Chapter 167: Culprit Apprehended

The group returned to the Fang Manor.

Fang Zhixue was arranged to undergo her spiritual assessment, while Xia He wanted Xia Song to take her back to their home. Xia Song, however, wouldn’t budge from his spot. He stared Zha Yan dead in the eye.

A faint, cold smile appeared on the corner of Zhao Yan’s mouth. "Long time no see, Brother Xia."

"It has indeed been a long time," mouthed Xia Song through gritted teeth. "I never expected you to be so despicable."

"If you think I’m despicable, so be it," replied Zhao Yan leisurely. He didn’t pay much heed to Xia Song's insults.

Fang Canghai and his wife had observed for a while and had roughly understood what was going on. The fact that Zhao Yan was standing in the Fang Manor, alive and well, meant that he hadn’t given Fang Chen enough of a reason to kill him. They were very mad at him for kidnapping Fang Zhixue, but they decided to let Fang Chen handle the matter himself.

"Chen'er, handle this matter as you see fit," said Fang Canghai before he turned to leave with Fang Chen’s mother.

Xia Song quickly focused his attention on Fang Chen. "Duke Fang, this person is Zhao Yan. He committed heinous crimes in Southern Immortal Prefecture, causing public outrage. Why did you spare his life?"

"Even if he deserves to be killed, we have to go through a proper interrogation process,” said Fang Chen with a light smile. “Do you expect me to do your job for you? Take him away.”

Xia Song revealed a strange expression. Zhao Yan seemed unharmed, indicating that his cultivation wasn't affected. He himself was only an ordinary Qi Detonation Stage martial artist, how could he possibly take Zhao Yan away?

"You can rest assured. I am here to bring this matter to an end. Neither will I escape, nor I want to escape," said Zhao Yan calmly.

Xia Song's expression changed slightly.

After a cup of tea, Xia Song and Xia He rode on a horse together. Xia Song held one end of a long chain in his hand. At the chain’s other end was Zhao Yan, bound at the hands.

"Master, this person is highly skilled in martial arts. His techniques are certainly not ordinary," whispered Victorious Buddha behind Fang Chen.

Tiger Mountain Lord nodded repeatedly. "Aoao (Take him away!)"

Profound Green also agreed with this proposal. Zhao Yan had caused them to lose face in front of Fang Chen. She had just made a breakthrough, too! Not only was she not able to show Fang Chen a good display, but she even suffered so miserably before him! Because of that, she fostered a strong dislike for Zhao Yan.

"That's his good fortune," said Fang with a faint smile. "If I want exceptional martial arts, I don't need to compete with a criminal. A visit to an eighth-tier or even seventh-tier empire is enough."

The reason cultivators looked down on martial artists, treating them as mere servants, was because martial artists' techniques were readily accessible to them. How many martial artists could resist the temptation of longevity? In the hands of cultivators, various means of prolonging life existed. Even the spiritual spring outside Fang Manor was beneficial to one’s lifespan.

Fang Chen didn't look down on martial arts, but he wouldn't care too much about a martial arts technique.

At that moment, a melodious bell chime echoed from deep within Fang Manor.

Clang—

Clang—

Clang—

The bell ceased after three chimes, indicating that Fang Zhixue indeed had the talent for cultivation, surpassing even Fang Cangyou. She belonged to the top tier within the lower-grade category.

Fang Chen wasn't disappointed. How many people in the world had the talent but not the chance to become cultivators? There were probably many talented individuals who never had the chance to encounter the path of cultivation in their entire lives. Although Fang Zhixue only had lower-grade talent, she already possessed the Purple Qi Manual and wouldn't lack spirit stones. Her conditions far surpassed others.

This was immortal fate, and Fang Zhixue was one of those blessed with it.

*

"Go!" Xia Song spurred his horse forward. He wanted to see how strong Zhao Yan's cultivation really was. However, no matter how fast he went, Zhao Yan was able to effortlessly keep up with his horse. He seemed unhurried and at ease, as if this was the pace of a leisurely stroll through the fields for him.

