Xuanqing Guard

On the twenty-second day of the fifth month, in the afternoon, Shen Hao had been waiting anxiously in the Jingxi Governor’s Office nearly the whole day before Jiang Cheng finally returned.

"You rascal always bring me trouble! Here, take it!" Jiang Cheng said, tossing a copper rod to Shen Hao.

Although his face was stern, there was no hint of reproach in Jiang Cheng’s eyes; instead, as always, there was appreciation for his most capable disciple before him.

Moreover, Jiang Cheng noticed that this disciple of his had advanced further—his Cultivation had already reached the Gathering Spirit Realm Sixth Layer. After sensing him, he realized that aside from a slight instability due to his recent breakthrough, Shen Hao’s foundation was generally quite solid. This proved Shen Hao wasn’t just blindly breaking through realms; rather, he polished his foundation while forging ahead. To be able to achieve such swift progress while giving consideration to both? Unthinkable!

Truly a prodigy, one who grows by acquired effort rather than mere innate gifts. No wonder Lord Pang had also begun to favor this youngster—he was blessed indeed! Sitting in his chair, sipping tea, Jiang Cheng mused thus in his heart.

Shen Hao caught the copper rod, and upon opening it, a smile crept across his face.

"Let me tell you, this is both a sign of Lord Commander’s trust in you and a test. The knife handle has been delivered into your hands; how to wield it skillfully to cut through the fat and expose the vital spot within—that is for you to decide. Today is the twenty-second of the fifth month, you have a little over a month left. I hope you can show results and not let the Lord Commander’s painstaking efforts be wasted."

"Rest assured, my lord! This subordinate shall give my all. I will not disappoint the Lord Commander’s expectations, nor fail your careful cultivation!" As he spoke, Shen Hao cupped his hands and bowed deeply.

The weight of this copper rod was far from light; it involved affairs beyond the Jingxi Governor’s jurisdiction. For that, Jiang Cheng had to petition Pang Ban for assistance, then Pang Ban, having deliberated, had to summon the Jingnan Governor to coordinate.

And who was the Jingnan Governor? None other than Jiang Cheng’s former superior, Liao Chengfeng. In fact, Jiang Cheng and Liao Chengfeng had been at odds even before Jiang mounted the post, and it was Jiang who pushed Liao out. As for the beauty Lian Xiang, once coveted by Liao, she now had an ambiguous relationship with Shen Hao.

Thus, there was no need to guess whether Liao Chengfeng was inwardly cursing them all to hell.

For this matter to proceed, Jiang Cheng and Pang Ban had played the greatest roles. Of course, Jiang also knew that to stifle Liao Chengfeng’s dissent, Pang Ban and himself had shouldered the burden of responsibility; if Shen Hao should mishandle the task, Liao Chengfeng would have plenty to say afterwards.

"My lord, Liao Chengfeng will not try to obstruct us again, will he?"

"The matter is of great importance. I know Liao Chengfeng’s nature well—he does not have such boldness. Of course, he is certainly full of resentful qi right now, and if you later hope to seek his cooperation on anything else, it will be troublesome indeed. So when you strike this time, you would do best to be ruthless, lest you have no room to maneuver should anything change afterwards.

If in the end, things cannot be accomplished, do not force matters. It is when one acts rashly in such things that problems arise. Honestly seal the files and await orders from above; they will not simply act as though nothing ever happened.

Remember this: you must not act rashly."

"This subordinate is enlightened and will remember your teachings, my lord."

"Good. Also, your Cultivation is advancing well. Continue striving, and if you are ever short of Elixir or Magic, come to me—I shall see it handled for you."

"Many thanks for your kindness, my lord. For now, this subordinate is able to manage."

"Mm. So long as you remember. Go, then, and tend swiftly to your task; time waits for no one."

Shen Hao withdrew at once.

He hurried back to Fengri City, and, uncommonly, assigned himself overtime, instructing the gatekeeper to call for a meat pie and rice soup at the dining hall, and then sent for Wang Jian for deliberation.

When Wang Jian arrived, he saw Shen Hao seated in the Public Office, devouring his meat pie and rice soup with relish.

"Have you eaten?"

"Replying to my lord, I just had noodles at home with Zhang Liao."

"I thought you didn’t know how to cook? Zhang Liao made them?"

"Hehe, my lord indeed sees all."

For Wang Jian, a son of noble house, mere endurance was to be praised—let alone cooking. Since he and Zhang Liao shared a residence, unless they dined out, it was always Zhang Liao who prepared the food.

"The directive from above has arrived. See for yourself." Shen Hao handed over the copper rod Jiang Cheng had previously given him, and continued eating his pie. As he had not eaten at midday, hunger gnawed at him; before Wang Jian came he had already downed two large pies, now he was on the third—each weighing three taels.

Wang Jian took the copper rod, unrolled it, and upon reading the official endorsement, immediately broke into a wide grin.

"My lord, this is wonderful—far better than we ever hoped! With this endorsement, we can requisition the Inspectors among the border troops, and even directly apprehend, interrogate, and detain suspects. That’s just like our usual casework procedures! Is this for real?"

Wang Jian was elated to the point of disbelief; he knew full well the awkward plight of the Xuanqing Guard’s Inspectors among the military—calling it "awkward" was to put it kindly. When had they ever wielded such power to ’arrest, interrogate, and detain’ within the military?

"We’re just fortunate this time." Shen Hao picked up his rice soup, swallowed his mouthful of pie, and continued, "The situation of the garrisons at Hai Xia and Beach Stone, and of the Garrison Army, is something you know well; it wasn’t only our Xuanqing Guard who reported this matter upward—the myriad Civil Servants’ Military Supervisors embedded within the ranks surely sent their own memorials long ago. Previously, none dared act lightly in so sensitive a region as the border troops, so the issue was always suppressed. But now, with urgent military affairs at hand, how could that malignant air be allowed to fester within the border forces?

So this time, His Majesty’s decree is to let the Xuanqing Guard’s Inspectors—always disregarded by the military and spurned by the Military Supervisors—act as the blade. Now, we can borrow this blade, too. The implications here require your careful thought and full use."

"Hiss! If we maneuver this well, all blame can be shifted entirely onto His Majesty’s command—the real aim hidden perfectly! This is an incredible advantage!" Wang Jian was utterly delighted. He had been worrying unceasingly of late; with only two months’ time given and the task seemingly impossible, he had never expected such a twist of fate.

Shen Hao laughed as well: "It’s good that you’ve grasped it. I place this matter wholly in your hands; have your men use their brains. Confidentiality and time are equally vital—the highest priorities—then comes evidence. Not a single link may be missing, lest all previous efforts go to waste. Be prudent."

"This subordinate understands and knows what to do." Excited, Wang Jian carefully read the copper rod again, memorized every detail, then returned it to Shen Hao. He paused for a moment, then said, "My lord, I also have some good news to share with you."

"Oh? And what good news could you possibly have? Speak." Shen Hao, having finished his third pie, felt still hungry, and tore half a pie from the platter, not much expecting from Wang Jian’s so-called good news.

"It’s from Flying Dragon—Ma San has sought him out again."