Chapter 422: 421 is really going to change.
In Nan Zhao City, at a window seat of a tavern, Yang Fei and two others sat at a table, drinking and eating meat.
The brewing level here was extremely high; the taste of the liquor even surpassed that of the so-called top four national liquors of the outside world. Moreover, beef was not forbidden here, and the braised beef was abundant enough to satisfy anyone.
"To experience this kind of bold and carefree joy of the Martial Arts World, the trip was indeed worthwhile," Yang Fei said with a smile, holding a large bowl of liquor.
Wang Lei nodded and responded, "Compared to the hustle and bustle of the outside world, I do miss the straightforward disputes and carefree interactions here."
Xu Jian quietly sat on one side, also drinking heavily and eating meat, his profound gaze sweeping across the youthful faces of Yang Fei and Wang Lei, seemingly filled with envy.
Youth was indeed an asset.
In such a wonderful world, only with a young and robust body could one truly enjoy it.
After they had their fill, just as the three were about to leave, a sudden commotion occurred outside, and dense footsteps followed. A chilly voice then commanded, "Surround this place, no one leaves without my order."
A young man at the entrance, accompanied by several attendants, entered briskly. His sharp eyes quickly swept through the crowd in the tavern and soon fixed on Yang Fei and his companions, before he strode towards them.
Yang Fei and his friends were inwardly cautious but didn’t take it too seriously.
Although this was the Hidden Sect World, with their combat power, they could virtually do as they pleased, as long as they didn’t encounter top-tier fighters.
Though this young man exuded murderous aura and an imposing momentum, his Realm was close to that of Zhao Changgong, which posed no threat to the three of them.
"Were the people killed on the official road thirty miles southwest done by you?" the young man asked coldly, his eyes piercing as he locked onto Yang Fei and his companions.
Yang Fei was internally shocked, not expecting the local investigation to be so swift that they could pinpoint suspects so soon after the incident.
Wang Lei frowned slightly and responded sternly, "We don’t understand what you’re talking about."
The young man kept watching their expressions. When he mentioned the murder, and none showed any change in expression, he grew somewhat puzzled. Had he guessed wrong?
Though filled with doubts, the young man forcefully declared, "I am Nangong Yuheng, from the Nan Zhao City Lord Mansion. The City Lord Mansion governs everything within a hundred miles of Nan Zhao City. A major case occurred recently thirty miles to the southwest, and I suspect it was you three. Come with us."
Nine people from the Giant Sword Manor were killed, including the expert Zhao Changgong. The incident happened on Nangong Family territory. If the Nangong Family didn’t clear the case promptly, it would inevitably lead to a conflict with the Giant Sword Manor.
In these troublesome times, the Nangong Family definitely did not want to have unpleasant dealings with the Giant Sword Manor.
"Like I said, we don’t know what you are talking about. Why should we accompany you without any evidence?" Wang Lei said assertively.
Nangong Yuheng raised his eyebrows, staring at Wang Lei and asked, "Dare you resist?"
Wang Lei retorted, "What right do you have to investigate us?"
Yang Fei laughed.
This was the essence of the Martial Arts World.
In the outside world, Nangong Yuheng could simply show his credentials and proceed by the law.
But here, you, Nangong Yuheng, claim to represent the Nangong Family and believe that you govern everything within a hundred miles, but we don’t acknowledge your right to manage this matter or recognize your status as a Law Enforcer.
This is the Martial Arts World.
Depending on the martial prowess to impose rules, you have your norms, I have my reasoning; in the absence of a robust legal system, society falls into chaos.
"By what right?"
Nangong Yuheng thought he had misheard and, after a brief pause, started laughing. Observing Wang Lei, he said, "Kid, are you new to the Martial Arts World? You actually dare ask such a naive question?"
Wang Lei slowly shook his head and responded, "Regardless of whether I am inexperienced, I only know that one cannot arrest people without solid evidence."
"This is Nan Zhao City, the territory of the Nangong Family," Nangong Yuheng reminded.
