Lan Ya Mei was genuinely shocked when she heard the words "ruthless killer"! This didn't match her preconceived notions of Qiu Zeyu!

Aunt Guan was initially nervous, realizing she had said the wrong thing, before explaining, "It's not that I didn't want to tell you the truth sooner, but you two are such good friends, why should I say anything?"

"So what kind of person do you think he is?" Lan Yamei was also confused. It was her first time in love, and her boyfriend turned out to be a serial killer. It would be a lie to say she wasn't scared, but no matter how she looked at it, Qiu Zeyu would never do such a thing.

"I've lived a whole life, and I've seen through the ways of love. If two people love each other, as long as he treats you well and protects you, you don't care if he's human or demon. You should know that sometimes humans are not as good as demons! Qiu Ming Manor has a high status in the martial arts world. On the surface, they make a living by escorting goods, but in private, they should also be the henchmen of the imperial court. Of course, these are just my personal speculations, and there is no real evidence."

As she spoke, Aunt Guan patted Lan Yamei's shoulder to comfort her, saying, "Actually, it's already quite difficult that he loved you back when you loved him. People in this world are all different; no one is perfect. If he can love you and protect you, what does it matter if he's a ruthless, handsome scholar?"

Lan Yamei felt a little relieved. "Who were the people he killed?"

Aunt Guan hadn't expected her to be so quick to accept things. She paused for a moment and then said, "Rumors in the martial arts world say he's a great villain, but some say he kills good people. However, I've never seen him. When he comes, you can ask him."

Killing demons? That would inevitably lead to a fierce battle, and who knows how much blood would be shed! Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "He said he had a story to tell Nan Fangnan, I wonder if a fight will break out."

As they spoke, swords flashed and sounds of fighting erupted outside the door.

Aunt Guan picked up a table leg, assuming a defensive stance, and muttered, "Why are they fighting?"

The flashing blades and shadowy figures quickly reached the doorway. The two men, trembling, climbed out of the window and hid in the tangled bamboo forest, too afraid to move.

After another long fight, things gradually quieted down.

When the two men were sure it was safe outside and crawled out, the entire courtyard was already deserted. Confused, they carefully climbed out through the doorway, only to find the area surrounded by soldiers.

As soon as they showed themselves, the two were immediately bound hand and foot and escorted to the Xuzhou government office.

A portly official in the courtroom slammed his gavel and asked the two men, "Who are you?"

Aunt Guan remained relatively calm, but Lan Ya Mei panicked and blurted out, "We are good people!"

He slammed the gavel again and rebuked, "Whether someone is a good person or not is my own judgment. Answer my questions directly, and stop with the nonsense."

Lan Yamei was truly angry. She was just an ordinary citizen who had been kidnapped by villains for two days without any reason. Instead of the government rescuing her, she saw the government putting on a show of power. Just as she was about to lash out, Aunt Guan quickly grabbed her hand and replied with a bitter smile, "Reporting to Your Honor, we are from Longyang Town in Lin'an. We were captured by villains two days ago. Today, for some reason, a fight broke out inside, and we managed to escape. Fortunately, Your Honor rescued us."

"If you're from Longyang Town, how come you're in Xuzhou? Tell me honestly, are you in cahoots?"

"Nonsense! Why aren't you taking us with you?" Lan Yamei was utterly exasperated; this county magistrate must have lost his mind.

"How dare you! How dare you shout like that in court! Guards, slap her!" The judge was panting heavily, utterly humiliated by the outspokenness of a young girl.

Two constables stepped forward. One held down Aunt Guan, who was trying to protect her, while the other rolled up his sleeves and was about to slap Lan Yamei across the face.

How could Lan Ya Mei possibly suffer such a loss silently? At this moment, the thought of rising up in rebellion was already in her mind! Forced to join the Liangshan bandits! Various versions of "If you're not convinced, then fight!"

He caught the slap that was being swung at him, stood up, and with lightning speed twisted his arm backward and then swept his leg, knocking the constable to the ground.

Before the fat official could react, Lan Ya Mei grabbed the hand of the bailiff holding down Granny Guan and punched him so hard his nose and mouth bled. She then shielded Granny Guan behind her, who trembled and asked, "When did you learn this?"

"Like father, like daughter; better hide."

The fat official shouted, "Rebellion! Rebellion! All of you, get her! Seize her! Close the door, don't let them escape!"

A group of constables pounced on her, but Lan Yamei wasn't intimidated. She'd seen this kind of scene many times before.

While protecting Granny Guan behind him, he charged towards the outside of the yamen with punches and kicks. In fact, he didn't kill her, only injuring her and causing her pain, without breaking any hands or tendons.

Just as the two sides were locked in a tense standoff, the gates of the county government office were suddenly smashed open! Everyone was stunned! Murong Xingchen led a group of men in and rushed in, shouting, "Get out of my way!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, the constables quickly hid behind the fat official. Before the fat man could figure out who it was, the man walked straight to the old man and the young man, first respectfully clasping his hands in a salute before speaking, "Dr. Mei, are you alright?"

Upon hearing the name "Doctor Mei," the fat man's eyes widened in shock. This...this...this still-attractive older woman before him was actually the renowned Doctor Mei! Ah! If only he had known! His hidden ailment might have been cured!

Aunt Guan shook her head and said, "I'm fine, it's all because of Lan'er protecting me."

Murong Xingchen then turned to Lan Yamei and asked, "How is Manager Lan?"

"It's alright. Luckily you came, otherwise the two of us would have become innocent ghosts in Xuzhou. You must uphold justice for us and not let this fat Xuzhou man who disregards human life go unpunished." Lan Yamei said, pointing to the fat man who was already somewhat guilty.

Seeing that the two were unharmed, Murong Xingchen stepped forward and said to the fat man, "I am Murong Xingchen, the prefect of Lin'an. According to the imperial court, we are currently investigating the Nanfang Nan case. I heard that you have detained two important witnesses and are even using torture to extract confessions. Do you have anything to say about this?"

The fat man knew he had kicked a hornet's nest when he heard the name Murong, especially since the case of Nan Fangnan was under his jurisdiction. His legs immediately went weak, and he knelt down and begged, "I know nothing about this! These two women came from the Bai family and they don't look like good people at all. It's only reasonable for me to interrogate them."

Murong Xingchen pointed to the broken flowerpot in the courtyard and said to the bleeding yamen runner, "Is this what you call a reasonable trial? Since Lord Shen has a valid reason, I will allow you to report to the court and let the Emperor decide who is right and who is wrong."

He turned to his men and said, "Take these two back to Lin'an; I have a use for them."

Before the fat man could speak, the group embarked on their journey back to Lin'an.

Just outside the gates of Xuzhou, a group of men turned into a grove of trees and lay in ambush.

Lan Yamei asked Murong Xingchen, puzzled, "What's wrong? Are you afraid of pursuers?"