"Young Hero Zhao, this Liu Qi, as the Chief Constable of the Capital Prefecture, committed so many heinous acts, he truly deserves death."
Zhao Ya looked at her coldly and suddenly said, "If I remember correctly, Changping Square is your territory, so do you dare to say you were unaware of Liu Qi’s actions?"
"Of course I didn’t know, and you overestimate me. While I am indeed the Sea Lord stationed here by the Four Seas Gang, I only collect protection fees. Each brothel manages themselves; there’s nothing I can interfere with."
Sheng Lianhua easily absolved herself of responsibility.
Zhao Ya naturally knew that she was clearly trying to fool him with her words.
But Zhao Ya was too lazy to argue with her; he merely nodded in response.
"Fine, since that’s the case, I ask Sea Lord Sheng to cooperate with us and thoroughly investigate Changping Square."
Sheng Lianhua did not expect Zhao Ya to play by his own rules, leaving her momentarily stunned.
"What? Is there a problem?"
"Uh... no problem, it’s just that right now is the busiest time of day in Changping Square. Wouldn’t it be too ostentatious to investigate now?" Sheng Lianhua said cautiously, trying to dissuade Zhao Ya from the idea.
But Zhao Ya didn’t care at all, "Since Sea Lord Sheng is unwilling, then forget it. I’ll take my people to check it myself."
With this, Zhao Ya waved to the others and turned to leave.
The government officials and constables quickly followed, excitement written all over their faces.
Because it was really amazing.
Just as they entered Changping Square, they took down a brothel, and even Liu Qi, who had been abusing his power, was dead.
But thinking about this Young Master’s means and strength, these constables and officials were filled with anticipation.
If they continued to investigate, wouldn’t Changping Square tonight become a river of blood?
After they left, Sheng Lianhua’s face turned so dark it seemed it could drip water, and there was a hint of fear in her eyes.
She knew tonight wouldn’t end well.
Now she could only pin her last hopes on Big Master Huangfu Zhen.
Because she had already sent a message out earlier.
The Four Seas Building should have gotten the message by now.
Sheng Lianhua believed that, irrespective of other matters, Huangfu Zhen would care about this one.
Because Changping Square is the most important cash source for the Four Seas Gang.
If it were destroyed, then the Four Seas Gang might as well close shop.
So even for his own position’s sake, Huangfu Zhen must intervene.
"Sea Lord, what do we do now?" a subordinate asked.
Sheng Lianhua took a deep breath, "Don’t worry, let him go for now."
"I don’t believe he can really turn Changping Square upside down."
By the end of her words, Sheng Lianhua’s face was full of venom.
In her view, with the intertwined interests of dozens of brothels in Changping Square and the different forces behind them, how could one man thoroughly investigate it all?
But facts proved she underestimated Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya didn’t do as she thought, investigating meticulously one by one as if solving a case.
His method was simple and crude, focusing first on taking down one, and then linking that one’s testimonies to others.
This method was extremely efficient.
Because these brothels all had dirty backgrounds, once Zhao Ya dealt with one, they would bite into others to maintain balance, even just for peace of mind.
Thus, a spectacle never seen since the founding of Changping Square appeared.
Dozens of constables and officials, led by Zhao Ya, with torches in hand, purging these brothels one by one.
The process for each was similar.
First, the revelers were surprised, then the brothel tried to intervene, using soft or hard means, trying to persuade Zhao Ya to let them go.
But Zhao Ya remained unmoved, directly producing ironclad evidence, arresting or killing where needed.
The entire Changping Square was turned upside down.
The forces behind these brothels, upon hearing the news and rushing over, could only watch with wide eyes.
Because Zhao Ya didn’t care about any noble families.
These people also dared not resort to force.
For everyone knew this Young Master was incredibly powerful, no ordinary Martial Artist could be his opponent.
They could only direct their frustrations at Sheng Lianhua.
"Sea Lord Sheng, we pay so much silver every year to the Four Seas Gang, and most of our girls are under your control, but at this critical moment, why doesn’t the Four Seas Gang show up? Are you really afraid of Zhao Ya?" someone said sarcastically.
Sheng Lianhua’s face was hard to look at, yet she couldn’t refute.
Because they were indeed right.
She was secretly anxious, wondering why Big Master Huangfu Zhen hadn’t come yet.
If this dragged on, while others would be unaffected,
she was surely doomed.
Because even a slight investigation by Zhao Ya would lead everything to point to her.
She didn’t know at this moment, Huangfu Zhen was not at the Four Seas Building but had gone to the Profound Sun Sect seeking support.
"Master, Zhao Ya previously killed one of my men, and I haven’t settled that score yet. Tonight he suddenly investigates Changping Square, clearly coming after us. If we don’t act, our Four Seas Gang becomes a hollow entity, and the large annual tribute will become lost income, so I ask Master and all my uncle-masters to assist!"
Huangfu Zhen knelt on the ground, pleading.
Do not be fooled by his spirited demeanor as Four Seas Gang’s boss outside; back at the Profound Sun Sect, he’s just an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.
In front of the Sect’s elders, he naturally had to kneel and speak.
Upon hearing his words, a frail, monkey-like elder with a fire-like face snorted coldly.
"Useless thing, Zhao Ya’s just recently ascended to the Fifth Realm, yet you’re scared like this?"
Huangfu Zhen silently cursed inside.
Is he just any Fifth Realm?
How many newly ascended Fifth Realm can defeat Meridian Opening level?
But he dared not show any displeasure outwardly, nodding in agreement.
"Enough, Third Elder," said an elderly man with childlike white hair sitting in the main seat, "It’s not Little Zhen’s fault. I heard that Zhao Ya, upon ascending, defeated Jin Cunyue of the Bright Moon Valley from Beyond the World, which must signify something special about him."
"Hmph, he must have used some dirty tricks. I don’t believe a newly advanced Fifth Realm could defeat a Meridian Opening expert," the elder said, unconvinced.
He then sprang from his chair and addressed Huangfu Zhen, "Alright, stop being aggrieved. I’ll go with you and twist Zhao Ya’s head off."
Huangfu Zhen was overjoyed at this.
He knew that although Third Uncle-Master Wu Dalun was aged, he was incredibly powerful,
though not at Meridian Opening, his Profound Yang Skill had reached Divinity, not at all inferior to someone at Meridian Opening.
If he took action, the problem would be solved.
"Great, thanks, Third Uncle-Master, please follow me!"
With that, Huangfu Zhen led Wu Dalun out of the main part of Profound Sun Sect, heading straight to Changping Square.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya was just stepping out of a brothel.
Looking up at the pitch-black night sky, Zhao Ya slowly exhaled a breath of white air.
Even with a will as firm as stone, the experiences of that night left Zhao Ya harboring a tinge of disgust,
because it was too filthy.
The baseness of human nature was magnified manifold in the face of overwhelming power, leading to unspeakable acts.
Zhao Ya had lost count of how many people he killed.
The bloodstains on the Meteorite Iron Saber hadn’t even dried.
"Let’s go!"
Zhao Ya was preparing to lead his men to the next brothel for investigation.
At that moment, he suddenly sensed something, swiftly turning and raising his hand to punch into the sky.
With a dull thud, Zhao Ya stood unmoved while Wu Dalun in mid-air slipped away to the distance, looking at Zhao Ya uncertainly.
"Not bad, you do have some skills!"