Chapter 527: Chapter 171 Nan Batian: Chen 94 You TM ambushed me!_2

“Chen Jiusi!”

Sun Tiechui roared furiously, intending to make a move. However, after glancing at Qimu Ge, he said to Chen Jie, “You just wait, if I receive nothing today, I’ll have no choice but to report you to Lord Darugachi!”

Chen Jie replied, “For Daqian, I fear no threats. Sun Tiechui, if you are innocent, step aside quickly. If you have indeed harbored inappropriate thoughts, then there’s no need for Commander Qimu Ge to act – I will take you down in the name of Lord Yelu myself!”

“Fine, fine, Chen Jiusi, we’ve got a score to settle now. In Mianshui County, it’s either you or me. One of us will have to come out on top.”

“Are you done talking? If so, move aside and let us conduct the search.”

Chen Jie commanded angrily, gesturing for his men to go in and search. Nevertheless, these were guards from Darugachi Mansion. How could they heed Chen Jie’s order? None of them moved.

Yet, Qimu Ge greatly admired Chen Jie. That was the behavior of someone who genuinely shared Darugachi’s concerns, unlike Nan Batian who arrived stirring discord, apparently with ulterior motives.

Qimu Ge cast a glance at Nan Batian.

He wouldn’t normally suspect this, but today, as soon as he stepped out, one of Nan Batian’s men had escaped. Though Qimu Ge didn’t mention it, he couldn’t help but harbor a seed of doubt in his heart.

Now, seeing Nan Batian come here and immediately trying to sow discord and provoke conflict…

Was it an intentional delay?

It must be said, Chen Jie’s move was quite astute, using a spy to plant a seed of doubt in the minds of key individuals at a critical moment.

Once the seed of doubt was planted, it would inevitably bear fruit.

Just like now, to Qimu Ge, Nan Batian’s actions, intended only to annoy Chen Jie and portray him as an enemy, seemed suspicious!

Yet Nan Batian was unaware he had aroused Qimu Ge’s suspicions.

And this was precisely the effect Chen Jie anticipated, setting a stage, preparing to topple a towering tree step by step.

Nan Batian ruled over Mianshui County for more than twenty years. His adoptive father, Peng Shizhong, couldn’t topple him, Liu Laoguai couldn’t topple him, not even Yelu could afford not to rely on him. Therefore, laying down such a colossal figure required a grand scheme and meticulous planning to uproot him completely.

Nan Batian, confused by the look in Qimu Ge’s eyes, closed his mouth, and at that moment, Qimu Ge commanded, “Search!”

At his order, the Yelu Mansion guards rushed into the blacksmith shop.

At this point, Sun Tiechui glared at Chen Jie and said, “Chen Jiusi, if nothing turns up, this isn’t the end.”

“Ha, Brother Sun.”

Sun Tiechui was still angry when Liu Laoguai stepped forward, placing an arm around his shoulder, “Brother, Jiusi is young and may be imprudent. If there’s anything he shouldn’t have done, I, as his elder, apologize on his behalf.

Please be generous and don’t take it to heart. He is only trying to ease Lord Darugachi’s worries, after all.”

Sun Tiechui responded, “But he can’t just wrong me.”

Liu Laoguai countered, “What’s this about being wronged? You haven’t been making weapons for the Zoroastrian Sect, have you?”

“Am I mad? Why would I bother with a group of rebels when I’m living a good life?”

“That settles it then. If you haven’t colluded with the Zoroastrian Sect, a search will clear your name and prevent others from gossiping. Now that this incident has happened, it’s better to search your smithy sooner rather than later. A prompt investigation means peace of mind sooner.”

Hearing this, Sun Tiechui remarked, “Hmm, Old Brother Liu makes a good point. I have nothing to hide!”

Sun Tiechui declared, “Well then, search thoroughly!”

After Sun Tiechui finished speaking, Liu Laoguai added, “Ah, that’s more like it, haha, Brother Sun understands reason.”

Liu Laoguai continued with a smile, “Old Brother Liu, it’s not that I refuse the search, but Chen Jiusi’s false accusation… it’s distressing…”

“Alright, alright, we are broad-minded adults; let’s not stoop to his level.”

Liu Laoguai, beaming, walked into the yard with Sun Tiechui.

Chen Jie followed Sun Tiechui into the yard, while Xiao Hu muttered softly at the side, “The guy’s quite the actor.”

Chen Jie laughed and said, “You really think he’s a fool after managing to avoid suspicion in Mianshui for so long?”

After exchanging words, the two entered the blacksmith shop. Inside, they saw all the blacksmiths being held against the wall by the guards of Yelu Mansion.

By now, the guards had nearly finished searching, and various farm tools lay scattered about–plows, hoes, rakes, sickles, shovels.

All sorts of agricultural tools were on display.

Seeing the farm tools laid out, Sun Tiechui grimaced and said, “Commander Qimu Ge, the weaponry you speak of can’t be these hoes and sickles, can it?”

Hearing this, Qimu Ge replied, “Of course not. These hardly count as weaponry.”

Sun Tiechui said, “See, this is nothing but pure slander from Chen Jiusi. You must intervene…”

Qimu Ge, with a smile, said, “Blacksmith Sun, don’t rush. The search isn’t over.”

At these words, Sun Tiechui paused, and then someone shouted, “Come look, there are weapons here!”

Hearing this, Qimu Ge glanced at Sun Tiechui, “Blacksmith Sun, let’s have a look.”

Sun Tiechui’s expression shifted, yet he followed into the room, where the cry about weapons had originated.

There, they saw a large cabinet with many weapons neatly arrayed on it, each marked with a tag that left everyone in silence.

One tag read: Fishing Guild.

Another: Guild Cao.

And another: Yelu Mansion.