The closer Chang Shan got to Guiyi Lane, the more uneasy he felt.
He hadn't felt this way for many years. The last time he felt it was a few years ago when the foreign race masters attacked the Sutra Depository.
That uneasiness made him retreat.
He often thought that if he had made a contribution back then, would his current status have reached the height of his dreams?
Unfortunately, there were no ifs. Time could not be turned back.
He chose a hidden spot and under the starlight, he saw a dozen constables patrolling in the alley where the murder happened. They seemed to be guarding something.
It was very quiet in the distance, so quiet that it was oppressive.
Chang Shan thought for a moment and came out from his hiding spot, walking towards the constables.
"The capital magistrate is handling a case. Unrelated people, move aside!"
One of the bailiffs shouted impatiently when he saw him coming over.
Chang Shan said calmly, "I am Chang Shan, the instructor of the Outer Courtyard. What happened here?"
"Stand down! How can you speak to Official Chang like that? "
A constable heard and immediately rushed over, ordering his subordinate to stand down. He then cupped his hands and smiled, "So it's Official Chang. Hei Zi is blind and can't recognize you. Please don't take it to heart."
This respect was what an instructor of the Academy deserved.
Even officials of the same rank could not receive such respect. This was the Academy, above the mortal world.
Chang Shan waved his hand as usual, "I came to visit a friend and saw you here. I thought something big must have happened, so I came to ask."
The constable was surprised, "Instructor Chang, you still don't know? Official Su Yu was killed. His Majesty ordered the two departments to solve the case as soon as possible. The two officials have already locked onto the location of the murderer and are waiting to lure the snake out of the hole to arrest him. "
Chang Shan was shocked, "Instructor Su is dead?"
The constable said, "My condolences, Official Chang."
Chang Shan shook his head, "Life and death are unpredictable. However, my colleague has died a tragic death, so I should do my part in arresting him. I wonder if you can introduce me to Official Yu? "
The constable was overjoyed, "Very good. With Official Chang's help, the arrest will be more certain. Official Chang, this way please."
As he spoke, he carried the lantern and walked in the direction of the wine shop.
Chang Shan took two steps forward and suddenly stopped. His eyes flickered as he said, "If you don't ask, how do you know if Official Yu is happy to see me?"
The bailiff's palms were sweating and his heart was beating rapidly. He didn't know what to do.
Bang!
There were sounds of fighting ahead.
The constable suddenly had an idea and said, "Lord Chang, they're fighting. Let's go and take a look."
After saying that, he ran forward, not caring if Chang Shan was following him.
Chang Shan frowned and thought for a moment. The sounds of fighting became more and more intense, and he finally moved.
After walking for about a thousand feet, his heart suddenly skipped a beat. Turning around, he saw that the alley behind him had sunk into darkness. Those patrolling bailiffs with lanterns in their hands had disappeared without a trace. The indistinct sounds of fighting in front of him had also suddenly disappeared.
It was completely silent, as if the only thing left in this world was the sound of his breathing.
Chang Shan held his breath and looked around coldly. "Stop playing tricks. Come out!"
"Oh, it's Instructor Chang. What a coincidence."
In the darkness, a person slowly walked out of the alley on the left. His body was covered in the scars of a fierce battle. The blood on his sleeves had solidified layer by layer and was so red that it was almost black.
Even though he looked disheveled, his unique pair of eyes were like stars in the night sky. They were mysterious, deep, bright, and filled with endless attraction.
There was no other pair of eyes like this in this world. Anyone who saw them would never forget them.
Chang Shan frowned and said, "Yan Li, what are you doing here?"
Yan Li leisurely said, "The night is long and I can't sleep. It's because my yearning has dyed the entire night sky. Thus, the stars never set and my yearning never dies. Isn't Instructor Chang the same? It's a pity that Instructor Shen doesn't know that Instructor Chang can't sleep at night because of her. "
Chang Shan flew into a rage when the secret he had hidden deep in his heart for many years was exposed. "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Yan Li smiled and said, "Instructor Shen can be considered Instructor Chang's student. Back then, Instructor Shen was a peerless beauty and many people fell for her. Instructor Chang doesn't have to feel ashamed."
Chang Shan's eyes were filled with killing intent. He gritted his teeth and said word by word, "What are you trying to do …"
Yan Li's face suddenly turned cold. He shouted, "I'm under the Emperor's orders to investigate Instructor Su's murder. I didn't expect the murderer to be you. Capture him!"
A large group of people rushed out from the surrounding alleys, surrounding Chang Shan so tightly that not even a drop of water could escape.
"Wait!" Chang Shan said angrily, "Let's not talk about your identity for now. What right do you have to accuse me of murder?"
Yan Li laughed coldly and said, "Still trying to argue? Everyone in the academy knows that Instructor Su was infatuated with Instructor Shen. You're afraid that Instructor Su would beat you to it and trick him here to kill him. What else do you have to say? "
"Ridiculous!"
Chang Shan was furious. Suddenly, he saw Yan Shaoqun in the crowd and shouted, "Yan Shaoqun, as the capital magistrate, you're going to let this kid do as he pleases? If you report this to the Hill Master, let's see what the capital magistrate has to say! "
Yan Shaoqun also felt that it was ridiculous. He didn't expect that Yan Li's confident ambush would cause such a blunder.
