The Sutton Family's steward took Trevor Sutton's visiting card to the prefectural yamen, requesting an audience with the Prefect and asking him to send troops for support.
Meanwhile, Trevor Sutton was busy gathering the family’s house servants and courtyard guards.
He assembled more than two hundred people, all ready to set out at a moment’s notice.
“Guard Captain Wang, what do you think of that intruder’s strength?”
Afterward, Trevor summoned the head guard for questioning.
“Master Trevor, I’ve already questioned the house servants. Based on their descriptions, that intruder’s strength is likely at the Martial Master level—maybe even mid-stage Martial Master!” At this, Vincent Wang’s face showed a hint of dread.
He had cultivated inner qi himself, but only reached early-stage Martial Master. He knew he could handle those house servants easily, but to sever dozens of arms in an instant like Ian Song did—if it were him, it would be impossible. That’s why he suspected the intruder was at least mid-stage Martial Master.
The prefect of Mingshan Prefecture was Qin Wei. He had just finished presiding over the licentiate exam and was still tired, having only recently woken up. As he was served some snacks and tea, he suddenly heard that the Sutton Family’s steward had arrived with Trevor Sutton’s visiting card, requesting an audience.
Trevor Sutton was the biggest rice merchant in Mingshan Prefecture and deeply entangled with the local gentry. If it wasn’t necessary, Qin Wei didn’t want to offend him, so he immediately ordered his staff to invite the Sutton steward inside.
"This humble servant greets the Prefect Lord!"
As soon as he entered, the Sutton steward knelt and kowtowed.
"Steward Sutton, no need for such formality. Please rise!"
"Thank you, Prefect Lord!"
"Steward Sutton, may I ask what brings you here today?" Qin Wei asked kindly.
"Prefect Lord, please stand up for our family!" the steward cried out in distress.
"Oh? Has something happened at the Sutton estate?" Qin Wei feigned surprise.
The Sutton steward then recounted how Ian Song had barged into the Sutton estate, sliced off both of Shane Sutton’s ears, and severed the arms of eight house servants.
After hearing the story, Qin Wei was genuinely shocked—someone had actually dared to commit violence inside the Sutton estate.
"Where is that criminal now?"
Qin Wei asked in a low, serious voice.
Reporting to Prefect Lord, that criminal is currently inside a clinic. Please send someone to help!
Attendants!
Qin Wei shouted, "Go and summon Head Constable Li!"
Soon, a vigorous middle-aged man arrived. His name was Leo Li, the head constable of Mingshan Prefecture's yamen, whose cultivation had reached late-stage Martial Master.
"Greetings, Prefect Lord!"
Leo Li clasped his fists in salute.
Although he was a head constable, as a late-stage Martial Master he would not kneel to the prefect.
Qin Wei didn’t mind and said, "Head Constable Li, a violent criminal broke into the Sutton estate. Take your men and follow the steward to arrest the criminal!"
Understood!
Leo Li replied in a loud voice.
Half a quarter-hour later, Leo Li led more than ten constables out of the yamen with the Sutton steward. Meanwhile, the steward sent a servant back to notify Trevor Sutton.
Soon, the two groups met near the clinic—this time, Trevor Sutton personally led his men.
Thank you for your help, Head Constable Li!
Trevor Sutton spoke politely, slipping a banknote to Leo Li and lowering his voice: "Head Constable Li, when you arrest that criminal, make sure he suffers—preferably cut off both his ears!"
Leo Li glanced at the amount—one hundred taels. As expected of the biggest rice merchant, he nodded repeatedly: "Don’t worry, Master Trevor, I won’t let that criminal off easy!"
Thank you, Head Constable Li!
Inside the clinic.
Chris Chen’s injuries had been treated, but he’d lost so much blood that he wouldn’t wake for a while. Luckily, the clinic had an old ginseng root to replenish qi and blood. After Ian Song paid, the doctor cheerfully brought out the ginseng and ordered it decocted into soup.
But before the ginseng soup was ready, the constables and Sutton retainers arrived again.
Don’t worry about them—just take good care of him!
With that, Ian Song left the clinic.
Seeing Ian Song’s scholarly attire, Leo Li was momentarily stunned and asked sternly, "Are you the scholar who broke into the Sutton estate and committed violence?"
Ian Song cupped his fists to Leo Li: "Greetings, Prefect Lord. I am Ian Song, a child-student from Huangshan County. I didn’t break into the Sutton estate—I was brought in. As for why I cut off his ears, it’s because the Sutton young master tried to kill me. I only cut off his ears and severed the servants’ arms as punishment, and when dozens of thugs came later, I only took one arm each as a warning."
You little crook, stop spouting nonsense!
Hearing Ian Song’s words, Trevor Sutton was furious and urged Leo Li, "Head Constable Li, hurry and arrest this criminal!"
But Leo Li didn’t move. If Ian Song were just an ordinary martial artist, he could arrest him directly, but as a registered child-student, he couldn’t act so casually.
He asked again, "What evidence do you have that the Sutton young master tried to kill you?"
It’s simple!
Ian Song continued, "My wife’s elder brother was beaten severely and is now being treated in the clinic. The whole story is simple: the Sutton young master falsely accused my brother-in-law of breaking his jade ruyi, then beat him and locked him up. Later, he sent men to the inn to demand I bring five thousand taels to ransom him. Tell me, Prefect Lord, what jade ruyi could possibly be worth five thousand taels?"
A pair of ordinary jade ruyi would only fetch a few dozen taels; even as antiques, a few hundred at most. Shane Sutton dared to ask for five thousand—what a greedy demand.
Nonsense! Head Constable Li, don’t listen to his lies! Arrest him at once!" Trevor Sutton shouted, exasperated.
Please calm down, Master Trevor!
Leo Li spoke in a low voice, then turned to Ian Song: "Young Master Song, what you’ve said is only your side of the story. Please come with me to the yamen for questioning."
Ian Song frowned: "My wife’s elder brother is still in the clinic!"
Don’t worry, I’ll leave two constables to protect him.
Leo Li waved his hand, and two constables entered the clinic. Soon, one came out and reported, "Sir, there really is a seriously injured man inside!"
Young Master Song, please don’t make things difficult for me.
Alright.
Ian Song nodded.
Wait!
Just then, a clear voice rang out, and a green-robed girl floated down from the rooftop—a stunning young woman wielding a sword.
She swept her gaze over the crowd and said sternly, "You constables are bold indeed, daring to bully even members of the Cloudwater Sword Sect. Junior brother, are you alright? Do you need your senior sister to stand up for you?"
Cloudwater Sword Sect?" Leo Li’s expression changed dramatically.
Cloudwater Sword Sect!
Trevor Sutton’s face also turned pale, and he couldn’t help but tremble. If this little crook really was from the Cloudwater Sword Sect, he was in serious trouble.