199: It involves the Tianhai Gang!

The thought of his four subordinates getting into trouble made Fan Dong shiver with fear!

No one alive was found, nor were any bodies.

This strange situation occurred less than an hour after Fan Dong left.

Could it be ghosts causing trouble in broad daylight?

As this thought emerged, Fan Dong looked up at Prefect Hong Zhi and timidly asked,

“Prefect, do you think… it might be those ghostly things at work?”

As the nephew of Chief Constable Fan Wei, Fan Dong knew a little about those ghostly things.

Fan Wei, who was standing nearby, heard this, and his face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He sternly shouted at Fan Dong, who was kneeling on the ground,

“Nonsense!”

“How could those ghostly things appear in broad daylight?”

“You scoundrel, all you know is seeking pleasure all day long. Have you forgotten everything I taught you?”

Prefect Hong Zhi sat above, silently observing Fan Dong and Fan Wei.

At this point, Prefect Hong Zhi lost his patience and spoke calmly.

“Enough.”

As Prefect Hong Zhi spoke, the hall immediately fell silent.

Fan Wei, who had been full of anger just a moment ago, acted as if nothing had happened.

Prefect Hong Zhi slightly raised his head and glanced at Fan Wei, knowing that he was putting on a show for him.

Fan Dong was his nephew, so he naturally wanted to protect Fan Dong as much as possible from severe punishment.

The next moment, Prefect Hong Zhi directly announced his decision regarding Fan Dong's punishment.

“Fan Dong, for your dereliction of duty, your salary will be withheld for half a year as a warning to others!”

As the Fu City Yamen’s Chief Constable, Fan Wei had been diligent for many years, so Prefect Hong Zhi didn’t truly intend to severely punish Fan Dong.

When Fan Dong heard that it was only a half-year salary deduction, his heart filled with joy. He quickly stood up and repeatedly bowed to Prefect Hong Zhi.

“Yes, I accept the punishment, Prefect. You are wise and mighty!”

This trivial punishment had no impact on Fan Dong whatsoever.

Which respectable official relies on that meager salary to live?

That bit of imperial salary wasn't even enough for him to enjoy a few days at the Xin Yue Building.

Fan Dong, wearing the facade of an official, relied on his uncle Fan Wei’s identity as the Fu City Yamen’s Chief Constable.

To exaggerate, the people who wanted to give silver to Fan Dong could line up from the Yamen gate all the way outside Fu City.

“Have you investigated the cause of Wu Wei’s death and determined how he died?”

“Sir, I… I… I…”

Prefect Hong Zhi’s question made Fan Dong feel uneasy, and he stammered, unable to speak.

Because, with Fan Dong’s experience, he simply couldn’t determine the cause of that unfortunate Wu Wei’s death.

“Your subordinate only briefly checked Wu Wei’s meridians and merely confirmed that Wu Wei had no vital signs.”

“As for the rest, your subordinate hasn’t had time to investigate thoroughly.”

“Your subordinate was thinking of moving Wu Wei back to the morgue for a detailed examination.”

Fan Dong's incompetent answer made Prefect Hong Zhi’s old face stiffen. He looked at Fan Wei with displeasure, seemingly questioning him.

“Look at the kind of person you’ve brought!”

Immediately, Prefect Hong Zhi lost the mood to question Fan Dong and waved his hand dismissively.

“Alright, you’re not needed here anymore. You may leave!”

After Fan Dong stumbled out and quickly disappeared, Prefect Hong Zhi looked at Fan Wei.

“Have you been to Shuimen Alley, where those four Yamen Runners mysteriously disappeared?”

“Did you feel anything unusual?”

“Anything unusual?” Fan Wei immediately understood Prefect Hong Zhi’s meaning and answered without hesitation, “Reporting to Your Honor, no.”

“Your subordinate immediately went to Shuimen Alley to investigate and did not detect any Yin energy from those ghostly things.”

It seemed that what Fan Dong had just said made Prefect Hong Zhi suspect those ghostly things.

However, a ghostly thing appearing in broad daylight would likely be the legendary Calamity-level Abnormality!

Prefect Hong Zhi and Fan Dong’s eyes met, as if they had both simultaneously thought of this terrifying possibility.

But after a moment of thought, Prefect Hong Zhi found this idea utterly absurd.

If it truly were a legendary Calamity-level Abnormality, its terrifying Yin energy would have been detected by the Blackbird Guard long ago.

Not only did Prefect Hong Zhi think this, but Fan Wei also believed it couldn't be the legendary Calamity-level Abnormality.

At this moment, a glint flashed in Fan Wei’s eyes. He remembered some things about Wu Wei.

“Your Honor, when your subordinate was on his way here, he investigated some matters concerning Wu Wei.”

“Your subordinate discovered that Wu Wei seems to have some connection with the Tianhai Gang Leader!”

“Oh?”

Seeing this, Prefect Hong Zhi gestured for Fan Wei to continue.

“Wu Wei married a beautiful and charming wife a few years ago. A few months ago, the old leader of the Tianhai Gang celebrated his hundredth birthday with a grand banquet.”

“Your subordinate also accompanied you there, Your Honor, and this Wu Wei, representing the Wu Family Fist Hall Master, also attended the old leader’s birthday banquet.”

“This Wu Wei loved to show off on ordinary days, and he even brought along his beautiful and charming wife.”

“Then, the old leader’s son, who is the Tianhai Gang Leader Hua Yunfei, has a little hobby.”

“That is, he likes married women…”

“Therefore, your subordinate suspects…”

Fan Wei stopped here and looked at Prefect Hong Zhi knowingly, suspecting whether Wu Wei’s death was related to the Tianhai Gang Leader.

“The Tianhai Gang?”

Prefect Hong Zhi felt a bit troubled when he thought of that Lao Jiahuo (Old fellow), Hua Tianhai from the Tianhai Gang.

“Never mind. You don’t need to worry about Hua Tianhai. This official will send someone to notify him to come over.”

“You are to personally lead men to Shuimen Alley now and find those four Yamen Runners, as well as Wu Wei’s body.”

“If there are any unusual circumstances in Shuimen Alley, report back to this official immediately!”

Prefect Hong Zhi would not alarm the Blackbird Guard until it was confirmed that it was one of those ghostly things.

“Yes, Your Honor!”

After Fan Wei left the main hall, he didn't stop for a moment. He led a dozen Yamen Runners out of the Yamen and headed straight for Shuimen Alley in the east of the city.

Shuimen Alley, Wu family estate!

At this moment, white lanterns hung both inside and outside the Wu family estate.

Not far from the gate of the Wu family estate, a dozen men dressed in Yamen Runner uniforms appeared.

The person leading the group was none other than the Fu City Yamen’s Chief Constable, Fan Wei!

Fan Wei walked, observing the surroundings of the Wu family estate, and found nothing unusual.

An old Yamen Runner behind Fan Wei seemed to be very familiar with him.

Upon seeing the Wu family estate, the old Yamen Runner felt some doubt and asked, puzzled,

“Old Fan, isn’t this the residence of Wu Wei, the Wu Family Fist Hall Master?”

“Didn’t you send that kid Fan Dong here today? Why do we still have to come here?”

Upon hearing this, Fan Wei slowed his pace and then recounted the disappearance of the four Yamen Runners and Wu Wei’s body.