He looked at Yan Li awkwardly and said, "Master Yan, this matter has no evidence. I'm afraid it's difficult to accuse him. It's better to first verify the cause of Master Su Yu's death and gradually investigate the clues. Only then can we find the murderer."
Yan Li said calmly, "Who said there's no evidence?"
"Where is the evidence!" Chang Shan wanted to bite Yan Li to death.
Yan Li said, "Capture the criminal for me first. Will you listen to this imperial envoy's words or not?"
The guards who were in charge of protecting and supervising Yan Li looked at each other. Before they came, they had received instructions and had a tacit understanding that they would let Yan Li do whatever he wanted. If they could not produce any evidence, they would capture him and bring him back to the palace to be dealt with by the Emperor.
"Arrest him!" A guard shouted coldly.
The surrounding constables looked at his attire and knew that he was a guard. They didn't dare to disobey, but they didn't dare to make the decision on their own. They all looked at Yan Shaoqun.
Chang Shan hated Yan Li to the core. He said coldly, "You have no evidence and you want me to be a criminal. I will report this matter to the Hill Master."
Yan Shaoqun broke out in a cold sweat when he heard this. The Hill Master of the Academy, Zhang Dashan, was a famous person on the Asura List. He was not young and was famous for his bad temper. If he was angry, the entire capital magistrate would not be able to bear the consequences.
He thought about how Yan Li was able to convince the Emperor to change from a criminal to an imperial envoy. This ability was not to be underestimated. It looked like he was acting recklessly, but he might have other tricks up his sleeves.
He waved his hand and the constables made up their minds. They immediately rushed forward and locked Chang Shan up.
Yan Shaoqun cupped his hands and asked, "Sir, where is the evidence?"
Yan Li said in an unquestionable tone, "Go to the Academy!"
The group of people rushed to the Academy.
The Academy naturally could not be entered and exited at will, especially at this hour.
But under the leadership of the Imperial Envoy, Yan Li, nothing was a problem.
Outside Chang Shan's courtyard, a few instructors from the Outer Courtyard had noticed the commotion and came to watch.
Yan Li waved his hand and ordered, "Search! Find out everything that looks suspicious."
The constables did not hesitate and immediately rushed in.
Chang Shan calmed down and sneered, "If you can't find anything, I want to see how you are going to explain to the Emperor."
Not long after, a constable came back with a book and handed it to Yan Shaoqun. "We found an ancient book. Please take a look, Sir."
Yan Shaoqun took it. His heart skipped a beat just from the texture. This was an ancient cultivation manual made from oiled cowhide. Its value was immeasurable. How could a mere instructor from the Outer Courtyard have it?
When he looked closely, he saw a few ancient characters on the cover. He could be considered knowledgeable and recognized the four words "Green Lotus Sword Song". He quickly passed it to Yan Li.
Yan Li pretended to flip through the books, then called out an old man, who was also an instructor, from the crowd. He asked, "Old mister, do you recognize Instructor Su Yu's handwriting?"
The old instructor replied, "Of course."
Yan Li flipped to a new page and pointed at it. "Is this Instructor Su's brush and ink?"
The old instructor did not hesitate. He moved closer to the lantern and said with certainty, "Yes, this is Instructor Su's brush and ink."
"Impossible!" Chang Shan's eyes bulged and the veins on his forehead bulged. "Yan Li, you're framing me. You must be framing me … Yan Shaoqun, don't be fooled by him. I didn't kill anyone, I didn't kill anyone …"
Yan Shaoqun took the book from the old instructor and said coldly, "Sir Chang, since the evidence is here, it's useless to quibble. Take him back. I want to interrogate him personally!"
"Impossible! Impossible! " Chang Shan struggled against the shackles and cursed, "Little bastard, how dare you frame me. I won't let you go … I won't let you go … I won't let you go even if I become a ghost …"
The shackles were designed for cultivators. He could not break them with his current cultivation.
Yan Li smiled. "A prodigal son is more precious than gold. Instructor Chang, you should reflect on yourself in prison. Instructor Shen and I will miss you."
He said it as if he had already hooked up with Shen Liuyun.
Chang Shan was furious, but he could not do anything.
Yan Shaoqun walked over and said respectfully, "Sir Yan, please go first."
At this moment, he realized that Yan Li had sent Yu Xingzhi and Dong Qing away to prevent them from messing things up. He wanted to settle the murderer quickly and complete the Emperor's mission.
Yan Li waved his hand. "I did not let His Majesty down. I can leave now. Take him back and let His Majesty decide how to deal with him."
"Yes, sir!" Yan Shaoqun did not hesitate and took Chang Shan away.
The guards also cupped their hands at Yan Li and said, "Then, we will return to the palace to report."
Yan Li nodded and left the Academy.
Not long after, the entire Academy knew that Su Yu was killed, Yan Li became a criminal and an imperial envoy, and even arrested Chang Shan.
Rumor had it that Chang Shan had a crush on Shen Liuyun for a long time and hated Su Yu. That was why he lured him out to plot against Su Yu, and that was why Su Yu died tragically at Guiyi Lane.
No matter how the rumors spread, it had nothing to do with Yan Li anymore.
Once he returned to the restaurant, he asked the chef to prepare a sumptuous meal for him.
After eating, he ordered a bucket of water to wash away the dirt and apply medicine to his wounds. It was already past midnight when he finished his work.
He was so exhausted that all he wanted to do was lie down and sleep.
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