The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 101 Zhao Jun Kills Three Ghosts in One Day
"It is said that Zhao Jisi is fearless, so why is he afraid of a 'little girl' like me and my three or five flying knives?" Haitang said in a teasing tone with a smile on her face.

Zhao Duan sighed softly:
"I once heard an elder say that there are three types of people you should not mess with in the martial arts world: women, children, and monks."

Haitang raised an eyebrow: "That's interesting, I wonder which 'senior' is this?"

It seems to be Gu Long, but I’m not sure… Zhao Duan muttered in his heart, but did not respond. He looked around and asked:

"Miss Haitang said she had been waiting for me for a long time. Did she know that I was going to catch the thief today?"

Haitang put down the wine cup that she was holding between two fingers, with a smile on her lips:
"Zhao Jisi, you don't have to act. If my guess is correct, the rebel you claimed to capture today does not exist. Your real purpose is to deceive us eight hall masters, right?"

After he finished speaking, Zhao Duan's expression did not change. The imperial guards from the Lihua Hall around him were stunned and then shocked.

Unexpectedly, the purpose of their visit had already been seen through by the other party.

Seeing this, Zhao Duan finally sighed helplessly and said:

"Miss Haitang, you are also trying to trick me with this. Well, it is true."

When the other Jinyi gave a surprised reaction, his performance became meaningless.

Zhao Duan can ensure the stability of his acting skills, but many of his subordinates cannot.

He asked curiously, "How did you find out?"

Haitang got a positive answer, and the corners of her mouth curled up even higher. Her eyes were filled with the excitement of confirming her guess, and even a sense of pride that she had won a small victory over Zhao Gou:

"think."

She pointed to her head and said:
"Yesterday I received news that I had to stay at home today, and only Lihua Hall was allowed to go out. After returning home, I have been thinking about the intention of the governor.

After much thought, the most likely scenario is that we should avoid suspicion."

"There is a traitor in the imperial court. I don't know if you know this, but the governor knows it and we know it too.

It is not difficult to guess that the governor has conducted overt and covert investigations on the yamen more than once before.

However, if it is just to avoid suspicion and prevent any of us from leaking the news, then why do we eight have to be confined to our homes?
Wouldn't it be safer to gather us together in the government office, or even in one room, so that we can keep an eye on each other?"

Haitang smiled and said:

“After realizing this contradiction, I began to wonder if there was another mystery behind today’s events.

You, the police officer appointed by His Majesty, are you here just to gain political achievements? Why did the governor open the door for you?"

"So, I have a bold guess. Maybe your real purpose from the beginning to the end is to catch ghosts.

All the previous performances and arrangements were to isolate the eight of us from each other today and make us anxious...

I once asked the warden of the imperial prison about the interrogation method, and he told me about an interrogation method that was similar to this one.

But I was still unsure until I saw the changes in the expressions of your subordinates. Then I was sure of this."

Zhao Duan listened to her calmly without interrupting her.

He clapped his hands gently until the female detective finished explaining:

“Snap”… “Snap”… “Snap”…

“Very sharp insight, very wonderful reasoning.”

Zhao Duan said with admiration:

"I used to wonder how you could lead the Narcissus Hall, which is of average strength, to rank among the top three and challenge Zhang Han, but now I am sure that you have the capital."

Among the three, Zhang Han is both civil and military, and ranks first overall.

Tiechiguan is governed by military law and has outstanding military power.

The crabapple tree excels in wisdom.

In the chaotic situation, he was able to see through the loopholes in Zhao Duan's layout in a short period of time.

And make assumptions and try them out.

It seems simple, but in fact, only a few people can do it.

"But," he changed the subject and asked:

"Since Miss Haitang has already guessed my purpose, shouldn't you pretend not to know? You seem to be showing off your intelligence by telling me this, but in fact it is difficult to clear yourself of suspicion."

Haitang snorted and said disdainfully:
"I can't act, and you are a scheming person. If you don't act like it, you will be easily suspected."

She is a woman who knows her own strengths and weaknesses...

After a pause, Haitang continued:

"Besides, can suspicion really be cleared? Who can guarantee that someone who is clean today will not surrender to the enemy tomorrow?"

Zhao Duan began to admire her, especially after comparing her with his "confidential secretary".

Well, but a woman who is too smart is troublesome to have around, but on the contrary, it is safer to use something like small money.

Seeing that he remained silent, Haitang asked curiously:

"What about the others? They have been found out, right?"

Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"I know this kind of question can't be discussed."

Haitang held the wine cup and hummed:
"I can guess it even without you telling me. Ha, when your men came in, they were obviously not nervous enough. That was the kind of relaxation they showed after a successful 'capture'. I am very familiar with it.

The one who is qualified to be ranked ahead of me is Zhang Han, a stubborn person with a expressionless face. According to scholars, he is a gentleman who can be bullied.

