The Martial Doctor

...

At dawn, the eastern city gate of Dongshan City swung open, and Pei Jian, the esteemed Mr. Pei, governor of Dongshan Prefecture, led a battalion of government soldiers, galloping urgently toward Xue Family Manor upon receiving intelligence reports.

At this moment, Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion within the city remained in the dark about the unfolding events.

By the time Mrs. He received the news and dispatched Mr. He to hurriedly lead people out of the city to her family estate, the entire Xue Family Manor had already fallen under the complete control of the government and the Blade Catching Alliance.

"Esteemed Governor, the three of us combined couldn’t defeat that Blood Shura, we let you down..." Chen Xiaodao admitted with a face filled with shame.

Pei Jian’s expression remained unchanged. This Chen Xiaodao truly knew how to talk. In this manner, last night’s operation, in the eyes of others, seemed as though it was orchestrated by him?

This guy is truly as cunning as a monkey; without capturing Blood Shura, there’s no solid evidence that Blood Shura hid in the Xue Family Manor. The Marquis Lingyang is not easy to deal with, plus there’s the Green Blade Sect. The Blade Catching Alliance isn’t afraid, but if things go awry, he would surely be the scapegoat.

"Blood Shura attempted to escape desperately and consumed the Carefree Elixir, granting him short-term heightened abilities—only then did the three of us fail to stop him," explained Iron Palm Zhou Qianren.

"Mr. Zhou, no need to be so hard on yourself. Blood Shura certainly possesses some skills. After consuming the Carefree Elixir, he will experience a period of weakness afterward; he won’t get far," Pei Jian reassured, "What about the rest of Blood Shura’s followers?"

"We’ve captured them all."

"Good. Although we didn’t catch Blood Shura himself, the fact that his followers were hiding here is enough to indicate the issue," Pei Jian nodded.

Even though Blood Shura escaped alone, with his followers in custody, as long as these people admit they are part of his group, the situation wouldn’t be the worst case.

Moreover, the attack on Xue Family Manor was led by the Blade Catching Alliance. He merely received the information and came over to handle the aftermath, allowing him to advance if needed or retreat if necessary.

"Bring over the person in charge of Xue Family Manor!"

"Bring him over."

"What’s your name?"

"Du Ziyu."

"What’s your position in the manor?"

"Head of the Protectors."

"Are you aware of the crime of harboring the Blood Evil Thieves, a group of notorious criminals wanted by the Empire, in the Xue Family Manor?" Pei Jian sternly interrogated.

"I am unaware."

"Then how did these people come about?" Pei Jian pointed to the Blood Evil Thieves tied on the ground and asked.

"Oh, they were just lodging temporarily in the manor. With the roads blocked by snow, they couldn’t leave, so they stayed here. Is that also a crime?" Du Ziyu replied.

Pei Jian frowned. Damn, the other party really found an excuse, and if they deny blood shura was caught, these Blood Evil Thieves are mere underlings, and they can’t really do anything to the Xue Family Manor and the Marquis Lingyang backing it.

Knowing full well that Du Ziyu was lying, but as long as he insists they were just lodging temporarily, there’s nothing you can do against him.

In the outskirts, it’s common for travelers or caravans to lodge when finding themselves without accommodations. Lodging itself isn’t illegal; how could the owner know they were harboring criminals the Empire was now pursuing?

Moreover, the wanted order for Blood Evil Thieves was only issued recently, and under the poor transportation connectivity from the Xue Family Manor outside the city, claiming ignorance isn’t unthinkable.

Had it been an ordinary person, they would have been imprisoned immediately for interrogation, but Du Ziyu is a disciple of the Green Blade Sect, and the Xue Family Manor belongs to Marquis Lingyang’s holdings—attacking him would be easy, but the master behind him is no easy foe.

The Blood Evil Thieves are burdened with blood debts and egregious crimes. They won’t escape death after capture, but dealing with the Xue Family Manor is likely beyond difficult.

Without catching Blood Shura himself, there’s no moving against Marquis Lingyang. If he forcibly looks for faults with the Marquis, he must endure the price of a complete fallout with Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion in Dongshan City.

And could he bear such a cost?

He’s got at least another two years in office, and as long as the Marquis Lingyang stands, his tenure in Dongshan Prefecture will be uncomfortable...

