"For the past month, the Bad Guys have been investigating a case of a missing child."
Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan's expression immediately turned serious. No matter the time, a lost child is always a serious matter.
"You're being so serious, is there another reason for this?"
“That’s right. We’ve investigated for a long time and found some clues. There’s probably a group of villains in Chang’an who are secretly capturing children.”
"Arresting children?" Lu Xuan's face darkened further. Human traffickers, no matter the era, are always better off dead.
A flash of murderous aura emanated from Lu Xuan, causing Zhang Xiaojing's expression to change slightly. Having fought his way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, he naturally wouldn't be intimidated by Lu Xuan's imposing presence. However, Lu Xuan's murderous aura still startled him. Perhaps he had underestimated this county magistrate.
"There could be more specific clues or evidence."
"So far, we have identified several suspects. However, we still do not know who is behind them, nor have we found out where the children are being hidden. The criminals are of low status and are subject to many restrictions in this case. That's why I came here specifically to ask you to step in."
Lu Xuan immediately understood Zhang Xiaojing's meaning. This case was likely more than just a case; it was also a test for him. The Fifth King of Hell truly lived up to his reputation, testing his superior right from the start!
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Chapter Twenty-Eight: Investigating the Case
"Tell me, what do you need me to do?" Lu Xuan didn't agree immediately, but instead asked Zhang Xiaojing to explain the case in detail.
"There are many gangs in Chang'an City, and many of them run shady businesses. Among them, the Xiong Huo Gang is the most notorious. Relying on the influence of some people in the imperial court, the Xiong Huo Gang commits all sorts of evil deeds. Not only do they extort protection money in the market, but they also forcibly seize many shops at low prices."
This is only the surface; I've also discovered that the Bearfire Gang is secretly involved in the human trafficking trade.
Zhang Xiaojing glanced sideways at Lu Xuan's expression as he spoke. Seeing that Lu Xuan remained expressionless, gesturing for him to continue, he couldn't help but continue, somewhat disappointed.
"The Xiong Huo Gang is secretly trafficking innocent women and selling them on the black market in Pingkang Ward. We have investigated several times, but the connections behind that black market are incredibly complex, and we are just thugs, so we have had to let it go each time. Now, they have even started trafficking children. This matter cannot be left unresolved, so I humbly request that you, sir, take charge."
Zhang Xiaojing's final words were delivered with great emotion and fervor, conveying a sense of irreconcilable hatred for evil. However, Lu Xuan remained completely unaffected by these words, his eyes still half-closed as if deep in thought.
Zhang Xiaojing sighed inwardly. He knew he had lost the first round. He had deliberately put on this show to test whether the young county constable was a hothead. If so, he would surely be moved by his words. Then, he could take over the constable's hand to severely damage the black market while also protecting himself.
But after all that, the young county constable remained completely unfazed. It seemed that oppressing the people and trafficking people meant nothing to him. He couldn't read anything from the young constable's face. Clearly, this young constable was far more cunning than he had imagined; he needed to think of another way.
Lu Xuan naturally knew what kind of person Zhang Xiaojing was. In the original story, he was the one who saved Chang'an. But that didn't mean he was a good person. A good person could never earn a nickname like "Fifth King of Hell." Lu Xuan even suspected that the previous county magistrate's injury and resignation were related to him. This guy had always disliked being restrained and acted without restraint. It seemed he didn't want to be controlled by him, the county magistrate. He'd dug himself a huge hole on his very first day.
The Bearfire Gang appears multiple times in the original novel and has never done anything good. Most of their evil deeds are true, but their background is also absolutely real. Lu Xuan remembers that they seem to have some connection with a certain prince. Many important officials in the court receive benefits from the Bearfire Gang; otherwise, given Zhang Xiaojing's methods and temper, he would have wiped them all out long ago.
Zhang Xiaojing bringing this up now was simply trying to make him the scapegoat, a shield. Lu Xuan understood this, so naturally he couldn't speak up lightly. However, human trafficking crossed his bottom line; he had to deal with it both publicly and privately, but how to do so required careful consideration.
"Tell me about the black market in Chang'an. I want the truth," Lu Xuan said coldly.
Zhang Xiaojing was taken aback. The Xiong Huo Gang had committed numerous crimes and had been in a standoff with him for years. Although he had the upper hand, he had never been able to truly eradicate them. But compared to the black market in Pingkangfang, the Xiong Huo Gang was nothing. The underground black market, led by Elder Ge, encompassed almost all illicit businesses, including casinos, brothels, human trafficking, and smuggling. He had reported this to higher authorities multiple times, but his requests were always rejected outright. Simply put, he couldn't even investigate.
