For over sixty years, no one had dared to speak out, nor had anyone dared to report them, because the Bi Family operated with extreme secrecy, manipulating those gangs from behind the scenes.
Pan Heng had yet to find any concrete evidence. Otherwise, he would have had these bloodsucking beasts shot a dozen times over by now.
’Even though I despise the Bi Family, I absolutely cannot let this bring any negative repercussions for Deputy Lu or the Lu Family.’
’Everything must be done according to the law. We can’t act like bandits, executing people without evidence. That would make us no different from the warlords.’
At that moment, a knock came from outside. Pan Heng lifted his gaze from the case files and fixed it on the closed door. "Come in."
A man in military uniform entered, walked to the desk, and stood at attention, snapping off a standard military salute. "Reporting, Chief. There’s a man outside claiming to be the Bi Family’s butler. He’s asking to see you and says he has important intelligence."
Pan Heng raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. ’The Bi Family’s butler? Now that’s a rare guest.’
"Oh. Let him in."
Not long after, an elderly man in his sixties, dressed in an old-fashioned black long robe, walked into the office.
Pan Heng leaned back in his chair without rising, merely sizing up the visitor with a cool, detached gaze.
The Bi Family’s old butler bowed low, speaking in a subservient tone, "Greetings, Chief Pan!"
Pan Heng’s eyes narrowed, his expression impassive. "Why are you here?"
Upon hearing this, the old man lifted his head, lips trembling. "I am here to report Bi Yuanguang and the Bi Family. For all the heinous acts they’ve committed over the years... I have plenty of evidence, including ledgers and letters."
Hearing this, Pan Heng shot to his feet. The sudden movement startled the Bi Family’s old butler.
"Oh? And why would the Bi Family’s long-serving butler decide to come here?"
’He still found it hard to believe. The position of butler wasn’t one just anyone could hold. They were usually a master’s closest confidants, the most loyal of all.’
’A family’s butler knows more secrets than anyone else.’
’So how could such a person betray his master? Pan Heng’s first thought was of some scheme or conspiracy. Was this old man deliberately feeding him false information, hoping to stir up trouble?’
He wasn’t afraid of false information for his own sake. What Pan Heng feared was that the spread of misinformation would damage the reputations of the Lu Family and Deputy Lu.
Hearing the skepticism in Pan Heng’s voice, the Bi family’s old butler did not rush to defend himself. He simply straightened up slowly.
The next moment, he spoke with a smile. "Chief Pan, you can rest assured. I will not utter a single false word. If I do, you may do with me as you please."
He paused, then continued, "I am merely seeking to protect myself. These days, Lord Lu is a Lord of the Blue Sky for us commoners, a Saint sent to save the Daxia New Country."
"Swept up in this unstoppable tide, beasts like the Bi Family, who exploit the people and treat human lives as worthless, will sooner or later fall to your gun, Chief Pan."
As he spoke, an indescribable hatred surfaced on the old butler’s weathered face. It was not an act; it was the slow accumulation of a lifetime spent under oppression.
Then he lowered his head. "The reason I’ve come to see you today, Chief Pan, is to ask for a chance to turn over a new leaf, to start fresh. I’m hoping you might be merciful and spare me."
’So that’s how it is.’ Pan Heng finally understood. ’This old fox is afraid he’ll be purged down the line, so he came scurrying here to trade a confession for leniency.’
In fact, Pan Heng’s guess was spot on. The old butler had seen that the Bi Family’s day of reckoning was coming, so he decided to betray his masters to save himself and his family.
He had worked for the Bi Family for countless years, rising from a young servant to head butler. He had witnessed the true, ugly faces of three generations of the Bi clan. Debauchery, tyranny, oppressing the innocent—they did it all, eager to squeeze every last drop of blood and sweat from the common folk.
But with the sudden rise of Lord Lu, the old butler knew the time to pay the Bi Family’s debts had come.
’Now the time has come. If I don’t step forward and lend Chief Pan a hand, someone else will beat me to it.’
’It’s better to come forward on my own terms than to be dragged out and purged along with the Bi Family later.’
’Besides, under the leadership of the great Lord Lu, every citizen in Yun Port City can expect to be treated as an equal. We can look our former masters in the eye.’
’Given the chance, who would want to be a slave? What gives these damned lords the right to be born our betters?’
Pan Heng frowned in thought. He didn’t know if this old man had committed any heinous acts himself.
’If I really let him off the hook, wouldn’t that be an injustice to his victims? Who would they turn to for redress?’
The Bi Family’s old butler was as shrewd as his years were long. He was an expert at reading people and discerning their thoughts, knowing exactly when to speak and when to keep his mouth shut.
Thus, seeing Pan Heng’s conflicted expression, the old butler spoke without hesitation. "Chief Pan, you can rest assured. I have never taken a life."
Having said this, the old butler stopped at the perfect moment. He said no more and offered no further explanation.
Because human life was of the utmost importance. The old butler was confident that as long as murder was not involved, the Chief Pan before him would not press the matter.
Pan Heng gave the old butler a cold look, remaining silent for a moment before speaking. "I can consider letting you off, but only after we’ve investigated everything and can prove you’ve never taken a life."
Upon hearing this, the old butler bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you, Chief Pan. You can rest completely assured. While I’ve done many things against my conscience for the Bi Family over the years, I have always had my principles."
Then, he changed the subject. "Right, Chief Pan, aside from the Bi Family’s affairs, there is another urgent matter I need to discuss with you."
Pan Heng waved his hand, signaling him to continue. The old butler said urgently, "Chief Pan, I suspect the Bi Family is secretly harboring a large number of followers of the Lifeless Lotus Sect."
Upon hearing mention of the Lifeless Lotus Sect, Pan Heng strode forward several paces, staring at the old butler in shock.
"What?! Tell me everything, in detail!"
"Yes."
The old butler swallowed hard and began speaking rapidly. "About half a month ago, I noticed something was off about the master and mistress. It was as if they had become completely different people, or perhaps... as if they were being controlled."
"The master I knew was greedy, lecherous, and terrified of death. But half a month ago, he changed. He established numerous forbidden zones throughout the Bi estate and forbade anyone from entering, not even me."
"These restricted areas include old woodsheds once used for storage, courtyards that have been abandoned for years, and cellars. Places no one ever went near before are now guarded day and night."
"The other day, I happened to be passing one of these forbidden areas when I saw something on the ground. I picked it up and found a white Talisman with a lotus flower drawn on it. It looked to me like something belonging to the Lifeless Lotus Sect."
With that, he pulled the Talisman from his sleeve and carefully placed it on the desk.
"Excellent!"
After glancing at the white Talisman, Pan Heng immediately reached for the telephone on his desk.
He snatched the receiver with one hand and spun the rotary dial with the other.
After a moment, the call connected. Pan Heng straightened his posture and reported in a clear, resonant voice, "Reporting, Sir. We have suspected traces of the Lifeless Lotus Sect in Ping’an Town."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a calm, steady voice replied, "Understood. Hold your position. Reinforcements are on the way."
After hanging up the phone, Pan Heng turned back to the old butler.
"Excellent. If we find those Lifeless Lotus Sect heretics, you will have performed a great service. When we eradicate the Bi Family, that parasite on the common folk, I will grant you leniency."
The old butler bowed low, his voice filled with gratitude. "Chief Pan, I swear I will turn over a new leaf. Please, rest assured. Long live Lord Lu!!!"

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