Chapter 291: Twelve Hours in the Japanese District (2)

Chapter 291: The Twelve Hours of the Wōqū (Part II)

Bang!

"Confess? What confession?! We're the Imperial Guards! Killing the rebel army is our duty!"

Gui Wang Da slammed his palm on the desk, glaring and roaring: "You big shots from the Commander's Office have been acting like tyrants, bossing around the local garrisons. Now, in this critical moment, why have you gone soft? Can't you explain this to the higher-ups?!"

"What use are your shouts now? I know those people were puppets controlled by Honghu, but will the Court believe it? Will those pulling strings behind the scenes stop?"

Qian Fengting's anger surged as he glared at Gui Wang Da, his beard trembling.

"Gui Wang Da, stop slamming the table and cursing here! How many times have I warned you to avoid conflicts with scum like Luo Chengjiang? You ignored me, and now look where it's gotten you! At last year's internal review meeting, you even tried to stab someone—what's wrong with your head?"

"That bastard asked for it!"

Gui Wang Da stood his ground, shouting: "Luo Chengjiang dared to use our garrison's funds to cover his debts! That son of a turtle dared to take bribes and frame me—I'd be a fool not to stab him!"

"You've got nerve, you arrogant fool, a Hundred Commander chasing a Thousand Commander with a blade!"

Qian Fengting's lips quivered with rage, "Now it's done—Su Qianhu has returned to the capital for his report, and the Commander's Office is under his interim control. Luo Chengjiang is hell-bent on making trouble for you. What can I do?"

He jabbed his finger forward, nearly poking Gui Wang Da in the face.

"Aren't you the infamous 'Bandit Slayer' and 'Judge of the Wōqū'? Why don't you just take your Black and White Double Demons and slaughter him in Jōka-chō? Come on!"

Gui Wang Da watched his old friend's face flush red with fury, his own anger receding like the tide, vanishing in an instant.

"Ah, Old Qian, don't be mad. You Confucian types are too thin-skinned—you take a joke seriously."

His face was all sycophantic smiles, "Of course I know you've done your best. Otherwise, why risk exposure to interrogate me, huh?"

"Get lost, you make me sick."

Qian Fengting glared at this turncoat, cursing through gritted teeth, "You're a Hundred Commander—have some dignity!"

"What use is dignity? Can it withstand a blade's chop or a bullet's strike?"

"You!" Qian Fengting's neatly trimmed eyebrows shot up.

"Enough, enough, no more jokes."

Gui Wang Da strode around the long table, pressing his hands on Qian Fengting's shoulders and forcing him back into his chair.

"What's Luo Chengjiang's game? Does he dare splash filth on our Canine Mountain Garrison?"

Qian Fengting took a deep breath before speaking slowly, "He wouldn't dare be reckless."

"That's good, that's good."

"But he's given you twelve hours to prove your innocence. And after this interrogation, you must report to Jōka-chō immediately!"

"This bastard's heart is venomous enough!"

Gui Wang Da snorted, "He's calculated that I won't catch the mastermind within the deadline, leaving me no chance to escape!"

"You know that now?"

Qian Fengting grumbled, "Think fast—who will take command of the garrison after you leave? To catch the culprit in twelve hours and clear our name of 'massacring the poor,' that's no small feat!"

"Don't worry, I've already chosen someone."

Gui Wang Da answered without hesitation.

Seeing his decisive confidence, Qian Fengting's curiosity was piqued.

"Who? Fan Wujiu from the First Office, or Xie Bi'an from the Second?"

"Neither."

Gui Wang Da shook his head, "Xiao Hei has courage but is impulsive; Xiao Bai is cunning but indecisive. Neither is suitable."

"Neither of them?"

Qian Fengting pondered, a thunderclap of shock flashing through his mind. A name surfaced, and he blurted out, "You want Li Jun, transferred from the mainland, to replace you? Gui Wang Da, have you lost your mind? Don't you know what he's done?"

"Of course I do."

Gui Wang Da raised his thumb, "All the deeds of a real man!"

"What deeds? He's a lawless brute, a thug! Aren't you afraid he'll fail to catch Honghu's mastermind and storm the Commander's Office to kill Luo Chengjiang?"

"Wouldn't that be reassuring? At least if I die, someone will take the fall! Maybe they'll even rescue me—we can all become bandits together!"

Gui Wang Da grinned, "If it comes to that, remember to stay far away, so you don't get hurt."

"You're insane."

Qian Fengting's face showed horror, muttering to himself.

"Insane? If I hesitate now, I'd truly be mad!"

Gui Wang Da's lips curled in a cold smile, suddenly reaching behind his head in a pulling motion.

His body began to twist and change, vanishing into the dream of Huangliang.

"So that's the situation. I'm heading to Jōka-chō as a hostage. If you don't catch that audacious Honghu within twelve hours, this massive blame will fall on my head."

In the Canine Mountain Garrison, Gui Wang Da casually relayed the Commander's Office's decision to Li Jun and the others.

Fan Wujiu's face was sorrowful, tears welling up as he whispered, "Boss, may you fare well."

"Go to hell, if you don't speak, I'll gouge that eye out!"

Gui Wang Da kicked Fan Wujiu to the ground, stomping relentlessly.

"This is all my fault. If I hadn't been so overconfident, I wouldn't have fallen into such a simple trap."

Xie Bi'an's face grew even paler, "Old Ghost, let me go to Jōka-chō in your place!"

"Go rest somewhere else. Let a Grand Commander take my place? If word spreads, will I still be able to survive in the Wōqū?"

Gui Wang Da wore a grave expression, "Don't mope. Since we've lost face this time, let's retrieve it ourselves! Let the mainland officials see how they've been played by Honghu, so they stop trying to cut our Wōqū's budget."

With that, Gui Wang Da shook off Fan Wujiu's hand clutching his thigh and turned to Li Jun.

"The fate of our eighty-two brothers—I entrust it to you. If all else fails, prioritize survival. You understand my meaning."