Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Complicated Relationships
"Precinct rules? I think you’re the ones grossly violating the rules! Without authorization and before a conviction, you’re torturing a confession out of the victim. You’re twisting right and wrong, perverting justice."
"Cut the crap. I’m taking this man with me, now. Get out of my way."
This Commander Fan was clearly a hothead. With a wave of his hand, the swarm of City Guards behind him surged forward and brought Ye Xuan over.
Seeing the others glaring at them like tigers stalking their prey, Commander Long’s men could only watch helplessly as Ye Xuan was led away.
"Commander Fan, this is the man Commander Long personally ordered us to apprehend," the squad leader said grimly. "He murdered the guards of the sons of Marquis Tianqi and Marquis Zhenjun in broad daylight, and severely wounded the two young lords themselves. I advise you to be sensible about this."
He was under orders from Commander Long to make Ye Xuan suffer. If he let Commander Fan take Ye Xuan away just like that, he would have to face Commander Long’s wrath, and the consequences would be more than he could handle.
"A pissant squad leader like you thinks you have the right to talk to me like that? Say one more word, and I’ll be the one making *you* suffer. If you have a problem, have your Commander Long come talk to me himself."
Commander Fan sneered and left the interrogation room with his large retinue.
"Captain, what do we do now?" a few of the City Guards asked, at a complete loss as they watched Commander Fan lead Ye Xuan away.
"What else can we do? Inform Commander Long immediately." The squad leader’s expression was grim.
"That Fan Hao... he’s as stubborn and stinky as a latrine stone. He’s always been at odds with Commander Long, but to openly take a prisoner from us... Hmph. He probably has no idea what a hot potato he’s just picked up."
Ye Xuan followed Fan Hao up and out of the interrogation room, soon arriving at a clean, private cell.
"You must be Young Master Ye Xuan. This is a private detention cell in our precinct. I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with it for a little while. But rest assured, once the truth of this case comes to light, I, Fan Hao, will personally clear your name."
"Then I’ll be in your debt, Commander Fan Hao. I will not forget your awe-inspiring righteousness."
"Oh, think nothing of it." Fan Hao waved his hand dismissively. "You’re a friend of the Eighth Prince, so naturally I, Fan Hao, must do my utmost to help. I can’t make any other guarantees, but as long as you are in this precinct, I will not let you come to harm. Not even if that Long Zheng tries something."
’So Fan Hao is one of the Eighth Prince’s men,’ Ye Xuan realized. It was clear the Eighth Prince was pulling strings behind the scenes.
"By the way, Ye Xuan, the Eighth Prince asked me to pass on a message. He’s only just graduated and has been put in charge of certain affairs in the Royal City, but he has no jurisdiction over the city’s law enforcement. That’s why he can’t intervene directly. But rest assured, the Eighth Prince is already working on pulling some strings, and I will handle this case impartially and investigate it thoroughly."
"I’ve looked into this case myself. There’s a lot of resistance from powerful people, and many are involved. However, you acted in self-defense. No matter who they are or how far this case goes, we will do everything in our power to ensure your safety."
"And be careful of Commander Long. He’s one of the Sixth Prince’s men."
Fan Hao gave him a brief summary of the case.
’So Commander Long is the Sixth Prince’s man. No wonder he’s so determined to see me dead.’ Ye Xuan nodded. "Tell the Eighth Prince that his best effort is more than enough. If it’s inconvenient for him to get involved, he shouldn’t force it. I won’t hold it against him. I have my own ways of handling this."
From his experience graduating at the top of his class at the Profound Spirit Academy, Ye Xuan knew that the Monarch of the Liuyun Kingdom placed great emphasis on how the Princes were developed. They weren’t even permitted to use external aid to enhance their martial spirits, so interfering with the justice system was an even greater taboo.
That’s why Ye Xuan completely understood why the Eighth Prince hadn’t shown up at the precinct, and he didn’t blame him for it.
After all, even the Sixth Prince, who hated him to the bone, hadn’t appeared in person. He only sent his subordinates to do his dirty work in the shadows.
Fan Hao sighed. "It’s good that you see it that way. Is there anything you need me to do, Brother Ye?"
Ye Xuan mulled it over for a moment before asking calmly, "In your opinion, what are the Eighth Prince’s chances of success in this matter?"
He had a keen sense that it wouldn’t be so easy for the Eighth Prince to get him out of this.
Otherwise, since he had only acted in self-defense, someone with the status of the Eighth Prince or Commander Fan Hao would only need to clarify the facts of the investigation, and the precinct would have released him in minutes. He wouldn’t still be locked up while they were trying to pull strings.
Fan Hao sighed softly. "I can’t say what his chances are. I only know that this is an incredibly complex matter. It’s not just the Sixth Prince pulling strings. Marquis Tianqi and Marquis Zhenjun are also incredibly famous and powerful nobles in the Royal City. If it were only the Sixth Prince, the Eighth Prince would have nothing to fear. But with pressure from all these factions combined, even he is finding himself out of his depth."
