Turning to see Xia Yunting's cold expression, she instantly swallowed back the words of sophistry.
Though his face wasn't fierce, it exuded a palpable killing intent, sending shivers down her spine. It felt as if one more word would result in her neck being snapped.
"You can keep these words for the constables," Rong Zhi said indifferently, her tone casual as if chatting about trivial matters. Yet, she was already heading towards a door, dragging the captive in her hand.
The candied haw seller felt his vision black out. The man in black, however, remained calmer, as if he had anticipated this situation and prepared a countermeasure.
Thus, Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting handed over the two individuals to the constables under Lu An.
The constables were somewhat surprised to have two people delivered to them for no apparent reason.
"What crimes have these two committed?"
"Spreading rumors," Rong Zhi recounted the earlier events.
The constable frowned. Discussing such matters on the street could easily incite public panic. The man in black was particularly suspicious, his deliberate attire suggesting malicious intent.
"Wait a moment." Rong Zhi suddenly remembered something. She handed the man in black to the constable, then leaped over the wall. Not long after, she reappeared, carrying a small vendor in each hand. Her speed was so astonishing that the constable almost believed she possessed the ability of teleportation.
The two vendors were also startled. They had been selling their wares peacefully when suddenly they felt a lightness in their bodies, their vision blurred, and in an instant, they were somewhere else. They thought it was a haunting, but upon closer inspection, they saw the candied haw seller, who had been chatting with them enthusiastically, being held like a fledgling chick. They understood the situation by about eighty percent.
"Were you two discussing something about collusion between officials and bandits?" the constable asked sternly, his expression hardening.
"Constable, spare us! It was the candied haw seller who said it, we have nothing to do with it. We were just setting up stalls on the street, and he insisted on talking to us!"
The two vendors quickly knelt and begged for mercy, completely betraying the candied haw seller.
Now, the case was sealed.
The constable shot the candied haw seller and the man in black a displeased glance, then turned to Rong Zhi and said, "Miss, rest assured. I will detain these two and await the magistrate's decision upon his return."
Lu An was still with Chen Xing, rescuing people in Lingshui County, so he couldn't make the decision himself.
Rong Zhi nodded and pointed at the man in black, "Detain this man with priority. Do not let him die. Interrogate him thoroughly to find out who instructed him to come here. Also, do not allow these two to meet with those people from Swallow Mountain."
"Understood."
The constable secretly sighed, thinking this young lady was indeed meticulous.
The constable then temporarily detained the two, while the two vendors were released with a warning: they were forbidden from discussing such unsettling rumors on the street in the future. The vendors expressed their profuse thanks and scurried away in a panic.
The constable thanked Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting.
"Thank you both for your assistance. Our magistrate is new to this area and is still unfamiliar with the local customs. We were unaware of such incidents occurring on the street. We are truly grateful for your help."
"It was a small matter, no need for such politeness," Rong Zhi waved her hand and asked, "How are those people from Swallow Mountain now? Have they confessed anything?"
Mentioning this, the constable's expression changed. He glanced around and lowered his voice, "They have said something, but… the person they implicated is someone we cannot afford to offend."
"Could it be Xia Yunting?"
"You are sharp, Miss." The constable praised, "I was struggling with how to handle this matter, but seeing these two today, I suppose Xia Yunting's outcome cannot be easily trusted. However, those people are very stubborn; I doubt harsh interrogation will yield anything."
To say their bones were hard was an understatement. Those people were practically monsters. Apart from that one time Miss brought that young master Zhang inside, no one else dared to approach them. Otherwise, even if bound, those individuals had ways to attack them.
"If interrogation is the issue, I have a few methods," Xia Yunting, who had been silent, spoke up.
The constable looked over with curiosity, his face showing a hint of awe. After all, the sight of so many corpses on Swallow Mountain, the rivers of blood, was not something that could be forgotten easily.
Xia Yunting paid no mind to his sudden cautious expression. He leaned in and whispered something rapidly. The constable's face instantly turned pale.
"This… this is too cruel!"
"Constable, whether the methods are cruel or not, what matters is if they are effective. Do you intend to show sympathy to these ruthless bandits?"
Xia Yunting remained silent, but Rong Zhi spoke up from the side.
The constable quickly shook his head, increasingly wondering about the identities of these two, who could devise such tormenting methods.
"Furthermore, if others refuse to speak, that blind man is worth paying special attention to."
Rong Zhi recalled the personalities of the individuals among the Five Ghosts of Sanyang Mountain. She added this thought, acknowledging that these might not be the original Five Ghosts, but given their ability to imitate their moves, methods, and even their disabilities, their personalities were likely no different from the first generation.
The constable nodded blankly, finding these two more and more enigmatic.
"Oh, right. If the blind man still doesn't speak, find a way to make him swallow this." Rong Zhi took out a pill from her bosom and handed it over.
The constable took it. "This is…"
"It's just an ordinary sleeping pill. When one is asleep, their resolve is weak, making them more likely to speak the truth."
"Alright, thank you." The constable carefully put the pill away.
