü Zhan, all currently standing.

As soon as Yang Ling arrived, their gazes uniformly fell upon him, filled with curiosity.

"Yang Ling is here, let me introduce you."

Shi Xin originally had a grave expression, but upon seeing Yang Ling, he smiled:

"This is the Director of the First Division of the Public Security Department, Sun Biao. You've already met."

Sun Biao was the Director of the First Division of the Public Security Department?

Yang Ling was slightly taken aback and hurriedly stepped forward to cup his hands in salute:

"Lord Sun."

Previously, Lin Yan had said the Public Security Department was the Ironclad Department's stabilizing pillar. It seems that statement was correct.

The Bandit Apprehension Division handles ordinary cases outside. The Inspection Department handles their own people.

When there's nothing happening, the Public Security Department is very idle; they just need to practice martial arts.

No wonder the process of registering at a Ranked Level falls under the Public Security Department's purview.

The martial prowess of the Public Security Department is number one among the three.

Sun Biao smiled and nodded.

Shi Xin then pointed at the woman around twenty-seven or twenty-eight and said with a smile:

"This is the Director of the Second Division of the Public Security Department, Yun Ruo."

Director of the Second Division of the Public Security Department?

Although he had a premonition, hearing Shi Xin's introduction, Yang Ling still felt some surprise in his heart.

So young, and already the Director of the Second Division of the Public Security Department?

He cupped his hands towards Yun Ruo: "Lord Yun."

Simultaneously, he opened Yun Ruo's Status Panel:

Character: Yun Ruo

Profession: Martial Artist

Strength: 76

Agility: 48

Spirit: 20

Martial Arts: Ironclad Heart Technique (Flawless Proficiency)

Azure Dragon Technique (Second-Rate, Flawless Proficiency)

Tiger-Capturing Saber Technique (Skilled)

Azure Dragon Movement Technique (Skilled)

Affiliation: Ironclad Department, Nine Immortals Dao Palace

Yang Ling inwardly gasped.

What kind of big shot is this!?