"What’s more, you may not know this, but when each Prince comes of age, His Majesty the Monarch grants them a certain degree of authority. His Highness the Eighth Prince is currently working in the treasury, overseeing the kingdom’s finances. Law enforcement and criminal investigation, however, are under the purview of the First Prince. The First Prince is currently the most popular candidate to be the next Monarch, with the most support. As a result, the commanders of our precinct and other officials are all very close to him. I’ve heard whispers... it seems the First Prince is also paying attention to your case."
"What the Eighth Prince and I fear most right now is that they’ll press the attack, bribe witnesses, and turn this into an open-and-shut case against you. With the First Prince, the Sixth Prince, and both Marquis backing them, even the Eighth Prince will find it difficult to withstand the pressure."
After Fan Hao’s brief explanation, Ye Xuan immediately understood the situation.
So, the reason he was still stuck here and the investigation had stalled was because the First Prince was also involved. With him and the Sixth Prince both in the picture, it was only natural that the Eighth Prince was in a bind.
He had offended the First Prince back at the Profound Spirit Academy. Now that he was in trouble, even Ye Xuan himself wouldn’t believe that the Prince wouldn’t take the opportunity to kick him while he was down.
’It seems I can’t pin all my hopes on the Eighth Prince.’
At that moment, a sense of crisis washed over Ye Xuan.
Just then, a loud CLANG echoed from outside, followed by a flurry of footsteps and a cold, mocking laugh.
"Fan Hao, you have a lot of nerve! You dare to spirit away my prisoner and threaten my men? Do you think you run this whole precinct?"
Commander Long strode in, his face a mask of cold fury. Behind him were two men in magnificent robes and purple-gold coronets. They were equally enraged, and their sharp gazes immediately locked onto Ye Xuan.
"Marquis Tianqi, Marquis Zhenjun, this is the culprit who injured your sons."
"So it was you who attacked my son in the street?" The two middle-aged men’s gazes were bone-chilling, piercing Ye Xuan like a pair of sharp swords.
Fan Hao’s expression changed in an instant. He hadn’t expected Long Zheng to actually bring the two Marquis here.
"I don’t know if they were your sons," Ye Xuan said calmly from his cell. "I only know that on the street, I injured two villains who were using their power to bully others and ordering their lackeys to commit crimes."
"Brat, what did you just say?"
"Insolent!"
Upon hearing this, Marquis Tianqi and Marquis Zhenjun exploded with fury. The terrifying aura of Celestial Martial Artists flared to life, pressing down hard on Ye Xuan as they stalked toward him, their eyes like those of hungry tigers.
"Your Lordships, this is the precinct jail. I must ask you both to mind your conduct."
Fan Hao shot to his feet, blocking their path. He couldn’t let anything happen to Ye Xuan in the precinct; the Eighth Prince had personally asked him to protect the man.
"You’re Commander Fan, is that right? This man injured my son. Out of respect for your position as Vice Commander of the precinct, I’ll overlook this if you get out of my way right now. Otherwise, don’t blame me for what happens next."
"That’s right. He injured my son this badly. If I don’t get an explanation, I won’t let this go, even if you are the Vice Commander of the precinct."
Marquis Tianqi and Marquis Zhenjun reached out to shove Fan Hao aside, showing no regard for his position as Vice Commander.
"How dare you! This is the precinct, not a place for you two to throw your weight around. Your very presence here violates the rules. If you don’t restrain yourselves, get out now!"
Fan Hao shouted coldly.
"My, what an imposing figure you cut, Commander Fan."
A sneer tugged at the corner of Commander Long’s mouth. "The two Marquis are the fathers of the victims. It’s only natural for them to want to see the perpetrator. Besides, I have been personally overseeing this case of assault from the beginning. Since when was it your place to interfere?"
"Commander Long, that’s absurd. I am the Vice Commander of this precinct, in charge of public security and criminal investigation. How could I not have jurisdiction over a case concerning the sons of two Marquis committing assault in the streets?"
Commander Long started to speak again but was stopped by Marquis Tianqi and Marquis Zhenjun. "Commander Fan, I don’t like to waste words," one of them said. "I’m also acquainted with your Commander Xuu. This brat injured my son in the street. I don’t care what your reasons are for protecting him, but I’m telling you now, he is a dead man. If you’re smart, you’ll back off now, and I’ll forget this happened."
"I’m sorry, but this is the precinct, and it is my jurisdiction. I cannot grant your request. If you want to get past, you’ll have to go through me first," Fan Hao refused flatly.
"Fine. Fine! Commander Fan, it seems you’ve chosen to do this the hard way." The two Marquis gave Fan Hao a long, hard look, their lips curling into sneers. "It looks like you’ve grown tired of your position. If you insist on standing in our way, then I promise you, your time as Vice Commander is about to come to an abrupt end."
Fan Hao’s temper flared. "Marquis Tianqi! Marquis Zhenjun! This is the precinct, not your Marquis Mansions! The laws of the kingdom are not for you to trample on! As long as I am Vice Commander, you will not run rampant here!"
Fan Hao was furious.
Marquis Tianqi and Marquis Zhenjun showed utter contempt for the precinct. Fan Hao had always possessed a strong sense of justice. He was hot-tempered but not reckless, yet now, the two Marquis had truly provoked his anger.