Fortunately, this time he’s not facing Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion directly. After all, it was the Blade Catching Alliance that acted, not the government, leaving room for maneuver for both sides.

In officialdom, if you can’t decisively incapacitate your adversary with one blow, better not act. Otherwise, you must withstand the adversary’s berserk retaliation.

Pei Jian thoroughly understood this principle and decided that this time he would raise the matter high, only to set it down gently. He might even need to provide some convenience to Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion.

"Esteemed Governor, someone asked me to deliver a letter to you!" Suddenly, a voice came from behind Pei Jian.

"Who spoke?" Pei Jian turned around but found no one addressing him, except that his escort was now holding a letter.

"Sir, it wasn’t me; I don’t know..." the escort was also bewildered, unaware of how the letter ended up in his hands.

Pei Jian frowned and took the letter from the escort. As he opened it, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes.

"Men, follow me into the manor!"

"Esteemed Governor, where are you going..."

"Does this office need to report its whereabouts to you?" Pei Jian rebuked Du Ziyu and proceeded past him, escort in tow, heading directly towards the location of the secret stash.

Du Ziyu’s face instantly turned pale as he collapsed to the ground.

If the items in the secret stash were exposed, not only him but even the Green Blade Sect and Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion would face catastrophe.

When the secret stash was opened, Pei Jian instantly felt his scalp tingle, a chill running from his tailbone straight up to the top of his head.

He knew this was really a big deal.

Privately hoarding weapons and conspiring with Beihu—utterly serious offenses, each deserving the execution of nine generations. Marquis Lingyang’s audacity was truly astounding.

Now, he had sufficient reason to act against Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion.

"Pei Jian, how audacious of you to lead troops into my Marquis Lingyang’s estate. Who gave you the guts!" At this moment, Mr. He also arrived with several people.

Perhaps due to long-standing arrogance and overconfidence, he didn’t grasp the situation and directly rebuked Pei Jian.

Pei Jian coldly chuckled in his heart. The servants of Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion really mistook his usual mild demeanor for weakness—an insignificant steward, without rank or real power, actually dare to act with such arrogance towards him. Who gave you this audacious daring?

"Mr. He, mind explaining what these things are?" Pei Jian stepped aside, pointing to various weapons being moved out of the secret stash, and casually asked.

Mr. He took one look and immediately fell back, sitting on the ground, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead, thinking to himself, it’s over—how did such a secret stash become uncovered?

"These armors and weapons must count by the thousands, I’d think. I’m quite curious, what does Marquis Lingyang intend by hiding so many armors and weapons on his private estate?" Pei Jian laughed, "And these fur and gems from Beihu. Such rare artifacts—and such a massive lump of gold—they’d rival even the secret treasury of the Emperor, wouldn’t they?"

"Esteemed Governor Pei, it’s all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, this... these really are... are..."

"Are what, say it then. This office gives you a chance, to think properly and explain where these things came from?" Pei Jian sneered.

Mr. He’s mind was completely shambled, unable to fathom how to explain, nor had he considered that these items might become fully exposed.

"Men, seal Xue Family Manor and bring everyone back!" Given the reason to act, Pei Jian naturally wouldn’t hesitate further.

...

The effects of the Carefree Elixir don’t last long. If intentionally spread, it would be no more than about a quarter of an hour. Of course, if not using inner power for fighting, the sensation of being in a dreamlike state would last longer, and the damage to the body would be lesser.

However, once used to stimulate potential and engage in combat, the side effects would be severe compared to the headache after waking, as that would be a minor setback.

One’s cultivation could drop by an entire realm temporarily, becoming extremely weak, with even ordinary people posing a life-threatening danger.

Blood Shura escaped from Xue Family Manor, maintaining a sliver of rationality to find a direction, and ran tens of miles on a single breath.

Eventually, he collapsed from exhaustion.

Unknown to him, a figure had been quietly trailing him all along, waiting until he fell before descending slowly.

"Blood Shura, since you’re exposed, you can no longer be left alive." The person knelt down, speaking softly, before striking a palm onto Blood Shura’s forehead.

Then, with a swift motion, they took the Blood Soul Saber, erased any traces, and departed with ease.