"Even you might not be able to keep me," Old Ji snorted coldly, and then...
Under everyone's horrified gazes, he took out his right eyeball.
Then he threw it towards Han Zongyuan.
*Poof!*
Instantly.
A white mist rose.
Everyone felt a dizzying sensation.
And Old Ji took this opportunity to flee across the roof of the county office.
"You think you can escape from me, the official!"
Han Zongyuan shouted coldly. He waved his right hand, dispersing the surrounding thick smoke.
The next second, he appeared on the rooftop.
Directly catching up with Old Ji.
Chen Nan wanted to chase after the excitement, but both of them were too fast.
He couldn't catch up at all.
Helpless, he had to give up.
"I never expected Old Ji to be a member of the Anti-Heaven Cult," someone sighed.
"Yes, every time I think that remnants of the Anti-Heaven Cult are by my side, I tremble with fear."
People chattered, feeling a sense of lingering fear.
After all, the Anti-Heaven Cult had numerous methods, and a slight mistake could lead to ruin.
Chen Nan looked at Wang Xingping and said, "Captain Wang, Old Ji colluded with Ruyi Tower, causing people to sign yin-yang contracts, and Ruyi Tower is an industry of the Gongyang family."
"What do you think about this matter?"
Wang Xingping asked, "What do you suggest we do?"
Chen Nan said, "According to the law, anyone colluding with the Anti-Heaven Cult shall be punished by the extermination of their nine generations."
Wang Xingping grunted, "We will follow your lead."
Chen Nan nodded slightly and looked at the constables. "Brothers, follow me to the Gongyang family and apprehend all of them."
"Yes!"
Thus.
Chen Nan changed into his constable uniform.
Leading more than a dozen people, he majestically headed towards the Gongyang family.
The patriarch of the Gongyang family was named Gongyang Qing. When he learned that someone from the Anti-Heaven Cult had signed yin-yang contracts at Ruyi Tower, he repeatedly claimed innocence and stated that Xu Dacheng was a steward they had recently hired.
Chen Nan naturally did not believe this explanation and took away all the members of the Gongyang family.
As for whether they were innocent or not, that would require Han Zongyuan's personal interrogation.
When their group returned to the county office.
Han Zongyuan had already returned. His face was haggard, looking as if he had been injured.
Chen Nan couldn't help but ask, "My Lord, are you injured?"
Han Zongyuan said, "It's nothing serious, it's just that Old Ji escaped."
Chen Nan almost cursed.
It was nothing serious to you.
But it was different for me!
It was I who exposed Old Ji as a remnant of the Anti-Heaven Cult.
He would definitely seek revenge on me!
Han Zongyuan continued, "Although Old Ji escaped, I severely wounded him. He should not pose any threat to you."
Chen Nan remained silent.
Although he didn't know Old Ji's cultivation level.
He was at least a strong cultivator of the Soul Gathering realm.
Even if such a person were severely injured, he was still no match for Chen Nan.
The only way was to find him while he was severely injured and recovering.
And kill him.
This matter.
He would have to seek Zhang Mingquan's help again.
Chen Nan changed the subject and respectfully said, "My Lord, I have apprehended all the members of the Gongyang family and await your interrogation and judgment."
Han Zongyuan nodded slightly, "Bring Gongyang Qing here."
"Yes!"
A moment later.
Gongyang Qing was escorted by Song Yunfei and others.
He was wearing handcuffs and shackles, his face was sallow, and his eyes were filled with terror. "Lord Han, this humble subject is innocent, this humble subject is innocent!"
"Although Ruyi Tower is an industry of my Gongyang family, Xu Dacheng was only a recently hired steward."
"His actions truly do not represent our Gongyang family!"
At this moment.
The constables who went to Ruyi Tower to apprehend Xu Dacheng also returned to the county office and reported to Han Zongyuan, "Lord Han, Xu Dacheng committed suicide out of guilt."
Han Zongyuan said with regret, "You claim Xu Dacheng's actions were unrelated to your Gongyang family, yet now Xu Dacheng has committed suicide out of guilt. Is this a case of death without proof?"
"My Lord, I am innocent, this humble subject is innocent!" Gongyang Qing knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly. "The ancestors of the Gongyang family once fought bravely against the Anti-Heaven Cult. How could my Gongyang family collude with them?"
"I beg my Lord to give the Gongyang family a clean slate."
At this moment.
Even Chen Nan could see that Gongyang Qing was not lying.
However, how this case would be handled depended on Han Zongyuan's methods.
And according to this case, Han Zongyuan's capabilities could be fully demonstrated.
Han Zongyuan spoke, "Step forward!"
Gongyang Qing scrambled to appear before Han Zongyuan.
At this moment.
Even if Han Zongyuan had asked him to lick his shoes clean, he would not have hesitated.
After Gongyang Qing appeared before him.
Han Zongyuan formed a hand seal.
Then he pointed it at Gongyang Qing's forehead.
The next second.
All the information in Gongyang Qing's mind regarding Xu Dacheng appeared in Han Zongyuan's mind.
He had used soul searching.
After reviewing Gongyang Qing's memories, Han Zongyuan withdrew his hand and sat down on the Grand Tutor's chair, looking somewhat tired. "Although I believe you had no dealings with Xu Dacheng."
"But will the people of Tongcheng believe it?"
"Will the civil and military officials believe it?"
"Will the Great Emperor believe it?"
Gongyang Qing prostrated himself on the ground, extremely fearful, "I beg my Lord to enlighten me."
Han Zongyuan said, "In fact, according to the law, I do not need to see you today; I could have directly executed your entire Gongyang family."
"But I do not believe that your Gongyang family would collude with the Anti-Heaven Cult in secret."
"But does my belief matter?"
He paused and continued, "There is a way to save your Gongyang family."
"However, you need to relinquish Ruyi Tower and contribute it to the county office."
"This way, I can let you off the hook, and even announce to the world that your Gongyang family helped the court uncover remnants of the Anti-Heaven Cult."
"This can be considered a merit."
"Thank you, my Lord, for your heavenly grace. My Gongyang family is willing to contribute Ruyi Tower!" Gongyang Qing cried tears of joy and shouted.
It was unclear whether he was moved.
Or reluctant.
Chen Nan was secretly shocked.
He had to admit.
Han Zongyuan's methods were truly ruthless.
He had actually used this matter to seize Ruyi Tower from the Gongyang family.
It was known that two-thirds of the Gongyang family's revenue came from Ruyi Tower.
At this moment.
He couldn't help but doubt.
Was Xu Dacheng, who colluded with Old Ji, truly committed suicide out of guilt?
Or was it a murder?
The water was too deep; he dared not think about it.
"Go!" Han Zongyuan waved his hand, dismissing the 'tearfully grateful' Gongyang Qing.
After Gongyang Qing left, Han Zongyuan looked at Chen Nan and smiled, "This time you've exposed a remnant of the Anti-Heaven Cult hidden in the county office. I will report your merit to the Great Emperor. When you become a Yin Messenger, there will be no shortage of benefits for you."
"You have all been quite tired these past few days. I am giving you three days off to rest well!"
"Yes!"
Chen Nan bowed and retreated.
However.
A strong sense of unease arose in his heart.
Han Zongyuan was too difficult to deal with!
Furthermore, judging by his methods of conduct, he was definitely not part of Yuan Zun's faction.
Despite being an enemy.
He treated Chen Nan so kindly.
What was this old fellow plotting?