I Can Extract Divine Power-Chapter 79: Zhou Qing’s Imprisonment, Shen Bai’s Fury

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Zhou Qing’s Imprisonment, Shen Bai’s Fury

In the dim interior, the wooden door shattered, letting the sunlight stream in. Bathed in the light, the fear in Granny Zhang’s and Xiaoxue’s eyes only grew.

Granny Zhang mustered her courage and said, trembling, "Who are you people? No, you’re from the Government Office. We haven’t offended the Government Office, and we haven’t done anything wrong."

Xiaoxue shivered in Granny Zhang’s arms, her single hand clutching tightly to the old woman’s clothes, her small knuckles stark white.

Steward Yang laughed heartily, gently stroking his goatee. His laughter slowly twisted into a sneer. "Zhang Amei, you are suspected of transporting intelligence out of Shengyun County. The matter has been investigated today, and the evidence is conclusive. Come with me to the County Magistrate’s Office to answer for your crimes."

As soon as he said this, Granny Zhang’s eyes went wide, and she stumbled to her knees.

"Lord Official, please, see the truth! After that one time, we’ve had no contact with the rebel army whatsoever! We’re just simple, honest folk. And we’re outcasts... it’s impossible for us to have any intelligence to pass on!"

Steward Yang waved his hand dismissively. "The evidence is conclusive. There’s nothing more to say. Take them away!"

Two constables exchanged a glance and moved forward, trying to pull Xiaoxue from Granny Zhang’s arms.

Seeing this, Granny Zhang, fueled by a sudden surge of courage, shakily scrambled up from the floor and grabbed one of the constable’s arms. "No! The child is still so young, you can’t do this! Take me instead, just take me! I’m begging you..."

"Get off!" the constable snarled, impatiently shoving her away.

An immense force sent Granny Zhang sprawling. She tumbled across the floor several times before suddenly spitting up a mouthful of blood.

She was already old, and to have survived this long in such an era meant her body was already riddled with old injuries and ailments.

Now, after that single push from the constable, all her old afflictions flared up at once. Granny Zhang’s face turned deathly pale as she coughed up several more mouthfuls of blood, and dark bruises began to bloom on her paper-white skin.

"No, I beg you."

Using her hands and feet, Granny Zhang crawled across the ground to the constable’s feet, clutching desperately at his pant leg.

The constable just chuckled and kicked her over again. "You worthless outcast. How dare you act so insolently before me."

That kick sent Granny Zhang tumbling across the floor again, and this time, she couldn’t lift her head.

Blood pooled on the ground as the life slowly faded from Granny Zhang’s eyes.

Even just before she died, Granny Zhang was still reaching out, trying to crawl forward.

Seeing this, the other constable went over to check on her, then turned his head. "Steward, she’s dead."

Steward Yang waved his hand, pinching his nose. "Dead is dead. Just say she resisted the constables’ enforcement of the law and, out of guilt, took her own life. Take this little girl back. Also, as soon as you return, send a few constables to arrest Zhou Qing. Say that he was colluding with these two family members of the rebels."

"Yes, sir!" the two constables hurriedly replied.

Xiaoxue stared at Granny Zhang’s lifeless body, her wide eyes vacant. A desolate grief was born in her gaze.

Her small body trembled as she struggled and cried out, trying to get closer, but a constable grabbed her by the throat.

"Behave yourself, little girl. A rebel’s family and an outcast. Don’t force me to make you suffer."

"Bad men! Bad men!" Xiaoxue struggled with all her might.

But how could a child possibly break free from a constable’s grasp? She was soon dragged away in despair.

Steward Yang looked back at the dilapidated Wooden House and said to the other constable, "Make the scene look convincing, understand?"

The constable nodded quickly and started arranging things.

Soon, Steward Yang and the constables left the house.

...

「Shen Family Pawnshop.」

After Shen Bai returned, he started grinding the Mystic Heart Spell, taking a break in the middle to go out and eat.

The day passed quickly in this routine.

When the sun rose the next day, Shen Bai finally let out a sigh of relief. He took a sip of water to soothe his slightly dry mouth.

The Mystic Heart Spell, as a Divine Power, didn’t consume much Qi and blood, but it was hard on the mouth.

Fortunately, after a full day of intense grinding, Shen Bai’s gains were substantial.

A line of smoke appeared before his eyes, coalescing into text.

[Mystic Heart Spell +300]

Over the course of the day and night, his Skill Level had increased by a good amount.

And that was despite Shen Bai having spent some time during the day visiting Xiaoxue.

’Another routine day.’

Shen Bai stretched, walked out the door, and headed to the street to eat.

The street was the same as always.

The owner of the breakfast stall was long accustomed to Shen Bai coming to eat. Following the usual routine, he served Shen Bai a meal.

Shen Bai ate and thought to himself.

’Tomorrow is the day Qin Shuang comes back. I wonder what kind of surprise she’ll have for me.’

Before she left, Qin Shuang had said she would bring him a big surprise when she returned.

Shen Bai was very curious about Qin Shuang’s identity and was also wondering what this surprise could be.

After breakfast, Shen Bai planned to go back and continue grinding his Skill Level for the Mystic Heart Spell.

Once he raised this Divine Power to Level 4, he still had to grind the Skill Levels for Shadow Walk and Divine Hundred Miles.

