Chapter Ninety-Seven: Not a Private Residence, but a Dungeon

The claim that Wang Qiaoling had returned to his private residence in the capital to recover from illness was nothing more than a smoke screen, pure and simple.

In truth, that place was an extremely well-hidden secret dungeon under the sole control of the Ministry of Justice, and the people held within were all especially dangerous criminals.

In other words, Wang Qiaoling had been escorted to the royal capital under guard, and the moment he entered the city, he was thrown into the dungeon.

Jiang Chen asked Yingying, "Was he arrested by the Ministry of Justice? On what charge?"

"The ones who wanted to arrest him were actually our Night Execution Division. It was just inconvenient for us to show our faces, so we secretly asked the Ministry of Justice to step in and keep him in the dungeon for the time being. As for the charge, there is actually no solid evidence proving he committed any serious crime."

"Only, Wang Qiaoling seems to have had close dealings with the people of the Profound Flame Manor, so we wanted to investigate him thoroughly."

"No evidence, and they can still lock someone up at will?"

"Only the Night Execution Division has that authority. He should originally have been released after ten days, but on the very first day after Wang Qiaoling was locked up, something unexpected happened to him, and that gave us reason to keep him there."

Yingying told Jiang Chen that after Wang Qiaoling was taken to the royal capital by the Ministry of Justice, he completely lost his sanity that very night. He could no longer recognize any acquaintance, and he had forgotten all about his own identity.

In other words, Wang Qiaoling had gone mad.

Not before, not after, but precisely at the moment he was confined in the dungeon. It was hard to believe that this was merely coincidence.

"We tried many methods, but none of them could restore his mind. I went to see Wang Qiaoling today precisely to check on the progress. If he still cannot return to normal, then we will have no choice but to abandon this hard-won piece on the board."

Jiang Chen said, "If you have a way to get me in, I think I should be able to do something."

The two were discussing matters in the room when they suddenly heard a clamor outside, as if a crowd had forcefully barged in.

Jiang Chen frowned. "Miss Yingying, it seems my home has run into some trouble. I need to handle it."

Yingying rose to her feet. "Actually, my real name is Shen Xueying."

They opened the door and stepped into the courtyard, one after the other, only to see Yu Yuanliang leading more than twenty men as they stormed in with great fury.

Duanmu Qing shielded Wu Yue behind her and warned him, "What is it, are you dissatisfied because I did not teach you enough of a lesson last time?"

Yu Yuanliang had come precisely to recover his lost face, and besides, there was something about the sharp, fiery Duanmu Qing that exerted an indescribable allure on him.

A man of his status was usually surrounded by women who catered to him without question. Now that he had suddenly encountered someone like Duanmu Qing, he was truly half-mad with fascination.

"Heh, so it's Young Master Yu."

Jiang Chen strode straight toward him. Shen Xueying stood behind and watched in silence.

When Yu Yuanliang saw Jiang Chen approaching, he felt an inexplicable tightening in his chest. He was struck by a strange sensation, as if he had seen this man somewhere before.

But he could not remember where, and he felt it must be nothing more than an ungrounded illusion, because he was certain he did not know this person at all.

"Brother Chen, it's him. On the way back today, he meant us harm. If not for Sister Duanmu stepping in, he might have forced us away."

"Oh? So that happened."

"Wu'er, don't worry. Leave this fellow to me."

Yu Yuanliang said in annoyance, "And who are you, to meddle in this young master's business? Have you grown tired of living?"

Jiang Chen noticed that Yu Yuanliang's face was bruised and swollen in several places, no doubt from Duanmu Qing's earlier beating. Even so, the fellow was stubborn to the point of absurdity; his face was already nearly pounded into a pig's head, and yet he still dared to charge in here.

Utterly courting death.

"Young Master Yu, I really have to say your luck is terrible. You picked the wrong person to offend today."

"Whatever you have to say, save it for after we get outside."

The moment his words fell, Jiang Chen actually grabbed Yu Yuanliang by the ear and dragged him forward step by step toward the front gate, as though leading a dog.

A wave of searing pain spread through his entire body. Yu Yuanliang instantly felt as if the skin of his scalp was about to be ripped away. He could only howl in agony and let Jiang Chen lead him where he would.

"You... let go, let go of me, ow... it hurts to death!"

The more than twenty sturdy attendants saw Yu Yuanliang subdued so effortlessly that they immediately became hesitant and dared not act rashly in the slightest. They understood very well what was at stake: if anything happened to Young Master Yu, they would be the ones to pay the price.

Besides, Jiang Chen's move had been so sudden that none of them had expected it or prepared for it.

After dragging Yu Yuanliang all the way outside the gate, Jiang Chen finally said, "Yu Yuanliang, I advise you to behave yourself. Your family is not peaceful these days. Be careful not to bring disaster upon yourself."

He was not exaggerating. Earlier, in the gambling den, he had overheard the people of the Profound Flame Manor discussing plans to deal with Yu Wenshi, Yu Yuanliang's father. They would probably make their move within the next few days.

But Yu Yuanliang had no intention of listening. He cursed in fury, utterly shamelessly, "You brat, how dare you lay hands on me? Do you know who I am?"

"Your father, Yu Wenshi, is nothing but an assistant minister in the Ministry of Justice. What are you shouting about? I'll give you one chance: get back home right now, or you will lose this ear today."

Jiang Chen let go of the ear he had been gripping and followed through with a kick to Yu Yuanliang's backside.

With no ability to fight back at all, Yu Yuanliang staggered and sprawled at the bottom of the stone steps. His wretched appearance was almost laughable, though his attendants could not laugh; they could only strain mightily to hold it in.

"Young Master, let us vent your anger for you. This brat will not live through today!"

They were eager to show off in front of Yu Yuanliang so they could ask for a generous reward afterward.

But Yu Yuanliang's mind was somewhat dazed now. He could not understand why he had run into such ruthless people all day long. If they came at him head-on, he had no confidence at all.

What if more than twenty attendants still could not handle this fellow? Would he really have to give up his ear?

Utterly frightened by Jiang Chen, Yu Yuanliang had completely lost the courage to act domineeringly. After weighing things over for a long while, he still chose to endure for the time being, because Jiang Chen had already extinguished all the arrogance in him.

"Hm?"

"It looks like you are not the only guest here today."

Jiang Chen suddenly noticed that at the street corner across from them, a carriage was parked in a highly suspicious position, and the person inside had apparently been peering furtively in their direction just now.

Before Yu Yuanliang could react, Jiang Chen was already heading toward the carriage. His movements were so swift they were practically dazzling.

"Quick, go! Damn it, move!"

Inside the carriage, a voice urgently urged the driver, but they were still a step too late. Jiang Chen had already leaped aboard.