"If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
"Wait a moment." The constable stopped the two. Though unsure if he should ask, he couldn't resist.
"May I ask who you two are?"
"Just people from the martial world. However, I have some past acquaintance with the Five Ghosts of Swallow Mountain. If they still refuse to speak, you can find me at the ghost house in Yunshui Village."
Past acquaintance… Xia Yunting's eyes flickered, quickly masking his emotion.
"I see." The constable's expression became even more respectful. "Please travel safely."
When the two returned to the bustling market, the vendors outside were no longer as lively as before. Many had already packed up, and the lights were not as bright. Seeing that nothing could be bought tonight, they weren't in a hurry. They strolled leisurely through the street, checking if there were any more instances of rumor-mongering.
Fortunately, such people were isolated. Rong Zhi wandered past various stalls, casually asking Xia Yunting, "What did you tell that constable just now?"
"Nothing much, just common methods for dealing with captives."
Rong Zhi had a rough idea. As someone who had spent years in military campaigns, living on the edge of a blade, his methods were naturally incomparable to ordinary people.
"If you don't want others to know your identity, you should restrain yourself. Look at how pale that constable's face turned from fear."
Although she hadn't clearly heard what Xia Yunting said, the constable's reaction indicated it must have been an extremely cruel method.
Xia Yunting frowned, appearing somewhat troubled. "These are just the simplest, most commonplace methods."
For some reason, Rong Zhi inexplicably detected a hint of grievance in his tone.
The two walked unknowingly to the end of a street. Beyond it lay red walls and green tiles, with large red lanterns casting a glow over a scene of merriment—a brothel.
"It seems we won't be able to buy anything tonight. Let's head back."
Rong Zhi had no interest in brothels and turned to leave. Xia Yunting suddenly pointed in a direction within the brothel and asked, "Is that young master Zhang?"
Rong Zhi peered over curiously. Indeed, several scantily clad women surrounded a man in opulent clothing, laughing and chatting. The way they embraced each other was rather eye-watering.
"He's only been well for a few days, and he's already at a brothel?" Rong Zhi's eyes widened. She pulled up her sleeve and walked over without a word.
Xia Yunting had intended to stop her, but seeing her formidable approach, he knew he wouldn't succeed. He could only watch as Rong Zhi walked up and grabbed the ear of the young master who was enjoying himself.
"Young Master Zhang, it's been a few days, and you're living quite comfortably, aren't you?" Rong Zhi smiled, her tone still calm, but the killing intent conveyed was undeniable.
Young Master Zhang was flirting with some ladies when his ear was suddenly grabbed in public. Humiliated, he was about to curse when he saw it was Rong Zhi. His previously spirited demeanor instantly deflated.
"Doctor Lin, what are you doing here?" He smiled obsequiously, pointing to an empty, secluded spot not far away. He pleaded in a low voice, "Doctor Lin, if you have something to say, let's say it there. Don't let me lose face in front of these ladies."
Rong Zhi narrowed her eyes. She heeded his request, dragged him to a secluded spot, and asked coldly, "I prescribed medicine for you and treated your illness, and you are disgracing my medical skills like this?"
Young Master Zhang guiltily looked around, begging Rong Zhi, "Doctor Lin, please speak softly. Don't let anyone hear." He noticed several people glancing in their direction, and then quickly looking away after his gaze swept over them. He felt even more embarrassed.
He quietly leaned closer and whispered, "Actually, I'm not here to play. I'm here to see a doctor."
"See a doctor?" Rong Zhi was somewhat surprised. She looked at the sign on the rooftop, confirming she wasn't mistaken. "What kind of illness can be treated here?"
She suddenly realized something and her gaze slowly shifted downward, landing on a spot three inches below his abdomen.
Young Master Zhang suddenly jumped back as if scalded, his face contorted in panic. "Doctor Lin, men and women are different. You can't treat this illness, so don't bother. I'll take your medicine diligently. Please let me go!"
This reaction confirmed Rong Zhi's earlier guess.
"What kind of doctor is there inside?"
Young Master Zhang's face turned as red as a persimmon.
"I heard it's a renowned traveling physician. He's only staying for five days, and today is the last day. I was just going to try my luck."
Who knew he would be recognized by an acquaintance as soon as he entered? Young Master Zhang felt utterly humiliated.
"A renowned physician? Perfect. I love sparring with renowned physicians. Why don't you take me in to see him as well?"
"This, this…" Young Master Zhang looked conflicted. Coming here alone was already embarrassing enough. If he brought two more people…
"What, you can't?"
"I can, but… you'll have to pretend to be my wife." This was the best way he could think of to avoid further embarrassment.
The moment he finished speaking, a person emerged from the shadows, looking at him with a cold expression. He spoke to Rong Zhi instead, "Xiao Mo, if you wish to go in, I will accompany you."
"Ah… why are you here?"
Young Master Zhang jumped in fright. How had he not seen this person earlier? And he had just said something about having Doctor Lin pretend to be his wife… this was too… awkward.