Chen Xiaobei, overhearing the conversation, chimed in, "Lord Hu, since you can walk back to Hetou Village with Chen Ping, your relationship must be extraordinary. Why not take Chen Xiaobo to Xiaojia Town and find someone who usually interacts with Chen Ping to identify him?"
Hu Fan nodded, admitting that Chen Xiaobei's suggestion was quite sound. After all, for Chen Xiaobei, who had watched countless detective dramas in his previous life, starting with familiar acquaintances was the logical approach.
He Dali, looking at Chen Xiaobei, tentatively asked, "Perhaps Brother Xiaobei could accompany me? After all, I'm not very familiar with Chen Xiaobo."
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, what does his familiarity with Chen Xiaobo have to do with me? However, since the case happened in his own village and he was the village head, it wouldn't be too much to accompany him to Xiaojia Town.
"Alright, I'll make arrangements and then I'll go with you."
As soon as Chen Xiaobei stepped into his house, Shi Yan arrived with his men.
He knew Shi Yan to some extent but hadn't spoken more than a few words with him. Usually, it was Sun Jian who, along with Sun Gui and others, sought him out more often.
"Brother Xiaobei, we've come to check on the progress of the iron chain bridge on the mountain," Shi Yan stated directly, steering the conversation to the iron chain bridge.
"Everything is proceeding as normal. Those who came down the mountain yesterday said that four ropes have already been secured, and it will be completed in a few days," Chen Xiaobei replied truthfully. "By the way, regarding the wooden planks for the bridge deck, you need to speak with Brother Sun and have them delivered to me quickly."
Shi Yan readily agreed, "No problem, no problem. By the way, could you accompany me up the mountain to take a look?"
Logically, an employer's request like this, especially when Chen Xiaobei was earning their money, should be fulfilled. However, he had just agreed to go to Xiaojia Town with He Dali.
"Brother Shi Yan, you've come at an inconvenient time. I'm just about to head to Xiaojia Town. How about this: I'll arrange for others to accompany you up the mountain. Would that be acceptable?"
Chen Xiaobei obviously hadn't realized that Chen Ping's murder might be related to Sun Jian.
Unintentional words from the speaker, but attentive ears from the listener. Shi Yan, upon hearing that Chen Xiaobei was going to Xiaojia Town, subtly shifted his gaze and pretended to be casual as he inquired, "The sun is already setting in the west, why are you still going to Xiaojia Town?"
"Ah, I'm going to handle some matters with Captain He from the county. Don't worry, I'll arrange for someone to guide you up the mountain right away."
Hearing this, Shi Yan understood. Going to Xiaojia Town with the officials must be to investigate Chen Ping's murder. The fact that they were returning to Xiaojia Town so soon likely meant they had solid evidence.
With this thought, Shi Yan quickly called out to someone beside him, "Shi Gang, take the shortcut out of the village immediately and go back to tell Big Brother, 'The wind is picking up, time to scram!'"
Meanwhile, Yang Zhi had already gathered his men and was heading towards Xiaojia Town. They had arranged to surround and capture Sun Jian that night, so they needed to get there earlier to set up an ambush.
Dozens of people dispersed, heading towards Xiaojia Town in small groups of twos and threes.
Yang Zhi, along with Yang Bo and Hu Laoqi, was walking with his head down when Hu Laoqi suddenly tugged at Yang Zhi's clothes.
"Second Brother, look. Those people behind us seem to be from Cangying Mountain!"
Yang Zhi crouched down, pretending to adjust his shoelaces, and stealthily glanced back. Indeed, they were. The people from Cangying Mountain had curly hair, prominent noses, and full beards, making them distinguishable from the people of their own country, Da Cang.
Yang Zhi stood up and said in a low voice, "Yes, they are from Cangying Mountain."
Yang Bo looked worried and said, "Big Brother, could it be that they've discovered our movements and are rushing back to report it?"
Yang Zhi pondered for a moment, "We'll capture this fellow first and drag him aside to question him clearly about his intentions."
Hu Laoqi immediately moved a few steps to the other side of the official road. This way, if anyone approached, they would have to pass between Hu Laoqi and Yang Bo.
With only three people on the road walking in such a manner was unusual, but Shi Gang, focused on his hurried pace, overlooked it. Just as he was passing Hu Laoqi, Yang Zhi, who was walking ahead, suddenly stepped sideways into the middle of the road.
Shi Gang quickly braked to avoid a collision with Yang Zhi. The moment he braked, Yang Bo, who was beside him, squatted down and swept Shi Gang's legs.
Caught off guard, Shi Gang sprawled face-first onto the ground. Before he could recover, Hu Laoqi stepped forward and pressed down on Shi Gang's head. Their coordination was seamless, indicating they were experienced in such matters.
Immediately, Yang Zhi and Yang Bo swarmed forward, twisted Shi Gang's arms behind his back, and tied him up securely.
Before Shi Gang could fully comprehend what was happening, he was captured alive and tied up. Covered in dust and with blood foam at the corners of his mouth, he glared at Yang Zhi and shouted, "Who are you people? Why did you ambush me?"
Yang Zhi let out a cold snort, "Who are we? Have you forgotten what happened on Qingniu Mountain that night?"
Shi Gang's expression changed drastically. "You... you are from the Vermillion Bird Gang."
Yang Zhi chuckled, "Three years of being a thief, and you confess without being asked."
"In that case, I shall offer you a proper reception." Saying this, Yang Zhi walked towards a small grove of trees by the roadside.
Hu Laoqi and Yang Bo dragged Shi Gang into the grove, untied his belt, and tied him firmly to a tree. Yang Zhi pulled out a short knife from his waist and gestured menacingly near Shi Gang's face, "Were you at Qingniu Mountain that night?"
"No, no, I definitely wasn't. I was sleeping at the inn," Shi Gang stammered.
Hearing his answer, Yang Zhi let out a cold laugh. "Coward. If you did it, why deny it?"
With that, he swung the short knife, swiftly slashing across Shi Gang's cheek, leaving a bleeding gash. The pain made Shi Gang tremble and cry out.
Yang Zhi looked at him with a sinister grin, tilting his head. "Tell me, what were you rushing off to do? Were you going to tip them off?"
Shi Gang clearly misunderstood Yang Zhi's intention. "You already know?"
"Of course, I know. Even if you go back to report it, you won't be able to save Sun Jian. He is destined to die today."
The man looked bewildered and asked instinctively, "N-no, that can't be right. Sun Gui and Sun Qing killed him, and they ran away. It has nothing to do with my Big Brother!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhi almost burst out laughing. It turned out this fellow was talking about something entirely different. Nevertheless, he immediately thought of the murder case on Qingniu Mountain today. Could it be that the Cangying Mountain people were responsible?
Yang Zhi pressed again, "Was it truly your Cangying Mountain people who did it?"
The young man, however, appeared nonchalant and indifferent. "It's just killing a mountain villager, what's the big fuss about?"
Excellent, it was now confirmed that Sun Jian's group had committed the murder. Yang Zhi suddenly had an idea and said to Yang Bo, "Tie him up securely. We'll settle accounts with him after we've finished our business."
With that, he gave Hu Laoqi a look and walked out of the grove.