Wang Lei snickered disdainfully, "Don’t try to scare me with the Nangong Family. I come from the Langya Wang Family."
Nangong Yuheng’s expression changed upon hearing this, staring at Wang Lei, "Are you truly a member of the Langya Wang Family?"
Wang Lei replied, "The real deal."
To minimize trouble, he had no choice but to use the name of the Langya Wang Family.
Given Nangong Yuheng’s assertive nature, he would definitely bring the three for investigation today, which would be too time-consuming. He knew Yang Fei, who would definitely not cooperate with the investigation willingly.
Rather than coming to blows with them, it was better to test if the name of the Langya Wang Family still held sway.
Nangong Yuheng grew serious, asking, "Do you have proof?"
Wang Lei drew his blade, and thunder rumbled through the void, as if thunderclaps were about to descend.
A trace of shock flashed in Xu Jian’s deep eyes—such a bizarre saber technique that could communicate with the Thunder Power of heaven and earth!
Nangong Yuheng’s complexion drastically changed, "Thunderclap Saber Technique!"
Immediately, he clasped his hands in front, addressing Wang Lei very politely, "So you are a son of the Langya Wang Family. I was rude just now, my apologies."
The Langya Wang Family was famous for many martial arts, but the Thunderclap Saber Technique was definitely the most renowned, and could only be cultivated by members of the direct lineage.
Most crucially, the man in front of him was so young yet had managed to cultivate the Thunderclap Saber Technique to such a level. His talent was evident, marking him as a highly significant person within the Langya Wang Family—definitely not someone he could afford to offend.
Wang Lei secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The name of the Langya Wang Family was indeed useful, sparing him a lot of trouble.
Although he had been expelled from the Langya Wang Family, he was not a pedantic person and took no issue with using the family’s name.
"No worries, you have your stance," Wang Lei said.
The other party had given him face, and he needed to show some measure of tact in return.
"By the way, you mentioned a murder case. Seeing how anxious you look, the identity of the victim must be quite extraordinary, right?" Wang Lei asked insincerely.
This question made Nangong Yuheng even less likely to suspect him. He said, "It was people from the Giant Sword Manor that were killed, a total of nine. This incident happened not far outside Nan Zhao City, and the Nangong Family must put on a show, otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to explain to the Giant Sword Manor."
Understanding the situation, Wang Lei nodded, saying, "Who would be so bold as to harm so many from the Giant Sword Manor, and what could they possibly want by doing so?"
As he asked this last question, he stared into Nangong Yuheng’s eyes.
Nangong Yuheng shook his head, "I don’t know."
Wang Lei was somewhat disappointed, as he could see that Nangong Yuheng indeed did not know the reason.
"What is your esteemed name, Brother Wang? Although there have been many offenses today, Nangong Yuheng likes to make friends," Nangong Yuheng asked Wang Lei.
"Wang Lin," Wang Lei casually gave a name.
Nangong Yuheng searched his mind and felt he had never heard this name, yet he harbored no doubts. Instead, he thought that the Langya Wang Family was indeed unfathomable, to have such an unknown talented youth.
Of course, he also guessed that the other party might be using an alias, but he was not foolish enough to pry further.
"I must continue my investigation of this case, so I will take my leave now." Nangong Yuheng also had his pride and, seeing that the other party did not seem eager to befriend him, he took his leave.
After leaving the restaurant and walking some distance, a thin man beside Nangong Yuheng suddenly lowered his voice, "My lord, these three seemed very suspicious, and their clothes are much like those taken from three others who lost theirs. Why did you not continue to question them?"
Nangong Yuheng snorted, "Fool, this matter involves the Langya Wang Family. How could the Nangong Family easily interfere? We need only to inform the Giant Sword Manor of the incident truthfully."
"The young master has thought of everything," the thin man said.
Looking up at the sky, Nangong Yuheng sighed to himself, "The skies might really be changing. Losing something so important, how could the Giant Sword Manor let this go easily? Is this really the doing of the Langya Wang Family?"