Chapter 132 - 93: Seizure (2)
Only a fool would believe that fire was an accident.
"Senior Brother, Xu Zhi handled the transaction, the Qiao Family hid the stolen goods, and the Xu Family supplied the raw materials. However, the official records state it was all ordinary iron ore, not Cold Iron Ore."
Liang Cheng flipped through the case file, his brow furrowing deeper.
"Has Xu Zhi confessed?"
"He’s adamant he knew nothing. Says his subordinates deceived him. The documents he signed off on were only for ordinary iron ore; he claims to be completely ignorant of everything else."
Liang Cheng closed the file and walked to the window.
Dusk settled heavily as the lamps of Lin Wu City began to light up.
"Zhao Yuan, do you think the Xu Family is bold enough to rob the mine and then try to sell the ore right here in Lin Wu City? Especially with me serving as the Town Guardian of Dongshan Mine?" Liang Cheng asked suddenly.
Zhao Yuan was taken aback. "This... Senior Brother, are you saying the Xu Family might have been set up to take the fall?"
"The Xu Family isn’t that stupid. Unless there’s someone else behind them, why would they take such a huge risk for this small amount of ore?"
Zhao Yuan’s gaze sharpened. "No wonder the Xu Family just burned down their warehouse. They’re trying to sacrifice a pawn to save the king. So, how do we investigate now?"
"We don’t. The investigation stops here."
"Huh?"
Zhao Yuan was incredulous. Liang Cheng clapped him on the shoulder. "Sometimes, taking a step back is the best way to move forward and see the truth."
"Besides, the Qiao Family was clearly just being used. Master has been beside himself these past few days. Let’s let him have some peace."
"Understood, Senior Brother."
Zhao Yuan withdrew, and Liang Cheng gazed out the window.
’This clearly involves a power struggle among the higher-ups of Lin Wu City. I’ve probably been unknowingly used as a weapon again. Since that’s the case, why get myself tangled up in it?’
’Watching from the sidelines might give me a clearer view.’
...
The lockdown on the Qiao Mansion was lifted, and the investigation yielded no concrete evidence. This came as a surprise to everyone.
Even Wu Zhenshan could hardly believe his ears, but those were the facts.
「Treasure Pavilion.」
Qian Wanjing frowned after listening to his subordinate’s report.
’What is Liang Cheng playing at?’
’I’ve been watching from the sidelines and saw everything clearly. I even gave things a little nudge myself—otherwise, how could Zhao Yuan have figured things out so quickly?’
’But who would have expected it to end like this? Could Liang Cheng really be so sentimental that he’d just let it all go for the sake of his relationship with his master, Yang Wei?’
’If that’s the case, how am I supposed to pressure Xu Zhi and the Qiao Family to get my hands on that thing they have?’
"Go and spread the word. I want everyone in Lin Wu City to know that the Qiao Family collaborated with the Fire Worship Sect to rob the Dongshan Mine."
"Make sure no one can trace it back to us. And ensure the rumors reach the City Lord’s Mansion, the Lu Family, and the Qin Family. Let’s see what Liang Cheng, as the Town Guardian of Dongshan Mine, will do then."
"Also, give Liang Cheng a helping hand. Make sure he gets the evidence of the Xu Family’s crimes."
"It’s easier to fish in muddy waters."
...
In a single night, rumors spread throughout Lin Wu City.
"Did you hear? They found stolen goods from the Dongshan Mine in the Qiao Family’s warehouse!"
"So why did Town Guardian Liang just let them go?"
"I heard that Town Guardian Liang’s revered master, Yang Wei, was once a live-in son-in-law of the Qiao Family! That makes Qiao Zhi practically his junior sister!"
"No wonder! He’s using the Dongshan Mine case to do someone a personal favor!"
"So that’s how it is."
Whispers filled the teahouses, taverns, and docks.
The rumors grew more and more intense, until the story became that Liang Cheng had abused his power for personal gain, suppressing all dissent to protect the Qiao Family.
...
The Martial Arts Academy’s response was swift.
In the early morning, more than twenty Steward Disciples from the Martial Arts Academy’s Law Enforcement Hall, dressed in uniform black Martial Attire, rushed to various locations throughout the city to post public announcements.
They also sent people to teahouses and taverns to directly express the Martial Arts Academy’s stance and show their firm support for Liang Cheng.
"Six months ago, Liang Zhenchuan annihilated the Black Tide and personally slew the Flipping River Flood Dragon. Last month, at the Dongshan Mine, he foiled the Fire Worship Sect’s plot, killed three of their Guardians, and destroyed their Blood Altar. Would a man of such character really be so shortsighted?"
The voice wasn’t loud, yet it silenced the entire hall.
Meanwhile, the posted announcements were seen by all the city’s residents. They bore the seal of Yan Song, the head of the Law enforcement Hall.
"The Dongshan Mine robbery case is being supervised by the Martial Arts Academy. All investigations are being conducted in strict accordance with the law. Those who baselessly slander a True Inheritor and spread rumors will not be tolerated."
At the same time, Celestial Dormitory disciples like Lu Qingzhou and Qin Huaiyu also visited the merchant guilds and Noble Families they were acquainted with. The message they conveyed, both explicitly and implicitly, was the same.
"We can all vouch for Brother Liang’s character. The case isn’t closed yet. Speaking too soon can hurt others, and oneself."
When Liang Cheng received the news, he went to the Martial Arts Academy to personally express his thanks. However, Lü Bingchen and the others only exchanged a few brief words with him before "shooing" him out.
"You are a True Inheritor of the Martial Arts Academy. It’s only natural for the academy to protect you. What’s there to thank us for?"
...
Spreading rumors about Liang Cheng was not without consequences. That very day, the banner of the Martial Preparation Hall was planted in front of the Qiao Mansion.
Qiao Zhi was checking the account books at that moment. Wu Zhenshan, dressed in a dark cyan Official Robe, walked into the front hall with a grave expression, followed by more than ten elite, armored soldiers from the Martial Preparation Hall, all brandishing sharp weapons.
"Miss Qiao, my apologies for the intrusion."
Wu Zhenshan cupped his hands in a salute. "The Dongshan Mine robbery has wide-reaching implications. The City Lord’s Mansion has ordered a thorough investigation. We have leads indicating that the Qiao Family is suspected of hiding and transporting stolen goods. According to the law, we must ask the person in charge to come to the Government Office for questioning."
Qiao Zhi’s face turned deathly pale upon hearing this. "Wu the Treasurer, Liang Zhenchuan from the Martial Arts Academy has already investigated. My Qiao Mansion has not..."
Before she could finish, Wu Zhenshan cut her off. "That was the Martial Arts Academy’s investigation. This one is being supervised by the City Lord’s Mansion. Miss Qiao, if you please."
Just then, Mrs. Qiao rushed out from behind a screen and fell to her knees with a THUD. "Lord Wu, my daughter is with child! I beg you, please be lenient..."
Wu Zhenshan bent down to help Madam Qiao to her feet, his tone softening. "Rest assured, Madam Qiao. This is merely for questioning. If the Qiao Family is innocent, Miss Qiao will naturally return unharmed."
He then turned his gaze to Qiao Zhi. "Miss Qiao, please."
Qiao Zhi bit her lower lip, glanced at her mother, and finally straightened her back and walked out.