This newly arrived county constable is unaware of the dangers of the black market. Is he perhaps planning to use it to establish his authority? Zhang Xiaojing thought to himself, but he didn't hesitate to explain the basic information about the black market to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan listened silently for a while, then suddenly spoke.
"Do your undercover agents know where those abducted people were taken?"
Zhang Xiaojing paused, glancing at Lu Xuan. He saw Lu Xuan staring at him nonchalantly, as if discussing something quite ordinary. Zhang Xiaojing thought for a moment, then shook his head, deciding not to lie.
"I can't find anything. I have a few undercover agents, but I have absolutely no access to the core processes. Those women are sent to secret places for 'training.' I don't know what methods they use. After they come out, they resign themselves to their fate. Even if you go to rescue them, they're too scared to leave. The men are bought by some high-ranking officials and wealthy people to act as scapegoats or something. But I have no access to the specific transactions. As for the children..."
Zhang Xiaojing's voice trembled slightly as he spoke. His murderous aura suddenly erupted, but then completely subsided, as if the previous outburst had never occurred.
"Girls are judged by their bone structure; those with good looks will be trained to be actresses. Those with less attractive features... it's similar for boys; the clever ones will be trained to become gang members, the dull ones..."
Zhang Xiaojing, both outwardly and inwardly, resembled a ruthless and cold-blooded tyrant. Yet, this man, so powerful both internally and externally, failed to utter those words twice. Lu Xuan, not being ignorant, had experienced the information explosion of his later life and knew the fate of abducted children.
“Picking raw branches…” he uttered the word softly. This made Zhang Xiaojing suddenly look up and stare intently at him, as if trying to find something on his face.
"Don't look at me like that. I come from the lawless lands of the Western Frontier. In Chang'an, evil and gloom prevail, but ultimately they can only hide in the shadows. But in the Great Horse Camp, there isn't even a concept of evil. The only concept there is the knife..."
Zhang Xiaojing suddenly realized that the place this county magistrate came from was probably the most peripheral and chaotic place in the entire Tang Dynasty. It was no wonder that he had witnessed all kinds of darkness.
“Those…children generally won’t appear in Chang’an anymore. After all, it’s not convenient under the emperor’s nose. Most of them will be sold to other places, and from then on, they can never be traced.” Zhang Xiaojing said, revealing a look of dejection and helplessness for the first time. Human strength has its limits. Even with the title of the Fifth King of Hell, he was still just a nobody in Chang’an.
"It's indeed difficult," Lu Xuan said softly, a hint of helplessness in his voice. Zhang Xiaojing felt disheartened upon hearing this; indeed, one shouldn't have too high expectations.
Just as Zhang Xiaojing was looking disappointed and preparing to take his leave, he heard Lu Xuan say something in a low voice.
"This case is indeed difficult to handle, but as the county constable of Wannian County, it is my duty to apprehend thieves and robbers. If it is difficult, then we can only put in more effort."
Zhang Xiaojing suddenly turned around, as if he had a new understanding of Lu Xuan.
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Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Warning
Does Lu Xuan know anything about solving cases? He's got no idea... but even if he hasn't eaten pork, he's at least seen pigs run. Having watched so many detective movies and TV shows, plus a ton of novels, Lu Xuan naturally has his own set of 'case-solving theories'.
"First, we need a map of Chang'an."
“No, Chang’an is the capital. Maps are military secrets. Let alone us lowly scoundrels, even the Prefect of the Capital might not be able to produce a complete map of Chang’an.” Zhang Xiaojing tried his best to explain, and Lu Xuan did not refute him, but just stared at him with a slight smile.
Only when Zhang Xiaojing couldn't stand being stared at anymore did he reluctantly pull out a hand-drawn map.
"This is a map I drew by hand. Theoretically, based on this map alone, I should be exiled three thousand li away. Should I handcuff myself now, sir?"
Lu Xuan ignored Zhang Xiaojing and simply unfolded the map.
“Tell me where you’ve narrowed down your search. To be honest, after investigating for so long, I don’t believe you have no leads at all.”
Zhang Xiaojing was speechless. Sometimes he had a feeling that this new captain seemed to know him very well. But he was certain that this was the first time he had met this person.
He pointed to the map.