Chapter 1168: Chapter 1141: Cannon Fodder in the Demon Hunting Story (Part 5)
Constable Geng, whose name is Geng Ping with the courtesy name Zhang Ming, was named by Prime Minister Luo himself, which shows how close the relationship between Constable Geng and the Luo Family is.
He walked out of the Luo Family residence, pondering the matters entrusted to him by Mrs. Luo.
Constable Geng speculated that Mrs. Luo had learned of an incident involving Miss Luo, prompting her to seek someone to investigate.
Mrs. Luo had never entrusted him with anything before, and Constable Geng wanted to handle this matter well.
He was walking back, still thinking, when he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Be careful."
The personâs voice was slightly hoarse, and while speaking, he helped support Constable Geng.
"Senior Brother?"
Another person called from the other side.
Constable Geng looked up to see his junior brother, Cong Zhongbai, standing alongside a very handsome man.
"Junior Brother."
Constable Geng lifted the food box: "What are you up to?"
Cong Zhongbai gestured to the man next to him: "I happened to meet an old friend and was planning to find a place to catch up. I didnât expect to run into Senior Brother. If youâre free, join us."
Constable Geng considered this: "Alright."
He waved to the roadside, and soon a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy in a brown short shirt ran over: "Hello, Uncle Geng."
Constable Geng smiled and handed the food box to the boy: "Go take this back to Granny Sun, and say that I am having a small gathering with my junior brother, so Iâll be back later."
The boy took the food box: "Okay."
Watching the boy run away with the food box, Constable Geng then bowed to the man standing with Cong Zhongbai: "I am Geng Zhangming."
The man returned the bow: "I am Xiao Yuan."
After greeting each other, Constable Geng took Cong Zhongbai and Xiao Yuan to a relatively clean eatery.
As soon as he entered, he asked the boss: "Whatâs fresh today?"
The boss, familiar with Constable Geng, smiled and said: "Fresh river fish just arrived, weighing about ten pounds, and itâs still alive."
"Thatâs convenient."
Constable Geng laughed: "Weâll have that fish; it should be enough for the three of us. Also, bring a pot of good wine."
Speaking, he led the two into a quiet small room in the backyard.
The small room was furnished with tables and chairs and was cleaned well.
Constable Geng invited Xiao Yuan to sit and said to Cong Zhongbai: "I just happen to have something to discuss with you. Sit down, and Iâll explain."
Cong Zhongbai sat down, and the waiter brought a few plates of dried fruits and two plates of cold cuts: "Enjoy these first; the fish hasnât been prepared yet, so it will take a while."
"No rush."
Constable Geng waved: "Bring two pots of good wine first."
After a moment, the wine was brought in.
While drinking wine, Constable Geng asked Xiao Yuan: "Brother Xiao, where are you from?"
Xiao Yuan smiled: "I donât really know where Iâm from. I was taken in by my master as a child and given his surname âXiao.â I came down the mountain because my master, before passing, told me I still have earthly ties and should seek my biological parents."
"Oh?"
Constable Geng raised an eyebrow: "Turns out Brother Xiao is a distinguished person."
"I wouldnât dare claim that."
Xiao Yuan waved his hand and raised his wine cup: "I toast Brother Geng."
After a few glasses of wine, Constable Geng really started to talk.
He grabbed Cong Zhongbai: "This time, I really have something for you to help with. Are you aware of Prime Minister Luo?"
Cong Zhongbai was, of course, aware: "Senior Brother, what are you saying? How could I not know him? Although he passed away years ago, his deeds are widely spread; even old men farming in the fields know a bit about Prime Minister Luo."
Constable Geng took another drink: "Itâs about his family. Perhaps you donât know, but Mrs. Luo once saved my motherâs life, and later, when I was framed, it was Mrs. Luoâs father who saved me. The Luo Familyâs kindness to me is overwhelming. Now, Mrs. Luo is asking me to investigate something, but I am overwhelmed with official duties, so I have to turn to my junior brother."
"Just let me know."
Upon hearing it was related to the Luo Family, Cong Zhongbai agreed readily.
Constable Geng lowered his voice: "Hereâs the situation..."
He explained everything to Cong Zhongbai: "I know my junior brother is always very careful, which is why Iâm asking you. I hope junior brother can clarify the matter. If Miss Luo has indeed been wronged, and that Li fellow hasnât treated her well, we must find a way to help her vent her frustration. If Miss Luoâs situation is bearable, Iâll return to Mrs. Luo so she doesnât have to worry."
"Iâll depart tomorrow."
Cong Zhongbai was decisive and efficient, and since he agreed to go, he would certainly investigate quickly.
Xiao Yuan glanced at Constable Geng and said to Cong Zhongbai: "Let me go with Brother Cong; I can help when needed."
Cong Zhongbai bowed: "Itâs a rare opportunity. Brother Xiaoâs assistance will make the investigation crystal clear."
After the three chatted for a while, the fish was ready and served on the table. All three were hungry, devouring a ten-pound fish clean. Full and satisfied, Constable Geng grabbed the two: "Come to my place, and weâll have a good talk tonight."
Xiao Yuan shook his head with a smile: "I still have some things to take care of, so I wonât go."
Constable Geng then took Cong Zhongping home.
At the Geng family home, when Lady Geng saw Constable Geng drunk, she immediately went to prepare some sobering tea.
Constable Geng and Cong Zhongping entered the house and collapsed onto the bed.
After Lady Geng had someone help them drink the sobering tea, they became a bit clearer.
Constable Geng sat up and asked Cong Zhongping: "What is Xiao Yuanâs background?"
Cong Zhongping smiled: "Xiao Yuan has a good personality; Senior Brother neednât worry."
He whispered to Constable Geng about Xiao Yuanâs background.
"Xiao Yuan is a cultivator. His master had some connections with my father years ago. He was a person of outstanding spell skills. When I was young, there was an incident at my home, and despite inviting many mages, nothing worked, until we met Daoist Xiao, who caught ghosts and subdued demons, bringing peace to our home. Afterward, when Daoist Xiao had no other commitments, he would stay at our house for a few days. At that time, he brought Xiao Yuan with him. Xiao Yuan is naturally gifted in learning spells, born for this field. After studying with Daoist Xiao for just over a decade, Xiao Yuan learned all his skills. Besides exorcism, he can perform many other spells and possesses some divine skills. If he accompanies me to investigate, we can certainly uncover the truth."
"So thatâs how it is."
Constable Geng listened, his eyes sparkling: "Iâve heard of some cultivators with strong spell skills but never seen them. I didnât expect to meet one today."
Cong Zhongping, still a bit drunk, lay back down: "Let me sleep a bit, Senior Brother, Iâll leave early tomorrow, need some good rest today."
Now, about Xiao Yuan, after parting from Constable Geng, he wandered the streets for a while till the alcohol effect faded, eventually arriving outside the Luo Family walls.
By this time, it was dark, and the street was shrouded in darkness, with only a few late comers. No one noticed Xiao Yuan.
With a flick, Xiao Yuan had already entered the Luo Family courtyard.
Standing in the yard, he closed his eyes to sense, quickly finding Anningâs room.