I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 251 - 249: Confrontation

Xue Han saw Jiang Hongfei coming, his face lit up with happiness, and he hurried forward to pay his respects. "Elder Jiang!"

Jiang Hongfei acknowledged with a cold expression as he addressed Chu Ying, "Chu Ying, the City Lord Mansion is an important place, not somewhere for you to cause trouble. Have your people withdraw, and we can discuss at the Elder Council if there are any issues."

Chu Ying refused to back down, "Elder Jiang, we cannot withdraw, or the culprits will escape! I have solid evidence that three of Xue Han’s subordinates are involved in Lieutenant Pang’s death. I suspect their true identities are spies for the Zhuxian Cult. Their objective in infiltrating the City Lord Mansion is to disrupt Tian Yi City’s security and stability, collapsing the Federation from within!"

A detailed investigative report was handed to Jiang Hongfei. Being able to prepare so thoroughly in such a short time was thanks to Qian Xiaowu’s help.

"Oh? Is there really such a matter?" Jiang Hongfei hadn’t expected Chu Ying to come with evidence, whether true or false, involvement with the Zhuxian Cult was not to be taken lightly. Moreover, the deceased was a soldier, and the First Army had the authority to bypass the Inspection Bureau to apprehend suspects.

"In that case, City Lord Xue, call those three over for verification. The innocent have nothing to fear."

Xue Han stepped forward, respectfully explaining, "Elder Jiang, may I report clearly: the guards mentioned by Commander Chu died in the line of duty five months ago. The deceased are gone, making accusations of murder baseless and unfounded!"

Jiang Hongfei: "Weren’t there three people? Are they all dead?"

Xue Han nodded, "Yes."

Chu Ying snorted, "Isn’t that convenient!"

Xue Han glared angrily, "Commander Chu, choose your words carefully! Your soldiers are patriotic heroes, so are the City Lord Mansion’s guards any less? While they were alive, they were committed and diligent, maintaining Tian Yi City’s law and order, safeguarding the people’s security. I do not wish for them to be unjustly accused of being Zhuxian Cult infiltrators after their sacrifice!"

Chu Ying raised her sharp eyebrows, "So, Xue Han, are you denying that there are Zhuxian Cult members in the City Lord Mansion?"

Xue Han sternly declared, "Absolutely not!"

Jiang Hongfei waved his hand, "Chu Ying, I will forward your evidence to the Inspection Bureau to assist the First Army in a detailed investigation into Pang Tai’s death. If he truly was murdered, the Elder Council and Inspection Bureau will ensure justice is served!"

"I understand your desire to seek justice for your subordinates, but the City Lord Mansion is a confidential place. Do you not fear the reproach of the City Lords of the Twelve Upper Cities by using such extreme measures to force City Lord Xue to hand over people? Chu Ying, lift the blockade immediately and accompany me to the Elder Council for a discussion!"

Chu Ying remained unmoved, and the soldiers of the First Army seemed oblivious to Jiang Hongfei’s outburst, their bodies surging with Primordial Spirit energy, poised to act.

Jiang Hongfei’s dignity was slightly offended, and he yelled angrily, "What, you’re not listening to me either? Commander Chu, quite the authority you have!"

"Elder Jiang, don’t be hasty, Pang Tai’s matter can wait, but the next issue cannot!"

Jiang Hongfei: "What issue?"

"An hour ago, I received intelligence that former First Army Lieutenant General Yang Zhou is being illegally detained within the City Lord Mansion, tortured for information, and is on the verge of death. The person detaining him is Xue Han!"

Xue Han was momentarily startled but quickly regained composure. By now, Yang Zhou was possibly already dead, depleted of vitality. As long as he firmly denied it, Chu Ying would have no recourse.

"Haha, is Commander Chu joking with me? I have no animosity with Yang Zhou, why would I detain him? Moreover, he’s no longer part of the First Army, a commoner now. What secrets could he possess for me, a City Lord, to risk committing a crime to extract?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Chu Ying stepped forward, eyes burning with seeming anger, "Because he’s with the Freedom Army, and you are the altar master of the Zhuxian Cult, the entire City Lord Mansion is a den of Zhuxian Cult members. Yang Zhou is your sworn enemy; of course, you wouldn’t spare him!"

Jiang Hongfei was shocked, "Chu Ying, is what you’re saying true?"

"Utter nonsense!" Xue Han staunchly denied, "You must have read some baseless online articles and mistakenly believed I am with the Zhuxian Cult, right? You should think it through, why would I forgo a promising future to collude with the Zhuxian Cult?"

Despite his shock, Jiang Hongfei found Xue Han’s words reasonable. The position of City Lord, while not of the highest rank, is still above many, central in the Federation Government’s power, controlling the life and death of millions.

Xue Han, so young and already in this position, has limitless prospects. Perhaps in a few decades, he could join the ranks of the elders, standing shoulder to shoulder with someone like myself.

To say a promising young talent like this joined the Zhuxian Cult, Jiang Hongfei didn’t believe it. But if Chu Ying’s words were true, to think even a City Lord could be swayed by the Zhuxian Cult would be a significant concern.

"Chu Ying, do you have any evidence to prove Xue Han is a member of the Zhuxian Cult?"

Chu Ying shook her head, "I don’t, which is why I need to go inside to search! If Yang Zhou is in there, then Xue Han is hundred percent one of them!"

Seeing Jiang Hongfei wavering, Xue Han became both anxious and angry, "Elder, guilty or not, from the moment Chu Ying entered the City Lord Mansion, in the eyes of the world, I’m already guilty! For the sake of my dignity and reputation, I cannot allow Chu Ying to go in no matter what today!"

Chu Ying sneered, "Xue Han, do you think your men can stop the First Army?"

Xue Han was all in, two longswords appeared in his hands, their tips pointed directly at Chu Ying’s throat, "You can try!"

Seeing a chaotic battle on the verge of breaking out, Jiang Hongfei urgently mediated.

"Everyone, calm down! Chu Ying, where did your intelligence come from?"

"Elder, it’s confidential, I cannot disclose it, but I vow on my honor that the source is reliable."

"Did Yang Zhou tell you himself that he’s detained in the City Lord Mansion? Or did he mention going to the City Lord Mansion before he disappeared?"

Chu Ying was at a loss for words, "Uh—neither."

Xue Han sneered, "Elder Jiang, you’re aware of Commander Chu’s well-known pursuit of her man. Perhaps she’s pining for him so much she’s deluded herself into believing Yang Zhou is here with me!"

Xue Han’s comment elicited laughter from the City Lord Mansion guards, infuriating the First Army soldiers who could scarcely restrain themselves from tearing their mouths off, but without command from their commander, they couldn’t act.

At that moment, a video call appeared on Chu Ying’s optical brain, and Yang Zhou’s hologram suddenly appeared in front of everyone.

"Uh—cough, it’s me."

The person she had thought of for ten years appeared so unexpectedly before her, causing Chu Ying to be momentarily stunned. "Yang, Yang Zhou? Are you alright!"

In the video, Yang Zhou looked haggard, his clothes tattered, obviously tortured, standing in a place resembling a cell.

"I’m okay. Capture Xue Han, he’s with the Zhuxian Cult." Yang Zhou raised the camcorder in his hand, "I have video evidence of his crimes, and a witness named Zhu Zhi!"

As soon as Yang Zhou finished speaking, Chu Ying immediately performed a grappling move on Xue Han’s arm, shouting, "First Army, move out!"

The First Army, pent up with anger, and the guilty-conscious Guard Team clashed immediately, the light of Elemental Power shimmered intensely.