Published: March 4, 2025
Chapter 65: Investigating Chu Yang
In this world, there are countless professional pawn shops. I am merely a half-hearted fisherman, and this storefront is just a means to attract attention and enhance my own status; as long as the goal is achieved, I can close the door for good.
Since opening, I haven't done a single transaction, yet someone rushes here in the dead of night to pawn something? And it's such a fine sword?
This matter feels strange. It's too unusual. Could there be something fishy about it?
Late at night, within the Crown Prince's Residence.
The burly Wu Kuangyun left in a disheveled state.
He arrived at Tie Butian's place, and before he could utter a word, Tie Butian blocked him off: “No need to explain, I know it must be you.”
And then he was left hanging there. Standing stiffly for an entire afternoon and half the night, this renowned Great General of the Iron Cloud Nation, who was invincible in battle and admired by his subordinates, was reduced to wiping cold sweat the entire time.
Tie Butian continuously dealt with official documents, arranging matters, with groups of people coming in and out, all moving briskly. Only Wu Kuangyun remained like a wooden post standing in the middle of the hall, not moving at all.
This was an immense loss of face. Wu Kuangyun glanced around at the curious, surprised, and mocking eyes, feeling utterly humiliated and wishing he could find a hole to hide in. Especially those familiar faces, looking at him as if he were a monkey.
He pleaded silently with Tie Butian countless times, "Little ancestor, even if you cut off my head, please don’t make me stand here like this…"
But Tie Butian didn’t even glance at him, his eyes not meeting Wu Kuangyun’s, let alone speaking to him.
Without Tie Butian speaking, Wu Kuangyun naturally dared not say anything. The authority of this young crown prince was secondary; it was his accumulated reputation over the years that instilled an extreme respect in Wu Kuangyun! It was precisely because of this respect that he was afraid.
If it were someone else, the notoriously short-tempered general would have slammed the table and cursed, but before Tie Butian, he had to think twice before even breathing heavily.
The last words from Tie Butian rescued his predicament. Without lifting his head from the documents on the desk, he said, “Go to the military law office by yourself and receive one hundred military rods. One year’s salary will be deducted for all those involved in this matter.” He continued, still not looking up, “I believe you won’t cause trouble. Now get lost.”
Tie Butian wasn’t angry; his tone was very calm. Yet this calmness made Wu Kuangyun's heart tremble. Because it indicated that Tie Butian was truly angry. If it weren’t for the current crisis in the Iron Cloud Nation, his head might have already been hanging from a flagpole…
Sigh, if it weren’t for the crisis, how could I have done something so foolish?
Upon hearing Tie Butian’s punishment, Wu Kuangyun felt as if he had received a great reprieve, repeatedly expressing his gratitude. He turned and dashed out of the Crown Prince's Residence like a rabbit chased by hounds. Finally, he let out a long breath, plopping down on the ground, grinning and exclaiming, “My dear mother, I'm finally out; this feeling is really worse than getting beaten…”
As for causing trouble… Wu Kuangyun hadn’t even thought about it. One hundred military rods, while many, he could still endure. But if he were to cause trouble, the next time wouldn’t just be a matter of one hundred military rods…
There were many precedents, and Wu Kuangyun absolutely dared not provoke the crown prince.
“Reporting to the crown prince, we have found that person.”
“Oh? Where is he?” Tie Butian was engrossed in reading mountains of memorials on the table, holding a wolf hair brush in his right hand, swiftly approving several documents without a second thought.
His speed was quick, but each one was clear and precise, having gone through careful consideration in his mind. Every approval was incisive, hitting the nail on the head! Such insight was truly admirable.