But just as Shen Bai stood up, he saw a few commoners pass by.

As they walked past, they were chatting.

"Did you hear? Something big happened at the Government Office."

"What happened? I just went out to buy groceries this morning, I haven’t heard anything."

"It’s that Constable Zhou Qing from the Government Office. Apparently, he was caught colluding with a rebel’s family and sending out intelligence."

"What? Constable Zhou? How could it be him? He’s a good constable!"

"The other constables all extort money from us on this street, but he’s the only one who doesn’t."

"I don’t know either. I always thought Constable Zhou was a pretty good person. Now he’s been arrested, and it seems the evidence is quite solid."

"Sigh, this world we live in... Let’s go, let’s go. Who knows when things will ever get better."

The two commoners walked away, still talking.

After hearing this, Shen Bai’s brow furrowed.

"Shopkeeper, the bill. I’m leaving now."

After settling the bill, Shen Bai headed toward the Government Office.

The stall owner came forward, collected the money from the table, and watched Shen Bai’s retreating back with a puzzled look.

"Why does Shopkeeper Shen feel so cold? He’s giving me goosebumps."

...

After leaving the stall, Shen Bai walked toward the Government Office with a steady pace.

Along the way, some of the commoners who recognized Shen Bai wanted to greet him but backed away instead.

Because even though Shen Bai’s expression was calm, he was radiating a frigid aura that made the commoners subconsciously shrink back in fear.

It was killing intent.

Since entering this world, Shen Bai had killed enough people—and powerful ones at that—for his killing intent to become almost tangible.

He was no fool. By now, he had already guessed part of the reason.

He knew that if someone in the Government Office wanted to make a move against Zhou Qing, there was only one possibility: the county magistrate’s nephew.

After all, the constables on Chief Zheng’s side were on very good terms with Zhou Qing; they would never move against him.

Today, Shen Bai wanted to see for himself just what kind of trick his opponent was trying to play.

It wasn’t far from the breakfast stall to the Government Office.

When Shen Bai arrived at the Government Office radiating killing intent, the constables guarding the entrance immediately stiffened.

They saw Shen Bai, and after exchanging a glance, they gave a wry smile.

One of the constables forced himself to step forward. "Shopkeeper Shen, Chief Zheng specifically said that if you came, you should wait for a moment."

His words were laced with a trace of respect and fear.

These two constables had participated in the battle at the great tomb; they knew what kind of power Shen Bai possessed.

Based on his performance in the tomb, the Shen Bai of the future would be no small fry.

They were just minor constables in this county town; they didn’t dare to offend him lightly.

Although Shen Bai was dripping with killing intent, his face was perfectly calm. "Take me to see Chief Zheng."

The fact that Chief Zheng had sent someone to wait for him, and that the Government Office showed no signs of chaos, proved that Zhou Qing was unharmed for the moment.

Shen Bai was not a reckless person. He wouldn’t fly into a rage and start smashing everything after hearing the news, as others might.

In Shen Bai’s view, the first step to helping his good brother was to remain calm himself.

The constable nodded and quickly led Shen Bai into the Government Office.

Just as he entered the courtyard of the Government Office, Shen Bai saw Chief Zheng hurrying over.

"Shopkeeper Shen, don’t get agitated. We’re investigating this matter, and we’ll get to the bottom of it sooner or later."

Shen Bai said, "I know exactly what kind of person my brother is. The ’rebel’s family’ he mentioned must be Xiaoxue and her grandmother. They’re just two pitiful people. Was it really worth setting up such an elaborate scheme for them?"

Chief Zheng gave a bitter smile. "The evidence Steward Yang has presented is extremely thorough; he clearly came well-prepared. Just give me a little time. I’ll ensure Zhou Qing’s safety. If I really can’t protect him, I’ll let you know in advance."

He knew Shen Bai’s temper and was terrified that Shen Bai might actually draw his Longsword and wipe out the entire Government Office.

After all, with Shen Bai’s current strength, the Government Office might not actually be able to stop him.

"Steward Yang. So he’s the one behind all this," Shen Bai sneered.

Chief Zheng opened his mouth, about to say something.

Just then, Steward Yang and Li Yun walked out from the inner courtyard and saw Shen Bai at a glance.

Steward Yang sneered, "Well, look who it is. So you’re Zhou Qing’s friend. It’s not impossible for you to visit him, but you’ll have to go through the proper procedures."

Shen Bai’s gaze shifted to land on Steward Yang and Li Yun’s faces, and he saw the mocking glint in the corner of Li Yun’s eye.

"Then I’d like to see for myself just what this evidence is."

Li Yun didn’t speak. Steward Yang was the first to talk.

"What evidence? The evidence of selling intelligence, of course. The old woman has already committed suicide out of guilt, so this little girl is the only culprit. Oh, wait, that’s not right. There’s also Zhou Qing."

He couldn’t finish his sentence.

Because he only saw Shen Bai’s figure flash before him, leaving an afterimage in his place.

And then Shen Bai’s hand was clamped around his neck.

Goosebumps erupted all over Steward Yang’s body. A suffocating sense of death crushed down on him, leaving him unable to breathe.

He didn’t dare to look Shen Bai in the eye. He swallowed hard as Shen Bai’s words reached his ears.

"You said Granny Zhang is dead, is that right?"