A Clash of Gods - Chapter 172
Chapter 172 The Mansion of the Divine Marquis
Yang Ning frowned. He had heard the Mansion of the Divine Marquis several times. As he knew, the Mansion of the Divine Marquis was a very special government office, mainly dealing with ganghood affairs on behalf of the court. This kind of government office was different from others, unique and mysterious.
He didn’t expect to meet its persons tonight.
However, with such a strange thing happening in the capital, Capital Bureau would report it to the Mansion of the Divine Marquis. Then it would send people to investigate this matter.
“Since you’re from the Mansion of the Divine Marquis, you’re experts at investigating cases.” Yang Ning put away his blade and said indifferently, “I’ve long heard that there are quite some experts in the Mansion of the Divine Marquis. Today’s meeting is a great disappointment.”
The man sneered, “Don’t trick. You can’t escape tonight.”
“Tell me how you determined that I killed him.” Yang Ning glanced at the woman. “Although the Mansion of the Divine Marquis deals with matters of the ganghood, it’s still the government’s office. There should be a set of laws. Without evidence, how can you easily condemn me?”
“Evidence?” The woman snorted coldly. “If you didn’t kill him, why are you here? Your body is stained with blood, and you ran while seeing me. Why?”
Yang Ning frowned and said, “Miss, you thought I was the killer and attacked me before I could explain. Why shouldn’t I run?” He snorted coldly. “Isn’t it ridiculous to think of me as a killer because I’m here? When I passed by this place, I found something strange and entered the alley to see the corpse. Isn’t it possible?”
“Why did you pass through here, especially at midnight?”
Yang Ning waved his hand, “Forget it. I won’t talk to you anymore. Since you don’t believe me, you can take me to the Mansion of the Divine Marquis and ask two experts to investigate.”
“Are you surrendering?”
“Don’t make it sound so bad.” Yang Ning sighed, “Miss, are you a rookie? I’ve discovered that you’re bad at handling cases.”
The lady said angrily, “Cut the crap. Hand over your blade and follow us back to the Yamen.”
Since they looked at him coldly, Yang Ning knew there was no need to argue anymore. Originally, he wanted to reveal his identity as the Marquis. However, they wouldn’t believe it. So he followed them to the Mansion of the Divine Marquis.
The Mansion of the Divine Marquis, a special government office, handled the affairs of the ganghood for the Imperial Court. There must be some capable people there. At least, its leader, Ximen Wuhen, was not a person who couldn’t tell right from wrong. It would be better to explain there.
He threw the blade over, and the woman caught it. Yang Ning sneered, “Be careful. This blade values a thousand golds. If there’s any damage, I’m afraid you can’t afford it.”
The woman silently put away his blade.
Yang Ning thought of his guard and said, “By the way, I still have a companion over there. He should leave with me.”
“There’s still a companion,” The man said, “Little Junior Sister, take his companion.” Although his tone was still calm, Yang Ning noticed his undisguised excitement.
Yang Ning thought, “The Mansion of the Divine Marquis must have been chasing after the bronze general, but they hadn’t succeeded. These two think that they have caught the real killer. If it’s true, they would have made great contributions. No wonder he is so excited.
“Therefore, they are new.”
Yang Ning followed them back. When the man saw the corpse, he squatted down and examined it. He nimbly checked, showing that he was trained. When he stood up, Yang Ning suddenly stared at him and said, “You’re the murderer!”
Being shocked, the man said angrily, “What are you talking about?”
“You are the murderer.” Yang Ning smiled faintly, “You’re the killer as you’re here with blood on your hand.”
Clenching his fist, the man took two steps forward and said sternly, “Say it again.”
Only now did Yang Ning see that this man was only in his early twenties. Though he was handsome, he had a fiery temper.
“Seventh Martial Brother, don’t talk nonsense with him.” The woman looked at Yang Ning, pointing at the guard who was leaning against the wall, and said, “Go to carry him.”
Yang Ning shook his head and said, “No way.”
Seventh Martial Brother said angrily, “Do whatever you’re told. Hurry up.”
Yang Ning said calmly, “I’ve agreed to go back with you to the trial. Before the result are out, I’m not a criminal, but at most a suspect. You are not my superiors, and I am not your slave. You can’t order me.”
Seventh Martial Brother was startled and looked at the woman.