Xia Song turned his head and glanced back, which caused his expression to flicker. He just couldn't understand why Zhao Yan possessed such outstanding cultivation. After all, Zhao Yan had almost starved to death in his childhood due to a lack of food!

"Big Brother, slow down. Zhao Yan won’t be able to keep up with us if you go too fast," reminded Xia He, worried.

Xia Song frowned and admonished her. "Stop calling this criminal 'brother'!"

Xia He's face showed a hint of grievance. "I don't believe that Brother Zhao Yan is that kind of person. There must be someone else behind these crimes!"

Behind them, a hint of softness flashed in Zhao Yan's eyes, like a bit of sunlight in spring, gradually melting the ice that had been frozen for who knows how many years.

Xia Song coldly snorted. "Facts are facts. Your disbelief won't change anything. You were young at the time and didn't know the details, so don't just say whatever!"

Before long, they entered the city. When the soldiers saw Xia Song, joy appeared on their faces. Some went to spread the news and others quickly followed behind them.

"Hey, why is there someone behind the Young Lord?"

"To be chained up like that, perhaps he’s a bandit or a mountain thief...."

"But the bandits and mountain thieves in the vicinity all ran away a while ago, partly because of the incident with Profound Blade Sect and partly because of Fang Manor..."

"Go inform everyone. The criminal Zhao Yan, who committed a major crime several years ago, has been captured!" shouted Xia Song loudly, his voice spreading far and wide.

People were shocked.

Zhao Yan?

The name sounded unfamiliar at first, but they couldn’t put their finger on it. Suddenly, everyone broke into cold sweat.

"That’s Zhao Yan?"

"The Young Lord actually managed to capture Zhao Yan!"

"This is great news!"

On the road from the city gate to King Xiang's Manor, more and more people came out to watch the commotion, blocking the road completely.

Xia Song had to slow down.

"Kill him! This scoundrel, this evildoer, should be hacked to pieces!" shouted one of the people in the crowd. A rotten tomato suddenly hit Zhao Yan's head. Zhao Yan didn't so much as blink when it happened.

Many people followed suit. They generously took out the things they had but didn’t need and began to hurl them at Zhao Yan.

In no time, Zhao Yan was covered from head to toe. He was in such a sorry state, his face had been covered in red, yellow, and white.

Xia He hastily shouted for the people to stop throwing things, but who would listen to her?

Xia Song didn't intervene, only occasionally turning to glance at Zhao Yan. To be honest, he didn't have much confidence to quell the people’s outrage, either.

Fortunately, Zhao Yan silently endured, showing no signs of resistance. Even when people kicked him or hit him with their fists, he took it without any attempt to fight back.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea had passed, the three were able to finally reach the front of King Xiang's Manor.

Even more people had gathered there. There were even officials from Southern Immortal Prefecture.

The newly appointed county governor, with the family name “Ouyang,” was standing with various officials from Southern Immortal Prefecture, behind King Xiang. There was also an elderly man in scholar’s robes with a two-foot-long beard in the crowd.

When Zhao Yan appeared, a group of scholars suddenly emerged from the crowd. Some glared at Zhao Yan, and others directly began yelling at him. Faces turned flushed as heated expressions appeared. Spittle flew everywhere.

Only at this moment did Zhao Yan's expression change slightly. He looked at these former classmates, his gaze moving across their faces as if searching for someone.

"It really is Zhao Yan..." Jue Panshi's expression was strange. Zhao Yan had escaped from his hands back then. He knew Zhao Yan's methods were extraordinary. It was truly strange that Xia Song had apparently been able to apprehend him.

King Xiang spoke slowly. "Master Chen, is that Zhao Yan?"

The bearded old man nodded. "It's him."

King Xiang cleared his throat, then loudly said, "Dear citizens, Zhao Yan will be taken into custody now. We will conduct a re-trial tomorrow. You can come and witness it then. Everyone can disperse for now.”