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Chapter 377: Hard To Escape

Anyone would be just as awed to see this army of five to six hundred city guards marching over with their pet beasts in tow.

This had to be the mercenaries of an imperial official.

Not even the government would be able to mobilize so many elites in such a short span of time. Those who were slightly knowledgeable would have figured out by now that they came here on the instruction of a higher state official.

The only thing that was off here was their speed. No matter how quickly they were able to mobilize their forces, their arrival was too soon.

No one knew who they were here for either.

Everyone watched their formation creep closer silently, each with their own explanation for the oddity in their heads.

A general in a suit of golden armor emerged from the troops with his golden lion pet beast. He approached Lin Jin directly and saluted him.

“The Lieutenant Governor Feng Xian of the palace guards has received the order to assist Appraiser Lin in apprehending the sinful. Please give us your orders, Appraiser Lin.”

His booming voice was crystal clear.

Now, this was a true military general, an aura so robust he could deter the average beast.

The golden lion behind him may be a Rank 3 on paper, but it was far more powerful than its peers, for it was a lion who had experienced countless battles.

The crowd was shocked by this announcement.

There was no doubt that Lin Jin’s network was so extensive that even the palace guards were mobilized for him. Their commander-in-chief was the Lieutenant Governor of their kingdom. He was an actual general who received orders from only a select few.

When they remembered the royal decree through which Lin Jin gained his special promotion, the crowd realized who the mysterious backer was.

Again...

Their reaction time was too fast.

It could be inferred that His Majesty had taken action the instant Lin Jin needed his assistance.

No one dared to raise further doubts. By now, everyone present, including Yu Mantang who was still unconvinced, knew full well that Lin Jin was not to be messed with. They simply couldn’t afford to do so.

His Majesty, the Emperor, held Lin Jin in such high regard that he mobilized his own troops to assist the appraiser. No one else among them had that sort of influence.

Even the observers figured out that the troops were sent by His Majesty so it was only obvious that Lin Jin was aware of it too.

Unlike before, he now truly intended to accept His Majesty’s grace.

Those patrol guards from before were too insignificant and they might not be able to persuade the troops manning the gates to seal all exit points. However, the same could not be said with the Lieutenant Governor, Feng Xian on their side.

After hearing Lin Jin’s concern, the general replied, “Don’t worry, Appraiser Lin. I’ve already issued the order to have the capital locked down. Not a single fly would be able to escape the city tonight.”

He had spoken with great resolution and confidence.

Lin Jin trusted him.

Since the general had said it, he would certainly make sure that they counted.

“Alright. Thank you, Governor Feng.” As the general had shown him respect, there was no reason for Lin Jin to put on airs. Instead, he bowed courteously in gratitude.

“Also, if it’s convenient, please search the city, Governor Feng. Since Yang Qingshi isn’t able to leave the city, I think he might be hiding somewhere. He might even reveal himself if we manage to drive him into a corner. He’ll have nowhere to run by the time we see him!”

Governor Feng accepted Lin Jin’s proposition and went on to carry it out.

Before leaving, he said to Lin Jin, “Appraiser Lin, you’re a member of the Defense Department, and one of our fellow guardians. If you need any help in the future, you just have to issue your command to the military stationed in whichever city you’re in. No one would dare to defy you.”

Lin Jin smiled. So, a national guardian like himself had that sort of authority?

But never mind that now. Their current priority was to hunt down Yang Qingshi, who Lin Jin swore to never forgive.

At the thought of the tragic death of the Du family’s poor young lady, Lin Jin’s heart boiled over with rage.

Yang Qingshi had committed murder right under Lin Jin’s nose, which was a blatant challenge to him. Since he was brave enough to do that, he should be prepared to perish as well.

With Governor Feng in charge of the operation, the entire capital entered a sleepless night.

Five hundred elite palace guards and two thousand soldiers joined in the search, which continued for the next few hours.

Except for the palace, everywhere else including the mansions of higher officials were searched.

In the face of such an extensive search mission, no one would dare to give Yang Qingshi shelter, no matter how foolhardy they were.

Meanwhile, inside a mansion within the capital.

“Hurry up and get that guy out of here for heaven’s sake! God knows who that bastard offended that even Governor Feng got involved. They’re carrying a city-wide search now and if they find the guy hiding here, all of us will be doomed,” a higher official said frantically to his confidant as he put on his clothes.

His confidant was shaken.

Being a Rank 3 beast appraiser working at their headquarters, it was normal for Yang Qingshi to have rubbed shoulders with many government officials. In fact, he was close friends with a few of them.

When the city entered a complete lockdown, Yang Qingshi didn’t make it out in time so he didn’t leave. Knowing he had nowhere else to go, he returned to the city.

Going home wasn’t an option, so he arrived at the residence of one of the government officials he knew, requesting shelter for tonight.

At first, that official had no idea what was going on so he welcomed Yang Qingshi with food and a hot water bath. He even arranged for a servant to take care of Yang Qingshi’s needs.

Then, he received word and that made him break out in a cold sweat, almost losing consciousness.

If anyone found out about this, he knew he would be penalized.

The best option was to chase Yang Qingshi out. It was best for them to never see him again.

If anyone found out he was hiding Yang Qingshi, he would be in great trouble.

“Master, that Yang Qingshi must have caused huge trouble or there wouldn’t be a commotion of this scale. I heard that the Beast Appraisal Association Headquarters is also trying to capture him so Yang Qingshi is practically done for. I was scared that he might ignore our advice when he came over, especially after seeing that menacing look on his face. Now that he has nowhere else to go, why don’t we turn him in to Governor Feng instead? We might be able to escape from this too,” the confidant said after careful deliberation.

At this, the official pondered and figured how much sense it made. Yang Qingshi might not listen if they advised him to leave. More importantly, if Yang Qingshi did get caught, them urging him to run would just be another penalty added to their name.

If they reported Yang Qingshi’s whereabouts instead, forget receiving credit for his capture, they could at least clear their name.

They just had to say they weren’t aware of his crimes. They could argue that they handed him over to the authorities the instant they received word of him being a wanted man.

At this, the official made a decision and stopped in his tracks. “Let’s go and turn him in to Governor Feng.”

Then, he turned to head outside.

However, he had taken only a few steps when a person suddenly appeared at the entrance with a saber tooth tiger by his side.

This man’s expression was grim. “Lord Zhou, we used to be such great friends so I never thought you would sell me out this quickly. Lord Zhou, as a fellow human being, you’re really insincere.”

“Ah, Yang Qingshi!” Lord Zhou was startled. He had no idea how or when Yang Qingshi came over. Shouldn’t he be resting in the guestroom?

Then, he noticed bloodstains on Yang Qingshi’s sleeve and also on the mouth of his saber tooth tiger. The blood clearly didn’t belong to Yang Qingshi or his pet beast. All of a sudden, a servant was shouting in fright, “They’re dead! The maids and servants at the guestroom are all dead!”

At this, Lord Zhou knew a disaster was headed his way.