Little Junior Sister hesitated for a moment before saying, “If you don’t carry him, are we carrying him?”
“As you said, he’s my accomplice. Since I’m a suspect, you should arrest my accomplice,” Yang Ning said, “If you leave him behind, it’s to cover for the criminal. You should take him back together with us as you’re capturing the killers. Why should I help you?”
Seventh Martial Brother was dumbfounded and couldn’t help but say, “Little Junior Sister, he…he seems to make sense.”
Little Junior Sister snorted coldly and said, “Since it makes sense, you carry him back.”
“Me?” Seventh Martial Brother was startled. “But…”
Little Junior Sister said, “What’s wrong? You don’t want it?”
Seventh Martial Brother seemed to be very afraid of Little Junior Sister. He put away his blade helplessly and carried the guard.
Seventh Martial Brother led them with Yang Ning following. Little Junior Sister was following Yang Ning with a whip in her hand, staring at him to prevent him from playing tricks.
After walking for an hour, they finally arrived at a quiet long street. They walked along a grey-white courtyard wall to the front gate, in front of which were two majestic stone lions. The pitch-black door looked even darker at night. Two guards dressed like the Little Junior Sister separately stood on the gate side. At the head of the gate hung a plaque with three gilded Chinese characters of “The Mansion of the Divine Marquis”.
Before Yang Ning saw the Mansion of the Divine Marquis, he had thought it was magnificent, but now it seemed very ordinary.
After entering the mansion, Little Junior Sister said, “Seventh Martial Brother, lock that person up first. I’ll take this man to the interrogation.” She urged Yang Ning to move forward. There were few lights in the Mansion of the Divine Marquis at night, thus it was cold and dark. When they entered a side courtyard, the house was lit up. Little Junior Sister let Yang Ning enter the house. As soon as he entered, he smelt something strange.
Yang Ning looked around and found the room very spacious. There were all kinds of torture tools everywhere which was shocking.
In the middle of the room, there was an old wooden table with a light on it. Two men lay on it and slept. The Little Junior Sister coughed and one of them immediately woke up. When he saw the Little Junior Sister, he hurriedly pushed his companion awake and they said in unison, “Little Junior Sister, you are back.” Then, they looked at Yang Ning, who was well dressed, looking around with his hands behind his back. They were curious about Yang Ning’s background.
The Little Junior Sister walked forward to take off her bamboo hat and her violet cloak. Then she said to Yang Ning, “Come here.”
Yang Ning walked past with a smile. Under the light, he saw that the Little Junior Sister was wearing a blue brocade robe with a pair of black boots. She was very beautiful with her tender and white skin. Although she was a woman, her eyebrows were not thin. Instead, they were a little thick. Moreover, since her bright eyes were very cold, she looked valiant and clean.
Little Junior Sister seemed to be only 16, but she looked mature.
“Sit down.” Little Junior Sister asked Yang Ning to sit at the small stool opposite her, but she sat down on a large chair. After that, Little Junior Sister said coldly, “Answer any question I ask you. There are countless instruments of torture here. Since you know this place, you should know that how we punish trickers.”
Yang Ning smiled faintly and said, “Before the interrogation, can I make a request?”
“Request?” Little Junior Sister frowned. “This is the Mansion of the Divine Marquis. You’re currently on trial. You can’t make a request.”
Yang Ning sighed. “I have to answer whatever you ask. But how can I do it as I’m too thirsty?”
Thinking for a moment, Little Junior Sister said to the person beside her, “Get him some water.”
One of them went to fetch water, while the other walked to Little Junior Sister and stared at Yang Ning. “Little Junior Sister, what case is this? What did this person commit?”
“He’s a vampire.” Little Junior Sister said hatefully, “He has already killed a few people. Fortunately, we caught him tonight. Otherwise, if it were spread out, it will cause panic in the capital.”
That person glanced at Yang Ning and said in surprise, “Little Junior Sister, are you telling the truth? This guy is that vampire?” His face was full of doubt.
Yang Ning laughed heartily. “I told you, the Mansion of the Divine Marquis isn’t all fools. There are still some smart people,” He smiled at that person and said, “Bro, do you think I’m a vampire?”
Before the person could reply, Little Junior Sister had already said coldly, “This is the Mansion of the Divine Marquis, a solemn place. Don’t laugh.”
Though this cold and beautiful woman was a little angry, Yang Ning felt her charming.