Magistrate Gong was already of retirement age.
But he walked with the speed of a flying bird.
This was because he was worried Chen Nan would be tortured to death by the prisoners in the crisscross-shaped cells.
If Chen Nan truly died.
Then he would be finished too.
Not to mention whether Bi Cang would let him off.
Even Yuan Zun alone would not forgive him.
He arrived at the crisscross-shaped cells.
And saw Chen Nan sitting there leisurely.
All the prisoners were kneeling in the corner.
Magistrate Gong's heart trembled violently.
He had thought Chen Nan would be severely injured, but he never expected this outcome.
It was obvious.
Those prisoners were no match for Chen Nan, which was why they were kneeling in the corner.
“Quick, quick, quick, open the cell door!”
Magistrate Gong roared at the jailer.
The jailer hastily opened the cell door.
Magistrate Gong rushed into the cell, his face full of terror: “Constable Chen, you have been wronged, truly wronged.”
“It’s all Wang Xingping’s fault, he misunderstood my intentions.”
“I told him to invite you over, but I didn't expect him to lock you up.”
Saying this, he snatched the keys to the handcuffs and shackles from the jailer and bent over, intending to unlock Chen Nan.
Chen Nan, however, smiled coldly: “Magistrate Gong, do you take me for a fool?”
Magistrate Gong swallowed nervously, then hardened his heart and knelt directly on the ground.
He then reached out and slapped his own old face, saying as he did: “Constable Chen, this old man knows his mistake. I shouldn't have made things difficult for you before, and I shouldn't have had you locked up today.”
“Please, for the sake of the fact that I have only a few days left before I retire and return home, give this old man some face, will you?”
He had to admit his mistake.
Only in this way could he retire with honor.
In this life.
What people pursue is nothing more than fame and fortune.
Although Gong Ping had no great achievements, he had risen from humble beginnings to become the magistrate of Tongcheng.
It could be said he was second only to the emperor.
Now that he could not advance further.
His only desire was to retire with honor and live out his days in peace.
But if Chen Nan did not forgive him.
Then he would be finished.
Therefore.
He had to kneel.
Chen Nan sneered: “Are you not comparing me to a dog anymore?”
“Woof woof woof!” Gong Ping barked a few times, a fawning smile on his face: “This old man is the dog.”
Chen Nan sighed: “If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?”
“This old man knows his mistake.” Gong Ping lowered his head, recognizing his error from the bottom of his heart.
Chen Nan felt a surge of regret.
Even if you have realized your mistake.
The matter is settled.
Whether you admit your mistake or not is no longer important.
“Constable Chen, the imperial envoy from Fengdu City is at the county yamen, and specifically asked to see you. Will you accompany me?” Gong Ping's eyes were full of pleading.
Chen Nan extended his foot.
Gong Ping was overjoyed and quickly knelt on the ground to unlock Chen Nan's shackles.
Then he unlocked Chen Nan's handcuffs.
He then led Chen Nan out of the prison and towards the front hall of the county yamen.
The distance was not far.
But Chen Nan felt an inexplicable sense of danger.
Would the imperial envoy suspect him?
Would they see that he was from the mortal world?
If so.
Things would be troublesome.
Soon.
Chen Nan arrived at the front hall of the county yamen.
He met Bi Cang and Gong Yi.
He bowed and said respectfully: “Your subordinate Chen Nan, pays respects to the imperial envoy!”
Bi Cang: “You are dismissed.”
“Thank you, sir!”
Chen Nan slowly straightened up.
Bi Cang looked Chen Nan up and down. Apart from being a little handsome, he didn't have three heads and six arms!
He asked curiously: “Why did you dare to kill the grandson of Marquis Wen Bo, Liu Yu, on the street before?”
Chen Nan replied truthfully: “Liu Yu, relying on the influence of Marquis Wen Bo, attempted to murder a constable of the county yamen on the street, disregarding the laws of the imperial court. This subordinate had no choice but to execute him.”
Bi Cang asked again: “Just because of this, after killing Liu Yu, you led people to Marquis Wen Bo's mansion, intending to arrest Marquis Wen Bo and his son?”
Chen Nan said: “Yes!”
“Although Marquis Wen Bo has a death-exempt token bestowed by the Great Emperor.”
“That does not mean a death-exempt token can absolve the Liu family of their crimes.”
“Of course, this subordinate never thought of completely punishing the Liu family.”
“After all, the Liu family holds a noble title and has a death-exempt token bestowed by the Great Emperor.”
“But in this subordinate’s opinion, the noble title and the death-exempt token can only prove that the ancestors of the Liu family had merit in serving the country.”
“They cannot be used as capital to lord over the common people of Tongcheng.”
“This subordinate merely wanted to take the opportunity to curb the arrogance of the Liu family.”
Bi Cang grunted noncommittally.
In fact, he had visited Marquis Wen Bo in Tongcheng many years ago.
At that time, he was not an imperial envoy.
But he held a high position in Fengdu City.
And he was a seventh-rank Yin official.
Yet, upon arriving at Marquis Wen Bo's mansion, he was suppressed by Marquis Wen Bo.
He was even forced to kneel.
Therefore.
He knew Marquis Wen Bo's arrogant and overbearing nature better than many.
Chen Nan continued: “But this subordinate did not expect that the Liu family's death-exempt token was fake.”
“So, you executed him in court?” Bi Cang narrowed his eyes slightly, an invisible aura spreading out.
At that moment.
Chen Nan felt a strong sense of oppression.
However, having seen great storms, he remained unfazed. Enduring the oppressive force, he retorted: “Sir, Marquis Wen Bo and his son used a forged death-exempt token, and refused to obey in court, even drawing their swords and slaughtering public officials.”
“This subordinate boldly asks, should they be killed?”
“Did this subordinate violate any law by killing them?”
Bi Cang did not answer this question directly, but picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea: “As far as I know, you were an ordinary person before.”
“Only after Lord Yuan took office as the Lord of Tongcheng did you begin to show some skill and ability.”
Chen Nan’s heart trembled violently.
As expected.
He suspected him.
After all, this was a world where cultivators, fierce ghosts, and monsters roamed. Possession was a very common occurrence.
But Chen Nan was not flustered. He calmly said: “Whether it is being low-key or being wronged, it is merely a means of survival.”
Bi Cang seemed to recall something.
A hint of approval flashed in his eyes.
He then stood up and said: “Lord Gong and I are here to find the death-exempt token. Since that is the case, let us find it as quickly as possible and report back!”
As he said this.
A palm-sized compass appeared in his hand.
He injected Yin energy into it.
The needle on the compass immediately began to spin rapidly.
Then it stopped in the southwest direction.
Bi Cang's eyes lit up: “Oh, I didn’t expect the death-exempt token to be nearby. It’s truly a case of stumbling upon it when you least expect it.”
He had thought this case would remain unsolved.
After all, no one knew when the death-exempt token had been swapped.
And no one knew if the death-exempt token was even in Tongcheng.
He never expected to find the whereabouts of the death-exempt token so quickly.
Gong Yi showed a cold smile on his face: “I would like to see who has the audacity to steal the death-exempt token from Marquis Wen Bo’s mansion.”
Then everyone followed Bi Cang, led by the compass, and left the county yamen.
They went around and arrived in front of a large mansion.
Magistrate Gong was stunned.
What did this mean?
Could it be that the death-exempt token was in my house?