"Master, no one said your innkeeper was the culprit, so why are you so nervous?" Hu Li approached, taking a step forward.

The waiter's hand trembled. This guest was unpredictable and had no manners, acting randomly. His wrist was twisted by Hu Li, leaving a bruise. He instinctively took a step back but continued to explain, "Our innkeeper wouldn't dare to kill even a chicken, let alone so many people. The officials must be mistaken."

"If that's the case, I still want to see your innkeeper," Hu Li said.

The waiter hesitated, no longer mentioning their innkeeper, and quickly asked with a forced smile, "Since it's already past noon, are the gentlemen planning to stay overnight?"

"No need, we'll leave tonight," Hu Li glanced at Jiang Yu and said, "Don't we still have to catch the murderer?"

The man who had just reported to Jiang Yu earlier wanted to reprimand Hu Li, but Jiang Yu raised his hand and gave him a look, causing the man to step back and guard the door.

"This waiter needs to be taken back. He was the first to discover the Yu family's bodies, and the yamen will need to take his statement," Jiang Yu said.

The waiter looked uneasy. "There's only me here at the inn. Besides, with the officials here, I've already told them everything."

Jiang Yu pushed the teacup away from him and said firmly, "We, Jinyiwei, have no authority over this matter. There's no reason for us to go to the yamen."

The Black Horse Escort has cleared themselves from this case.

Every escort who signed a contract with the Escort was summoned by Jiang Yu, who was still staying at the yamen. Hu Li, being the prime suspect, was now staying there as well. Since returning from Yi Ling, Hu Li had not stepped into the gates of Wu Xiang Chan Dou, and the news of the return of Jinyiwei to Yanran City was unknown to ordinary people.

Jiang Yu sat beside Hu Li, leisurely sipping his tea.

Everyone in the room was weary from travel, not even having time to drink water.

After downing a cup of tea, Hu Li said to Jiang Yu, "The innkeeper, Qian Sen, has some connections in the Jianghu and has quite a background. People in Yanran City know about it."

"With such a background, why would he open an inn in the wilderness?" Jiang Yu stroked his chin, raising an eyebrow. "Is it Qian Sen or Qian Duo?"

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Qian Sen is involved with the Linglong Villa. People in the Jianghu seek him out to buy weapons and hidden weapons. His forging skills are excellent. Apart from the unique patterns, they are no different from those sold by Linglong Villa, and the prices are lower," Hu Li explained.

Qian Sen had dealings with the Hu people a few years ago. Since the Emperor expelled the Hu people from Jiahan Pass, he had still kept in touch with them. The yamen once raided his house a few years ago, catching his servant wandering near the border between the two countries. They brought him back and gave him ten big boards, but they didn't stop there.

"Qian Sen has some nerve," Jiang Yu exclaimed.

"People will do anything for money," Hu Li said.

"Where is Qian Sen now?" Jiang Yu asked.

One of his subordinates lowered his head respectfully and replied, "He's being surveilled. Qian Sen is currently in a tavern in the south of the city and hasn't left."

Hu Li frowned, his finger tapping his chin. He pondered, "If Qian Sen committed the crime and fled to Yanran City, he shouldn't just stay in a tavern after rushing back here overnight. There should be other actions..."

"Have you found out about Qian Sen's martial arts skills?"

Before Hu Li could finish speaking, someone burst into the room, looking frantic. They saw Jiang Yu sitting there and their expression became even more anxious, scanning the room.

Jiang Yu pondered for a moment before saying, "Report it to me as well."

The yamen officer hesitated for a moment, recalling that the day before, the yamen officer had scolded him for not reporting such an important matter. News had come from the capital. This case was handed over to the officer, and the yamen officer was to fully cooperate with Jiang Yu in solving it.

This was clearly an attempt to bypass the yamen officer's authority.

But it was also clear that Jiang Yu was naturally supposed to know the news first, and he happened to encounter the officer.

The officer adjusted his hat and reported, "The yamen officer issued a citywide search order. A suspicious person was spotted near Changhong Street Embroidered Spring Pavilion just now."

Jiang Yu squinted, saying lightly, "Oh?"

The yamen officer, realizing the gravity of the situation, hurriedly approached from the inner courtyard.

The yamen officer stood nervously on the side, like walking on thin ice. Jiang Yu sat quietly in the chair, drinking tea. The atmosphere was extremely strange.

Since the yamen officer entered, the captain had been staring at him without taking his eyes off him.

"Jiang Yu, it's been hard for you. We've prepared dinner at the yamen. We'll have a feast later," the yamen officer, unsure of the situation, could only say what he had planned.

"Sir..." The yamen officer wanted to pass on the news since his superior had arrived.

"Shut up, Jiang Yu hasn't spoken yet," the yamen officer's superior interrupted him sharply.

Hu Li watched the scene with amusement. This guy was only concerned about claiming credit. He hadn't even cleared up the situation before disturbing the peace of Yanran City.

"Send someone out to capture the suspect first," Jiang Yu said leisurely, completely ignoring the yamen officer's superior.

The yamen officer's superior turned around, his voice full of anger. "What's going on?"

"Sir, a suspicious person was seen near Changhong Street just now," the yamen officer quickly reported.

"Why didn't you report it earlier? Such an important matter," the superior scolded the officer, slapping his head.

The officer held his head, feeling the pressure of the higher rank. He kept quiet, not daring to make a sound.

"The yamen officer acts quickly. The suspect will be brought to justice in no time," Hu Li watched the scene with amusement, seemingly complimenting but actually sarcastic.

The yamen officer's superior finally noticed Hu Li sitting beside Jiang Yu.

Hu Li seemed familiar to him.

He had been in Yanran City for five years, while Hu Li had only been here for three. He had always found Hu Li agreeable. If there was something the yamen didn't want to deal with, as long as someone paid a little money, Hu Li could solve it for them. The drum in front of Yanran Yamen was rarely beaten. Although it made the yamen appear incompetent, because of Hu Li, he had fewer headaches and could enjoy the extra benefits. At that time, no matter how he looked at Hu Li, he found him agreeable.

But now, Hu Li was right in front of him, a living person. He was annoying whether he opened his mouth or not.

He quickly glanced at Jiang Yu, unable to figure out their relationship. He could only pretend not to understand, chuckling and saying modestly, "It's thanks to Jiang Yu's timely information."

"The yamen officer cares for the world and shouldn't belittle himself," Hu Li added with a smile.

The yamen officer's superior almost wanted to slap Hu Li's annoying head.

Hu Li leaned closer to Jiang Yu and whispered, "Watch him grab a bunch of people later."