The investigation revealed more than expected, shocking everyone. The prefect acted as a shield and informant for the bandits, even participating in the spoils of their crimes. This was beyond comprehension.
If they had been driven to banditry by hardship, forced to rob wealthy travelers to support their families, that might have been understandable. But these individuals chose a life of crime, colluding with corrupt officials, seizing ill-gotten gains, and dividing the spoils. They were truly wicked.
"Husband, this matter requires further investigation to confirm its veracity!" Zhao Jiaqi feared that Fan Zehao, in his anger, might act rashly and deal with the prefect of Lingnan City. She worried that if they tipped off the third in command, he might destroy evidence, leading to a more complicated situation where they would be accused of slander.
Fan Zehao took several deep breaths, patted his wife's hand, and gave her a reassuring look. "Rest assured, if the allegations are true, I will not let them go unpunished!"
However, the third in command was currently on the mountain. With over a hundred men, even the most skilled guards couldn't engage in a prolonged battle of attrition. They couldn't seek help from the prefect, nor were there any nearby garrisons. What were they to do?
Fan Zehao's mind raced. He roused Wang Xiaoliu, offering him a chance for redemption. "If you help me accomplish this, your death sentence will be commuted, and you can live as a common citizen. If you fail, I will make your life a living hell, a thousand times worse than your second in command."
Wang Xiaoliu was so terrified he nearly wet himself. He was trapped. He wanted to cry but dared not. With a trembling voice, he asked, "Sir, as long as you let me live, I will do anything!"
"Go to the mountain stronghold and spread news that you encountered a wealthy merchant caravan. Your leader and second in command are tailing them, waiting for an opportune moment to strike. Report back, no earlier than tomorrow afternoon, and no later than two days. Mention that the merchants plan to stay in Lingnan City for a while, to purchase all their goods before departing!"
"That's the gist of it. How you phrase it when you report to your third in command is up to you, but if you misrepresent my meaning, I will make you understand what I truly mean." Fan Zehao's threats and intimidation left Wang Xiaoliu terrified.
Wang Xiaoliu understood. He knew the man before him wanted to prevent the third in command from realizing they had been compromised, buying time for the prefect to be apprehended. Faced with the prospect of survival, and all else being uncertain, Wang Xiaoliu quickly decided that living was paramount.
Without hesitation, he nodded. "I'll go. I will definitely complete the task you've given me, and I guarantee I can fool the third in command into believing me."
Fan Zehao remained skeptical of these bandits. However, at this moment, he was more intent on capturing the third in command, rumored to be the prefect's brother, than dealing with this minor rogue.
"Shi He, escort Wang Xiaoliu back. Feng Xiao and Wang Xinchun, the two of you return to the scene and clean up the bloodstains to avoid any suspicion." Fan Zehao issued swift orders. He needed to stall for as much time as possible to call in a team of special forces before dealing with the bandits on the mountain.
After watching Shi He and the others depart, Fan Zehao summoned the hidden special forces commander. Within moments, the commander appeared in the residence upon seeing the signal flare. He knelt and bowed, "Master."
His arrival was silent, his entire being cloaked in darkness, with only the whites of his eyes a different hue. Everywhere else, no third color could be discerned. An icy aura emanated from him, as if plunging the surroundings into the depths of winter. Chun Fen shivered and moved away, feeling that looking at him too long would bring her closer to death.
Fan Zehao's voice was cold. "On Phoenix Mountain, there is a bandit lair with over a hundred and twenty men. These bandits are connected to the prefect. Your orders are to assemble a detachment and scout Phoenix Mountain tonight. Attack at dawn and capture the third in command alive."
These few words conveyed the full intent of using his special forces. The commander nodded and vanished from his spot in an instant.
Meanwhile, Wang Xiaoliu did not disappoint Fan Zehao. He spun a colorful tale, thoroughly deceiving the third in command with his vivid account. The third in command believed him, especially since Wang Xiaoliu was a trusted subordinate of Ma Wu, who usually placed great faith in him. The third in command did not suspect a trap, as such situations were not uncommon.
That night, Fan Zehao, accompanied by Shi He and the commander, thoroughly searched the mountain stronghold, from the inside out. Even the hidden sentries were silently eliminated and their bodies buried on the spot.
As dawn broke, painting the sky with the pale hues of early morning, Fan Zehao led a team of over a dozen special forces soldiers. They infiltrated the stronghold stealthily, killing anyone who made a sound and binding and gagging those they could subdue. Anyone who offered resistance was swiftly dispatched by Shi He without a word.
The cook, emerging from the kitchen to prepare breakfast, saw a group of black-clad figures creeping forward, killing as they went. He instinctively cried out, "Murder! Murder! The third in command has..." His words were cut short as his head was severed, hot blood spraying outwards in a crimson fountain.
Their cover was blown. Fan Zehao ordered the immediate capture of the third in command, while the rest were dealt with as efficiently as possible. The dozen or so captured men could then testify to the prefect's crimes.
By dawn, the bandit lair on Phoenix Mountain was dismantled, and the third in command was captured alive. The remaining survivors were taken away by the special forces for interrogation. Zhao Jiaqi, who had not slept all night, felt her heart finally settle as she saw Fan Zehao return safely. She thought to herself, "Earning money from selling white flour, yet worrying about selling white powder."
Interrogating the lower-ranking bandits was swift. Their accounts matched Wang Xiaoliu's almost exactly. Most of them were unaware that the prefect was the third in command's brother; only Wang Xiaoliu knew this. This likely stemmed from Wang Xiaoliu's intelligence or Ma Wu's trust in him.
With this crucial piece of evidence, the commander began interrogating Ma Wu, Gou Dan, and the third in command, Mei Shili. These three were initially tight-lipped, but even the most hardened individuals could not withstand torture. Gou Dan confessed first, followed by Ma Wu. Finally, Mei Shili broke. It wasn't that he didn't want to protect his brother, but the agonizing pain of the bamboo shards scraping his bones, inflicted daily, was unbearable. He could no longer endure it and only wished for a swift death.