The Vigilant Guardian

Chapter Four: When It's Time to Show True Skills

As Wei Wuji stepped into the inner chamber, he felt three piercing gazes fixate on him.

The figure in the scarlet robe was presumably the governor, adorned with cloud and goose embroidery—indeed, a fourth-rank official. The man with the silver gong embroidered on his chest belonged to the Night Watchmen's organization. And that girl—wow, she was stunningly beautiful... Was she married?

Glancing down, Wei Wuji quickly composed himself, adopting a humble demeanor.

Sitting in a grand chair, the governor displayed a stern expression, reminiscent of someone interrogating a criminal. His voice carried an authoritative tone:

"Wei Wuji, when you were imprisoned three days ago, you didn't mention possessing any crucial leads. Are you aware of the consequences of concealing information?"

This old bureaucrat was a sly fox; even if he was anxious, he wouldn't directly ask for clues but instead applied psychological pressure.

Having made it this far, Wei Wuji remained relatively calm. "My lord, just now, the second son of the Xu family came to seek me. I asked him for the case files."

Honesty was paramount.

All three present knew Xu Xinnian, not because he was particularly famous, but because he was the eldest son of Xu Pingzhi, who had already been investigated by the authorities.

"What does this have to do with your supposed lead?" the governor inquired.

"I deduced the truth of the case from the files..."

"Wait," the governor interrupted, leaning slightly forward. "From the files?"

This wasn't what he expected.

"I have already solved the case," Wei Wuji affirmed, nodding.

The governor suppressed the urge to have this insolent youth thrown back into prison. His expression turned serious. "Speak, but I remind you: spouting nonsense could cost you dearly—two hundred lashes, leaving you in tatters."

"The tax silver theft was not the doing of demons, but rather human involvement."

This statement stunned all three listeners.

The governor slammed his palm on the table and shouted, "Nonsense! Guards, take him away and give him two hundred lashes!"

The belief that demons had stolen the tax silver was nearly a foregone conclusion, a consensus among the three investigators.

If they had hoped Wei Wuji would provide a valuable clue, their expectations had now been shattered. It was simply the reckless words of a desperate youth.

The middle-aged man's eyes brightened as he waved away the guards rushing in. "Calm down, my lord."

He turned his gaze to Wei Wuji, his expression scrutinizing and filled with anticipation. "Tell us more."

The governor, known for his volatile temper, had ignited Wei Wuji's resolve to shine. "Based on the testimonies from the gate guards, my uncle entered the city at the second watch, and at the first watch, the tax silver convoy reached Guangnan Street. At that moment, a strange wind arose, startling the horses into the river."

He tried to keep his tone steady and confident, adding to his persuasive appeal.

The governor nodded, "This is our rationale for believing that demons lurked in the river, waiting to seize the tax silver."

"No!" Wei Wuji countered loudly. "The demon wind was merely a distraction, and the explosion in the river was also a ruse—its purpose was to draw your attention away from a fatal flaw."