The area in front of the magistrate’s office in Dao Fu Town was in complete chaos. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang had teamed up under the pretense of a fight, taking down all the members of the Dao Alliance while also testing each other’s martial arts skills.

Although it was Zhan Zhao’s first time meeting Bai Yutang and they had barely exchanged a few words, he genuinely admired him.

First, he found Bai Yutang pleasing to the eye. In other words, according to Zhan Zhao’s aesthetic standards, Bai Yutang was very good-looking and quite easy on the eyes.

Second, although Bai Yutang appeared cold and difficult to approach, his polite manner toward Gongsun and the way he protected Xiao Si Zi indicated that he was a good person.

Zhan Zhao always believed that the best way to judge a martial artist’s character was by observing two things:

1. Their attitude toward those who did not know martial arts—whether they showed respect.
2. Whether they were willing to protect the weak.
   If someone met both criteria, they could be considered a true chivalrous hero.

As for temperament and personality, Zhan Zhao never minded much—everyone had their own quirks and preferences.

Furthermore, as an expert himself, he could see the depth of Bai Yutang’s martial arts and profound inner power from their exchange. Indeed, as the most favored disciple of the Heavenly Elder, Bai Yutang was a testament to the saying, “A great teacher produces excellent students.” Though the Tian Shan Sect was chaotic, Bai Yutang seemed uninvolved in its internal conflicts.

On the other hand, Bai Yutang’s first impression of Zhan Zhao was also quite favorable.

Firstly, he didn’t find Zhan Zhao annoying.

Bai Yutang had an unusual standard for judging people. He didn’t care about appearances, status, or talent—only whether he found someone pleasing to the eye or not. People in this world were like that: some might be odd but inexplicably likable, while others might have all the right qualities but just didn’t appeal to him.

Additionally, Bai Yutang usually didn’t care much about people’s looks and was rather indifferent to appearance. However, the moment he saw Zhan Zhao, he found him exceptionally good-looking—especially his smile.

Zhan Zhao’s first impression on Bai Yutang was likely different from how most people saw him.

Many people, upon first meeting Zhan Zhao, thought he resembled a gentle white cat—delicate, mild, and unassuming. But Bai Yutang saw him as a cunning black cat—his sleek, soft exterior was merely a facade, as he possessed sharp claws and a strong personality.

Bai Yutang actually disliked overly agreeable people. If someone had no temper at all, he found them dull. However, Zhan Zhao seemed to have many secrets and concealed his true nature, hinting at a complicated background.

Moreover, Bai Yutang considered himself terrible at social interactions, whereas Zhan Zhao clearly excelled in communication, easily expressing his thoughts and handling people with skill. Bai Yutang admired this ability.

Lastly, Zhan Zhao’s martial arts were truly impressive. After crossing swords, Bai Yutang finally understood why his master had warned him, “Be careful when facing Zhan Zhao—if you underestimate him, you’ll suffer.” However, he still couldn’t figure out how his master knew Zhan Zhao’s skills so well… Had they fought before?

The two fought to a draw and seemed to enjoy themselves, but Dao Xingfeng looked extremely displeased.

The three top experts of the Dao Alliance frowned as well. It was clear that Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang had been toying with them, but what was even more frustrating was that these two were true masters—probably even stronger than Dao Xingfeng himself.

Gongsun stood aside holding Xiao Si Zi, carefully protecting him as the crowd grew denser. He kept retreating until he accidentally stepped into a hole on the stairs.

Trying to regain his balance, he accidentally bumped into someone passing behind him.

Gongsun quickly turned to apologize, not knowing who he had bumped into.

But when he looked up, he was startled—it was a tall man dressed entirely in black.

The man’s entire face was covered with a black cloth, his collar pulled high to conceal most of his face, as if he didn’t want to be recognized. He seemed anxious, glancing toward the magistrate’s office while hastily blending into the crowd, as if afraid of being seen.

Following his gaze, Gongsun noticed that the man had been looking at the entrance of the office, where Bao Zheng and Pang Ji were standing.

Gongsun narrowed his eyes. Who was this mysterious man? Why was he acting so secretive and afraid of Bao Zheng? Could he be a criminal or a thief?

“Xiao Si Zi,” Gongsun asked since he wasn’t tall enough to get a good look at the man. “Did you see that black-clothed man just now?”

Xiao Si Zi pointed at the fleeing figure, confirming, “Was it him, Dad?”

“Yes!” Gongsun nodded.

“Hm… I didn’t see his face, but I heard him speaking,” Xiao Si Zi replied.

“What did he say?” Gongsun quickly asked.

Xiao Si Zi thought for a moment before answering, “Something like… ‘A dead person… Why is Bao here? I have to run—if I get caught, I’m in trouble!’”

Gongsun’s heart skipped a beat—could this man be the real murderer?

But when he looked around again, the black-clothed man had already disappeared.

“Tsk.” Gongsun clicked his tongue in frustration.

At that moment, Bao Zheng cleared his throat.

Zhan Zhao swiftly stepped out of the battlefield, and Bai Yutang moved aside as well. Looking around, they saw that most of the Dao Alliance’s disciples were lying on the ground clutching their noses—it was quite a comical sight.

Before Bao Zheng could speak, Pang Ji sternly said, “No fighting or causing disturbances in front of the magistrate’s office!”

Dao Xingfeng looked at Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, his expression dark.

Bao Zheng gestured towards the office and invited Bai Yutang in, “Let’s discuss this inside.”

Bai Yutang hesitated briefly but eventually stepped into the office.

Dao Xingfeng glared at Bao Zheng, “Lord Bao, you are known for your fairness and impartiality, but you seem to be showing favoritism…”

Bao Zheng waved him off, “This official does not need you to teach me how to conduct investigations. Today, you have spoken out of turn and caused a disturbance, but since it is your first offense, I will let it slide. Do not do it again!” With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked back into the office.

Pang Ji smirked and followed him, also curious about Bai Yutang.

Dao Xingfeng remained at the entrance, contemplating the unexpected situation. He hadn’t anticipated Bao Zheng’s sudden visit. Deciding that things had taken a turn, he ordered his men to return to the inn and reassess the situation.

Meanwhile, outside the magistrate’s office, Gongsun was still holding Xiao Si Zi.

“Dad,” Xiao Si Zi tugged at the reins of his toy donkey. “When are we going home?”

“Hmm…” Gongsun felt that the recent events needed to be reported to Bao Zheng. Since he had some ties to Bai Yutang, he didn’t want him to be wrongly accused while holding onto a clue himself.

With that in mind, Gongsun carried Xiao Si Zi and headed to the magistrate’s office.

At the entrance, the guards Zhang Long and Zhao Hu were standing watch.

Zhang Long politely asked, “Sir, do you have business here?”

Before Gongsun could respond, a voice called out, “It’s fine, let them in.”

It was Zhan Zhao, who had run out, immediately taking Xiao Si Zi from Gongsun’s arms. “I almost forgot about you. Come inside—Lord Bao said there’s candy for you.”

Xiao Si Zi, giggling, wrapped his arms around Zhan Zhao’s neck as they entered. Gongsun sighed helplessly—his son was too easily lured away by Zhan Zhao.