Ruffians 019

Jiang Gucheng escaped. The Martial Virtue Department failed to find his traces, so the Heaven-Shrouding Guards were immediately dispatched.

After leaving behind harsh words, Fang Zhiyi led his men and withdrew from the Jiang family estate. Jiang Jun felt a lingering palpitation. The other party was clearly just an unrated nobody, so why was he so intimidated by his imposing manner?

He needed to fight back. Since the Martial Virtue Department had changed the landscape of the martial world, he had to make plans for the Jiang family and for his own children.

However, just as he was still scheming, a servant hurriedly ran in again.

Bad news, Master!

Jiang Jun froze. What do you mean bad news for me?

The servant did not even have time to apologize. Something terrible has happened!

What is it?

Viceroy Chen has been arrested!

What! Jiang Jun slammed the table and stood up. Arresting the Viceroy? On what charges?

Corruption, bribery, and harming the common people. The Xilin Army from neighboring Ningxi came directly to arrest him. I heard it was an imperial decree from the Emperor himself!

Jiang Jun slumped back into his chair, the expression of that man from earlier today flashing in his mind.

Running dogs, it must be those running dogs!

Soon after, another piece of news arrived. The old Prime Minister, who had been retired at home planting flowers, was summoned overnight to the capital by the Emperor, who claimed he missed him.

Jiang Jun realized something was very wrong. He was, after all, a local tyrant who had operated here for many years. Just as he was about to react, a third piece of bad news arrived.

Bad news, Master! Our escort agency has been seized. Furthermore, the docks and warehouses have all been sealed off by government troops, who claim we are smuggling weapons and illicit salt!

Bastards! Do they not know how to resist? They just let those soldiers seal everything?

A minor leader, covered in wounds, wore a miserable expression. We did resist. As soon as the disciples at the docks made a move, the Xilin Army arrived and slaughtered their way in. Our men were all thrown into the water. He suddenly remembered, Also, the people leading them called themselves the Heaven-Shrouding Guards!

Jiang Jun stood stunned in place.

This could not be right, could it? Had the world changed this quickly?

In just one day, all of the Jiang family's shops in Jiangnan were seized, and their underground banks were destroyed by the Heaven-Shrouding Guards. Even the desperate fugitives of the martial world that Jiang Jun had secretly taken in were cornered by the army in a suburban manor. After a few volleys of heavy arrows, they were dead beyond dead.

The always arrogant Jiang Jun finally realized that while he thought he dominated the region, the Jiang family's three generations of legacy had been completely shattered by others in just two short days.

Look, this is what a three-party joint operation is all about. What is the key point? Local tyrants have complex and intertwined relationships in their areas. First, we borrow the armed forces of the military to control the perimeter. Then, the Heaven-Shrouding Guards investigate their illicit industries. Finally, it is handed over to the local government to seal off their legitimate businesses. Fang Zhiyi was currently teaching theoretical knowledge to a group of newly recruited disciples.

Um, Lord Fang, a baby-faced disciple raised his hand and asked. I understand the first part, but if they feel we act without evidence, would that not affect our reputation?

The others also nodded in agreement. If the imperial court arrested people and sealed shops indiscriminately, and word spread through the martial world, they would lose all face.

Wang Ergou chuckled darkly. Do the Heaven-Shrouding Guards need evidence to arrest someone? Execute first, report later, imperial power... Ouch!

He was kicked by Fang Zhiyi and stumbled.

And that is exactly the function of the Martial Virtue Department. The Martial Virtue Department must play the role of finding evidence, securing evidence, and making it public to the world. The Heaven-Shrouding Guards are the Heaven-Shrouding Guards; they are currently an executive body, not a decision-making one. You are all reserve members of the Martial Virtue Department, and you must keep this in mind. Your actions must convince the people of the world. Take the Jiang family, for example. They have been entrenched in Jiangnan for years; could they possibly be clean? You could grab any random commoner on the street and ask, and they would know how many lives the Jiang family has on their hands.

As for the subsequent issues of handover and case consolidation, we need to communicate with the local government. However, you must pay attention to one issue: unless the situation is urgent, you cannot bypass the local government to handle a case directly...

Jiang Gucheng and the others, having escaped the Jiang family, were resting in a bamboo forest. Having regained his senses, Jiang Gucheng's face was filled with anger.

I always thought those sects were hypocritical, but to think they would shamelessly defect to the imperial court! He stood up. Matters of the martial world should be settled within the martial world. I am going to find them and settle the score one by one. You guys do not have to follow me.

Brother, what are you saying? I am your sister! Jiang Xue was the first to speak up.

Meng Xiaodie also stepped forward and took his arm.

Xiao Yidan looked completely indifferent. We have always faced trouble together. Of course we are coming with you.

Exactly, let Dad see that we do not need his protection anymore. Jiang Xue's face was full of pride. It is just the deaths of a few worthless commoners, yet those people actually dare to make a fuss about it. Brother, with me here, they cannot do anything to you...

Jiang Gucheng reached out affectionately to pat her head.

An arrow flew over at breakneck speed, incredibly fierce, and pierced straight through Jiang Xue's neck. The sheer force dragged her body two steps back before she collapsed headfirst onto the ground.

Xue'er! Meng Xiaodie's eyes widened in horror.

More arrows rained down.

Orders from above! Jiang Gucheng and his group are extremely dangerous. Kill them on sight!

You... Before Jiang Gucheng could finish, two more companions fell to the ground. Fortunately, his martial skills were formidable. Grabbing Meng Xiaodie and Xiao Yidan, he fled, actually managing to leave their pursuers far behind.

This left the pursuing Heaven-Shrouding Guards feeling rather frustrated.

With a heart full of grief, Jiang Gucheng left the bamboo forest. The anger in his heart was almost impossible to contain. Fortunately, he still had Meng Xiaodie by his side. Looking at this girl who had never abandoned him, he immediately decided to seek refuge with his father's close friend, Ma Bonian. Ma Bonian ran a pawnshop business and had countless ties to the martial world. More importantly, Ma Bonian controlled an intelligence network and was well-informed.

The imperial court is tyrannical and actually killed my sister. I beg you, Uncle, please take us in! Jiang Gucheng spoke with deep earnestness.

Ma Bonian looked at his good friend's son, whom he had not seen in a long time, sighed, and nodded.

Xiao Yidan could no longer sit still at this point. The imperial court planned this from the very beginning. They want to control the heroes of the martial world, turn those sects into their running dogs, and further oppress the common people while persecuting loyal ministers and righteous heroes! We absolutely cannot just stand by and watch this happen!

Jiang Gucheng nodded. He had just learned from Ma Bonian what had happened to the Jiang family. The imperial court had actually tormented the Jiang family to such a miserable state? Thinking of the people in the Jiang family, Jiang Gucheng's heart filled with resentment.

However, before they could finish their grand declarations, arrows suddenly smashed through the window. Jiang Gucheng reacted swiftly, lifting the table to block the window.

Felon Jiang Gucheng! You massacred seventy-eight commoners! You murdered twenty-six fellow martial artists! Come out and submit to the law at once!

Ma Bonian sold us out! Meng Xiaodie's face was a picture of terror.