Chapter 511: Chapter 511: Falling Out
In the backyard of the County Magistrate’s Office.

All the doors and windows of a room had been sealed shut, making it so dark inside one could hardly see their own hand in front of them.

Due to Di Yelei’s special status, he was kept in an isolated cell.

Suddenly, the jingling of keys unlocking a door reverberated outside his cell. Moments later, along with a squeaky sound, the cell door was opened, allowing a touch of light from the outside to pour in. This abrupt exposure to light made Di Yelei instinctively squint, gradually adjusting his sight to comprehend the person who had come.

“Oh, so it is none other than Lord County Magistrate Su himself! What a rare guest you are!”

County Magistrate Su grinned from ear to ear, accepting the torch from the hands of the constable who had accompanied him, and bent down to enter the cell.

“Brother Di, there is no need for such courtesy. This is just a routine inquiry for the sake of maintaining order. Once everything is thoroughly investigated, we will naturally set you free.” Su, the County Magistrate, replied while squinting eyes under his smile.

“Hmph! Su, the County Magistrate, why those words?”

Di Yelei looked at him with narrowed eyes, standing up from the floor, “Both of us are seventh-rank officials. According to the law, only the Court of Judicial Review has the authority to oversee and adjudicate matters involving imperial officials. Yesterday, you asked me to cooperate with your investigation, and I did. However, I am astonished at the state of Macheng County, where even the guest rooms are so deplorably dark. It seems the reputation of this small county is indeed far overstated.”

Whether a county is large or small during the current era is determined by the amount of tax and grain levies that it submits to the national bank. At present, Macheng County is already a small one. If it fails to live up to even these meager expectations, it will be demoted and absorbed by a larger neighboring county, thereby rendering the position of its County Magistrate obsolete.

Unable to maintain his facade, County Magistrate Su’s mouth twitched before he let out a hearty laugh, “You are too harsh, Brother Di. This is just a temporary situation. After all, we discovered the remains of more than a dozen ordinary people at the crime scene. As a devoted official, I must provide an explanation to everyone, right? I ask you to please remain calm, Brother Di, and rest here for a couple more days. I will surely find the real culprit and clear your name.”

“No need! I have been here since yesterday and I worry about how my parents, my wife, and my children at home are coping without me. I have also been an inconvenience here overnight. I should take my leave now!”

Saying this, Di Yelei directly stepped past County Magistrate Su and bent down, ready to crawl out of the room.

However, to his surprise, four constables suddenly appeared in front, standing in a line blocking Di Yelei’s exit way. Instinctively, Di Yelei squinted his eyes and turned back to look at County Magistrate Su.

“Su, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to test my martial arts abilities, like you did yesterday?”

Yesterday, he was tricked by County Magistrate Su into this special cell under the pretext of interviewing a surviving witness from the crime scene. But that scoundrel, Xin Quan, coveted to torture him, only to be bested by him instead, making him flee with his tail between his legs.

However, judging by their demeanor, they are not likely to let this matter rest so easily! They might very well strike back at any moment.

Moreover, Da Niu was in their custody and Su, the County Magistrate, was using him as a bargaining chip. He had no choice but to play by their rules.

After a night of rest here, he had analyzed the entire scenario once again, confirming that he had inadvertently fallen into their trap. The person who had set this trap was most likely the oily-smiling Su County Magistrate standing right in front of him.

County Magistrate Su was also full of resentment.

He had been incessantly flattering the Gan family, hoping to climb up the ladder of power. However, when the Gan family went to the capital, they didn’t mention him at all, which was obviously a sign that they had forgotten about him.

As for Liu Sisi, he still held some apprehension towards her. When it came to Di Yelei though, he wished nothing more than to get rid of him.

Originally, Di was just a common constable under his command, but in a blink of an eye, he had risen to the same rank as him! How could he tolerate such humiliation?

Thinking about Xin Quan’s promise that he would skyrocket through the ranks once the matter was settled, a feeling of warmth filled his heart.

He couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Brother Di, your martial arts skills are superior. How can these subordinates of mine be your match? It’s just that yesterday, my men took Da Niu out for some fun, and he hasn’t returned as of yet. I just hope you don’t mind their unruly behavior.”

“That is all right! As long as your men have taken my subordinate out, I believe they will take good care of him and ensure he is not hurt in the slightest. With these assurances, what reason would I have to worry?”

As Di Yelei was speaking, he started to take one step after another. The four governmental office’s runners barring the door looked at each other, involuntarily retreating step by step.

Everyone had witnessed Di Yelei’s capabilities yesterday. Their group of four trying to stop him was like delivering food to him!

County Magistrate Su was anxious!

“Di Yelei, how dare you defy me publicly?”

“Ridiculous!”

Di Yelei suddenly roared with rage!

The whole prison cell trembled three times following his voice, and the four men close by felt a buzzing in their ears. Such a thunderous voice!

Di Yelei turned his face, looking at County Magistrate Su, his eyes were filled with piercing coldness. There was no more sign of his usual docility.

“County Magistrate Su, don’t get carried away! As long as I, Di Yelei, hold the position of sub-captain, you, a mere county magistrate of Macheng, do not have the authority to interrogate me!”

“Let him go!”

County Magistrate Su gnashed his teeth as he spoke, the coldness in his eyes wishing to devour Di Yelei alive.

“I thank Your Honor the County Magistrate.”

Di Yelei chuckled, turned his head and cast a furious look at the four governmental office’s runners in front of him: “Make way! If any of you dare to obstruct me, wouldn’t it be fair to execute you?”

At his words, the four runners were startled and instinctively made way for Di Yelei to pass.

Di Yelei strode out of the prison cell, raised his head to survey his surroundings, and saw County Magistrate Su, who was walking out from the inside with a face full of anger.

“County Magistrate Su, my servant is timid. Please make sure your people do not frighten him, or else… hmpf!”

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve disdainfully and left.

Some people, when given an inch, will take a mile!

He thought that he used to be subordinate to County Magistrate Su, and always held him in a certain regard. He never expected the other party to take his fear for granted, and to brazenly push him into such a situation.

He looked back squinting at the surrounding buildings, but this was also good. Although he had stayed here one night, it was through last night’s ordeal he identified the hidden hand who wanted to antagonize him. After all, his trip was not in vain.

On the Black Dragon Mountain.

Everything that followed felt as if Liu Sisi was dreaming.

She was taken out of the carry basket and was led to a small sedan that was already waiting. She got into the small sedan and was carried by two strong men into a small bamboo house.

At the moment, it was afternoon tea time, and a snack was set in front of Elder Leisure. Seeing Liu Sisi enter, he laughed and waved at her.

“Come, come, come. You are just in time to join me for a light drink. These snacks are delicious, taste them and see if you like them.”

“Actually, I am quite hungry today. I rushed to see Elder and haven’t had lunch yet.”

Liu Sisi laughed lightly as she walked in.