If they are suspected, they will just surrender foolishly, with an attitude of loyalty to the emperor and the country. That will surely be the Iron Bar Prison. "

Zhao Duan said: "You don't seem surprised."

Haitang said:

"Because he is the one I suspect the most. But I have no evidence.

Heh, don't look at me like that. As a police officer, it is my job to arrest the rebels. I want to surpass Zhang Han and become the number one in the Nine Halls, so I will naturally pay attention to the traitors. Unfortunately, this credit was taken away by you."

After a pause, the heroic female police officer seemed to have come to her senses and said:

"But you can't capture him with the men under your command. Has the governor taken action? I wonder if the governor is hiding in the dark right now."

In the carriage outside the yard, Ma Yan's expression changed.

Tie Chi, who was lying next to him, had his eyes closed and could not hear the conversation in the yard due to his serious injuries.

"..." Zhao Duan did not comment:

"What do you want to say?"

Haitang smiled sweetly:
"It's nothing, but you have to hurry. With such a large-scale arrest, the moment Tie Chiguan was captured, the eyes of the rebels must have been on the move. Those who were related to him might have been implicated as accomplices, and I'm afraid they have also started to escape.

By the way, let me remind you that if Tiechiguan is defrauded and jumps out very quickly and admits it very directly, it is possible that he is covering up for some people. "

Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes: "Explain clearly."

Haitang smiled:
"Like I said, I'm also investigating him. Although I don't have any strong evidence, I found out something interesting. Privately, he seems to be very close to the Master of Peach Blossom Hall."

Taohuatang Police Department...a corresponding image appeared in Zhao Duan's mind.

She was the other of the only two female detectives in the Nine Halls.

He is not outstanding in appearance, is in his thirties and is relatively low-key.

Office romance... No way... Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows.

But if the two really have an affair, then the probability of both sides surrendering to the enemy at the same time is indeed very high.

This could also explain why Tie Chi Guan jumped so directly just now, without any further ado, and attacked directly.

After that, he first admitted it frankly and then kept silent, and it went unexpectedly smoothly.

If it is explained that he knew he was exposed and did so on purpose in order to protect the Taohuatang Police Department, all doubts would be explained.

Taohuatang is at the back and is the farther one in the fraud route.

Zhao Duan said sternly:

"withdraw!"

A large group of men in brocade clothes retreated with a roar.

Haitang smiled and said:
"Take care and don't worry, I won't leave home. I will wait until the dust settles."

She looks like a female Zhuge Liang who holds all the wisdom in her hands.

However, the next second, Zhao Duan, who had already turned around and walked towards the door, was caught off guard when the sleeve of his right hand hanging by his side was suddenly torn with a "swish".

If the camera is slowed down countless times, you can see that his slender fingers with well-proportioned joints suddenly turned outward and threw out a palm-sized, ancient and mysterious dark golden flying knife.

The flying knife seemed to have its own spirit, breaking away from the control of its master, and tearing through a turbulent current in the sultry air.

With such terrifying speed that it almost left an afterimage, he stabbed towards Haitang who was sitting in the yard drinking.

"rumble--"

Amidst the muffled sound of detonation, the tip of the flying knife actually propped up a conical air shield.

Dangerous!
The calm and composed "female Zhuge" suddenly changed her expression.

Even when Zhao Duan threw the flying knife, it had already tapped the stone table lightly.

One after another, fine iron flying knives jumped out of the cloth bag and blocked in front of him.

But after all, it could not match the speed of the Golden Crow.

"Snapped!"

The wine cup that she was holding between two fingers instantly broke into pieces, and the wine splashed everywhere!

Sprinkled on her cheeks, nose, chin, lips, neck, heart...

However, the Golden Crow Flying Knife had already made a circle, like a dog called back by its master, and was firmly grasped by Zhao Duan's knife-wielding hand.

All this happened in just a moment.

Zhao Duan didn't even turn back, but continued to walk out, his voice floating over:

"That's a good point. But I don't like anyone telling me what to do."

Having said that, he disappeared out of the courtyard gate.

All that was left in the courtyard were the servants standing still, the fine iron flying knife suspended in mid-air, and Haitang, who was holding a wine cup, frozen like a stone sculpture, with a drop of wine sliding down her face.

Just now, the female police officer, who was a warrior in the Divine Chapter Realm, seemed to sense the god of death passing by.

……

inside the carriage.

Ma Yan stared at Zhao Duan with complicated eyes:
"Your flying knife had a chance to kill her just now."

Zhao Duan sat down somewhat exhausted, and helplessly spread out his right hand, only to see blood slowly seeping out of his palm. He laughed at himself and said:

“After I passed the Iron Bar Pass, I realized that the gap between the great realms is like a chasm.

I just used all my strength, increased the speed of the flying knife to the extreme, and attacked suddenly, and only then did I manage to do this.

