Chapter 144: Chapter 126: Bloody Conflict in the Prefecture

"You don’t think that no one knows about the things you’ve done, do you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Du Chengfeng, who was still a bit drowsy, immediately woke up.

It didn’t make any sense; it really didn’t make any sense. Clearly, along the way, aside from the folks at the Yang family fortress, almost no one knew what he had done—even things like killing Qi Jinshan, the folks at the Yang family fortress didn’t know about that either.

So what exactly is going on here? Why is it that ever since he came to the Southern Mountain Dao, these people he encounters seem to be so well-informed about his unknown secrets?

"It doesn’t make sense... wait!"

Suddenly, Du Chengfeng remembered.

When he had just arrived at Yiyang County, Liu Bolun had reminded him that this Southern Mountain Dao is different from the northern borderlands, where the Capturers are fiercer than the War Soldiers—back then, he just casually listened since it seemed impossible for the people in charge of public security to be more formidable than the regular army, and as the topic changed, he forgot about it.

But now it seems...

These Capturers, perhaps they truly have some skills?

"No, what are you talking about?"

Thinking of this, Du Chengfeng tentatively asked.

"What things have I done, and why are you treating me this way? After all, I am an official of the court, and you are doing this..."

"You’re well aware of what you’ve done yourself."

Outside the cage, Jiang Wenyuan chuckled coldly.

Indeed, every heinous criminal is like this; even when caught, they won’t admit to their crimes—but fortunately, he had previously risked himself to successfully separate the innocent refugees from this group of ferocious bandits, otherwise, if this bold criminal took those refugees hostage, who knows what kind of disaster might ensue.

After all, if his judgment was correct, this criminal locked in the cage had indeed killed someone.

Having killed, it means having been tainted with Evil Qi, which cannot be reasoned with by common sense. If this criminal were to start a massacre among the refugees, the lives of nearly ten thousand refugees might truly give birth to a monster capable of wreaking havoc throughout Yizhou City—which is also why, knowing this criminal was dangerous, he still did not let the troops from Yizhou Prefecture take action.

The strength of the Prefecture troops lies in battlefield tactics, in engaging enemies on the battlefield.

But when it comes to handling murderous criminals and dealing with these cunning and vile people, the Capturers are the true experts.

Just like now, no matter how fierce and brave this criminal is, he is ultimately still locked inside a cage. Facing the special steel cage crafted by the Master Craftsman of the Capturers, even a monster with non-human strength cannot break free.

"So come on, speak up yourself."

Waving for a Capturer to bring a stool over, Jiang Wenyuan directly sat at the door of the room.

"Confess yourself, how many people did you kill, why you killed them, and why you killed the County Magistrate of Yiyang... could it be that he stumbled upon your schemes?"

The more Jiang Wenyuan thought about it, the more he felt that this must be it. Otherwise, in no way could the County Magistrate of Yiyang have any connections with a bunch of refugees—if there had to be a connection, it would be during the time the County Magistrate of Yiyang had to arrange for the proper placement of the arriving refugees.

Clearly, something happened at this time, although he still didn’t know the specific process, the result was the County Magistrate of Yiyang was killed, Zhang Qi of Taiyin Mountain was killed, and all of this was related to Du Chengfeng and those so-called captured nomadic soldiers.

So, why not try some deception first?

What if it manages to draw something out?

"The Grand Commander already knows about your affairs, and your people have also been controlled. So, even for the sake of your family and friends, it’s best for you to comply obediently..."

"You actually know everything already."

Before Jiang Wenyuan could finish, a voice came from within the cage.

"So, you actually knew from the start."

"Yes, from the very beginning, we knew everything."

Jiang Wenyuan laughed softly.

Of course, he knew nothing, it was all just conjecture—but now, this criminal unexpectedly confessed, so not knowing had turned into knowing.

Knowing makes it easier to deal with, just wait for this criminal to confess his crimes, sign and seal the paperwork, then... it’s over.

"So you already knew that I killed Qi Jinshan."

In the cage, Du Chengfeng raised his head, looking into Jiang Wenyuan’s eyes.

"So the cordial acts towards us before, all of this, was actually a lie..."

"Against shameless scoundrels like you, there’s naturally no need to be bound by rules."

Jiang Wenyuan chuckled coldly.

"Moreover, you killed Qi Jinshan... wait a minute?"

Suddenly, Jiang Wenyuan felt that something was off.

Did he just mishear something?

How did it become about killing Qi Jinshan? He had been asking about the County Magistrate of Yizhou, Hao Chong.

"Squeak—"

While Jiang Wenyuan was still trying to figure it out, the steel cage had already been twisted!

"Since you already know about my treason and murdering officials, I can’t leave you alive anymore!"

"Run!"

The sharp reflexes developed from years of battling thieves allowed Jiang Wenyuan to make the correct decision immediately.

Just as Jiang Wenyuan and the Capturers had taken a few steps out, the sound of snapping steel rods echoed in the room.

"Net him! Use the net!"

With quick instincts, a Capturer immediately threw a net behind him, woven from fine metal threads and extremely tough, even those with monster-like strength couldn’t escape once caught. If the monster struggled desperately, the fine wires would even cut into the flesh, inflicting pain akin to being sliced by a thousand knives.