Chương 59: The Ruthless Judge, the County Office Comes to Arrest Someone

As soon as Constable Wang spoke, the previously noisy Craftsmanship Hall fell into dead silence. All the blacksmith disciples looked at him in confusion.

"Ruthless Judge Wang Hai… why is this god of death here?"

"Is he here for our junior brother? Don't tell me something serious happened…"

"Anyone who falls into his hands is said to lose a layer of skin even if he survives."

"That's not necessarily true. If you've got money, you can still buy your way out with your life intact." Low murmurs spread among the disciples of the Craftsmanship Hall. And every word reached Su Zhe's ears clearly.

"Ruthless Judge" Wang Hai — the county constable. He was one of the strongest figures in Lu County. Peak third-rank cultivation. Decisive, ruthless, and infamous for brutal methods. He had once fought Wang Shan of the Breaking Army Hall. Over a hundred exchanges. In the end, Wang Hai was narrowly defeated. The two shared the same surname and walked similar martial paths. From then on, Wang Hai respectfully addressed Wang Shan as "Brother," treating him with great reverence.

Su Zhe had once heard, after killing the river tyrant Huang Mazi and returning to the Blacksmith Gang, that Wang Shan had flown into a rage at Wang Hai—accusing him of failing to capture the real culprit. And ever since Su Zhe killed the county treasury clerk and pocketed nearly twenty thousand taels of stolen silver, he had begun paying close attention to this constable. Because after merging with the Dark Scythe's memories, he already knew— Wang Hai was the one responsible for hunting him.

Before making a move against the clerk, Wang Hai had even hinted: hand over the stolen money, and your life might be spared. But the clerk intended to deliver that stolen fortune to the Blood Refining Sect. Neither side backed down, and they clashed violently. The clerk was defeated and fled, wounded—eventually collapsing in a peasant's woodshed. That incident later led to the loss of the Dark Scythe. And Su Zhe… had simply picked up the bargain.

"When I killed the clerk, there were account books on him. They recorded years of bribes taken by Wang Hai…"

"So he's here for that stolen money after all." Su Zhe narrowed his eyes slightly, his thoughts sharpening. And then he remembered something else. He had also looted quite a few items from the clerk and the treasury guards. He had been busy these past two days refining treasures and tempering his body—and hadn't checked them carefully. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Thinking of this now… That might have been a mistake.

At that moment, Guo Ju dropped his forging hammer. His iron-tower-like body stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and asked in a deep voice:"May I ask Constable Wang… my master is Hall Master Sun Tiexin of the Craftsmanship Hall. Why have you come to seek my junior brother today?" Wang Hai glanced at Guo Ju, frowned slightly, then gave a cold snort.

"So you're the senior disciple of the Craftsmanship Hall… fine."

"This official will give your hall some face."

"Outside Lu County, a peasant was killed by a former county treasury clerk."

"This official suspects Su Zhe is involved. He must come to the county office for questioning." Two rows of yamen officers stood apart, faces cold and expressionless. Wang Hai's tone sounded polite, but his authority was absolute and unyielding. Guo Ju turned to Su Zhe.

"Senior Brother, it's fine." Su Zhe stepped forward, patted Guo Ju's shoulder, and calmly said:"Disciple Su Zhe greets Constable Wang." Wang Hai nodded slightly and asked:"Tell me—some days ago at the temple market, did you buy old farming tools from a peasant stall?" Su Zhe nodded.

"Yes." Wang Hai's expression darkened.

"Then it fits…"

"That old peasant returned home and died shortly after."

"According to his granddaughter, he was killed by the former county treasury clerk, the fugitive Zhang Xuan. After that, somehow, the pirate king 'Mad Shark' arrived and killed Zhang Xuan."

"This matter is suspicious. You must come with me for questioning." With a wave of his hand—"Take him."

"Yes, sir!" The yamen officers responded in unison. Iron chains in hand, they strode toward Su Zhe.

"Stop! You can't!" Guo Ju stepped in front of Su Zhe, arms spread wide, internal energy surging outward. The approaching officers were blasted backward, stumbling and unable to advance.

"Hmph!" Wang Hai stepped forward. A formless, suffocating pressure erupted from him like an iron wall, blocking the force.

"Guo Ju, I've already shown you enough respect."

"And you dare resist the authorities?" Guo Ju's face turned red with anger, but his massive body stood like a steel pillar, refusing to retreat. He didn't know how to argue—he simply refused to let Su Zhe be taken.

"Constable Wang, that's not right." At that moment, Xiao Xunhuan sneered and spoke up.

"That old peasant had hundreds of customers passing through his stall every day."

"My junior brother simply bought a few tools. Now you want to arrest him for questioning?"

"Isn't that a bit absurd?" Guo Ju quickly nodded.

"Yes, yes! That's what I think too!" His eyes lit up. Ah… the difference between people really is huge. This guy's mouth is actually useful—he should be the senior brother's spokesperson. Wang Hai's hand slowly moved toward the blade at his waist.

"The official will investigate this matter thoroughly."

"But if you continue obstructing the county office…" His killing intent surged. Before he could finish— The Craftsmanship Hall disciples erupted.

"Senior Brother Xiao is right! What kind of logic is that?"

"Just buying something makes you a suspect? No way!"

"If you want to take our junior brother, we won't allow it!" One by one, the blacksmith disciples stepped forward with heavy hammers in hand.

"Junior Brother, don't be afraid! We blacksmiths don't like trouble—but if anyone dares bully the Craftsmanship Hall…"

"One hammer can forge iron—and smash people too!" Muscles bulged. Veins twisted like dragons beneath their skin. The Great Qian Martial Dynasty was a world ruled by martial force. Court and sects governed together. Though the county office held nominal authority, the Blacksmith Gang was the largest faction in Lu County. They were not afraid. Surrounded by his senior brothers, Su Zhe could only sigh helplessly.

"Everyone, there's no need for this…"

"Shut up!" Xiao Xunhuan lowered his voice sharply.

"If you go with him today, the Craftsmanship Hall loses all face."

"And when Master returns, he'll skin us alive!" Su Zhe could only close his mouth. Another sigh. Still… the sincerity of these senior brothers warmed him slightly.

"Ha!"

"Old man only left for a moment, and now some dogs dare bark inside my Craftsmanship Hall?"

"Urinating wherever they please—they should at least look at the place!" A cold voice echoed from the back. Master is here. The disciples immediately brightened and parted to make way. Hall Master Sun Tiexin strode forward, his dark face already clouded with rage like storm clouds pressing down on a city. Su Zhe glanced at him.

"Master seems… in a bad mood." Wang Hai frowned upon seeing him.

"Get lost."

"Or fight me. If we fight, the plan to purge the Blood Refining Sect has nothing to do with me anymore."

"I won't say it twice." Sun Tiexin narrowed his eyes.

"Then let's fight."

"Or you leave." A tense silence fell. Wang Hai clenched his jaw. The operation to eliminate the Blood Refining Sect was a joint agreement between the county office, the river transport gang, and the Blacksmith Gang. Sun Tiexin was too strong—removing him would destabilize the entire plan. But then… Wang Hai thought of the missing stolen fortune from the treasury clerk. And his expression darkened with unwilling frustration…