If not, even if my knife is ten times better than hers, I still won’t be able to get close to her because my speed is not fast enough.”

Ma Yan stared at him deeply:
"You used the power-accumulation method I just taught you."

He was somewhat moved.

I only explained it once, but Zhao Duan actually understood it.

Although still a bit unfamiliar, this learning speed is amazing enough.

The method of accumulating power, combined with the quality of the Golden Crow Flying Knife, makes Zhao Duan's full-strength strike enough to threaten the Divine Chapter Realm.

And he is just an average mortal.

Zhao Duan was still not satisfied with himself, but he did not continue the topic and said:
"It's just a final test for her."

"Probing?" Ma Yan snorted, but did not expose him. He smiled and said:
"How are my subordinates? Are they as smart as you?"

"He's quite smart, but he's a fool." Zhao Duan commented calmly:

"She has too strong a desire to show off. If she doesn't know how to hide her shortcomings, she won't be as good as Zhang Han."

Ma Yan nodded, agreeing with this judgment.

Then he said seriously:
"Do you think what she just said is credible?"

Zhao Duan thought for a moment and said:

“I want to believe it.

She was right in saying one thing: from the moment my fraudulent tactics began, the rebels' spies had already begun to act.

But it is no longer possible for me to implement the tactics one by one.

At this moment, the rebels who have contact with Tiechiguan have probably received the news and started to evacuate. "

He calmly judged:
"I'm afraid my speed is not enough to get to the Taohuatang police's home in time."

Ma Yan's eyes turned cold and he said:
"But I can."

The leg strength of a warrior in the mortal realm is already extremely terrifying. The most important thing is that a person can walk in a straight line, climb over walls and run across houses, but a horse cannot run.

For now, there is not much point in continuing to commit fraud, and the first priority is to seize time and catch talents.

Zhao Duan bowed and said, "Brother, please catch the ghost."

Ma Yan looked at him and said, "Aren't you afraid that I am also a ghost?"

Zhao Duan smiled, suddenly lifted the car curtain, and shouted to the sky:
"Please show yourself and follow the Governor to capture the thief."

The voice was so loud that the people in royal uniforms around were stunned.

I looked around blankly, not knowing who my boss was talking to.

Ma Yan was also stunned for a moment, and his eyes suddenly looked away.

In an instant, following some deliberately revealed waves, I looked towards a roof not far away.

I saw that, on the roof, a young monk in a white robe appeared at some point, and he looked quite gentle.

He didn't look like a master at all. At this moment, he put his hands together and said loudly:

"it is good."

Ma Yan's pupils suddenly contracted!

He seemed to recognize the monk on the roof in the distance, then smiled bitterly and shook his head:
"gone."

He realized that this was the backup plan Zhao Duan had arranged to prevent him from being a ghost.

Ma Yan also knew that he was no match for him.

As he spoke, he picked up the iron ruler with his big hand, jumped out of the carriage, and flew up as if he had turned into a giant bird. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the distance.

And the white-robed monk on the roof disappeared at some point.

As the two disappeared, Hou Renmeng, Shen Juan and others looked at Zhao Duan in bewilderment:
"Sir, shall we continue?"

Even without bodyguards, why continue... With such a small salary, what's the point of risking your life... He waved his hand and said:
"Turn around and go back to Tie's house."

The task of capturing the Master of Peach Blossom Hall was given to Ma Yan, but he still had things to do.

"The more complex the multi-person intelligence network, the more difficult it is to completely destroy traces of contact with companions. This is also true even for a single line of contact."

Zhao Duan thought secretly that with Tiechiguan's official position, he must have a considerable number of subordinates in the Kuangfu Society.

He would destroy evidence and provide cover-up for the Taohuatang Police Department, but he might not be so attentive in protecting his "downline".

Especially since he was confined to his house today and realized that Lihuatang was catching the rebels, Tiechiguan would definitely find a way to pass this information on.

Perhaps, there will be clues left behind that cannot be dealt with in time.

……

Russian qing.

When Zhao Duan led the group back to Tie's house, Qian Kerou and Zheng Laojiu, who were left behind to search, suddenly had their eyes light up and came forward:
"Sir, we found something."

"What?" Zhao Duan was excited, but saw Qian Kerou handing him a note like offering a treasure:
"It was found in Tiechiguan's study. Old Zheng checked the ink stain and determined based on his experience that it was written last night. Someone must have passed it to him, but it has not been destroyed yet."

Zhao Duan twisted the crumpled note with his fingers. The words on it were very short:

"Today, Zhao returned from the imperial court and wrote an official document to Sun Lianying, asking for protection."

The handwriting is very strange, as if the author deliberately changed to writing with the left hand, and the strokes are not natural.

Zhao Duan's expression froze instantly.

(End of this chapter)